By Steve Rhodes
I sense that most of my readers will not want to believe this, but John McCain showed last night that he can deliver an outstanding comedy routine. See for yourself.
Party Central
I’ve also made a post called “Chicago Prepares” over at Division Street. Among other things, I linked to Lynn Sweet’s brief report about the possibility of a Grant Park celebration for Obama on Election Night. In today’s paper, Sweet adds this nugget:
“Turns out that the campaign let the news out Monday in an e-mail to its elite donors so they can start making travel plans. No surprise; the campaign has been attentive to the care and feeing of its best donors and fund-raisers from the start.”
She said it, not me. Take your complaints to her.
Plumbing the Plumber
It’s certainly interesting that Joe the Plumber doesn’t have a license and owes back taxes (hey, who doesn’t?!), but getting far less attention is his comment at the very end of this story.
That’s Neil
“I dwell in the shadows,” Neil Steinberg writes today, “in the compromised, egocentric, corrupted, skewed, slanted netherworld of pals and politics, logrolling and back-scratching. The difference between Robert Feder and myself is that he’s never accepted a free lunch, and I’ve never turned one down. He’s trying to cover the news; I’m trying to enjoy myself.”
He said it, not me.
Savaging Savard
“Maybe Savard took committing to the indian quite literally and gambled Martin Havlat away at Ho-Chunk Casino,” EamusCatuli comments on Deadspin. But seriously, what in the name of Esposito is going on here?”
Mr. Praline notes that “At least they’re keeping the epic 80s moustache continuum” with the hiring of Joel Quenneville.
Doyle McPoyle estimates the Quenneville moustache is worth “10 wins easy.”
I just like to say Quenneville. Quenneville.
Vote Affy
According to one of the few ads in the Sun-Times, Affy Man is running for president. I like his platform.
The Late Show
McCain appeared on Letterman last night, saying that he “screwed up” canceling his previous appearance to head back to Washington to deal with the imploding economy.
Yes, it’s always more important to tape a stale comedy show than prevent the most powerful nation in the world from sliding into insolvency.
Police Patrol
Jody Weis appears to endorse Barack Obama. (h/t: Second City Cop)
Stone’s Throw
I suppose Steve Stone could be an effective endorser for some products – baseball gear, for example – but is anyone really more likely to buy a Hyundai because he does commercials for them now?
If so, I have a website I’d like to sell them.
Hobby Heaven!
This looks awesome.
Talking Term Limits
Here’s a piece I wrote for City Hall in New York City.
Miss Managed
“Aldermen may have stood and applauded the mayor afterward, but nobody could pretend to be happy about what he’d said,” Mick Dumke writes. “Some of the out-and-out skeptics, like Bob Fioretti, Pat Dowell, and Scott Waguespack, wondered why some of the ‘management improvements’ hadn’t been implemented already if they were such great ideas. ‘We plan six months ahead; other cities have five and six-year plans,’ said Waguespack. ‘There’s no way you can say you didn’t see some of this coming’.”
Recession Coming
We read the (extremely funny) tea leaves.
Halloween Heaven
From Sound Opinions:
“On Halloween eve (October 30), Chicago Public Radio’s Sound Opinions, the world’s only rock ‘n’ roll talk show, presents the Rolling Stones rock documentary Gimme Shelter at the Music Box Theatre.
“Called ‘the greatest rock film ever made,’ this landmark documentary follows the Rolling Stones on their notorious 1969 U.S. tour. When 300,000 members of the Love Generation collided with a few dozen Hell’s Angels at San Francisco’s Altamont Speedway, direct cinema pioneers David and Albert Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin immortalized on film the bloody slash that transformed a decade’s dreams into disillusionment.
“‘The Maysles brothers’ Gimme Shelter is that rare look behind the wall of hype and secrecy that surrounds a legendary band at the height of its powers. The movie traces the Rolling Stones’ road to Altamont, a concert that became a war zone. If there’s a scarier movie about rock ‘n’ roll, I don’t know what it is.’ – Greg Kot, Sound Opinions co-host.”
Doors open at 6:15; show is at 7. You can get tickets at soundopinions.org or at the door.
Ferdy Film Frenzy
Continuing our blurbing of Marilyn Ferdinand’s coverage of the Chicago International Film Festival. Go to Ferdy on Films for full reviews and details.
“Native Dancer: The mountains that separate Kazahkstan from China form a brilliant backdrop for the patch of barren, brown earth on the side of a highway where Aidai, a powerful baksy (shaman), helps people in need. But a young, arrogant gangster named Arman wants Aidai’s land so he can develop it for his own profit. The juxtaposition of Lexus SUVs and mud huts, mixed drinks and sheep’s blood, high heels and cloth mocassins throws the disconnect between Aidai’s world and Arman’s into high contrast.”
The trailer:
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The Beachwood Tip Line: Free and clear.
Posted on October 17, 2008