"You're ruining the Butthole Surfers!"

Last night I listened to my friends do a radio show at the BSU station WCRD.net and I remembered why I am lucky to have them - even if we don't see each other that often. Rik Henry's radio show (which hasn't been named yet - I suggested Roarin Rik Radio) could very well evolve into a cult sensation...if people listen. On the show Rik and James discussed Frank Black, points for and against the new Metallica album, and how hard it was to navigate the station's control panel.

As Rik attempts to get the track to play-

Rik: There are so many buttons!!!

James: You're ruining the Butthole Surfers! You're ruining the Butthole Surfers!

And with that perfect introduction, the song roared forth.

I asked myself, "would this be as endearing and entertaining if these guys were not my pals?" As I pondered this - James was arguing against the new Metallica album before launching into a great Stone Roses song. And that sums it up. I can't covey with words how funny, informed, and uniquely strange these guys are - between the both of them their knowledge of all quality music is massive. Both are self-admittedly socially awkward, old music geeks. To me, this makes for a great late-night radio show. Think Mark Borchdart and Mike Shenk from American Movie, but not really at all and on the radio. For fans of rad and widely unheard music and unscripted radio hilarity - definitely plan on tuning in. The shows air Fridays at midnight on www.wcrd.net. Just click "live stream," and an in-browser player will pop up with an accompanied instant messenger for requests or "hollas." The guys plan on archiving their shows via podcasts soon...but they probably need me to record and post them. Will do!

Cat House on the Kings

As an animal lover and adorer of cats, I know how hard it is to not just take in every single stray one finds around the neighborhood. A friend of mine has taken in several cats - I think 7 altogether - and though some might snicker at what this suggests (lunatic cat lady), I get it. I grew up with grandparents and parents that were animal-nuts. Feeding and taking care of strays was a rewarding and arduous way to spend summer afternoons. The sad truth is that most people who undergo the task of taking care of neighborhood cats are not equipped to do so in a healthy manner. There are lots of things to consider: spaying and neutering, basic veterinary care, and providing more than just a place to congregate and eat. For all of you stray-lovers out there - take note of this wonderful woman. I would say she has it all covered. And I wish there were about a thousand more like her across the U.S.

Just outside of Los Angeles, Cat House on the Kings is a 6 acre, no kill, no cage cat-land. All the cats there are up for adoption - but no pressure on the kitties - they get to live out their lives on the ground if no one picks them. The woman who runs the sanctuary, Lynea Lattanzzio, was nominated for the 2007 Fresh Step Litter Cat Hero award. She lost to this lady, who helped rescue cats from the San Franciso bay area. If Lattanzzio is nominated again - my vote will go for her.

These cats look so happy to be alive.

Odenkirk does not care about stoned people.

For those of you familiar with Tim and Eric's Awesome Show, Great Job, you are probably also familiar with funnyman and occasional guest, Bob Okenkirk. My favorite skit that Odenkirk was in was the Crystal Ships episode where he played a befuddled talk show host. Odenkirk also made Mr. Show with David Cross, has appeared in Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and recently was featured on comedian Doug Benson's documentary Super High Me.

And the appearance on Super High Me is the first one that I did not find funny.

Before I go on, did I mention that he wrote the sketch for Chris Farely about living in a van down by the river?

And then there is Doug Benson. Benson got into comedy on a dare. Him and a couple other guys dared each other to perform at an amateur comedy stage and he was the only one that did it. People laughed. Dough Benson became a comedian.

Benson has been on several comedy tours, Last Comic Standing, and has an ongoing spot on the best VH1 show - Best Week Ever. His recent documentary Super High Me followed Benson for two months - one month without smoking pot at all, and one smoking pot all day, everyday. Throughout the documentary, several friends and colleagues were interviewed - Odenkirk being one of them. This is what he had to say:



Before I even put that on youtube (mainly as an easy way to experiment with my new Pinnacle Studio software), I didn't think to search for other Odenkirk videos. I guess the debate on weather or not he happens to be a very funny conservative has arisen on youtube before.



Not that I give two turds about John Lennon - but the entire tone of the interview seemed to ooze with Odenkirk's self-importance and clever smugness. But wait...is he on the New Tom Green show?
That was the short-lived tamer revival of the original Tom Green show. Lame! Some of the comments on this video swear that he was "being sarcastic you idiots." But I don't think so. The "sarcasm," seems more like a grumpy old white guy who happens to be able to appreciate some funny stuff.

My point, which is hazy, seems to be this: why on earth would you publicly denounce roughly 98% of your dvd-buying, show-watchin, pot-smoking audience? Your comedy is kitchy, postmodern-yet-deadpan, hipster humor - and you think that other smug old white men are tuning in? Young professionals? Executives? Well sir, I am sorry. They are all probably at work or in bed so as to wake up for work. But we are here and we are the ones who "get it." And I don't mean just pot smokers. I mean anyone who likes to do what they want when they want it and don't need to be told by the funny man on tv to tell us to grow up.





I hate these old men.