Just finished “Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride” and it is a superb piece of writing. I just sent copies to my two brothers, too! You don’t have to be a father or even a parent at all to appreciate this novel - you just need to have really really loved someone. If you’re fortunate enough to have done that, Mr. Leitch’s book will speak to you in many, many ways. If you haven’t yet, please buy it. It’s a keeper.
The first time I ever listed to Public Enemy "It Takes a Nation of Millions..." and "Fear of a Black Planet" was back to back on a long road trip. Broke my brain as I started thinking about my white bread upbringing and the concept that had yet to be coalesced -- white privlege.
But, when I was 9 or 10 (1986-87 ish), my father and I watched Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles and History of the World Pt. 1 over the course of a weekend. That set the comedy bar for me.
You mentioned the new Naked Gun movie being directed and co-written by Akiva Schaffer. He and the other Lonely Island guys spoke on their podcast recently about how they share your reverence for the original series’ devotion to constructing jokes and making sure the whole thing was dense with funny. Whether or not the remake succeeds is up to the audience, but it at least makes me feel reasonably good about it being at least decent.
I have a social-media friend (as in we’ve never met in person) who loves to take videos of herself telling “Dad jokes.” Some of them are funny, most are silly and a few are just dumb. Because they’re, you know, “Dad jokes.” But the truly hilarious part every time is watching her try to get through telling the joke because she’s laughing so hard she can barely speak.
I love where you say that hearing Nevermind blew a hole straight through your skull. It was the same for me. I will never forget the first time I heard it/saw the video. That song changed my life. :)
When Nordberg goes over the rail at the baseball game. My brother, sister, and I were legitimately transported to some kind of delirious heaven, shouting at each other to rewind it.
It is a joke that works now in two ways: one, as the platonic form of yeeting; and two, an inspired way of dealing with the “actor” himself.
Just watched The Naked Gun again a few months ago. When I heard they were remaking it, I groaned. But that trailer made me laugh out loud three times. They even had an O.J. joke! I'm in.
Between this and the upcoming Spinal Tap movie, my dorky middle-school-aged me would be utterly confused to see these things resurgent 40 or so years later. (But pleased, too, hopefully.)
I watched Naked Gun for the first time in the tiny San Diego airport with my best friend through headphones at 11:30pm before a late night flight. What a blast.
Not sure the grumpy people around us enjoyed our mirth as much, but I didn’t even notice until it was over.
Absolutely “The Naked Gun” for me. I’ll never forget me and my friend Kyle laughing hysterically for hours.
“Nice beaver.
Thank you. I just had it stuffed”
Just finished “Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride” and it is a superb piece of writing. I just sent copies to my two brothers, too! You don’t have to be a father or even a parent at all to appreciate this novel - you just need to have really really loved someone. If you’re fortunate enough to have done that, Mr. Leitch’s book will speak to you in many, many ways. If you haven’t yet, please buy it. It’s a keeper.
The first time I ever listed to Public Enemy "It Takes a Nation of Millions..." and "Fear of a Black Planet" was back to back on a long road trip. Broke my brain as I started thinking about my white bread upbringing and the concept that had yet to be coalesced -- white privlege.
But, when I was 9 or 10 (1986-87 ish), my father and I watched Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles and History of the World Pt. 1 over the course of a weekend. That set the comedy bar for me.
You mentioned the new Naked Gun movie being directed and co-written by Akiva Schaffer. He and the other Lonely Island guys spoke on their podcast recently about how they share your reverence for the original series’ devotion to constructing jokes and making sure the whole thing was dense with funny. Whether or not the remake succeeds is up to the audience, but it at least makes me feel reasonably good about it being at least decent.
I have a social-media friend (as in we’ve never met in person) who loves to take videos of herself telling “Dad jokes.” Some of them are funny, most are silly and a few are just dumb. Because they’re, you know, “Dad jokes.” But the truly hilarious part every time is watching her try to get through telling the joke because she’s laughing so hard she can barely speak.
“This is our hill…” https://youtu.be/NKg6wtqlDpY?si=dKSq0chH64SWi4lv
And these are our beans!
I love where you say that hearing Nevermind blew a hole straight through your skull. It was the same for me. I will never forget the first time I heard it/saw the video. That song changed my life. :)
When Nordberg goes over the rail at the baseball game. My brother, sister, and I were legitimately transported to some kind of delirious heaven, shouting at each other to rewind it.
It is a joke that works now in two ways: one, as the platonic form of yeeting; and two, an inspired way of dealing with the “actor” himself.
As far as I can tell, there is a solitary word in the English language that makes me laugh in any context, and that is: Bingo!
For me it was "Get Smart," and "Flip Wilson." I'm a bit older than you, Will. LOL
Totally agree about Rose. That sleazeball deserves nothing, but it seems like everyone bows to Trump.
Just watched The Naked Gun again a few months ago. When I heard they were remaking it, I groaned. But that trailer made me laugh out loud three times. They even had an O.J. joke! I'm in.
Between this and the upcoming Spinal Tap movie, my dorky middle-school-aged me would be utterly confused to see these things resurgent 40 or so years later. (But pleased, too, hopefully.)
I think seeing Monty Python on Saturday night WILL must have done this for me. I can't remember what the first episode that I saw was, though.
The first time I saw Belushi as Joe Cocker...I almost choked on my Bubble Yum from laughing.
I watched Naked Gun for the first time in the tiny San Diego airport with my best friend through headphones at 11:30pm before a late night flight. What a blast.
Not sure the grumpy people around us enjoyed our mirth as much, but I didn’t even notice until it was over.