War of the Gargantuas

There's not much to dislike about this clip from 1965's War of the Gargantuas.

First, we have the song ("The Words Get Stuck In My Throat") from Carol Burnett's (real) sister Kipp Hamilton. Then we have some crazy-ass visuals featuring Twin Peaks' Russ Tamblyn and a guy in a monster costume terrorizing Japan.

And if that's not enough, we have the shock ending.

Is it any wonder why Devo performed this song at their live shows?

Devo - "Don't Shoot"

This is a new song from Devo - from a forthcoming CD, their first new studio album in twenty years.

The album - which should also include 2008's "Watch Us Work It" - is looking decent.

Doctor Who

If all goes according to plan, the world will have a new Doctor Who later today.

The show smartly introduced the concept of the title character's "regeneration" as a means of keeping things going even after the actor playing the lead role leaves.

David Tennant announced his intent to leave the series, so tonight (on BBC in the U.K., and tomorrow night on BBC America) his Doctor will presumably be killed off - and regenerate into a newer model played by Matt Smith.

The previous regeneration scene, in which Tennant replaced the outgoing Christopher Eccleston - is one of my favorite scenes in the entire run of the series, old or new. (It also features the thoroughly decent Billie Piper as "Rose").

George Harrison - "Ding Dong"

Happy New Year.

It's time for this song again.

And the (RIP) rest...

Note: Arnold Stang (above) died after my initial Top 30 list was already compiled.

Robert Novak, Patrick Swayze, Natasha Richardson, Paul Harvey, Ron Silver, Don Hewitt, Al Martino, Ken Ober, Al Alberts, Steve "Mr. Movie" Friedman, Dallas McKennon, Sammy Petrillo, Bob Stupak, Robert Ginty, Army Archerd, John Hughes, Allen Klein, Ted Kennedy, Billy Mays, Gale Storm, David Carradine, Bud Collyer, Danny Gans, Mark Fidrych, Irving R. Levene, Steve Doll (aka Steven Dunn), Philip Carey, Clint Richie, Ingemar Johansson, Andrew Wyeth, Pat Hingle, "Dr. Death" Steve Williams

Update: Dorothy Coonan, Joseph Wiseman

"Good day!"
-- Paul Harvey

Don McLean

Here's why (creator of TV series Monk and radio host) Andy Breckman won't play Don McLean's hit "American Pie" on his radio show... with a rebuttal from Don McLean himself.

Top 30 Celebrity Deaths of 2009 (Part 6 of 6)

1. Harry Kalas (above)
So much a part of my youth and overall enjoyment of the game of baseball. I considered myself blessed to grow up in a city with such commentators as Kalas and Rich Ashburn.

2. Bea Arthur
Deadpan comedienne, hilarious in two classic series - Maude in the '70s and Golden Girls in the '80s.

3. Jose "Pepe" Gonzales
Influential comic artist - brought a cinematic quality to his artwork, most notably as primary artist on Vampirella in the '70s and '80s.

4. Mollie Sugden
I do believe that had she worked in America, Mollie would be a celebrated comedienne on a par with Lucille Ball.

5. Ricardo Montalban
In Star Trek, Planet of the Apes, Fantasy Island... Montalban was good at everything I've seen him do.