Articles by shira-gregory
Mon Feb 4, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: Gary Coleman Fined and Jailed
Willis can't talk you outta this one!
Today in 1999, Gary Coleman ("Diff'rent Strokes") was fined $400 and sentenced to 90 days in jail (suspended). But the real cherry on top, however, were the mandated anger management classes.
Where did all this aggression stem from, you may ask? Coleman previously attacked an autograph seeker who was no doubt pressing the short celebrity to utter his exhausted catch phrase, "Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?"
Behold the terrible woes of the Napoleon Complex!
Sat Feb 2, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: Groundhogs and Base-Jumpers
Move over, woodchuck chuckers
Groundhog Day? Puh-lease. That's what you'd expect, though, right?
But did you know that today in 1912 the very first stuntman did his very first stunt?
On Feb. 2, 1912, Frederick Rodman Law jumped off the Statue of Liberty with a parachute, earning himself a $1,500 paycheck from a movie company, Pathe, that shot the stunt for a film. In doing so, he became the first “Hollywood” stuntman. He went on to jump into the Hudson River from an exploding balloon and jump off the Brooklyn Bridge later that year.
That's right, this guy was probably the first thrill-seeking yokel to turn his hobby into a paid job.
Fri Feb 1, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: Janet Jackson's Wardrobe Malfunction
The breast best Halftime Show in Superbowl history?
It happened four years ago today, but football fans still feel the pain.
Who are we trying to kid? It might have been Superbowl's greatest moment - heck, maybe even cable television's greatest moment, when Janet Jackson's breast accidentally popped out during a Halftime Show performance with Justin Timberlake.
It went into the record books as a "wardrobe malfunction," but commentators still talk about it on sports shows like it was the greatest tragedy in sports history.
The best part? Check out Timberlake's expression. Kinda priceless.
Wed Jan 30, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Day: You Wanna Side-Step Outside?
And thus, the mosh pit was born
When's the last time you got into a fight?
The last time you took it outside, socked the sonofabitch, readjusted your tie and went about your business - where was it? In a bar? How about in a ballroom?
Today in 1931, two film big-shots exchanged blows at the Hollywood Biltmore, in the middle of a dance. The fight was between prolific writer Herman J. Mankiewicz, famous for writing the screenplay for Citizen Kane and rewriting The Wizard of Oz, and executive David O. Selznick, later producer of Gone with the Wind.
What spawned it? Who knows... Maybe Selznick insulted the cowardly lion.
Tue Jan 29, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
On This Date: Lewinsky!
Remembering a time of easier scandals
In today's heated, war-fueled political climate, it's sometimes nice to look back on a time when our biggest problem was a married man's bodily fluids on a blue dress.
Today in 1999, Monica Lewinsky was subpeonaed for private videotapes to be used in President Clinton's impeachment trials.
*sigh*
What a time, eh? It was the dawn of celebrity obsession (remember Gwyneth Palthrow?) and a time before the axis of evil, the destruction of the World Trade Center, the invasion of Iraq and all of the controversy surrounding Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
With that in mind, it seems wise to hope our future problems can be as simple as some Arkansauce on a blue dress.
Mon Jan 28, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
Honoring Jerry Siegel
A man, a plan and a Superman
.jpg)
Twelve years ago today, the writer and creator of Superman, Jerry Siegel, died.
Siegel and his artist friend, Joe Shuster, were the pioneers behind everyone's favorite superhero. These days, it seems hard to believe that the character was initially rejected by all of the major newspaper syndicates at the time. Who would've guessed that an alien superhero sent to Earth in a space capsule and raised by an ordinary human family would resonate in the hearts and imaginations of the world?
After a long career as a comic book, then a newspaper strip, a radio series, a TV series, another TV series, a movie franchise and countless remakes, Superman remains one of the most iconic comic figures in history. All thanks to you, Mr. Siegel.
Sun Jan 27, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
Michael Jackson is on Fire
And that's No Euphemism
Today in 1984, Jermaine Jackson did what was all too firmly engrained in his once show biz kid ways -- he knew the show had to go on. That, or he was completely oblivious to the fact that in the background of a Pepsi commercial shoot, his superstar brother, Michael, was aflame -- literally. Michael Jackson's hair burst into flame during a take and there was Jermaine--strumming and rocking away. And this wasn't a closed set, mind you--it was a live performance with 3,000 Michael lovers, experiencing some serious dramatic irony when they saw their beloved turn victim to malfunctioning pyrotechnics as his brother kept the show going. MJ turned out ok though, didn't he...sigh...
Sat Jan 26, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
Oprah Brings It
A Once Cherished Writer's Career Perishes
Not that it's necessarily geek news, but fantasy writers beware! Using your eighth-grade trauma to inspire your superhero's journey? Think again! You can't mix fiction with non-fiction, or you will get a taste of Oprah's wrath. Well, let's be honest. That's if you claim that you actually were that superhero, and while we all know you're prancing around in those blue-lined yellow action hero underpants on your own time, at least you're not on national TV saying that it's real, or bouncing on couches, like some numb nuts out there.
Today in 2006, James Frey, author of A Million Little Pieces, was ripped into a million little pieces by Oprah when it was found that a detail in his so-called autobiographical experience was shall we say, embellished. Let that be a lesson to all writers out there: when presented with the golden calf of Oprah's Book Club, tread lightly. No detail shall be exaggerated, no recollection blurred, lest her wrath be set upon you and your stories.
Fri Jan 25, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
Happy Birthday, Geoff Johns!
DC's Favorite Contributing Writer
Geoff Johns was born today in 1973 in Michigan where the writer himself admits, it is "damn cold." Like so many of us, Geoff had a passion for the creative (screenwriting, graphic design, storytelling, your basic artist jack-of-all-trades stuff) but he got lucky in Los Angeles when after a phonecall, he became an intern to someone fancy schmancy. This in turn led him to a fruitful career as a contributing writer to DC comics, among others. You've probably read a couple of issues of The Flash by Johns, he was responsible for reviving Teen Titans, plus he's got some fun TV credits sprinkled here and there (Robot Chicken!). We're glad LA was kind to you Geoff Johns and glad that you have return your karma with some pretty fun storylines. Happy Birthday!
Wed Jan 23, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
Happy Birthday, David Firth
The Man Who Made Salad Fingers
Happy 25th, David Firth!
The creator of a few strange but entertaining flash animations such as Salad Fingers, Burnt Face Man and Devvo is celebrating his quarter-century one today. Firth's characters depict what must go on in his head: they are strange, stick-figured humanoid creatures dealing with the abtract, the surreal and often mentally ill. Although it's fun to venture into someone else's subconscious imagination, we must remember it's mere vacationing, lest it remind us too much of our own deeper selves. That's not blood, it's red water. Creepy.
Tue Jan 22, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
The Apple Computer Debuts
Something Useful Comes Out of the Superbowl
Today in 1984, the Apple Macintosh computer was introduced during the Superbowl with what else, a nod, rather, a shake to George Orwell's 1984. And you know, a hot blonde in short-shorts who saves the world is always a sure win, too. Strangely enough, Apple has consistently stuck with the smarmy yet charming narrator seducing you to buy sexy devices. I'm going to go pretend that I'm way above switching my provider just so I can use the iphone.
Droool....iphone...so....sexy...
Mon Jan 21, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
No Boobies on Camera!
Puritanical Roots Make Their Censorial Ways into Film
In 1916, only seven years after its inception, The National Board of Review, otherwise known as the National Board of Censorship, once the watchdog of the industry, covering filmmakers' backs from the evil censorial ways of the powers that be, became on this day the National Ball Vice of America, saying no to pee-pees and boobies on camera.
Because we all know that if anybody, my god, if our children see nipples, they will go CRAZY.
Because the truth is, Mattel got it right with Ken and Barbie. That's how we all really look under our clothes, kids. I'm going to go feel ashamed about my body now and shower with my underwear on.
Sun Jan 20, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
The Death of Tarzan
Commemorating Johnny Weissmuller
Today in 1984 came the end to an iconic career: Johnny Weissmuller, better known as Tarzan, passed away. He starred in several of MGM's Tarzan movies, beginning with Tarzan the Ape Man in 1932. However, Weismuller was more than a pretty Hollywood face. He came ready to play the jungle man by having won five, count'em, five gold medals in the 1924 and 1928 Olympics in swimming. Although he never starred in the 1966 TV show version of Tarzan, Weissmuller's yodelling howl is still synonymous with the ape man he made famous.
Oh yeah, today is also Bill Maher's birthday. Holla!
Sat Jan 19, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
The First Presidential News Conference On TV!
Eisenhower on the Tube
After having been tracking it for some time, we are pleased to announce we have finally found the beginning of the end. Ladies and gentlemen, today in 1955, the very first presidential news conference was filmed for television and newsreels. All that business with the media skewing coverage for political gain these days really couldn't have started without the help of Dwight Eisenhower, his 33 minute conference, and the cameras of NBC, CBS, ABC and the Dumont Network (the 50's version of UPN or WB before the CW merge).
Ah, remembering a time when the news was served straight, and remembering it with the bitter knowledge of posterity and its cold corporate hand fondling Wolf Blitzer's – ahem – I mean, CNN gives really honest and objective coverage. And so does Fox. And for whoever else is reading, I love my country and I wear red white and blue every day under my regular clothes. La, la, la, nothing to read here...
Thu Jan 17, 2008 — by Shira Gregory
Happy Birthday to The Six Million Dollar Man!
The Dawn of the Seventies Superhero
Today in 1974, Lee Majors starred as Steve Austin, the world's first bionic man, when the Six Million Dollar Man debuted as a regular series on ABC. Based on Martin Caidin's novel Cyborg, the show created an explosion of superhero trends in TV, spawning the likes of Wonder Woman, The Incredible Hulk and The Bionic Woman, which was just revived in 2007. And yes, there was even a comic from Charlton back in the day.
What with shows like Heroes as well, it looks like the 70's superhero revival has found its way into the new millenium-- just as long as we don't look back on this era and regret the hairdos as much.
We here at ComicMix paln to celebrate by doing everything in slow-motion while making na-na-na-na-na noises.
