As you'll hear in this week's show, I dub it the most unproductive episode to date. If you're hoping to hear the stories, forget it. I think we make it about 1 or 2 sentences in on 2 different stories and the conversation goes elsewhere both times. It takes us 30 minutes just to get through the E-Mails and the New Releases.
Mike's friend Glen has been asking him for months to sit in with us. And today we made that dream come true! Glen brings his perspective to this episode's topics. Which as I mentioned, are few and far between.
We've got a few words on Iron Man 2, hence the Nick Fury image at the left. We saw it on Saturday. I'm going to warn you now this conversation has what some might consider SPOILERS. Just be aware. If you don't want to hear them fast forward to about 8 minutes in.
It's at that point where we actually get to the E-Mails for this week and start to roll into the show. Both E-Mails, from 2 of our usual E-Mailers are quite entertaining in their own respects. First, a rant regarding Mistress Rowynn on last week's show. Then we're given a list, which we make it through very little of, containing various things, places, sayings and shows that those of us who grew up in the late 80's to early 90's will know all about. Some of the items we remember, some we don't. And a few we'd be happy to forget.
Our first big story for today begs the question, what's happening to society? Of course, we kinda ask that question every week. The Social Security Administration says that the name Isabella has become the most popular baby name for girls this year do solely to the Twilight movies. For boys, the most popular is Jacob. Now this name was near the top of the list long before Twilight came out. But since one of the characters in that story shares this name, I don't think it'll be dropping down too many spots anytime soon. Former popular names like Miley and Jonas saw significant drops in status thanks to that awkward chick who can't act in Twilight and her douchey sparkling blood sucker pals. We're wondering if you'd name your baby after one of these characters? Or any character for that matter from TV or film. Tell us in this week's We Ask You Online Poll. I had to put that here because as you might have guessed, I don't get a chance to read the poll question on the actual show.
The only other story we semi get to this week is the one regarding a new sequel for "The Dark Crystal". This one hits close to home for Mike and Dennis. Mike, because he's a fanboy of traditional animation, puppetry and movie making. Dennis because of David Bowie's enormous package being flaunted across the frame in Labyrinth. To give you an idea of how quickly things go off topic to subjects like "skinny jeans" through this whole episode, the Dark Crystal sequel story was around 13 sentences long. I make it through about 4 of them. I don't do this often, but if you're curious about the other 9 or so, here it is, exactly as it appeared on the rundown:
18 years after the original film debuted The Jim Hensen Company has announced a sequel to "The Dark Crystal". This next film called, "The Power of the Dark Crystal" will be produced entirely in Australia. Some of the more complex visual effects are already being worked on there. The producers say this film will be a mix of live-action and traditional puppetry, but will also feature CGI effects and environments. Best of all... the movie will be in 3D!!! Peter and Michael Spierig, the writers and directors of Undead and Daybreakers will direct "The Power of the Dark Crystal". The script is being written by Craig Pearce who previously wrote Moulin Rouge!, Strictly Ballroom and Romeo and Juliet. Michael Spierig says quote, "We feel a tremendous amount of responsibility in telling this story with the same meticulous care that Jim Henson and Frank Oz gave the 1982 original." Peter Spierig added, "This is a chance to take the world of puppetry into the modern age by using modern techniques (like motion capture CGI) and the tried and true methods (like puppetry and animatronics) to create a one hundred percent real world that is unique to The Dark Crystal.” End quote. The sequel takes place hundreds of years after the original. The world has fallen back into darkness. A mysterious girl made of fire, with the help of a Gelfling outcast, goes on an adventure with a piece of the legendary crystal in an attempt to reignite the dying sun at the center of the planet. The Power of the Dark Crystal is set to hit theaters sometime next year.
A big thanks to Glen for assisting us in staying OFF-topic this week. It was a blast. Sometimes these are the best shows of all!