Elisabeth Sladen: Sarah Jane of 'Who' passes

Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith) with Tom Baker (The Doctor)

I have been down today after finding out about the death of Elisabeth Sladen, 63, who played Sarah Jane Smith, companion on "Doctor Who" during the Pertwee and Tom Baker years.

Her perky journalist character was a favorite because she was one of the first companions I knew because I picked up the series on PBS dung the Baker years. She also had one of the longest runs of any Who companion.

This happens to me occasionally. When someone who has been a seminal part of my younger life (as she was with the Who series) passes, I get a little depressed. (Another time I felt this way was with the death of legendary wrestling commentator Gordon Solie, as my brother and I watched Championship Wrestling from Florida religiously on the weekends.)

As cheesy as early "Doctor Who" was in special effects, the series lasted because of its intriguing characters and plots. And while there were hated or forgettable companions like the boy mathematician Adric, characters like Sladen's Sarah Jane enhanced the weekly adventures of the Doctor.

Sladen with David Tennant

Who fans were lucky enough to see Elisabeth on two spin-offs, the short-lived "K9 and Friends" and the continuing "Sarah Jane Adventures" (of which there is another season filmed and ready for broadcast.) She also appeared on Who specials and as guest spots on the Tennant and Smith series.

I'll always remember her younger years: bright-eyed, adventurous, longing for the approval of a man from space even though she had become his equal in many ways.

Elisabeth Sladen passed away from cancer April 18, 2011. She is survived by her husband, actor Brian Miller, and her daughter Sadie.

Sarah Jane, you will be missed.

Music Monday - April 18, 2011

Here's Josh Joplin, a talented modern folk singer, who I found after he appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman. He has a diverse writing style and thoughtful lyrics. 

I wanted to highlight him here because he's appearing at Eddie's Attic, 515 McDonough Street, Decatur GA, April 30 for two shows, at 7pm and 9:30pm. He's an excellent performer and writer and worth checking out. Below is a session he did in Australia. The song is "I Am Not The Only Cowboy" from his album "The Future That Was."

Just a warning: You may see RUSH on here frequently. They are one of my favorite bands of all time. Not only do they have incredibly entertaining concerts but their songwriting is deep and meaningful. This song, "Mission," is one of my favorites. 

This was a funny mash-up. I was really surprised how much Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" and the Bee Gee's "Staying Alive" work together. It's scary really.

Funny Friday

Each week, I'll pick out some of the more humorous things I've seen or noted for Funny Friday!

On April 16, 122 years ago, Charlie Chaplin was born in London. 

This is one of my favorite moments from his films - "Dancing the Oceana Roll":

This is one of the funniest comedians alive, Ricky Gervais, on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Topics covered include the Golden Glodes, atheism and his new special about comedy:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Exclusive - Ricky Gervais Extended Interview Pt. 1
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Exclusive - Ricky Gervais Extended Interview Pt. 2
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

Andy Sandford, one of the Beards of Comedy based in Atlanta, 

with a hilarious 15 minute set at the Relapse Theater:

Andy Sandford 4/08/2011 from Andy Sandford on Vimeo.

Thursday Tweets in Review

Looking back at my favorite tweets from the past week (both my own and others.)

Part of Tweet The Joke's caption contest:

Wrote this on a blah day:

Morgan Murphy with a funny yet true point about Twitter:

I try to #FF up to five people I have started following during the week.

I also try to give a solid, entertaining reason why.

And, if you've been reading the blog recently,

you can tell I've been especially frustrated with Conservatives.

Roger Ebert On Finding His Voice... Again

Roger Ebert gave this exceptionally moving and humorous TED talk about finding his voice through technology and the Internet after his cancer surgeries. It's worth 19 minutes of your life to learn what it's like to live with a disability like his. (He also scores points with me for using a Harlan Ellison reference.)



(via @ThatChrisGore, Chris Gore)

Tim Minchin's Storm

I've seen Tim Minchin only a couple times on TV appearances (like on Jonathan Ross' show on BBC America.) And I've always liked his work but this makes me truly want to delve into it more. We've all met this person, unless you are this person. And we all wish we could respond in this dexterous way.

So, from the brilliant mind of British comedian Tim Minchin, the animated movie "Storm":

(Found via @terryjr91, blog: Second From The Back)

Whatever Wednesday: Lies (And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them)

Recent events (well, what am I saying, it's been this way for a long time!) have reminded me of Al Franken's 2003 "Lies (And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them)" in which he points out problem with truth that some conservatives and their media counterparts have.


The latest political turn-of-the-factual-cheek comes from Sen. John Kyl (R-AZ) in his statement that claimed that performing abortions is "well over 90 percent of what Planned Parenthood does." In truth, that number is 3 percent. His office later issued a statement that "was not intended to be a factual statement but rather to illustrate that Planned Parenthood, an organization that receives millions in taxpayer dollars, does subsidize abortions."


Of course, the news comedy shows jumped on this like "tigers of truth" (a phrase soon-to-be stolen by Charlie Sheen.)


Here are Jon Stewart's take on Kyl's statement and Senior Political Strategist Wyatt Cenac explanation of conservative "techniques."


Not to be outdone, here is Stephen Colbert's hilarious take on the stupidity.


Colbert also took to Twitter to continue the point.


Keep'em honest, guys!