Blog Archives
The Power of a Pen and Paper
Despite the fact the video interview below is from December of 2012 of The New York Times Magazine, it’s always insightful to get a peak inside the mind of a truly great, creative writer. Jerry Seinfeld is an excellent, iconic stand-up comedian (lucky to have seen him twice), but he’s first a writer. And that’s why this interview is being posted. It’s partly about the subject matter (comedy), but it’s mostly about listening to and seeing the complex, simple, predictable and unpredictable process for writing material that entertains and captures widespread attention and imagination.
And listening to Jerry Seinfeld describe his method is worth your time, especially for a few minutes on a random Tuesday.
Consistently making “nothing” sound interesting and engaging to an audience for a half-hour on television for nine seasons or for an hour on stage or during a five-minute interview is a skill that requires knowing more than a little something about the things we see and do everyday, but just don’t realize until he starts reminiscing about the joys of Pop-Tarts.
Being able to discover those perceptive reveals is nothing to laugh about.
Well, maybe it is…
Is This a Joke?
I was watching the end of a rerun yesterday and this correlation instantly popped into my head.
Remember Pharrell’s infamous hat from The Grammy’s? Of course you do. It was that awkwardly tall, straight-brimmed brown detective/cowboy hat of sorts. Does it look at all familiar?
Maybe this will refresh your memory:
(The sound may not be synched correctly, but the focus should be on Elaine)
Is Pharrell is playing a year-round April Fools’ joke on all of us by sporting the modern “urban sombrero?”
Either way, well played Pharrell…well played.
Happy “How I Met Your Mother Day!”
September 19, 2005: “Kids, I’m going to tell you an incredible story…the story of how I met your mother.”
It’s impossible to recap all the best parts from the series. Challenge: not accepted. However, how about a few favorite instances?
We all have our favorite Ted moments that made us laugh (“My parents live in Ohio, I live in the moment”), heartfelt gestures that were quintessential Ted Mosby (the 2-minute date and the blue French horn) and scenes that made us feel the other way (sitting on the bed reading a note from Stella). Plus, who can forget Robin Sparkles (and Alan Thicke!), Mustache Marshall and his perfect use of a marching band (Go Fighting Hens!), Barney’s playbook, suits and his countless one-way missions to Outer Space that always took off in the early morning before his date woke up, Lily’s book on tape (and “tantrum!”), MacLaren’s Pub and a bevy of hilarious guest stars and characters that made the show a must-see event each week for nine seasons (The Captain!).
And, of course, there’s Marvin-Wait For It-Eriksen!
It’s Ted & the Mother (stay tuned for the name tonight), Lily & Marshall and Barney & Robin.
Below is an interview where each of the main cast members revealed their favorite moments of the series. It seems fitting to hear what has stuck with them through all these years.
March 31, 2014: (Without seeing the series finale tonight) What did we learn? Not just that it was a great television show, but that How I Met Your Mother was (most importantly) an incredible story about friends who did a lot of crazy things, funny things, romantic things and surprising things that led them to great success, heartache and uncertainty. But, ultimately, each of them found a way to discover and get everything they ever wanted.
In the most perfectly imperfect way, this show was Legendary.
Stay tuned for the series finale of How I Met Your Mother tonight at 8:00 p.m. on CBS.
Happy Monday and Here’s to Your Own Incredible Story!
P.S. Remember that awesome HIMYM poem written on Jimmy’s Daily Planet that shall be read as one would from the era of Oliver Twist?
Throwback Thursday Surprise!
The highly-anticipated trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was recently released to the world and it undoubtedly showcases a modern generation of reptilian ninjas that are ready to continue the incredible legacy of its cartoon and live-action descendants.
Thankfully, my nephew will go with me to the movie theater later this year to watch this awesome reboot. What’s perfect is that he is right around the same age I was when I saw the original three live-action movies at the theater.
Even cooler than the trailer is the look on his face when he watches the old movies, the old and new television shows and when he plays with his new turtle toys and my old turtle toys.
Cowabunga indeed!
Jimmy's Daily Planet 