The Beatles didn't write "God Only Knows." Paul McCartney says it is his favorite song of all time. In fact, Pet Sounds is what inspired them to try to top the Beach Boys with Sgt. Pepper. For a long time most people believe they accomplished just that, but in the last few years the pendulum has swung in the other direction and many critics believe Pet Sounds is the superior album.

And, btw, it took a whole team of Lennon, McCartney AND George Martin to accomplish what Brian Wilson did ALONE.

"LL Cool J is a Conservative."

Really?? Didn't know that. Where have you heard that before? Has he come out publicly with that?

They are going on tour later this year, and they've already recorded some new material. That's pretty much a reunion.

Cont'd:

Keep in mind, I had never heard of 007 or even knew what a spy was, so I had no idea what an awesome kick-ass I had in store for me. But at the time, I was certainly convinced it was gonna suck. I wanted to see SW again or nothing at all.

Dad said I had no choice. "You're going."

I threw a tantrum and I had to be dragged literally kicking and screaming into the theater. And because I had caused such a ruckus, we ended up being a bit late (like a half hour). So, by the time I sat down, it was right in the thick of the action.

I was glued to the screen for the next two hours. And in fact, I sat there and waited for the next showing to catch the beginning of the movie which I had missed. When my dad finally came and got me, I of course had to suck it up and admit how right he was.

Damn parents always being right!

Ha ha. Hank, your story reminds me of how I got to be introduced to James Bond. I was also around 8 or 9 and my dad was going to some meditation thingy so he decided to drop me off at the movies to keep me babysat for a couple hours. I said "great, let me see Star Wars again" (for like the 6th time at this point -- no, not quite close to your 17, but still, you're spot on how it was an Experience).

Anyway, dad said SW wasn't playing at the theater we had to go to "but there's this other movie a friend of mine saw that she said was just as good called The Spy Who Loved ---" And that was that. It had "love" in the title. I was convinced it was gonna be a boring, mushy, romantic LOVE story and I sure as hell wasn't having any of that.

I thought he was gonna say it turns out to be a young Han Solo or something up until the light saber part.

I'm not sure that woiuld make sense. Those would be the people already prone to leave cable for good since they're already one foot out the door so to speak. It would seem to me that would make their minds up for good.

OTOH, I've been hearing rumors for years (still yet to be realized) of the cable companies eventually switching to an a la carte service so we specifically don't have to pay for all the crappy channels we never watch, such as what Nolte talks about.

I would really love to see that.

Kinda reminds me of the owners of Studio 54 bragging on TV about how much money they make in cash. And they didn't expect a call from the IRS?

That chicken skit, I remember it. That was some funny stuff.

FWIW, I grew up in the suburbs of Portland, and rest assured, though what they spoof is pretty spot-on, that pretty much only applies to Portland proper. The suburbs are pretty much like any other suburbs -- much less hipster craziness, more normalcy.

Haven't heard of that one, but thanks for the warning.