Holy crap! Is it just me, or is this season of Saturday Night Live just painfully bad? The show last night with Jamie Pressly has to be the worst episode I can ever recall seeing, and horribly embarrassing for everybody involved. Losing Tina Fey as head writer (and Weekend Update anchor) has killed what little was left of a once great show. I never thought I'd be longing for the insanely stupid "Goat Boy" to come back to SNL, but ANYTHING would be better than this. Who in their right mind will want to host a show that can make even the usually-funny Dane Cook suck ass?
It's a lazy Sunday and so it must be time for bullet points...
• Tower: Sad news this weekend, Tower Records is closing its doors around the globe. Back in high school and college I would look forward to trips to Seattle with my friends because we would often stop at Tower and browse their collection of imports and 12-inch singles. Many times, we'd hit all three locations in Bellevue, Seattle Center, and the U-District to be sure nothing was missed. Of course now-a-days eBay and online specialty shops are a far more reliable and efficient way of finding music, but Tower is responsible for filling many holes in my collection in those early years. Since the store has fond memories for me, I've always stopped at other locations I find in my travels, including shops in London, Dublin, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur... plus some shops throughout Japan, and several here across the US.
• CBGB: As if that wasn't enough, CBGB is closing its doors as well. I've only been once, but still consider it to be an essential NYC experience and am sad to see it go. Rumor has it that a new CBGB is to be opened in Vegas, which seems wrong in so many ways. If this is actually true, I don't feel so bad that my CBGB T-shirt was ruined years ago.
• Quake: Washington's own Mt. Rainier, which I fly past frequently when inbound to SeaTac Airport, was hit by a minor earthquake last night which I could feel almost a hundred miles away. It is a bit worrisome to think that volcanic activity might be in its future. If such a beautiful landmark were to become another crater (like Mt. St. Helens), it would really put a dent in Seattle's southern view...
• The Departed: As somebody who thinks that Martin Scorsese hasn't made a great film since Goodfellas, I was most pleased with The Departed which may be his best work to date. This is kind of mixed praise though, because this film is essentially a remake of the brilliant trilogy of Infernal Affairs films out of Hong Kong. In many ways, I'd say the original works are superior (and well worth renting), but it's hard to deny that Scorsese did a remarkable job with his interpretation (cops with moles battle organized crime with moles in modern-day Boston). The violence, while harsh, is nowhere near the ridiculous levels of Gangs of New York (which I loathed) and the performances by Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio are fantastic. Jack Nicholson is also great, as expected, but it's difficult to see him as his character instead of "Jack Nicholson" on the screen. About the only negative is the wholly implausible love triangle that develops unnecessarily, but it's a minor quibble. If incidents of blood and violence don't bother you, The Departed well-worth checking out.
Streaming: How is it that YouTube can serve up millions of streaming videos every day, and yet just about everybody else fails miserably at it? Every site I try to watch video on from Sony to Fox to E Online all end up re-buffering every 5 seconds which is just stupid. Why even offer video if it's going to be completely unwatchable? Just put your shit up on YouTube and let somebody who actually knows what they're doing deal with it.
I love comments! However, all comments are moderated, and won't appear until approved. Are you an abusive troll with nothing to contribute? Don't bother. Selling something? Don't bother. Spam linking? Don't bother.
PLEASE NOTE: My comment-spam protection requires JavaScript... if you have it turned off or are using a mobile device without JavaScript, commenting won't work. Sorry.
Atom Entries Feed Comments Feed
Ruin your view and put boiling hot magma (this must be said in your best Dr. Evil voice) in your backyard. Which would suck.
i used to hang out at the bellevue tower records all the time, in the late 80’s, early 90’s. usually late night. while in college, i worked at a hallmark store, so when i was in tower, and cd’s were new to the mix, i used to straighten them as i browsed. because their shelving was not really set up to feature cd’s properly and things would get messing. it was habit from straightening cards, you see. i still do it. when i am in hallmark. i straighten the merchandise.
so, anyway, yeah… i was sad when the bellevue store closed.
tower records is closing!? this makes me feel old and sad. sigh. and how is that i live 15 mins from the seatac airport and i didn’t feel the earth move? i love a good earthquake. i know it’s sick and wrong to say so but it’s true!
I felt bad for Jamie Pressly – she’s awesome and it’s unfortunate she hosted such a sucky show. I chuckled maybe once, and it might have been at a commercial between skits – a real commercial. Even Darrell Hammond’s Ahnuld was horrible.
Even I, a supporter of recent SNL seasons, thought last night’s ep sucked, even though i like Jaime Pressley and most of the cast. they just haven’t been able to come up with creative skits these days. I did like the “New York City Stories” since Amy and Fred played three different sets of characters quite well. (Is that how you found out about CBGB closing? 😉 ) But maybe SNL’s time has come!
Earthquake?! Tower is closing?! WhereTF have I been?
🙁 I am at a loss. I guess I should turn on the radio.
I think YouTube have a pearl of black magic in their possession, so it’s probably unfair to berate other sites for not being able to do what they do.
That Rainier creation does look impossibly awesome. It always amazes me how much incredible landscape North America has to offer but you don’t seem to hear so much of Americans exploring their own countryside. Maybe you all do but you don’t boast about it?
Wonderful insights. I can always count on you for my Pop culture updates. I don’t get out much, so thanks.
SNL, as bad as it is now is still better than the era of Anthony Hall and Robert Downey. Now those guys stunk!.
It’s like a sports team. They’re in a transition period. Next year they should get a good draft choice.
I’m glad someone mentioned the Tower Records closing. Much like you, that was THE place to go and spend hours in — looking at what music was out. Although I have to admit I haven’t been in one for years, it is sad to see it go, especially the old one they have on Sunset Blvd. in LA.
I’m right there with you on everything you posted today.
Tower was a great place for me as a kid growing up in Southern Califoirnia. They will be missed.
SNL bites. Got through about 10 mins last night before I had to turn the TV off.
If the move to Vegas for CGBG will be good, I welcome it. I never went to the one in NYC, but it’s a legendary place in the hisotry of music.
And I’m a few hours from seeing THE DEPARTED. Been looking forward to this movie for some time now.
I miss Tina Fey already, too. I was SO very excited about the premier…and just as disappointed. Even Brandon Flowers from The Killers looked all stupid-like with his ugly facial hair. Good god.
I absolutely LOVE Dane Cook, but I didn’t even bother watching the SNL he hosted last week. When he hosted last year, I was severely let down. I think they need to go back to their roots…in the 70s everyone on that show was a drug addict. Is it just coincidence that the show was hysterical back then? LOL
Just between you and me, the best thing about Beale Street (downtown Memphis) isn’t the live blues music– it’s that you are one block away from the biggest, most awesomest Tower Records ever. And now it’s going to be closed?!? Grrr… oh well. Their CDs were always kind of pricey.
Speaking of “pricey,” there is definitely ONE funny thing about the new season of SNL: they narrow each episode down to 20 minutes of the “best sketches” on iTunes and charge two dollars for it. TWO DOLLARS! I laughed for hours when I saw that. Then I took a nap.
Between the Dane Cook EP sucking (which is already being re-aired next week, WTF?) and last night’s which has got to be one of the worst I’ve EVER seen (not one laugh out of me), I have deleted SNL from my series priority list. That’s part of my life I will never get back and I won’t do it to myself week after week. The host isn’t enough to bring me back because they can’t control the shitty writing, so what’s the point?
I had to watch every minute of SNL last night because a blogfriend was playing violin behind Corinne Bailey Rae (who I saw in concert and LOVED) and I had to see her play. You’re right, it was dismal. Not one laugh. I go back so far that I remember seeing the VERY FIRST SNL ever on. We had no clue as to what it was, it jsut came on and it was so frigging funny. But it’s sucked for years now, and I rarely bother.
Can’t wait to see The Departed. I’ve heard tell that the Boston accents are actually decent, which is saying something as they are usually wicked haaad to copy. Especially East Boston. But Damon and Walhberg are both natives, so they’ve got an advantage.
The Boston Tower closed a while back and it’s been a Virgin store for a long time. At one time it was the biggest Tower Records in the world. 3 floors of fun and a great place to hang out in the 80’s.
Haven’t seen SNL for so long I won’t even mention who was on the show back then, but did find two Tina Fey vids on YouTube I enjoyed.
This one is very short and cracks me up every single time I watch it – she is spot on here.
This one is a compilation posted by NBC (several minutes long) – enjoyed it.
Tower Records gone? OMG. Spent many a fond Summer afternoon in my younger years browsing there…
If you look at the YouTube site structure you’ll notice the following:
(1) Small video size – big enough, but still small.
(2) Everything else on the page loads quickly – very little excess stuff (including ads) – tiny thumbnails, basic HTML, etc.
My feeling is it’s a combination of the two plus perhaps they are serving via some massive pipes hooked straight into the backbone of the Internet itself. Or maybe a pact with Satan.
I have noticed that MySpace.com had some better videos – in both size and quality – but haven’t analyzed their setup. I looked at one on Google the other day and it was complete crap (perhaps that’s why they are trying to buy YouTube?) Geez it’d be nice to not have the world Google-fied – I’m a bit sick of ’em really.
Mount Ranier is just gorgeous. We stayed at the park a few years ago and then drove to the backside of Mt St Helens. What a contrast.
YouTube converts all the raw uploaded video to Flash animation to save on bandwidth. That is why so many look grainy and blurry. Clarity and bandwidth are trade-offs and YouTube went for speed.
I just wanted to add my vote for YES, SNL is “painfully bad” this season, and I, too, expected Dane Cook to be able to be funny. Crazy!
And thanks for the movie review. I was nervous to pay the 8 bucks for “The Departed” until I heard from someone who also thought the last few were bad gave it a good review.
Take care and get well soon.
R
1) Jamie Presly was the only thing worth watching.
2) Sunk by online music. Used to lurk at the original Tower in Sacramento, so-called because of the building they leased.
3) The original Fenix Underground.
4) But think of all the ash sculpture!
5) What the hell was the SNL skit about?
6) Sunday’s headline: “Google Buying YouTube?” (Before Microsoft thinks of it.)
I missed the season premiere of SNL and up until I saw the Jamie Pressly episode I had been kicking myself. Never thought I’d miss Starkiesha so much.
Never been to a Tower, but my condolences. As for CBGB, I hope they do open in Vegas. My understanding is that Hilly is stripping the NY joint (including the urinals!) and bringing it all with him. It will be cool to still see that it lives on, despite his landlords being doofheads.
Am seeing Sorcese’s latest this week. Thanks for restoring my confidence. I miss the halcyon days of Taxi River/Raging Bull. Maybe he’ll finally get that elusive Oscar.
Uuuuuuuuh !
I am a bit lost…
France broadcast the old SNL.
The only bullet point that I understand is “Departed”. And you’re right !
Even if I understand your feelings, I feel like a stranger with this entry ! I am just going to sing “stranger in the night”… (yes, because it is the night when I’m writing this !!!) Oh, now, I feel less stranger… Aaaaaaah, thanks Frank Sinatra 😉
Your comment about streaming: I’ve often wondered about this. Why the heck would you offer streaming video if you don’t have the bandwidth to provide it. Stupid websites!!!
I’m really excited to see the Departed (provided I get a few hours peace to go to an actual theater), so I’m glad to hear such a positive review!