Dave Kearns

Saw the premiere of the musical version of “Daddy Long Legs” from Theaterworks last night. The book (by John Caird) and the music (by Paul Gordon) were delightful. This is a two character play, told mostly (except for the opening few minutes and the final five or so) through letters. While that sounds like it could be a real snorer, having both characters on stage at all times, yet having each set in their own setting (mostly) allows for a lovey give-and-take between them of which neither is aware.

Megan McGinnis steals the show, and our hearts, from the opening minutes when she  (as Jerusha Abbott) sings “The Oldest Orphan in the John Grier Home.”

Robert Adleman Hancock, as JervisPendleton, does a very good job with a somewhat trying role as the nameless benefactor (whom Jerusha calls “Daddy Long Legs”) as well as the ardent suitor (well, “ardent” by 1910 standards!) of Ms. Abbott.

The pace is quite good, the conflicts are very believable and the ending is satisfactory. What more can you ask? Plus, the music, while nothing memorable, is done in the style of light operetta which, of course, was the precursor to musical comedy and was having it’s heyday at the turn of the 20th century.

All in all this was a highly entertaining evening reflecting well on all involved. See it if you can.

With all the talk about Leno’s new “old” gig at NBC (move Leno to 11:30-12:05) and the possibilities for Conan (move to 12:05 – 1:05), Fox (with their offer to Conan) could really steal late night.

Fox stations tend to do local news from 10 – 11. So put Conan on from 11 – 12. Steal the viewers from NBC & CBS stations’ local news, then hold them during Leno and first half hour of Letterman.

If Conan goes along with NBC, he risks losing even more of his audience. Switching to Fox couldn’t possible be worse, especially with an 11 PM start time.

Take away two bad play calls by Mack Brown & his staff and Texas    is the National Champion football team.

Bad call #1 – the shovel pass at the end of the 1st quarter. Not only was this (obviously) something that the freshman QB wasn’t adept at, but even if it hadn’t been intercepted it would have gained little and exhausted most of the time left on the clock. Either run out the clock and re-group, or take a chance going deep where a pick-off wouldn’t have much chance of being returned all the way.

Bad call #2 – Of course, Garrett Gilbert wouldn’t have been put in the position of attempting that shovel pass if the Longhorn brain trust hadn’t stupidly tried to use Colt McCoy of a QB line buck on the first series of downs!

The Texas team would have won in a walk if it wasn’t for their own inept coaching staff.

Growing up I often watched Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” after school. One of my favorite segments was a “rate the record” bit where the kids would listen to a new tune and give it a rating. The highest praise, of course, was that it “had a good beat. You can dance to it.” I never remember anyone talking about the deep meaning of the lyrics.  I was reminded of the need to ignore the lyrics just recently when a local radio station played (once an hour, at least) Ashley Tisdale’s recording of the George Michael song Last Christmas. Have you ever listened to it?

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

I don’t think it’s about organ transplants so this must be a eupemism for “my love” or, perhaps, “my virtue”

But the very next day, You gave it away

How does that work? If I “give you my love” can you pass it on to someone else? Worse, if it’s sex we’re talking about did you start pimping me around???

This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special

So, when you gave it to me last year, didn’t you consider me to be “special”? And what makes you think you’re a better judge of character this year?

It’s a catchy tune. It’s got a good beat. You can dance to it. But don’t try to make sense of it!

Just back from a week in Berlin (for TEC 2009) – our first visit to Germany’s newest, and oldest, capital. What can you say about a place whose culinary claim to fame is “Currywurst” (there’s even a museum!) and Berliner potato soup (BERLINER KARTOFFELSUPPE) made with potatoes and pickles! It’s said to have been Kaiser Wilhelm’s favorite food!

The city itself has been rebuilt remarkably with few remnants of the World War II bombings. In fact, rebuilding seems to be the major business of the city. Unfortunately, the architecture is some of the worst “sharp angle” designs I’ve seen. Still, it’s clean, friendly, relatively safe and with some historic interest. Worth a couple of days on a stopover, not worth the day trip from cruise ships docking in Wernemunde, though (see this account of the whirlwind tour).

plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose:

“A statesman in these days has a difficult task. He has to pursue the policy he deems advantageous to his country, but he has at the same time to recognize the force of popular feeling. Popular feeling is very often sentimental, muddleheaded, and eminently unsound, but it cannot be disregarded for all that.” Hercule Poirot in “The Incredible Theft” by Agatha Christie (1931).

There is no “wisdom” in the crowd, there never was. The mob sinks to its lowest common denominator and drags us all down with it.

Ed McMahon died today, seemingly the last link to a gentler, softer time on TV and in the media generally. In a very nice obit in the New York Daily News (Of all places!) David Hinckley writes:

“As host of ‘Star Search,’ he kept the show moving, kept the mood upbeat, never did anything to call attention to himself.

To appreciate how that style of hosting shaped ‘Star Search,’ consider ‘American Idol’ – which is basically the same show, but so tarted up with attitude that it seems to come from a different universe.”

Au revoir, Ed. We will miss you.

Google today unveiled new images to use with iGoogle. The post announcing this said, in part, “At its core, iGoogle is about personal expression.” But if that were really true I could use my own photos in the header, wouldn’t you think?

neuschwanstein_4300

Originally uploaded by Maimeo

Mad Ludwig’s castle that “inspired” Walt Disney to create Cinderella’s castle. This shot, from the Marienbrucke (Mary’s Bridge) above the castle is one of my favorites from our trip to Bavaria in 2008.