Ben Bass and Beyond: I'm bored

Saturday, August 2, 2008

I'm bored

If only there were some sort of superhero movie or rock concert I could go to.

3 comments:

Mick Jammer said...: Hmm, what would be the set-list at a superhero rock concert? One suggestion: XTC's "That's Really Super, Supergirl." Another: The Beatles' "Flying." Hmm...; August 5, 2008 1:37 AM
Ben said...: Andy Kaufman's Mighty Mouse bit might be a nice opening act.

There have been a few superhero-themed hit songs in recent years. The Spin Doctors chipped in "Jimmy Olsen's Blues" and "Pocket Full of Kryptonite" and Eminem had "Superman."

Then there are the big hits associated with superhero movies: Prince's "Batdance," U2's "Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me" (complete with comic-book art Batman-themed rock video), and Seal's "Kiss from a Rose."

One memorable superhero pop song moment was when the Howard Stern radio show had the American Idol judges on a few years ago. They agreed to evaluate some aspiring talent.

Stern put on an earnest young rock singer whose performance was roundly belittled, at which point Stern revealed that the singer was in fact the front man of the multimillion-selling band Saliva, then riding high with the huge hit theme song to the first "Spiderman" movie.

Insert disdainful, indignant remark here.; August 5, 2008 8:13 AM
Bree said...: I saw Dark Knight the other day in a theater in Calcutta. This was my first Batman experience, and let me tell you, it was an experience. Movie-wise, it was neat. The acting was fantastic, the effects were pretty cool, and the storyline was fine.

The floor in the theater was carpeted and the seats reclined. A food vendor walked up and down the aisles at the beginning of the movie, and during and after intermission, selling ice cream and other munchies. Real (but good, I was told) fast food was sold, and pop corn was available in various flavors. Running late, we walked directly to our assigned seats, and sat back to enjoy the show, which was loud enough to be a concert.

Therefore to both experience a superhero movie and super hero rock concert, I recommend you fly to Calcutta, find one of the nicer theaters, spend 3 USD, and see Dark Knight.; August 5, 2008 10:01 PM

NPR Sunday puzzle

This week: Think of a familiar two-word phrase, five letters in each word. The second word starts with P. The phrase names something that is nice to have after dinner. Change the P to an S, and you'll get another familiar phrase that names something that's nice to have before you start a job. What phrases are these?

Enter here or email me for a hint.

Last week: This puzzle comes from Scott Kim, the puzzle maker for Discover Magazine. He has a 2010 page-a-day calendar just out called "Mind Benders and Brainteasers." Here's one of the puzzles in it: Name five two-digit numbers that are evenly spaced out — like 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 — in which all 10 digits from 0 to 9 are used once each. What numbers are these?

Highlight for answer: There are four possible solutions: 18, 36, 54, 72, 90; or 54, 63, 72, 81, 90; or 50, 61, 72, 83, 94; or 10, 32, 54, 76, 98. As long as the first digit keeps moving up or down at a steady pace, and so does the last digit, you're good.

Two weeks ago: From Will Shortz's old pal Merl Reagle, whose Sunday crosswords appear in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and many other newspapers: Take the letters in PLEASANTLY, plus the letter I. Rearrange these 11 letters to name a well-known place. What is it?

Highlight for answer: Naples, Italy

Three weeks ago: Think of three six-letter words starting with B, G and F. The last five letters of the words are the same and in the same order, yet none of the words rhymes with any of the others. What words are these?

Highlight for answer: Bather, Gather, Father