Wiki says John mostly wrote it. Paul helped out some. The lyrics are basically culled from an antique circus poster.

or pot.

I count MMT for sure. and I really don't count YS. it's only got, what, 3 new beatles songs on it? meh. I'd count the post breakup "hey jude" greatest hits package - the one where they bundled all the singles never released on albums before I'd count YS.
edit: 4 new songs.

yes, odd choice. on the one hand making them twins makes the big brother stamp/vette deception not play as well and it's harder to believe they would choose to be adversaries their whole life. on the other hand, having two actors play the brothers would make Ray impersonating Emmit - twice - harder to pull off.

all 5 above are so near each other as makes no difference really - I'll listen to any one of them any time. but if I had to rank them, that's where it would fall. I might even rank MMT above pepper.

revolver > rubber soul > abbey road > pet sounds > splhcb

all acoustic and not much of a light show either.

speaking of peaks, I missed that boat the first time around. is it worth picking up for the reboot without having watched the orig?

I quite enjoyed the once-per-season "The Adventures of Reverend Matt" episodes on Leftovers - even though they seemed out of place overindulgences - but at least they advanced the plot. I really enjoyed watching ep3 too - I just like knowing WTF? I'll get over it.

sorry, drawing a blank on Stasi. what was that?

that is an amazingly awesome tidbit.

I saw you guys open for Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity in 1987! you rocked! blew them off the stage.

yeah, he works extremely hard making it seem as if he really cares for the old biddys. remembering their kids and pets names and everything. almost like he has no ulterior motives.

this would not surprise me. Emmit has to play into the finale more than just a standby patsy watching the world swirl around him.

someone else mentioned having been given a second chance by Ray Wise - a chance to redeem.

Billy Bob did ok too.

not twins. twins were never mentioned in the story. using the same actor was probably what made you think it.

the reason Ray jumped at the deal was the reveal. Ray, the pudgy virginal kid thinking he'd get laid, Emmet, the smart one who knew he'd jump at the vette for that reason.

maybe there'll be another call back in the finale. It was a fun ep to watch though, just bewildering as to it's import. I can help!

still wondering what episode 3 was for. was it just to introduce Ray Wise as the guardian angel / merchant of death? was it to establish Gloria's feelings of non-existence because she doesn't use facebook, and to introduce the planet wyh robot so she could talk about him in last night's ep?