Gene Simmons’ Kiss of Death
KISS mainman Gene Simmons has been blaming the death of the record industry on bands like Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails and others who have experimented with alternative methods of releasing music.
Oh, and the fans, too.
“The record industry is dead. It’s six feet underground and unfortunately the fans have done this. They’ve decided to download and file share,” said Simmons, according to an AOL Australia report.
“There is no record industry around so we’re going to wait until everybody settles down and becomes civilised. As soon as the record industry pops its head up we’ll record new material.”
Are you happy now, ungrateful fans of music?
Anyway, the death of the music industry has at least gotta be good for the Kiss Kasket, the $4,700 coffin the band used to sell on its website. It could be used as a beer cooler until the lucky fan died and was placed inside. (Remember to remove the brewskis first!)
See, Kiss would never do anything to harm the music industry.
(Note: That is, unless you count the band’s execrable 1978 TV movie Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park, in which case they obviously would.)
Marc and Amanda Talk Betty and the Big Move
Resolved: Marc and Amanda are hands-down the best thing about Ugly Betty. All in favor, say aye. (AYE!)
If you’re the spoilsport who debates this assertion, I welcome your remarks on the topic in the comments—but seriously, these two are lightning in a bottle, and I adore them.
Lucky for me then that Michael Urie and Becki Newton, the players who bring us the awesomeness of Marc and Amanda, had time at the Monte Carlo TV Fest in Monaco to talk about their characters, their missing boyfriends and father figures, the big move to New York and what really keeps these two trapped at their desks. Click in for the goodies!
Will we see more of Marc’s boyfriend Cliff, and will Amanda have more Gene Simmons moments?
Michael Urie: They don’t tell us anything because they know we will tell you, but I’m told that Cliff will be coming back, and there will be more storylines between us. We haven’t seen him for awhile, so I’m assuming that everything’s good.
Becki Newton: As far as the Gene Simmons storyline, I think for now it’s closed since we found out he’s not Amanda’s father.
M.U.: Maybe he’s Marc’s father?
How is the house hunting in New York going? Are you still determined to live next door to each other?
M.U.: On her couch, if I can. I haven’t even started.
B.N.: The move to New York is very sudden. We’ve only known for maybe a month. Fortunately, I have lived in New York and maintained a residence, so my house hunting is going really well.
M.U.: I haven’t even started looking. I’ll probably stay with Vanessa Williams, but she’ll put me to work. I’ve been traveling for three weeks, so I guess I’ll start [looking] on Friday.
Which guest stars would you like to see next?
M.U.: It’s very exciting that we’re moving to New York for lots of reasons. We had great guests stars in L.A. for sure, but now that we’re in New York we’ll have theater actors that really get the style and over-the-top essence of the show.
B.N.: I think also because New York is really where the fashion world exists, where there are certain cameos where people play themselves that add to the reality of the fashion world, I think there will be a lot more opportunities for people like Naomi Campbell or models to appear as themselves, which makes Mode appear more like a real magazine.
Will your characters graduate from being assistants next season?
B.N.: I don’t think Amanda will ever get promoted.
M.U.: And I don’t think Marc will ever take a job that’s not the bidding of Wilhelmina. So no promotions.
Steve-O Gets High At Gene Simmons Roast
Steve-O Gets High At Gene Simmons Roast
Yes, you read the headline correctly. Of all the crazy things he’s done, Steve-O has finally reached the point of smoking pot in public, in the presence of cameras and the media. And out of a Dr. Pepper can, at that!
The “Gene Simmons Roast” took place last night (November 27th) at the Key Club in Hollywood California. And thanks to Steve-O, the Sunset Boulevard establishment became a pot-smoking haven.
Simmons, the long-tongued, long-time bass player/vocalist for the rock band “KISS,” was honored by some of his peers and fellow celebrities. Jeffrey Ross played host, and he didn’t pull any punches.
Ross said, “I’m roasting my childhood hero… Growing up, Gene was my favorite member of my favorite band. But that doesn’t mean I’m not gonna take him down hard. What should i say about him???”
Ross was joined by Brian Poshen, Carrot Top, Dave Navarro, Craig Gass, Danny Bonaduce, Eddie Griffin, Fred Armisen, Jim Norton, John Heffron, Lisa Lampanelli, Ralphie May, Shannon Tweed, and of course, Steve-O.
Ten worst superhero TV shows
Brian Heiler over at the Topless Robot website took it upon himself to list the ten worst superhero television shows ever made. I don’t know if I agree with every choice, but he’s certainly in the right ballpark.
Going through the list, we start with Birds of Prey. The first mistake they made (and there was a myriad of them) was altering Batman’s daughter to have superpowers. I guess the WB was trying to copy the success of Smallville into other superhero shows and failing.
I remember seeing one episode of Once A Hero. I’m only sorry they didn’t air the episode in which Adam West parodied himself. I missed Exo Man altogether (but only in the sense that I didn’t watch it).
KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park was filmed while KISS the band was in its declining years. Gene Simmons moved on to other things such as Family Jewels and Ugly Betty.
The Thor episode mentioned isn’t actually Thor, but rather the TV movie The Incredible Hulk Returns. Marvel Comics was actually trying to launch television franchises of their other superheroes. Sadly, religious groups didn’t like the portrayal of Thor as a god, so he was demoted to a “mighty warrior.” And when they introduced Daredevil in The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, he wasn’t allow to be red or have horns. I believe Marvel also wanted to introduce She-Hulk and Iron Man in two more Hulk TV movies, but nixed it and broadcast The Death of the Incredible Hulk instead.
I never saw My Secret Identity, but I dig seeing Jerry O’Connell from his time between Stand By Me and Sliders (and Carpoolers), before his big weight loss.
The Captain America TV movie was more trying to cash in on Evel Knievel’s success (as well as The Six Million Dollar Man and other ’70s icons) rather than make something true to the source material.
I remember Legends of the Superheroes quite vividly. It could also be called “Adam and Burt’s last hurrah.” Borscht Belt comedy meets the Super Friends. You could tell affirmative action was in play when the character of “Ghetto Man” was introduced. I only wish I was making this up.
Wonder Woman without Lynda Carter. Pass.
Finally, there was the Justice League CBS pilot from the ’90s, which was trying to cash in on the new, more humorous Justice League incarnation in the comic books. While containing major suck, it did include appearances by John “Crypt Keeper” Kassir and Kim “Son of the Beach” Oja as well as David “Can’t Stop The Signal” Krumholtz in a supporting role.
This list made me laugh. While it’s not quality television, I recommend taking a look.