My Jagged Little Humps

Well, I'm back from my short, six-month hiatus from blogging. I know the internet(s) probably broke down and ceased to exist without my contributions, but fear not! The random and unnecessary postings shall continue.



First she played God in Kevin Smith's Dogma. Now she's taking the next logical step--imitating Fergie. Well, if you didn't like Alanis Morissette before, I think you would be pretty hard-pressed to dislike her after watching her latest video (above). She does a cover of "My Humps" from the Black Eyed Peas, except she sings it almost as if it were one of her own songs. It's a bit strange to actually understand the lyrics to this one and to hear it sung so dramatically. I would assume this was some sort of April Fools' Day gag, but regardless, I think a good parody of Fergie's work was way overdue. I'm actually one of those disgusting weirdos who enjoys her songs--I truly love "Fergalicious" and "Glamorous," and I don't know why. Although even I will admit that "London Bridge" was crap to a new level (which, of course, does not in any way mean that I did not enjoy it).

Anyway, Morissette's cover version of "My Humps" is hilarious, and it once again illustrates Morissette's willingness to make fun of herself (for further evidence, catch this clip from Jimmy Kimmel Live). I've been a fan of Morissette's music for over a decade (ever since "You Oughta Know" was first released), and although she is not as aggressive-sounding as before, she always seems to find a way to stay fresh and entertaining.

Live From New York... It's the First Season of SNL!

I couldn't believe it last night when I saw (with my own two eyes) that Columbia House had listed an eight-disc Complete First Season box set of Saturday Night Live. Obviously, I thought it must have been some sort of a mistake... However, the news has spread over the web today that Universal Studios has officially announced this set. Now, this is the type of news that can make me start blogging again. All 24 episodes from the very first season of one of the most popular and groundbreaking TV shows of all time are being released on eight single-sided DVDs on December 5!! Full suggested retail price is only $69.98. Want to know the greatest part? Wait for it... All of these episodes, according to Universal, will include all of the original musical performances and sketches. NOTHING HAS BEEN EDITED. These are the rare, full-length episodes. Set my face to stunned.

This set features original cast auditions as a bonus feature and even comes with a 32-page limited edition photo booklet. The only thing that could possibly make this news even better would be an announcement of audio commentaries with Lorne Michaels and some of the cast members. But beggars can't be choosers. What will collectors do with the many previous best-of volumes that are currently available on home video? Maybe the real question is, when will future seasons be released? Yes, I'm greedy. I want to see all 31+ seasons on DVD. Granted, I'll probably be old and grey before it happens. Universal can't be slow with these sets like they have been with the Law & Order releases (or just about any other show they release). They need to release two or three sets a year if the first one sells well enough (and even if it doesn't), and I know that I would not mind ending the best-of releases if more seasons are released.

I'm actually hoping for these sets to be released out of order (as long as all of the seasons are eventually released). I'd love to see the seasons from the mid-to-late-80s and the early 90s. I'd also give anything to see more from the Lorne-less early 80s era. Heck, I want more Jon Lovitz, Anthony Michael Hall, Mike Myers, Phil Hartman, Chris Farley, and so many more. I want the episodes hosted by Macaulay Culkin, Drew Barrymore (as a kid), Michael Jordon, John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, etc. How much longer until I own every Coffee Talk, Wayne's World, or Spartan cheerleader sketch? Yes, even though the show hasn't been all that great in the last decade or so, I still want to see these later years on DVD. Oh, and I just remembered, I think I'll faint on the day that I can say I actually own every Weekend Update segment featuring Kevin Nealon and/or Norm MacDonald on DVD! Those two were my favorite WU hosts, although Chevy Chase, Dennis Miller, and Colin Quinn were great as well. Man, I'm getting way ahead of myself right now. These future seasons might never be available, and I'm already clearing shelf space for them.

Src: http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=6503

The Other Other Ellen Series Comes To DVD

If you, like me, can't get enough of Ellen DeGeneres, then you're (and we're) in luck!!

Earlier this summer, the complete series of The Ellen Show was released on DVD from Sony. This two disc set included all eighteen episodes of this short-lived sitcom, which also featured Cloris Leachman (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Young Frankenstein), Martin Mull (Roseanne, Hollywood Squares), Jim Gaffigan (Comedy Central Presents, That '70s Show), Emily Rutherford (Will & Grace, The New Adventures of Old Christine), and Kerri Kenney (Still Standing, Reno 911!). This show was really underrated in my opinion. The series is different than Ellen, Ellen's previous series from the mid-'90s, but that is not always a bad thing. Anyway, the series can be purchased from Amazon.com (and, if you act now, we'll include free support of this blog with every purchase!!)

In addition to that, as reported earlier in this blog, the fourth (and second-to-last) season of Ellen, Ellen DeGeneres' first self-titled TV sitcom, will be released on DVD from A&E Home Video later this year. One quick update -- the release date has been pushed back from August 29 to September 26, according to Amazon.com, where coincidently one may pre-order this season for shipment in late September while simultaneously supporting this blog. Okay, I'll try to cut down on my shameless promotional pieces.

Finally (and here comes the real news), TVShowsOnDVD.com has posted a news item that states Ellen's latest talk show series, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, will be released by Warner Home Video in a two-disc collector's edition best of set that will reportedly include two hours' worth of hilarious footage from the series. At this point, you might be asking yourself, "What, Mickey, no Amazon pre-order link for this set?" Nope, sorry, this set will be sold exclusively at Target stores at a retail price of $24.98 starting on September 19. This news is interesting since I wasn't expecting to ever see this series on DVD; it's upsetting to see that this set will only amount to two hours of content though. I'm holding out hope that there will be some (if not many) special features or bloopers of some kind. If not, I hope the set will be discounted when it is first released and that there will be at least one follow-up set. I'm always up for more Ellen goodness.

Oh, and hey, when is HBO going to release Ellen's two(?) One Night Stand stand-up comedy specials? I'm offering the money to you now, Home Box Office. You don't really want those shows collecting dust in storage, do you?

For more on Ellen, visit her talk show's official site.

Don't Download This Song... Or You'll Want More

It's almost time again for a Weird Al comeback that seems to take place about once every couple of years or so. In addition to the digital release of “You’re Pitiful” (see weirdal.com or my post from June 10) and the DVD release of The Weird Al Show (see my previous post), Al has some more surprises up his sleeve.

Al has premiered the first single off of his upcoming album, Straight Outta Lynwood, only at his Myspace.com page. The song, which can be downloaded for free, is entitled "Don't Download This Song." Oh, the irony! If that ain't brilliance, I don't know what is. Okay, I don't know what brilliance is. The point is, the song is styled after "We Are The World," and is another winner from the master of the song parody. I believe this song will be on his new CD, which will be in stores September 26 and is a DualDisc release, which means the album will be on one side of the disc, and special video features will be on the other (DVD) side of the disc, along with a better audio quality version of the album itself. Al's album will include a short documentary on the making of the album and (get ready for this...) SIX new music videos (and in related news, I now officially cannot contain my excitement over this album). Click here to pre-order the album from Amazon and to support the MkO blog.

More greatness should be here soon, as Al premieres the brand-new "Don't Download This Song" music video on Yahoo! Music tonight (or possibly Wednesday, according to Yahoo) at 10 PM Pacific time.

Src: weirdal.com (Where else?)

Weird Al Is Way, Way Moby

If you have no idea what it means to be way moby, then you have not seen every episode of The Weird Al Show (a.k.a. TWAS). Actually, neither have I (I still have to watch the last five episodes of its thirteen-episode run.) Don't blame me; it's been nearly impossible to see this show. As a child, I had only seen one episode, and the show was never rerun and had no home video release in the past. But now, SHOUT Factory (the geniuses behind the DVDs of SCTV, Home Movies, Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared, and many other TV shows) has answered the prayers of every true Yankomaniac by releasing The Weird Al Show The Complete Series on DVD, which is available RIGHT NOW. Okay, I'll give everyone a moment to stop reading, so that you can go to Amazon to order this fantastic series, and then come back here to read on. Click here to purchase The Weird Al Show on DVD and to support this blog/website.

Well, let's move on, now that you've ordered your copy (remember, we're on the honor system here). TWAS is presented in its entirety in this DVD set on three discs along with Fatman cartoon storyboards and concept art galleries, which are probably the only items that remain in existence from this nearly forgotten Saturday morning CBS children's TV series, as bonus features. Of course, there is also an audio commentary for each and every episode featuring Weird Al himself, along with several other cast and crew members. Truth be told, even though there are many great laugh-out-loud moments throughout the series, the commentaries are funnier than the episodes. In these audio commentaries, Weird Al, director Tom Frank, and producer Peyton Reed speak candidly about the history of the show and work together to point out why the show failed miserably, which was mainly because CBS wanted every line to teach something important to young viewers, each episode was forced to repeat the lesson of the day ad infinitum, and the series was poorly promoted by CBS.

When I first heard this series was planned for DVD release, I thought it was a miracle that any studio would be merciful enough to release this rare series (plus I buy anything involving Weird Al in any way, including all of his CDs, his UHF feature film DVD, his ultimate music video collection DVD, his live concert DVD, and now his TV series box set). Weird Al fans can finally rejoice. The only really sad thing about this series is that had it been just some strange primetime show, it could have been the greatest program ever, but since it was dumbed down for viewers as young as two years old, it's clear that Al's humor was compromised and that it became a show that nobody could really enjoy. What a wasted opportunity. Oh well, now Yankovic's fans only have to hold out hope that Al's Behind the Music special, (There's No) Going Home concert special, The Compleat Al mockumentary, and the numerous AL TV MTV and VH1 specials will someday make it to DVD. There's still a long WAY to go.

Passion of the Mel (I know, I know, I tried to come up with a better title, but this is all I got.)

After hearing the news today regarding Mel Gibson's recent drunk driving fiasco that involved him spitting out numerous anti-Semitic remarks, I now finally realize why I've never liked him or wanted to see any of his movies. I knew there was some reason his work never appealed to me, even before I knew he so hated the "f---ing Jews" (his words, not mine, of course). I guess I was right about that guy. In short, this type of thinking and behavior makes me sick. I wonder if this news will kill Gibson's career... no, I'm probably not that lucky. Gibson did end up apologizing for his "despicable" drunken statements, but seriously, did he have any other choice?

Not much more to say about this really (meaning, I don't want to lose my temper and say things that I might regret later... hmm, that reminds me of a certain anti-Semite).

Original news source: http://www.tmz.com/2006/07/28/gibsons-anti-semitic-tirade-alleged-cover-up/

Police report: http://cdn.digitalcity.com/tmz_documents/gibson_wm_docs_072806.pdf