Kudos to IKEA France, Earth Sustainability Car Ad

Kudos to IKEA France with the launch of an eco-friendly car ad last week. It's either a great inspiration or hilarious April Fool's Day joke.

Expectation setting is in order for consumers who might consider buying an IKEA car.

It's not yet clear how many different aisles you'll need to find or the number of boxes you'll need to pick off the self-serve shelf before heading to check-out.

Detroit Automakers beware!

Oh, This and That and Stuff Like That, Tina Fey on Palin

"Not since Sling Blade has there been a voice that anybody could do," Tina Fey.

SNL Mavericks Take On Biden-Palin

"Gosh Darnit" NBC's Saturday Night Live Mavericks delivered another hysterical parody with the Biden-Palin VP Debate. The gang surprised us with a guest spot for Queen Latifah as journalist and moderator Gwen Ifil. A perfect pitch for Ifil's new book, who could ask for any better publicity? Latifah really held herself together as she tried not to laugh outright at Tina Fey's too funny Sarah Palin. To be fair, SNL gave "scrappy" Joe Biden the "Scranton is a hell-hole" business, too.


Links:
Tina Fey at"30 Rock"SNL's Perfect Palin
Queen Latifah Lights Up Symphony Hall

Ads Entertain: Look what the cat dragged in

Simple creative storytelling in an entertaining way, this ad says it all.

Tina Fey at "30 Rock" SNL's Perfect Palin

NBC's Saturday Night Live team gave fans a perfect parody of Sarah Palin with Tina Fey's return to 30 Rockefeller Center last night.

Amy Poehler portrayed the tougher stereotypical view of Hillary Clinton in sharp contrast to the clear likeability quotient of Sarah Palin. If we've learned one thing during this campaign, the likeability factor remains King or Queen.

Fey hit the mark on every media discussion point of recent days by covering the difference between pitbulls and pigs, Palin's foreign policy experience "I can see Russia from my house," and professing her service as mayor of the "crystal meth capitol of Alaska." SNL fans should expect to see more of Fey's Palin. It seems only fitting at this point, if we can't cry over the election mess, we'll just have to laugh. Again.

MAMA MIA Delivers On Happy

Seriously sappy and happy, MAMA MIA triumphs on the big screen. Ignore the critics. Don't expect a great film, see it for the sheer entertainment of watching Meryl Streep lead an eclectic ensemble cast in being silly and charming while singing ABBA tunes amid a glorious Greek Island backdrop. I defy women over 50 to not walk out of their neighborhood movie theatre with a smile and lighter step, it can't be done.

I remember seeing Streep for the first time in a PBS broadcast version of Wendy Wasserstein's stage show "Uncommon Women and Others"-- it's hard to imagine this now, but the show had to be at least 30 years ago. The next time I remember seeing her was in "Julia" and "Kramer vs. Kramer." These critically acclaimed performances were followed a few years later with her emotionally shattering performance in "Sophie's Choice." Watching MAMA MIA caused me to reflect that Meryl Streep has delivered many of the most naturally striking performances of my generation. Very cool.

It seems odd to me, but I have friends who really don't care for Meryl Streep, something that I don't quite understand since I'll actually see a film because it has Streep in it--regardless of the critical reviews. I'm always curious to see how she delivers a role, embodies a character. So, I appreciate Meryl Streep in just about any project she undertakes.

Her early breakout performances underscore womens' role in society, MAMA MIA offers yet another culturally historic snapshot of circumstance, choice, and consequence. Among my generation, it's very familiar territory when contrasting her character's life with those of her best pals, played by the incomparable Julie Waters and Christine Baranski.

As for me and MAMA MIA, I always enjoyed listening to ABBA in the 70's for sure, and "Dancing Queen" is one of my favorite numbers in the film.

I was struck by the lighting in the film and attribute some of this to what I remember about the Greek Islands. The light and color of the sky and water are like no where on earth. When you first see Meryl Streep on screen, you'll notice she's standing in a halo of light, the effect is a combination of natural light and how the film is lit. My filmmaker friends tell me that lighting is the most important aspect of a film shoot, I can't say otherwise after watching MAMA MIA. The director and DP definitely make the most of light. Silly entertainment with a lot of heart, MAMA MIA delivers on happy.

Got a MAMA MIA story to share? Feel free to comment.

Photo Credits: Universal, Peter Mountain

Check out a fun clip of "Dancing Queen":

Puppy Night Before Christmas

Billy Bob, Chicken John, and Grasshopper Heat Up San Francisco's Mayoral Race

Only in San Francisco would citizens be given the option of voting for mayoral candidates with such diverse backgrounds--a solid record in office or similar leadership qualifications are not required. Presumably, candidates can prove they live in San Francisco County.

Maybe someone qualifies as a great dreamer--if not for mayor:

retired teacher and blogger
nudist activist
former supervisor
juvenile probation department manager
flower shop owner
taxi driver named Grasshopper
nonprofit program director
music teacher
sex club owner
showman named Chicken John
educator named Billy Bob
blogger who spent 7 months in jail (journalist right to protect sources)
incumbent mayor

Independence Day . . . Born On 4th Of July

A few quotable quotes by notable Americans Born on July 4th:

“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”
--Nathaniel Hawthorne, Author

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not, nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not, unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not, the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
--Calvin Coolidge, 30th American President
“If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.”

“Kissing power is stronger than will power: Girls need to "prove their love" like a moose needs a hat rack."

“A church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.”

--Abigail Van Buren, AKA Dear Abby, American Advice Columnist

“One out of four people in this country is mentally unbalanced. Think of your three closest friends; if they seem OK, then you're the one.”

“You need that guy like a giraffe needs strep throat.”

"Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies.”

“What the vast majority of American children needs is to stop being pampered, stop being indulged, stop being chauffeured, stop being catered to. In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.”

“Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.”

“Asking a writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamp post how it feels about dogs.”

--Ann Landers, American Advice Columnist

Piano Playing Cat Nora Releases New Video

Nora, the piano playing cat, just released her new video. Nora's first video hit YouTube in January. More than 1.5 million views later, this little piano playing cutie immediately landed on television newscasts around the globe. Notable U.S. featured spots include The Ellen Degeneres Show and Good Morning America. Nora tickled the ivories on The Martha Stewart Show in March.

For more about Nora, visit: Ravenswingstudio.

Watch Nora:The Sequel

On Accomplice: New York "Taking It To The Streets"

Schedule three hours on a weekend day to take in Accomplice: New York, one of the hottest city tour adventures available.

Sunday's New York Times article, along with a previous flurry of blurbs on national television outlets, will no doubt help Accomplice founders expand their interactive tours in major cities around the globe---including Peoria, if someone there is willing to license a production, according to FAQs posted on the Accomplice web site. Does anyone know who visits Peoria?

San Franciscans and out-of-towners have embraced audience interactive events for years---from Tony 'n Tina's Wedding to cult classic sing-along movie musical revivals. Accomplice takes reality theatre to the streets---where better to showcase the next Accomplice production than in The Streets of San Francisco!

Watch Accomplice Trailer and Order Tickets: www.accomplicenewyork.com

Check out Sunday NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/22/theater/22zino.html

On Get A Mac Advertising

Brilliant, elegant, funny, simple.
Great brand. Great dreamers. Extraordinary vision.

On Larry "Bud" Melman: David Letterman Sidekick

Here's a funny clip of the late beloved Calvert DeForest, best known for his character work as Larry "Bud" Melman on David Letterman's Late Night show. DeForest died Monday in New York after a long illness. News reports said the show's producers first saw DeForest in a New York University film student's video. They later found him working as a file clerk in a drug rehab center and hired him.

Larry "Bud" Melman introduced television audiences to the first Late Night show on February 1, 1982. DeForest once said his first appearance "was the greatest thing that had happened in my life."

On Molly Ivins

Whew, will we miss reading Molly. She loved this country and always urged us to take responsibility for its preservation. Here's a few of Molly's quotable quotes:

"I've always found it easier to be funny than to be serious."

"Real Texans do not use the word 'summer' as a verb."

"I dearly love the state of Texas, but I consider that a harmless perversion on my part, and discuss it only with consenting adults."

"The first rule of holes: when you're in one, stop digging."

"It's hard to argue against cynics--they always sound smarter than optimists because they have so much evidence on their side.”

"What you need is sustained outrage...there's far too much unthinking respect given to authority."

"Think of something to make the ridiculous look ridiculous."

"The thing about democracy, beloveds, is that it is not neat, orderly, or quiet. It requires a certain relish for confusion."

"Satire is traditionally the weapon of the powerless against the powerful."

"I believe that ignorance is the root of all evil. And that no one knows the truth."

"You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to."

"Next time I tell you someone from Texas should not be president of the United States, please pay attention."

"I know vegetarians don't like to hear this, but God made an awful lot of land that's good for nothing but grazing."

"It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America."

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Fort Worth Star-Telegram

On Great TV Commercials

Kudos to Ogilvy and Mather Advertising for this truly creative 2006 commerical with Ellen DeGeneres and the animals promoting AMEX Card,"My Life. My Card." This one, the Apple/PC guys, and Geico's "So Easy A Caveman Can Do It" series are great fun. Creatively, these ads remind me of those vintage "No Matter What Shape Your Stomach's In" Alka Seltzer commericals from the 60's.

On Happy Feet

Of course I adore Happy Feet, the story of an Emperor Penguin named Mumble who is born with a natural ability to tap dance though without the ability to sing. The conflict begins on Mumble's first day of penguin school as every Emperor Penguin must discover their "heart song" to find a soul mate. As Mumble struggles to be himself among the penguin flock and societal norms,he bravely retains his individuality.

Australian Filmmaker George Miller (Mad Max and Babe) delivers a cinematically stunning film and an outstanding cast in Elijah Wood, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Brittany Murphy, and the ever brilliant Robin Williams.


I loved Happy Feet though as the film weaves its way through multiple storylines, it loses its way in bringing them all together---nevertheless, Happy Feet enjoyably features Nicole Kidman as Mumble's Mom, Norma Jean, sounding delightfully as breathless as Marilyn Monroe, Williams lending his voice in two hilarious roles, penguin production numbers set to music by Prince, The Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, Queen and Paul Anka, and a global call for human aliens to leave the ecosystem alone.

You will definitely leave the theatre feeling happy!

Two clips below: Mumble with Gloria and the other new baby penguins learning about their "Heart Song" on the first day of penguin school and an introduction to Ramon (Robin Williams):

Lily Tomlin On July 4

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Lily Tomlin remains one of the most brilliant storytellers in the world, JMO. Here's a funny creative clip off her official web site. Click Here To View Video

Dilbert On Oprah

Click on Title Above To View Dilbert On Oprah

On Egg Dying

A friend sent this along with a string of other funny cartoons depicting egg-related parodies---you know each year at this time, I remember to wonder about the origin of the Easter Bunny, baskets with green plastic grass,the tradition of dying hard-boiled eggs, chocolate bunny rabbits, and those yellow chick sugar things that I never learned to like.
Why did we dye eggs, put them in our baskets with candy and get completely new head-to-toe outfits to wear on Easter Sunday?After Church, we had Easter Egg Hunts. I remember being excited by the creative process of egg dying and have always enjoyed new outfits----but I just don't remember the point of the egg and basket thing at all. Does anyone have this real story?