That keyboardist on TV

You would have seen him on tv or heard some of his compositions in numerous shows all across the globe. Paul Mirkovich has been the band leader, keyboardist and duet singing partner for Cher for the last 16 years. He has also been the band director for Janet Jackson and Anastasia and a member of the multi-platinum bands Whitesnake and Nelson (band). Paul has also performed and recorded with Peter Gabriel and Shawn Colvin, among many others. Paul received a call from the music producer of Rock Star, Clyde Lieberman, and was asked to audition for the role of musical director for the reality tv show ‘Rockstar : INXS. He competed against 11 other musical directors who had also put bands together (a total of 75 – 80 musicians auditioned). Paul got the gig.

Two of his band members, Rafael Moreira (lead guitar) and Sasha Krivtsov (bass), were also hired. Jim McGorman (rhythm guitar, keyboards) and Nate Morton (drums, percussion) were hired from the other auditioning bands. He returned with the band to do Rockstar : Supernova to great international success. Most of you probably know him from the first two seasons of Rockstar and we look forward to seeing him on tv in future editions of this great show.

To Play The Man

There is a lot of internet articles & rumours going around about the proposed new Star Trek movie, to be called Star Trek XI or simply Star Trek. Among the rumours circulating are who the cast will be and particularly who will play Captain James T Kirk! Many have already sealed the role to be done by Matt Damon. Others actors mentioned as being considered for Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are Matt Damon, Adrien Brody, and Gary Sinise, respectively.

I personally think that Gary Sinese would be too old to play Dr.McCoy as it is to be when the character was younger, just as Kirk & Spock are to be. Ben Affleck is also rumoured to be playing either Kirk or Spock and it is tempting to have the two close friends playing two close friends – Damon & Affleck as Kirk & Spock. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is also rumoured to play a doctor but not as Doctor McCoy. The choices mentioned has caused reactions among the fans – some of which are positive but mostly in the negative, as the characters are two old to play teenage or early twenties era Star Trek characters, as the per the story for the movie. Yet many feel that the star power could revitalize the franchise and boost it’s ratings & give it the needed push.

But who could seriously replace these icons of science fiction? Who could play Spock? And even more important, who can play Captain James T. Kirk, other than the original William Shattner? Why even try?

Battlestar Galactica Miniseries

Ok I finally downloaded and saw the entire over three hours mini-series of Battlestar Galactica : the new re-imagined series. Deviating somewhat from the classic original 1978 movie, BSG features some new characters and changes the sex of a couple of the original ones. The special effects are fantastic and the entire thing is worth watching several times, so – ok, I admit it! This thing could be one of the best things on tv. However I do have my gripes with the series. First of all, I think the new cylons who look & act human are good but I can’t stand the fact that they have multiple cyclons that look similar (played by the same actor). That is so annoying and old. And cylons as babes – not sure that I like it.

I don’t think that I like James Edward Olmos as Commander Adama – he is no Lorne Green and pales in comparison. President Roslin, played by Mary McDonnell is welcome as is the character of Chief Galen Tyrol played by Aaron Douglas. I like the fact (upon reading on the net) that Tahmoh Penikett who plays Karl “Helo” Agathon is a returning character, since it is not sure as to what happens to him, after he sacrifices his spot in the spaceship so that Baltar can be rescued. The best character I liked was of Colonel Tigh played by Michael Hogan. In 1978, African-American actor Terry Carter played him as a by the book, respected & reliable second-in-command, while Hogan plays him flawed as an alcoholic and not well liked amongst the crew, especially by Starbuck.

And the whole show seems too Earth like – jogging, tv cameras, mikes, etc etc! And Kara Thrace can never in a billion years be a proper Starbuck – the loveable rogue who seduced women left, right & center, who was afraid of commitment and loved to gamble and played by the actor Dirk Benedict. Thrace is a chick and she can’t hold a candle to Dirk. Plus she comes off too, well, American in this show about characters who are supposed to know nothing about America! Her mannerisms and language is so American. I felt that the original series captured the aspect of human but not of Earth much better than their current counterparts. And Boomer is a girl! I am sure that they are gonna have a sexual liason between Starbuck & Apollo, who is nothing like the 1978 Apollo (he is resentful of his father about Zack’s death). Imagine Richard Hatch & Dirk Benedict kissing or having sex. Yuck!

Still, it is a good show and entertaining and I will be a regular watcher of the series when it comes on tv here or by just downloading episodes by Veoh.com.

There are those who believe that life here, began out there

Coolest Car Up For Sale

Did you that KITT was for sale? The coolest car that was ever made, KITT (short for Knight Industries Two Thousand), the car that was made for the cult tv series, Knight Rider, is to be sold. Restored to its debut-season glory, the modified black 1982 Pontiac Trans Am is offered at $149,995 at a Dublin auto dealership.

Johnny “Vette” Verhoek of Kassabian Motors has had the car on display for about a month. Although, ofcourse, it cannot achieve the 300 mph speeds that KITT reached, soar 15 metres in the air or throw smoke bombs, key features of the star car are intact. Perhaps most important, the red scanner light on the nose glows and makes a humming noise.

Wouldn’t that be cool, to be the proud owner of KITT and show it off to everyone who can see? What a wonderful conversation piece that would be? “You know that car that David Hasselhoff drove and had as his partner in fighting crime? I drive it now.” And watch the amazement & envy of people as they ask you tons of questions about it. Man, that would be cool! So where is my wish for a $1000000?

My Fav Friends Episode

Every Friends fan has his or her fav Friend / episode / season / joke / moment / etc etc. Well, I have mine. Here I want to mention my fav episode, which is The One With the Embryos” from season 4. This is the one in which Pheobe has Frank & Alice’s embryos inserted into her, since she had agreed to bear their child. While she is involved with that, Joey & Chandler have a bet with Monica & Rachel that they know more about the girls than the girls know about the guys. This debate starts with the boys being able to name the girls’ shopping items without looking. Soon a quiz follows, with the stake of a $100 but when they reach a tie, the girls raise the bet – if they win, Joey & Chandler have to get rid of their pet birds. And the guys respond that if they win, they get the girls’ apartment. When they reach a tie, Ross, who is the moderator, brings out a ‘lightning round’ rapid fire questions session, in which we find out:

  • Monica’s biggest pet peeve is animals dressed as humans.
  • Chandler claims that Michael Flatley – the Lord of the Dance – scares the “bejeezus” out of him. “His legs flail about as if independent from his body!” Chandler offers by way of explanation.
  • The name of Ross and Monica’s dead grandmother – whose funeral Joey and Chandler both attended in The One Where Nana Dies Twice – is Althea.
  • The name of Chandler’s father’s Las Vegas all-male burlesque is “Viva Las Gay-Gas.”
  • Monica’s field hockey goalie nickname was “Big Fat Goalie.”
  • Rachel claims her favorite movie is Dangerous Liaisons; her actual favorite movie is Weekend at Bernie’s.
  • Monica got a pencil stuck in her ear when she was 14.
  • Monica has eleven categories for her towels – including Everyday Use, Fancy, Guest, and Fancy Guest.
  • Joey’s favorite food is sandwiches.
  • Chandler was 19 when he first touched a girl’s breast.
  • When he was a child, Joey had an imaginary friend named Maurice, who was a space cowboy.
  • Joey and Chandler’s tv guide was delivered to “Ms. Chanandler Bong”

During the Lightning Round, it seems the girls are on the track to victory – until Ross asks them to name Chandler’s job. The girls can’t name it – Rachel guesses “transponster,” which isn’t even a word – and the guys win. Not only do they get to keep the birds, they get the girls’ apartment. While they argue as the guys start to move stuff in, Pheobe announces that she is pregnant. It is a great episode.

Kerala Reality TV

mask of the ninja movie I was thinking, what if we in Kerala started a reality tv bonanza. What would we feature?

Road Demons – A show on the lives of Autorikshaw driver; those daredevils who navigate the streets of our green state like Michael Schumacher on steroids.

The Bribe Magnets – Featuring Kerala’s finest…..our police force, filled with pot bellied assholes who accept and demand bribes for just about anything. Like crossing the road.

the best little whorehouse in texas dvd The Air Up There – This one is a show about coconut tree climbers, who risk limbs to get us tender coconut water….and illicit liqour.

Best Way To Get Rich – Become a politician in Kerala!! Need I say more

Lean Green Ninja Machine

There has been a lot of publicity about the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that has caused some controversy among old time fans of the TMNT franchise. If you grew up during the late 1980s to early 1990s or were a teen during that time, there is a good chance that the green ninjas had a huge effect on you. They were everywhere, so to speak. Even here in India, the movies were selling out or being rented by thousands & thousands of kids from all available movie rentals & stores. I remember two families fighting over who would get the last available copy of the first TMNT movie at a video rental store in the city! There were cakes made in the shape of the cool dudes for any kid who was celebrating a birthday (I almost got one for my sister, but she was turning 23 or 24 and didn’t like the comic heroes).

My cousins and I were huge fans of the foursome and we saw the first & second movies numerous times. We laughed at the jokes, debated as to who was the coolest turtle (it was hotly contested) and shouted ‘cowabunga’ and slapped hi-fives all around whenever we said that and provided good fodder for poking fun at ourselves years later! But no question, TMNT is a huge part of my younger days and I am still a huge fan of it.

A few years after we say the movies, they started showing one of the cartoon series on cable over here. Even though a few years older, I started watching them on a regular basis during the early evening time slot that they were showing it at. I think I saw the third movie, and definitely their least popular, a few years ago, although it was actually made in 1993. My original Turtle fever had died down but I was still nostalgic enough to watch it twice in a weekend. :)

Then a few weeks ago, while flipping channels I saw the 2003 started cartoon series of TMNT, which is even better than the cartoon series I had seen years back. I started watching it almost every weekday, as it is the perfect time for me – right after I wake up and have my coffee and breakfast. I have become a fan again and was looking forward to watching the new movie – only that it is a computer generated one and first impressions are that I am not too pleased with the way that the lead characters look. But we’ll see!

But wait : one of the songs that is closely associated with TMNT is “Ninja Rap” by rapper & el stupido Vanilla Ice, from the second movie. For my embarrassment, read the following : When I was 15, my cousin Suraj and I recorded a tape of us singing songs, making jokes & fake news, with sound effects no less,  and pretending to be a new radio station with djs and all. One of the songs I sung or rapped was “Ninja Rap” (with really loud & energetic shouts of “Go Ninja, Go Ninja, Go”) with altered lyrics since I didn’t have the originals. I still get hell for it now, 15 years later.

GO NINJA GO NINJA GO!

Going To The New Office

So today I get to see the company’s brand new two three storied offices in Cochin. About high time too as we were supposed to move into it by March 3rd. Then they said the 8th, then 13th & finally they said that it would be the 18th. But we are going there today for a meeting and will spend about 7 hours there after that, breaking in the new call floor by having the agents take a few calls. I have been looking forward to this for a while now. Cause once the first call comes in, we can take a collective sigh of relief.

Been reading John Grisham’s The King of Torts for a few days now and I am reaching the end. It is a good read and probably one of his best.

I downloaded & installed Veoh’s video software, through which you can download numerous videos, movies and television series of your choice (they have a huge library). I downloaded a few episodes of Battlestar Galactica (the original series) and throughly enjoyed the dvd like quality that Veoh’s software provides, far far better clarity than when you stream them online and twice the pleasure since you can watch them whenever you want them since they are now stored to your own hard disk.

Anyone like Tang? I have been drinking loads of that orangy sweet goodness which when served cold is so heavenly. It does a lot to take away some of the fatigue that spending hours at the stupid temp office has bestowed upon me. I need to go buy a new pack tomorrow.

Song for the day – “Speed Of Light” – JOE SATRIANI

Battlestar Galactica : Old vs New

I have been a huge fan of Battlestar Galactica ever since I can remember. This is my most happiest childhood memory – watching & discussing the series, which I consider to be the very best to have been shown on television. The show started in the late 1970s as a feature film (Battlestar Galactica : Saga Of A Lost World) and then a short lived series. In 1980 a spinoff of the show was again short lived but still enjoys a huge cult following across the globe. The show(s) is still held dearly by the many fans who pushed for the series to be revived by holding petitions online (me included).

Richard Hatch aka Apollo, one of the main characters of BSG was foremost among them. And it was heard! A new series was made, with the same mystical & mythical name – Battlestar Galactica. A few years ago, I had found some sites that featured the series and felt very nostalgic as I read through the episode stories and downloaded wallpapers, images & the majestic theme song (which I must say is the world’s best theme song ever). I hoped that the series would be revived and that I would be able to see it. Then three years or more ago, I found a dvd of the movie which I bought immediately and I have seen it over 10 times since. But I wanted more. Let me tell you of http://www.alluc.org a website which lets us either download or stream movies & television series for free. And I watched many BSG episodes in the last couple of days. But now to the matter at hand.

The re-imaging of Battlestar Galactica as they call it produced a new series, which is very popular, that is quite different from the original. And as grateful as I am for keeping the dream alive and well, I don’t like it much. I mean I will probably start watching it if they show it from the beginning. I tried watching an episode online but let me tell you that it put me off. There is just too many changes. Starbuck is a girl!!! Boomer is a girl!!! Ok she is a very sexy girl but still! And Cylons are former international models in evening gowns, sun tanning their bodies in beaches! And every picture has them pose in what is termed as sexy poses, with their bosoms all thrusted out! What the fuck! Adama is James Olmos who is a turd! How can you compare him with the late great actor Lorne Greene? Baltar, who was so ominously portrayed as a scheming & un-trustworthy villain by another late actor, John Colicos is now some overacted & second rate British loser. Will Apollo & Starbuck make out?

The scenario for the original series is Humans of the 12, much scientifically advanced, colonies seeking Earth for survival. But the new series shows them much like Earth Humans! I don’t like the changes! Ok, so had I not seen the original, I might have loved this show. And like I stated earlier, I probably will watch it if I can start from the first episode of the first season. But really! The one thing which I think is better is the Colonial Viper. Look below.

Jeremy On AI

American Idol contestant Sundance attempted a different version of Jeremy by Pearl Jam on the show. I read it first in Mike Boon’s blog fireproof dvd , since he gets it live (living in North America, like he does). I liked some of Sundance’s performances and thought that he had a down to earth, bluesy & soul vibe to his singing. His initial performances were good enuff for him to be appreciated. He has fallen from grace a bit after they moved to a live band and a stage.

I just saw him ‘trying’ hard to impress audiences with a southern soul + rock n’roll feel to what is known as a classic. Jeremy is such an institution; no other band or singer can try to achieve the same level of intensity that Pearl Jam had when they created that song. No one & I mean no one can ever start to match Eddie Vedder’s vocals the way he sings that song. So why even try!

It’s hard – you want the guy who sings a song that you like to really do a good job and earn praise. That is normal. But it is not an easy song to sing, although he did impress two judges (Randy & Paula). Simon was not impressed at all. Neither was I.

watch bride wars online

Saskatchewan – new source of comedy

The latest two tv series which I have seen and have liked so much that I want to collect all their episodes are both Canadian and based in the Prairie province of Saskatchewan. Little Mosque On The Prairie is about a fictional small town in Saskatchewan which has a small but vocal Muslim community. Corner Gas is a more established & successful comedy also based in a fictional small town in Saskatchewan. But both are funny and fresh and offer you a different look at small town madness. I stream episodes from a couple of websites that offer you this facility for free.

cat people dvd

Whereas one is more about a minority group trying hard to fit in and stick to their rules at the same time (with hilarious effect), the other is more about your average Joe, albeit sarcastically funny, whose thoughts are sometimes shown to us in clips. They both don’t use the normal studio settings or the laugh track / live audience route. They are shot on location and hence is a different perspective on the normal comedy routine. I look forward to streaming many more episodes of them both.

I Moon You

People of Boston & the world! Take me to your leaders. We are the Moon Men aka Moonenites. We are here to take over your planet and do as we wish with it. We find your pitiful politics, forms of government and pathetic media unfit to continue. Your forms of entertainment is so lackluster – reality tv my butt (oh wait I don’t actually have a butt) Anyway, we waste time. Surrender or be victims to our wrath. See my scary looking face? This face has destroyed several civilizations across countless galaxies. And you are next. It is futile to protest of resist us any further. We will persecute any and all who won’t bow to us. And in the manner of our great leaders and founders, follow my salute and raise your middle finger! Hail Moonenites of the world!

Sorry I posted it so late. Boston city comes to a standstill and panic strikes in the area after the battery operated light boards were found near two bridges, at a bus stop & a train station in suspicious packages. The lights on the boards, when alight, depict a middle-finger waving Moon Man, meant to promote the late night Adult Swim cartoon “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”. The blame is hurled at the parent company of CNN, Turner Broadcasting Co. Turner said in written statements the devices had been placed around Boston and nine other cities in recent weeks as part of a guerrilla marketing campaign to promote the show. Two people were arrested as part of the scare hoax and also charged for causing panic.

Yeah he is a scary looking guy! It seems the expression on his ‘face’ and the wires & battery on the back of the box led to the assumption that it could be a bomb! Oh by the way the same boards were placed in 9 cities but none of them reported any such chaos so far. I wonder what would if they placed one Cochin!

13th SAG Awards

The 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were held earlier today (last night in the USA). I have rarely seen this particular award show in it’s 13 year history, but it is rather unique as this is the award winner is judged by his / peers and is therefore considered highly prestigious. What better award that to be given a big pat on your back by your talented peers. Again here, I haven’t seen most of the award winning movies or television series. But Forest Whittaker won again for best actor, which means that he will be a hot favourite to win the same category @ the Oscars. And that is a good thing! Helen Mirren also must be a shoe-in for best actress at the Oscars as she wraps up another prize. So must Eddie Murphy, finally in line for major awards in his storied career

Movies:

Actor: Forest Whitaker, “The Last King of Scotland”

Actress: Helen Mirren, “The Queen”

Supporting actor: Eddie Murphy, “Dreamgirls”

Supporting actress: Jennifer Hudson, “Dreamgirls”

Cast: “Little Miss Sunshine”

Television: download bustin down the door

Actor in a movie or miniseries: Jeremy Irons, “Elizabeth I”

Actress in a movie or miniseries: Helen Mirren, “Elizabeth I”

Actor in a drama series: Hugh Laurie, “House”

palo pinto gold movie download Actress in a drama series: Chandra Wilson, “Grey’s Anatomy”

Actor in a comedy series: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”

Actress in a comedy series: America Ferrera, “Ugly Betty”

Drama series cast: “Grey’s Anatomy”

Comedy series cast: “The Office”

swing vote download

Lifetime Achievement: Julie Andrews

Heroes

Ok new tv series on the horizon. I rarely get to watch the beginning of a new series (new as in showing in India for the first time) these days so I was happy about catching the premier episode of this one. Heroes is a new tv series altogether (started in 2006) and it looks promising. I hope that the episodes are capable of keeping the same standard throughout. I really enjoyed the first hour of this new series. Heroes is about a group of people who are just realizing that they have extra-ordinary abilities like time travel, telepathy and flying! In once case we have Claire Bennett, who jumps of a high bridge, is burnt in a fire while rescuing a man trapped and gets her hand mangled in the waste disposal – but she is not affected as she has the power of spontaneous regeneration! Nathan Petrelli & his younger brother Peter are also highlighted – the former has the ability to fly and the latter can mimic powers of people he is in close contact with.

There is a Japanese programmer who bends the space-time continiuum and tele-ports himself from Tokyo to New York. Ali Larter plays an internet stripper who has an alternate personality which takes a life of it’s own and which she can see in reflections. And when it does, she has superpower abilities. Her son is a technical genius and can communicate with computers & other electronic stuff. And we have Sendhil Ramamoorthy who plays a genetics professor in Madras, India and who comes to New York is search of his father, who was killed.

Song for the day – “Blue Powder” – STEVE VAI

Victim Of Racism Or Not?

I don’t think I have heard of quite a situation like this in recent times, especially concerning Indian celebrities. Big Brother contestant Shilpa Shetty, a gorgeous Bollywood actress / model / PETA activist was led to tears by her fellow participants in, what I think, is a shitty program to begin with. Shetty was alledgelly a victim of racist slurs by Jane Goody, Danielle Lloyd & Jo O’Meara – being called a ‘dog’ and “Paki” and other racist comments. Goody has in turn been at the recieving end of complaints from numerous Britons (of Indian origin and otherwise) and Asians including Indians. The shock of the public at her foul language has led her to be the favourite to be evicted from Big Brother.

As far as I can tell, Jane Goody is a bitch and totally uncultured. She was voted the 4th most hated Briton and is milking her reality tv fame. However, today in the news, Shilpa has said that she was a victim of racism and that it was nothing more than the heat of competition was getting to them. Shilpa is a sweet & sexy individual and ofcourse she has my vote as she is also the Romanov Vodka brand ambassador in India!

Shetty had been branded a “dog” by Lloyd who claimed the star “wanted to be white”, and former housemate Jackiey Budden repeatedly referred to her as “the Indian”. When the actress cooked a chicken for her housemates, O’Meara refused to eat it commenting that Shetty’s cooking was responsible for her “getting the shits.” The clique have frequently complained about Shetty and mimicking her accent, protesting against her touching of their food during preparation. Lloyd speculated about eating habits: “They eat with their hands in India, don’t they? Or is that China? You don’t know where those hands have been.” Objecting to the disposal of left-over chicken soup and bones down the toilet, Tweed suggested that Shetty should pick the bones out with her teeth, prompting her reply “There’s a lot more I want to do with my teeth.” Lloyd commented that she should “fuck off home”. Lloyd has also claimed that Shetty could not speak proper English, while Goody has continued to refer to Shetty as “Shilpa Poppadom” claiming that it was a reference to Indian food. Shetty has been reduced to tears on several occasions, confiding to Ian Watkins: “I feel like I’m losing my dignity”.

Do I think that the UK is a racist country just because of this incident as some people have told me? No. Just like there are bad people in India, there are bad people in the UK (some of them even of Indian origin). I think most Britons do like Indians and people of all nations and are living happily in a multi-ethic & multi-cultured U.K. But there is an element in the society that does not agree with that. They believe “white is right” and are racist in nature. But that is to be expected among humans.

Song for the day – “Black, Hole Sun” – SOUNDGARDEN

American Idol 2007

The mother of all competition-based reality television shows is back for another year. Yes for six years Simon Cowell’s arrogant words have assaulted the ears of sensitive viewers & unsuspecting contestants and for six years Randy has called people ‘dawg’ (in a totally friendly & respectful way) and for six years Paula Abdul has had a career in television. For the sixth time, people with absolutely no talent to speak of will try and impress the judges (I am particularly pissed off with the African American breed of screamers; they shout and think that it is talent). The other kind I hate is the moron who just to get noticed on tv will dress in stupid attire and perform tricks that only he/she thinks is funny. They are the worst kind. The sad part is they do get shown on tv.

download mogambo movie

watch if online download bless the beasts children