Serious Suburban Discomfort

That's one cool trailer for a sizzling collection filled with thirteen murderous stories. Honored and proud to have my tasty tale, "Dangerous Appetites" about deadly suburban discomfort among them. Download your copy of "Fiction Noir" today. Coming soon in paperback, too! Thanks, Hen House Press.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Hello, Goodbye

Remember the old promo line: "I want my MTV?"

For those who were around for the launch of Music Television 30 years ago, what's on that network these days doesn't resemble what was daring and revolutionary back then.

While the classic MTV had a nice run, it's been over a decade since the network has devolved into yet another bastion of the cheapest, crassest form of television : Reality TV. I asked a MTV exec a few years ago why most of the music videos had been expunged, replaced by shows about manufactured roommates, teen mothers and hard drinkers. His response was as expected as it was short-sighted. "That's what gets us the ratings. And it's cheaper."

And so it goes on many of the channels that sparked to life in the early days of cable expansion, each promising innovative and distinctive programming.



Of course the music, whether you find it on MTV, VH1, YouTube or --dare I mention my old favorite haunt-- the radio will never die. And cannot be killed off by the executives who run television networks with all the vision of Mr. Magoo in the slow lane.

Last week was a tough one for music fans as we said goodbye to Amy Winehouse, whose death was tragic though not shocking, as well as America co-founder Dan Peek and folk icon Bill Morrissey, who both died, apparently in their sleep, of unknown causes. Fortunately, their music lives on. Read more about these artists in my NJP tribute piece.
The Sad Ballad of Goodbye: Remembering Amy Winehouse, Dan Peek, Bill Morrissey | NEWS JUNKIE POST

Drive safe. Play nice. think peace.

aba

Please Standy By

Apologies to RG fans: our current site is experiencing technical difficulties. While the kinks are worked out, we may post here on the original Radio Graffiti site.

Your patience is appreciated. Stay true blue cool, kids!

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Lover's Dance

The clever Jib Jabbers caught my fancy with this "classic" silent short. Brangelina watch your back... the First Couple could make the screen sizzle and sell their share of popcorn.

BTW:my recent unofficial, unscientific survey of blog hoppers and radio listeners, has candy beating flowers for Valentine's Day gifts. But romantic dinners trump all. And with all his money, Donald Trump better come up with all three (rim shot optional).

All of the above are sweet treats as far as I'm concerned, though I also enjoy teddy bears, books and music. And, fyi, if you're planning on giving your sweetheart a "deferred gift," like say, Broadway show tickets, it's a good idea to actually come up with the goods before the next holiday rolls around. And while you're bestowing imaginary big ticket items, some of us would enjoy an imaginary trip to Paris. Just a suggestion.

Happy Valentine's Day!


Drive safe. Play nice. Think LOVE!

aba

Another Maverick Named McCain Rattles the GOP | NEWS JUNKIE POST

Another Maverick Named McCain Rattles the GOP | NEWS JUNKIE POST<


Think the Tea Partiers are McCain fans? Think both dad John, who faces a tough Tea party opponent in former AZ congressman J.D. Hayworth and his outspoken daughter Meghan, give these fright wingers a bitter lump of common sense and decency in their foggy cup. Read more about the younger McCain-- and her hopes at luring young people into the tattered GOP in my News Junkie Post piece. Please Tweet & Digg as you see fit. There are other cool articles and writers on NJP, too. Check 'em out!

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Palin's Cheat Sheet

I swore I was going to ignore the crazy Tea Party Rally last weekend. Planned to steer clear of Sarahcuda's $115,000 keynote speech. But I can't resist a mini rant. Caribou Barbie just annoys me, I guess. While she was busy taunting Obama supporters asking, "how's that hopey changey stuff workin' for ya now?" and deriding the President for using a teleprompter, Palin was "palming" her talking points.

She scribbled "energy, " tax cuts, " and 'Lift America's Spirit" on her palm, and appeared to glance out it frequently during the Q & A following the big speech.Think she'd have those conservative 101 ideals ingrained on her brain. Still, gotta hand it to her, at least Palin's an old-fashioned fourth grade kind of cheater!

And a hypocrite, too. Last week Sarchuda went gunning for White House Chief-of-Staff Rahm Emanuel after a dopey and insensitive remark he made last August surfaced in an article. Okay, he shouldn't have used the 'R' word. But he shouldn't be fired over it either, as Palin has demanded. The fact that Emanuel called progressives boycotting Democratic congressmen who didn't support a public option f--- retarded back in August wasn't just insensitive to the mentally challenged it was a big political tell, too. It was a clear indication that the White House was never eager for or willing to fight hard for full-scale health care reform.

But I digress. Back to Palin. She wants Rahmbo tossed, but she defended Rush Limbaugh's big mouth. Rush added his two cents last week skewering political correctness saying, "people are so insulted because somebody called a bunch of retards, retards." Nice, Rush. So when pressed to comment, Palin first sent a lukewarm rebuke via a spokesperson that decried general "insensitivity" without mentioning Limbaugh by name. Then days later, after the Grand Pooh Bah's people must have called the Wasilla compound, Palin said there was a big difference between Rahm and Rush. Yeah,something like 400 lbs and 300 IQ points "What Rush said was satire," she said.

Yep, Rush is big on satire.You know the way Beck is big on comedy. It's all unintentional.

Think the quitter,half term governor of Alaska's got thing for double standards? You betcha!

Drive safe. play nice. Think peace.

aba

Late Night Super Summit

So I didn't go to a Super Bowl party(saved myself something in the neighborhood of 4,500 unnecessary calories). I always manage to dodge those invites... not a big football fan. But had Oprah called, well, I'm pretty sure I could have summoned the interest. Kudos to both Letterman and Leno. Somehow the famous trio managed to keep the spot under wraps and eluded the paparazzi. The back story has Jay arriving last week in a faux mustache and hoodie at the Ed Sullivan Theatre. Well, done, folks. Hopefully some hatchets were buried.


I didn't even watch the game. But I pointd my remote in CBS' direction during the halftime show and managed to see a bit of The Who... not bad for geriatric rockers. Guess the 'kids" are still alright.And I'm happy for the Saints who won their first Super Bowl in their 45 year history. Good, too, for the battered city of New Orleans still recovering from Katrina's devastation.

And the commercials have gotten their money's worth....along with the Letterman promo, my fave is the Betty White Snickers ad. Abe Vagoda get a nice little punch out of it, too. Sorry, they pulled the plug on the Betty White spot. Some legal mumbo jumbo. Oh well, hope you got a chance to catch it. In protest, think I'll pass on the Snickers and hit the M&Ms instead. Wait, aren't they made by the same company?


Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba