Early Buzz: Half-baked ideas and a full package for Dr. Jones
As Ahmad Rashad used to say, "FRIDAY." I loved NBA Inside Stuff as a kid and Rashad's "rewind" segment sticks with me. So for the last of this week's Early Buzz, let's reverse the action and see what the guest bloggers of yore were up to.
Rick Marshall spooked us all with comics that inspire nightmares in Week One. This week he defended the 1977 animated version of The Hobbit (on the eve of some remake I believe…).
Bob Sassone wanted everyone to know him a bit deeper by sharing his personal pop culture in Week Two (James Sallis' newest book, Driven, is excellent by the way). If you want your Sassone education to continue, consider picking up a subscription to his upcoming project, The Letter. It's a monthly physical mailer with essays, stories and more stuff you can't find on the 'net. (As he puts it, "Note to people in their teens and 20s: 'letters' were like blog entries that you couldn't click on.")
Jennifer K. Armstrong prompted me to start watching Louie in Week Three and she got to share Moore of her Mary Tyler expertise. Keep up by following her Mindy Project recaps at Vulture.
Russ Marshalek placed Jem onto the wish lists of everyone for the holiday season in Week Four. Now he's tipped the world onto a better Kurt Cobain-replacement than Paul McCartney: George Lewis Jr. of Twin Shadow. (Apparently he knows the tune—who has video of this, Brandeis?)
Zack Smith double-dipped to the delight of all, but it's hard to top the nerding out that went on when John Hodgman chatted Legion of Super-Heroes in Week Five. This week he came close, however—offering a round up of all his writing on Adventure Time this year.
Jon Chattman brought Jimmy Snuka and female mullets in Week Six. Hear more about the former project from his recent appearance on Man Cave Radio.
Week Seven's Matt Sebastian gave me an excuse to rewatch Bill & Ted for some most excellent Lincoln interpretations. The least you can do is vote in his EOY music polls for Slicing Up Eyeballs.
Speaking of year-end listing, Sean McCarthy's Week Eight efforts would've given my team a boost in the EOY League—he took Tame Impala, Japanroids and AC Newman in his Top Albums of 2012. Read his thoughts on the last track on Tool's Ænima to be in a good state of mind for something later today.
Eric Greenberg staged a Jack Purcell takeover just last week. So don't expect an apology to Chuck Taylor anytime soon on his retro culture podcast, JustMyShow.
Oddly enough, there is news beyond the Pop Candy community. For instance, if you are lacking on your zombie preparedness, Discovery is airing a special for you next week.
One of my favorite annual magazine issues is now featured on my favorite magazine blog. Check out the cover for Esquire's latest Meaning of Life issue on CoverJunkie.
If this is some high schooler looking to get in to the University of Chicago, I'll write them a recommendation every day for the next month. Check out the intricate package for Dr. Henry Walton Jones, Jr. (aka Indiana) that was anonymously sent to the school's admissions office.
Anyone else occasionally listen to famed AM Radio fringe show Coast to Coast? (Am I allowed to admit that? Will aliens now visit me?) George Noory brings the conspiracies online in a new web series starting today.
Dan Deacon made his national TV debut last night with a performance on Jimmy Kimmel (hard to believe he hasn't been on before, right?). If you haven't seen him live before, check out his use of phone apps for crowd interaction.
Finally, they don't happen regularly. But when Kevin Wildes graces Grantland with his half-baked ideas podcast, be prepared to laugh out loud followed by an immediate realization… "You know, that could actually work."
Follow Nathan on Twitter @nathanmattise or reach out via e-mail: natemattise@gmail.com