Song Blog: "American Idiot"

American Idiot is a rock opera by the rock group Green Day that is based on their 2004 album of the same title. The Broadway musical focuses on a group of disillusioned twentysomethings affected by post-9/11 times.

According to SongFacts, Green Day's lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong was inspired to write the title track after hearing Lynyrd Skynyrd on his car radio. The song expressed pride in being a redneck. "Why would you be proud of something like that?" Armstrong asked at the time.

Armstrong immediately wrote the lyrics of "American Idiot" upon arriving at the studio. His bandmates Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool wrote the music. "And it started the ball rolling," Armstrong says.

The entire album and play is told through the eyes of its protagonist, Johnny, or Jesus of Suburbia. He is seen as a saviour figure amongst rebels living in fictional Jingletown, USA. He ventures into an unnamed city and discovers a nation "controlled by the media." It's during his time in The City that he witnesses Americans blindly following what the media has to say, as well as polarizing government policies and lack of individuality.

The "redneck agenda" is his criticism of US president George W. Bush and his administration's war on Iraq. Coincidentally, the American Idiot album was released on September 21, 2004, exactly three years and 10 days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"American Idiot" topped the US Modern Rock Tracks Chart in 2005. It also reached #1 in Canada. "American Idiot" was Green Day's first top 5 hit in the UK, peaking at #3.

Weird Al Yankovic turned "American Idiot" into a "Canadian Idiot" for his 2006 album, Straight Outta Lynwood. He uses his parody to send up Canadian stereotypes, and common American attitudes towards Canada in general. It created a minor stir in Canada at the time, since he has a large fan base in this country. When he and his band performed "Canadian Idiot" live in Winnipeg, he said, "thank you for not killing us."

Green Day formed in East Bay, California in 1987, and they have released eight studio albums to date. American Idiot is their seventh and most successful album thus far. "It's the best thing we've ever done," Armstrong says.

Rolling Stone picked the album's title track as the 13th best single of the 2000s. Its parent album received the 2005 Grammy for Best Rock Album.

What is Kwanzaa?

From the Archives: "My brief encounter with Eartha Kitt" (12/28/2008)

On Christmas Day I heard that Eartha Kitt had died of colon cancer at the age of 81. Hearing the news of her death made me think back to the time I met her. It was in February 1983, and I was nine years old at the time. She was in Toronto performing at the Royal York Hotel. She was also there for the Variety Club Telethon (Ontario Tent 28) held there.

The memories are getting fuzzier now with the passage of time, but I do recall her having quite a presence. Though I didn't know much about her at the time, I knew that she had a wonderful voice and a classy stage presence. She was very sweet and classy towards me and everyone else she met with on the night she appeared on the show. I know I have her autograph somewhere in one of my books.

Since meeting her I've become more acquainted with her music and career. This includes listening to hits like the Christmas classic "Santa Baby," and also her renditions of "C'est Si Bon" and "Ain' Misbehavin'." I've seen her as Catwoman in the '60s TV show Batman, and in films like St. Louis Blues with Nat King Cole. I've also heard her sultry voice in Disney's The Emperor's New Groove.

Eartha Kitt was one of the first celebrities I met, and one of the best. RIP Miss Kitt.

Song Blog: "Fairytale of New York"

One of the most popular modern Christmas songs - especially in the UK and Ireland - is "Fairytale of New York." For many listeners, this cult classic from 1987 is the greatest Christmas song ever written.

The song is written in the style of an Irish folk ballad, and performed as a duet between Pogues' lead singer Shane MacGowan and guest vocalist Kirsty MacColl. This "Fairytale" centres on a drunken man's Christmas Eve reverie and remembrances of past Christmases while in a New York drunk tank. He then dreams about a failed relationship. This is when the song turns into a call-and-response dialogue between MacGowan and MacColl. Their conversations play out like a couple who are down on their luck during the holidays. Unfulfilled ambitions and broken dreams are also referred to as the song reaches its dramatic climax. The only time it gets 'sentimental' is towards the end when the couple declares that they still love each other despite all the hardships and disappointments they have endured.

"Fairytale of New York" was composed by Pogues member Jeremy 'Jem' Finer, and it appeared on the band's third album, If I Should Fall From Grace with God. Finer talked to the BBC about how the song came to be and its enduring popularity over the years.

"Marcia, my wife, said it was a load of rubbish... so she suggested a storyline about a couple who are down on their luck." Finer says. "The guy went out with what little money they had to buy a Christmas tree and presents but, on the way, he decided to go into the bookies and it all went horribly wrong - he came back and they had a row. The row was quite a crucial part of it. But then there was a redemptive quality - love took over from the more material aspects of Christmas."

During the period this song was being drafted, MacGowan had attempted to write a song that would take the form of a duet. "Fairytale" was not originally going to be a duet, but when Finer gave the song to MacGowan, it opened the door for a female vocalist. Their producer Steve Lillywhite had his then-wife Kirsty MacColl add a vocal. Everyone involved loved the rough vocal so much that they decided to keep it in the final master.

The Pogues were an English group who specialized in Irish folk music, with a hint of punk rock thrown into the mix. Their name derives from pogue mahone, which is Irish slang for 'kiss my ass.' This lovely sentiment was actually their original name, but they changed it to the Pogues, partly due to BBC censorship following complaints from Gaelic speakers in Scotland. An appearance on the TV series The Tube raised their profile. Their Christmas hit improved their fortunes, but MacGowan's erratic behaviour led to their decline and breakup. Most of the original lineup regrouped in 2001, with MacGowan returning as lead singer.

Kirsty MacColl was an English singer-songwriter who came from a musical family. Her dad was Ewan MacColl and her stepmother was Peggy Seeger (half-sister of American folk troubadour Pete Seeger). One of her earliest compositions was "They Don't Know," a pop hit for comedienne Tracey Ullman in 1983. MacColl's collaboration with the Pogues led to them touring together in 1988. She dropped out of the music biz for a time following her divorce from Lillywhite in 1994. Tragically, on the eve of her comeback, MacColl was killed in a boating accident while vacationing in Mexico in 2000, just one week before Christmas.

The Pogues retired "Fairytale of New York" from their setlists until very recently. In 2005, they performed it on live TV with Katie Melua handling MacColl's vocal parts. This was the first time the Pogues had performed the song on TV since 1988.

The Real Meaning of Christmas

The Story Of Christmas Told Hilariously Wrong

What is Festivus?

What is Hanukkah?

The true meaning of Christmas, from "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

Thank you Russell Hoban

Russell Hoban wrote one of my favourite Christmas stories, Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1971). One of my nursery school teachers gave me the original printing of this book, which I proudly still have today.

I also love the TV special Jim Henson made in 1977.

Hoban died earlier this week at the age of 86.

My favourite obscure Christmas song

There's a wonderful Christmas song from the mid-1980s that I wish more people would cover. It's called "When You Love Someone (It's Christmas Everyday)." It was composed by comedian Redd Foxx, of the '70s sitcom Sanford & Son. Gladys Knight & The Pips is one act I know of that recorded it in 1986, as a B-side to the single "Send It to Me." The only other artist I know who performed it was Stephanie Mills. She sang it on the Motown Merry Christmas special in 1987. Coincidentally, it was co-hosted by Redd Foxx.

You can get Gladys Knight's version on a 2-disc various artists collection called Season's Greetings in the 20th Century Masters series. It's a shame that more people don't know about "When You Love Someone," because it captures the heart of the season perfectly.

Here's a clip of Stephanie Mills singing it on the Motown special - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqgo3q4dFsQ.

All in the Family: The Christmas and New Year's Episodes

Following up on my previous blogs about All in the Family, and in honour of its 40^th anniversary, here’s a review of the Christmas and New Year's episodes that were made, in order of broadcast. I also review the episodes made for Archie Bunker’s Place.

All in the Family:

1.      “Christmas Day with the Bunkers” (1971, Season 2)

The first Christmas episode has Archie (Carroll O’Connor) acting like the Grinch in front of everybody. He even buys a Christmas tree reminiscent of Charlie Brown. He later chastises his neighbour Henry Jefferson (Mel Stewart) for dressing up as Santa Claus. This leads to a silly debate on whether Santa is black or white. Archie’s wife Edith (Jean Stapleton) realizes that he forfeited his Christmas bonus by sending a shipment of trees to London, England instead of London, Ontario, Canada. This is a good episode.

2.      “Edith’s Christmas Story” (1973, Season 4)

Edith has a health scare when she discovers a lump in her breast. Daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers) encourages her to see a doctor, but Edith decides it would be best not to tell Archie about it. Gloria’s husband Mike Stivic (Rob Reiner) overhears the conversation, and panics. The secret comes out when their neighbour Irene (Betty Garrett) falsely assumes that Archie knew. Archie shows empathy and affection when he learns that Edith is going to be okay.

3.      “New Year’s Wedding” (1976, Season 6)

Gloria becomes upset with Mike when he gets into the habit of making big family decisions without consulting her. When they can’t get a babysitter for their son Joey, Mike decides to have their friends get married at their house before the New Year begins, without Gloria’s consent. 

Trivia: It was during the taping of this episode that Reiner met guest star Billy Crystal. They have remained close friends ever since.

4.      “The Draft Dodger” (1976, Season 7)

In what may be the series’ best Christmas episode, Mike’s high school friend David surprises him just as the family is about to have Christmas dinner. David is invited to stay, along with Archie’s friend Pinky. A heated conversation ensues between Archie and David, who, reluctantly, tells him he is a draft dodger living in Canada. Pinky convinces David to stay when he tells him that his son was killed in the Vietnam War, and that if he were alive he would want to sit down with him. It makes for a very powerful moment, emphasizing the message of peace at Christmas time.

5.      “Edith’s Crisis of Faith, Parts 1 & 2” (1977, Season 8)

Drag queen impersonator Beverly LaSalle visits Edith and invites her and Archie to his new burlesque show at Carnegie Hall. Archie, who gave Beverly mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in a Season 6 episode, doesn’t like the idea. However, things take a tragic turn when Beverly is clubbed to death by a gang of muggers. This causes Edith to question her faith in God. Her depression takes its toll on the family as Christmas approaches. Ironically, it is Mike the atheist who helps Edith restore her faith on Christmas Day.

6.      “Bogus Bills” (1978, Season 9)

Counterfeit money turns up at the cash register of Archie’s bar. Edith calls Archie from the police station to tell him she found some counterfeit cash in her purse. He later finds the culprit in the bar dressed as Santa Claus. Archie decides to let him off the hook, though he starts having regrets when he sees the shady customer drive off in a Cadillac.

7.      “The Bunkers Go West” (1978, Season 9)

Archie, Edith and their niece Stephanie Mills (Danielle Brisebois) prepare to celebrate Christmas with the Stivics. Plans change, however, when Gloria calls from California to say that Mike’s injured back will prevent them from traveling to New York. Edith immediately decides that they will visit them instead.

8.      “California, Here We Are, Parts 1 & 2” (1978, Season 9)

The Bunkers arrive in Santa Barbara to visit the Stivics at their new home. Mike fakes a back injury to hide the fact that he and Gloria have separated. They get into an argument, prompting Gloria to hit Mike. Gloria tells her mother that their marriage is failing, and that she’s been seeing another man. Before Archie hears the details, he assumes that Mike is to blame. The story ends happily when the Stivics decide to work things out. 

Trivia: This is the last Christmas-themed episode of All in the Family.

Archie Bunker’s Place:

9.     “The Incident” (1980, Season 2)

A recently-widowed Archie and his newly-hired housekeeper Ellen Canby (Barbara Meek) are at the supermarket when a man verbally harasses her for being a black woman. Archie, in a rare show of liberalism, punches the man, a lodge brother. Archie is then threatened with expulsion from the lodge. Archie demonstrates, through this incident, that he respects Ellen and the help she gives to him and Stephanie.

10  “Custody, Part 1” (1981, Season 2)

Archie, still adjusting to life without his beloved ‘dingbat,’ reluctantly allows Stephanie to spend time with her wealthy grandmother, Estelle Harris (Celeste Holm). When they return from shopping, she tells Archie she wants to become Stephanie’s legal guardian, despite having been absent for most of her life. Archie’s refusal leads to a custody battle.

11   “Custody, Part 2” (1981, Season 2)

During a break in the hearing, Stephanie tells the judge she would rather stay with Archie than go live with her grandmother. The judge decides that though Archie is an “ignorant labourer” with fewer financial resources, he is better suited to meeting Stephanie’s overall needs. The judge wishes everybody a Happy New Year as he leaves the courtroom.

12   “Father Christmas” (1982, Season 4)

Archie surprises his niece Billie Bunker (Denise Miller) by inviting her father Fred (Richard McKenzie) over for Christmas. Billie, who is estranged from her father, opts to go skiing with Archie’s Jewish lawyer Gary Rabinowitz (Barry Gordon). Things reach a breaking point when Fred tells Billie the reason why her mother walked out on them so many years ago. Billie and Fred make amends, and she decides to cancel the skiing trip. 

Trivia: This is the last Christmas-themed episode of Archie Bunker’s Place. CBS cancelled it at the end of the 1982-83 season.

Truth in labeling?

One of my friends brought panettone to my house yesterday. It’s a very good and tasty treat to have during the Christmas season. However, I noticed that the box makes an interesting claim.

It says that it does not contain any cholesterol; however the side panels tell a different story.

Does truth in labeling exist at the San Marco company? I think not.

My 10 favourite episodes of Archie Bunker's Place

Following up on my blog on All in the Family, I thought I would count down my 10 favourite episodes of Archie Bunker’s Place. This series continued the adventures of Archie Bunker, from 1979 until its cancellation in 1983. In this series, Archie and Edith raise their step-niece Stephanie Mills (Brisebois) after her father abandons her. Most of the action, however, revolves around Archie’s bar and grill, where he forms an unlikely partnership with Jewish liberal Murray Klein, played by Martin Balsam.

Carroll O’Connor and Danielle Brisebois were its two main stars, along with a rotating supporting cast that included Balsam, Anne Meara, Denise Miller and Barry Gordon. Jean Stapleton plays Edith Bunker during its first season before moving on to other TV and film projects.

Though Archie Bunker’s Place may not be as remembered as its predecessor, it is entertaining and has its own set of charms worth recommending. Reruns have been airing all year on DejaView in Canada.

Here are my top 10 favourite episodes:

10. "Three Women" (1983, Season 4)

Archie takes Stephanie to visit her grandmother (Celeste Holm) and her catty housekeeper (played wonderfully by Night Court’s Selma Diamond). However, Archie is forced to stay when his truck breaks down. The visit goes sour when Stephanie gets upset at her grandmother for refusing to talk about her late mother. I like this one because it ties up loose ends on Stephanie’s past.

9. "The Return of Sammy" (1980, Season 1)

A fun reunion occurs when Archie meets up with Sammy Davis Jr. again, this time at the restaurant owned by Archie and Murray. Sammy arrives upon learning that Archie is raising Stephanie, whose mother was Jewish. Archie saves Sammy’s life when he chokes on a plate of ribs at the restaurant. Much of the story has clever references to Sammy’s previous visit in the classic All in the Family episode, “Sammy’s Visit.”

8. "Tough Love" (1981, Season 2)

Veronica Rooney (Meara), Archie’s cook, hits rock bottom when her frequent drinking starts to take its toll. Archie and Murray advise her to get help, but her drinking habit gets in the way and she almost loses her job. Archie is the one to apply tough love on her, creating intensity near the end. Veronica’s drinking problem is implied in other episodes, but this is the first of two where her alcoholism is dealt with head-on.

7. "Death of a Lodger" (1982, Season 3)

Don Rickles guest stars as a boarder for Archie’s pal Barney (Allan Melvin) when he has trouble paying the bills. The arrangement doesn’t work out however, and before Barney can convince him to leave, he dies. Rickles basically plays his comedic alter ego by supplying his trademark comic insults and put-downs.

6. "The Incident" (1980, Season 2)

During Archie’s first Christmas without Edith, his newly-hired housekeeper Ellen Canby (Barbara Meek) is verbally harassed at the supermarket for being a black woman. Archie, in a rare show of liberalism, punches the man, a lodge brother. Archie is then threatened with expulsion from the lodge. Archie demonstrates, through this incident, that he respects Ellen and the help she gives to him and Stephanie.

5. "Reggie-3, Archie-0" (1982, Season 3)

Baseball star Reggie Jackson threatens to sue Archie when one of Archie’s staff accidentally damages his limo. Archie, who does not have insurance, spends much of the time trying to persuade Jackson to let him off easy. I sense that Reggie, like Sammy, was also a fan of All in the Family.

4 & 3. (tie) "Thanksgiving Reunion, Parts 1 & 2" (1979, Season 1)

Archie and Edith welcome their daughter Gloria, son-in-law Mike and grandson Joey back for a Thanksgiving reunion. Calamity ensues when Mike tells Archie that he was fired from his job in California for streaking in protest over the building of a nuclear power plant. This is the last time we see O’Connor and Stapleton act alongside their All in the Family co-stars Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers. It’s also the last time Reiner would play the Meathead.

2 & 1. (tie) "Archie Alone, Parts 1 & 2" (1980, Season 2)

This may be the most important episode of Archie Bunker’s Place, and also the saddest. The story begins a month after Edith dies of a stroke in her sleep. Archie’s decision to carry on living as though nothing happened hurts his relations with Stephanie, and with his colleagues at the bar. The most emotional moment is at the end, when Archie breaks down and admits he needs help adjusting to life without his beloved ‘dingbat.’ Edith was written out at the start of season two because Stapleton felt the character had reached its potential. Producer and show creator Norman Lear took the news hard. When Stapleton reminded him that Edith was a fictional character and not a real person, he said, “Not to me she isn’t.” O’Connor won Emmy and Peabody awards for this episode.

George Harrison remembered 10 years later

Celebrating 40 years of All in the Family

It was 40 years ago this past January that All in the Family, one of my favourite TV shows of all time, celebrated its 40^th anniversary. The iconic sitcom aired from 1971 to 1979, centering on a suburban New York family led by working class bigot Archie Bunker. The main stars of All in the Family were Carroll O’Connor, Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers.

Developed by Norman Lear from the British series Till Death Us Do Part, All in the Family was never afraid to take on the important political and social issues of the day, as expressed by Archie and his more liberal son-in-law Mike “Meathead” Stivic. They were presented through satire, by sending up societal prejudices, as well as life’s frailties and foibles. Archie’s wife Edith was the peacemaker of the family, and their daughter Gloria often found herself caught in the middle of the arguments between her father and husband.

I’ve spent much of this year re-watching every episode of All in the Family, and its continuation series, Archie Bunker’s Place (1979-1983). My admiration for All in the Family dates back 20 years, when reruns began airing on local TV. I was hooked by the richness of the characters and the subject matter exposed in many of the episodes.

Here’s my list of the 10 best episodes of All in the Family:

10 & 9. (tie) “Edith's 50th Birthday, Parts 1 & 2” (1977, Season 8)

This two-part episode may be one of the hardest to watch, yet its subject matter remains relevant and important. In Part 1, Edith prepares to celebrate her 50^th birthday when a man posing as a detective tries to rape her. In Part 2, Gloria employs tough love on her mother when she refuses to report the man who attacked her. The whole episode is treated as a cautionary tale to anyone who is left home alone.

8. “The Stivics Go West” (1978, Season 8)

Reiner and Struthers did not wish to continue playing their characters Mike and Gloria, so Lear and company devised a plot where they would move away. The story has Mike accepting a teaching post in California. Before they leave, he and Archie put aside their differences and give each other a heartfelt goodbye. Reiner and Struthers would make two more appearances together, but this was their last as series regulars.

7. “Lionel Moves Into the Neighborhood” (1971, Season 1)

One of Archie’s worst nightmares comes true when a black family moves into the neighbourhood. This family happens to be the Jeffersons, which includes Mike’s friend Lionel (Mike Evans). When Lionel tells Archie he is part of the family Archie is trying to stop from moving in, his reaction is priceless. This episode introduces Lionel’s mother, Louise (Isabel Sanford).

6. “Archie and the Editorial” (1972, Season 3)

The Season 3 opener has Archie delivering an argument in favour of “guns for everybody.” Archie cuts up a TV editorial supporting gun control, and Mike gets him to broadcast a rebuttal. The exchange between Archie and Mike on what makes a man a man is one of the best in the entire series. Archie’s rebuttal is even funnier. This episode deserves to be called a classic.

5. “Henry's Farewell” (1973, Season 4)

This is always a fun episode to watch. Lionel’s uncle Henry (Mel Stewart) decides to move upstate. However, his family’s party plans are threatened when older brother George declines to break bread with the Bunkers. Edith comes through when she decides to host the party at their house, which makes Archie fume. His attitude changes when he learns of George’s refusal to set foot in their house. Sherman Hemsley makes his debut as George in this episode.

4. “Archie is Branded” (1973, Season 3)

I consider this episode to be the most intense next to “Edith’s 50^th Birthday.” This is the one where Archie’s front door is branded with a swastika by an extremist group looking to attack a Jewish neighbour. A Jewish radical arrives and puts everyone in the house on edge, except Archie, who admires his vigilantism. This is the only episode that doesn’t end in applause due to the tragic outcome.

3. “The Bunkers and the Swingers” (1972, Season 3)

A lot of fans consider this the funniest episode of the series, and it certainly comes close. The story has naïve Edith answering an ad from a couple looking for 'friendship.' This leads to hysterical misunderstandings between the Bunkers and the swinging couple. Trivia: it’s this episode that led guest star Rue McClanahan to clinching the role of Vivian on the spinoff series Maude.

2. “Two's a Crowd” (1978, Season 8)

In one of the last great exchanges between Archie and Mike, the two men find themselves locked in the storeroom of Archie’s newly-purchased bar. They are the only two characters in this episode, and it is here that we learn the roots of Archie’s bigotry and melancholic nature. It also reveals how Mike’s experiences led to his contrasting view of life and society in general. Both O’Connor and Reiner give five-star performances in this episode.

1. “Sammy's Visit” (1972, Season 2)

One of All in the Family’s most popular episodes tops my list. Sammy Davis Jr. stops by the house to pick up a briefcase he left in Archie’s cab. The excitement his visit produces in the Bunker house leads Archie to drop one faux pas after another. Davis was a fan of the show, and it was his friend O’Connor who invited him to be in this episode. It was also O’Connor’s idea to have Davis initiate the big kiss at the end. Classic!