That One Summer: Live On Broadway

Growing up, there were not many TV channels that showed stand up comedy.  By that I mean, an actual live stand up routine outside of a talk show or some special programming.  One of the few channels to watch both up and coming comics and seasoned veterans was HBO.  And it was HBO that broadcasted the first stand up special starring Robin Williams.  That was back in 1978 at The Roxy; a performance we know was fueled by Mr. Williams' addiction to cocaine yet was quite brilliant.  It must be seen to be appreciated. 

Robin Williams went on to star in quite a few more comedy specials, each shown on HBO.  Also, Mr. Williams became involved with Comic Relief for many years.  Each of those comedy stand up shows were hilarious and insightful.  Indeed, it is difficult to say which one of his specials was the best.  I can tell you that in the Summer of 2002, one of Mr. Williams' stand up shows was broadcasted live on HBO that nearly everyone wanted to see.  I can remember it being talked about days and even weeks afterwards.  It was Robin Williams: Live On Broadway.  And in short, I probably did not laugh as hard and as often as I did that night.

It was not even a year after 911, and for me it seemed that topical social political humor was about to be thrown out the window, as it were.  People then, as now, more interested and comforted in bathroom jokes and celebrity impersonations and parodies.  Yet, by 2002, that was changing and quite rightly so.  Bill Maher may have been the spark that got political humor going again; to say nothing of the likes of George Carlin and others leading the way.  Yet I think that night in July, it was Robin Williams that dared to go all out.  Of course, Mr. Williams always went all out in his beliefs.  A very good example involved this little gem.

"Oh, guess what?  Congress has passed a bill to secretly assassinate Saddam Hussein.

So what they have done, is announce the US' plans to secretly assassinate Saddam Hussein.

I wonder if he knows?"

The audience both live and watching just about fell to the floor laughing.  In that one humorous observation, Robin Williams told everyone what a waste of time and money an invasion of Iraq would be.  That of course was one of many different people and things he made fun of that night.  I honestly do not know where to start with the best bits.

Would it be his Scotsman explaining golf?

His look at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City?

Mr. Williams doing a very succinct Donald Rumsfeld?

His extremely hilarious look at religion?  Which I might add only Bill Maher was on par with in that department?

Robin Williams observing that after 911, not much has changed in New York attitudes? 

His takedown on our at the time growing plastic surgery and medicine for sex fetishes?

Whatever it was, that night Robin Williams showed a vitality and sharp mind that I suppose was undervalued given Mr. Williams' film roles and cheery personality.  Yet, Robin Williams had always been edgy in his stand up comedy.  Go back and look at his comedy specials before Live On Broadway and even afterwards and you will see his genius on full display.  Plus, if you had received the DVD version, there was a lot more where that came from. 

At that point in Mr. Williams' life, it seemed like he was at the top of his influence; possibly far more influential than at any other time in his life.  And there was still more to come from Robin Williams in 2002.  Indeed, by August movie audiences were treated to one of the defining roles Mr. Williams had done in his life and one which, for myself, I walked out of the theater feeling disturbed.  That movie was of course One Hour Photo; a role of his that I had thought would have garnered Robin Williams another Academy Award nomination.  Alas, it did not.  Yet, it was the culmination of a revitalization that should have, if given more of a look, been the spark that changed Mr. Williams' trajectory in his humor and his acting. None the less, we still have That One Summer.

An essay on One Hour Photo is forthcoming,

Robert

PS.  Here in its complete glory is the Live On Broadway special I was talking about. 

That one summer: Insomnia

It was 13 years ago in June 2002.  I was a 19 year old student enrolled at Hofstra University studying Political Science and Sociology at a most interesting time both in our world and for myself.  Of the many events and changes made that summer, what stood out for me was Robin Williams.  He was on a roll, starring in two psychological thrillers and going out on a stand-up comedy tour where he sold out every venue.  No one ever thought of the problems that laid ahead for this genius. 

What I saw first was Insomnia.  It was only the third movie to be directed and co-produced and co-written by a budding prodigy in filmmaking.  His name: Christopher Nolan, having been known previously for his independent debut Following (1993) and then the underground hit Memento (2000).  Both stylish and unique movies that only scratched the surface of this singular talent.  So it seemed a bit curious as to why Nolan would have his next movie be a big-budget remake of a 1997 Erik Skjoldbjaerg low budget thriller based in Norway. 

For those not familiar, the original movie starred Stellan Skarsgard as a police detective investigating the murder of a 17 year old girl in the Arctic region.  Skarsgard's character, Jonas, has problems of his own; namely an inability to sleep which does not help being in the Arctic during the months of full daylight.  Also during the height of the investigation , Jonas accidentally shoots his partner, Erik.  Eventually things come to a head when the killer of the girl, played by Bjorn Floberg, begins calling Jonas and appearing at inopportune times with knowledge of the shooting of Erik.  Now, the original movie was interesting in its own way.  I vividly remember Siskel and Ebert giving it their two thumbs up; Roger Ebert even comparing the movie favorably with the great Fyodor Dosteyevsky novels.  You can find this movie on DVD and Blu-Ray from the Criterion Collection.

So that was the original movie: what about the remake that Christopher Nolan helmed?  Interestingly, it might be somewhat better than the original, upping the ante on the psychological situations and providing a multi-layer approach with many of the non lead characters.  Some of the plot points are similar; only this time it is in Nightmute, Alaska during the months of the Midnight Sun.  As well, Al Pacino plays Will Dormer, a detective with more problems going in to Alaska than initially surmised; namely being exiled from the LAPD after an IA investigation shows fabrication of evidence in the conviction of a child murderer. 

Any time a fellow actor is in the same film as Al Pacino there is bound to be a sense that the actors and the audience are just waiting for some scenery chewing.  Rest assured, there is what we expect from Pacino in at least two interrogation scenes.  Yet, as we have come to expect from Christopher Nolan, the rest of the cast hold their own.  When I saw Insomnia, I was rather impressed with Maura Tierney in one of her breakthrough roles; her character being the hotel manager that moved to Alaska for reasons unexplained.  Martin Donovan did rather well in his brief appearance as Will Dormer's partner.  Also, it was interesting to see Hilary Swank's character get more nuanced and greater screen time than in the original movie.  Yet, by far, the film was elevated exponentially by Robin Williams. 

Williams and his character, now named Walter Finch, does not appear until about 50 minutes in.  Yet once you hear his voice saying to Will Dorner "Can't sleep, eh?",  one of Williams' more creepier roles comes to life.  Here is one such example when Finch explains why he killed the 17 year old.

It just gets more creepier from there onward.  In a way, the action set pieces are among the most realistic in any Christopher Nolan film.  And for those who want to know; yes, the ending is changed somewhat.  However, I think it works quite well. 

Now, getting back to my reasoning for this essay.  I mentioned before that it seemed that 2002 showed us a more disturbing and unsettling public view of Robin Williams.  It was not as if Mr. Williams had not shown it in previous roles.  But for me, those more serious films like The World According To Garp, Moscow On The Hudson, Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, Toys, Dead Again, Good Will Hunting, and even What Dreams May Come presented Robin Williams in more sympathetic traits for his characters.  And even in his more serious roles, there was always a tinge of his unique humor that would show up if ever so briefly.  It was as if Mr. Williams were saying to us "Look, I still have my laughter and manic style.  This is only a role".  Yet, I suppose when he reached 50, and probably taking a hint from his Oscar winning role in Good Will Hunting (1997) and a late breakthrough performance in What Dreams May Come (1998); perhaps Robin Williams wanted to go a different path.

It started innocuously enough with the dark comedy Death To Smoochie, a movie which I still have not seen.  Admittedly, I was not interested in a story of a children's television star being a prick.  None the less, it was Insomnia that I and perhaps others felt for the first time seeing a character Mr. Williams was playing: in this case Walter Finch, and finding it very hard to root for the guy.  Admittedly, it is hard to root for many of the characters in this film.  Perhaps Hilary Swank and Martin Donovan play characters we can relate to.  Not so with others.  I suppose it makes sense that in this version; Al Pacino's Will Dorner eventually does not deny a reason to shoot the Martin Donovan character early on.  Not to mention, Dorner is cured of his insomnia, so to speak, by dying in the chase and gunfight towards the end.  A bit tailor made for Hollywood; yet the essence of the ending in the Stellan Skarsgard version remains. 

Insomnia was a breakthrough film in so many different ways.  It was Christopher Nolan alongside long time collaborators like DP Wally Pfister, screenwriting brother Jonathan Nolan, and producer and wife Anna Thomas that proved to be making highly acclaimed and financially rewarding pictures.  A bit afterwards, Nolan and Thomas' company Syncopy secured a development deal with Warner Bros; where their films have been financed or co-produced ever since.  Hilary Swank got to appear in her first financially successful movie.  Maura Tierney, Nicky Katt and Martin Donovan were able to successfully become involved in leading roles for movies and TV shows down the line.  And you know something; Al Pacino did not need to go over the top and chew the scenery that much in this film. 

More notably, for a time, Robin Williams starting with Insomnia began to appear in a series of movies and even a Broadway show that had him become the disturbed and yet soft spoken guy who we in the audience are both shocked  and intrigued by.  By all rights, this movie and One Hour Photo which was released in August 2002 should have been the game changer for Mr. Williams.  It really should have been the movies that would have been for Mr. Williams what, for instance, Schindler's List meant for Steven Spielberg: the point of maturity and demarcation in which there was no going back to the old ways.  I believe Robin Williams could have been nominated for an Academy Award for either of those two movies; a Best Supporting Actor nod with Insomnia might have made the ensuing race a heck of a lot more interesting.  Alas, that renaissance did not last long.  Maybe it was for the best.  Yet maybe, if the trajectory in Robin Williams' film roles were of the more dramatic sort, what transpired in his last years on this earth might not have happened. 

Just as Robin Williams was at his A game with his Summer 2002 movie slate; so too was he back in action and better than many of his peers when it came to his stand up comedy tour.  It culminated in late July with his remarkable HBO special, Live On Broadway.  That will be discussed next as we look back at That One Summer.

Happy 4th of July everyone!,

Robert

The 6 remaining Oscars and their implications

Well, much of the rest of the 87th annual Academy Awards are devoted to presenting an award and seeing an acceptance speech.  The sort of unique performance aspect has been tapped out.  And, unlike the Grammys were the awards producers seem not to give a worth about the awards themselves; the Oscars are valued immensely.

First we have Best Original Screenplay going to Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and his collaborators winning for Birdman.  One of three of the remaining awards that I thought would go to Richard Linklater and Boyhood.  Now, Inarittu winning the award is interesting.  You do have to understand, though; a movie that looks at the movie industry, or in this acting on stage, will garner the awards being presented.  This being one of the better movies that look at our celebrity fixation, the awards given out are quite legitimate. 

Best Adapted Screenplay went to The Imitation Game: adapted for the screen by Graham Moore.  I did not put this movie amongst my best in 2014; yet I was immensely pleased with the movie itself.  I of course would have preferred Paul Thomas Anderson to win.  Yet, I think Graham Moore made more of a compelling acceptance speech; perhaps the best of the night.  I am not sure if Mr. Moore's younger insecurities were due to his orientation or his beliefs; yet I and quite a number of others have been down that road before.  I never attempted suicide, though I know the feeling of being different than others.  Yet, so be it; you and I are different.  So too was Alan Turing.  Sadly, Alan Turing ended his life feeling alienated.  It should be, and hopefully will be, different this time around.

I also want to point out the interesting choices of Eddie Murphy and Oprah Winfrey in presenting the screenwriting awards.  In some respects, it is an ingenious move.  Perhaps a way to showcase their importance to film and making up for not winning competitive Oscars.  And yes, I think Eddie Murphy deserved to win Best Supporting Actor in Dreamgirls; why the heck did Norbit need to be released weeks before the Oscars in 2006? 

This is a bit off; yet I want to discuss Best Actor and Best Actress first.

Best Actor did not go to Steve Carell or Michael Keaton.  In somewhat of a surprise, it went to Eddie Redmayne in The Theory Of Everything.  I have still not seen the movie, though I really should.  I will say, though; Mr. Redmayne is a genuinely nice and affable person.  He was one of the few elements in Les Miserables that I liked.  And Eddie seemed surprised and humbled to win the award.  Plus, I think the approval of Stephen and Jane Hawking to have this film be made convinced AMPAS members to vote for this performance.

Best Actress did not go to Marion Cottiald.  Though she did win as Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose.  The Oscar went to Julianne Moore in Still Alice.  It is another movie I have not seen; though I might soon enough.  I like Julianne Moore, and think she is one of our better actresses and amongst the coolest celebrities.  I have to wonder if Ms. Moore receiving the Oscar now is to make up for not winning for better movies.  This has occurred over the years to people like Al Pacino, James Coburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Stewart, Sir John Gielgud, Sir Sean Connery, Denzel Washington and others . None the less, a win is a win. 

Best Director went to Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu regarding Birdman.  Again, I thought Richard Linklater would win it; though Innaritu is quite a good choice.  A.G.I. is one of our better and more innovative filmmakers; this was a long time coming. 

And Best Picture of the Year went to Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu and Birdman.  By this point, it would have been awkward for Boyhood and Richard Linklater to win only Best Picture.  Possibly emphasized when Ben Affleck presented Best Director; an award Mr. Affleck would have received had he been nominated.  Also a bit of a tell when Sean Penn presented Best Picture.  Mr. Penn teamed up with A.G.I. to make 21 Grams, one of the best films of 2003 and over the last 20 odd years. 

I do think, between Birdman winning four Oscars and from last year Alfonso Cuaron winning Best Director regarding Gravity (the film winning another 5 technical Oscars); the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are willing to accept and recognize the New Wave of Mexican Cinema.  I would regard the storytelling elements and visual innovations in that form of cinema to be amongst the most important in the current movie culture. 

Something else to note: Mr. Innaritu has only made 5 important movies: Amores Parros, 21 Grams, Babel, Biutiful and Birdman.  Each one of these movies is fantastic.  Babel I think is one of the best films in recent memory.  I do hope to see where these Oscar wins will lead A.G.I. in future projects.  And yes, the same goes for Michael Keaton; who gave a shorter thank you speech when the movie won Best Picture.  What is next is anyone's guess; yet a path has been made for better works to come.

Well, that is my look and live blogging for this year's Oscars.  I do have other ideas that I would like to make known and to discuss.  Maybe these will not take multiple posts, even though I do commit to finish what was started.  Because you may want to know what I'm thinking.  What indeed is on my mind?

I think you may know what I picked this video. 

Catch up with you soon,

Robert

Live Blogging the Oscars Part 2: The Tape Delayed Editon

Well thanks to the usage of On Demand software form Verizon, I am now able to give you my continued live blog of what went on during the 87th annual Academy Awards.  Mind you, we know what happened already.  So this is more an opinion piece than anything else. 

Here's what I initially missed while away from my laptop on Sunday night.

Not a time goes by that I think Liam Neeson was robbed of an Oscar in Schindler's List.  You see kids, before Neeson became the hard as nails grandfatherly action star; he was quite the great actor. 

Adam Levine is practically everywhere.  While it is not a bad thing; he may be overexposing himself.  I really would hope Maroon 5 would create another pathos led work like Songs About Jane.

So the award for Best Costume Design is being shown. 

The winner is not Coleen Atwood.  It goes to The Grand Budapest Hotel!  I am very pleased with the result. 

I was right about The Grand Budapest Hotel winning Best Make-Up and Hair Design.  Also well deserved. 

About an hour and a half later, we return to where we left off.  And it is a rousing Common and John Legend performance of Glory.  Brilliant all around.  I also am liking the social political concerns being made in the ceremony.  Frankly, more people in different fields need to speak up on what concerns them. 

Since the songs nominated have been performed, it is now time I think for another performance. 

And right we are; 50 years ago, the Robert Wise film The Sound Of Music was completed.  I must say, it is nice to see Dame Julie Andrews mentioning her ideas and memories on that time.

I am in awe every time Lady Gaga performs.  Every time!  Definitely one of the best singers to come out over the last 10 years.  And she did not need a TV talent show to do it. 

Now we go to Best Original Score.  And it looks like Alexandre Desplat does not cancel himself out.  He wins for his work in The Grand Budapest Hotel.  I like how Wes Anderson is starting to be treated quite seriously with AMPAS.

Idina Menzel is presenting Best Song.  And just to prove there are no hard feelings, here comes John Travolta.  He is starting to remind me of Senor Cardgage.  I do not know whether to laugh or feel scared.

Anyway, Glory won Best Song. Some important truths were mentioned by Common and John Legend on current human rights needed. 

Well, there is going to need to be a part 3.  I have quite a bit to say on who won the remaining 6 awards.  By the time you and I are reading this; we have known what happened.  So, in addition to my continuing running commentary on the ceremony; I will have more to say on these winners.

Kindest Regards,

Robert

PS.  By the way, this is whom I am referring to as Senor Cardgage.  For anyone that loved Homestar Runner, you will instantly know.


Now let us hope the next Homestar Runner cartoon is shown sooner rather than later.

Channel Awesome forgetting to be Awesome (Part 2)

So, what pivoted Channel Awesome to where it is today?  In other words, how could the website go from awesome to wretched?  Well, I think there was a change every year after the anniversary specials that increasingly would show flaws and concerns about how its business and relationship with content producers was fraying.  Incidentally, every anniversary special began to be more elaborate than the one before.

2009: The One-Year Anniversary Brawl.  In this one, Doug Walker and James Rolfe end their feud once and for all at a Chicago conference center.  This turns in to a free for all with Channel Awesome critics against Channel Awesome gamers.  In the end, Ask That Guy presents to these people words denouncing senseless violence and ushers in the era of collaborations.  And darn if it is not one of the funniest works Walker did.  I and many others were completely surprised when this showed up without much warning one late May day. 

Now perhaps the family atmosphere had not yet taken shape.  After all, many of these web stars were meeting each other for the first time that weekend of filming.  None the less, a rather good time was had by all.  As I mentioned, this ended the Angry Video Game Nerd vs. Nostalgia Critic feud.  And it did provide a transition to have people new to the website look at many of their contributors.  Yet, changes started to come.  Not drastically, or even with a tinge of sadness. 

For one thing, there was one reviewer, Dan Rizzo (The Aussie Gamer) that many felt a pain in the rear end for numerous reasons valid and otherwise.  Rizzo was let go, or left depending on how one views it.  Also, a few of the brawl participants were mainly podcast people, such as Cat Thompson and Billy "Gonzo" Smith of Nerd to the Third.  Their contentment was to do their writings and podcasts in the future.  Also, there were many Channel Awesome people that could not make it to the filming; but were there in subsequent anniversaries.  So overall, nothing problematic on a overall level. 

2010: Kickassia.  A more lengthy movie like structure in which Doug Walker and others make attempts to overthrow the micro republic of Molassia.  It is located in Nevada, and is basically the living quarters of its President, Kevin Baugh and his family and his alter egos.  Without surprise, Walker turns into Raul Julia as M. Bison in Street Fighter and effectively loses the republic. 

This allowed quite a few Channel Awesome producers to show their alter egos, or some of them at least.  For instance, Noah Antwiler's Dr. Insano, Linkara's Ensign Munroe, Lindsay Ellis' exaggerated Gov. Sarah Palin, etc.  Also, the filmmaking improved and seemed more professional like.  Yet, many changes came afoot that started to affect the relationship of several producers and the Channel Awesome leadership.

The most immediate impact was when Lee Davidge of Lee and Dena aka Still Gaming became three dimensional.  I should explain.  Lee would do his reviews and public appearances as if he were a still photograph able to move and speak.  That was an important part of his trademark.  It would change after Kickassia, of course.  Interestingly, Lee would have to deal with health problems and later life changes.  While his girlfriend Dena Natali has done numerous web series for Channel Awesome since then; Lee Davidge has postponed Still Gaming indefinitely. 

Another change occurred with some producers not making it to Nevada for the shoot.  In one case, Sean Fausz had health problems.  In another, Kristina Diggs (That Chick With the Goggles) had her computer crashed; subsequently leading to a reevaluation of her web series work.  And then, although she appeared in one scene beginning Kickassia; this would be the last Channel Awesome project Lindsey Briggs would get involved with.  Soon afterwards, Briggs ended the Little Miss Gamer series and PBC Productions to focus on working in different entertainment fields with firms like The Jim Henson Company.  For a fair deal of people that were early viewers of the site, this was a huge blow.  There still has not been any program on the website that was quite like LMG. 

Then came the first noted executive departure.  That would be when Mike Ellis left Channel Awesome. It would also be the first departure to not be explained by anyone.  I would think some rumblings came into form regarding financial matters within the company, and with whom was getting what in finances. 

2011: Suburban Knights.  In this movie, William DuFresne (Suede) returned after two years of missionary work.  Plot wise, Doug Walker led many Channel Awesome producers doing cosplay work to search for a MacGuffin.  In the process, they fight the Harry Dresden inspired Malacite (Orlando Belisle Jr.) and eventually save the world. In the process though, in plot and in filming, a mythos was created that would later be an albatross on the Walker Brothers.

You see, Doug and Rob looked at Kickassia as we look at Star Trek: The Motion Picture.  Rather good, including its restored director's cut, yet with flaws.  Not surprisingly, they looked at Suburban Knights like we look at Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan.  A game changer in the universe and perhaps its best film.  In this case, the Walkers effectively made their own Wrath of Khan. 

In the movie, Ma-Ti destroys Malacite with the power of Heart (as in the Captain Planet ring).  Ma-Ti was killed in the process, leading to a complete Wrath of Khan recreation.  And yes, a hint at the end for Ma-Ti's return. 

So in effect, Doug and Rob Walker painted themselves into a corner with Suburban Knights.  By basically lifting from Star Trek II, the next anniversary would need to lift from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.  Eventually, that is what would happen.  Several events would alter the original plans.

First, a noted personality from the website, Jason Mulara (LordKat) left Channel Awesome around the time Suburban Knights was filming.  Partly as a result of tiring from doing Until We Win, and yet also due to differences afoot with the Channel Awesome leadership (including the Walkers) in artistic and commercial expression, Mulara left not in the best of terms with the website.  Afterwards, Benzaie would limit his involvement with Channel Awesome while doing other films and projects.  His role in the next anniversary was filmed in France and was essentially a cameo role.

Another person to stop by that time was Game Heroes creator and producer Thomas Hanley.  Handsome Tom as he is called went from having an effective lead role in the Brawl to a smaller role in Kickassia to an even smaller role in Suburban Knights.  In that film, Hanley mostly only said "I'm Wiilow".  He would appear for perhaps 10 seconds in the next anniversary film reading in his office. 

And then a departure took place that I believed changed everything for Channel Awesome. Early in 2012, Bhargav Dronamaju left his leadership role at the website and with that ended his Coffee with Bhargav web series and his Ma-Ti character.  To this day, No One from Channel Awesome past or present will mention why he left, or for that matter really anything to do with Dronamaju.  I at the time found it to be of a most disturbing trend of departures that would create problems with trust and legacy within the company.

2012: To Boldly Flee.  The result of these events led to an interesting film that in and of itself altered Channel Awesome considerably.  In short, Doug Walker as the Nostalgia Critic gets messages from a manifestation of Ma-Ti (this time Rob Walker, who is also an expy of Palpatine from Star Wars) regarding matters of death, destiny and plot holes.  I am still not certain what it all means.  I do however know of the ending.

In the end, Nostalgia Critic enters a universe where he is a character created and effectively destroyed by Doug Walker writing an end for To Boldly Flee.  Helped out by Mathew Buck, Bennet White (Bennet the Sage), Brian Heinz (The Last Angry Geek) and James Rolfe, Walker says goodbye to Ma-Ti, enhances the plot hole (whatever that might be), and in short dies in sacrificing the Nostalgia Critic.

Now, at the time, a great deal of us thought this was a way to obscure and lessen the blow of another departure.  Sometime after filming To Boldly Flee, Noah Antwiler ended his association with Channel Awesome, while keeping his website The Spoony Experiment.  Whether he was let go, wanted to leave, had personal problems that only leaving Channel Awesome and relocating to Chicago would solve, or had gotten deteriorating relationships with other producers is a matter to discuss for another time.  Suffice to say, relations between Spoony and others in the TGWTG universe have improved.  Noah recently was interviewed for Doug Walker's web discussion series, Shut Up and Talk. 

In actuality, Doug Walker, Rob Walker and Mike Michaud had planned this for a quite some time.  Doug had wanted to end Nostalgia Critic in order to devote more time to other Channel Awesome series filmed or planned.  In particular, A series he planned on was Demo Reel; long in planning and now with the funds to do it. 

\The results were not pleasing.  You know that episode of Rocko's Modern Life when Ralph Bighead becomes the successful producer of Wacky Deli and does whatever possible to end the show?  That in a way was what I and others felt with the Nostalgia Critic ending and Demo Reel beginning.  Demo Reel was not that bad; it could have used some improvement.  Yet, actions that the Walker Brothers, Mike Michaud, and other leaders at Channel Awesome would take these last three years would prove an irreparable damage would occur.

I only thought this would go two posts.  Yet, this may need to go for three.  The post-To Boldly Flee and post Justin Carmical era of Channel Awesome has altered the website with unforeseen consequences.  I will get to mention what I think has occurred during that time.  Feel free to comment on what your thoughts are for Channel Awesome; or even what I write here. 

Thank you again for letting me be able to post these opinions.  There will surely be more to come.  Remember to get a Google+ account in order to comment.

Talk to you again later,

Robert

PS.  Junior Seau (1969-2012), Jerome Bettis, Will Shields, Charles Haley, Tim Brown, Ron Wolf, Bill Polian and Mick Tingelhoff are now Pro Football Hall of Famers.  I was right on 5 of the 8 inductees.  Kurt Warner should go in next year, along with Brett Favre.

The second part of my suggestions on ending bullying

Last post, I talked about how newer parents have brought an increase in tolerance, however obliquely, of child bullying.  As I mentioned before, the concern for me is the school kids themselves.  I, to be honest, have never been one to just consider children to be innocent of all doings.

This is especially true now given our overall access to social media.  None the less, social media can and is used responsibly.  Here is what I think could be done to alter these problems with these issues.

First and foremost, the schools need to begin educating students on how to properly use social networking at the schools and outside the schools.  I remember when it was customary for public service assemblies and/or films to be  shown to address social issues.  This provided at least a temporary sense of community when all of us needed to be together for something to learn about our lives.

Secondly, there was once a time when schools were allowed to use a "Scared Straight" sort of event that showed students the consequences of bad actions.  Although it is not akin to physical criminality yet; perhaps as part of potential settlements yet to come, students that were accused of bullying others need to be publically called out and be needed to answer for their actions.  I of course would not want to take this idea too far; that is to say, have the bullies be bullied.  Yet, I would think a public outing would suffice.

One other idea to be considered involves parents.  Since the school districts only are responsible for the well being of children to a certain point; the parents and extended family need to be involved in looking after their children in what they will doing any matter related to fellow students and people their age.  Of course, the level of degree to which these oversights on children will be needed depends on the child's behavior.  I think the more likely the kid becomes a bully; the more intense the monitoring of the child needs to be. 

It is difficult, admittedly, to have the answers be given that will please everyone.  In truth, it would be much simpler if many of these school kids would behave correctly at all times.  None the less, preventative measures must be taken in nearly all means to be certain bullying ends; and as well, to put an end to needing to settle accounts by means of law.  Feel free to comment on these ideas.  I will certainly respond.

Best wishes to all,

Robert

PS.  I plan on blogging at least one post a day.  What is on my mind, may well be on this page.

Preventing the next bullying lawsuit (Part 1)

Hello to all who read this blog and hopefully comment.

Last night, I mentioned what I think needs to be done in order to stop this rather growing trend of online and school bullying that has been a far more saddening problem in the 14 years since I graduated high school.  I know the title mainly refers to not having this go through another lawsuit.  Yet I think this goes beyond the courts and schools.  Eventually, we need to notice the differences of children and parents from a not too past era; and those of today. 

First, let me mention that this is not to claim that a past era of schooling like my 12 years in the Farmingdale School District (1989-2001) were halcyon days.  Clearly, they were not that rosy; and they were not "good old days".  Yet, I have often mentioned an interesting fact.  My High School Senior class was the last to graduate before 9/11/2001.  Thus, we seemingly were the last to be a bit more free around the premises.  On the flip side, I know Farmingdale did not increase its rate of successful graduates going off to prestigious universities (such as Hofstra for myself) until well recently. 

None the less, a lot has changed.  Initially I thought a lot of this was for security reasons.  I cannot, for instance, go into any of the schools to meet up with former educators; lest I or someone else become a real life Wooderson.  Little did we know there are issues to be addressed with the parents and students of today.

Many parents of grade school, middle school and high school students are from a post boomer generation.  It stretches from the latter 1960s up through people my age.  Now, most people are as individually different as can be.  Yet, many (and I include myself) are expecting gratification and what we want, but not really need, now.  With that in mind,  we get upset should things not go our way.  Sadly, with that sort of selfishness comes selfish behavior.  And yes, this reflects on the younger impressionable minds of school students. 

I'll give an example.  A fellow 2001 graduate that I keep in touch with on Facebook related a story from the past Christmas holidays.  Being a music teacher, he led about 600 school kids across Long Island for a NYSMMA concert.  The children were okay; yet some of the parents were not on their best behavior.  The night of the performance at Tillies Center, two parents got into a fist fight with each other!  One other parent yelled at his/her child for almost fainting.  Now again, I was not there.  Yet, I am not surprised that some behave this way. 

Now, one way to alter this behavior would be to have prospective parents of school children required before every school year to be taught behavioral issues and study obedience to others.  And to further the idea, have these parents pass an exam on what they learned from these courses.  This may seem a bit much; yet I would be willing to do it myself once the time comes.  Perhaps some visual aids on what not to do would be a welcoming idea.

That of course is regarding parents.  It is though the behavior of  the younger children that concerns me more.  I say this because while the parents are aware of the day to day activities of their children; it seems more and more as being a mere observer at times.  This though requires me to write another post as this might be too long! 

So, I will have more tomorrow for this conversation on ending the bullying epidemic.  Consider these posts a trilogy of sorts.  It has been a bit of a long night. 

Talk to you later,

Robert.

PS.  Any comments on how to spruce up the website and blog are more than welcome.