Randy Rainbow sings 'Incompetent!'

Change of plans — instead of Revenge of the Sixth, I'm featuring Randy Rainbow singing Incompetent!

Parody of “Impossible” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein)

"Let me just get this gay: Are you telling me sir, that you looked for these loose lipped leakers? After your lapse leaked the logs that launched a liability? And now you and your loyalists are loudly labeling these leakers legally liable for leaking libelous leaks?" LOL! Randy likes alliteration even more than I do! Also, what Randy was mocking serves as yet another example of Projection is the Right's favorite defense mechanism. As I wrote in Colbert, Meyers, Kosta, and Kimmel take closer looks at Mike Waltz being fired on Flashback Friday, "Once a leaker, always a leaker, often a leaker.' Yeah, Kegseth, you'd know."

Randy turned his satirical sights on more than Pete Hegseth, targeting RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, JD Vance, Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, and the rest of Donald "Hoover Cleveland" Trump's cabinet, as well as Hoover Cleveland himself. Good, they all deserve it.

I wanted to see if the Marsh Family had anything to say about Whiskeyleaks and they did. Watch and listen to "You Were Not Supposed to Message It Through" - Marsh Family parody of the Bee Gees on #Signalgate.

Here’s a song about #Signalgate – the flamboyant US security breach – adapted from one of our all-time favourite Bee Gees tracks, titled “You Were Not Supposed to Message it Through!” A quick parody turnaround, but only five of us singing as Alfie (actually our hands-down best fake Bee Gee) is currently away, and will be annoyed. One day we’ll have a proper go with instruments live, but for now this will have to suffice as a post-work / post-school knockup.

The fantastic original, "Gotta Get a Message to You", with its uplifting modulations and incredible layered harmonies, was released in 1968 and got to number one in the UK and the top ten in the US. Apparently it’s actually about someone on death row, though we never realised this until today. Nor that there are some other lower harmonies in later verses that are a bit raspy, which we had fun with.

Looking forward to the promised remake, if not more from Kegseth.

I can't completely ignore today's Star Wars special day, so I'm closing with Nerdist's ALL ABOUT THAT BASE (Star Wars Parody - Meghan Trainor's All About That Bass).

Nerdist Presents Team Unicorn's Star Wars parody of Meghan Trainor's All About That Bass. No Rebels.

May the Farce be with you!

Stay tuned for Wayback Wednesday tomorrow.

Nerdist, MSNBC, CNN, and KTLA examine the writers strike

I observed that while 'The Mehdi Hasan Show' examines the politics of ‘Andor’ for Revenge of the Sixth "qualifies as an entertainment post, I still plan on posting a Sunday entertainment feature tomorrow. No 'Saturday Night Live' highlights on Sunday until next fall, after the strike is resolved? No problem. I have something else planned. Stay tuned." That "something else" is the writers strike itself. I begin with Nerdist's The Hollywood Writers' Strike Explained.

After weeks of negotiations, for the first time in 15 years, the Writers Guild of America has officially gone on strike. Dan Casey breaks down everything you need to know about why this strike happened, how long it might last, and what it means for you, the viewers at home, on today’s episode of Nerdist News!

Dan Casey called the writers strike "the most important thing happening in the world of entertainment right now." I agree, which is why I'm blogging about it today. Besides, who am I to argue with Nerdist, let alone MSNBC, CNN, and KTLA, who also reported on the strike? Follow over the jump for their segments on the work stoppage.

2021's top science stories from Science Magazine, WatchMojo, and Nerdist

After looking at 2021 in space, it's time for me to examine the year in science as a whole. I begin, as I have the past four years, with Science Magazine and Science’s 2021 Breakthrough of the Year: AI brings protein structures to all.

Bounty of new structures will forever change biology and medicine
...
0:00 Introduction
0:13 Runner-up: Ancient human DNA in soil
1:07 Runner-up: NASA lander detects Red Planet's core
1:56 Runner-up: Psychedelic treatment for PTSD
2:39 Runner-up: Potent pills boost COVID-19 arsenal
3:35 The 2021 Breakthrough of the Year: Protein structures for all

This top five list pretty much covered my scientific interests, biology, including paleontology and medicine, and space. All it needed was a story about the environment. That will be the subject of tomorrow's retrospective, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

The video above reflects the expert's opinions about what was important in science this year. Now for the first of two popular lists, beginning with WatchMojo's Top 10 Biggest Scientific Discoveries of 2021.

These scientific discoveries will shape the world for years to come. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most fascinating and significant things that scientists learned about the world in 2021. Our countdown includes The Maximum Human Lifespan, Complex Thoughts Mirror Fractals, New Organic Molecules on Mars, and more! What recent scientific discovery excites you? Tell us in the comments.

I'm going to be a good environmentalist by recycling my reaction from last year.

As much as I'm aware that WatchMojo and its sister channel MsMojo are premiere clickbait factories, at least they produce high-quality, well-researched clickbait, so I'm going to keep using their videos. Besides, this was a good list.

I'm not as sure about the next source whose video I'm embedding, Nerdist's The Best Tech and Science Breakthroughs of 2021 (Nerdist Now w/ Dan Casey).

With 2021 coming to an end, it’s time to look back on all the year’s most exciting and bizarre contributions in the world of science and tech. From monkey’s playing pong with their minds to helicopters on Mars, Dan’s here’s to break down everything you might have missed on today’s episode of Nerdist Now!

The one topic all three videos agreed on was NASA's exploration of Mars, although the scientists preferred Mars InSight to the popular journalists choice of Perseverance and Ingenuity. Give the latter time and I expect it will produce amazing scientific data to go along with its amazing technology.

Stay tuned for more retrospectives through to New Year's Eve.

'Star Trek' coins and stamps for the show's 50th anniversary

Yes, Canada has beaten the U.S. to the punch, at least with money.  Nerdist notes the irony of using "Star Trek" on money.

There may not be money in the United Federation of Planets, but there’s now legal Star Trek currency in Canada, courtesy of the Royal Canadian Mint. Although some of these financial arrangements sound like they were made by a Ferengi.

Via The Trek Collective, the Canadian Mint has announced its plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek by releasing a line of coins that can actually be used in financial transactions…if you were so inclined. Some of them are even reasonably priced. The $10 colored coins featuring Kirk, Spock, Uhura, and Scotty are only being sold for slightly over the face value, while the $20 silver coins featuring the Enterprise are being sold at face value.

Not only is Canada issuing coins, the country is also issuing stamps: Star Trek™ 50th anniversary – Canada Post Stamp Sightings.


The Canadians aren't having all the fun.  Follow over the jump for more.

Pi facts and pie for Pi Day

Happy Pi Day!  This year, instead of drum corps and second slices, I'm going to play today simultaneously more straight and more silly, beginning with Nerdist's The Pi Episode: Math Bites with Danica McKellar.

Join host Danica McKellar as she explains the joys and mysteries of the wonderful world of Pi! The irrational number, not the food. Welcome to Math Bites! New episodes every Thursday.

Featuring Chris Hardwick, Simon Pegg, Felicia Day, Jonathan Bennett, Jim O'Heir, Jonah Ray and Matt Mira.

I told you it would be simultaneously more on topic and silly than my usual.  Speaking of silly, follow over the jump for some pies for Pi Day.

Final 'Star Wars VII' trailer and reaction

I've blogged about the trailers for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" three times before, so for the sake of completeness, I'm going to write about the last one.  I begin with the video itself: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer (Official).

Watch the official trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, coming to theaters December 18, 2015.

Never mind me.  I'm geeking out with Paul W..  May the Force be with us.

OK, that's over.  Follow over the jump for two reaction videos.

What a lovely weekend for 'Mad Max'

I finished 'Age of Ultron' tops box office for second week with a program note about an upcoming movie more on-topic for this blog.

For something more post-apocalyptic, Mad Max premieres this Friday...Stay tuned.

I begin this entry as I did the previous Sunday entertainment entry, with an excerpt of a report from Variety by way of Reuters: 'Pitch Perfect 2' Races Past 'Mad Max: Fury Road' With Outstanding $70.3 million.

"Pitch Perfect 2" hit all the right notes at the box office, snagging first place on the charts with a smashing $70.3 million debut despite fierce competition from "Mad Max: Fury Road."
...
"Mad Max: Fury Road" also put up strong numbers, racking up $44.4 million across 3,702 locations. The Warner Bros. release capitalized on rapturous critical notices with some reviewers tossing around words like "genius" and "masterpiece."

"It's a film where there's a lot of applause at the end of the movie," said Dan Fellman, Warner Bros. domestic distribution chief. "A lot of people coming to the movie went purely on the reviews. The conversation about it is so strong about what an incredible ride this is that it's going to propel us right into the meat of the summer."

"Mad Max: Fury Road" needed the critical notices, because three decades separated chapters in the apocalyptic franchise and original star Mel Gibson aged out of the role/had one intemperate outburst too many and had to be replaced by Tom Hardy. Moreover, the film carries an R-rating which prevents teenagers from attending the picture without a parent or guardian, potentially limiting its audience.

"Mad Max: Fury Road" has much more ground to make up before it pushes into profitable terrain. "Pitch Perfect 2" cost a modest $29 million to produce, while "Mad Max: Fury Road" carries a $150 million price tag.

Follow over the jump for more of those critical raves which generally praised the movie for being a great work of art that explores serious themes, including feminism as well as resource scarcity, in addition to being wonderful entertainment as well as a video explaining the plausibility of the premise, including a discussion of peak oil.

'Age of Ultron' tops box office for second week

A movie about The Singularity topped the weekend box office for the second week in a row.  "Ex Machina?"  We should be so lucky. Variety via Reuters has the story in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' Tops With $77.2 Million, 'Hot Pursuit' Flounders.

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) - "Avengers: Age of Ultron" iced out "Hot Pursuit" at the weekend box office, picking up $77.2 million and topping charts for a second consecutive time.

Disney and Marvel's comic book adventure has made $312.9 million domestically since debuting stateside ten days ago. That massive figure makes it the second fastest film to clear $300 million domestically, and its sophomore weekend is the second biggest in movie history, surpassing "Avatar's" $75.6 million haul.

The film "Avengers: Age of Ultron" trails on both counts? Its predecessor, 2012's "Marvel's The Avengers," which had earned $373 million at a similar point in its run after scoring a $103 million second weekend.

"It's a dominant force," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Rentrak. "These second weekend numbers would be a great opening weekend debut for a lot of films."

Internationally, "Avengers: Age of Ultron" picked up $68 million, pushing the film to $875.3 million globally. Given that major markets such as China and Japan are still left to open and domestic audiences continue to embrace the film, "Avengers: Age of Ultron" should have no trouble becoming the second 2015 release to clear $1 billion globally, behind "Furious 7."

I'll celebrate each of the chart-topping weekends with drinks from Tipsy Bartender later.  First, I share Kyle Hill of Nerdist's take on Artificial Intelligence and The Singularity, How Soon Will We Reach ULTRON-level AI?

Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk often warn us about the potential dangers of advanced AI. But how soon will we see sentient, Ultron-level AI? Just when will we reach the point of singularity? Should we be wary of Siri?! Kyle discusses on Because Science.

That's why a superhero blockbuster like "Avengers: Age of Ultron" is worthy of examination at this blog; it looks at a possible doomsday scenario, albeit in a superficial way.  The only good thing about The Singularity, if Kunstler was right in Prophets of Doom, is that it's a sign that other causes of collapse didn't get us first.

Enough DOOM.  Follow over the jump for the two drinks from Tipsy Bartender, one to celebrate each week on top of the box office.

Zombies and Grammys

I concluded James Robertson ABC's Person of the Week with the following program note.

Stay tuned for a driving update and the Sunday entertainment entry.  Tomorrow's likely topic, Grammys and zombies.  "The Walking Dead" returns!

Yes, both the Grammy Awards and the first episode of the second half of "The Walking Dead" happen tonight, making for an unlikely juxtaposition.  First, the zombies, as Kyle Hill of Nerdist explains the science behind the zombie virus in "The Walking Dead" in two videos beginning with How Does THE WALKING DEAD Zombie Virus Work? (Because Science w/ Kyle Hill).

THE WALKING DEAD: arguably one of the most popular zombie stories of the generation. But if everyone in TWD already has the virus according to the end of season 1, exactly WHAT is doing the killing? Nerdist Science Editor Kyle Hill delves into it on Because Science.

So Komodo Dragons actually are venomous.  That's worth knowing.

Next, the epidemiology of the zombie virus in How Fast Will ZOMBIES Take Over The World? (Because Science w/ Kyle Hill).

Just how dangerous would a zombie epidemic be? How fast will we get screwed when they eventually take over the world, and can we stop them?! Find out on Because Science with Kyle Hill.

Three days before zombies outnumber living humans?  No wonder things went south so quickly.

Also, I'm glad he mentioned how fast measles spread.  That shows how dangerous the current measles outbreak could become.

Follow over the jump for my thoughts on the Grammy Awards for music accompanying visual media.

'The Walking Dead' spinoff and new trailer

For my Sunday entertainment entry, I'm returning to the topic of "The Walking Dead".

Two announcements came out last week about the upcoming half of the season.  Nerdist breaks one and mentions the second in Leaked WALKING DEAD Season 6 details! (Nerdist News w/ Jessica Chobot).

A surprising guest is coming to Season 6 of THE WALKING DEAD… find out who, plus more Season 5 details in this EXCLUSIVE scoop on Nerdist News with Jessica Chobot.

From what I've read of "Fear the Walking Dead"/"Cobalt," the viewers might just find out what caused the zombie plague, something that I understand won't be revealed in the main show.  That could be either satisfying or disappointing.  Either way, my wife and I will be watching, especially if the spinoff alternates with the main show.

The other announcement, which Nerdist mentioned in their report, was the release of the trailer for the second half of this season.  Here it is from AMC: Trailer: Another Day: The Walking Dead: Season 5.

Don't forget to tune in to the return of The Walking Dead, Sun., Feb. 8th at 9/8c.

My wife and I will be sure to DVR the episode, so we'll be watching.

Nerdist on the Oscar nominations

I know that I promised "more about science fiction, fantasy, and politics among the Golden Globes nominees" in Golden Globes music nominees, but my wife and I are having too good a time binge-watching "The Good Wife," one of the Golden Globes nominees, to give such an entry the justice it deserves.  I'll see if I can do that later for the television nominees.  I'll fold my coverage of the movie nominees in with the Oscars.  Speaking of which, I'm sharing Nerdist's take on the Oscar nominations tonight: Lego Movie! Dick Poop! Oscar FAILS 2015! (Nerdist News w/ Jessica Chobot WTFridays).

The results of the 2015 Academy Award nominations are in, we're less than thrilled, Dick Poop drops in to convey his disappointment at the announcement error, and your Best Worst Comment of the Week on Nerdist News WTFridays with Jessica Chobot.

Last year, my number one snub was "Blackfish.".  This year, It's probably the paucity of nominations for "Selma."  I'll have more to say about that tomorrow for MLK Day.

2014 in movies for nerds and geeks

For the Sunday entertainment entry, I'm making good on the promise I with which I closed Happy to rewind 2014 in entertainment and social media to "have more to write about 2014 in entertainment when I post about awards shows and magazine picks for the best and worst."  Time for the magazine selections, beginning with Top 5 MOVIES of 2014! (Nerdist News w/ Jessica Chobot).  If it moves, it leads.

From original sci-fi dramas to Marvel’s blockbuster superhero movies, join Jessica Chobot as we count down the Top 5 Nerd Movies of 2014 on Nerdist News.

I saw two of these movies, "Snowpiercer" and "Guardians of the Galaxy."  "Snowpiercer" was better as art, "Guardians of the Galaxy" was better as entertainment.  Both were excellent in their own way and I recommend both.  In addition, my wife loves the songs used in the sound track.

Follow over the jump for more science fiction and fantasy films from io9 and documentaries about technology and general nerdiness from Wired.