Randy Rainbow sings 'The RFK Jr. Lament' plus the Marsh Family sings about Ukraine

I closed 'The Bizarre Case of the Tully Monster' and other SciShow paleontology videos for National Fossil Day with a program note: "Stay tuned for a musical post featuring both Randy Rainbow and the Marsh Family. Sing, dance, and laugh so we won't cry." I begin with The RFK Jr. Lament - A Randy Rainbow Song Parody.

Parody of “Adelaide’s Lament” from Guys and Dolls (Music/Lyrics by Frank Loesser)

Parody Lyrics by Randy Rainbow

Song Produced, Orchestrated, Mixed, Mastered by: Michael J Moritz Jr @michaeljmoritz

Vocal Arrangement - Brett Boles
Piano, Orchestral -Michael

RFK Jr. deserves all the mockery Randy and I can give him, including this sign I made for the No Kings protests that I plan on carrying this Saturday.


Now for "It Ain't Kyiv, Babe" - Marsh Family adaptation of Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me, Babe" on Ukraine War.

We have created songs in support of Ukraine since the 2022 invasion, but this latest is in response to the grotesque decision by Trump to agree to buy Russian diesel in the coming months - a new level of violation (including quite possibly a violation of recent US law) that undermines Ukraine's resistance to Putin's ongoing attacks. In step with our "Don't Abandon Them" ( • "Don't Abandon Them" - Marsh Family adapta... ) we are adapting an intimate and simple Bob Dylan refrain and using only three voices.

"It Ain't Me, Babe" is one of Ella's favourites - which she first came across in the recent biopic starring Timothee Chalamet ("A Complete Unknown") - though the original was released in 1964 on Dylan's fourth album "Another Side of Bob Dylan" and quickly picked up and reworked by many iconic artists. But it's something like that soundtrack arrangement - based on the Newport Folk Festival duet with Joan Baez - that we aimed for as a framework, albeit with extra harmonies.

This news reminds me that people have been reading Trump and Putin, a bad bromance lately. I had no idea how right I was back then!

I'm closing with the song about Ukraine from last year, "Don't Abandon Them" - Marsh Family adaptation of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" about Ukraine.

We put together this version of Dylan's iconic rhetorical question song from 1963, "Blowin' in the Wind" because so much is hanging in the air at the moment after the alarming diplomatic announcements by Trump, Hegseth, and Vance in the last 48 hours, seemingly giving Putin much of the negotiating capital he wants - and in the face of the wishes and needs of Ukrainian and European leadership. We went for a threesome along the lines of the Peter, Paul and Mary cover version - partly out of necessity as others were away. But what better use to make of Valentine's night than to show love and respect for the courage and sacrifice of the people of Ukraine, and send a small musical message of solidarity?

The people of Europe stand with Ukraine against the threat of a false peace as much as a brutal war.

Because of our shared history.
Because of our shared future.
Because it is just.
Because it is necessary.
And because they deserve nothing less.

Don't abandon them.

Here's hoping and praying for a swift peace on terms that they can conscience, and that offer security against future invasions.

So much for laughing so we don't cry.

That's a wrap for today. Stay tuned for the nominees of this year's Critics Choice Documentary Awards. One of the people making things difficult for Ukraine has a nominated documentary about him!

'I'm Not Remarkable' wins Outstanding Commercial plus Outstanding Promotional Announcement winners at the News & Doc Emmy Awards

As I promised in 'Antiques Roadshow' wins its first Emmy and repeated yesterday, I'm covering the winner of Commercial: 78th Emmy Awards.

Apple and Somesuch accepts the Emmy for Commercial at the 78th Emmy Awards.

And now the winning commercial, I’m Not Remarkable: Apple Products Make School More Accessible.

Apple has built-in accessibility features like Magnifier, Accessibility Reader, Braille Access, VoiceOver, Sound Recognition, Name Recognition, and Live Captions that can create new opportunities for people with disabilities to study, socialize, and succeed in college.

These features can enhance learning and create new opportunities for people with disabilities to study, socialize, and succeed in college.

For Audio Descriptions, click on the Settings gear icon and select the descriptive audio track.

Last year, when I complained "there doesn't seem to be a single public service announcement (PSA) in the field," I wrote "While there are no nominated PSAs, Apple's nominees are doing their best imitation of selling their products' features as services." The winner fits that description. It also made me tear up. I can see and feel how it won. Congratulations!

I telegraphed this entry in Randy Rainbow sings 'Dummy with the Wig On Top' plus the short form winners at the Emmys when I wrote "seeing the two presenters reminds me that I never wrote anything for Outstanding Commercial or the winners of Outstanding Promotional Announcement at the News & Doc Emmy Awards. It's on my to-do list." Follow over the jump for the News & Doc Emmy winners.

Randy Rainbow sings 'Dummy with the Wig On Top' plus the short form winners at the Emmys

Slight change of plans — I'm beginning my Emmy Awards coverage with Dummy with the Wig On Top - A Randy Rainbow Song Parody. Don't worry, it will make sense.

Parody of “Surrey with the Fringe On Top” from Oklahoma! by Rodgers and Hammerstein

Parody Lyrics by Randy Rainbow

Song Produced, Orchestrated, Mixed, Mastered by: Michael J Moritz Jr @michaeljmoritz

Vocal Arrangement - Brett Boles
Piano, Orchestral -Michael J Moritz Jr
Drums - Tom Jorgensen

While my nickname for (not my) President is Donald "Pervert Hoover" Trump, this incident demonstrates why others call him Trumpelthinskin. Also, his claiming that CNN, MSNOW, and Politico are threats to national security shows once again that he has the worst case of L'Etat, c'est moi I have ever seen! Good thing the courts reversed that presidential edict!

Enough ranting. Randy earned two Emmy nominations, but lost to Late Night with Stephen Colbert and Desi Lydic and The Daily Show. Follow over the jump as I revisit 'Desi Lydic Foxsplains Trump's Big Beautiful Ballroom' plus the short form nominees at the Emmy Awards.

The Marsh Family sings 'Stormtroops and Freikorps Again'

I watched "Stormtroops & Freikorps Again" - Marsh Family parody of "Time Warp" from Rocky Horror Picture Show, so I'm taking a break from awards show coverage today.

We wanted to pick a song from The Rocky Horror Show in tribute to the wonderful Tim Curry (who sadly died last month) – who, among other stellar credits across his amazing career, played Dr. Frank-N-Furter. So this is our live attempt at parodying “Time Warp” – the hit song from 1975 with lots of spoken word, weird energy, dark intent and suggestion, and loony choreographed dance moves. The glam rock and roll song was written by Richard O’Brien and Richard Hartley, and in the stage show, served as an encore (led by Dr. Frank-N-Furter).

The choreographing of loonies brought us to this week’s headline stories in Europe, where gangs of masked men have appeared (especially in port cities) under a new banner – calling themselves “Patriot Platform” and intimidating the general public with their black costumes and menacing paramilitary vibe and chants. They disrupted the ferry port at Dover, have made life miserable for the Royal National Lifeguard Institution and its incredible volunteers (who put their lives on the line to save those at sea), and in midweek also targeted the offices of journalists (well, the Daily Mail). At the moment it’s a rather pathetic operation, but with millions of dollars of (largely American) funding pouring into all sorts of organisations, there is a sense of a new watershed in how the Far Right are mobilising. In very-much linked news, the German AfD party also just won a notable election – celebrated by their supporters Elon Musk and Donald Trump.

The comparison in the title and chorus links back to the developments in Europe/Britain in the 1920s and 1930s, when in Germany, Italy, and here, roaming paramilitary groups were coordinated to link militarism, nationalism, fascism, masculinity, and intimidate their enemies and those they blamed for decline.

The situations the Marsh Family are referring to remind me of the conclusion to Vox explains why 'Gen Z is done with both political parties'.

Now that fascism is back, the people who remember are mostly gone and today's young people see World War II as ancient history; they don't understand the relevance. That's one of the reasons why history, even if it doesn't repeat, certainly does rhyme, as Theodor Reik wrote, then had his line attributed to Mark Twain. The history is forgotten, then it returns. Cue George Santayana: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

That's a gloomy thought...

It still is, but laughing at it through song and dance helps.

That's a wrap for today. Stay tuned for a short post tomorrow, followed by more awards show coverage.

Once again, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' leads nominations for Outstanding Reality Competition Program, but 'The Traitors' will likely win for the third time

As I promised at the end of It's Saturday, so here are SNL's eleven Emmy nominations, I'm examining the competition program nominees at the Emmy Awards for the Sunday entertainment feature. Watch 78th Emmys Nominations: Reality Competition Program from the Television Academy.

The nominees for Reality Competition Program are Dancing With the Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race, Survivor, Top Chef and The Traitors.

RuPaul's Drag Race leads nominations with nine (eleven for the franchise), followed by six for The Traitors, five each for Dancing with the Stars and Survivor, and four for Top Chef. The prognosticators at Gold Derby orders the top two like they did last year, when I wrote 'RuPaul's Drag Race' leads nominations for Outstanding Reality Competition Program, but 'The Traitors' will likely win again. Every editor, 95.2% of experts, and 93.5% of users think The Traitors will threepeat. The fans and the professionals diverge on the next most likely, with 4.3% of users rooting for RuPaul's Drag Race to upset, while the remaining 4.8% of experts and 1.8% of users selecting Survivor. Dude, I used to be such a big Survivor fan that I was a moderator of a reality TV forum; I get it, but it's not happening this year. Top Chef trails with the last 0.4% of users, while no one is picking Dancing with the Stars.

Gold Derby also has odds for the next category, which will be presented at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, along with all the rest I'm examining today.

Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program

• RuPaul Charles – RuPaul's Drag Race (MTV)
• Alan Cumming – The Traitors (Peacock)
• Kristen Kish – Top Chef (Bravo)
• Ariana Madix – Love Island USA (Peacock)
• Jeff Probst – Survivor (CBS)

Alan Cumming won last year and Gold Derby expects he will win again as the choice of every editor, 92.3% of experts, and 91.9% of users. The professionals and fans split on the next two with 7.7% of experts and 1.9% of fans choosing RuPaul Charles while 5.0% of users picked Jeff Probst. Kristen Kish and Ariana Madix divide the remaining users at 0.6% each. By the way, I predicted "Love Island...will be nominated for at least one Emmy next year after breaking through," and I was right. Sorry, Sharks, who got snubbed. On the other hand, congratulations to Madix; just being nominated is an honor.

Follow over the jump for the behind the camera categories, beginning with the ones I covered in 'Love on the Spectrum' leads Unstructured Reality Program at the Emmy Awards.

RIP, Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton passed yesterday, and I couldn't ignore it. Instead of posting an obituary from a news program (I'm sure TIME will include her in their end of 2026 list), I'm paying tribute to her my own way, through the mutual interaction between her and marching bands. I begin with Marching.com's tribute, Remembering Dolly Parton: She Was Her Own Parade | Dollywood Opening Day 2024.

Dolly Parton didn't just lead the parade — she was the parade.

Today, we extend our condolences and sympathy to all who are mourning her loss. The world has lost a joyful icon who brought beauty, kindness, and inspiration to countless lives. Her music, generosity, and spirit touched generations and left an immeasurable mark on the world.

Captured by Marching.com during Dollywood’s Opening Day Parade on March 8, 2024, this video shows Dolly riding through the park atop a stunning flower-covered carriage that looked worthy of the Rose Parade itself. Her signature smile and larger-than-life presence turned the parade into a truly unforgettable moment.

Thank you, Dolly, for sharing your light with the world.

I couldn't agree more.

Dolly sent her love back to marching music, as shown in Dolly Parton Shares Message with The Franklin Band from Williamson County Schools.

Country music superstar Dolly Parton shares a special message with members of the Franklin High School Marching Band.

That was characteristically gracious of her. And, yes, she played snare drum in the Sevier County High School Marching Band. Now for the band and show she wished well to, Franklin Band COC Final (Dolly Parton Tribute) from Michael Hatley.

Franklin High School Band Contest of Champions Finals performance of the Dolly Parton Tribute "Rags to Rhinestones" 2023 including “Rocky Top” “Shucking the Corn” “9 to 5” “Jolene” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I will always Love You”

Both Dolly and the Franklin band can be proud of that show.

RIP, Dolly.

'Remarkably Bright Creatures' leads Outstanding TV Movie nominees at the Emmys

I'm returning to the Emmy Awards for the Sunday entertainment feature with one of only two remaining program categories that I usually cover, Outstanding Television Movie. Here are the nominees at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Outstanding Movie

• Heads of State (Prime Video)
• Miss You, Love You (HBO)
• People We Meet on Vacation (Netflix)
• Remarkably Bright Creatures (Netflix)
• Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War (Prime Video)

Remarkably Bright Creatures leads nominations with three, followed by Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War with two, and Heads of State, Miss You, Love You, and People We Meet on Vacation with one each. Gold Derby's prediction page for the Creative Arts Emmy Awards also has Remarkably Bright Creatures leading, as every editor and expert plus 97.9% of users have selected it to win. Heads of State, Miss You, Love You, and People We Meet on Vacation split the remaining user vote with 0.7% each. Despite having two nominations, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War has no users choosing it.

Next a category recognized at the Primetime Emmy Awards, 78th Emmy Nominations: Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.

The nominees for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie are Claire Danes, Sally Field, Carey Mulligan, Sarah Pidgeon and Sarah Snook.

The prognosticators at Gold Derby see this as a much more competitive contest than for TV Movie. Carey Mulligan leads as the choice of 70% of experts, 50% of editors, and 69.7%, but the professionals and fans differ on the next choice, with 10% of experts, 33.3% of editors, and 7.1% of users picking Sally Fields while 10% of experts and 17.3% of users selecting Sarah Snook. Sarah Pigeon also has the support of 10% of experts along with 16.7% of editors and 4.8% of users. Claire Danes is the choice of the remaining 1% of users.

Back to the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score)

• All Her Fault: "Episode 7" – Jeff Beal (Peacock)
• The Beast in Me: "The Beast and Me" – Sean Callery and Sara Barone (Netflix)
• Black Rabbit: "Isle of Joy" – Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans (Netflix)
• In the Blink of an Eye – Thomas Newman (Hulu)
• Washington Black: "If You See My Mama, Whisper Her This..." – Cameron Moody (Hulu)

All Her Fault leads the nominees at Gold Derby with the support of 86.7% of experts, 83.3% of editors, and 92.7% of users, followed by The Beast in Me with 6.7% of experts, 16.7% of editors, and 5.5% of users, with the rest divided between experts and users. In the Blink of an Eye, the sole movie nominee, has the vote of 6.7% of experts, but no users, while Black Rabbit and Washington Black tie with 0.9% of users each.

Follow over the jump for the non-music craft categories.

'The Muppet Show' leads Taylor Swift and 'Wicked' for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) at the Emmys

I'm continuing my awards show coverage with a category I foreshadowed in Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show leads Outstanding Variety Special (Live) at the Emmys, Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded). Here are the nominees at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)

• Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable... (Netflix)
• The Muppet Show (Disney+)
• Nikki Glaser: Good Girl (Hulu)
• Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show (Disney+)
• Wicked: One Wonderful Night (NBC)

The Muppet Show and Wicked: One Wonderful Night co-lead with six nominations each, followed by Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show with five, Nikki Glaser: Good Girl with three, and Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable... with two. Gold Derby's prediction page for the Creative Arts Emmy Awards also has The Muppet Show leading with 90% of experts, 33.3% of editors, and 71.3% of users electing it to win. They reverse Wicked: One Wonderful Night and Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show as the latter has the vote of the remaining 10% of experts and 66.7% of editors plus 18.0% while the former only has the support of 8.2% of users. The professionals are split! The users also reverse Nikki Glaser: Good Girl and Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable... with the former ranked fifth at 0.8% and the latter in fourth with 1.6%.

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance

• Pamela Adlon – King of the Hill: "Any Given Hill-Day" as Bobby Hill (Hulu)
• Julie Andrews – Bridgerton: "The Waltz" as Lady Whistledown (Netflix)
• Hank Azaria – The Simpsons: "Keep Chalm and Gary On" as Gary Chalmers (Fox)
• Trey Parker – South Park: "The Crap Out" as Satan (Comedy Central)
• Matt Vogel – The Muppet Show as Kermit the Frog (Disney+)
• Steven Yeun – Invincible: "Don't Leave Me Hanging Here" as Mark Grayson / Invincible (Prime Video)

Julie Andrews leads with every expert, 66.7% of editors, and 79.6% of Gold Derby users selecting her to win. She's followed by Pamela Adlon with the remaining 33.3% of editors and 12.4% of users. The rest of the users are split among Trey Parker with 4.4%, Matt Vogel with 1.8%, then Hank Azaria and Steven Yeun tied at 0.9%.

Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special

• Chris Fleming: Live at the Palace – Chris Fleming (HBO)
• The Muppet Show – Albertina Rizzo, Gabe Liedman, Nedaa Sweiss, Kelly Younger, and Andrew Williams (Disney+)
• Nikki Glaser: Good Girl – Nikki Glaser (Hulu)
• The Oscars – Amberia Allen, Jose Arroyo, Josh Comers, Dan Cronin, Jessie Gaskell, Skyler Higley, Berkley Johnson, Ian Karmel, Brian Kiley, Laurie Kilmartin, Carol Leifer, Todd Levin, Jon Macks, Conan O'Brien, Matt O'Brien, Agathe Panaretos, Mike Sweeney, Levi MacDougall, and Eric Roth (ABC)
• Wanda Sykes: Legacy – Wanda Sykes (Netflix)

Gold Derby predicts The Muppet Show will win this award, too, with every editor, 50% of editors, and 87.9% of users picking it. The remaining 50% of editors and 4.3% of users chose Chris Fleming: Live at the Palace to upset. The rest of the user vote is split among Nikki Glaser: Good Girl at 6.9% and Wanda Sykes: Legacy at 0.9%. The Oscars have no support at all!

Now for the categories I covered in Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show leads Outstanding Variety Special (Live) at the Emmys beginning with two that Gold Derby handicapped.

Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special

• The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny – Hamish Hamilton (NBC)
• Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable... – Rikki Hughes (Netflix)
• Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour: The Final Show – Glenn Weiss (Disney+)
• 78th Annual Tony Awards – Glenn Weiss (CBS)
• Wanda Sykes: Legacy – Julie Dash (Netflix)

Once again, every expert and editor plus 94.3% of users have Hamish Hamilton taking home the statuette. Glenn Weiss for both Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour: The Final Show and 78th Annual Tony Awards ties himself at 2.9% each, so he has a combined 6.8 5.8% chance, while no one thinks Rikki Hughes for Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable... and Julie Dash for Wanda Sykes: Legacy have a chance.

Despite my using the Twitter/X publicity image for Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable..., Gold Derby still thinks its director has no chance. On the other hand, users are trickling away from The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny to Glenn Weiss's projects, splitting their votes evenly at 3.5% for 7% total. I'm not convinced.

Outstanding Music Direction

• The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny – Miguel Gandelman (NBC)
• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Series Finale" – Louis Cato (CBS)
• The Oscars – Michael Bearden (ABC)
• Saturday Night Live: "Host: Jack Black" – Lenny Pickett, Leon Pendarvis, Eli Brueggemann, and Maddie Rice (NBC)
• Wicked: One Wonderful Night – Stephen Oremus (NBC)

For the third and final time, every expert and editor along with 90.1% of users think The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny will win, giving Miguel Gandelman an Emmy. Wicked: One Wonderful Night notched 9.1% of users, The Oscars 0.8%, and the rest of the field earned no votes at all.

This may be Wicked: One Wonderful Night's best shot at winning, but even here user opinion is consolidating around The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny with 91.6% and all the rest with Wicked: One Wonderful Night at 8.4%. The users have abandoned The Oscars, which has joined the rest of the field without any votes at all.

Follow over the jump for the craft categories.

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show leads Outstanding Variety Special (Live) at the Emmys

I'm revisiting Drink to Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show's Emmy nominations on National Piña Colada Day for this week's Sunday entertainment feature.

I begin with Gold Derby reporting Bad Bunny bouncing towards the Emmys as his Super Bowl halftime show scores unprecedented 9 nominations...

As Gold Derby predicted in January, the Puerto Rican superstar — whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — scored a nomination Wednesday for Best Variety Special (Live) for his sizzling, much-scrutinized halftime show at Sunday's Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. The special was one of the most-nominated programs, receiving nine total bids, including Production Design for a Variety Special, Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming, Directing for a Variety Special, Hairstyling for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program, Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Special, Music Direction, Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special, and Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Special. That marks a record for a halftime show.

People listed Bad Bunny's competitors for Best Variety Special (Live).

The milestone comes after the performance drew a staggering 128.2 million viewers, making it the fourth-most-watched Super Bowl halftime show in history. The show is also nominated for Outstanding Variety Special (Live), where it will compete against four major awards ceremonies: the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards, the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, the Oscars and the 78th Annual Tony Awards.

I'm not going to handicap this category today; Gold Derby has its prediction page for the Creative Arts Emmy Awards up, but no one seems to have made a prediction in this category. When enough predictions have been tallied, I'll return to this category. On the other hand, the Super Bowl Halftime Show is leading the odds for Variety Special Directing and Music Direction; Gold Derby is not making predictions in the craft categories. I'll look at those when I examine Gold Derby's prediction for Variety Special (Live).

Every expert and editor along with 94.7% of users have chosen The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny, to use its official name, to win. The Oscars follow with 2.6% of users, then the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards and 78th Annual Tony Awards tie at 1.3%; no one is picking the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.

Now for the rest of the show's nominations from 78th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special

• The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny – Hamish Hamilton (NBC)
• Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable... – Rikki Hughes (Netflix)
• Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour: The Final Show – Glenn Weiss (Disney+)
• 78th Annual Tony Awards – Glenn Weiss (CBS)
• Wanda Sykes: Legacy – Julie Dash (Netflix)

Once again, every expert and editor plus 94.3% of users have Hamish Hamilton taking home the statuette. Glenn Weiss for both Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour: The Final Show and 78th Annual Tony Awards ties himself at 2.9% each, so he has a combined 6.8% chance, while no one thinks Rikki Hughes for Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable... and Julie Dash for Wanda Sykes: Legacy have a chance.

Outstanding Music Direction

• The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny – Miguel Gandelman (NBC)
• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Series Finale" – Louis Cato (CBS)
• The Oscars – Michael Bearden (ABC)
• Saturday Night Live: "Host: Jack Black" – Lenny Pickett, Leon Pendarvis, Eli Brueggemann, and Maddie Rice (NBC)
• Wicked: One Wonderful Night – Stephen Oremus (NBC)

For the third and final time, every expert and editor along with 90.1% of users think The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny will win, giving Miguel Gandelman an Emmy. Wicked: One Wonderful Night notched 9.1% of users, The Oscars 0.8%, and the rest of the field earned no votes at all.

Follow over the jump for the craft categories.

'Love on the Spectrum' leads Unstructured Reality Program at the Emmy Awards

I'm stepping over the fine line between nonfiction and reality for today's awards show coverage by examining nominations for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program

• America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (Netflix)
• Love on the Spectrum (Netflix)
• RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked (MTV)
• Summer House (Bravo)
• Welcome to Wrexham (FX)

Love on the Spectrum leads with five nominations, followed by Welcome to Wrexham with four, America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked tied at two, and Summer House with just this one. That's close to how the Gold Derby odds rank their odds. Every expert, 83.3% of editors, and 87.6% of users picked Love on the Spectrum to repeat. The editors and users split on which shows could upset the leader. America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is the choice of the remaining 16.7% of editors but no users, while 7.5% regard RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked as the runner-up with Welcome to Wrexham at 4.3% and new nominee Summer House as the selection of the final 0.5%.

I'm glad to see America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders repeat its nomination and Summer House replace The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The latter was trashy fun, but it struck me as exploition of exploitation.

Follow over the jump for the rest of these shows' nominations.

Drink to who performed 'Debussy's Clair de Lune' best for a drum corps Bastille Day

Happy Bastille Day! Once again, I'm celebrating today as one of my trademark drum corps holidays. Watch and listen as Drum Corps International asks Who Did It Best? | Debussy's Clair de Lune.

Claude Debussy's magnificent "Clair de Lune" performed by four different corps over 21 years ... Who did it best?

0:00 - Introduction
0:09 - 1994 Phantom Regiment
3:31 - 2006 Southwind
5:10 - 2008 Carolina Crown
7:47 - 2015 Phantom Regiment

2015 Phantom Regiment should look familiar, as I featured the corps in 'City of Light' for Bastille Day, although neither of the clips I embedded included "Clair de Lune," so this was new to this blog, just like last year's inclusion of An American in Paris. I probably now have the entire show scattered over ten years of this blog. Maybe one day I will find a video of the entire show.

As for who played it best, the commenters say 1994 Phantom Regiment, and I agree. G bugles still rule.

Today is also National Grand Marnier Day, so I close with Archive of Disney Done Differently's DAY 37:EPCOT'S France Pavilion The Grand Marnier Orange Slush.

To recycle what I wrote last year, 2023 and 2021, "Vive la France (Pavilion)! Liberté, Egaliteé, Fraternité!"

Drink to Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show's Emmy nominations on National Piña Colada Day

Happy National Piña Colada Day! Like last year, the day is doing double duty by toasting nominees of an awards show, the creative people behind Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show. I begin with Gold Derby reporting Bad Bunny bouncing towards the Emmys as his Super Bowl halftime show scores unprecedented 9 nominations.

Puerto Rican superstar, who tallied three Grammys earlier this year, looks to add another statuette to his burgeoning collection.
...
Bad Bunny conquered the Grammys. Now he's coming for the Emmy Awards.

As Gold Derby predicted in January, the Puerto Rican superstar — whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — scored a nomination Wednesday for Best Variety Special (Live) for his sizzling, much-scrutinized halftime show at Sunday's Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. The special was one of the most-nominated programs, receiving nine total bids, including Production Design for a Variety Special, Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming, Directing for a Variety Special, Hairstyling for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program, Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Special, Music Direction, Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special, and Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Special. That marks a record for a halftime show.

People listed Bad Bunny's competitors for Best Variety Special (Live).

The milestone comes after the performance drew a staggering 128.2 million viewers, making it the fourth-most-watched Super Bowl halftime show in history. The show is also nominated for Outstanding Variety Special (Live), where it will compete against four major awards ceremonies: the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards, the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, the Oscars and the 78th Annual Tony Awards.

I'm not going to handicap this category today; Gold Derby has its prediction page for the Creative Arts Emmy Awards up, but no one seems to have made a prediction in this category. When enough predictions have been tallied, I'll return to this category. On the other hand, the Super Bowl Halftime Show is leading the odds for Variety Special Directing and Music Direction; Gold Derby is not making predictions in the craft categories. I'll look at those when I examine Gold Derby's prediction for Variety Special (Live).

As I noted in February, Bad Bunny's performance elicited some controversy. Back to Gold Derby.

Going into the Super Bowl, there was much right-wing consternation over the NFL's selection of Bad Bunny for the coveted slot, given that he performs in Spanish — often wearing dresses — and is a vocal critic of Trump administration policies. The MAGA crowd went so far as to counterprogram in the form of a widely lampooned Kid Rock-led show for Turning Point USA.

I'll let Emmy winner and returning Emmy nominee Desi Lydic mock this reaction in Desi Lydic Foxsplains Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show | The Daily Show.

Desi Lydic Foxsplains the outrage over the un-American, un-manly, and un-known superstar slated for the Super Bowl halftime show: Bad Bunny.

HAHAHAHA! No wonder she earned another two nominations!

Now to drink to Bad Bunny and the Super Bowl Halftime Show's Emmy nominations with PINIA COLADA FOR #badbunny SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW (sic).


That was misspelled and really should have used a Bad Bunny song, like piña colada y bad bunny.


There, better.

That's a wrap for today's holiday celebrating Puerto Rico. Stay tuned for World Population Day on National Mojito Day.

Previous posts about the 2026 Primetime and Creative Arts Emmy Awards

• 'The Tale of Silyan' vs 'The Librarians' for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking at the Emmy Awards

Drink to the Colts 'American Experiment' for a drum corps 4th of July

Happy 4th of July! Change of plans — instead of revisiting Drink to America Sings for July 4th, I'm observing today as one of my trademark drum corps holidays by featuring a show currently on the field, Colts 2026: American Experiment.

Colts Drum and Bugle Corps is proud to present…

American Experiment!

That's just the show announcement, but it makes for a good preview image. Here's an actual performance, Most Certainly not Colts 2026 - American Experiment.



Colts 2026 - American Experiment
That's both a patriotic show and a completely modern one, so I'm happy with the concept. I'm not as confident this upload will last. As I wrote in 2012's Christmas in July, enjoy it while it lasts. On the other hand, I'm more confident that NOT the Colts 2026 “American Experiment” 07/02/26 will remain up; it's a rehearsal video shot by the uploader.

I close with Red, White & Boozy 4th of July Cocktail | How To Make Recipe from Alyena's Kitchen.

Looking for the perfect red, white and blue drink? This cocktail is festive and just the right amount of boozy and perfect for your Independence Day, 4th of July party!

Enjoy! Please drink responsibly and NEVER drink and drive!

What Alyena said.

That's a wrap for the second of three patriotic holidays I celebrate during July with the third being Bastille Day. In the meantime, stay tuned for fun with wombats and ice cream on Souther!

Randy Rainbow sings 'He's De-Mented!'

Randy Rainbow surprised me yesterday when he uploaded He's De-Mented! - A Randy Rainbow Song Parody. Good thing I didn't announce any plans for today when I wished my readers A happy drum corps Canada Day 2026!

Parody of “It’s De-Lovely” by Cole Porter

Parody Lyrics by Randy Rainbow

Song Produced, Orchestrated, Mixed, Mastered by: Michael J Moritz Jr @michaeljmoritz

Vocal Arrangement - Brett Boles
All Vocals: Randy Rainbow
Piano, Synths -Michael J Moritz Jr
Drums - Tom Jorgensen

Randy focusing on Donald "Pervert Hoover" Trump's mental condition reminds me of what I wrote in Updates on three Trump trials.

"Bordering on the pathological" — it is pathological! Speaking of pathologies, I've only mentioned narcissism in connection with Trump once in Since Trump is acting like Dr. Evil, it's time to read The Evil Overlord List.

I will see a competent psychiatrist and get cured of all extremely unusual phobias and bizarre compulsive habits which could prove to be a disadvantage.

Does malignant narcissism count?

Yes, it does, but I've made more of his his vulnerability to conspiracy theories. Now I wish I had mentioned Bandy X. Lee before. She understood Trump's pathologies and warned people about them in 2017!

Randy added Pervert Hoover's mental and physical decline to the list. I've stayed away from those, as I've only used the word senile once on this blog, and that was quoting Seth Meyers in 2020: "Seth takes a closer look at Trump trying to paint Biden as drugged up and senile while attempting to steal the election by lying about voter fraud." In retrospect, that strikes me as projection on Pervert Hoover's part. I once wrote about him that "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones," but that has never stopped him.

That written, it will take a lot for the age-related part of Pervert Hoover's condition to gain enough traction to make a difference. That's what Steve M. at No More Mister Nice Blog thinks, too. In May, he asked HOW BAD IS TRUMP'S HEALTH?

I'll believe he's really losing it when he launches into one of these attacks and freezes up, unable to summon up the next nasty word he wants to say. I look forward to that the day, the day he tries to slip the verbal shiv in but can't manage to do it. I hope it happens.

Maybe he's experiencing some form of dementia. But for now, his words, even when they're incoherent, have power. And that's primarily why he's not judged the way Biden was, even though he's probably in terrible physical health, and he knows it.

Pervert Hoover isn't there yet and I'm not holding my breath waiting for it to happen. Too bad.

Watching Randy promote Ground News reminds me that I should still compose a comparison and contrast between Ground News on the one hand and the Media Bias Chart and Allsides on the other. Not today. In the meantime, stay tuned for posts to celebrate the holiday weekend.

A happy drum corps Canada Day 2026!

Happy Canada Day! I'm shuffling my regular order of presentation of Canada's drum corps by beginning with Drumcore's Drum Corps Percussion: Top 12 Canadian Drumlines (“TICK” System) to represent the first decade of the DCI era.

This video chronicles the Top 12-scoring percussion sections of junior drum & bugle corps hailing from CANADA under the “tick” system (1983 and prior).

Ranking is by average score of DCI Finals Week, in order to take into account all end-of-season performances.

The scope of this video covers only DCI competition, as access to Canadian contest recaps is limited.

I thanked the uploader.

Good work, Tumour! I'm planning on featuring this video for my Canada Day post next week, so thanks for putting it together. Are you going to make a top 12 Canadian corps under the build up system after you finish the top 12 most legendary drumlines series? If so, I'll feature in next year's Canada Day post!

He answered he would, so I expect to feature his second video about Canadian drumlines next year.

Follow over the jump for corps representing the pre-DCI era, and the decades from the 1980s to today.

Randy Rainbow sings 'WHERE THE HELL IS OUR CONGRESS?'

Change of plans — instead of a follow-up to Detroit's population increases for first time since 1957, I'm featuring Randy Rainbow singing WHERE THE HELL IS OUR CONGRESS?

Parody of “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” (Raye, Mike Sabath)

Parody Lyrics by Randy Rainbow

Song Produced, Orchestrated, Mixed, Mastered by: Michael J Moritz Jr @michaeljmoritz

Vocal Arrangement by Brett Boles @thebrettboles
All Vocals: Randy Rainbow
Piano, Synths -Michael J Moritz Jr
Bass - Adam DeAscentis
Drums - Billy LaGuardia

Where's Congress? In the hands of Republicans, who are in thrall to Donald "Hoover Harding Cleveland" Trump and most of whom either agree with him or are too scared to cross him. Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who voted to convict Hoover Harding Cleveland, came in third in his primary, losing re-nomination. Hoover Harding Cleveland is trying to do the same thing to Congressman Thomas Massie today. No good deed goes unpunished.

The Democrats in Congress are probably doing everything they can think of. It's just that they seem so unimaginative and are so uninspiring. Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries may be good leaders of their caucuses, but they leave activists and rank-and-file Democrats cold. We could use leaders that make us feel like they're doing something, even if it would be merely therapeutic. That would be helpful; I think a lot of us need therapy while watching Hoover Harding Cleveland and his administration doing his will with the support of the Republicans in Congress!

Watching Randy made me want to watch the original, so here's RAYE - WHERE IS MY HUSBAND! (Official Music Video).

WHERE IS MY HUSBAND! The Very First Fragment Of _____ From The Oh-So Fabulous Second Album.

That was fun and worth hearing and seeing!

That's a wrap for today. I'll get to Detroit's population increasing on Saturday. In the meantime, stay tuned for World Bee Day.

Randy Rainbow sings 'Not What They're Paid For,' a Tuneful Tuesday special

Today's post is Randy Rainbow sings Not What They're Paid For - A Randy Rainbow Song Parody.

Parody of “What Was I Made For?” (Billie Eilish, Finneas O'Connell)

Parody Lyrics by Randy Rainbow

Song Produced, Orchestrated, Mixed, Mastered by: Michael J Moritz Jr @michaeljmoritz

Vocal Arrangement by Brett Boles @thebrettboles All Vocals: Randy Rainbow

I wrote that "What Was I Made For?" always makes me cry. I was hoping this version would make me laugh instead. Nope. I still cried, this time for the country, not Barbie. If you want to cry for Barbie, I embedded Billie Eilish's video in 'Barbie' leads nominations in music for visual media at the Grammy Awards. Watch it there.

Follow over the jump for the top post featuring Randy Rainbow during the 15th year of Crazy Eddie's Motie News.

'Star Trek' Easter eggs on First Contact Day

Happy Easter and First Contact Day! No one responded at all, let alone no, to my parting question, "Star Trek Easter eggs, anyone?" I'm taking that as a tacit yes for the topic of today's Sunday entertainment feature.

I begin with ScreenRant asking Did You Catch Dr. Kovich's Easter Eggs in Star Trek: Discovery?

Dr. Kovich's office in Star Trek: Discovery is full of Easter eggs referencing the entire franchise of Star Trek. From a vintage bottle of Chateau Picard wine and Geordi's VISOR, Dr. Kovich's office reveals a lot about his mysterious role in Star Trek: Discovery.

Those are the serious Easter eggs in a dramatic series. Now for some funny ones in a comedy, Star Trek: Lower Decks. Watch as Rodenberry BEAM asks Can You Spot These Hidden Star Trek Jokes?

Every episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks is FULL of easter eggs, references, and inside jokes about the franchise... but did you catch them all? It's time to rank some of our favorite inside jokes from STLD, especially from season 4... from the most obvious to the most obscure.

Those are some deep cuts! The writers of Star Trek: Lower Decks were willing to go a long way for a laugh.

I close this section with Every Star Trek: VOYAGER Easter Egg in Starfleet Academy (So Far) Explained by The Sci-Fi Feminist.

In this video, I dive deep into the 32nd-century Academy to find every callback to the Delta Quadrant. From the return of Robert Picardo as the EMH Doctor to the long-awaited promotion of Admiral Harry Kim, Starfleet Academy is full of Star Trek: Voyager lore. We also look at hidden references to Janeway, Neelix’s lung maggots, and the legal legacy of the 'Author, Author' court case.

That was worth watching, even though I'm not optimistic about The Sci-Fi Feminist uploading a part two. My wife and I enjoyed Starfleet Academy, but it was canceled after season two. Darn.

Follow over the jump for a retrospective of the most read entries about holidays from the back catalog during the 15th year of Crazy Eddie's Motie News.

1993 Cadets 'In the Spring, At the Time When Kings Go Off to War,' for a drum corps Vernal Equinox

Happy Vernal Equinox! After last year's TED-Ed on 'The Rite of Spring,' 'The ballet that incited a riot,' for the Vernal Equinox, I'm returning to the Cadets to make today one of my drum corps holidays. Watch Jeff Gray's upload of 1993 Cadets Finals (High Quality).

The Cadets present their 1993 program, "In the Spring, At the Time When Kings Go Off to War". Selections include:
In the Spring, When Kings Go Off to War; Ballet Sacra & On a Hymn song of Philip Bliss
All by David Holsinger

Drum Corps International (DCI) added context in its official upload, Spotlight: 1993 Cadets.

The Cadets' Championship-winning 1993 production, "In the Spring, At the Time When Kings Go Off to War," brought a medieval battle to the football field.

Speaking of official uploads, I'm sharing Cadets History - 1993 from The Cadets account in case Jeff Gray's video gets taken down.

"In the Spring, At the Time When Kings Go Off to War" In the Spring, When Kings Go Off to War, Ballet Sacra, On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss

Finished 1st - 97.400

That's a wrap for both today's post and the 15th year of Crazy Eddie's Motie News. Stay tuned for Nowruz and this blog's birthday.

Metallica marching band winners for Marching Music Day

Happy Marching Music Day! This year, I'm celebrating For Whom the Band Tolls: The Winners!

Last year, we challenged marching bands at all collegiate levels to come up with the most exciting, unique, and impressive performances of our songs. The submissions are in, we’ve watched the videos, and we’re thrilled to announce that the University of South Carolina has taken the top prize in the 2025 Collegiate Edition of the annual competition. Congratulations Gamecocks! A huge thank you to all the incredible bands who participated this year.

The winners across seven categories listed below will receive more than $165,000 in total prizes. In an exciting twist on our second For Whom The Band Tolls competition, this year’s first-place Division 1 winner will have the opportunity to record a Metallica song and the EA SPORTS™ College Football Theme Song, both to be included in the EA SPORTS™ College Football video game!

The victors in each category will receive instruments and equipment for their programs provided by us with the support of our generous sponsors, including Sweetwater, TAMA, Hal Leonard, KHS America, and more.

And the winners of the Metallica Marching Band Competition Collegiate Edition are…

Follow over the jump for the complete shows of the winners.