This song brought to you by CBS

Since first hearing them sometime last decade, I’ve been a casual fan of Fountains of Wayne. While they’re not the weez, they have a gift for making some really catchy pop-rock tunes.

One thing that bugs me about them every now and then is their songs delve into the “slice of life of someone else”/story-style song. I heard some bits of their new album, and they keep this tradition alive. The one song that stood out (and even though it was a story song, I liked it), was the first single “Someone to Love.”

I was listening to the song this morning, and two of the lines bugged me:

And a date with the Late Show’s all that you’ve got

But she’s sitting at home watching “The King of Queens”

Are they getting some kickbacks from CBS for the title dropping, or what?

On a kind of related note, the Civee and I recently saw Music and Lyrics, a romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant. The music in the movie was written by Adam Schlesinger, a cornerstone of FoW. No big surprise, the songs in Music and Lyrics are actually pretty good.

King Tom

Don’t Whizz on the Electric Fence

When I was in high school, my father had two dogs. To keep them in the yard, we got one of those invisible fence things. A neigobor wanted to get one for his dogs, but was curious as to how powerful it was. So after talking with my father, he took one of the dog’s collars, held the metal part in his hand and walked “through” the fence. He jumped, shouted, and said it was a big mistake.

With that in mind, I really don’t blame Locke for what he did tonight.

Continue reading “Don’t Whizz on the Electric Fence” →

King Tom

Martha Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

So I’ve noticed that in my commentary for a few other 24 episodes this season, I’ve said something along the lines of “good episode, but it needed more Jack.” And surprise, surprise, that’s what I feel about tonight’s episode.

I don’t know if that’s some new thing they’re trying–to slowly take the focus off of Jack, or to push him out of the picture, but it’s not the move I’d make. While this season has been interesting, it definitely needs more Jack.

But then again, last year, I thought they were going to have Curtis take Jack’s place as the star of the show, so what do I know?

As usual, the promos blew the episode out of proportion, and while I didn’t think it was the most shocking moment in 24 history, I … Continue reading “Martha Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” →

King Tom3 Comments

Tell her it’s o-hey-hey-hey-hey

No One Else is one of my favorite weezer songs. Okay, it’s tied with about 15 other weezer songs, but it’s the thought that counts.

The Blue Album had some pretty strong singles, but No One Else was not one of them. Still, that shouldn’t keep the song from getting a video. I found this while surfing through You Tube and think it fits the song perfectly:

King Tom

Goodbye, Ralph

One of the greatest people I’ve ever known passed away last week.

My father called me today to tell me that WNBC reporter Ralph Penza died.  For both semesters of my senior year of college, I was an intern at WNBC–first with a consumer reporter, and then, as Ralph’s intern. 

Usually, I was told, Ralph only hired on full-time interns from another school.  But I guess that someone had talked me up pretty good, because he accepted me as his intern, even though (because of my schedule), I could only work for him three-and-a-half days a week.

Ralph Penza

Right away, I was amazed by Ralph’s energy, generosity and humor.  He was dedicated to getting the story right every day.  I learned more from him in a few months than I did in all of my other college classes combined.  There were stories that we’d be out covering all day where by the end I would be dead tired, but he’d still be going strong.

I talked to Ralph a few times since moving out here, and he was still reporting stories.  Ralph was a great reporter.  But more importantly (as I learned), he was a great person too.

Thanks for giving me a chance Ralph.

King Tom1 Comment