Missing Out

While bombing around California last week, I noted a whole new range of fast food places that I had never experienced - and, indeed, that added to my list of American foodstuffs that I have never encountered (along with American bands & tv shows that just didn't make it over in Britain). It always fascinates me to learn what traversed the pond and those that stayed firmly in the US. For example, we had The Cosby Show and The Golden Girls (although not in those prime time slots that were here - 6pm, Channel 4 was their place), but not Full House. We got all those archaic sci-fi shows (Lost in Space and Land of the Giants in their Sunday morning slots - again, Channel l 4!), and of course Flipper. But tons of other American references just pass by me... It's really intriguing. But here is a list of staple American foodstuffs that I have not had - yet.

• A blizzard from Dairy Queen
• Twinkies
• Ring Dings / Ho Hos and all those strange synthetic sweet cake things
• A whopper from Burger King*

While we were out and about I did manage to get my chops around the amazing King Taco. If you're in or near L.A., you MUST go there. It might even be more essential than In-N-Out.** And I LOVE In-N-Out (double double animal style had on Saturday, thanks for asking). It was cheap and glorious - and like proper Mexican food - at least it was according to the Mexican with whom we went. If you somehow get yourselves there, go for the al pastor tacos (at least two!), cheese & jalapeno tamales and a carne asada sope.


* This is in part due to my long-term vegetarian status; I hadn't had a Big Mac until two years ago at the airport in L.A. while waiting for a connecting flight to Vegas.

** This, by the way, was the best April Fools' Day joke I've seen for a long time. Us poor old New Yorkers would kill for it to be here. But that would take away some of the magic, I reckon. Like Top Shop at home - I like certain things to be limited to keep them as a special treat. I've not ventured to the US top shop and, probably won't.

Distraction

It's Wednesday, I have to work late, so to entertain myself during my supper (yes, Chinese takeaway in little paper boxes - TOH reckons that is "so lawyerly") I have been watching old "Even Stevphen" bits from the Daily Show.

This one is from 1999. Weirdly, Carrell and Colbert don't look that different, but take a look at Jon Stewart... wowzer.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Even Stevphen - Weather

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Funny Political News
Joke of the Day

I Think I'm Going To Be Sad...

... I think it's today. And yesterday. And every other day in which I remember the abomination that I saw last night.

I went to a really interesting theatre, saw a couple of one act plays, one directed by a dear friend of mine (with, btw, one of the best names EVER, ever, ever). That wasn't the abomination.

That came after.

I have never watched American Idol, nor the British original. I just haven't got room for that sort of reality show despite my utter incapability of switching off an episode of crap like Charmed* or You Are What You Eat.

Last night, in the bar chosen for the after-play gathering, I unfortunately happened upon Top 12 Do Beatles - so long as you substitute "Do" with any of the following more apt verbs: Massacre, Slaughter, Abominate. There were screens everywhere - it couldn't be escaped. It was honestly one of the most embarrassingly dreadful things I have ever seen - these brats with pretty but bland, vacant and soulless voices annihilating some of the greatest pop and rock songs ever written. It was also insulting to anyone who vaguely appreciates the Beatles. The only kid who did the songs anywhere near justice was the one who rocked out to She's A Woman (one of my favourite tunes and I think criminally underrated). The most awful moments are so hard to choose between: The countrified version of Eight Days a Week; the "soulful" troubadour (he can play! a guitar! wow, he must be awesome! he's a MUSICIAN!) trying to do You've Got To Hide Your Love Away; and the idiot who didn't realise that if you're going to cover Across the Universe, you really should be Rufus Wainwright.

Therefore, to cleanse the dirty feelings of shame and disgust from my system, here's my fave ten Beatles songs of the moment - please, comment in with yours! Also, what are the greatest covers of Beatles songs? Obviously Rufus does a good job, but I'm struggling to think of others right now...

1. She's a Woman - Paul's voice is so, so, so great on this. And the next two...
   
2. Get Back (favourite of ALL TIME)
3. The Night Before
4. Ticket to Ride
5. Norwegian Wood
6. Carry That Weight
7. I'll Cry Instead
8. Blackbird
9. Twist & Shout (yeah, a cover, but recently saw Ferris again- how can you mess with that?)
   
10. I Saw Her Standing There
    

* Yeah, I said it, outed myself. It can't be helped. I am aware it's not a reality show, by the way. Sort of.