Thank You Kristen Bell . . .

Sometimes a question floats to the top of your consciousness, yet you have no easy way of going about and getting the answer, and then suddenly, the Universe provides the answer.

For me, the earthly messenger of the Universe's serendipity was Kristen Bell's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel last night. She was on promoting a small picture she did years ago, that is just now getting a limited release (Fanboys). She spent the first part of her segment raving about, and pimping The Room by Tommy Wiseau (all sorts of YouTube snippets available here). For the life of me I couldn't remember the name of that film, or the writer/director/producer/star of that film, but Ms. Bell just dropped in my lap. Thank you Universe, and thank you Ms. Bell.

The reason I was trying to remember that pic, was cause I'm pretty sure I saw Mr. Wiseau recently, and I wanted to do a celebrity sighting bit, but A) he's not exactly a celebrity, and B) couldn't remember his name.

Of course, now that I know his name, and the film he did, the moment has passed and I don't feel like posting the details, but at least the knowledge that I knew I recognized that dude from somewhere has been put to rest, and I can move on and fill whatever portion of my intellect that was churning over those disconnected half remembered images, they are now free for other equally useless endeavors.

Late Night Shows: The Returnination Part I (Jimmy Kimmel)

For really detailed WGA strike stuff, Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily has been a popular site. She's put up a breakdown of all the shows and how they handled their return. But just cause someone else did this bigger and better, doesn't mean I won't subject you to my ramblings.

Watching Kimmel. He's been low-key, no stand-up monologue at the top of the show. He did pretty much call the writers a bunch of brats for picketing Leno and Conan given that they've been paying their writers and staff from their own pocket for many weeks (Kimmel wasn't picketed, the WGA is planning on hitting him Thursday or Friday night, probably figuring they can make news twice this week, and again when they hit the return of Stewart and Colbert next week).

Kimmel didn't tell too many jokes, just sort of told some anecdotes, and did the usual kidding with the security staff.

A shockingly sober Andy Dick talked about being sober and other stuff, not the best segment ever, but really no different from most other "star" chats with host moments.

Race car driver Helio Castroneves (and current Dancing With the Stars champion) is the 2nd guest. Kimmel continues to seem really interested in Dancing With the Stars. He and Helio take a moment to drool over his dance partner, nineteen year old Julianne Hough for a bit. Again, this part of the show is essentially unchanged.

And now we are at the commercial break before the musical guest, Kid Rock, comes out. This is where I check out, there are somethings I'm willing to do for this blog, but watch Kid Rock perform isn't one of them. His time was quite a few years ago, he ain't my bag, as the kiddies would say (or at least they will say when they pick up beatnik/hippie lingo again sometime in the near future).

Pointing Out Podcasts (and Not Making Them)

One of these days, maybe I'll get around to podcasting, but today's not one of them. Just don't like what my voice sounds like recorded. Whatever 'voice' you here when you read my text is probably better than my actual voice, so I prefer to leave it that way.

But others aren't so reluctant about adding their voices onto the internet, and those little 'casts are often interesting listens.

Two good ones from this week are to be found at Pajamas Media and ESPN.

First up, the Glenn and Helen (aka Instapundit and Dr Helen) do their podcast interview thing, and as always, they do it well. Johah Goldberg is pushing his provocative new book, Liberal Fascism, and hearing them interview him regarding his tome is rather entertaining. They also discuss the ongoing (and perpetual) presidential campaign and speak about Sen. Clinton and Gov. Huckabee in particular.
[direct link to the 22.3mb mp3 here]

Jumping to a completely different subject, My Nemesis Bill Simmons™ interviews his buddy Jimmy Kimmel on the BS Report for 12/26. Jimmy has some interesting things to say on the ongoing writers' strike, and the incoherence of the Spinks brothers. Also, there's football stuff with Cousin Sal as they hash out their weekly 'guess the spread' chat. Jimmy Kimmel will probably be the best host sans writers. He always gives the impression of actually listening to the people he's talking to, and when his subject is engaged, he can be very engaging right back. Letterman has flashes of fiestiness, but mostly he's just bored, and Leno with writers comes across as unprepared and just killing time, so Leno with writers might end up being like watching a slow motion train wreck. Conan, on the other hand, will probably just wiggle, dance, and mug at the camera for 35+ minutes a night, make odd noises for another 6-8 minutes, and chat with one guest. They're all coming back next week, it'll be worth tuning in (or DVR-ing, given the hour they are on) for the first few shows, anyway.
[direct link to the 11.2mb mp3 here]

Planet Killer of the Month, (Possibly Year)

I nominate Jimmy Kimmel for Planet Killer of the Month.

He's filling in for Regis on Live with Regis and Kelly in NYC next week, but he's not taking any time off from his other job as host of Jimmy Kimmel Live from Hollywood, CA.

He's flying back and forth twice daily the whole week. Ten transcontinental flights in one week. He'll make the baby Goracle cry salty tears.

I'm in awe. His carbon footprint for that week will be off the chart.

I don't normally watch Live with Regis and Kelly, but I'll be watching that week (or maybe not watch, but at least I'll record it and fast forward through most of it).

Bravo, Jimmy, keep up the good work.

I doubt he's flying commercial (he can't afford getting delayed and dealing with all that, it'd be a lot easier to fly in and out of regional airports capable of handling private jets like Teterboro Airport and Santa Monica Airport), so if he's Gulfstreaming it ten times in one week on the Disney Corporate jet, that's even better.