It's been a long time / My #8Essentials

I know it’s been pretty dormant over here recently, but I have never been quite sure what I was going to do with this space.  I loved posting mixtapes, but I'm seeing far fewer mixtapes worth downloading, let alone posting.  I also thought about opening up more about myself, but I don't think this is the place for that, if I ever decide to do it.

I got the idea for a new segment for the blog when I fell down an internet rabbit hole and ended up on GQ’s website.  They have an interesting feature where they ask people what are some of the things that are essential for getting them through life.  Since it’s GQ and they are often talking to celebrities, most of the things that they mention are expensive as hell.  I figured, why not try to see what gets people like you and I through life.  If I'm going to do this I might as well start with myself.  So here goes nothing.

8 Essentials:

1. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
The only bad thing about Fridays is that there’s no Jon Stewart on my television.  I really wish they would have episodes on Fridays.  The Daily Show is the only thing on television I can always depend on to make me laugh on a weekly basis..

2. A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders
This album is the most influential piece of media on my life, ever.  It’s the only album I remember the exact place I first heard it.  I didn’t really care about music at all until I heard this.  Midnight Marauders and Illmatic are still the only two perfect Hip-Hop albums, I've ever heard.  There's not a single bad or skippable song on either.    Also, you can click on the pic to enlarge the album cover to get a better look at the faces on the cover.  You should checkout Egotrip's oral history for the making of the iconic cover.

Just Listen: The Judge John Hodgman Podcast

If you are a fan of The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, you have seen Mr. Hodgman's, You're Welcome segments from time to time.  Well, if you're a fan of his television appearances you should really enjoy this podcast.  I will admit that I am a bit of a sucker for judge shows.  (Side note: I wish I had Tivo.  This work stuff is cutting into my People's Court, Divorce Court & Judge Judy viewing.)  The best way for me to describe this show is NPR meets The Daily Show meets The People's Court as John arbitrates minor squabbles between friends and family.  What better way to waste time, than with intelligent debate on frivolous topics?  Here's a sample:

The Daily Show Investigates Batman's Muslim Sidekick

For a peek behind the curtain of the Daily Show you can read the ComicsAlliance.com's Chris Sims' account of his time in the hot seat. Here's a sample:

When I told the producer at The Daily Show that Jon Stewart was taller than I thought he was going to be, he responded with "That's the first time anyone has ever said that."

Admittedly, I only saw him from across a room and there's a good chance that there might've been some weird optical illusion going on, but really, I'm a fan of the show and after ten solid years of jokes about how short he was, I was expecting him to be like a more politically aware member of the Lollipop Guild. As it turns out, he's just slightly shorter than average.

I saw Jon Stewart while I was at The Daily Show's New York City studios to film the segment that aired last night, in which correspondent Aasif Mandvi covered the controversy over Nightrunner, the French representative of Batman, Inc. who is also comics' newest Muslim character.

For the rest of the piece click here.


Thanks for stopping by,


8

Viacom + Hulu = Welcome Back Jon Stewart

We are extremely happy to announce a broad content agreement between Viacom and Hulu that brings The Daily Show and The Colbert Report Report back to Hulu and now also to Hulu Plus, beginning this morning. Each of the shows will be available the morning after they originally air.

The only thing that I actually care about is the return of The Daily Show & Colbert Report to Hulu, but if you are interested to find out what else this deal brings see Hulu's blog.

Jon Stewart On Arlen Specter

I never liked you, Mr. Specter. I always thought you were the epitome of a politician. I got a nice long look at you while growing up in Pittsburgh. I felt that you would say whatever needed to make the right people happy. But, this latest jump from the Republican party to the Democratic party in order to save your seat is too much.

I wished the Dems would've turned you down & let you lose. Then a Dem could have your seat after you'd lost the Republican nomination. Hell, while they're at it I would've loved for Joe Lieberman to be removed from the ranks as well.

Stewart Puts Cramer On Summer Jam Screen

While I watched this interview all I could hear in my head were the gunshots that were at the beginning of Nas' Ether. I could sense that a foot was about to be permanently lodged up Mr. Cramer's hind parts, but I didn't foresee this. This was worse than what Nas did to Jay-Z.

Jon Stewart across the belly/Jim Cramer lost already

This was closer to what 50 Cent did to Ja Rule. Can Jim Cramer & CNBC recover?



Stewart was on the top of his game. He was in a zone. It was one thing for him to ask Cramer why the network wasn't looking out for the public, but for him to then show 3 year old clips of Cramer outing himself as a mini Madoff was the nail in the coffin. He basically reverse Rossed him. Ross is a corrections officer who wants to be seen as the biggest drug trafficker in Miami. Jim Cramer is a crook that wants to be seen as someone who truly cares about the public's financial health.

C.N.B.C., Get gunned up and clapped quick/Dylan Ratigan get gunned up and clapped quick/Your whole damn network gunned up and clapped quick

This interview seemed like it should've been on a Beef street DVD. The interview was clearly an example of Stewart being 20 steps ahead of Cramer. This was a chess vs. checkers moment on par with Couric & Palin.

Mr. Stewart, I am comfortable enough in my manhood to say that I love you! Yup, there . . . I said it! You have cemented yourself as my man crush of all man crushes.

I'm Not American, Are You?

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Pfriend or Pfoe?

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Quiz: Are You a Real American?

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Understanding Real America in Wasilla

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Jon Stewart aka The Truth!