Not me. Sorry. Bah humbug.
SNL did a sketch recently that parodied IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. In it, Trump is shown an alternate world where he wasn’t president. I thought it was funny. It must have been hilarious because Trump tweeted his displeasure. In typical Trump fashion, his solution was to abolish the First Amendment for belittling him.
In the movie IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, we are shown an alternate world if George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) had never been born. And here’s the scary thing:
We ARE in that world. It exists. “Pottersville” – named after the evil businessman Mr. Potter – is our reality. The nightmare has come true. (Potter even looks like Trump minus the comb-over.)
George Bailey, please wake up!
Here's what I want for Christmas:
More George Bailey.
And more Wise Men.
I liked the meme that was going round a while back that we're now living in the alternate reality from Back to the Future Part II in which Trump lookalike Biff Tannen has become an all powerful corrupt megalomaniac. Great Scott!
ReplyDelete"Folks think that’s okay and still celebrate Christmas?
ReplyDeleteNot me."
Were you celebrating Christmas all these years to begin with?
Not a great year for many. Harvey's is getting worse:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.krqe.com/news/harvey-weinstein-indicted-on-rape-criminal-sex-act-charges/1672682205
BTW, just asking, you or anyone here by any chance are on Harvey's mailing list?
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/05/arts/harvey-weinstein-email.html
Agreed, with a minor edit: /s/Men/People.
ReplyDelete("Does it have to be 'people'? There's a dolphin lobby that always complains.")
wg
American troops are coming home from Syria (when did Congress authorize them to being with?). Troops are even coming home from Afghanistan, where we've been for 17 years. Trump is actually standing against the war-machine. He is fulfilling a campaign promise. And all of Washington is in meltdown because of it. Why isn't that something to be grateful for?
ReplyDeleteYou know who won't accuse Trump of being like Potter? The families of the soldiers who are coming home.
But regardless of all that, have a blessed and wonderful holiday season, Ken. Thank you for what you do here.
Hear hear.
ReplyDeletePardon me for over-using this analogy.
ReplyDeleteI am exhausted by the many "Frank Burns" idiots who recently took charge and are destroying the American Dream.
All I want for Christmas is for a Hawkeye to emerge.
Ken, did you see this piece a couple of days ago?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/its-a-wonderful-life-movie-frank-capra_us_5c1c13e7e4b0407e9078d0c5
I always look forward to the bank examiner explaining that he was in a hurry to get home to Elmira (born and raised there in the 50's, when it was an accurate reflection of Bedford Falls).
I think this is a sign you are getting too wrapped up in politics.
ReplyDeleteNot so much politics,per se, but Dump is working on making our country so Potter like it is mite bit depressing, especially when Dump is firing off gloomy tweets on Christmas Eve.
DeleteAt any rate, everyone, Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
SNL's "It's a Wonderful Trump" bit would've seemed more impressive if Showtime's "Dice" series hadn't already done a much better, funnier "It's a Wonderful Life" parody that included Trump not getting elected as part of its alternate-reality fantasy.
ReplyDeleteI don't celebrate Christmas. But at this time of the year for a week or so I relax and take a break from my painful workload and try to forget all the problems that is plaguing me and others.
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas holidays for just that... a break from a tiring past and a hope that something new is round the corner.
There is always some suffering somewhere. A break for ourselves is not wrong or selfish, I believe.
Merry Christmas, Ken.
More than 30 years ago, SNL came up with the "lost ending" of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, when Uncle Billy remembered he gave the $8,000 to Potter.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw89o0afb2A
Being from Rochester, NY, my favorite part is when Jimmy Stewart says, "Rochester? Why Rochester?"
ReplyDeleteYou're Jewish. Why would you be celebrating Christmas in the first place?
ReplyDeleteM.B.
Sheldon Leonard is my favorite Pottersville bartender. "We don't need characters givin' the joint atmosphere!"
ReplyDeleteNo Barrymore who wasn't already dead and decomposing could resemble Trump.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, I agree, and have a great whatever you want to celebrate.
By the way, Ken, I went to see the Transformers prequel, Bumblebee. I don't imagine you'll be checking it out but there's one bit that'll amuse you. The film is set in 1987 and the Bumblebee robot communicates by using songs or movie dialogue. In one scene he uses...the Cheers theme!
ReplyDeleteIt's actually a decent enough movie. The action isn't as spectacular as the Michael Bay films, but it doesn't have the utterly moronic and infantile humour of those films either. Plus the lead character's mother is played by hot Jewish actress Pamela Adlon. What's not to like?!
Let's see how SCTV dealt with Potterville in
ReplyDeleteIt's A Wonderful Film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4mQlytlNrg
And in the tradition of the Bizzarro world we seem to be living in, here's hoping your Christmas sucks!
:>)
I don't remember the Simpsons spoof episode name. But Homer played James Stewart and Moe is one of the bank customers. When Moe is told that his money has been given as loan to another guy, that guy , this guy, Moe loses it and starts punching everyone.
ReplyDeleteIt was a laugh riot 😂
Wish someone told me which episode that is....
But that is nothing compared to 'Family Guy' spoof. They just have to bring gay reference to everything 😂😂😂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvGUDqS5IkM
Off topic,but how did you guys keep the actors and actresses from sweating on camera during the winter scenes? I was watching reruns of All in the Family and Carroll O'Conner was sweating profusely in some scenes under the hot lights. I guess Norman Lear was getting some revenge.
ReplyDeleteKen, more than a year later Kevin Spacey has tweeted. It's a video.
ReplyDeleteI can't make out what he wants to say. Is he mocking the accusers or thumbing his nose at the critics. Looks like an unhinged madman talk. But then he is an actor, so must be normal for them.
https://twitter.com/KevinSpacey/status/1077263549326651392
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZveA-NAIDI
The comments for his tweet and YouTube video are brutal.
I think you hit on it.
ReplyDeleteAnd the folks asking whether you celebrate Christmas - everyone celebrates Christmas. It's largely become a secular holiday. Moreover, the tradition might be eating at a Chinese restaurant or working that day so someone else takes it off
Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards all God's children, period.
ReplyDeleteI'll be anxious to hear what guys like Andrew will be saying in 2020 when the Republicans invent some reason to get us into a brand new war -- just to get Trump re-elected. (Americans don't change presidents during a war.)
ReplyDeleteIf you want to make back all the money you just lost in the stock market, bet everything you've got on this happening.
@Gary,
ReplyDeleteI don't own stocks. The blue collar people I know don't own stocks either. Many of them used to be Democrats but supported Trump for president. If you think the Dems are still the party of the working class, and not the rich, you haven't been paying attention.
Concerning what you predict for 2020, I sincerely doubt it. Are you aware of Trump's popularity among regular soldiers? But I'll certainly be happy if Trump doesn't bomb a pharmaceutical factory in Sudan.
But besides all that, what unites us as citizens of this great country are far more important than what divides us politically. Grace and peace to you on this Christmas day.
@Andrew
ReplyDeleteYou might not be aware of this, but one of the most important rules of foreign policy is that you never ever let your allies down, especially in armed conflicts.
The mostly Kurdish rebel forces that are currently fighting side-by-side with US special forces in North Syria will come under intense pressure from Syria and Turkey the very moment the last US soldier leaves the area. Turkey is already assembling troops near the border. In the future local milita/rebel forces in the Middle East (and elsewhere) will think twice before picking up arms and becoming allies of the US. A similar situation can be found in Afghanistan. Also, a collapsing government will set back US efforts in this region in a major way. As both current examples are multinational efforts involving NATO allies, pulling out will hurt the defence alliance.
While I can personally fully understand that military families will be delighted to welcome back their loved ones, Trump's decision will cause many political problems down the road and it will characterise the US as an unreliable, moody ally.
@jcs,
ReplyDeleteI understand what you're saying. But please explain to me how we can extricate ourselves from the Middle East and Afghanistan without there be being potentially negative consequences. Should we just stay there indefinitely? How many soldiers should be allowed to die or be permanently injured to maintain the status quo?
More George Bailey, more wise men....and more Violet!
ReplyDeleteWise men??? They gave frankincense and myrrh to a baby!
ReplyDelete