Comments for Ken Tucker's Pop Culture

Comment on The Ten Best TV Shows of 2005 by krislee2

krislee2 — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:22:01 +0000

very interesting. Anything related to digestion is a pretty personal topic. If you’re interested in more info based on mass response to this, check out this watch bones page

Comment on Scarface: the book by Rick Boyer

Rick Boyer — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:52:03 +0000

Hi there,

I looked over your blog and it looks really good. Do you ever do link exchanges on your blog roll? If you do, I’d like to exchange links with you.

Let me know if you’re interested.

Thanks..

Comment on John Leonard, 1939-2008: Ambushed Into Sentience by Deborah Frost

Deborah Frost — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:01:34 +0000

Thank you for saying it all.
Perfectly.

Comment on In Defense of “John From Cincinnati” by Diovan

Diovan — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:45:58 +0000

Very good post! Thank you for the work done!

Comment on David Letterman goes to “The Dark Side”: Hooray! by Kevin Manzke

Kevin Manzke — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:21:28 +0000

David Letterman is the educated everyman. His obvious respect for those in public service, police and firefighters, to be sure, but also for public school teachers and municipal workers of every sort is something I hope his audiences learn from his example. David shows love for children and animals, and a boyish admiration for true athletes, scientist, and others at the top of their field.

He uses the lightest touch when joking with the innocent, while giving both barrels to those who can take it (Regis or Richard Simons, for example). Though he does get a little dopey from time to time, he’s skill at comedy traditions while open to innovative ways to entertain. Who can forget seeing Dave Velcro himself to a wall, or watching a watermelon or TV set drop from the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater.

When the people of New York City were attacked by hate-filled men who believe indiscriminant violence will force a planet of 6 billion people to adhere to their hopelessly repressive worldview, David Letterman wept. When David was persuaded it was right to begin his show again, all the world learned he’s a patriot. Not some flag waving, chest thumping, xenophobic caricature of a patriot, but a true American patriot; a man whose love of country and his fellow citizens is expressed by deeds and not words.

So, it’s little wonder that Dave took time to explore Jane Mayer’s book on the assault on American Ideals led by the Bush/Cheney administration. The War on Terror, began as righteous retribution with the full support of the American people, was used as an all too convenient tool for advancing the destructive and hopeless policies of the Neocons.

I’m another grateful viewer whose appetite Dave has helped whet. I hope for more exposure to the general audience of the harm to our American values caused by an administration blinded by their worldview. Irony is one of Dave’s best comedic tools, but there’s nothing to laugh at when we’re dealing with two dangerous and unsustainable worldviews. Thank you, Dave, for not making us laugh, at least on July 23rd.

Comment on Tennyson Goes to “Hellboy II” by patrick

patrick — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:50:18 +0000

Hellboy 2 was fun… for sure that director has an amazing imagination, reminded me a lot of his work in Pan’s Labyrinth

Comment on Bill Murray’s movie love by Rob Prince

Rob Prince — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:56:29 +0000

Hi Ken,
It’s that “Scarface” dissertation guy again. Elvis Mitchell is a great interviewer. Watched him last night with Laurence Fishburne. LF’s comment on “swinging”was terrific. By the way, just wondering if you had given any thought to having a more in depth conversation with me about how you came to write your book? A little birdie told me that you were approached by Universal to write it as a way to augment their 25th anniversary “hype-a-thon.” True or not? Email me, ok? Let me hear from you when you’ve got a moment.

Comment on Matthew Perry channelling Dabney Coleman? by Chris

Chris — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:46:24 +0000

The Ray Charles’ “Hit The Road Jack” episode was a favorite of me and my brother. I think it might have been the first TV show we ever recorded with out VCR.

Comment on About by Rob Prince

Rob Prince — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:24:20 +0000

Hi Ken,
It’s that “Scarface” dissertation guy again. Just wondering if you had given any thought to having a more in depth conversation with me about how you came to write your book? Can be on phone or by email. Let me hear from you when you’ve got a moment.

Comment on “Iron Man” as Oscar-bait? by Rob Prince

Rob Prince — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:18:39 +0000

I don’t think Downey’s performance will be or should be considered Oscar worthy. He’s good, yes, and I’m surprised that he pulled it off as well as he did but an Oscar? But he might get nominated, Johnny Depp was feted for the first Pirates after all.

Ledger, I predict will win an Oscar. His performances in the trailers are all fantastic…and is that Rachel he’s pushing of the roof as an afterthought in trailer two!?
And needless to say the sentiment will be with him to win given both his untimely demise and as a make up call for Brokeback.

But Ken, I’m very excited about your book on Scarface. I’m currently completing my PhD dissertation on Scarface/Tony Montana’s role in the construction of hip hop male identity as gangstas. Are there any copies of your book I could get an advance look at? Email me.