Random Notes
I don’t know if banning kids from social media in Britain is going to work, but I’m not going to say I’m against it because I think everybody should be banned from social media.
KFC has updated its logo. This may not seem important, but be aware that in the old logo, the lack of shoulders made Colonel Sanders look like a small guy with a giant head (instead of a guy with a regular-sized head wearing a tie).
Speaking of fast food changes, next Tuesday, McDonald’s is bringing back their fried apple pies, discontinued in 1992. Alas, it’s only for a limited time, so stock up!
The other day I got squirted in the back of the head by windshield wiper fluid. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
New trend I can’t stand: videos online or on television shot in a car or in some other “casual” way to trick us into thinking it’s some independent person doing a video selfie and giving their honest opinion about a product when it’s really just another commercial paid for by somebody.
The only time of the year when I eat sandwiches is the summer months of June, July, and August. Is that weird?
Billy Joel needs to do a sequel to “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Just think of all of the things that have happened since 1989.
Fried apple pies are fine, but I think McDonald’s should bring back the Hamburglar.
What Are Your Plans for July 4, 2276?
As part of the country’s 250th birthday celebration, a time capsule will be buried and won’t be opened for another 250 years. CBS Sunday Morning has all the details.
Uploaded to YouTube by CBS Sunday Morning
Something New from Commodore
Last July I told you about the return of the beloved Commodore 64. Now the company has another big announcement: A flip phone!
It’s called The Callback, and it’s a phone for people who want to use their phone as, well, a phone (a radical concept I know). But you can also text with it and it runs 99 percent of Android apps without needing Android. You can’t access the internet or social media, there’s no browser, and you can’t doomscroll on it. It’s very futuristic-looking, or maybe so futuristic-looking it’s retro, much like the new Commodore 64 computer. Whip this phone out at the dinner table, and people will definitely ask you about it.
(By the way, don’t use your phone at the dinner table.)
I use a flip phone myself, so I’m intrigued by this, though it’s a little more expensive than your typical flip phone. But it’s cheaper than most smartphones.
Ranking Steven Spielberg Films
One of these days, writers are going to stop doing best and worst lists when it comes to films, TV shows, music, and books.
Today is not that day.
The Hollywood Reporter, as a tie-in with the new Steven Spielberg film Disclosure Day, ranks all 35 of the director’s films. I’ve been on a campaign to stop lists like these because not only are they created mostly for clicks and debates, there are too many lists! They used to be interesting and had some gravitas when they were rare. Now every magazine, web site, and blog has the same lists all the time, and it’s all needless. It’s all more irritating when the writer is trying to prove something and/or be contrarian.
And if there are a lot of entries on a list, is there really any difference between what is at number 34 and what is at number 33?
You can’t argue with films like Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind being in the top ten, but there are some head-scratchers. Raiders of the Lost Ark at number 14? Should be higher. So should Saving Private Ryan at number 21. And Poltergeist is carelessly thrown in because there are unsubstantiated rumors that Spielberg directed it instead of Tobe Hooper.
The only thing I like about this list is that the writer put Bridge of Spies at number seven. Most critics wouldn’t even put it in the top ten (though I love that film and I’d put it in the top five).
Headline of the Week
“John Stamos Says Dean Martin’s Blunt One-Word Response Changed His Life”
RIP Gene Shalit, David Hockney, Ronnie Schell, Margaret Kerry, William Smithers, Anne Schedeen, Joe Negri, Daveigh Chase, Alan Hale, and Jane Yolen
Gene Shalit reviewed movies and books and interviewed celebrities on The Today Show for over four decades. He died last week at the age of 100.
David Hockney was one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century. He died last week at the age of 88.
Ronnie Schell was a stand-up comic and TV mainstay in the 1960s and ’70s. He was a regular on Gomer Pyle, USMC and Good Morning, World, appeared in several Disney movies, and was the voice of the NHL’s Peter Puck character. He died last week at the age of 94.
Margaret Kerry was the model for Peter Pan’s Tinkerbell. She was also a regular on the ’50s sitcom The Ruggles, provided voices for cartoons (including Clutch Cargo), and appeared on The Andy Griffith Show and The Lone Ranger and in movies like A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She died last week at the age of 97.
William Smithers was a prolific screen and stage character actor who appeared on such TV shows as Dallas, Peyton Place, and Star Trek, and in movies like Papillon and Deathsport. He died last month at the age of 98.
Anne Schedeen played the mom on the sitcom ALF. She died Sunday at the age of 77.
Joe Negri played the handyman and music shop owner on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. He was also a talented guitarist, playing with Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis, and others. He died last month at the age of 99.
Daveigh Chase starred in such films as The Ring and Donnie Darko and in TV shows like Lilo & Stitch, Big Love, and Oliver Beene. She died Tuesday at the age of 35.
Alan Hale was one of the astronomers who discovered the Hale-Bopp comet (the other was Thomas Bopp). He died earlier this month at the age of 68.
Jane Yolen wrote 450 books, in all genres, including children’s and science fiction. She died last week at the age of 87.
This Week in History
O.J. Simpson Arrested (June 17, 1994)
The former football star was taken into custody after a chase that was broadcast live worldwide.
Lou Gehrig Born (June 19, 1903)
Some may know Gehrig only because of the way he died, but his baseball career remains astonishing.
This Week in Saturday Evening Post History: Iced Tea (June 17, 1950)
That’s an interesting handle on that pitcher.
June Is National Cucumber Month
I bet you thought I was going to give you some iced tea recipes.
Instead, how about a St. Germain Spritz from Delish or this Creamy Cucumber Salad from Budget Bytes? Our own Curtis Stone has Hawaiian-Style Poke Rice Bowls, Good Life Eats has Cucumber Chicken, and Betty Crocker has these Turkey Cucumber Dill Sandwiches.
Next Week’s Holidays and Events
Summer Begins (June 21)
If you’re keeping track, it officially beings at 4:24 a.m ET. It also starts at that time if you’re not keeping track.
Father’s Day (June 21)
Instead of a tie, maybe this year you can buy him a flip phone.
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