Sleepy Donnie!

Sleepy Donald went to trial this week in New York for paying hush money to Stormy Daniels to shut her up two weeks before the 2016 election. Oh, it is much more than that, it's an "accounting error" where Trump took the $130K payment as a write off for "legal expenses" also. But what it really is is the same thing The Defendant keeps typing in CAPS over on his plunging to hell Truth Social. ELECTION INTERFERENCE! Sleepy Don tried to cover up his payment to the porn star for sautéing his mushroom-like toadstool. He also paid money (thru a third party named Pecker) to one Karen McDougall to shut up about their affair while Melania was knocked up with the future gigantic. Barron Trump. 

So, what we have here is a trial about good old fashioned cover up of a sexual affair. Would it have mattered in 2016 had the public known of this creeps philandering? Of course not, but Tired Trump probably thought so or the payoffs wouldn't have occurred. He survived the pussy grab tape, he survived the making fun of the disabled guy tape, he survived all of it because of his cult members total devotion and their inability to tell truth from fiction. This has only gotten worse among the faithful and even a trial isn't going to change their screechy fandom of this sleepwalking scumbag. Racism and homophobia are powerful motivators among the assholes who crawled out from the Under World they'd been existing in since 1968 when they loved George Wallace.

Now comes the jury selection part of this trial. As the Defendant sits in a courtroom falling asleep because he cant have his 12 Diet Cokes a day, jurors are screened. Their social media is screened, their lives are upended, their employers are revealed and the right-wing media publishes it all. Guys like the despicable Jesse Watters, who claims the jurors are all left-wing plants, and the deplorable talking puppets on Newsmax and OAN will all point the jurors out to the goons of MAGA, this information dump results in harassment and death threats from the Trump thugs. So, if Trump, who apparently thought he could challenge all 1.6 million residents of Manhattan called for jury duty with strikes, cant strike enough jurors, his surrogates can with threats of violence to their families and employers. Its the tactics of a mob boss, which of course Drifting Donald is.

This trial has already gone off the rails. And it hasn't even started yet.

Much like the 2016 election did.

Pretty Woman!

 I must confess. I remember watching the movie Pretty Woman in 1990 with a friend and sitting there listening to people def jam laughing and wondering what the hell is so funny? I also can't stand the ballady guitar solo heavy music of Bryan Adams. Thus, I put it out there before I tell you what I thought of the Broadway tour version of the musical Pretty Woman that hit Omaha last night for a weeklong run.

The story everybody knows and quite frankly who cares? It's My Fair Lady, its Pygmalion, its every love story ever made. Two misfits hate each other, they like each other, then they fall in love. In this case it's a hedge fund manager and a street hooker. He wants no strings attached companionship; she needs money. Oh, how romantic. A greedy scumbag who destroys lives and a prostitute who walks the streets of Hollywood, remains beautiful with no addictions or diseases and who wouldn't want those two crazy kids to get together? The story is ridiculous. Vivian and Edward. Pass.

In cases like that, where I don't care about the main characters at all, I look to the minor characters to care about. And in the case of Pretty Woman there's plenty of minor characters who are actually major characters.

Adam Du Plessis is Happy Man, the hotel manager, a street guru, a piano player, a store manager and a crazy opera conductor. This guy dominates. He is immensely talented in comic acting, singing and sincere empathy. The guy does it all. He makes you wish the two main characters would get off the stage so he can reappear. 

Connor Kabat as Guilio, the bellman. He has the moves of a contortionist. He is a joy to watch. He's funny and he isn't onstage enough. His scenes with Du Plessis as the hotel manager are absolutely the best part of this musical especially the ballroom dancing scenes. Hilarious.

Rae Davenport as the hooker roommate of Vivian, Kit DeLuca. She isn't in a whole lot of scenes but when she is, holy schnikes. Her voice is powerful. It's like going to church in a play about hookers and scumbags. Her scenes with the Happy Man towards the end were a delight.

Finally, Sara Wang isn't up there a whole lot, But the opera scene and subsequent scenes showcase her operatic chops. She's impossible to not want more of. 

Finally, the main characters. Yeah, they're fine. Ellie Baker as Vivian does her best Julia Roberts snort and laugh. But to be honest, when she and Chase Wolfe as Edward are onstage there's really no chemistry. It was tolerable but for Maxs Mom and I, we both wished them to finish so we could see more of the Happy Man, Kit, Guilio and the ensemble.

Should you see it. Sure, why not? It's two hours of fun. It means nothing, it's not Les Mis or Hamilton, hell it's not even Mamma Mia. but there's enough up there to make it enjoyable despite the grumpy old guy next to me who never applauded once and seemed like he'd rather be at Monday Night Raw. 

PS--the applause at the curtain call was heavy for the same characters I just mentioned and not so much for the main characters Edward and Vivian. Maybe the rest of the crowd agreed with us. And the booing of the greedy lawyer was spot on. Chefs kiss!

Nebraska It's Not For Everyone!!

 The Nebraska Legislature. Oh, last year was bad what with the filibusters and the anti-gay and anti-trans garbage that rolled thru like shit through a unisex bathroom. Last year was a total clown show. I know cuz I was there when they passed the anti-transgender anti-abortion anti LGBTQ hybrid bill that turned this state into an embarrassment. Watching a tiny little man (School Board member Kirk Penner) walk around packing a gun on his hip to keep us "leftists" in hand was truly the most ridiculous thing I may have ever seen.

Then came 2024. How could it be worse? Well, it can be argued it really is. The Nebraska Unicameral is unique in its makeup. There are 49 state senators, period. There is no House, no Senate, it's a one house body. 49 people. Elected from cites like Omaha and Lincoln. Also elected from counties with dozens of people and its these people, along with the West Omaha Republicans that run the place. There are no parties, per se', but it's one of the most partisan things you will ever see.

This year has seen very little happen in comparison to last year. But the things that have happened are horrific at best and criminal at worst. The standard bill, written by outside interests of course since most rural Senators couldn't write their names, was to ban "porn" from the school libraries. What's "porn"? Anything that doesn't fit the Christian nationalist definition. Keep the kids dumb, keep them on the farm, and avoid all talk about reality. The bill caused quite a ruckus. Senator Steve Halloran, a tiny little man with a Napoleon complex, read from Alice Seybold's  Lucky, a book that features a graphic description of her own rape. Halloran read from the book, then inserted a female Senators name into the reading (give me a blow job Senator Cavanaugh). Female senators and a few male senators called for the little prick to resign. But because the majority of men and a few women have an MAGA agenda absolutely nothing was done. He was "reprimanded" which is nothing. Halloran remains unrepentant.

This event has caused a tension that hangs over the entire session. 

And then came the last 7 days. Charlie Kirk, a balloon headed 30 something talk show host who likes to hang around college kids and try and convince them old white Republican men are the future, learned about a bill in the legislature regarding changing Nebraska's electoral vote from district to winner take all. Nobody gave a shit about this bill until Kirk and his goons found out about it. And then came Trump. Trump also ordered the bill to pass and all the MAGA morons, from the Governor on down to a lowlife like Halloran, all fell into line to fast track this bill to satisfy their Orange god. The marching orders had come in from MAGA HQ. Kill Nebraska's electoral district vote and do it now to give Trump the electoral vote.

Senator Julie Slama, who had earlier demanded Halloran to resign, fell back into line and brought the bill up as an amendment to a different bill. It failed badly. But it's not over because Kirk is bringing his traveling bullshit show to Omaha (the state capitol is in Lincoln you dumb fuck). It is being held at a church (tax exempt status anyone?) next Tuesday. Oh, there's still time for these sneaky bastards to get this bill back to the forefront. As of now, it doesn't have the votes, but death threats and bullying tends to work here. So, its not dead enough. 

Meanwhile a state senator named Mike McDonnell, a first responder union boss from Omaha, changed parties from Democrat to Republican causing mass erections from out of state interests who know nothing about this state. Its nonpartisan you idiots. McDonnell, a real rat bastard, votes with the conservatives all the time anyway so it matters not. He's a professional Catholic that cares about abortion and only about abortion. The Nebraska Democratic Party, which is a real shitshow, had "censured" McDonnell for some reason. And again, though it doesn't matter, McDonnell changed parties. Yeah, big fucking deal. 

Today it's the standard bathroom bill. Senator Kathleen Kauth, a real sourpuss, has taken her win from last year and doubled down. No men in women's sports, use the bathroom of your birth certificate gender, and cause mass panic on an issue that truly doesn't exist in Nebraska (there a grand total of ZERO trans athletes in Nebraska schools). 

So here we go. Turn Nebraska into Alabama, Do Trumps bidding. Discriminate even further against LGBTQ folks.

Nebraska used to have the worst fucking slogan for tourism ever "Nebraska...It's Not For Everyone."

No shit. Other than white males and their female co-conspirators, who the hell would come here? Get out Kids. Keep the brain drain going. Or stay here and try and stop these bigots that run the place. I choose #2.

Update---the anti trans bill died a grisly death today as there weren't enough votes to stop a filibuster.

The Winner Take All Bill apparently also is dead as only 4 days remain in the session and there's no time to rig the 2024 Nebraska election. 

So Stay Home Charlie Kirk

Frampton Comes Alive!!

It was 1976 and Frampton Comes Alive was issued to every white kid west of 60th Street and we all loved it. The moppy haired 25 year old Frampton, already a guitar legend to those of us enamored with Humble Pie and Framptons Camel, was a freakin golden god. His live album was the rage, new fans came to be, and he was milking it for all it was worth. His tour included the Civic Auditorium in Omaha, a giant cement 1950s arena with terrible sound (I swear you could still hear sound from the Buddy Holly tour bouncing around if you listened closely). August 1976. I secured two tickets by standing in line at the box office (remember those "good" old days?) and my buddy and I couldn't wait. Anyway, Frampton was phenomenal, running around stage and gawking at the love he was getting. When he sang Show Me The Way and the line "I cant believe this is happening to me" you could tell he meant it. He was glorious.

The 73 year old version came to Omaha last night and dammit his voice sounds 25, his guitar sounds 25 and his songs are timeless. He has the disease Inclusion-Body Myositis , a muscle disease that affects his hands and he at one time claimed he was done playing. Well thru physical therapy and pure will, Frampton hobbled out with a cane, sat in a chair and played and sang like he was the healthiest man on Earth. He's still glorious.

The setlist ranged from Humble Pie (Shine On) to Frampton's Camel (Lines on My Face featuring a pictorial retrospective of Peters life) to Winds of Change (All I Wanna Be Is by Your Side) To Frampton Comes Alive (Show Me The Way). The man is one talented musician.

People may love the hits like Baby I Love Your Way and Show Me the Way which he did. But the last song of the set, Do You Feel Like We Do, brought the crowd to its feet. All of us Frampton fans know that song is HIS masterpiece. From the opening notes, to the lyrics sung by the crowd, to the middle jam session, to the talk box which amazed us in 1976, to the ending this was the ultimate experience. It was a fantastic concert and I hope his health gets better so we can hear him for years to come.

Now the crowd. Some people go beyond the cheering, the woo hoos, and the applause. When Frampton picked a "random" seat to give away a signed vinyl, the "winner" ran to the front of the stage and made it all about herself (which I guess it was) hopping up and down and screeching until she was basically forced back to her seat. Then he gave away another signed vinyl to a fellow IBM sufferer, a lady in a wheelchair and that was moving. A woman behind us kept screaming whenever the roadie brought out a new guitar and it was red would screech "Reds my favorite color!!!" The third time she did this virtually everyone in front of her (Like me) turned around and hollered "Yeah we know". We didn't hear from her again. 

Anyway, Peter Frampton is a good as ever, from the opener Golden Goose to the closer Do You Feel Like We Do. Go see him if you get a chance. He's still coming alive!

The Lion King!

 I am not by any means a Disney fan. In fact, until Ron DeSantis picked a stupid fight with them, I thought Disney was a cult. Well, it is, but they also are harmless, unless taking your money and holding you hostage pisses one off. 

The Lion King is in Omaha for one more week after opening a month ago. I've never seen it; Max's Mom and Max have so it was my turn. I expected nothing other than typical Disney over the top entertainment I was ready to hate it. Oops. I loved it.

The familiar story of the King Mufasa, the evil Scar, the young Simba and Nala, the grown-up Simba and Nala, the comic relief of the parrot Zazu, the wise cracking warthog Pumbaa and the even wiser cracking cat Timon, along with the crazy hyenas. The story is murder, a power grab, a flight to safety, and the return to claim a rightful crown. Thats it.

The spectacle of the set, the costumes, the animals, the puppeteers, it is really mind boggling. From the opening of the familiar chant from the storyteller Rifiki, and the parade of characters down the aisle, I was hooked. Enchanted maybe. I watched in wonder, and I really have no wonder any longer. There were fewer songs than I thought. But the music was constant, including drummers in the Lincoln seats right in front of us, including a brief appearance by Zazu. It's a freakin must see.

The performances were great. Peter Hargrave as the evil Scar has a deep and powerful voice. Gerald Ramsey as Mufasa has a sense of power onstage during his Act One only scenes. But the unsung heroes of this massive production are Mukelisiwe Goba as Rafiki and 10-year-old Mase Lawson as the young Simba. Goba's chanting and singing, and narration is something you cannot get enough of. And this kid, Mase, is a phenom in his powerful voice and is even better acting. You will be hearing from him. Christ, he's only 10?

There's only 4 days left to see this. As a professional Disney cynic, they finally beat me. Beat me like a drum.

Oscar Night!

 Its Oscar night. At least it starts early, huh? I've seen all 10 of the Best Picture nominees all of which were a pleasant experience and though I enjoyed some more than others, at least I come from experience in rating them. So, let's go.

Oppenheimer is brilliant as is virtually all movies made by Chriostopher Nolan. The story of Robert Oppenheimer, the man who pushed America to develop the atomic bomb before the Nazis, ya know bac when America hated Nazis. It covers it all, his youth, his relationship with Einstein, his personal life, his black listing and his regrets. It truly is a masterful work.

Poor Things features acting chops from Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe. Unfortunately, I found the actual story to be lacking like every other film made by weirdo director Yorgos Lanthimos. The story of a highly sexualized sort of Frankenstein's monster becomes a story of yeah yeah I get it. And yes, a guy gets turned into a goat. But Emma Stone is fantastic in it.

Barbie was a pleasant surprise. The Greta Gerwig directed story of a doll was so much more. Featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, it's a real feminist screed. Much like Taylor Swift, young girls loved this movie and for that I'm fine with. Girls need role models like Barbie, Caitlin Clark and Taylor Swift. What they don't need is Katie Britt.

Zone of Interest is a Holocaust movie without the Holocaust. No violence takes place onscreen. The story of the camp commandant and his family simply going thru life as millions die within yards of their house. The indifference and the utter disdain for Jews (the house maids are ignored as if they didn't exist). It's all in German and after a while you realize how important that is. And it features a black lab in virtually every scene. The dog deserves a Canine Oscar.

Anatomy of a Fall is the story of a dead husband, a wife suspected of his murder, a marriage in deep trouble and the resulting effects on a deaf child. Did she kill him, did she not? You have to decide. And yet another dog stealing scenes. Doggie Oscar 2.

American Fiction is the story of an unsuccessful black writer who on a lark writes a script with every black stereotype imaginable. It becomes a hit much to his chagrin. The white condescension is really the point as the white liberals kiss his ass. The point is basically hammered home. Jeffrey Wright is wonderful as aways. 

The Holdovers is Alexander Payne's best film. Story of a bitter private school professor stuck looking after the holdovers during Christmas break. The holdovers being the kids with no hime to go back to, much like him. Paul Giamatti should get a lifetime achievement Oscar as well as an apology for not being nominated more often. The guy is fucking great in anything he does. But Da'Vine Joy Randolph as the grieving mother of a dead kid killed in 'Nam who comes to bond with them all is a godsend.

Killers of the Flower Moon is important to see as its a little-known history of white men breaking promises to the Native Americans of Oklahoma. Put em on the dead ass unfarmable land and when oil is discovered move in, kill them and steal the oil. The story of America. Lili Gladstone as the wife of Leonardo DiCaprio and her obvious pain is brilliant. Does he love her or is she simply there to murder her and take her money? She's Oscar bound.

Maestro isn't nearly as important as it thinks it is. Yes, it's a good story of the conflicted Leonard Bernstein, but it's also self-important and over the top. Bradley Cooper has made a good movie here, but not a great one.

Past Lives is one of those human stories that everybody can love. The story of a Korean immigrant who left her childhood friend behind and moves on with her life. Marrying a man and living a new life. But her childhood buddy can't let her go. When he finds her online, they begin the relationship in a new light, and he decides to visit her. What results is jealousy, heartbreak, self-doubt and finality. The ending is heartbreaking. This movie was my favorite of the ten.

Ok that's it. But what were my Top Ten of 2023? Presented without comment.

10) Dumb Money

9) You Hurt My Feelings

8) Killers of the Flower Moon

7) American Fiction

6) Anatomy of a Fall

5) The Holdovers

4) Oppenheimer

3) Zone of Interest

2) Past Lives

1) Godzilla Minus One

Yes, Godzilla was a masterpiece that I enjoyed more than any of them. Past Lives I've watched 3 times. It's this year's Moonlight. 

Honorable Mention.

Quiz Lady, Somewhere in Queens, Taylor Swift the Eras Tour, Rustin, Yogi, Freedoms Path, The Starling Girl , The Blackening, Reality, and The Beekeeper. 

Google em and watch.

Onward to tonight.

Killer Joe!

 Sleepy Joe became the Scranton Slugger last night. Dodging and countering, handling the Republican hecklers like a professional standup comedian, speaking for 68 minutes without a breath. Senile my ass. Cognitively impaired my ass. Joe is sharp and determined and ready to take on the Florida Fraud in a phone booth if necessary.

In fact he was so on target, the Republicans were taken aback. Thus, the talking point became instead of Dementia Joe, he became Drug Addict Joe. What's he on? Did he let Hunter coke him up? In fact, down at Bed Bug A Lago, the Defendant said in full caps as usual, "THE DRUGS ARE WEARING OFF!" Now I have no idea if the Mar A Lago Moron meant he needed more Adderall, was shouting out to Captain Doctor Ronny Jackson to refill his prescription, or simply had a senior moment.

Joe Biden won the night right at the beginning. No not because he joked he should leave, but walking down the aisle shaking hands he suddenly came upon the sight of a red hatted clown named Marge. Marge was dressed like a carnival barker running a con on the rubes. Red MAGA hat, Say Her Name button, red jacket over a white t shirt, Marge tried for attention so hard that Biden looked at her and reacted like he just saw a clown which of course he did. A whoaaaaa look, and she turned back into a loudmouth pumpkin knowing she lost that one. It was over. Disarming the screeching baboon from NW Georgia aint easy for much younger people since she just keeps screaming, but Old Joe took her ammo away and shoved it up her ass.

Fightin Joe took on the GOP and without naming him once, Trump (which I'm sure really triggered the old rapey bastard). Ukraine, drug prices, tax cuts for billionaires, the border bill the House GOP killed, democracy, NATO, Putin, MAGA, Jan 6th, Israel, Gaza, and abortion. Looking straight the Supreme Court Trump hacks, he addressed presidential immunity and Roe V Wade. The Republicans screeched he "threatened" the Court. Oh, my stars, he's senile, no he's a thug, no he's on drugs, no no no. GOP heads exploded.

Scrappy Joe ended the speech with an age joke that even cracked up Lindsey Graham (and I saw you grin, Mike Lee). 

Now the hecklers. Wisconsin House drunk and teenager harasser, Derrik Van Orden screamed "lies". Ok not real clever, but classy as always. Then came Marge, who hollered "Say Her Name", in reference to Laken Riley, an unfortunate young woman murdered by some guy who was here illegally in Georgia. Comic Joe said her name, offered his condolences, and offered to speak with the family. Large Marge was put in the corner with a dunce cap replacing her red MAGA hat. Some maniac in the gallery screeched about Afghanistan. And Lame Duck Lauren Boebert was surprisingly silent much to everybody's relief.

It was a great speech. It disarmed the old sleepy Joe crowd. They got nuthin. 

Then came the GOP response. Some Senator from Alabama named Katie Britt, live from her kitchen back in Bama. Looking like a middle school chick running for class president, smiling a lot, pretending to get emotional. losing her breath, real Tracey Flick shit. Britt was atrocious with her audition for the lead in the GOP musical. Over the top. Bad actor. I was hollering like a theater director watching some kid trying too hard, thank you, we'll be in touch and rolling my eyes. But she kept going. Get the fucking hook for chrissakes. Britt was the worst responder since Marco Rubio about drowned himself. But she's purty and looks about 18 and Republicans think that wins arguments. Sorry folks, she's a dunce. But at least she truly can claim to be the smartest Senator from Alabama since Tuberville exists. The whole kitchen thing was also appropriate since that's where MAGA thinks all women should stay.

Way to go, Killer Joe. You kicked MAGA, the House GOP, and SCOTUS right in the nuts. They may never recover.

And oh yeah Mike Johnson. We all saw you applauding underneath your desk at times. We all saw you attempt to keep that smug look on your face for 68 minutes. It's all an act. We know that you probably wont survive the Speakership long. But for chrissakes, show some guts once in a while. Don't go down a wimpy lil homophobic Christian Nationalist. Go down fighting. Like Joe showed you.