'The Food That Built America,' '30 for 30,' and other nominees at the Critics Choice Documentary Awards for World Food Day and National Sports Day

I told my readers to "Stay tuned for the nominees of this year's Critics Choice Documentary Awards." Since today is World Food Day, I'm featuring the one category with food nominees.

BEST ONGOING DOCUMENTARY SERIES

30 for 30 (ESPN)
American Masters (PBS)
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (Netflix)
The Food That Built America (History)
Hazardous History with Henry Winkler (History)
Independent Lens (PBS)
Untold (Netflix)

30 for 30 has won this award four years in a row, so it's my pick to repeat. That works for today also being National Sports Day, as does the nomination of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, but I chose this category for The Food That Built America. In addition, American Masters includes chefs among the artists and performers it profiles, including Marcella Hazan last year, and Independent Lens has featured documentaries about food, including King Corn, which my students can watch for extra credit.

Speaking of my students, they watched Food, Inc. 2 this week. As I wrote on Talk Like A Pirate Day, I plan on writing a guide to answers to Food, Inc. 2 worksheet on National Food Day, but I'm linking to the entries now as a preview of coming attractions: Think about the fast food workers on National Fast Food Day, Vox explains 'The salmon dilemma', and New guidelines flip the food pyramid on its head. My students and I will go over the answers next week in lab, then I'll write the entry for anyone who missed class.

Follow over the jump as I shift gears from food to sports.

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!

'The Bizarre Case of the Tully Monster' and other SciShow paleontology videos for National Fossil Day

Happy National Fossil Day! I'm celebrating with three SciShow videos about fossil organisms, beginning with yesterday's The Bizarre Case of the Tully Monster.

What is the Tully Monster? It might be a vertebrate, or it might not, but scientists have unable to agree for 70 years.

The first time I saw the Tully Monster, it was as a painting on the side of a U-Haul as the Illinois State Fossil. Wooster College has the image.


That's an unusual claim to fame. Since then, I've been curious about it, so of course I featured this video today. As for it being either a chordate or a mollusk, well, it would be even weirder than a conodont as a chordate and among the weirdest mollusks.

Speaking of weird mollusks, the next video declares Ancient Octopuses Were MUCH Bigger Than We Thought.

The Cretaceous Period is famous for enormous ocean-dwelling beasts. New research shows it boasted the biggest octopuses, and maybe the biggest invertebrates, of all time.

Hosted by: Savannah Geary (they/them)

Yikes! And I thought the Mesozoic oceans, particularly during the Cretaceous, were dangerous and scary enough. Oh, and the Tully Monster makes a cameo here.

The final video describes a fossil mystery even bigger, literally, than the Tully Monster, Those Ancient Giant Fungi Weren’t Fungi After All.

400 million years ago, Prototaxites might have towered high above all other terrestrial life. Ever since its discovery, we've been trying to figure out what this massive ancient organism could possibly have been. For a while the leading theory was that it was a fungus, but recent studies suggest Prototaxites might have been something we've never seen before...

Hosted by: Savannah Geary (they/them)

I showed a PBS Eons video about Prototaxites to my organismal biology students as an example of ancient fungus. If I were to ever teach that class again, I'd have to remove it. Good thing I'm retiring!

That's a wrap for today's paleontology holiday. Stay tuned for a musical post featuring both Randy Rainbow and the Marsh Family. Sing, dance, and laugh so we won't cry.

Happy 251st birthday to the U.S. Navy!

Today's holiday post begins with Navy Birthday | October 13 from National Day Calendar.

The United States Navy (USN) is the United States Armed Forces’ naval warfare service branch and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States.

The U.S. Navy is currently the largest, most powerful navy in the world, with the highest combined battle fleet tonnage. The service has over 340,000 personnel on active duty and more than 71,000 in the Navy Reserve.

Seven uniformed services? Actually eight, in addition to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, there are the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps).

1775-2026 makes today the 251st birthday of the U.S. Navy, which USAA noted in Happy Birthday, U.S. Navy | USAA.

Fair winds and following seas to all service members of the United States Navy. Thank you for 251 years of honor, courage and commitment.

Yes, this is technically an ad, but I makes a great video birthday card.

I close with The United States Navy Band from Washington D.C. - 2025 Pasadena Rose Parade from Luis Garnica of Music213.

From Washington, D.C. The United States Navy Band performing at the 136th Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

The Marines can't have all the fun!

That's a wrap for today's holiday. Stay tuned for National Fossil Day.

Native Americans on America's 250th for Indigenous Peoples' Day

Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day! For this year's celebration, I'm taking the Native American perspective on the United States' 250th birthday, beginning with PBS Origins explaining How America's Foundation was Built on Propaganda.

What is the true meaning of the 4th of July and American independence? This special episode of A People's History of Native America argues that the 4th of July’s roots are further from patriotism and closer to propaganda. Rather than independence, this day represents the centuries-long seizure and ethnic cleansing of Native American land. By looking at the history surrounding the American Revolution, we will uncover that Native Americans were an unexpected threat to the founders’ vision for their future country and plans for Westward expansion.

After watching this video, I feel even more strongly that Americans who worry about genocide and ethnic cleansing should focus on its survivors here before displacing their guilt elsewhere. Of course, I would feel this way, because, as I wrote 14 years ago, "My wife, my ex-girlfriend, and my ex-wife all have Native American ancestry. At least two of them would qualify as Native Americans under U.S. government policy, and one of them is enrolled as a Cherokee..." My wife and I put our money where our mouths are by donating to a charity in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. It's the least we can do.

I continue with Reuters asking What does America's 250th anniversary mean to Native Americans?

As dozens of Native Americans braved the heat and wind in Northern Arizona to uphold a beloved tradition that falls days before the 250th anniversary of the US this year, some reflected on what the milestone means to them.

Again, the high proportion of Native Americans who served shows up again in this video.

Since this is a Michigan-based blog, I conclude with a local clip from 13 On Your Side, ABC 13 in Grand Rapids, Reflecting on Native history amid America's 250th anniversary.

As America turns 250 years old, we took a look back at the history of the people who were here long before the United States.

Yes, there has been progress, but there is room for more.

That's a wrap for today's holiday. Stay tuned for a short post tomorrow.

'The Traitors' wins seven Emmy Awards for National Coming Out Day

Happy National Coming Out Day! As promised, I'm featuring the winners of Outstanding Reality Competition Program and related categories as the Sunday entertainment feature. Time to re-examine the predictions!

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.

By the time of the live televised awards, every expert and editor along with 95.9% of users had consolidated around The Traitors, Survivor sat in second with 1.9% of users, RuPaul's Drag Race dropped to third with 1.6%, 0.6% of users moved to Dancing with the Stars, and Top Chef lost all of its support. All the professionals and the overwhelming majority of users got it right. Watch Reality Competition Program: 78th Emmys.

Alan Cumming and the team behind The Traitors accept the Emmy for Outstanding Reality Competition Program at the 78th Emmys.

Yes, it is amazing how a show about treachery and betrayal can bring people together, but not surprising if one is a reality show fan like I was. Survivor did the same thing a quarter century ago. Also, thanks to Cumming for reminding the audience to register to vote. I've been slacking on that.

The rest of the show's producers got their say in The Traitors: 78th Emmy Awards Winnerview.

The team from The Traitors talks to Albert Lawrence backstage at the 78th Emmy Awards after winning the Emmy for [Competition] Series[.]

Congratulations and here's to another successful season of "people are nasty to each other and it pays."

PBS Terra asks 'This Hurricane Should NEVER Have Happened… So How Did It?' Plus National Metric Day

I got off to a late start today and have hurricanes on my mind, so I'm sharing PBS Terra asking This Hurricane Should NEVER Have Happened… So How Did It?

For some reason, hurricanes are terrified of South America. In fact, as long as we’ve been keeping track, it’s only EVER been hit by ONE! Hurricane Catarina was the hurricane that, according to meteorology, never should have happened. So how did it? On this episode of Weathered, we take a tour of hurricane regions around the world to answer that question. And we find out what Catarina can teach us about how hurricanes really work, and how they’re changing.

Catarina features in An Inconvenient Truth as a possible example of climate change affecting hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, and tropical storms: "Explain how the 2004-2005 hurricane seasons fit with predictions based on global warming." That no hurricane has formed in the South Atlantic since shows that it was most likely a fluke and may have nothing to do with climate change. That doesn't detract from what Maiya May and other meteorologist learned from it nor from the other predictions, that hurricanes will get stronger and rising sea levels will increase the amount of storm surge, making coastal flooding worse. That's the answer to a question I ask in Chasing Ice, which replaced An Inconvenient Truth: "What effect will rising sea level have on hurricanes and typhoons?" California is seeing that right now as a result of El Niño amplifying the waves of Tropical Storm Rachel, something I'll mention to my students next week.

Speaking of my students, I also teach them the metric system, which reminds me that today is NATIONAL METRIC DAY | October 10th - National Day Calendar.

October 10th is National Metric Day!
Marlo Anderson tells us some history and benefits of the metric system.

I'm recycling what I wrote in Discovery News and I rant in favor of the metric system for my reaction.

In my Environmental Science class, the lab I run is one to introduce my students to the metric system, which many of my students struggle with. In fact, their issues with it are such that I tell my students a joke about it. "There are only three groups of students in community college who understand the metric system, the science nerds, the foreign students, and the drug dealers." That never fails to get a laugh.

My job would be a lot easier and I could cover something else if the United States fully adopted the metric system.

My joke has changed a little over the past 13 years, as some gamers also understand the metric system thanks to their games using it, but my opinion hasn't.

That's a wrap for today. Stay tuned for the winners of Outstanding Reality Competition Program and related categories as the Sunday entertainment feature on National Coming Out Day followed by Indigenous Peoples' Day.

'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.

For Narb, Michigan and Iowa, two 'Lord of the Rings' halftime shows

My best friend Narb left a request in his comment to 'SNL' returns with Trump-Mamdani cold open and Jalen Brunson after winning one Emmy Award.

Narb: But [what] I really want you to blog about is Yo-Yo Ma's playing LoTR music with the Michigan Marching Band on Saturday!

All my favorite things rolled into one (except for beer).

Me: I just watched that show on YouTube. Yes, I plan on doing just that later this week. The 25th anniversary of the first Lord of the Rings movie is right up my alley.

Without any further ado, Lord of the Rings with Yo-Yo Ma - Sept. 26, 2026 - Michigan vs Iowa - Michigan Marching Band.

Music Selections: Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - composed by Howard Shore
Concerning Hobbits from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - composed by Howard Shore
A Shortcut to Mushrooms from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - composed by Howard Shore
Riders of Rohan from Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - composed by Howard Shore
Isengard Unleashed from Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - composed by Howard Shore

Musical Arrangements by Scott Boerma, Richard Frey, and Chuck Ricotta
Flag Choreography by Joan Noble-Pruett
Drill by Richard Frey

“You shall not pass,” …up the chance to watch as the MMB performs Howard Shore’s score from Lord of the Rings with special guest soloist Yo-Yo Ma. This Saturday, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring with music arranged from the film series, originally composed by Howard Shore.

Never say I don't respond to reader requests, especially Narb's.

Iowa had their own Lord of the Rings show planned, which they played the next Saturday. Watch Hawkeye Marching Band is live for halftime! 10/3/26 vs OSU.

One does not simply walk into Kinnick Stadium… we march! Today’s halftime show celebrates 25 years of the Lord of the Rings films, featuring the iconic music of Howard Shore.

Iowa won the football game, but Michigan won the halftime.

Stay tuned for a more serious post tomorrow or Saturday, whichever day I don't dedicate to the winner of Outstanding Commercial at the Emmy Awards.

'Antiques Roadshow' wins its first Emmy

I'm returning to Emmy Awards coverage today by revisiting the prediction in Gold Derby predicts 'Antiques Roadshow' will win Outstanding Structured Reality Program at the Emmys.

While Queer Eye won last year, the Gold Derby odds doubt it will repeat. Instead, 71.4% of experts, 66.7% of editors, and 75.4% of users expect Antiques Roadshow will win. The remaining experts are split with 14.3% each forecasting Queer Eye and Love Is Blind. The users break that tie with 14.8% backing Queer Eye and 6.6% loving Love Is Blind. 33.3% of editors and 3.3% of users selected Shark Tank. No one thinks Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives will win. Always a nominee, never a winner.

If anything, opinion dispersed instead of consolidating by the time of the Saturday ceremony, as 64.7% of experts, 50.0% of editors, and 73.5% of users stuck with Antiques Roadshow, while 17.6% of experts, 37.5% of editors, and 16.2% of users chose Queer Eye to repeat, 11.8% of experts and 5.1% of users loved Love Is Blind, 5.9% of experts, 12.5% of editors, and 4.0% of users selected Shark Tank to return to the podium after a year, and 1.2% users defected to Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Those who chose Antiques Roadshow were rewarded. Watch Structured Reality Program: 78th Emmy Awards.

Marsha Bemko, Sam Farrell, Sarah K. Elliott and Jill Giles accepts the Emmy for Structured Reality Program at the 78th Emmy Awards.

Congratulations and as a fan of public broadcasting, thank you and everyone at PBS for what you do. 

That's a wrap for today. I have two more posts planned in this series, one for Outstanding Commercial, which will be Friday or Saturday, and a final one for Outstanding Competition Program, which I plan on posting as the Sunday entertainment feature on National Coming Out Day. I will follow that with Indigenous Peoples' Day. Looks like I have my blogging cut out for me. Stay tuned for all of that and more!

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 Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show's Emmy nominations on National Piña Colada Day
• 'Desi Lydic Foxsplains Trump's Big Beautiful Ballroom' plus the short form nominees at the Emmy Awards
• 'Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Give the Man a Prize' plus the Emmy nominees for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special
• 'Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age' earned two Emmy nominations for its VFX and music
• 'Oceans with David Attenborough' tied with 'Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!' for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
• 'Mr. Scorsese' vs. 'The American Revolution' for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series plus Data Centers on Earth Overshoot Day
• 'The Daily Show' examines Fauci's testimony and RFK Hospital plus Emmy nominations for 'The Daily Show'
• John Oliver examines 'Trump & Crypto' plus Emmy nominations for 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver'
• 'Love on the Spectrum' leads Unstructured Reality Program at the Emmy Awards
• Gold Derby predicts 'Antiques Roadshow' will win Outstanding Structured Reality Program at the Emmys
• 'Jeopardy!' predicted to repeat as Outstanding Game Show at the Emmy Awards
• Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show leads Outstanding Variety Special (Live) at the Emmys
• 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert's final Emmy nominations
• 'The Muppet Show' leads Taylor Swift and 'Wicked' for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) at the Emmys
• 'South Park' leads Outstanding Animated Series while 'Star Wars: Visions' has already won an Emmy
• 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' leads Outstanding TV Movie nominees at the Emmys
• It's Saturday, so here are SNL's eleven Emmy nominations
• Once again, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' leads nominations for Outstanding Reality Competition Program, but 'The Traitors' will likely win for the third time
• 'DTF St. Louis' vs 'Beef' at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards
• Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime show wins seven Emmys
• 'The Muppet Show' wins four Emmy Awards
• 'DTF St. Louis' won six Emmy Awards and could beat 'Beef' for Outstanding Limited Series
• 'South Park' mocks Trump after winning Emmy
• 'Widow's Bay' wins 8 Emmys and could win up to 6 more
• 'The Pitt' and 'Pluribus' each win 4 Emmys and will likely split the remaining 7
• 'DTF St. Louis' wins Outstanding Limited Series while 'Beef' is shut out at the Primetime Emmy Awards
• 'Widow's Bay' breaks Emmy record with 14 including Outstanding Comedy Series
• 'The Pitt' wins Outstanding Drama Series while 'Pluribus' wins Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
• 'My Mom Jayne' wins the Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
• Randy Rainbow sings 'Dummy with the Wig On Top' plus the short form winners at the Emmys
• 'Mr. Scorsese' and 'The Librarians' both Emmy winners
• 'SNL' returns with Trump-Mamdani cold open and Jalen Brunson after winning one Emmy Award
• Stewart, Meyers, and Kimmel take closer looks at Xi's state visit plus 'The Daily Show's and Kimmel's Emmys
• Celebrate National Boyfriend Day with 'Love on the Spectrum's 3 Emmy Awards
• Stephen Colbert celebrates 'The Late Show' winning seven Emmy Awards on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'