Tag: Kermit the Frog

This Week in Pop Culture Roundup (Post-Thanksgiving 2011 Edition)

kermit the frog plush toy

If you have been too busy pepper spraying shoppers trying to grab that toy you want, here are some of the pop culture stories from the week that you might have missed.

——— Music ———

No Depression featured an interesting story about a recent encounter with Garth Hudson of The Band.

No Depression also featured a nice review of Glen Campbell on his final tour.

Chimesfreedom sends our best wishes to The Bee Gees’ Robin Gibb, who is fighting liver cancer.

The Rolling Stones are releasing an expanded reissue of Some Girls, including a song with John Fogerty.

“Does this mean I can play whatever I want?” — Ozzy Osbourne on getting his own music channel on SiriusXM Radio.

“What I do is more like a poke in the ribs than a kick in the face.” – Weird Al Yankovic in Chicago Tribune profile.

Influential jazz drummer and bandleader Paul Motian passed away last week. RIP.

“Cracklin’ Rosie, get on board!” Neil Diamond will tour this summer to support a greatest hits CD.

If you are a fan of The Swell Season, check out this interview with Marketa Irglova about The Swell Season, the new documentary on the band, and her new solo CD.

WhatCulture! has a review of William Shatner’s new CD, Seeking Major Tom. Below is Shatner’s version of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” with his face in the sky of this crazy official video.

——— Movies ———-

“He’s an older Bruce Wayne; he’s not in a great state.” — Christopher Nolan revealing some information on the upcoming The Dark Night Rises, which begins eight years after the last Batman film. William Shatner Calling Major Tom

Slate listed its top five bad movie songs.

Scarlett Johansson will direct a film adaptation of a Truman Capote novella, Summer Crossing.

A new Woody Allen documentary prompted several stories. One article on the film quoted director Robert Weide on Woody Allen: “He doesn’t think of himself as a great artist.’’ Meanwhile, Salon ranked Woody Allen’s 10 Greatest Films. Personally, I think it is a crime that the list does not include Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Kermit the Frog went to the White House on Tuesday. Also, this past week saw country music day at the White House, which included Kris Kristofferson and Lyle Lovett.

The Artist, a new silent film, opened this week to rave reviews.

An international Laurel and Hardy appreciation society meets every week in California near the Hal Roach Studios.

“The Muppets are sweet and subversive.” — Los Angeles Times review. In another Muppets-related story, Slate discussed “Mahna Mahna” and how music from an Italian soft-core film became the Muppets’ catchiest song.

——— Television ———

Elizabeth Shue will become a regular on “CSI” starting in February, replacing Marg Helgenberger.

CBS signed up Survivor for two more seasons with Jeff Probst as host and executive producer.

Katy Perry will host Saturday Night Live on Dec. 10.

——— Other News ———

Two former death row inmates whose convictions were each overturned after years on death row were married last week.

Finally, the UC Davis Pepper Spray Cop is now a funny Internet meme. Follow this link if you wish to skip the article and go straight to some very funny photos of the Pepper Spray Cop in unique situations, showing the strength of using humor to fight the powers.


What was your favorite pop culture story this week? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • The Groundbreaking Rock and Roll Movie, “The T.A.M.I. Show”
  • Glen Campbell & Stevie Wonder: “Blowin’ in the Wind” (Duet of the Day)
  • Weird Al Yankovic Joins Weezer in Video for “Africa”
  • The Man Behind the Organ in “Like a Rolling Stone”
  • The Ambiguous Anti-War Underpinnings of “Galveston”
  • Death in Movies That Remind Us to Enjoy Life

    • (Some Related Chimesfreedom Posts)

    A Pop Culture Tribute to the End of the Terror Color Levels

    Terror Threat Colors
    Starting last Thursday, the U.S. Homeland Security Department began phasing out the color-coded terror-threat system that was created after September 11, 2001. The system will end completely by April 26, 2011. The national level has been at yellow (elevated) since 2006, with air flights being at orange (high risk).

    Hopefully, in the future, anyone born after today will not know anything about this system. For posterity, here is a popular culture explanation of the meaning behind all of the colors:

    * Red: severe risk: When we are at this level, it is like the days when we thought the communists were taking over and were going to attack. Panic time. (The movie Reds, starring Warren Beatty.)

    * Orange: high risk: This level is like being locked in prison. You cannot go anywhere.  (“Orange Blossom Special” at San Quentin, by Johnny Cash.)

    * Yellow: Elevated – significant risk: When you are at this level, it is a little bit better than being in prison, as you may leave your room, but you still cannot go out. It is like being in a submarine.  (“Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles.)

    * Blue: Guarded – general risk: It’s better than the options above, but you’re still a little sad.  (“Blue” by the Jayhawks.)

    * Low (green): low risk: This is a happy level, like living with puppets. But it’s not easy to get this green level.  (“It’s Not Easy Being Green,” by Kermit the Frog.)

    In all seriousness, I recommend the movie and the songs above. But if you only watch one, check out “Blue” by the Jayhawks. It is a great song with an introduction by a very young Jon Stewart.

    Here’s to hoping we never hear anything more about terror levels again.

    Will you miss the terror colors? Leave a comment.