The Silver State Chronicles

So Long, Mr. Goulet

Just got word on the passing of the talented and gracious Robert Goulet.

Robert Goulet was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts as the only son of French Canadian parents, Joseph Georges Andre Goulet and Jeanette Gauthier. In Edmonton, he attended the famous voice schools founded by Herbert G. Turner and Jean Letourneau, and later became a radio announcer for radio station CKUA. Upon graduating from high school, Goulet received a scholarship to Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music.

In 1959, Goulet was introduced to librettist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe, who were having difficulty casting the role of Lancelot in their stage production Camelot. Lerner and Loewe, impressed by Goulet’s talent, signed the virtual newcomer to play the part, opposite Richard Burton’s King Arthur and Julie Andrews’ Queen Guenevere.

Camelot, of course, was a huge hit, and Mr. Goulet would remain in the public eye with many wonderful stage and screen performances, as well as many successful record albums.

So long, Mr. Goulet. Thank you for all you gave, and you shall be missed.

Spider-Man 3 Out on DVD Today!

Well, of course I was one of the first kids on my block to run out and get a copy of Spider-Man 3 on DVD! I believe the DVD has about six hours of additional features, which really shows how ridiculous these things are getting. The 2 1/2 hour movie was long enough – who needs another six hours of introspection and behind the scenes stuff?

This of course leads me to the meat of the matter: Spider-Man 3 was very good, but it wasn’t great and it is widely acknowledged as the weakest of the Spider-Man film series. Too long and too much nonsense were common criticisms, and while I liked it I can’t help but agree.

Well, kick back and enjoy this great animated video I found on YouTube that pokes some well-deserved fun at Spider-Man 3.

First Class Burger With Ease!

I decided to share with you folks one of my great contributions to Americana – the secret process of creating The Vinnie Vegas Burger!

The Vinnie Vegas Burger

1. Take about 1/3 lb of Black Angus 85-15 ground beef, and sprinkle in some McCormick Hamburger or Montreal Steak spices. Work it into the beef, and then form into a patty. Sprinkle some more of the spices on the top and bottom of the patty.
2. Cut a whole wheat kaiser roll in half.
3. Place the patty onto the grill and cook to your personal taste. I like medium-well myself, or about 5-6 minutes. About 2 minutes into the grilling, place the halves of the kaiser roll on the grill for about a minute.
4. Take the warm halves of the kaiser roll and spread some 1000 Island Dressing on the bottom bun.
5. Spread some sweet relish on the bottom bun.
6. Place some fresh lettuce on the bottom bun.
7. About 30 seconds before the burger is done, place some swiss cheese on top of the patty.
8. When the burger patty is cooked to your taste, place the patty on the bottom bun, and then spread some ketchup and spicy golden mustard on the top bun, and assemble.
9. The Vinnie Vegas burger is done!

Serve with some steak fries, a pickle, and some small chilli peppers on the side! First class!

OPTIONS

1. Now and then, use an onion kaiser roll for a great, different taste!
2. Consider using provalogne or other cheese that you like to mix things up now and then.
3. Insert either freshly sliced or grilled onions on the bottom layer if you like onions on your burger.
4. Use your imagination – add what you like!

Enjoy!

Close to the Mid-Point

Here’s my picks for this weekend’s NFL action. I’vebeen off my game for a couple of weeks now – looking for a huge win percentage this week!

Sunday, October 28, 2007

• Browns
  Bears
  Colts
  Giants
  Titans
  Eagles
  Steelers
  Jets
  Chargers
  Jaguars
  Saints
  Patriots

Monday,October 29, 2007

• Packers

Jack Webb Can Joke With The Best of ‘Em!

Way back in 1968, Mr. Jack Webb had brought Dragnet back to prime time television, in my personal favorite incarnation of the series. Though his character, Joe Friday, was a no-nonsense police sergeant, Mr. Webb was open to poking fun at himself, and he did just that in this celebrated skit from The Tonight Show.

I don’t know if this was done in one take or not, but it’s masterful and a fan favorite, and it consistently made it on Tonight Show prime time specials and home video compilations.

I really miss Johnny, and the special touch he brought to The Tonight Show. In any event, enjoy this classic TV comedy moment!

Jumpstarting ‘Fridays For Friday’

Here at the world headquarters for The Silver State Chronicles, things are always happening! I decided to dedicate the remaining Fridays of 2007 to one of my great heroes, Joe Friday and the series Dragnet!

We’ll start this week off with a Dragnet Doubleheader! While Jack Webb and Dragnet are often identified with great television, a lot of folks don’t know that Dragnet originated as a very successful, long running radio drama.

So how about a little dose of old time radio? Sit back and enjoy the August 14, 1952 episode of radio’s Dragnet, “The Big Drive.”

Does Whatever A Spider Can

Marvel Comics was building a creative, dynamic universe in the early 60s, with innovations on many fronts. One of the most popular titles of that era was, of course, The Amazing Spider-Man. Under the talented hand of Steve Ditko and the creative force of Stan Lee, Spider-Man captured fans’ imagination and crafted an unusual super hero for that era.

But some changes were in the works. After just over a three year run, the art duties of Spider-Man would be transferred to the talented John Romita, Sr. Under his art direction, Spider-Man would truly come into his own and that particular vision of the hero remained the dominant image for decades.

The switch was to coincide with a big turning point in Spider-Man’s life. The Amazing Spider-Man #39 would be Romita’s first issue, and it would also culminate a story line involving The Green Goblin, Spider-Man’s arch foe. The cover tells it all – The Goblin is seemingly victorious, and has evidently discovered Spider-Man’s secret identity!

This is pretty heavy stuff for the mid 1960s! In any event, it’s one of the greatest comic stories of all time, and easily one of the greatest comic book covers of all time! Enjoy!

What a moron…

Harry Reid is evidently an amateur scientist, along with being an amateur-level politician. As fires rage in nearby Southern California, forcing over 500,000 residents to flee, Ole’ Harry decided to inject a good dose of politics in a completely nonpolitical situation.

Worldnet Daily reports…

HEAT OF THE MOMENT
Global warming to blame for fires, says Harry Reid
To astonishment of reporters, Senate majority leader makes link
Posted: October 23, 2007

Is there a political angle to the wildfires raging through Southern California?

You betcha – at least according to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who said global warming is at least partly responsible for the blazes.

“One reason why we have the fires in California is global warming,” the Nevada Democrat told reporters, emphasizing the need to pass the Democrats’ comprehensive energy package.

Pressed by astonished reporters on whether he really believed global warming caused the fires, he appeared to back away from his comments, saying there are many factors that contributed to the disaster.

I should hope so.

In fact, just a casual look at most news accounts reveals that the fires have strictly non-environmental causes.

The causes of the different fires raging throughout the state varied, with a fallen power line believed to be the cause of a blaze in Malibu and arson blamed for a fire in Orange County that torched 6,000 hectares (15,000 acres).

Apparently the senator has lost his marbles, but Nevadans like me who have kept an eye on him know that he lost his marbles several years ago.

Indeed, a recent poll shows that his negatives among Nevadans have crept over 50% (to 51%), and his approval rating is at an all-time low of 32%, 2 points lower than President Bush’s statewide approval ratings.

Get on the ball, Harry, and don’t let your eagerness to make everything political get in the way of what’s left of your credibility. We all know that global warming had nothing to do with these fires. And the thing is, you probably do, too. It just didn’t stop you from running your mouth.

Deplorable.