Panel Discussion: Aquaman may be Aqua, but he's still a typical man

(Sorry for the poor scan--it's tough to scan these darned Showcase books without destroying the binding.)

Anyone want to volunteer to step up and tell Aquaman how WRONG his comment is?

Anyone? Green Arrow, you're a recent member, so maybe you don't want to rock the boat. Snapper Carr, you're a teen, and you probably don't know better, daddy-o. Martian Manhunter, you're Martian, so you're excused.

Flash? Green Lantern? Anyone?

This panel occurs in "Justice League of America #9." Spoiler Alert: No one tells Aquaman he could have phrased that a little better, or not at all. But in all fairness, at least everyone pitches in to help in the next panel:

The Wonderful World of TCM: Accidents Will Happen (1938)

In honor of TCM's selection of Ronald Reagan as Star of the Month for March, I asked another 1980s Geopolitical Icon to be our Special Guest Blogger and discuss the film "Accidents Will Happen." Ladies and comrades, I give you...Yakov Smirnoff!

Hello, America! I am very flattered Rick chose me to write about Ronald Reagan. He told me that other blogger and friend of Cultureshark Ivan of Thrilling Days of Yesteryear blogged about Mr. Reagan, too. Ivan is great name. I have about 20 close comrades named Ivan. Of course, 17 of them have been exiled to Siberia. But here I can write whatever I want! What a country!

I saw movie on TCM, which Rick assures me is not name of super missile pointed at Vladivostok, but wonderful TV channel that shows movies in black and white because it wants to. In Russia, channels show black and white because 5% of households and collective farms have color TV. Plus all but 5 colors are outlawed.

Name of movie I watched is "Accidents Will Happen." This remind me of great joke told by Russian TV personality, Carnacov the Magnificent. It go something like this:

Answer: Accidents will happen.

Got that? Accidents will happen.

Question: What did safety chief on duty at Chernobyl say when Politburo interrogated him?

Get the joke? Too soon? Is this thing on? In Russia, microphone shut off when electricity rationing happens every evening. In America, microphone on no matter how quiet people are or how loud they are. What a country!

Anyway, "Accidents Will Happen" is fascinating movie starring your President Reagan. In this film, Mr. Reagan is investigator, but he doesn't use wiretaps or truth serums. He has pretty American wife and another pretty American lady friend who likes him. This is the difference between my country and your country. Brezhnev's woman has face like relief map of Caucasus. Reagan has pretty woman all over him. What a country!

President Reagan is very young in this movie. In Russia, leaders are never young. They are born with receding hairline, ulcer, and slight touch of gout.

Anyway, in film, President Reagan investigates criminals who make phony car accidents to collect insurance money. In Russia, this would never happen. We don't have insurance, and "accidents" are what happen to people who criticize government in public. Their families don't get insurance, but they get 50 rubles and letter signed by secretary of Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety.

I liked this movie very much. It was fun, exciting, and it was much, much shorter than last movie I saw in Russia. That was 17-part documentary--"History of Grain."

Thank you very much for reading and for not reporting me. This will be largest audience I ever had for something I wrote, as Rick tells me as many as 5 citizens read this every day! What a country!

Brooks on Books: The Soul of Baseball by Joe Posnanski

Anyone not charmed by Buck O'Neil in Ken Burns' "Baseball" deserves 10 years in Leavenworth, or maybe 11 years in Twelveworth. The former Negro Leagues player and manager, major league coach, scout, and longtime ambassador for the game comes across even better in this amazing book.

I'm going to celebrate the new season with a series of posts about baseball books I've read over the last year or so, and there's no better way to kick it off than by talking about Joe Posnanski's account of a road trip he took with Buck O'Neil as the legend promoted the Negro League Baseball Museum in particular, but also the Negro Leagues and baseball itself in general. I'm not exaggerating when I say this one will not just excite you about the return of the game, it won't just make you happy to be a fan, but it will make you happy to be alive. If I phrase that in a corny manner, don't worry, the book is sincere and heartfelt but never corny.

In fact, Posnanski doesn't need to force sentiment or positivity into his text; merely by showcasing the words of Buck O'Neil and relating his stories--the ones he tells about his past as well as the new ones that are formed during the road trip--he produces an naturally engaging read. But don't let me give you the impression this is just a transcription job. No, Posnanski has a great eye for detail and an ear for dialogue. He knows when to inject himself into the narrative and acknowledge his presence and when to back off and let it be Buck's story. The one gimmick he utilizes is an effective one: Describing Buck's words as often lyrical, occasionally, he'll directly quote O'Neil by printing his words in italics, set off from the regular test like lines in a poem or song. Trust me, it works, partly because the author's unerring instincts keep him from overdoing it.

A lot happens in this book, and at the same time, not much happens. There are ballparks, radio shows, and other public places to visit, and it's interesting to read about how people react to Buck and how he conducts his informal goodwill tour. But the soul of the book, if you will, are the conversations that take place during those appearances, the discussions he has with fans, officials, and the author. It's got to be impossible to put down this book and not feel some admiration at an elderly man who was locked out of the major leagues (as a player) by racism and was not voted into the Hall of Fame while he was alive, yet refuses to show bitterness or to promote himself. His interest is promoting baseball, promoting the Negro Leagues, and treating his fans with respect and kindness.

Buck wasn't a saint, and Posnanski captures the rascal side of O'Neil as well. For example, he writes that in all their travels, the only time he regularly sees Buck act "old" is when it's time to board an airplane, and he takes full advantage of his age to get seating priority. The guy respected the game and the people around him, but he had fun, too. That's really what this book is about: Enjoying baseball and enjoying life. It's really an inspiration and a great read to get you pumped up for Opening Day.

Journey into DVD: Quick first impression of Room 222

There is nothing bad per se about Shout Factory's new "Room 222" set except maybe the disappointing video and audio quality. The bad thing for me is that I missed out on that super-cheap pre-order price Amazon offered for a while. I rented disc 1 from Netflix this week, not having seen the show in a looooong time and having few memories of the reruns. I look forward to reading the thoughts of more learned individuals, but so far, this one really impresses me.

By the end of the first episode, I cared for the characters, was into the story, and just generally felt good about life in general. Aspects of "Room 222" may seem dated today--the first episode has a lot of that well-meaning liberal (with a small "l") humor of white people awkwardly trying to prove to noble black people how tolerant of black people they are--but I find its charm and gentle humor refreshing. It lacks what just about any sitcom today must have to get on the air: Edge.

"Room 222" deals with issues, but it deals with them in a respectful, earnest manner. The jokes, even the ones that mock educational conventions and institutions, are more sincere than cutting, as everyone's heart is in the right place.

If this sounds boring, well, I guess you don't like a lot of old TV. There's a place for sarcasm, snark, and shock, but "Room 222" is a welcome throwback, and if anyone wants to complain that the show is a little high-minded or it doesn't reflect "reality," well, fine. All I know is I find this version of the late sixties a pleasant one to experience, and I hope Shout brings more seasons to video. I can live with the subpar prints as long as they're uncut episodes.

Why is Academy-Award-nominated Shirley Booth playing a zany, comic character on television?

Because she's having a ball doing it, that's why.

Don't believe me?


Today is Shirley Booth Friday. Thus sayeth Cultureshark. Enjoy!

Cultureshark Recommends (Stuff I Like)

My last several posts have been rather on the negative side, so today I'm going 100% positive and touting some things I like in the world of pop culture right now:

*Christian Slater in "He Was a Quiet Man": This little-seen film played in heavy rotation on the Showtime networks recently. It's an intriguing sleeper that takes you into the mind of a troubled loner (Slater) who harbors fantasies of slaughtering his co-workers. Then one day--well, even though it occurs early in the movie, I don't want to give it away.

Slater is excellent here. It's not just the gimmick of the receding hair and the glasses, but a true performance as Slater inhabits this lonely, beaten-down soul. I was really impressed by his work in carrying this entertaining little film, which also features Elisha Cuthbert (who has probably never been better) and John "Project Greenlight" Gulager (who provides extra offbeat charm).

*The Fleet Foxes' self-titled album: If you like folkish hippie rock with rich, layered harmonies, give this one a shot. I don't claim to listen to even a fraction of what's out there in music today, but though this one certainly is reminiscent of older artists, it feels fresh _now_ and is different than anything I've heard lately. It's a good change-of-pace album, though I wouldn't want to listen it repeatedly in a short time span. And it sure isn't the most macho thing to listen to in your car with the top down.

*New season of "Breaking Bad": What a fool I was to dismiss Bryan Cranston just because I thought "Malcom in the Middle" was weak. He's turning out awesome performances each and every week on this gripping AMC show. It may be a virtue of the short cable series that it can afford to plow through plot quicker than a network effort with a larger run. One great thing about "Breaking Bad" is that when you think of a scenario that "must" happen sooner or later, it often happens sooner. The creative team doesn't draw it out. Yet the show doesn't neglect character even as it advances plot. I'd like to see "Breaking Bad" get a little more of the pub it deserves.

*"Incognito": Ed Brubaker's new comic about a super villain in the witness protection program is off to a great start. I think the only remotely negative thing I could say about it is he's taking a break from "Criminal" to do it...but this is like an alternate take on "Criminal" and just as cool. So I won't say it.

"Honeymooners Lost Episodes" on WGN: Sure, I'd love to see them uncut and with less commercials, but I love that these are on in prime time on a high-profile national cable outlet. It's rare to see black and white shows in that kind of slot, period, let alone rough-looking kinescopes like these. The channel is currently showing the longer episodes Sundays at 9:00 PM, and if you only watch the Classic 39, you're really missing out on some hilarious 'Mooners action.

*This Aqua Velva commercial featuring a singing Pete Rose and Vic Tayback:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eAs7DM6u_Q