Albania’s Eurovision 2010 Entry

January 5th, 2010

It’s Eurovision season again, and as usual, we kick it off with Albania’s contribution.  How will the nation recover from last year’s disastrously staged entry?

Apparently, by making use of the Eurovision Song-Generating Music Unit 3000.  Juliana Pasha’s “Nuk mundem pa ty” could not be more generic if she were wearing a white dress with the word “Singer” written in black text across her front.

(The Eurovision Song-Generating Music Unit 3000 is a reference to the Comics Curmudgeon and its coverage of the Archie comic strip. Obviously, both of these units are made by the same company.)

The Least Essential Album of 2010

January 5th, 2010

A metal concept album about Charlemagne by Christopher Lee. Yes. I have a feeling we could have avoided this fate somehow if Peter Jackson had done a better job resolving the Saruman arc in The Lord of the Rings.

What the…?

December 15th, 2009

I really, really want there to be a scene in Sherlock Holmes where, while chasing the baddie around Victorian London, Holmes and Watson stop by a 7-11 for taquitos.

When, Really, They Should Have Blacked Out Croatia’s Performance

December 9th, 2009

The European Broadcasting Union has fined Azerbaijan’s Ictimai TV for distorting the TV signal when Armenia’s  Inga and Anush performed during last year’s Eurovision Song Contest,  then blurring out their phone number during the voting. Despite this, Armenia still received five points from Azerbaijan.

Christmas with Heino

November 18th, 2009

Oh, hell yes!

No Montenegro at Eurovision 2010

November 17th, 2009

Not much else to say, although England, take heart: less Balkan republics mean more votes for you, right?

A Tribute to Edward Woodward

November 16th, 2009

Edward Woodward died. He’s my favorite Ghost of Christmas Present ever, and starred in one of my favorite films, The Wicker Man.  (Er, the original, and it pains me that I have to say that.)  In honor of Robert McCall, Breaker Morant, Tom Weaver, and Sgt. Howie, here’s some songs from The Wicker Man.

“Corn Rigs”

“The Landlord’s Daughter”

“Gently Johnny”

“Willow’s Song”

Also, here’s a link to Doves’ brilliant version of “Willow’s Song.”

Pop Culture Conversations: Project Runway

November 12th, 2009

Irina: “They’re expecting me to bring out the big guns. But I’m going to bring a tank. I’m bringing the whole army.”
Chris: “She’s Georgian. What does she know about having a big army?”
Jen: “She does know something about fronting.”

Fall of the Wall

November 9th, 2009

Today is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.  To celebrate, I’m spinning die Musik von Deutschland heute!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!

November 8th, 2009

Don’t worry, everyone! Estonia’s gonna do Eurovision!