Random thoughts on Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Richard Nixon and “Il Divo”
June 26th, 2009 by Scott Marks
Last month my computer died. This month, my new computer caught a virus. It’s in the shop, as they say, and I should get it back by Tuesday. AAARGH! If I’m gone over the next few days, you will know why. In the meantime here are a few random thoughts concerning movies and names in the news.
For those of you living in San Diego, Paolo Sorrento’s “Il Divo,” my vote for best picture of the year (until “Shutter Island” arrives) opens today at Landmark’s Ken Cinema, It’s a whopping tale of a stagnant leader the likes of which I haven’t seen since Bertolucci’s ”The Last Emperor” and at 105 minutes it’s tied with “Land of the Pharaohs” as one of the shortest epics on record. Unless you are an expert on Italian politics, this will require a second, third and fourth viewing.
__________
An earlier tape finds Bob wishing Mr. President a Happy Birthday
News arrived earlier in the week that fresh excerpts from the Watergate tapes were going to be released. I sat through an hour of Anderson Cooper to find one 30-second clip concerning Nixon’s thoughts on abortion read by the host.
Thursday I was all fired up when Chris Matthews took to the airwaves with actual audio portions. First thing out the gate, Bob Hope, right here!
Hey, Bob put in a call to the Oval Office and he and President Nixon talked briefly about the 1973 release of POWs:
NIXON: You know, it makes—you know, after all the business that you and I have taken through the years, it makes you feel pretty good, doesn‘t it?
BOB HOPE: Oh boy. Oh, it‘s just—it‘s (AUDIO GAP) a thrill. It‘s just a thrill.
NIXON: And the main thing is, apart from—apart from the personal thing, Bob, it‘s so good for the country. The country could not lose this war.
(INTERFERENCE)
NIXON: We had to win it.
HOPE: What they did for this country, you know, this—and it emanates from you, your strength and how right you were.
NIXON: Our enemies respect us. Our allies now trust us.
HOPE: Isn‘t that something?
Minutes after this tape was broadcast, Michael Jackson was dead.
A source close to RH2 Entertainment, who begged that his name not be divulged, told EC that Mr. Hope was reluctant to let this news leak out. In light of that “commie punk Obama’s” efforts to undo George W. Bush’s fine work, Mr Hope felt that if this information were to fall into the wrong hands it would bring about a speedier resolution to the war.
Hope needed a diversion. Instead of bringing down another public landmark and risking the lives of thousands of Americans, Ol’ Ski Nose put out a hit on the Gloved One.
Bob was there to meet MJ at the Pearly Gates. The two shook hands and as Bob patted Jacko on the shoulder he leaned in and whispered in his ear, “I thought it would be a good career move for you.”
__________
Was there a greater, more subliminally seductive masturbatory aid in the 70s than this poster. (Look carefully and you’ll see the word “S-E-X” airbrushed into Farrah’s locks.) Farrah Fawcett did for hair what James Dean did for red jackets and John Travolta mechanical bulls.
She was beautiful, but sadly forgettable. I never watched more than a few minutes of “Charlie’s Angels” and her film career wasn’t much to speak of. (The only two Farrah features I own are “Myra Breckinridge” and “Cannonball Run 2.”) Her beauty made such a strong impact that she remained in the headlines throughout her career. Sadly, the last decade was marked by news of scandal and sorrow in her relationship with Ryan O’Neal. She was the textbook example of what happens to a starlet once they lose their looks. Megan Fox take heed.
__________
So many people asked me why the Academy decided to up the stakes from 5 best picture nominees to 10. It’s so obvious. There are still a lot of fans out there that insist on seeing every best picture nominee. Since the industry has fallen on hard times Sid Ganis and the boys at Oscar, Inc. decided to boost attendance by doubling the amount of nominees. Don’t buy into this nonsense that the Academy was pressured into expanding the field by those who believe the best picture should be the biggest blockbuster. They could nominate 50 films and “The Dark Knight” would still not take home the gold.
__________
See you next Tuesday, unless they fix my computer sooner.
Tags: 10 best picture nominees, Academy Awards, Bob Hope, Farrah Fawcett, farrah fawcett dead, farrah fawcett dies, il divo, Michael Jackson, michael jackson dead, Oscar, Richard NixonShare: 
Filed Under Rants
Comments
10 Responses to “Random thoughts on Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Richard Nixon and “Il Divo””
Leave a Reply
It’s so optimistic of you to think that Bob and MJ actually made it to the Pearly Gates. Are you kiddin’? They are both frying in hell. MJ finally got his old color back.
Oh, by the way, Farrah was never in the sequel. You can save that for when Shirley MacLaine leaves us.
A talk show sidekick, a pop icon and a sex starlet all go to the pearly gates and St Peter says….
*fill in the punchline here*
If there was ever a celebrity death in 3’s that could ever match this as the ultimate grim reaping trifecta of pop culture. This was it.
I really expect some tall monolith to appear on Rodeo Drive any minute now.
I always thought Farrah could’ve made a comeback selling that poster with the ‘got milk?’ slogan on it.
With that pose and those prominent nipples I don’t know why anyone goes around thinking there needed to be anything subliminal in that poster. It’s quite liminal. It’s right there.
Scott, I are you intentionally overlooking Robert Duvall’s “The Apostle” in Farrah’s notable filmography? I thought both an excellent movie and an excellent performance from her.
Why do I remember her in CR2? Wishful thinking.
You’re right, Luc, This was a major satanic hat trick, but if what I hear is true we are in for more wall-to-wall coverage on CNN. Louis Anderson is dead.
Never saw “The Apostle,” so I can’t comment. Now I see everything, but back when I had to pay this one didn’t appeal to me.
John: Take it back. Seriously, if the future of Bedford Management means anything to you, take it back. You don’t f–k with the infinite. Bob Hope is definitely in heaven.
Wish I could write more, but I am at the library checking my email. I haven’t been in a library since high school.
Well, Dolores, your tastes are unpredictable to me but if you ever catch “The Apostle” somewhere I’d be interested in your thoughts on it.
P.S. - That “DeFina” part of your name proves to me you’ve gone off the deep end.
OK, Dolores. Bob is playing 18 holes with God as we speak.
BTW, Louie Anderson is not dead. Neither is Jeff Goldblum nor Harrison Ford.
But TV pitchman Billy Mays is. WTF???