Articles by shira-gregory
Thu Feb 21, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
Happy Birthday, Alan Rickman and C-3PO
Snape and C-3PO - another year older...
British actors Anthony Kingsley Daniels and Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman were both born today in 1946.
Daniels is famous for creating the memorable Star Wars 'droid, C-3PO, and although Rickman is an accomplished thespian, his recent portrayal of Snape in the Harry Potter films earned him an entirely new generation of fans.
One interesting note about Daniels: He was the only Star Wars cast member to voice his character in all three National Public Radio dramatizations of the trilogy.
Tue Feb 19, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: Mike Judge's 'Office Space' Hits Theaters
Former 'SNL' skit finds its flare
You couldn't really make a live-action version of Beavis and Butthead... Could you?
Well, we're just happy one of the cartoons made by Beavis and Butthead creator Mike Judge was able to be developed into a live-action film.
Office Space, which was released today in 1999, was based on an animated series Judge created for Saturday Night Live titled "Milton." The plot centered around the harrowing existence of the typical cubicle office environment, and a unified rebellion against "the man."
It just goes to show that every dog has his day and, well, "Milton" eventually got his stapler.
Mon Feb 18, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: Academy Awards Announced
'Tis the Season...
In the spirit of the impending most-watched award show in history, we remember that today in 1929, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced its very first Award winners. The Academy itself was founded two years previously and the ceremony itself took place in May of that year. Can you imagine knowing the Oscar wins before the event itself? What the hell would be the point? I mean aside from seeing all the fabulous dresses and hoping that somebody famous trips and falls bigtime? How were you supposed to bet and gamble on your faves if they already announced the winners? Glad they changed that policy, sheesh. C'mon, Ellen Page, c'mon Juno, Mama wants a new pair of shoes...
Sun Feb 17, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: National Nightmares Paris HIlton and Britney Spears
A Dark Date Indeed
The stars collided, conspired or what have you on this date, for it can be no coincidence that it is both the birthday of hotel heiress Paris Hilton and the anniversary of the beginning of the end for pop-star Britney Spears. Yes, today in 1981, Paris was born. Who knew that little bundle of joy would grow up to be an amateur porn star, a failed pop singer and a national (hell, global) punch line?
But today, one year ago, was also when Britney Spears, following a one-day stay at rehab, shaved her own head. Hey, that adolescent rebellion stage had to kick in at some point, even if it was latent. Readers, beware the ides of February (ok, two days after the ides), lest your babes grow up to be paparazzi fodder.
Sat Feb 16, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: Khan and Kirk First Meet
The perfect soldier and the dreamy captain... together
Today in 1967, Star Trek's James T. Kirk met with his future nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, a genetically enhanced soldier from the late 20th century.
The episode in which this fateful meeting occurred was titled "Space Seed" and was written by Gene L. Coon and Carey Wilber.
Ricardo Montalbán played Khan in both the original television episode, when he was 46, and in the movie based upon the events of this episode, Star Trek II: The Wraith of Khan, when he was 61.
Fri Feb 15, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: YouTube is Born
Online voyeurism finds a new home!
Today in 2005, three disgruntled PayPal employees created and launched a website where users could view, upload and share video clips, naming the site, "YouTube."
The site became so popular that a little less than a year later, Google acquired the website for a mere $1.65 billion in Google stock. Hot-Damn!
Thanks to YouTube, we're now able to watch videos of crying Britney Spears fans, mock lightsaber battles and people dancing in front of their webcams whenever we get the urge -- which, if rumors about YouTube's traffic are true, is pretty freakin' often.
It is a lesson learned and relearned, a modern day fairytale that gives us all hope: it pays to be a nerd.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: I resemble that last remark, Shira. Don't forget you can also watch your favorite commercials from days gone by... Long live "Rom: Spaceknight!" - RM]
Thu Feb 14, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: 'Wayne's World' Premieres
It's Party Time! It's Excellent!
Today in 1992, the Saturday Night Live spin-off film Wayne's World premiered, making Valentine's Day that much more... romantic?
A-sphincter-says-what?
The film starred starred Mike Myers and Dana Carvey, reprising their roles from the SNL sketches that spawned the film. If nothing else, Wayne's World gave hope to basement dwellers everywhere who hoped to someday beat up Rob Lowe and score with Tia Carrere.
AWESOME!
Wed Feb 13, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: ASCAP Formed
Rights for composers, authors and publishers of music organized
It seems only fitting that on the week the WGA strike comes to an end, it's also the anniversary of another organization formed to protect the rights of artists.
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, also known as ASCAP, was created today in 1914 in New York to help protect the copyrighted musical compositions of its members.
Some of ASCAP's earliest members include Irving Berlin and John Philip Sousa. ASCAP continues to work for its members' protection, making sure artists get paid for their creativity.
Really, though -- someone should've come up with another acronym. To put this delicately, saying "ASCAP" out loud does conjure up feelings of constipation.
Tue Feb 12, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: Barbie and Ken Break Up
Splitsville for Mattel's celebrity couple?
Today in 2004, Mattel announced that Barbie and Ken were breaking up.
Mattel was reluctant to give further information on the details of this tragic break up, but only too soon was Barbara Millicent Roberts seen cavorting around town with Blaine. The two were caught playing Rebound® together, whilst Ken was at home tending to Skipper's growing needs.
However, Ms. Roberts' relationship with Blaine seemed short lived, as after a few weeks she was often seen alone, sipping a cappucino whilst playing UNO®.
Thankfully, America's favorite genital-free couple finally admitted that they just couldn't stay away from each other, and got back together in 2006.
They are currently doing very well under the care of Disney Princesses® couples therapy.
Mon Feb 11, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: The First Science-Fiction Television Program
Before 'The Matrix' you had... 'R.U.R.'
Today in 1938, the Brits did television a mitzvah when the BBC created the first sci-fi TV show, an adaptation of a section of the Karel Capek play "R.U.R.", which coined the term "robot."
For those of you who thought "The Matrix" was revolutionary, it was Capek who introduced androids that rebel against their human creators. We're also pretty sure she wasn't the first to think that one up either (the first probably being the golem stories from the Talmud).
Anyway, the piece was translated from Czech to English, which explains the etymology of the word, "Robot." In its original Slo, "robota" means "work."
Sat Feb 9, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
Joanne Woodward Gets a STAH
On the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Okay, so she never played a heroine or a supervillain, but still, couldn't you at least imagine that Joanne Woodward could have?
Today in 1960, Woodward received the very first star on the Hollywood walk of fame, toting an Oscar for her performance in The Three Faces of Eve. She currently resides in Westport, Connecticut with this other actor no one's ever heard of named Paul--what is it? Newman? Neuman? I forget.
Fri Feb 8, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: '24 Hours in Cyberspace'
Another step toward a digital future
Today in 1996, the largest one-day online event (to that date) occurred, called "24 Hours in Cyberspace."
The professional photographers, editors and programmers who participated in the event aimed to to create a "digital time capsule of online life," explained Rick Smolan, a photographer who headed the event.
Participants photographed, edited and collected images of people whose lives were affected by the use of the Internet over the course of the 24-hour period. Second Lady (at the time) Tipper Gore even contributed several photographs, while her husband, Vice President Al Gore, contributed to the environmental impact areas of the site.
The site was originally hosted at www.cyber24.com, but has since been moved to a mirror site hosted by Georgia Tech University.
The website received more than 4 million hits in those 24 hours - an unheard-of tally at the time.
Thu Feb 7, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day (Sorta): Charles M. Schulz Day
Charlie Brown, or rather his creator, finally gets his day
It's hard to wait for February 13th when you're a California resident. There you are, counting down the days until a kid in a yellow, zig-zagged shirt comes down your chimney, pontificates on life and lets out bloodcurdling screams of "Aaaaarrrrghh!" while trying in vain to kick your football.
Sadly, you have another six days to wait until Charles M. Schulz Day. Yes, on today's date in 2000, the California Legislature declared February 13th the official day to honor the creator of Charlie Brown, who died just a day earlier on Feb. 12. They liked him so much, in fact, that they also named an airport after him.
Just think, comic hopefuls, someday something as simple as a few scribbles of a beagle with World War I-related delusions could earn you a day of recognition and your name on a major traffic hub.
Wed Feb 6, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: The 20th Amendment
... because you haven't heard enough about the Electoral Process this week
Yeah, so we've all been completely inundated with political coverage on this Super Tuesday week. But if we're gonna do this right, it should be noted that today in 1933, the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution went into effect.
The Amendment reduced the time between Presidential and Congressional elections and the beginning of the elected officials' terms. Originally, there were four months between the final election tally and the beginning of a newly elected official's term, due to the time required to get your business in order and travel to Washington, D.C.
On a related note, this is also the week after James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes, the original Captain America’s sidekick, grabbed a gun and a new costume and became the new Captain America! How does that relate to the 20th Amendment, you ask? Well, the connection should be clear - and if it isn't, the terrorists have already won.
Tue Feb 5, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: Red Nose Day!
The Brits go positively wild for charity
Today in 1988, The United Kingdom celebrated its very first "Red Nose Day," a sort of semi-holiday in which everyone dons a red nose during the all-day charity telethon run by Comic Relief.
The event was so effective on its first go-round that Comic Relief was able to raise about £15 million (back then, that looked a lot bigger when it was turned into $), all going to charity. The event continues to be held every year, and even those in military and school uniforms are allowed to break their dress codes with the clown apparatus.
Oh, how very cheeky!
