Yes, I am clearly the epicenter of power in the pop cultural universe. Just a few entries ago, I chided writers and producers alike for not getting back to negotiating, and now they are apparently having "informal, off-the-record" talks in hopes of getting a settlement in time for the Oscar broadcast. (And they've taken reality tv and animation off the table, just as I said they should.) Clearly they read my blog and were suitably chastened by my clear-headed analysis to get back to negotiating.
And then, after I've complained at least twice about the relatively poor quality of this season's Simpsons shows, last night they had an episode that not only didn't suck (it featured a pretty spot-on Nirvana parody as Homer, the lead singer of Sadgasm, free associates and screams), it also featured a little visual shout out to my alma mater! Yes, there on the campus of Springfield University was the same broken button sculpture that sits outside the library at the University of Pennsylvania. It's like they're practically begging for my approval!
Finally, after months of my praising the genius of Dexter, CBS has agreed to show edited versions of the Showtime original series. Okay, okay, here I'm totally lying. I haven't said a word about Dexter because I just got the DVDs and watched the first episode last night. But the first episode totally kicked my ass and has stuck with me way more than most hours of tv do. I don't know how they're going to play it on CBS--I guess it'll mostly be editing out the gore, but maybe the tales of the loveable serial killer vigilante crime lab blood spatter expert will still be compelling.
Oh yeah, also, my novel Long Way Back is available in paperback at last, starting tomorrow, Tuesday January 29th. If you love music, your siblings, your spouse, or life, this book is for you; it's sure to be a big bestseller, so get your copy early so you can brag that you read it before your friends.
