The Boston Globe has posted on Boston.com that Neil Diamond will be accompanying Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pop’s at this year’s free 4th of July concert on the Esplanade.
According to The Boston Globe, the Liberty Mutual press release also said,”The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, which draws approximately 500,000 concert goers annually, will be hosted again by Craig Ferguson of CBS’s ‘The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.”
I can already hear the crowd singing along to Diamond’s hit, “Sweet Caroline” and everyone laughing to Ferguson’s off-beat and witty remarks.
Although I’m the first to admit that the television is always on, I do not have a DVR and I do not set my schedule around network programs. However, after watching FOX Television’s new show, Glee, that might all have to change. I have not laughed so hard or enjoyed a televsion program this much since Ugly Betty’s maiden season. Glee’s website indicates that this is Ryan Murphy’s latest creation. Murphy is also the creator of “Nip Tuck” – a cult favorite.
Glee centers around Will Schuester, a young optimistic teacher, who wants to revive the school’s glee club. Supporting cast includes some interesting characters including the school’s cheerleading coach, Sue Sylvester, played by Jane Lynch (you would recognize her from her role in the movie, Best in Show). The students in the glee club are also entertaining – such as the hunky football QB,Finn Hudson, played by Cory Montieth and the much maligned, Rachel Berry, played by Lea Michele who has a truly amazing voice.
This show is not going to have broad appeal so I hope it can succeed. For fans of witty one liners and great music there probably is not a better show on TV. My favorite line from tonight’s show came from glee club diva, Mercedes (Amber Riley) when she proclaimed “I ain’t no Kelly Rowland – I’m Beyonce!” Musical scenes included an incredible rendition of Amy Winehouse song, “Ain’t Going to Rehab”, a nod to several musicals including Grease, Les Miserables and Chicago as well as the cheesy 80’s hit from Journey, “Don’t Stop Believin'”. I’m hooked and I’ll be watching this program next Tuesday night. Will you?
You can check out much more on hulu by linking here.
In May of 1993 the popular television show, Cheers, signed off the airwaves. The program was (and remains) one of the most successful television shows in history. The YouTube clip below shows footage from the final party that was held at the bar which inspired the series. Although I was not there, I distinctly remember the event and how drunk the cast was when Jay Leno from the Tonight Show interviewed them later that evening.
I really like this clip from YouTube because it also features Liz Walker and Joyce Kulhawik who have since left the station. I still think that the theme song from the show remains one of the most distinctive and best for any television series.
About Cheers Starting in 1982 the series lasted 11 seasons, filmed 275 episodes and won countless awards.
The Loaded Gun is reporting that shooting for Ben Affleck’s movie, “The Company of Men” has returned to the South End for more filming that will last through May 15th. The film stars Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones among others.
Back in April much of Union Park was closed off for filming at 5 Union Park. If you are into star gazing it might be fun to spend some time sipping a latte or two from The SouthEnd Buttery on Shawmut Avenue.
Thanks for the tip from Loaded Gun. Fortunately, I no longer have to fight to find street parking so I won’t be cursing at all the trailers taking up valuable street parking real estate.
This week’s flashback is a nod to a Boston radio powerhouse that shaped my musical tastes and fed my obsession for Pop and Dance Music. If you grew up in the Boston area during the 1980s chances are you too listened to WXKS FM better known as Kiss 108 and you are familiar with names like, Lady D, Dale Dorman, J.J. Wright and of course the late “Sunny” Joe White.
I loved everything about Kiss 108 in the 1980s. I loved that they played “Wishing on a Star” by Rose Royce every Saturday at 12:00pm. I can still recall the first time I heard the song when I lived in Atlanta in the early 90s and the DJ played it on my evening commute home. I was totally caught off guard and had to laugh at myself when I realized why.
Those names I mentioned along with a handful of other DJs have been off the air for a more than a few years now and Kiss 108 has not played “Wishing on a Star” at noon on Saturday’s for a while. So today at lunchtime I’ll hum a few bars from the Rose Royce classic and think of “Sunny” Joe White and his cast of characters who played such a big part of my teen age years.
Thanks to WGB for sharing this video clip. Meryl Streep does a ‘wicked good job’ playing Julia Child.
Although Julia Child was born in CA and lived in Europe for years, she really became quite famous when she started her cooking show here in Boston on PBS affiliate, WGBH. The Smith College grad settled in Cambridge and through her cooking show became a local and international icon for decades. Check out the movie trailer – it is worth the two minutes of your time.
The Rathskeller (known as The Rat for short) was a live music venue for more than two decades in Boston’s Kenmore Square. The Rat was Boston’s version of CBGBs – a dingy place best known for hosting up and coming punk and rock bands. During their years of operation bands like The Cars, Pixies, Police, Ramones, and Talking Heads played here.
However, both the music scene and Kenmore Square changed by the late 90s and so the Rat finally closed its doors for good in 1997 (the year I moved back to Boston).
Now occupying 528 Commonwealth Avenue is the Hotel Commonwealth’s restaurant, Eastern Standard. According to wikipedia, in recognition of the Rat’s place in Boston’s punk rock history, the restaurant’s bar offers a cocktail named after the concert venue, which consists of fernet branca and coke.
Few have the looks of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt but it does not stop people from making snap judgements on an individual’s ability based on how they present themselves.
Check out Susan Boyle, a contestant from Britain’s Got Talent. Susan’s rather homely presentation belies a voice that belts out Les Miserables “I dreamed a dream” like a pro – amazing. Check out the video by linking here.
The clip below is courtesy of YouTube and includes one of my all-time favorite Brasilian songs, “Mas Que Nada”. The Black Eyed Peas remade the Sergio Mendes song a few years ago and gave it new life.
If you’ve never heard the song or this particular version check it out. I prefer to imagine that I’m on the beach in Ipanema while listening to the samba beat play out but it sounds good no matter where you happen to be.
I loved the Jimmy Fallon and Rachel Dratch characters, Sully and Denise. Do you remember these obnoxious Boston youths? This particular skit also includes Bernie Mac as a Fenway beer vendor. My apologies in advance about the commercial NBC makes you watch first. Enjoy the clip.
When I moved back to Boston in 1997 I was so glad to be back, because I could follow all the great local bands the city offered. One of the bands who always had my attention, and I enjoyed seeing was Morphine. The band split after one of the two founders (Mark Sandman) suddenly died of a heart attack on stage; I believe in Italy if memory serves me correct. I’ve never heard another band quite like Morphine. The clip below is from one of their more commercially successful songs, “Early to Bed”.
If you like what you hear – check them out on YouTube where many more videos of the band performing exist.
…or so the saying goes. However, both Tom and Gisele are so smashingly good looking they could make Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie look almost homely by comparison.
Boston’s latest “IT” couple have recently been spotted in Boston, NY, and Pacific Palisades. The Boston Globe has a bunch of recent photographs of the newlyweds and in a desperate attempt to add eye-candy to my blog, I’ve included this photo – a personal favorite of the couple all glammed up at a red carpet event in NY at the MOMA. If you would like to peruse the 50+ photos on Boston.com – link here.
Long before the Fleet Center and the TD Banknorth Garden, there was the Boston Garden, a stuffy, loud place that the Bruins, Celtics, and Boston sports fans called home. Although the doors closed in late 1995, its glory days had come and gone for sure. I definitely appreciate the comfort of the “new” Garden, but the original will always have a place in my heart.
Check out the old elevated green line also in the picture – Causeway Street can now see the light of day and seems bright and sunny with all that removed.
The Boston Globe has posted on Boston.com that Neil Diamond will be accompanying Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pop’s at this year’s free 4th of July concert on the Esplanade. 
BosGuy 