Snow Day
So here I am on this lovely President’s Day, with an extended weekend and some long hours indoors due to the Blizzard of 2003. Before I get into what I have been doing to pass the time, let me just shout-out a nifty little site I like to visit that has all the free global weather information you can ask for. It was actually developed by my cousin, who has a freakin’ weather station is his room. You go, cuz.
As far as passing the time is concerned, here are my top five things to do on a day like this:
5 – Fire up the old school Nintendo and try to prevent Dr. Fred from unleashing a nuclear weapon in the ubiquitously entertaining Maniac Mansion. Man, I still get a kick out of consoling a depressed green tentacle that wants to be in a rock band.
4 – Watch a movie that does not require the utilization of any brainpower whatsoever. Today’s choice cut: Not Another Teen Movie, starring Randy Quaid, Chyler Leigh, Mr. T, Jamie Presley and a whole slew of other non-notables. I did notice that China Shavers, who currently plays the principal’s daughter on Boston Public, made a cameo as the head North Compton cheerleader.
3 – Catch up on my reading. In three days I have reread 350 pages of Foley Is Good And The Real World Is Faker Than Wrestling. Not only was Mick a legendary wrestler, he was also a damn good storyteller; getting reacquainted with his writings only makes me miss him that much more.
2 – Listen to Sports Talk Radio. Being in the New York Metro Area, I have the privilege of being able to tune into WFAN Sports Radio 66, home of The Mike and The Mad Dog Radio Show. The best part about the show is that the hosts, Mike Francesca and Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo, hate each other to pieces, and when they do unite on a topic it’s usually due to a really stupid/uninformed fan nonchalantly suggesting the Knicks should trade Charlie Ward for Kobe Bryant straight-up. Yeah, I’m sure the Lakers would do that one in a heartbeat.
1 – Watch old wrestling tapes. It feels good to pop in old videos like “The Best of The Rockers” and “WrestleMania VI” and just escape in some memorable wrestling moments and matches from my childhood years. Sometimes I even pop in No Holds Barred and laugh at how Tiny “Zeus” Lister actually went on to play the President in The Fifth Element.
When Politics and Prestige Just Don’t Mix
Nothing pisses me off more than when people who have managed to thrive in one area of popular culture suddenly think they are experts in all facets of life. Do I really need to see Joe Pantoliano on The O’Reilly Factor telling me why we shouldn’t go to war, or Sharon Osbourne telling news magazine shows that Michael Jackson is a horrible father who should have his kids taken away from him? Not that I disagree entirely with the First Lady of Bleeped Swear Words and British Gibberish, but isn’t that like the pot calling the kettle black?
My point isn’t to censure Mrs. Osbourne or Joey Pants for being outspoken about their points of view; it’s just that I am getting sick of the celebrity know-it-all who grossly mistakes his or her prestige as a free pass to talk politics like a Pentagon official or criticize Joe Public for having our own valid opinions on current events and societal issues.
Another issue that raises my ire is that of prominent media personnel who act just as poorly as the egotist movie stars they interview to boost ratings in the first place. Case and point: Bill O’Reilly always refers to his television show as “The No Spin Zone.” The truth is I like Bill O’Reilly and I think his show is pretty good. However, when O’Reilly gets into his mode of chastising companies for hiring spokespeople he deems undesirable, it drives me absolutely crazy.
Here’s a guy with some interesting and even provocative viewpoints about war and terrorism and homeland security, yet he still wastes so much precious airtime convincing the public that Snoop Dogg should not be accepted as an affiliate with the Muppets and that Pepsi should be boycotted because the controversial rapper Ludicrous is going to be in a commercial. I wonder who O’Reilly thinks does more damage to kids across the country: Ludicrous’ rap ditties or Britney Spears’ titillating wardrobe that is often mimicked by girls so young they don’t know who Ralph Macchio is!
Whatever the case my be, I guess I would just like to take this time to plead with all actors thinking they should turn their Oscar acceptance speeches into political forums and all musicians who are contemplating pulling a “Fiona Apple” at the Grammies to do as follows: Please use your better judgment and just get plastered Billy Joel style so that you forget all about preaching your causes or giving unwarranted advice to the President.
And if you still feel the urge to have your voice be heard, go find Martin Sheen; I’m sure he gets it all the time.
In addition to his weekly ramblings with 411 Wrestling, Chris Biscuiti is also a regular pop culture columnist with moodspins.com .
