All I ever ‘Wanted’ June 27, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase, Philadelphia.Tags: Movie Review, Philadelphia
add a comment
Two movies are coming out this weekend of interest to me. The first is WALL-E. I hear the first 30 minutes or so have absolutely no dialogue. That’s my kind of movie.
The second, as depicted above, is Wanted. I’d compare it to a father-son version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Angelina Jolie is in it, after all. So is Morgan Freeman. And if Morgan Freeman’s in it, you know you’ll at least smile when you see him.
Inquirer movie critic Steven Rea brought up a good point in his review today. He said the movie is like “gun porn” because of its violent nature — lots of assassinations, lots of gunfire, lots of overall violence. His thoughts:
The film’s fetishization of firearms should win it the NRA’s seal of approval. Maybe if the murder rate in Philadelphia wasn’t so sickeningly high, Wanted’s senseless adoration of assault weapons wouldn’t be so off-putting.
This is an extremely valid point. I never thought that living in a city with such a situation would have an effect on how I watch and enjoy a movie.
Perhaps that’s why I wasn’t to keen on M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening. The gratuitous violence — especially the scenes from Rittenhouse Square, just blocks from my apartment — didn’t make the movie for me. Shyamalan topped this off by a random newspaper with a headline that read, “Killadelphia.” He likely intended to have a double meaning, but as Philadelphians look at it in context, the double meaning isn’t necessarily understood immediately.
But something to think about. Does your living situation have an effect on how you watch movies? I was always interested in seeing Wanted based on the previews, and then I read Rea’s thoughts. Now I’m a bit skeptical.
Then again, there’s always WALL-E.
WTF, mate? June 26, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: DMV, Driving, Humor
add a comment
The North Carolina DMV needs to get a clue.
More than 10,000 people in the state have license plates that begin with the letters WTF.
LOL, right?
I was ROFL when I heard this. Because thanks to one little video that came about just a few years ago, those three simple letters can never be used in that order in a generic sense again. All because of some damn Australian.
A woman’s grandkids tipped her off that the license plate on the back of her sedan had deeper social context. And now, the DMV is offering free replacement of said license plates - if the drivers choose.
And…the sample license plate on North Carolina’s DMV Web site also included those first three infamous letters.
Maybe N.C. is more liberal than we originally thought…
L8R.
One year down, ? more to go June 26, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase.Tags: The Price is Right, Drew Carey
add a comment
It’s on Drew Carey.
No, not the pressure to uphold a daytime tradition that’s been around for more than 35 years. Juts the bill from Antonio’s.
The host of The Price is Right is treating everyone to pizza - 45 of them to be exact - to celebrate the end of his first season of the show. The pizza hails from his Ohio hometown joint, Antonio’s.
There must be a lot to celebrate. After all, the bill is $450 (not including delivery).
Not too long ago, I saw a commercial during CBS primetime for TPIR. This concerned me. During Bob Barker’s tenure as host, commercials for the daytime TPIR didn’t exist. And now, it seems CBS needs to advertise watching the show.
Uh oh…
Our local soap is coming to an end… June 25, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Philadelphia, Random Rubbish.Tags: Alycia Lane, CBS3, Journalism, Larry Mendte
add a comment
Thank you, philly.com.
The Web site that is Philadelphia assembled for us an archive. An archive entitled “Alycia Lane in the News.”
Don’t worry. Larry’s on there, too. It might as well be called “CBS3 in the News.”
And the latest story comes from the columnist who is Philadelphia, who assembled for us her thoughts defending Alycia.
Jill Porter wrote a column that many people will laugh at. Many people won’t take it seriously. It’s questionable if she even takes it seriously.
In a nutshell, her column says that we, the news-crazed Philadelphia public, never gave Alycia a chance. Maybe she’s not the ditzy diva the Philadelphia media has made her out to be.
We ought to believe that, Porter says. But we probably won’t.
That’s because this long saga that began December 14 after an incident involving a news anchor, a New York City cop and a taxi cab (sounds like the setup for a joke) is finally coming to an end. There are only two more milestones to come - the future of Mr. Mendte’s federal investigation and the outcome of Lane’s lawsuit against KYW.
Well, unless Mendte files a wrongful termination lawsuit. But let’s pretend that’s not an option.
But these outcomes aren’t what we care about. We cared about the public destruction of two beloved news anchors - those whom we loved to watch and who will likely not be on the Philadelphia airwaves anymore.
And you know what? We’re going to miss them. I already do.
Way to go, Philadelphia.
Happier Times: a key to success June 24, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase, Journalism, Philadelphia.Tags: Alycia Lane, Television, CBS3, Journalism, Larry Mendte
add a comment
But the big story tonight is…
Larry Kane coined a variation of that title phrase on WPVI’s Action News in the 1970s. Afterward, he moved on to KYW-TV in 1993 and retired 10 years later. His replacement?
Well…Marc Howard. He lasted at the 11 p.m. anchor desk for about eight months before moving to 4 p.m. His replacement(s)?
Larry Mendte and Alycia Lane.
It seemed like a beautiful partnership. Mendte, stolen from NBC10, and Lane, wanting cooler temps than Florida, began to liven up a recently rebranded station that had been sinking in the ratings.
I was one of those who “Made the Switch” with Mendte and meteorologist Kathy Orr. And I haven’t gone back since. CBS3 hasn’t given me reason to.
Boy, oh Boy! June 24, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase, Random Rubbish.Tags: Humor, Martha Stewart, Boy George
add a comment
First, England wouldn’t allow America’s sultry sweetheart Martha Stewart entrance into the country. Something about a criminal past…I don’t know.
Alas, karma kicks in. Now the U.S. won’t allow England’s sultry sweetheart (yeah, I said it) Boy George into the country. Aw, shucks.
Boy faces charges in London for false imprisonment. His trial is set for November.
This just goes to show foreign powers – don’t try to pull one on the big, bad United States, because we’ll shoot you down and shoot you down hard.
For every Martha, there is a Boy.
No More Mendte June 23, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Philadelphia.Tags: Alycia Lane, CBS3, Larry Mendte
1 comment so far
CBS3’s Susan Barnett announced today on Eyewitness News at 6 that her former co-anchor, Larry Mendte, has been released from his contract.
The result of the federal investigation into Mendte’s alleged snooping of previously fired CBS3 diva Alycia Lane’s private e-mail has not come, but Barnett said a private investigation by CBS3 led to the dismissal.
CBS3 had a short blurb on its Web site shortly after the announcement, but does not have any official statement yet.
No word on who will replace Mendte in the anchor chair. He’s been off the air since May 29. Anchor/reporter Chris May has been filling in at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. since.
This release from contract may come at a convenient time for Mendte. His wife, FOX29 anchor Dawn Stensland, is in need of a co-anchor for the FOX 10:00 News since the dismissal of her co-anchor, Dave Huddleston. Could Philadelphia see its first married anchor team?
Last summer at CBS3, three on-air talent had nice offices overlooking the city while most other anchors and reporters had oversized cubicles or less. Those three offices - occupied by Mendte, Lane and retiree Marc Howard - have all been vacated.
Weeks of logging on to CBS3 looking for one particular story have finally been validated. Not because I’m taking a stance…just because I like network news drama.
Just another day in the Philadelphia media market.
The cops take a turn at tasing June 18, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: CBS3, Tasers, Police
add a comment
I credited a CNN producer for getting tased. And now, I credit the Upper Darby Police Superintendent, Michael Chitwood. I guess the purpose is to evoke feelings of empathy for those getting tased?
http://cbs3.com/video/?id=59139@kyw.dayport.com
Find a seat easier on the crotch June 18, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Bicycle, Gas
add a comment
Gas prices are outrageous. It’s no secret.
Some people, however, believe some people think it is a secret. Therefore, they want to let them know about it. How do they do it?
It’s a great cause. However, I have no idea how seeing a bunch of people riding naked would make me want to pull out my bike.
Granted, it’s a sight to see. But I don’t think seeing all the [insert words of choice here] would necessarily encourage me to ride a bike.
But hey…that’s the beauty of America. Freedom of speech, religion and dress.
Old people these days… June 17, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Humor, Murder, Old People
add a comment
It only took five dead husbands for police to question the common denominator.
Betty Johnson (sounds like a grandmother you’d love to have, doesn’t it?) has finally been arrested after police have questioned her involvement in at least one of her husbands’ deaths.
The 76-year-old has been charged with the 1986 murder of her fourth husband.
So a lessen for us all — if your spouse has had at least three other spouses in his or her life, track them down. Make sure they’re alive. Or run like hell.
