Today in Black History, boxer Cassius Clay was bitten by a radioactive Muslim, transforming him into Muhammad Ali
Last Sunday was the Super Bowl, and man did it suck. As many of you know, I’m a Denver fan by marriage, so it was pretty painful to watch. In the end, though, I can say that we had a good season, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. It would’ve been nice if some of that team had made it onto the field on Sunday. Oh well, there’s always next year. The commercials were kinda boring, but folks have already covered the important ones (Radio Shack, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Amazing Spider-Man 2). I think my favorite was the Captain America: The Winter Soldier trailer. I didn’t even see it during the game, so for all I know that version sucked, but the full length trailer was amazing. I’m really looking forward to that movie!
So, I finally finished Portlandia, and I was actually sad to see it go. I’ve read reviews that said the third season was one to skip, but I actually really enjoyed it. At that point, it becomes something of a “skitcom”, where there are still skits, but they’re placed around an ongoing sitcom narrative. Chloe Sevigny comes on board as roommate, and eventual love interest for both Fred AND Carrie. I like how the show didn’t even make a big deal out of the Carrie pairing. You’re left thinking, “Oh, I guess Carrie likes dudes and chicks. OK.” It all came to a head in the season finale, where Portland experienced a blackout. The show’s not over, as the fourth season starts on IFC at the end of the month. Sadly, I don’t get IFC, so I expect to watch it on Netflix in a few months.
Speaking of “skitcoms”, have any of you caught Broad City on Comedy Central? It stars Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, and it’s basically Girls only it’s funnier and you don’t want to kill all the characters. It started out as a series of web shorts, and then Amy Poehler decided to executive produce a TV version of it. On the first episode, the ladies found themselves willing to do almost anything to earn money for Lil Wayne tickets, and the drugs they’d need to go along with them. Last week, we found out that Ilana transports her weed in her vagina to throw off the cops. Yes, you read that correctly. I won’t say the show is “quirky”, but it’s definitely not like anything you’ve seen before.
It’s funny how we all have our prejudices and limits. It had been rumored that Michael B. Jordan was being sought after to play Johnny Storm in the Fantastic Four reboot. At that point, a lot of fanboys were in a tizzy, saying “Johnny Storm’s not black! 60 years of storytelling supports that!” I thought they were overreacting, and felt that they should give Jordan a chance. Well, this week, it was said that they’re considering making franchise Dr. Doom a WOMAN! My knee-jerk reaction was “Dr. Doom’s not a woman!” Then, I caught myself and realized I was no better than the other naysayers. At the end of the day, I couldn’t give much of a shit about the Fantastic Four. I’ve always found them to be a boring concept. If a black Johnny and female Dr. Doom makes it exciting, then I’m all for it. So, I welcome you, boobed Doom.
While we’re on comics, the new, Muslim Ms. Marvel debuted this week. I discussed this when it was first announced, so I had to pick it up to see how it turned out. What did I think? I liked it. Kamala is an interesting character, and you can see how she struggles to reconcile her culture with her desire to be “normal”. My only “gripe” was that it doesn’t feel like it takes place in the Marvel Universe. Sure, the Avengers are mentioned, but only in fanfic and hallucination scenarios. In a lot of ways, it almost feels like this takes place in the “real world”, which would’ve been an interesting take on the character. I feel like she’s going to suffer once she’s dragged into Marvel’s next summer crossover. Still, the fact that she’s in New Jersey may create enough of a buffer to keep her from being “tainted” by all the heroes in NYC. Like the Runaways before her, perhaps Kamala can establish her own world away from the crazy action of NYC Marvel. I’m not sure I’m ready to make a monthly appointment with Ms. Marvel, but I’d definitely give the trade a shot.
If you follow professional wrestling, then you know that main eventer CM Punk has left the building. And I couldn’t be happier! I have always hated Punk and his whole straight edge gimmick. On top of that, he’s just never had the size that I felt was required of a WWE champion. I guess he stands out as a little guy amongst monsters, but that never made me like him. Plus, he reminded me of an old boss who I wanted to hit with a chair. So long, Punk!
Last night was Jay Leno’s final, FINAL night on The Tonight Show, and that also means it’s the end of an era. I know that it’s not cool for the younger set to like Leno, but I’ve always admired his work ethic. On top of the show, he still takes his standup on the road during the weekends. He’s a man who really just loves to work. When the whole Conan thing went down, it was the cool kid thing to side with Conan. I did it, too. After reading both sides of the story ad nauseum, I find myself more on Jay’s side now. I mean, if you were about to lose something that you really loved, wouldn’t you do whatever it took to keep it? Even if you were kinda demoted, but they still wanted to keep you around? At the end of the day, Leno was loyal to NBC but never really got anything in return. He’s been seen as disposable TWICE in 5 years, even though his ratings are still strong. Conan’s a funny guy, but his humor was never gonna cut it with Middle America in that earlier timeslot. The things that made him funny, such as Triumph and The Masturbating Bear couldn’t come with him, and he never seemed comfortable in the role. Sure, they didn’t give him time to grow into the role, but he landed on his feet. Jay got his job back, and while folks hated him for how things went down, the ratings went back up. You can’t really argue with the numbers, even if you’re not a fan of the guy. I think Jimmy Fallon will be a great Tonight Show host, as he manages to charm everyone with his everyman demeanor. While Conan felt that he had earned The Tonight Show (and perhaps he had), Jimmy’s a guy who seems to always be grateful for what he has and for where he is. Even he can’t believe that he’s about to get the Big Chair, and that’s part of what makes it so exciting. Anyway, I’m looking forward to what’s next for all involved, but I know I’ll certainly miss what Jay brought to late night.
Facebook celebrated its 10th anniversary this week, and I didn’t even realize that much time had passed! Man, time flies. Anyway, to commemorate the occasion, users were given the ability to post Facebook Movies compiled of all the top pics and statuses they’ve uploaded since joining the site. I’ve been on since 2004, back when it was still called thefacebook, as Cornell was the 5th school to be allowed to join – ya know, before they let in all the riff raff *adjusts ascot*. I wish I could post my video here, but they didn’t add sharing functionality. Let’s just say that I expected a lot more stuff from my early days, and not as much recent stuff. To see my video, you’d think I’ve only been active with Facebook for the past year or so, with all my milestones having to do with my wedding. Yeah, it was a lovely day and all, but where are my zany pics? Where’s me running from the dragon? Where’s the pic of me dressed as every Marvel superhero at once? Where are all my skinny pictures?! Anyway, 10 years is nothing to shake a stick at, as it’s quite the accomplishment. If you’re reading this, you probably either got here from Twitter or Facebook, so that shows the power of social networking. So, to commemorate the impact that it has had on social media, Facebook had the West Week Ever.
*Special thanks to Matt Guzy for the new site banner!
Agree with you for the most part on CM Punk though I did like him to some extent. Kevin Nash ribbing him on his small size always seemed more shoot than work.
Interesting you grew to like Portlandia I thought the 2nd season may have turned you off from it. It is unique gotta give it that! Was there a skit that stands out for you as the best of all 3 seasons?
Hmm….well, I loved the Battlestar Galactica episode, but that was more episodic. I liked the episodic parts more than the skits, I guess. Like, I really enjoyed Brunch Village, but again, that one was more episodic than skit. There were a lot of clever little skits, like the company that comes and puts Japanese toys in your workspace so you’ll have conversation pieces. The stronger *skits* were probably the first season – Peter & Nance joining Jason Sudeikis’s cult at the farm. I really liked the Peter & Nance skits, but I think the best of all 3 seasons is the Battlestar skit. I know what I didn’t like – any of the skits with the rats, as well as most of the Women and Women bookstore ones.
Victoria Von Doom? I look at it this way, if Doom is now a woman, that’s a bigger threat to Richards. Hell hath no fury and all that…
So all the me and James drinking the Kamala Khan haterade were doing just that? I was just totally convinced they were gonna screw this up given all the hype.
Haters gonna hate. I agree with this outlook on the facebook video http://youtu.be/CDmVF_ku7vE
Lamar – you’ve got a great point there, and it might just make her scarier than a male Doom!
Jenn – I’m reserving judgement, but I’ve placed the cap back on my Haterade…for now.
boobed doom!
Another great post, I feel the same way about Doom/Storm. Whatever you goota do to feel relevant/fresh/edgy. I have no ties to FF so have at it.
I will miss Punk, I didn’t mind his gimmick or size. Although I never mind when top guys disappear to do a movie or rehab an injury, as it forces them to push a mid carder.
I miss your “favorite things you read this week” as I always inevitably was turned on to something I had missed. Did you discontinue for a reason? Tired of people not linking back? That played a part in our discontinuing the daily scoop post.
I don’t get why she has to be Ms Marvel? She’s not getting her powers from a Kree so why bother with the name except to stir controversy/get press for it? Because otherwise no one would buy a comic about a Muslim girl superhero?
I read it, it was ok. You’re right, it feels like it’s one of the old New Universe comics that’s Marvel but not really in the main 616. I’m hoping they can balance her as a person with her powers.
Howie – Links I Loved was always kind of filler. On weeks when I didn’t write a ton, I’d post the links that had been occupying my time. Otherwise, I’d just give a rundown of the things I’d posted during the week that folks may have missed. Once people pretty much started only reading West Week Ever, I kinda stopped writing as much daily stuff, so the Links I Loved became more of a fixture. That said, I really haven’t read too much lately, what with work and all. So, that’s why it’s been missing. Plus, the stats showed me that no one was clicking them, so I figured I either chose bad articles to link, or folks had already seen them elsewhere. It’ll probably come back in some form or fashion.
Dex – yeah, the “Ms. Marvel” thing was for attention, just like how every team has to be some incarnation of “Avengers” at the moment. Like you said, it was OK, but I didn’t just love it.I’m curious to see where it goes, but it’s not appointment reading for me at the moment.
Rachel – yeah, I saw that video, but I still think the Lookback videos were cute. Keep on hatin’, though :-p