Golden Age of TV!
Just kidding…

3rd Bass!

I don't really recall anything too "maudlin", but Henson's comedy could lend itself to the "bittersweet", perhaps. Keep in mind the songs people recall the most from the Muppets are "It's Not Easy Being Green" and "Rainbow Connection".

I actually remember that. It is remarkable to think of a time when adults didn't cater to willful nostalgia by seriously discussing programming that was meant for children.

Yeah, I don't think I'm buying that, but it doesn't matter. Agree that the "Office" gimmick is deader than Dillinger, though.

I can still enjoy the original series; I don't howl with laughter, but there's some good fun in them. The first movie was quite funny. But everybody has a different taste in comedy. A lot of people here really love stuff like "Archer", which I think is dismal shit. All part of god's great plan.

That's good. I was absolutely more amazed that little kids were so into Scooby-Doo (including the old 70s show).

Sure. I got a lot of enjoyment out of them when I was a kid (and still do as an old man, at least the original show/movie), but there's no reason for anything to keep being rehashed. I don't sense there's any new directions for Muppets, it's been pretty well exhausted by now.

It's an incredibly anecdotal observation, but when I worked at a video rental place that had tons of kids titles, the Muppets rarely ever rented. We had all the seasons of the original TV show, and aside from the occasional parent who I'd see say "We're renting this, I think you'll like it", nobody ever cared. Kids…

Definitely true about that. Credit to the bookers for trying to reach a different audience, or cover something that felt really "new".

Easily the best music book I've ever read. The fact that it covers so many aspects of "why" punk happened in the UK, from a the sociological to the economic to the political aspects of it makes it essential, as opposed to some dull 'oral history'. Only other one I enjoy as much, for different reasons, is "Rip it Up…

Sure, but it doesn't always make for a particularly compelling interview. I'm not sure Snyder didn't care so much as he was bemused and probably thought the whole thing was silly. "Punk" in those days was really looked upon as a goofy novelty in US media circles ( I still remember my first awareness of punk was…

When I watch early Pistols/PIL clips, it is striking how immense his charisma and presence are. I've probably read Jon Savage's "England's Dreaming" about 10 times, and each time I come out fascinated by Lydon (and McLaren as well). I love the Clash, and Strummer seemed a real old chap, but Lydon was a lot more…

Yeah, I've seen that one. I think part of the issue some of those bands had was Snyder really had no idea what he was talking about, and his "research" seemed to be "well, these guys were booked, so I guess I have to talk to them". I'd also guess that people like Lydon and Weller were used to being somewhat fawned…

Yep. I think if people had much contact with a lot of people whose art they love, they'd come away very disappointed. It's best not to think about it (although Lydon, whatever his early genius, definitely seems to go out of his way to be particularly disagreeable).

Where you been John?

Makes me nostalgic for the Faint, who put out a record in 2002 or so which made me nostalgic for 1986. Why that would be the case I don't know, since in none of those years did I ever enjoy one moment of my life, although I did drink a lot more beer. Which is nothing to be sneezed at, I admit.

Unholy Passion!

Rather see these guys than Radiohead, tbh

Fair enough. Ironically, one of the best films either was in in the last 20 years was "Donnie Brasco", which starred them both.