Random Friday Thoughts — June 2, 2023

Meteorological summer is here. That’s the three hottest months of the year (June, July, and August).

For those wanting hot weather, enjoy it for me and thank you for checking out my random thoughts.

I’m ready for fall!

PRESIDENT CARTER UPDATE

Three months ago, my idol, former President Jimmy Carter entered end-of-life hospice care.

His grandson, lawyer and former Senator Jason Carter recently gave an update on his grandfather.

He says President Carter is in good spirits and is enjoying visits from his family. NBC News reports that he “follows public discussion of his legacy and receives updates on The Carter Center’s humanitarian work around the world”.

And, President Carter still enjoys ice cream. His favorite, of course, peanut butter!

President Carter and Rosalynn will celebrate their 77th wedding anniversary on July 7th.

Jason Carter recently told a group, “We did think that when he went into hospice it was very close to the end. Now, I’m just going to tell you, he’s going to be 99 in October.” (His birthday is October 1st.)

ROSALYNN CARTER HEALTH UPDATE

Sadly, in another update earlier this week, the Carter Center announced that former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has dementia.

She turns 96 on August 18th.

KNOW YOUR STATUS

Since we’re talking health, World AIDS Day is six months away (December 1st).

While I’m not sexually active, it’s always good to know your HIV and STD status. Free and confidential testing is available in most places!

I did it recently, just in case I start dating this summer after six years!

AMERICANS EATING HEALTHIER?

In 2022, retails sales of fruits (+4.6%) and vegetables (+3.5%) were up. I’d love to say it’s because Americans are eating healthier and eating less meat. But, those increases were because of higher prices, not volume!

So, what do you think the five biggest selling fruits and veggies were in 2022?

For fruits (percentages are households buying): #5 Melons (68%), #4 Strawberries (71%), #3 Grapes (74%), #2, Apples (78%), and at 84% and #1.

On the vegetable side, #5 Carrots (78%), #4 Lettuce (80%), #3 Tomatoes (81%), #2 Onions (84%), and at #1 Potatoes (85%).

The biggest drop from 2021 was cherries (down 7.3%) and the biggest increase was blackberries (up 1.4%).

This research is conducted by Circana, a partner with the International Fresh Produce Association.

ANOTHER TINA TURNER THOUGHT

It’s been just over a week since Tina Turner passed away at the age of 83 at her home in Switzerland.

She is now the tenth person from 1985’s “USA For Africa” (44 singers — 21 leads and 23 back-up singers in the chorus) that recorded the iconic charity single, “We Are The World”, to die.

Waylon Jennings was the first to die in 2002. He was followed by Ray Charles (2004), June Pointer of the Pointer Sisters (2006), Michael Jackson (2009), Al Jarreau (2017), James Ingram (2019), Kenny Rogers (2020), Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters (2022), and Harry Belafonte (April 2023).

“WE ARE THE WORLD”

The song not only reached #1 in just four weeks in the United States after its spring release in 1985, it hit #1 all over the world and has sold more than 20 million copies.

It’s the eighth-biggest selling physical single of all time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to the absolutely gorgeous and stunning Kylie Minogue!

I hope she had an incredible day and I wish her the best this summer!

I’m so excited for “Tension”, her 16th studio album that drops September 22nd and I hope the announcement of American tour dates comes soon (more specifically, a Las Vegas residency).

Her latest single is racing up charts across the world. It’s already in the Top Ten on dance charts in the U.S. and the U.K. (and in the Top Ten on the Indie charts in the U.K.)

“KNOCK AT THE CABIN”

I really, really wanted to love this movie.

It features openly gay actors playing a gay couple. And, one of them is Ben Aldridge.

I fell in love with him in “Spoiler Alert” (another movie that I really, really wanted to love since the book, based on a true story, was incredible). Sadly, I didn’t love either of them, but I liked “Spoiler Alert” more.

And, I still absolutely love Aldridge.

This M. Night Shyamalan-directed apocalyptic movie had great potential.

Four creepy people show at the cabin and tell the couple and their little girl that they have to sacrifice one of them in order to save the world from disasters and the apocalypse.

And, forgive me, I just CANNOT look at Dave Bautista for any period of time, even though his tattoos in this movie were cool.

GRADE: B-

“AMERICAN HORROR STORY”

The FX series is truly a horror story now and I have the reason I need to just cut ties and stop watching — Kim Kardashian!

She’ll be guest starring in the 12th season “Delicate” that is being shot now. Actually, production has halted because of the writers’ strike — so, for me and because of Kim, there is a God!

While the last season, “NYC”, in 2022, was one of my favorites, it was also the least watched. Only about 190,000 people watched the finale. That’s less than one-quarter of a million people!

It could be that people are tired of the series, the quality has diminished, or the subject matter (AIDS, gay sex, graphic violence, and sexual situations). And, maybe viewers were afraid to watch ten episodes of it! 🙂

Russell Tovey was so, so hot!

Here’s my ranking of the first eleven seasons:

#11 “Double Feature” (season ten, 2021)

#10 “Freak Show” (season four, 2014) — The highlight!

#9 “Hotel” (season five, 2015)

#8 “Roanoke” (season six, 2016)

#7 “Apocalypse” (season eight, 2018)

#6 “Coven” (season three, 2013)

#5 “1984” (season nine, 2019)

#4 “NYC” (season eleven, 2022)

#3 “Murder House” (season one, 2011)

#2 “Cult” (season seven, 2017)

#1 “Asylum” (season two, 2012)

Oh, back to Kimmy!

I’ve only mentioned her seven times before today since 2012 when I started my blog.

This first mentioned still cracks me up: From the “Golden Globes”, host Ricky Gervais: “The Golden Globes are to the Oscars what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton – a bit louder, a bit trashier, a bit drunker and more easily bought – allegedly.”

“OFFICIAL AND CONFIDENTIAL: THE SECRET LIFE OF J. EDGAR HOOVER”

Although I despised FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover because he was a vile and disgusting man, I should have higher regards for him since he was gay. However, he was an evil, self-loathing, closeted gay man.

Here are a few innocent things I learned about him from Anthony Summers’ 1993 book.

• In November 1918, just a couple of months before his 24th birthday, he was promoted to Special Attorney at the Justice Department with an annual salary of $2,000 (this would be $40,180 in 2023).

• While he wanted him gone, president-elect Nixon reappointed Hoover after his 1968 victory at an annual salary of $42,500 (in 2023, that would be $372,000!)

• Hoover worked for eight presidents and he made it point to dig up whatever he could on them and every member of Congress. After his fall from grace, President Nixon said of Hoover, “Information was one of the primary sources of Edgar Hoover’s power. He usually knew something about everything that was going on, and that knowledge made him valuable to his friends as it made him dangerous to his enemies.”

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — May 5 & 12, 2023

Happy May!

We’re taking a little trip “across the pond” this week. Don’t worry about packing or a passport.

Enjoy your weekend and thank you for checking out my thoughts!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

To all of the women out there, mother or not, celebrate yourself this weekend and every weekend.

While I haven’t been able to celebrate with my mother since 1991, Dessie, I think of you every day.

And, to my wonderful sister, Tammy, Happy Mother’s Day!

One day, your kids may realize they should have celebrated you more and spent more quality time with you. I’m glad you’re my BFF!

KING CHARLES’ CORONATION

74-year-old King Charles III (long known as Prince Charles) was formally crowned the first Saturday of May.

His wait to become king was just over 70 years.

Behind him in the longest wait — Edward VII. He ascended the throne to succeed Queen Victoria, who ruled 63 years 216 days.

While the coronation of King Charles III is exciting for a large portion of the U.K. and lovers of the monarchy worldwide, I could care less.

After Queen Elizabeth II’s reign of 70 years and 214 days (the longest of any British monarch), there is nothing he can do to move out of her shadow and will merely just be a footnote in history. And, I feel the same for Prince William.

Well before Queen Elizabeth’s death in September 2022, I, personally, thought the monarchy would have a hard time having a lasting impact on the world stage in the future — whether with King Charles, William, Prince of Wales (his successor) or Prince George of Wales (second in line to the throne).

With that being said, King Charles has done a lot for the environment and charities and I’m sure William will do the same.

But, they’re very lackluster and let’s face it, they’re not a queen or The Queen!

PARTING THOUGHTS ON KING CHARLES III

One of the first impressions (and I’m sure it’ll be a lasting one) the new King gave the world was his tantrum in September 2022.

While signing a document, he put the wrong date on it, but he lost it when the pen starting leaking!

What a cry baby!

While we might never had known (Princess) Diana Spencer, I wish the Queen had not interfered in his relationship with Camilla, the love of his life, for a more suitable bride to be the future queen.

That marriage and her work as a royal made Diana an international icon, yet it destroyed her and eventually cost her her life.

I’m glad that Charles and Camilla finally got to live their “love story” publicly, even if was as an older couple.

“SPARE”

I just finished Prince Harry’s 2023 autobiography, “Spare”, and it was an excellent book.

I know it’s just one side of the drama between the Duke of Sussex (Harry), his brother, the Prince of Wales and the future King (William), and his father, King Charles III.

However, it’s a poignant story of how life is as a royal. Yes, there are advantages.

But, there are many disadvantages (look at King Charles’ love life). We know that Queen Elizabeth II’s took on the “never complain, never explain” motto.

Even with his major stumbles in life (the Nazi costume party outfit and choice of words with racial sensitivities), he’s always been my favorite of Charles and Diana’s children.

While Prince William is the “heir” and there is more pressure on him to be “king-like”, he’s stuffy and boring.

And, if most of what Prince Harry says of his brother is true, he’s a louse!

“Spare” is a “must read” just to get an inside look from a royal on how the royals live!

MY THREE CONNECTIONS TO THE MONARCHY

My first connection came in August 1997 while working my second television news job in Lubbock, Texas.

My co-anchor and I broke into Saturday night programming after our news ended to alert those still watching our station that Princess Diana had died from her car accident injuries — CBS still had not broken into programming with the news.

My second connection was at a speaking engagement for Sarah, Duchess of York, in Bettendorf, Iowa, in 2010.

During the event, a drawing was held and I won.

A while later, a package arrived from Windsor Castle with Fergie’s book, “Little Red to the Rescue”, inside with a message from the Duchess!!!

And, my third connection is being a pug “Dog Dad”.

King Edward VIII ruled for most of 1936 before abdicating the throne to his brother. He and his wife, American socialite Wallis Simpson, loved pugs.

Edward owned at least eleven of them and most were bred in the United States.

Some of their names were “Imp”, “Disraeli”, “Trooper”, “Mr. Chu”, “Rufus”, “Winston”, “Davy Crockett”, “Minoru”, “Ginseng”, and “Diamond”.

One more monarchy note: King Edward VIII became Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor, after his brother, King George VI, took over in December 1936. (Queen Elizabeth II then took over after her father’s death in early 1952.)

“THE CROWN”

The sixth and final season of the Emmy Award-winning Netflix series, “The Crown” will likely drop in November (four of the past five seasons debuted in November and the other in December).  

This season will pick up where season five ended — it’s 1997 (just before Princess Diana’s death) and it’ll move into the 21st century of the Queen’s reign.

And, after reading Prince Harry’s book, I don’t want to hear anything else about the historical inaccuracies of the series after all of the drama he talked about in “Spare”!

“Where there’s smoke…”

“SAY SAY SAY”

If you’re of a certain age (i.e. my age) or a fan of 1980s music, you know that Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson had two hits together as duet partners, “The Girl Is Mine” (#2, 1983) and “Say Say Say” (#1 for six weeks at the end of 1983 and early in 1984).

“Say Say Say” is getting a new chance at success almost 40 years later.

Norwegian DJ Kygo’s remix marks McCartney’s first appearance on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and only Jackson’s second (“Thriller 2017” reached #30).

I really like this dance version!

In 2019, Kygo took his version of Whitney Houston’s remake of “Higher Love” to #1 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

The song also received quite a bit of Top 40 radio airplay!

Steve Winwood and Chaka Khan’s original topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986.

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — April 23, 2021

Two weeks ago in my “Random Friday Thoughts”, I jokingly posted about breaking up with winter because summer is hotter!

It snowed earlier this week here in Central Illinois!!! That’s what I get! 🙂

Oh, if winter looked like this in the real world, I’d be all for it twelve months a year!

Thanks Gus (Kenworthy) for making my day!

And, thank you for taking the time to check out my thoughts this week! (Oh, apologies to the uninitiated to my blog about the pictures above, but my thoughts are really random!)

REMEMBERING WALTER MONDALE

Earlier this week, the world lost a great man when former Vice President Walter Mondale passed away at the age of 93.

Before become President Jimmy Carter’s vice president from 1977-1981 and running as the Democratic nominee for President in 1984, he served as the U.S. senator from Minnesota from 1964-1976.

Here are some interesting facts from Jonathan Alder’s 2020 book, “HIS VERY BEST, JIMMY CARTER, A LIFE”:

President Carter changed the role of Vice President. Before Carter, it was basically a useless role — other than becoming the leader of the free world in the case of the president died or became incapacitated.

But, Carter made Vice President Walter Mondale’s role real. He invited him into meetings, gave him real responsibilities, and valued his opinions.

At a farewell dinner before President Carter left office in 1981, Mondale said, “Never once did you put me down. Never once did you fail to treat me with dignity.” He made a toast and added, “We told the truth. We obeyed the law. We kept the peace.”

AND, ON A MORE INFAMOUS NOTE…

While on a high school trip to Washington D.C., future serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer called the White House and talked his way into a tour and met Vice President Mondale!

AMERICA, GET ON WITH YOUR BAD SELF!

Even though thousands are still being diagnosed with COVID-19 daily in America and the death toll continues to rise, more and more of us are fully vaccinated!

In the U.S., 26.7% of us are fully vaccinated! That’s slightly more than one-in-four!

In Illinois, we’re at 26.9% and up to 43.3% for those with at least one shot.

While this is great news, I personally feel that some are getting a little too comfortable a little too soon. However, I’m happy to see things moving toward the “new normal”.

With that being said, more and more artists are announcing fall 2021 tour dates.

In the past few weeks, Eric Church, Kane Brown, Andrea Bocelli, and Sammy Hagar announced new tour dates and Elton John and James Taylor posted new dates for their previously postponed tours.

Meanwhile, last week, Reba postponed her 2021 road concerts to 2022 and Michael Buble did the same for his 2021 U.K. dates.

I’m still waiting for Kylie Minogue to announce dates for her late 2020 critically acclaimed album, “Disco”. As I said before, she’s at the top of my concert “bucket list” and I want to see her in some foreign city!

Call it wanderlust!

How comfortable are you attending concerts with 100% capacity later this year?

I’m ready for us to safely travel again. However, it may still be a while for international travel.

At this point, only 2.8% of the world is fully vaccinated!

REBA ANNOUNCEMENT

Oh, back to Reba! When she announced the postponement of her summer arena tour, she also dropped something that made me very happy!

Yes, new music!!!!!

“ARMY OF THE DEAD”

My two most highly anticipated movies this year are “Halloween Kills” (October 15, 2021) and Netflix and Zack Snyder’s “Army of The Dead” (May 21, 2021).

I’m excited for two reasons: (1) it’s about zombies and (2) it’s set in Las Vegas!

Let’s just hope the excitement for me when I visit in June is winning big bucks (or breaking even) — no explosions or zombies, please!

The full trailer is now out and if you love Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler”, take a look and listen!

RIP JIM STEINMAN

Earlier this week, the same day that Vice President Mondale died, the rock music world lost a legendary producer.

Jim Steinman produced some of the biggest hits in pop and rock music including Bonnie Tyler’s four week #1 smash “Total Eclipse of the Heart” in 1983 and Meat Loaf’s “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) in 1993, that topped the charts in 28 countries, including five weeks in the U.S., and Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now”, which hit #2 in 1996.

He also wrote and produced my favorite Air Supply song from 1983, “Making Love Out of Nothing At All”. It peaked at #2 for three weeks behind Bonnie Tyler’s “Eclipse”!

“ANOTHER ROUND”

Earlier this week, I checked out the 2020 Danish movie “Druk” (which means “binge drinking”) on Hulu.

While most of you haven’t heard of it, it’s actually nominated for two Oscars this year, including Thomas Vinterberg for Best Director.

My interest in the movie is that it stars Mads Mikkelsen (“Hannibal”).

It’s the story of four high school teachers in Denmark going through mid-life crises.

They decide to do an experiment with alcohol, since a leading psychiatrist believes that an alcohol blood content level of 0.05 makes you more creative and relaxed.

They test the theory and push it to the limits.

While a very interesting movie, I probably wouldn’t watch it again. However, the final scene is amazing!

Spoiler Alert: The captured image above is part of that incredible last scene.

GRADE: B

MORE MADS

If you love Mads Mikkelsen and you’re going through “Hannibal” withdrawals like me, check out “Arctic”, my #9 movie of 2019.

Awesome movie!

THEY SAID WHAT???

Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace to Texas Governor Greg Abbott: “There were thousands of complaints of sexual abuse at migrant shelters during the Trump years. Not to say what’s going on now is right, but we couldn’t find one instance of you complaining & calling that out when President Trump was president.”

“ME”

I’ve read several book about and from Elton John, but his 2019 autobiography, “Me”, is by far the best!

I absolutely loved this book and I’d highly recommend it.

I was very intrigued about what he had to say about Michael Jackson (“He was genuinely mentally ill, a disturbing person to be around.”) and Tina Turner.

In 1997, he and Tina had planned to tour together but found her very difficult to work with. His band called her a “f**king nightmare” and Elton agreed!

Elton says she called him at home and told him, “She didn’t like my hair, she didn’t like the color of my piano – which for some reason had to be white – and she didn’t like my clothes.” And, then Elton says, she added, “You wear too much Versace, and it makes you look fat – you need to wear Armani.” 

I loved that he and Rod Stewart have female nicknames for each other.

And, I was so touched when he told the story of how he and his husband, David Furnish, met in October 1993. (Elton was feeling down, so he called a friend and said bring others over for a dinner party before they went out to celebrate Halloween. David was one of the people his friend brought along to dinner!)

He and David are now the dads of 10-year-old Zachary and 8-year-old Elijah.

Since I haven’t had a date in more than two years, I should try that when the “new normal” post-pandemic world begins!

Also, I was curious about what he’d have to say about Madonna.

If I recall correctly, Elton mentioned her four times and three were positive. The other time he spoke of Madonna was about his anger toward her and he said he apologized to her!

THE NIGHT I SPENT WITH ELTON JOHN

Ha! That’s just tease writing! I never spent the night with Elton John — just the evening! 🙂

For my birthday weekend in 2012, I had tickets to see Madonna’s “MDNA Tour” in Las Vegas.

Earlier that year, Sir Elton John was forced to cancel nine shows due to health reasons and it was announced in the summer that he would make up those dates in October.  But, I didn’t have tickets.

As luck would have it, just hours after arriving in Las Vegas, I searched ebay one last time and found fantastic rear orchestra seats for a great price. And, just like that, two hours later I was sitting there waiting for the show to begin!

I’ve always been a fan of Elton’s from the days of my childhood and his poppy ’70s songs, the fun, yet sometimes, moody hits of the ’80s, the more mature themed music of the ’90s when radio began to move away from playing his new songs (except for “The Lion King” and his tribute to Princess Diana), to his recent adult contemporary fare.

Elton closed out his 19-song set with his award-winning “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King”.

It was two hours of pure gold entertainment!!! 

LAST CHANCE TO SEE ELTON

In January 2018, Elton announced his final “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour that would play more than 300 shows worldwide.

The North American leg kicked off that September and ran through March 2019 and then moved to Europe for the summer and then back to North America though November. The show moved “down under” to Australia and New Zealand from late 2019 to March 2020 when COVID-19 shut down the tour and the world!

Dates are now rescheduled and the tour is expected to resume in Europe on September 1, 2021, and return to the U.S. and Canada in January 2022 for 43 shows through April!

MY FAVORITE ELTON JOHN SONGS

On the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., Elton has scored 58 Top 40 hits. Of those, 27 reached the Top 10 with 19 making it to the Top Five. Nine reached #1!

And, he’s had even more hits on the American Adult Contemporary charts. He’s scored 74 Top 40 hits with 40 of them making the Top 10 and 33 of those reaching the Top Five! Eighteen topped the charts!

So, it was so hard narrowing the list down….

“I’M STILL STANDING”

“THE LAST SONG”

“SAD SONGS (SAY SO MUCH)”

“EMPTY GARDEN (HEY HEY JOHNNY)”

“I GUESS THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT THE BLUES”

What’s your favorite Elton song?

If you want to see the full blog and my other 15 favorite Elton John songs, here it is! (It should open in a new window!)

https://anthonypeoples.wordpress.com/2021/04/20/finding-my-next-love-with-help-from-elton-john/

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Finding My Next Love With Help From Elton John?

Forget online dating and phone apps, I may have learned how to end my two-year dating drought and find the love of my life.

If that turns out to be the case, I owe it all to Elton John and his 2019 autobiography, “Me”, that I just got around to reading.

While I’ve read other books about Elton, I absolutely loved this book because it’s in Elton’s own words and from his heart. I’d highly recommend it.

Other than our gayness, there’s two others things Elton and I have in common — analyzing music charts and our love of statistics!

I was very intrigued about what he had to say about Michael Jackson (“He was genuinely mentally ill, a disturbing person to be around.”) and Tina Turner.

In 1997, he and Tina had planned to tour together but he found working with her very difficult. His band called her a “f**king nightmare” and Elton agreed!

Elton says she called him at home and told him, “She didn’t like my hair, she didn’t like the color of my piano – which for some reason had to be white – and she didn’t like my clothes.” And, then Elton says, she added, “You wear too much Versace, and it makes you look fat – you need to wear Armani.” 

I loved that he and Rod Stewart have female nicknames for each other.

And, I was so touched when he told the story of how he and his now husband, David Furnish-John, met in October 1993.

I don’t want to spoil it for you in case you decide to read “Me”.

It’s very clever and it’d be up my alley when I finally get to meet people socially in Decatur, Illinois, now that I’m fully vaccinated from COVID-19!

Sir Elton and David, who have now been together for almost 28 years, are the dads of 10-year-old Zachary and 8-year-old Elijah.

Also, I was curious about what he’d have to say about Madonna.

Elton is not one to hold his tongue and he’s said some mean-spirited things about Madonna in the past about her live performances and her beef with Lady Gaga over “Born This Way” being “reductive”.

If I recall correctly, Elton mentioned her four times in the book and three were positive. The other time he spoke of Madonna was about his anger toward her over Gaga and he said he apologized to her!

I SPENT THE NIGHT WITH ELTON JOHN!

Ha! That’s just tease writing! I never spent the night with Elton John — just the evening! 🙂

For my birthday weekend in 2012, I had tickets to see Madonna’s “MDNA Tour” in Las Vegas.

Earlier that year, Sir Elton John was forced to cancel nine shows due to health reasons and it was announced he’d make up those dates in October.  But, I didn’t have tickets.

As luck would have it, just hours after arriving in Las Vegas, I searched ebay one last time and found fantastic rear orchestra seats for a great price. And, just like that, two hours later I was sitting there waiting for the show to begin!

I’ve always been a fan of Elton’s from the days of my childhood and his poppy ’70s songs, the fun, yet sometimes, moody hits of the ’80s, the more mature themed music of the ’90s when radio began to move away from playing his new songs (except for “The Lion King” and his tribute to Princess Diana), to his recent adult contemporary fare.

When the lights went down and the stage lit up, Elton John had arrived and he opened with “The Bitch Is Back”. For the next two hours, he would perform some of his biggest hits of the 1970’s:  “Bennie and the Jets”, “Rocket Man”, “Levon”, “Tiny Dancer”, “Your Song”, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, “Philadelphia Freedom”, “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”, and “Crocodile Rock”.

After that decade, the selections became more scarce.  He performed “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” and “I’m Still Standing” from the 1980s.

Elton closed out his 19-song set with his award-winning “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King”.

It was two hours of pure gold entertainment!!!  Sir Elton John sounded great and was in a fantastic mood telling some really touching stories about his past, his collaborations, the friends he has lost (Ryan White, Lady Diana, and Elizabeth Taylor), and some naughty stories (John Lennon) and he did make one, very funny Madonna reference.

While talking about his glitzy Yahama piano, Elton said that the company went all out with the construction of the piano.  He said they even installed an aquarium on the front of it so if he got bored, he could watch the fish.  He then said that we could see fish and through optical illusions, the sides of the piano changed like his background and we saw fish swimming.

At that point, he said the fish reminded him of Madonna.  All of the sudden, a small gasp could be heard from the well-informed, and he hushed us, saying that he and Madonna have made up and that they met for dinner in France, “I hugged her and she kicked me in the balls”.  The crowd loved it!

Sir Elton John, you were simply amazing and I’m glad I got to spend two hours of my 2012 birthday weekend with you.

After seeing the show, I bought his “The Red Piano” DVD from his 2004-2009 Las Vegas residency. And, can you believe, nine years later, I still haven’t watched it? But, I will soon!

LAST CHANCE TO SEE ELTON

In January 2018, Elton announced his final “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour that would play more than 300 dates worldwide.

The North American leg kicked off that September and ran through March 2019 and then moved to Europe for the summer and then back to North America though November.

The show moved “down under” to Australia and New Zealand in late 2019 to March 2020 when COVID-19 shut down the tour and the world!

Dates are now rescheduled and the tour is expected to resume in Europe on September 1, 2021, and return to the U.S. and Canada in January 2022 for 43 shows through April!

Maybe I should see Elton one more time and buy tickets to his St. Louis, Missouri, show on March 30, 2022!!!

ELTON JOHN’S AMERICAN CHART SUCCESS

Do you know how difficult it is to narrow down decades of Elton John hits to pick your twenty favorite? Think about it for a moment.

On the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., Elton has scored 58 Top 40 hits. Of those, 27 reached the Top 10 with 19 making it to the Top Five. Nine reached #1!

And, he’s had even more hits on the American Adult Contemporary charts. He’s scored 74 Top 40 hits with 40 of them making the Top 10 and 33 of those reaching the Top Five!

Eighteen topped the charts (and seven more of those Top Five hits stalled at #2. I’d be firing some people in the office for not getting them to #1! Just Kidding!!!)

MY FAVORITE ELTON JOHN SONGS

So with all those hits and all that pressure, here are my 20 favorite Elton John songs!

Once you listen and look at my list, tell me your favorites!

“ISLAND GIRL”

“MAMA CAN’T BUY YOU LOVE”

“CROCODILE ROCK”

“SORRY SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD”

“DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART” (WITH RUPAUL)

“STEP INTO CHRISTMAS”

“SACRIFICE”

“ROCKET MAN”

“LITTLE JEANNIE”

“DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME” (WITH GEORGE MICHAEL)

“KISS THE BRIDE”

“PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM”

“DANIEL”

“BLUE EYES”

“THE ONE”

“I’M STILL STANDING”

“THE LAST SONG”

“SAD SONGS (SAY SO MUCH)”

“EMPTY GARDEN (HEY HEY JOHNNY)”

“I GUESS THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT THE BLUES”

Thank you Elton John for the decades of music and memories and for the beautiful story of your life in “Me”!

Enjoy the rest of the farewell tour and maybe I’ll see you in St. Louis!

Afterwards, enjoy your family, your retirement, and keep making music for fun!

Love and Peace!

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — April 16, 2021

The weekend is upon us and I hope you have fantastic plans.

I’m working part of it, but will make the most of it!

Thank you for taking the time to check out my random thoughts!

AGATHA CHRISTIE

Okay, I’ll kick off with an astounding statistic that might blow your mind! (There’s a theme here for me to kick off with a writer that’s been dead for 45 years, the same year her last novel, “Sleeping Murder”, came out.)

English writer Agatha Christie, who’s mostly known for her 66 detective novels, has had more than 2 billion (that’s with a “B”) copies of her work published!!!

In 2019 alone, she moved 2 million copies!!!

She’s only been outsold by the Bible and the works of William Shakespeare!

Jokingly, some could say that “fiction sells”! 🙂

ARMIE HAMMER

34-year-old Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award nominee Armie Hammer is still under investigation for sexual assault by the Los Angeles Police Department.

This comes after multiple women came forward earlier this year about abuse they had allegedly experienced during relationships with Hammer.

His wife of ten years, Elizabeth Chambers, announced their separation in the summer of 2020 — before the allegations surfaced.

He’s now been dropped by his talent agency and his publicist is no longer with him. He’s also been fired/dropped out of several new movies, including one with Jennifer Lopez.

If that sexual assault allegations weren’t bad enough, texts with “disturbing sexual fantasies” involving cannibalism surfaced!

“DEATH ON THE NILE”

So, what does this mean for the blockbuster release of the Kenneth Branagh-directed movie, “Death on the Nile”, which Hammer co-stars alongside Gal Gadot (“Wonder Woman”), Annette Benning (“The Kids Are All Right”), and Branagh?

The movie opening has already been delayed, at least, six times.

It was originally scheduled for December 20, 2019, and was pushed back to October 9, 2020. Then with COVID-19, it was pushed back to September 17, 2021.

Last month, it was rescheduled once again to February 11, 2022! And, I’d bet money this was due to the Hammer scandal!

COSTLY SCANDAL SOLUTION

What I think will happen is that unless Hammer’s role is a major one, his scenes will be re-shot this summer with a new actor.

This happened with Kevin Spacey in “All The Money in the World”.

After his sex/rape scandal, his scenes were re-shot with the late Christopher Plummer. Plummer earned an Oscar nomination for his performance.

If you don’t remember the story, gay actor Anthony Rapp, a star of Broadway’s “Rent” and the CBS All Access’ series, “Star Trek Discovery”, alleges that back in 1986, then 26-year-old Spacey invited him to a party at his Manhattan apartment, when Rapp was only 14!

Rapp told “Buzzfeed” Spacey tried to seduce him and that “I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually”.

It was then that Rapp says that Spacey “sort of stood in the doorway, kind of swaying. My impression when he came in the room was that he was drunk … He picked me up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold. But I don’t, like, squirm away initially, because I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’ And then he lays down on top of me.”

Spacey’s career disintegrated and he was written out of the final season of “House of Cards”. I absolutely loved that show and would still watch it again with Spacey, but it would a little cringy.

However, my main draw to the show was always Robin Wright as Claire Underwood.

“CALL ME BY YOUR NAME”

Now, with Hammer, I’m torn because the LGBTQ+ classic “Call Me By Your Name” with Hammer and Timothee Chalamet was my favorite movie of 2018!

I know I’ll still watch it, but just like listening to the music of Michael Jackson, I still do it. It just adds creepiness to it!

MOVING ON!

THEY SAID WHAT???

GEORGE H.W. BUSH (then Republican National Committee Chairman, in his August 6, 1974, diary entry three days before President Nixon resigned, on President Ford and President Nixon): “this era of tawdry, shabby, lack of morality has got to end… I will take Ford’s decency over Nixon’s toughness because what we need at this juncture in our history is a certain sense of morality and a certain sense of decency.”

LEGENDARY DIRECTOR MARTIN SCORSESE (about Glenn Close, who was recommended to play Tony Montana’s (Al Pacino) mistress in “Scarface” by Oliver Stone in his book, “Chasing The Light”: “She’s got a face like a horse!”

Um, WTF? Glenn Close is beautiful! Well, definitely not in “Hillbilly Elegy”! 🙂

Darren Franich (in The Bullseye “Entertainment Weekly” March 2021): “‘Clarice’ is a ‘Silence of the Lambs’ spin-off about… who cares, ‘Hannibal’ is on Netflix.”

“JUSTIFIED”

I just finished binge watching the 2010-2015 FX series, “Justified”, with Timothy Olyphant, and absolutely loved it!

It’s tells the story of U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Olyphant) having to go back to his home state of Kentucky in the Appalachian Mountains as punishment for shooting a Miami thug in a questionable manner. (Givens has his own set of justice that doesn’t set well with his bosses!)

I’ve had the biggest crush on Olyphant since I saw him in Greg Berlanti’s 2000 LGBTQ movie, “The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy”.

His character, Dennis, did have major flaws though — he wasn’t into commitment, he definitely got around, AND, worst of all, he hated the Carpenters! 🙂

Fast forward ten years or so –this is how you rock your 40s (from “Justified”)!

And, there’s been industry buzz that the team behind the series may be bringing it back in some form with the Emmy-nominated Olyphant rumored to be coming back!

Final note: if you want to see a more comical side of Olyphant, he was amazing in the three seasons of the Netflix’s comedy “Santa Clarita Diet” with Drew Barrymore.

BEWARE OF HARLAN COUNTY

Since much of “Justified” took place around Harlan County, Kentucky, “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” was featured prominently in five of the six season finales. (Only season three didn’t use it.)

It’s an amazing and haunting song. Brad Paisley’s version from his 2001 album, “Part II” is amazing and was used in the season one and season two finales.

However, my favorite version of the song is by Patty Loveless from her 2001 album, “Mountain Soul”.

“HIS VERY BEST, JIMMY CARTER, A LIFE”

Final comments from Jonathan Adler’s must read 2020 biography…

Nine months before Islamic Revolution “students” seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran, on November 4, 1979, and kept 52 Americans hostage for 444 days, they briefly took over the embassy nine months earlier on Valentine’s Day, but released them!

President Carter sensed allowing the exiled Shah of Iran to stay in the U.S. could cause Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini and his radicals to take over the embassy again. In March 1979, President Carter asked his Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, “What are you guys going to advice me to do if they overrun our embassy and take our people hostage?”

After the Soviets invaded Afghanistan over Christmas 1979, it led a longshoreman group’s members to refuse to load ships with grain headed to the Soviet Union. While high ranking officials in Carter’s administration was behind a grain embargo, Rosalynn (Jimmy’s wife and one his closest advisors) and Vice President Walter Mondale was opposed.

President Carter went along with it and that decision was later compared to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. When Johnson signed that into law, it turned the Democratic South “red” (Republican) just as the embargo did for the farm belt states!

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — July 24, 2020

I know many of you are taking advantage of the summer heat and humidity and enjoying outdoor activities.

Some may just be vegging out inside in the air conditioning.

Me, I’m just fantasizing! Oh, I mean, I’m dreaming of fall and winter! 🙂

Actually, we’re only five months from Christmas! I’ve already decided how I’m decorating my two trees this year! 🙂

Thank you for taking the time to check out my random thoughts. If you’d like to comment (or disagree), do it diplomatically!

THE IRONY!

In the 2016 failed presidential election, there was all this talk about building “a wall”, the “wall”, that “wall”, the wall THAT.NEVER.HAPPENED.!

And, now this recent headline about Mexico shutting down the borders — to keep Americans out!

Again, the irony! 🙂

LESS IRONIC, BUT JUST AS TRUE!

“HALLOWEEN KILLS” …. DEAD FOR A YEAR!

While it comes as no surprise with the rampant spread of Covid-19 and rising death tolls, Michael Myers’ victims will live to see another day (well, actually 364 of them)!

The latest installment in the “Halloween” franchise, which was scheduled to hit theaters October 16, 2020, has been pushed back to October 15, 2021.

Here’s what director David Gordon Green and original “Halloween” director John Carpenter had to say about the delay.

TINA TURNER IS BACK!

Norwegian DJ/Producer Kygo is making the world a better place. Okay, he’s taking our mind off real life events for four minutes.

He talked Tina Turner into briefly coming out of retirement for a new remix to her 1984 hit, “What’s Love Got To Do With It”, her only #1 solo hit on the Billboard Hot 100!

And, since we won’t see a new season of “Younger” anytime soon, enjoy seeing sexy Charles Michael Davis in the video, which also stars Laura Harrier.

“THE CLINTON TAPES”

Taylor Branch’s 2009 book is subtitled, “Wrestling History with the President”.

This mammoth book (668 pages) was a very interesting read.

Branch, a long-time friend with President Clinton, met almost monthly with Clinton during his eight years in the White House.

They had one-on-one conversations (except when Hillary or Chelsea would drop in to say good night) about life and events he was dealing with as President. He’d use these recordings to vent, write his memoirs, and put the transcripts in his Presidential Library.

What I learned from the book:

In February 1999, Clinton told Branch that he thought George W. Bush would be the GOP candidate for the 2000 presidential race and that he thought Elizabeth Dole could be his running mate.

Also in that session, while he said he was behind Hillary running for the Senate in New York, it “would waste her unique strength across the country”. Clinton thought that a Gore-Hillary ticket would be their best chance to beat Bush in 2000, “but I don’t think Al would ever do it.”

As the 2000 race was getting underway, Clinton sized up the two leading Republican candidates. He thought George W. Bush was “unqualified to be president, but he had shrewd campaign instincts”. On the other hand, he thought John McCain “would make a good president, but he had no idea how to run”.

When they left the White House, the Clintons’ debt from having to hire personal lawyers during the seven-year-plus Whitewater investigation by special prosecutors Ken Starr and Robert Ray was $14 million! (That investigation led to the Paula Jones investigation and the Monica Lewinsky affair and testimony.)

All this starting from a failed land deal in which the Clintons lost more than $35,000 (about $135,000 today — adjusted for inflation)!

The Whitewater investigation that lasted through much of Clinton’s two terms ended with “no charges, required no admissions, made no adverse findings, and alleged no misstatements from Clinton in any sworn testimony”, which had been the whole basis for the impeachment!

Clinton said it was “irksome” that no major news outlets wanted the story, but he was glad it was over.

“THE POLITICIAN” SEASON 2

While there’s no Jessica Lange this time, I absolutely loved the second season of Netflix’s “The Politician” with Ben Platt.

Also, it’s incredible having Bette Midler and Judith Light in high profile roles. I expect Emmy nominations for both next week! 🙂

Definitely check it out.

UPDATE ON “BUBBLES”

No, I’m not talking about Michael Jackson’s chimpanzee (neither are no longer with us)!

I’m talking about Bubbles, the python that Britney Spears accessorized with at 2001 MTV Video Music Awards.

It’s still alive and has retired! 🙂

I had my own Britney moment in March 2019 when I visited the WHO Snake Farm in Bangkok, Thailand.

At the conclusion of the snake show, we not only got to see an Albino Burmese Python, which is white with patterns in butterscotch yellow or burnt orange (most Pythons are dark colored), but we could have it draped over our shoulders!

It was so cool, but Britney wore it better. And, no, I didn’t start lip-syncing “I’m A Slave 4 U”! 🙂

On a humorous side note, we were told not to worry about the snake being hungry since “it had a small child yesterday”! 🙂

FYI — snakes have poor eyesight and they don’t have ears, so they can’t hear you.  If you encounter one, let it crawl on by — or slowly move away and once you’re out of striking distance, run! 

That’s not my advice — that’s what we were told to do! (Thailand has a lot of snakes, so they should know!)

MY LOVE OF ABBA

It’s no secret I love the Swedish band ABBA.

Recently, I shared how I came to be a fan and what inspired me to name my golden retriever after the band.

It wasn’t just them or their music, it was actually something from Australia!

Also, I shared my ten favorite ABBA songs. (By the way, “Dancing Queen” barely made the Top Ten!)

If you missed it, just click here and it’ll open in a new window.

https://anthonypeoples.wordpress.com/2020/07/17/abba-the-iconic-band-the-dog-the-six-degrees-of-separation/

Now, sing and dance around the room embarrassing your spouse, kids, grandkids, pets, or co-workers! 🙂

“WALK OF SHAME”

I just watched the 2014 box office bomb, “Walk of Shame” again and I laughed as much as I did six years ago! (The movie only made $59,209 — yes, that’s thousands and NOT millions!)

It doesn’t hurt that Elizabeth Banks is so adorable and funny and her co-star is my future ex-husband, James Marsden.

Here’s what I wrote about the movie the first time I saw it.

“Critics hated it and it was panned by the few movie goers that saw it… Elizabeth Banks plays Meghan Miles, a Los Angeles television news anchor, who is dumped by her fiance.  Her two friends force her to go on the town.  After getting drunk and hooking up with the very hunky Gordon, played by James Marsden, she leaves his place when he falls asleep and checks her messages.  The network is coming to see her show for a promotion to do the national news.

When she leaves Gordon’s place, her car is being towed away with her purse in it.  In her quest to get the car back, she runs into altercations with local drug dealer, prostitutes, the police, and that’s only part of the drama and the chaos.

Many of us have done the ‘walk of shame’ and this is one I’d definitely do again!”

GRADE:  B

trailer

And, if that wasn’t enough, it was my 10th favorite movie of 2014, so here’s a bonus!

“THE WEATHERMAN”

This 1995 creepy thriller by Steve Thayer is fiction, but it covers three things I know a bit about: the weather, television news, and serial killers. It also takes place in Minnesota!

As a major weather event occurs each season, a woman is murdered. As police zero in on the killer, you guessed it, the (television) “weatherman” becomes the prime suspect.

Horror novelist Stephen King loved the book!

“DIRTY JOHN: THE BETTY BRODERICK STORY”

The second season of was definitely NOT as exciting as season one of the series with Connie Britton and Eric Bana.

“The Betty Broderick Story” stars Amanda Peet (“The X-Files”) and Christian Slater (“Mr. Robot”) in the true life story of a scorn woman pushed to murder her ex-husband and his new wife.

Both actors are great, but the story line was too simplistic, repetitive, and way too drawn out.

I was totally over it by the finale!

GRADE: C–

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Thoughts — March 29, 2019

Spring is here and this is my first random thoughts blog since returning from Bangkok, Thailand.

This is my favorite picture that I took there!  I love koi!

If you missed the pictures or the details of that enlightening trip (even with the rat and the snakes), here’s the link.  It’ll open in a new window!

https://anthonypeoples.wordpress.com/2019/03/27/my-one-night-in-bangkok-okay-actually-five-nights/

It’s always nice to get away, but it’s nice to come home.  Now I’m ready to enjoy the nicer weather heading our way.

Thank you for taking the time to check out my random thoughts and have a great weekend!

“LEAVING NEVERLAND”

This is the four-hour documentary on HBO that’s everybody’s been talking about regarding Michael Jackson and child sexual abuse allegations.

Choreographer Wade Robson and former child actor James Safechuck, now adults, talk extensively and graphically about the sexual abuse they suffered when spending time with Michael Jackson.

I’m going to make some comments and I’m going to keep the sentences short, so there’s no misunderstanding or taking things out of context.

• I believe Robson and Safechuck!
• As a parent, I’d NEVER allow my child to spend nights with a man in his 30s.
• Where was the parental supervision and let’s talk about the lapse of judgement there — I don’t care if Jackson was the biggest star on the planet!
• If Jackson was alive today, I’m not sure he’d give details of what did and didn’t happen with those boys, who were around 7 and 10-years-old when the alleged abuse started.
• I do wish that the director had reached out to a Jackson family member since Michael is dead and couldn’t speak for himself.  But, we know they’d just say it didn’t happen and the two men are out for just money.
• By the way, Robson is a multi-millionaire!

“Leaving Neverland” is definitely worth seeing — if you can handle the graphic content!

And, yes I’ll listen to Michael Jackson’s music today.  He’s a musical genius!

However, I have no desire now to watch his videos again!!!!!!!!

GRADE:  B+

“BEN IN BACK”

I absolutely love Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges is one of my favorite current young actors.  He was fantastic in “Manchester by the Sea” and “Boy Erased”.  And, he’s so adorable!

I’ve really been wanting to see this movie, but I don’t recall it playing in Duluth, Minnesota, where I live.  If it did, it was brief and I missed it.

The movie is about Ben returning home for the holidays after a stay in drug rehab and trying to stay clean.

The trailer is compelling, but the movie is so much better and more intense!

Now I don’t believe in spoilers, so I won’t say if it happens or not.  But, Ben, I know you’ve watched horror movies and you should know never to say anything like “I’ll be right back”!

As you’ll see in the trailer, Ben says, “I’m not going to die”!

GRADE:  A-

“FREEDOM”

Reba McEntire is back and I really think that country radio is finally going to give her another chance.

Her new single, “Freedom”, makes its debut on the Billboard Country Airplay chart this week at #52!

Sadly, Reba’s last Top 10 hit at country radio was “Turn on the Radio”, which topped the chart in January 2011!  What?  That’s eight years ago!

“Freedom” is being called “euphoric” and a “fist-pumping anthem”!

It’s the first official release to country radio from her new album, “Stronger Than The Truth”, which comes out April 5, 2019.

“9-1-1” ON  FOX

If you don’t watch “9-1-1” on Fox, what are you waiting for?  You’re missing a great show that’s really entertaining.

And, two recent episodes — the winter finale and first episode back from the holidays — were the series’ best!

Earlier this week, Fox renewed “9-1-1” for a third season!

“GREEN BOOK”

Spoiler alert, “Green Book” won the Oscar for Best Picture!

I’ve seen five of the eight nominations from this year (I still need to see “The Favourite” and “Vice” and I won’t watch “Black Panther”.  I’m not a Marvel fan and if I can’t get through the Captain America movies with my future ex-boyfriend Chris Evans, I won’t be seeing “Black Panther”!  Bummer because I love Angela Bassett!).

I enjoyed “Green Book” and the acting was superb.  However, I wouldn’t watch it again unless I was in a group and they wanted to see it.

I think the talk of the movie’s racism was overblown.  I didn’t see it as a movie where the white man saves the black man.  I think it was a movie of two people becoming friends and enlightening each other.

Yes, it had racial stereotypes in it, but it was set in the early-1960s South!

Best Picture, no!  Of the five I’ve seen, so far, I would have voted for “Bohemian Rhapsody”!

GRADE: B

“FIRST MAN”

I love Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy is incredible (“The Crown” seasons one and two)!  And, director Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” was awesome, so what is this?

I almost stopped the movie within the first 30 minutes!

While it does have some great drama (at times) and it has some great special effects, it seems so disjointed.

Bon Jovi sings, “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “First Man” gives space exploration a bad name!

GRADE: C+

MY FAVORITE CURRENT SONG!

Ava Max is a musical newcomer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

But, her song, “Sweet but Psycho” has already topped the charts in at least 22 countries.  It also hit #1 on the Billboard Club Songs chart in the U.S.!

The song has a very European sound to it, which is probably why it’s my favorite current song.

In the U.S., it’s currently one of the five most played songs on Top 40 radio and the video is pretty sexy (but psycho), too! 🙂

Ava Max is definitely channeling one of her idols, Lady Gaga in this video and with her voice!

“Sweet but Psycho” has been viewed almost 234 million times!

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — July 13, 2018

The weekend is almost here and it’s Friday the 13th again!

Thank you for taking time to check out my random thoughts.

BREAKING NEWS — I’M HAPPY! 🙂

“Pose” on FX was renewed for a second season!

HOLLYWOOD MATINEE IDOL DIES

1950s and 1960s matinee idol and LGBT pioneer Tab Hunter died earlier this week, three days shy of his 87th birthday.

Just four weeks ago, I wrote about him and his book “Confidential”.  It was about his life as a gay man being marketed as a lady’s man in Hollywood.

While publicly dating beautiful ingenues like Natalie Wood, one of his most intense love affairs was with the man I was named for — “Pyscho” star Anthony Perkins.

“NEVER AGAIN”

This should never be the only choice!

FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF, EVEN UNIQUE!

I get daily numbers on how many times my blog is viewed, what entries are being looked at, and from what country.

A few weeks ago, I noticed a June 3, 2016 blog getting a lot of views, so I clicked on it to see what my “Random Friday Thoughts” were that week.

And, this was in there and I loved it that day as much as the first time I saw it.

At the time, I posted it on Facebook and it got a lot of love.  On Twitter, while loved, it also got this response.

As I blogged that day, “I’m the kind of person that tries to respond to all comments (good or bad), but I’ll not carry on a lengthy debate and waste my time with someone who’s main objective is just to argue just for the sake of it.

Trust me, most of the posts on this person’s Twitter page proves he/she just trolls the internet and social media to make negative comments.

Move on and troll elsewhere!”

Well, here’s an update on that account.

I may not be unique, but my blog is still going after six years and my Twitter account is still active!

“CLAWS”

On TNT’s “Claws”, Desna (the amazing and incredibly sexy Niecy Nash) and her girls at the Nail Artisans in Palmetto, Florida, are still making nails that look flawless.

But, after laundering money for the Dixie Mafia in season one with the pain clinic acting as a front for drug trade, they now have a bigger, international problem to deal with.

Zlata Ostrousky and her Russian goons have Desna under a beautifully manicured thumb.

Ironically, as the ladies at the salon were making the business more Russian-ized for their new boss, they placed a photo of 45 and his boss daddy, Vladimir Putin, on the wall. 🙂

Wait!

Don’t the Russians have enough to do with interfering in American presidential elections (allegedly), buying the right to host the World Cup soccer tournament, condemning and making the lives of the LGBTQ community miserable, and poisoning people with substandard street alcohol to be running a drug cartel in Florida?

I love the additon of Zlata (Franka Potente), the head of the Russian mob family.

In the last episode, there was a classic exchange when Desna wanted to let Zlata in on an assassination attempt on her life from Clay and the Dixie Mafia.

Desna says that she heard a rumor and Zlata replies, “Is true.  I feed raw hamburger to President at sex party at Mar-a-Lago!”

Just last week, TNT renewed “Claws” for a third season for 2019! 🙂

COMPARING APPLES TO ORANGES

There may never be another Madonna, Michael Jackson, or the Beatles — the chart dominance they accomplished will be legendary.

However, if you just look at the headlines and Billboard chart numbers, they’ve already been replaced!

Here’s a headline this week:

Okay, so technically, Drake breaks the Beatles records.

And, with five new songs in the Top Ten on the Hot 100, he surpasses Michael Jackson with the most solo male Top Ten hits.

But, this is like comparing apples to oranges.

The Billboard Hot 100 chart rules have changed many times since its inception in 1958.

When you see how many hits Madonna, the Beatles, and Michael Jackson scored on the Hot 100, it was because those were bonafide hits that radio was playing and you could buy as a single.

Album tracks could not chart on the Hot 100 if there’s wasn’t a physical single.

That’s changed now, so it’s MUCH MUCH easier for “songs” from albums to chart on the Hot 100 instead of “singles”.

So, if this was a commonplace rule from the 1950s-1990s, then Drake’s accomplishment would likely pale in comparison.

When the Beatles had the top five songs on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 4, 1964, it was because they were popular on radio and in stores!

Here’s a couple more interesting tidbits for you.  The old rules kept some of the biggest songs in music from charting on the Billboard Hot 100 like No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak” from 1996 (16 weeks at #1 on the “Hot 100 Airplay” chart) and Madonna’s 1985 megahit, “Into The Groove”.

While that song hit #1 on the Billboard Dance Chart and Billboard honored it as the “Dance Single of the Decade”, it never hit the Hot 100 because it was the B-side to the 12″ dance single “Angel”.

Overall, Madonna still leads all artists with the most Top Ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 with 38.

Elvis would be second with 36 (if you count his Hot 100 hits and Pre-Hot 100 hits), The Beatles are third with 34 and Drake and Rihanna are tied for fourth with 31.

I STILL “LOVE, SIMON”

Have you seen this stellar coming-of-age movie yet?  I saw it back in March when it first came out.  You can now rent it at Redbox.

I think it’s a must see for every one with a child or teenager dealing with today’s fast changing world!

And, Nick Robinson is absolutely adorable as Simon (Josh Duhamel, as his dad, ain’t too bad either!) 🙂

And, since I talked about Whitney Houston last week and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is my favorite Whitney song, I’ll feature this short video from the movie.

And, how could you forget Damon’s dance audition on “Pose”?

Oh wait, if people were actually watching this beautiful, touching FX show, you wouldn’t forget it!

90s NOSTALGIA

Since moving to Duluth, Minnesota, this month, I’ve been a little nostalgic about my previous times living in the Midwest and Great Lakes back in the 1990s.

Let’s take a country route this week with a voice that still melts me today to hear. 🙂

Canadian Paul Brandt broke out in 1996 just as I was heading to Rhinelander, Wisconsin, for my first real television job.

“My Heart Has A History” reached #5 on the Billboard Country chart here in the U.S., and the follow-up, “I Do”, became his biggest U.S. hit peaking at #2.  It also became a “wedding song of the year”.

Sadly, Paul only scored three more moderate hits here in America — peaking at #39, #38, and #38.

However, in Canada, his first five singles, including the two I previously mentioned, all topped the chart.

He’s still popular in Canada.  Overall, he’s had 26 hits on the Canadian Country chart with 20 of them making the Top Ten, and 6 hitting #1.

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — February 24, 2017

Today’s random thoughts is short and sweet.  I don’t think I have anything too controversial in here, but with human nature, I can’t be sure. 🙂

Have a great last weekend of February!

OSCARS WEEKEND

Millions will be tuned in Sunday night to see the best of Hollywood (at least those nominated and chosen) accept their awards and make political speeches.

I’m basing my picks on my “entertainment” knowledge.

The only nominated movies and performances I’ve seen, so far, in the top categories are “Arrival”, “Captain Fantastic”, “Florence Foster Jenkins”, and “Hell Or High Water”.

My picks for the big prizes are:

Best Picture:  “La La Land”.  I saw “Arrival” and it’s definitely not going to be that one.

Best Actor: Denzel Washington.  If not, it’ll be Casey Affleck.  However, I’d love for it to be Viggo Mortensen.

Best Actress:  Emma Stone

Best Supporting Actor:  Mahershala Ali

Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis

LIBYAN TRAGEDY

Earlier this week, at least 74 bodies of migrants washed ashore from the Mediterranean Sea in Libya.

Libya is a North Africa country on the other side of the world that I’d never want to visit, even if it borders the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

It’s a country strife in human rights violations and political  regimes.

While it’s so far away (and tragedies like this one are a frequent occurrence), it’s gotten minor news coverage.  Sadly, many across the rest of the world probably had little concern about it as it crossed their online news feeds.

But, for some reason (maybe since I’m pontificating about life and my future), it really hit me.

I didn’t know those people and I know things like this happen.  Yet, those people yearned for something better.  They were willing to sacrifice the most prized gift we’re given — life — for it.

What it all comes down to is that those people were someone’s loved ones!

CAITLYN JENNER SAYS “CALL ME”

It’s no secret that I’ve never been a Caitlyn Jenner fan.

While she’s educating herself more and making progress, I still feel she’s out of touch with what life is really like for the average transgender American.

However, “from, well, one Republican to another”, she’s finally stepping up and speaking out against U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and her “friend” in the White House.

While I say “kudos” to Jenner on this, I’m still shaking my head to think that she didn’t have the foresight to see this coming!

This leads me into part two of this thought process!

JACKIE EVANCHO & TRANSGENDER RIGHTS

16-year-old classical singer Jackie Evancho sang the National Anthem at the Inauguration of #45 last month.

To those familiar with her, this was a little (or a lot) confusing since her sister, Juliet, is transgender.  It probably wouldn’t be a stretch to think of how the new administration would feel about LGBT rights, specifically transgender rights.

Earlier this week, the president rolled back federal government protections allowing transgender students to use the bathroom associated with their gender identity.

Evancho reached out to #45 via Twitter: “I am obviously disappointed in the @POTUS decision to send the #transgender bathroom issue to the states to decide. #sisterlove“.

She also tweeted:  “@realDonaldTrump u gave me the honor 2 sing at your inauguration. Pls give me & my sis the honor 2 meet with u 2 talk #transgender rghts ”

So far, she hasn’t heard back from him.

What are your thoughts?  I’m torn.

Maybe she performed to make a connection to discuss her sister and transgender rights?  Or, did she do it for the publicity and a possible bump in record and concert ticket sales?

Before the performance, she and her family were questioned about the new administration’s views and her transgender sister and they basically said that it’s a performance and not political.

Well, I do have issues with that one.  It is political!

REMEMBERING AL JARREAU

As I mentioned last week with the passing of French actress Emmanuelle Riva, real life gets in the way and I miss some things (even with real news and fake news on Facebook).

I was saddened to learn that jazz, R&B, and pop legend Al Jarreau died the weekend before Valentine’s Day at the age of 76.

He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and didn’t release his first album until he was 35 years old!

If you’re not a jazz or R&B music fan, you’ll likely remember him singing the theme to the late-1980s ABC hit show “Moonlighting” with Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd.

Jarreau charted 11 Top 40 hits on the R&B chart with four reaching the Top Ten.

On the Billboard Hot 100, he had three hits.  The “Moonlighting” theme reached #23 in 1987, but “We’re In This Love Together” from 1981, my favorite, was his biggest.  It reached #15.

Throughout his career, Jarreau won seven Grammy Awards and was nominated for 17 more.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC RELEASES STRESS

When I find myself stressed or really bummed out, Christmas music always snaps me back into reality.

The past few weeks have been rather stressful and Wednesday morning, I found myself letting Mariah Carey soothe me.

If you’ve never heard her version of “Oh Santa” or seen the retro video, check it out.

Hey, don’t feel bad for clicking on the video, Christmas is only ten months away!

CLOSING IN ON HISTORY

Don’t think too hard and don’t Google it.  What artist has had the most Top Ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100?

Could it be Elvis?  The Beatles?  Madonna?  Whitney Houston?  Michael Jackson?  Mariah Carey?  Janet Jackson?

It’s actually Rihanna!

With “Love On The Brain” moving into the Top Ten this week on the Billboard Hot 100, Rihanna is now in third place in music history!

It becomes her 30th Top Ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and she didn’t scored her first until 2005!

So, who’s ahead of her?

In second place with 34 Top Ten Hot 100 hits, it’s The Beatles.

Their first was “Love Me Do” in 1962 (it hit #1) and their last was “Free As A Bird” (peaked at #6) in 1995.

And, in first place, it’s Madonna, with 38 Top Ten hits!

Her first Top Ten hit was “Lucky Star” (#4 in 1984) and her most recent was “Give Me All Your Luvin'” (with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.) in 2012.  It peaked at #10.

Behind Rihanna for the most Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten hits are Michael Jackson in 4th place with 29 and Stevie Wonder is in 5th place with 28.

Elton John, Mariah Carey, and Janet Jackson are tied in sixth place with 27 Top Ten Hot 100 hits and the Rolling Stones, Whitney Houston, and Paul McCartney are in ninth place with 23.

By the way, Rihanna was just named Harvard’s “Humanitarian of the Year” and will be appearing in the final season of “Bates Motel”, now airing on A&E, as Marion Crane, Janet Leigh’s iconic character from the original “Psycho” movie!

CAITLYN, UNTIL THE PHONE RINGS, “CALL ME”

OR, “CALL ME MAYBE”

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony

Random Friday Thoughts — October 21, 2016

Ah, the weekend is here again and to kick it off, here are a few of my random thoughts.

I appreciate you checking them out and have fun this weekend!

LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AWAY — THANK GOD!

Regardless of which candidate you support in this year’s presidential election, I’m sure most of us agree that we can’t wait for November 8th to get here so we can vote and put this long, nasty campaign behind us!

The three presidential debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are history and a CNN/ORC poll conducted after each debate shows that Clinton won all three by margins of 35%, 23%, and 13%.

After watching the first two, I decided that I could not and would not subject myself to another ninety minutes of watching an immature and unprepared old man act like a child.

And, did I call that one correctly?  21 seconds into video proves me right!

My summation:  An adult is talking and a spoiled brat without manners interrupts and starts name calling. Said grown adult maintains cool – PRICELESS!

THE DEATH OF A CHILD BEAUTY QUEEN

This Christmas will mark the 20th anniversary of the shocking death of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey in her Boulder, Colorado home.

Two decades later, there have been no arrests, but there’s widespread speculation about who killed her and how and why she was murdered.

I just finished reading “Perfect Murder, Perfect Town” by Lawrence Schiller.

If you want to know more about the investigation instead of just the soundbites you remember from the news two decades ago, this is a well written and well researched book.

Here’s what I took away from the 600-plus pages:  There were many dedicated and thorough detectives working to solve the crime, but the murder investigation (that was called in as a kidnapping) was pretty much botched from the beginning with police failing to secure the crime scene, there was a major disconnect between the Boulder Police and the district attorney’s office and this made each side look like amateurs to the nation and the world, and finally, that unless someone confesses one day, the case will never be solved.

JONBENET’S KILLER

Be careful who you accuse of murdering JonBenet.

On October 6, 2016, her brother, Burke Ramsey, who was nine at the time of her death, filed a defamation lawsuit against Dr. Werner Spitz, who accused Burke of killing his little sister.

Burke and his attorneys are seeking a total of $150 million in punitive and compensatory damages. They may also be filing new lawsuits against CBS soon.

Burke, now grown, agreed to an exclusive interview with Dr. Phil to talk about his life and sister’s murder.

While Burke, his family, and their friends should be presumed innocent in JonBenet’s death until proven otherwise, one thing that Burke is guilty of is being rather creepy and unnerving in the interview.

You’re talking about the savage murder of your little sister on Christmas Day and you’re sitting there smiling like you’re unstable or medicated.  That’s just an observation.  It was awkward.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?

No one really knows what happened Christmas night 1995 in the Ramsey’s Boulder mansion.  No one, that is, but the killer(s).

But, as I mentioned above, almost everyone following the case then and now, have theories on who killed JonBenet.  After reading Schiller’s book, I feel I know a little more than the average person following the murder.  I definitely know more than I did twenty years ago.

I would love to throw out my theory, but I don’t want to be sued by Burke Ramsey or anyone else…

THIS IS A WORK OF “FICTION”

… so here’s a ripped from the headline, “fictional” treatment that could become a Lifetime movie.*

A family comes home from a Christmas party and before their two children go to bed, one wants a snack.  While the older child is eating from a bowl of fruit, the younger sibling grabs a piece from the bowl and pops it in her mouth and runs off.  The older child grabs a flashlight from the kitchen counter and a foot chase ensues.  The older child strikes his little sister in the head with the flashlight.  This blow is not intended to kill, but to put the younger child in her place.  The parents put the children to bed, but realize that something is wrong when the little girl becomes unresponsive.  At that point, instead of taking the younger child to the hospital or calling 9-1-1, they panic and stage a crime scene to cover up the accidental, unintentional death.

This isn’t far-fetched.  I grew up with a little sister two years younger than me and we definitely had our fair share of arguments and fights growing up.

*The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

MARCO RUBIO, THANK YOU!

In the past, I’ve blogged about how much former Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio scares me because of his LGBT views.

While I still want to keep him at arm’s length, he has come around and spoken out on a couple of issues that Republican politicians and their supporters need to face.

First, Rubio is disputing Donald Trump’s claims that this year’s election is rigged.

Rubio says, “This election is not being rigged.  There is no evidence behind any of this, so this should not continue to be said.”

And, finally, about the WikiLeaks smear campaign against Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Rubio says in a statement:

Here’s what I had to say about Rubio in a blog earlier this year when he was still a contender in the Republican race for the White House.

Why We Should Fear Marco Rubio

RUBIO ISN’T ALONE

Former Republican presidential candidate, Ohio Governor John Kasich also disagrees with Trump in thinking the election is rigged.

Kasich says, “Look, to say that elections are rigged and all these votes are stolen — that’s like saying we never landed on the moon, frankly. That’s how silly it is.”

MAYBE WE SHOULD ASK HEATHER MOONEY HER THOUGHTS!

“THE WALKING DEAD” FINALLY RETURNS

“The Walking Dead, one of the best shows on television, returns for its much anticipated seventh season Sunday night.

If you don’t already know by now, this is a mini-spoiler:

When the season six finale ended, baddie Negan and his barbed-wire covered baseball bat, Lucille, bashed to death a major cast member!

Director Greg Nicotero says this episode is “the most emotional episode I’ve ever shot.”

It’s about time to have Rick back again!  (That is, if he’s not killed!) 🙂

HE WASN’T ALREADY “OUT”?

With all the allegations of sexual misconduct by several women against former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, I guess anchor Shepard Smith coming out as gay earlier this week is no big deal.

Personally, I thought he already identified publicly as gay!

It’s almost 2017 and a person’s sexuality should never be what defines them.  Some may even ask, why should we care?  It’s his business.

I think it’s important for people, even at Smith’s age (early-50s), to have role models if they feel they’re living a lie or can’t be themselves by staying in the closet.

Come out, come out!  It’s freeing and it’s liberating.

Congrats Shepard!

THAT P-WORD AGAIN!

My favorite new comedian and satirist Samantha Bee drives home another winning commentary on the Donald Trump and Billy Bush recording!

You know the one that started the debate on kissing and grabbing whatever you want — if you’re a celebrity (or Trump).

Oh no!  You’re going to hear the p-word again and according to Samantha Bee, that word isn’t “presidential”.

This is too funny and I’ve never even heard some of these expressions!

I sure hope Samantha is still as funny after the 2016 presidential election is over in just under three weeks!

MICHAEL BUBLE IS BACK (AND IT’S NOT EVEN CHRISTMAS)

For Michael Buble fans, it’s been a long wait for his ninth studio album (seventh major label release), “Nobody But Me”.

The three-and-a-half year wait is over.

While I enjoyed his early 2013 release, “To Be Loved”, the new album is fantastic!

My early favorites are “I Believe in You”, “On an Evening in Roma (Sott’er Celo de Roma)”, “Today is Yesterday’s Tomorrow”, “God Only Knows”, “Someday” (a duet with Meghan Trainor), and the title track.

Here’s the first release from the album.  While I featured the lyric video some time ago, the “official” video just came out last week.

“WAITING IN THE WINGS — THE MUSICAL”

When it comes to mainstream movies, there are Oscar worthy ones, some great ones, and some that true turkeys (and not the Thanksgiving kind).  You know the ones — the ones that remind you that you’ll never get those two hours of your life back.

It’s even harder to find those gems in the LGBT movie genre because there are fewer of them being made.

My favorites are still “Longtime Companion”, “Latter Days”, “Shelter”, “Make The Yuletide Gay” and “Lilting”, my favorite movie that I saw in 2015.  (Okay, it has nothing to do with my innocent crush on Ben Whishaw!)

When I saw the trailer for “Waiting in the Wings:  The Musical”, I thought it had potential to be funny.  I also knew that it could easily leave the rails.

The musical is written and directed by Jeffrey A. Johns, who’s also the star.

Johns plays Anthony, a small town Montana man who lives for musicals (and Disney).  He enters an online contest and heads to New York to make his mark on Broadway.

However, there’s a casting mix-up and Tony, a stripper (played by Adam Huss, who was also entertaining in 2010’s “Is It Just Me?”), gets Anthony’s role and naive Anthony has to learn to strip.

The movie also features Lee Meriwether in a touching and supporting role.  Shirley Jones and Sally Struthers also make cameos.

I really fell in love with Rena Strober, who plays Rita, the lead in an Off-Broadway play. She gets to play sweet and catty, but most of all, her voice is incredible.

Yes, you have to suspend disbelief at times, but isn’t that why we watch movies?

My only complaint is that Rebekah Kochan is underutilized.  She was so crass and so much fun in Q. Allan Brocka’s “Eating Out” movies.

GRADE:  B

HE REALLY IS INVINCIBLE — EVEN IN DEATH!

Michael Jackson died more than seven years ago, but he’s still the top earning dead celebrity.

In 2016, his estate earned $825 million!

$750 million of that is from the sale of his half of the Sony/ATV publishing catalogue.  Back in 1985, Jackson paid $47.5 million to buy the original Beatles-packed ATV.

At #2, with $48 million, is “Peanuts” (and Charlie Brown) creator Charles Schulz.

Golf legend Arnold Palmer came in third with $40 million.

Elvis Presley ($27 million) and Prince ($25 million) round out the top five.

“NASTY, NASTY, NASTY”

Okay, back in 1986, in my formative party years, we knew all about those “nasty boys” thanks to Janet, Miss Jackson, if you’re nasty.

Now, in 2016, in our increasingly all-inclusive world, we have a “nasty” woman (or maybe a few of them). 🙂

THAT’S IT

With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!

Anthony