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« October 2006 | Main | December 2006 »
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 14:55:26
The "N" Word
Well, by now, everyone is aware of the Michael Richards' (Kramer on Seinfeld) tirade of racial insensitivity the other night at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles. If not, here's one of a thousand news stories to catch you up.
Anyway, also performing that night was Paul Rodriguez, who you should know if you followed stand-up comedy or ever watched one of those Comic Reliefs. Rodriguez made remarks about the unfortunate incident and commented on how if you are going to use the word "nigger" on stage, and you're not black, you had better have a good reason and Richards didn't. Rodriquez went on to say that this isn't a word that should be in the vernacular anyway and made an opaque and almost under his breath call to "rappers" and others in the African-American community to quit using the word and popularizing it with young fans.
Now, what Michael Richards did was stupid, insensitive, demeaning, racist and wrong. Okay, that's out of the way. Why it happened to be these two hecklers were able to get under his skin and bring this out of him, who knows. He made some sort of apology on David Letterman, via the influence of Jerry Seinfeld, but more than likely his career will be shattered. So don't worry, Michael Richards is getting his, unlike Mel Gibson, who railed on the entire Jewish people while being arrested for a DUI and apparently didn't even go to rehab like he said he would in his "apology". (Is it me, or has he gone from cool dude, to scary guy with too much money and a penchant for movies acted in 2000-year-old dead languages?)
But here's my point, if I have one, maybe we all need to stop using racial epithets, even in jest. When are we going to move past all this, on both sides? Yes, our ethnic ancestors have all done bad things to one another in the past and we continued to do so even now, but there is going to have to come a time on this planet where we all collectively forgive each other and move on. We're never gonna get anywhere as a civilization if we continue to be concerned with a past we can't do anything to change. So teach your kids to be kind and fair. To judge people on who they are and their actions, not what they look like or where they come from. Stop assuming that someone is good or bad because of the socio-economic status or the height of their pants (by the way, the saggy pant thing, is not okay on anyone over the age of 18 who isn't a famous rapper getting paid to look that way. 30 year old fathers with droopy jeans and baseball caps on sideways while in Wal-mart are not cool.)
But what about comedy? What about poking fun at people through satire? I don't know, look at Borat, that movie is funny, but it's based on a "character" who is racist, sexist and ignorant. But it's funny because 1) it's a joke 2) what he does is so out there you can't believe he gets away with it and 3) because the real people in the film are not acting, they are saying what they believe and you can't fathom that they would feel that way in this day and age nor that they would say those things while on camera. So while that movie is hysterical, it's also a little sad. He exposes parts of this country we try to forget about and I'm glad there back in the spot light. It's not about appearing to not be racially insensitive people, it's about NOT being racially insensitive or a bigot, ever.
Well, that's my rant on that, a little late, forgot to post this before Thanksgiving, oh well, confidentially trying to be a better person, Mr. Rickey.
Got something on your mind, need some confidential advice, hit me up at caconfidential@gmail.com
How you livin on Thanksgivin?
Odds and ends on this Thanksgiving week:
Riverdale 10 Cinema will be showing Polar Express all day, Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, for FREE! Now Mr. Ricky does not yet have the pleasure of little Rickys and Rickelettes pitter-pattering around the hizzie, but if he did, he would take them. See their website by clicking the logo above.
Borat - he's made the funniest movie of the year, probably of the decade (There's already Oscar hype from the Chicago Tribune of all places). If you haven't seen it, gypsy, do not be frightened, go now, very nice, yes? Now there has been some backlash, especially people trying to say he's being racist or something. No, the people in the film, who knew they were on camera, were being racist; he merely gave them a stage to make a fool of themselves. If I give you nothing else, my people, remember this: Don't do anything on camera you don't want your mother see on YouTube!
Turkey Day! I can't wait, stuffing and dressing, turkey as far as the eye can see, green bean casserole, apple pie and football, I love it!
Nuff said...
Bridge to Teribithia - The Movie!That's right, I said it, Bridge to Terabithia the Movie, February 16, 2007. This was the Harry Potter of the summer before my third grade year. I have to reread it soon. I don't remember a ton of the details, but I do remember how it broke something open in my head and I could make up these entire worlds in my mind. I think it reinforces how great it is to be a kid with an imagination, not stuck behind a controller or a mouse. I'm positive my parents thought I was "touched" or something running around in the backyard fighting the Empire, or Orcs, or Skeletor or Cobra. Kids don't do that as much these days, they let some 30 year old programmer create a world for them, and that's a little sad. But I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait, I hope it doesn't suck. I had a bridge in my backyard into the woods, I made my Dad help me make one that was safe and didn't have exposed nails, it was the bomb. It was. Back off.
Theater, Theater, Theater - I will do in a separate post in the nearish future. Lots of stuff coming up, King and I, American Daughter, Red Octopus Pagans on Bobsleds XV, Frog and Toad.... tons, later, promise.
Holiday shopping season is upon us - pity those who work in retail, for the end is nigh.
Well, I've run out of steam, but check, check, check that stuff out and don't forget:
Heroes - Mondays - 8PM - NBC
Friday Night Lights - Tuesdays - 7PM - NBC
NIP/TUCK - Tuesdays - 9PM - FX
LOST (currently on "winter break" so lame) - Wednesdays - 8PM - ABC
The Office, 30 Rock, ER - Thursdays starting at 7:00 - NBC
Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy - Thursdays - starting at 7:00 - ABC
*There is too much goodness on Thursdays, you must record something
Battlestar Galactica - Fridays - 9PM - Sci-Fi
I suppose you could watch Jericho if you have time on Wednesdays now that LOST is on hiatus, Sundays is a free for all, I'm a Desperate Housewives, flip to Family Guy, Sons and Daughters person, but do your own thing.
Until we blog again, keep it on the confidential, Mr. Ricky
Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 10:38:02
Theater, Theater, Theater
Final Performances 11/17 & 11/18
Life is quite rosy for Darren Lemming, a young mixed-race man whose confidence, charm and athletic ability have made him one of the most adored American baseball stars around. So, when he casually announces he's gay, no big deal, right? Wrong. In Richard Greenberg's comedy/drama "Take Me Out," the furor that ensues provides both a humorous and hard-hitting examination of masculinity, sexuality, race, and friendship for a most entertaining evening at The Weekend Theater in downtown Little Rock.
Murry's Dinner Playhouse
October 17 – November 19
A stranger stumbles upon an isolated house and discovers a woman holding a gun and standing over the dead body of her husband. Did she really kill him? After the police arrive on the scene they discover clues that open up a Pandora’s Box of loves and hates, suspicions and intrigues. Considered to be one of Agatha Christie’s finest, this thrilling mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat. (501) 562-3131 for Reservations.
Extra Extra! Rumor around the campfire is UCA will be home to the Arkansas Shakespeare Theater which is already listed on this year's UPTA participating theaters. Apparently it will be a summerstock repertory company doing three shows, with heavy emphasis on the Bard, classics, etc. Since the demise of the Shakespeare Festival of Arkansas, there hasn't been much in the way of a classical theater in these dare hills, Mr. Ricky wishes them God's speed.
For all your local theater needs:
Go Hogs Go! On the Radio...
Well, apparently the No. 5 team in the nation, with a Heisman contender in the backfield and whose only loss came to USC, doesn't garner much national media coverage if they're not playing a big time program on the skids. This weeks game against Mississippi State will not be broadcast by any media outlet. Of course the networks and ESPN passed, they're are big games out there this weekend. But I have to say Lincoln Financial televising the Tennessee/ Vanderbilt game is ridiculous. So Tennessee will be watching that one and .... no one else. Alabama/ Auburn Iron Bowl, yeah, I get that, but Tenn./ Vandy, I guess to see if Vandy can pull off the upset on the lack luster Vols.
Whatever, we don't need your stinkin television coverage, it'll be on the radio, you people know where, usually I listen on 105.9, but do what you have to do.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006 - 09:34:38
Huckabee Makes National News, Lord Help Us.
Huckabee Gift Registry makes the Yahoo! front page!
Great, more wonderful publicity for Arkansas, and he wants to run for President...
He could maybe be President of the local running club...
So much for the Slate 60 meeting in Little Rock this week...
Monday, November 13, 2006 - 10:11:51
Arkansas News of the Weird
Well, while waiting in-line for the movies yesterday, I was reading the "News of the Weird" on my cell phone, which is really addictive, this news in the palm of your hand thing. Anywho, there was a story about the mayor's race in Waldenburg, AR, population 80.
This story has been picked up off the AP and popping up everywhere across the nation - Click Here for CNN.com version
Apparently Randy Wooten, local bar owner and mayoral candidate didn't receive any votes, which seemed odd to his wife when she checked on the results. So she asked him if he had voted for himself, and he said yes, and the rest is scandal in Waldenburg! The race will have a run off, each of the top contenders receiving 28 votes. Thus, Randy Wooten, who is still deciding if he will lodge a formal protest, could also be the swing vote in the runoffs... who wields the power now, mooohahahahahaha!
For those of you wondering, Waldenburg is a hop-skip-and a jump from Jonesboro, SSW as the crow flies. For more on Waldenburg, check out it's Wiki Entry.
I'm really surprised this hasn't show up on the Arkansas Blog... has Mr. Ricky scooped everyone? Victory is mine!
Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 10:09:36
High on the Hog Heisman Hopes!
[I'm pretty proud of that title, by the by]
Well, apparently the 8-1 Arkansas Razorbacks are starting to enjoy the fruits of being a contender in the SEC. A national ranking bordering on the top 10 in many polls (and let me just say some of these kids in the top 10 don't have a chance in the SEC, Louisville we loved to have ya), but in what will most assuredly be an All-American Season, sophomore running back Darren "McFast" McFadden, one half of "Thunder and Lightning" (the worst tandem knick name I've heard since The Masters of Disaster, Avalanche and Earthquake ) has begun to climb the national Heisman Hype polls. Fox News, reeling from Tuesday no doubt, currently ranks him as #8 and rising, but there's a long road ahead.
Sitting on top and probably out of reach barring the unthinkable in the next two weeks is Ohio State QB Troy Smith, who doesn't look invincible, but I'd put him on my Fantasy Football team right now, even if he isn't in the league. For some reason, Brady Quinn is still in the picture though I think Notre Dame has gotten lucky more often than rallied around Quinn's brilliant play. Mike Hart, RB for Michigan, who is a BAD MAN, and Colt McCoy, QB from Texas surely deserve to be higher on the list, but that old Notre Dame fame is boosting Quinn. RB's from Rutgers, West Virginia and Cal round out the rest of the contenders in front of the Arkansas native and they are all good backs. Interestingly, right behind McFadden is another standout QB from the University of Hawaii. I don't know what they do over there in paradise, but they know how to make a QB, who was that kid that set the national passing record a few years ago?
So what does all this mean for McFadden, the Hogs and more importantly the individual Hog Fan, like Mr. Ricky? Well, it means McFadden, bad toe and all, has reached the upper echelon of backs in the NCAA and will continue to be scouted by the NFL, probably meaning we get to hold onto him for one more year, maybe two if some serious National Championship debate starts around the program. I doubt we'll see Felix Jones taking any type of a back seat with the success of the running game, but it would be interesting to know if McFadden were the one and only back out there what his stats could have been. Probably, they would be less stellar, he would have reinjured the toe, we might be 6-3. For the program, it means another bright star for recruiting the type of talent Broyles has been trying to lure to Ozarks for as long as I can remember (and had little success with). With the state of the Offensive Line, I'm sure the running game and the continued recruitment of the kind of guys that make that happen will be an important goal in the off-season.
But most importantly, it's more fodder for Hog Fans on message boards to taunt and be taunted by our SEC advisarries. That's right, take that Florida. Way to go Bama. Auburn, in your face! It means we have yet another ridiculous debate to start on talk radio. "If the Sun is in retrograde and Saturn is crossing through Mars' second house and that lost Manitee in Memphis (I'm not making that up) floats back down to the Gulf, then maybe, just maybe, McFadden wins the Heisman." People, I want this to happen, not as much as I want us to be #1 in all the polls, but still I guy can dream. A state can dream. But please, don't be the bag that calls up and says we're the greatest team in the nation and McFadden is the best RB to ever play the game, of all time, etc. Let's just enjoy not getting the crap kicked out us in the SEC for once and striking fear in the hearts of the old guard.
To add at least one vote to McFadden's chances, go vote online each week for him at this Heisman sponsor's contest:
Vote Heisman - sponsored by Nissan
And don't forget this Saturday, your Arkansas Razorbacks get down and dirty in the squared circle with the Tennessee Volunteers at 6PM on ESPN2. ESPN Gameday will also be broadcasting from Fayetteville all day, which is pretty spectacular, I wish I could go and hold up a sign that read "Really Supportive Sign for a college I don't go to". I hope the Vols volunteer for a loss to the Hoggies.
Confidentially harboring dillusions of BCS Bowl - Mr. Ricky
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