Arthur Rackham illustration for The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse Since the US's founding, Americans have steadily moved from the countryside to the city but the story of our pop culture has always been the product of a dialogue between the two worlds, with urban and rural fashions coming and going. While being country … Continue reading The Rural Upsurge — A Brief History of Country Cool and Uncool
Tag: Television
Fear of a black galaxy — Black people in science-fiction
Photo by JD Hancock The other day I was listening to the podcast The Auteur Cast. In discussing The Empire strikes back, one of the hosts used the character of Lando Calrissian to question why there are so few black people in science-fiction. It’s not a new question. In 1976, on the album Bicentennial Nigger, Richard … Continue reading Fear of a black galaxy — Black people in science-fiction
“I Like Big Bird” – Happy Birthday, PBS, and Happy Teachers’ Day
INTRODUCTION Today is the birthday of PBS and also Teachers' Day. For any reader that might not know, PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) is a non-profit American public broadcasting television network headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It was founded on this date (5 October, 1970), 42 years ago, in 1970, after the termination of its predecessor, National Educational … Continue reading “I Like Big Bird” – Happy Birthday, PBS, and Happy Teachers’ Day
The Timeline of Asian-American Television
Since its earliest days, American television screens have never looked much like American reality. Network executives have apparently never been comfortable with too many Asians being on the small screen at one time. Asian sidekicks are alright, as are Asian guest stars. A non-recurring Asian love interest is acceptable, provided the character is female. There have been only a handful … Continue reading The Timeline of Asian-American Television
Show me the Mo Movies!!! – Missouri in Film and Television
Some folk that know me know I have to see dang near err movie that's filmed in, set in or tied to Missouri (whurr I grew up). With the Bourne Trilogy, those ties were somewhat tenuous... Badass Jason Bourne is merely informed that his real name is David Webb and he's from Nixa. No wonder … Continue reading Show me the Mo Movies!!! – Missouri in Film and Television
Chrissy Plain & Simple
The other night I went (blessed with the company of the amazing Ngoc em and her cousin, Bao -- and my co-worker Hiland) to see the filming of the pilot for a Chris Elliott vehicle called Chrissy Plain & Simple. I like the name and concept. Just pure, unadulterated Chris Elliot, without any bells and whistles … Continue reading Chrissy Plain & Simple
Eric Brightwell 