Is Fox trying to bury Mike Judge’s Idiocracy?
Month / September 2006
Miss Snark, Brave Soul
Over at Miss Snark’s, the Crapometer festivities have begun. Some of the entries are truly astonishing in their mediocrity (“The candle on the adjacent nightstand beckoned the shadows, and brought them to life” is one sentence for a novel set in “Medieval 18th Century Scotland.”). But Miss Snark doesn’t shy away from telling these folks what’s wrong with them. If this is an accurate examplar of what’s in the slush pile, then I have greater sympathy for agents and editors.
We’re Still Investigating This “Dr. Mabuse” Character Here at Return of the Reluctant
The New Republic: “After an investigation, The New Republic has determined that the comments in our Talkback section defending Lee Siegel’s articles and blog under the username ‘sprezzatura’ were produced with Siegel’s participation. We deeply regret misleading our readers. Lee Siegel’s blog will no longer be published by TNR, and he has been suspended from writing for the magazine. — Franklin Foer”
Harlan & Connie: The Video
A clear grope at the :44 second mark. No grab? No grope? No fondle? I think not.
Welcome to The Desert of the Surreal
Roundup
- The great Ian Rankin appears on the Guardian’s latest Book Club podcast. (via Bookslut)
- Scott Esposito devotes his Friday column to the works of Michael Martone.
- At Critical Mass, Laura Miller discusses style and invokes Pauline Kael’s essay, “Trash, Art and the Movies.”
- James Tata isn’t a fan of the MP3 format. As one who dabbles in the format, I agree that it certainly has limitations, but I’m wondering if Tata’s objections stem from the fact that he listens to them primarily on his iPod. Any sound recording is only as good as its speaker system.
- Following up on the Ed Park firing, Maud Newton notes the New Times journalistic priorities.
- Is Foucault a neohumanist? (via The Reading Experience)
- There are apparently some roles that Orlando Bloom will say no to.
- New York Magazine‘s take on the Voice. (via The Publishing Spot)
- Lovecraftian perfumes. (via The Little Prof)
- Find free drinks in SF and NYC.
- Laila Lalami will be reading at Bumbershoot.
- Josh Wolf will be released. More from Jackson West.
This Week in Pot Kettle Black
BBC: “Director Oliver Stone has accused the Hollywood film industry of promoting the idea of the US at war.”
Kenneth Turan: “Even more puzzling is that Stone, usually viewed as the antichrist in conservative circles, has made a film that rightist commentators are falling all over themselves to applaud. Cal Thomas, in a much-quoted example, has called it ‘one of the greatest pro-American, pro-family, pro-faith, pro-male, flag-waving, God Bless America films you will ever see.’ This tribute comes in part because ‘World Trade Center’ makes an explicit connection between Sept. 11 and the war in Iraq that will make the Bush White House and the Republican National Committee eager to embrace it as their own.”
Ed Park Axed
Terrible news from Kathy Daneman: Ed Park has been fired from the Voice. This is a foolish move and a great loss to the Voice. Aside from having a pretty agreeable first name, Park is one of the more gleeful and idiosynchratic young voices currently working in literary criticism. One need look no further than his thorough review of Black Swan Green or his compartmentalized coverage of the Megan McCafferty scandal to be attuned to his talents.
[UPDATE: More from Jenny D and Gwenda. Confirmation from the Gray Lady.]
Segundo Update
I anticipate two, perhaps three, podcasts going up over the weekend — including our first bona-fide interview with a politician.* At least one of these podcasts will involve a discussion, in part, on juggling. More to come.
* The politician in question was under the silly impression that Our Young, Roving Correspondent was an engaging and thoughtful interviewer. But he figures that he’ll give this a shot anyway.