Category: Celebs

WWE Hall of Fame

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Although I loved professional wrestling when I was a kid back in the 60’s and early 70’s, I haven’t regularly watched it since my sons lost interest more than a few years ago.  Still, I enjoy seeing clips of old matches/interviews and reading biographies of professional wrestlers.  You wouldn’t believe some of the stories — and that’s just the ones that they’ll share!

Last night the WWE Hall of Fame Inductions included “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Ricky “”The Dragon” Steamboat, “Cowboy” Bill Watts, Dory and Terry Funk, announcer Howard Finkle and the Von Erich family.

Here’s a bit of trivia:  Did you know that “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is set to co-star with Sly in The Expendables and Terry Funk had featured roles in Sly’s Paradise Alley and Over the Top?

Remembering Dan Seals

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I just read today at Ivan Shreve’s blog that Dan Seals has died after a long bout with cancer.  If you didn’t recognize the name, perhaps you knew him better as “England Dan” of the popular 70’s recording duo England Dan and John Ford Coley.

Between 1976 and 1979, England Dan and John Ford Coley had six top 40 singles [“I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” “Nights Are Forever Without You,:” “It’s Sad to Belong,” “Gone Too Far,” “We’ll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again,” and “Love is the Answer”] with four hitting number one on the charts.

Dan Seals’ older brother, Jimmy Seals was half of the extremely popular recording duo Seals and Crofts.  Not wanting to cash in on his brother’s name, Dan went with his nickname, “England Dan” which was given to him as a child because of his love for The Beatles.  In 1980, England Dan and John Ford Coley broke up, and Dan went on to have a successful career as a country singer.

Although I’m a huge fan of England Dan and John Ford Coley [I almost posted a link to this video less than a week ago], I didn’t know about Dan Seals’ country career.  After seeing/hearing his cover of “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” I’ve decided that I’m going to have to correct that.

Our thoughts and prayers go out the family, friends and fans of Dan Seals.

Talk Like William Shatner Day!

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Today is William Shatner’s birthday.  He’s 78.  Wow.  Hard to believe that Captain James T. Kirk is pushing 80.  Denny Crane, yes; Captain Kirk, nope, not possible.  But it is.

So in honor of the Shat’s birthday, I suggest we all participate in the first annual TALK LIKE WILLIAM SHATNER DAY!  Not to worry, here are instructions on how to talk just like Willam Shatner.  Once you’ve listened and learned, jump right in.

Oh, and… Happy… Birthday! [SHORT INHALE and SHARP BREATH] Mr. Shatner!

Jason Walker, Frank Miller, Watchmen & FX

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I got the Jason Walker quick sketch that I posted today, two years ago at an Orlando Con. Jason, Gary McKee and Mike Torrence had joined together to do a sketchbook. All three were giving free head sketches to anyone who picked up a copy. Since I consider all three guys friends (and I dig their art), of course I was down for a copy. I’ll post Gary and Mike’s quick sketches soon.

Anyone here caught any of the History Channel’s new series, BC Battles? It’s really well done, but Frank Miller should be getting a kickback on every episode. Not only is the action made to look like scenes from the movie “300” but the type face on logos and any lettering looks just like Miller’s from the comic. Well, we all know what they say about homage and all that.

I’m a bit surprised at how fast “Watchmen” dropped at the box office. I liked the movie a lot. Of course, I’m a comic fan and don’t think that the graphic novel is the “be-all, end-all,” so I’m probably the perfect audience for the film. Still, I thought it would do better…

I’m really looking forward to the FX show. Beatty and I always have a blast and the guest list is really packed. If you’re planning to be there, post a comment and let me know.

Mood: Glad

Listening to: Can’t Get Enough of Your Love by Barry White

Reading: Patient Zero by Jonathon Mayberry

Watching: BC Battles on the History Channel

Playing: Catch-up

Eating: Salsa & Cheese Omlette

Drinking: Diet Coke

Ron Salas, Cons & Jesus Antonio

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Today I posted the Ron Salas Rambo sketch I picked up at MegaCon.  It’s my third piece from Ron and hopefully not my last.

The bad news is it looks unlikely that I’ll attend TampaCon this month. The great news is Big John Beatty is now a guest at FX.   I’m really psyched about this.  John and I have a blast hanging out at his table, seeing old friends, making new ones and generally having all kinds of fun.  He’ll be sketching and I’ll be attempting to get a few new additions to my Stallone sketch collection.  Good times.

I’ve also got two sketch commissions lined up with Jesus Antonio. Jesus is currently trying to raise some cash to help his mother with some doctor bills.  Check his art out and if you like what you see [I know you’ll like his prices!], order a commission or two for yourself.  You’ll be happy, Jesus Antonio will be happy, his mother will be happy, and the doctor will be happy.  Heck, even I’ll be happy.  How often does something like that happen?

  • Mood: Happy
  • Listening to: Your Smiling Face by James Taylor
  • Reading: The Hardcore Diaries by Mick Foley
  • Watching: Gangland on A&E
  • Playing: Internet Spades
  • Eating: Chicken Finger Sandwich
  • Drinking: Water

 

RIP: Charles “Mask” Lewis

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I was sad to read that Charles Lewis, Jr, aka “Mask” was killed early today in an automobile accident.  Lewis was the founder of Tapout Clothing, Inc. and one of the stars of the reality series of the same name.  According to Lt. Jim Amormino, a public information officer with the Orange County Sherrif’s Department and  MMAWeekly.com:

At 12:57 a.m., a Newport Beach Police cruiser spotted Lewis’ red Ferrari and a white Porsche driving out of control…The Ferrari then struck the curb and hit a utility pole, tearing the car in half. After coming to a brief stop, the Porsche fled the scene. An unnamed female passenger was ejected from Lewis’ car in the crash. Newport Beach paramedics pronounced Lewis dead at the scene.

In all the times I ever saw him, Charles “Mask” Lewis, Jr. came across as a genuinely nice person.  It makes me sick to think that his life was cut so short.  The Tapout crew have announced that a memorial service is in the planning stages and details will be announced on the website once they are confirmed.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Mask’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Paul Harvey

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Radio legend, Paul Harvey passed away today at the age of 90.  The cause of death was not immediately known.  Mr. Harvey, known for his distinctive voice and speaking style, became a national icon when his radio program went national in 1951.  In time he became the most popular and most listened-to radio personality in America.

I remember enjoying his broadcasts even as a youngster.  Mr. Harvey had two catch phrases: “Stand by for news!” [which began his broadcast] and “Now you know the rest of the story.” Paul Harvey’s broadcasts had the feel of a trusted friend commenting on items from the daily paper.  He will be missed.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Harvey’s family, friends and fans.

Kevin Nash Makes An Appearance

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I work as an Assistant Principal at a local high school.  A while back I posted about talking to former World  Lightheavy Weight Champ, Antonio Tarver at one of our basketball games.  Tonight I was working the game as our girls basketball team played for the district title.  Kevin Nash [movie actor and professional wrestler] came to watch.  Nash is friends of the family of one of the players.

What was cool was that many people recognized him, but no one went over for autographs or to talk to him.  Kevin Nash wasn’t there for that and people seemed to realize it.  A group of students did walk by to get a closer look, but even they didn’t bug him.  Too bad that most celebrities aren’t given the same respect when they are trying to enjoy some time away from the limelight.

Unfortunately our girls lost.  The good news is that coming in 2nd place in the district moves us into the regional tournament with a chance to still go to state.  If we make it, maybe Kevin Nash will make a return visit.

“He’s Mine”

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I’ve been a fan of Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead comic series since the first issue.  I generally pick up my comics once and month and invariably the first that I look to read is The Walking Dead.  Part of the reason is you never know who is safe or what is going to happen.  This series has had more jaw-dropping-I-can’t-believe-that-just-happened moments than any other series I’ve ever read.

The current issue is no exception.  There is a scene so tough to read [not because it is gory and not as much for what is happening, but more for what is about to happen] that I actually paused to think, “Kirkman wouldn’t really do THAT, would he?”  I honestly didn’t know.  After what he did to the Governor and many of the major cast members, perhaps he would.  [And no I am not going to spoil it for those of you who haven’t read the issue yet.]

Suffice it to say that the panel shown above made me as happy as when Burt Reynolds showed up with his crossbow in “Deliverance.”

Ledger Deserves It

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It was announced today that Heath Ledger has been nominated for a Best Support Actor Oscar for his work as the Joker in “The Dark Knight.” Although most say that it’s enough to be nominated, I’d really, really like to see Ledger win.   [I’ll be pulling for Mickey Rourke in the Best Actor category, but not quite as hard.]

Bob May: RIP

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Bob May passed away today.  Many, if not most of you probably don’t recognize the name or face.  I know I didn’t right away.  The reason that I’m noting his passing is because he played an important role in one of my favorite TV shows when I was a kid.  Bob May was the man in the robot suit on “Lost in Space.” Although it was Dick Tufeld who provided the robot’s voice, it was Bob May that made the robot move.  Together they created one of the most memorable tv characters of all time.

Bob May didn’t have a huge list of credits on the Internet Movie Database.  He wasn’t a household or name or have an instantly recognizable face, but he did play a part on one of my favorite shows as a kid and I didn’t want to let his passing go without mention.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and fans.

I Don’t Draw ‘Em

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I’m not an artist, but I’ve always loved art. I believe that comic books were the start of it all. Like most kids of my generation, I loved comic books. Unlike most, I never outgrew them.

In junior high I met John Beatty. He was also into comic books and original art. He wanted to be a comic book artist. During our high school and my college years, Beatty and I spent a lot of time at Jim Ivey’s Cartoon Museum. Jim’s was THE place for comics and original art. We also started attending conventions. I was in college and Beatty had become a comic book artist.

I sold off my art collection when I was ready to graduate college. I kept just one piece, a Paul Gulacy commission of Sylvester Stallone [my favorite actor]. Over the years some of my artist friends gifted me pieces of Stallone art. When my sons were in their mid-teens we started attending comic conventions. I realized that getting sketches of Stallone from my favorite comic artists was a perfect mesh of my hobbies.

So, no, I don’t draw ’em, I just collect ’em.

Mood: Joy
Listening to: 70’s Music
Reading: The Wildwood Boys by James Carlos Blake
Watching: “Serenity”
Playing: Internet Hearts
Eating: Wings
Drinking: Tea

Rare Bruce Lee Interview!

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Kliph Nesteroff is going to make many ZONErs happy when they click on this link to see a rare interview from 1971 with Bruce Lee.  The videos run about 26 minutes total and are worth every second.  Lee talks about:

  • his fighting style of no style
  • his work on “Green Hornet”
  • the celebrities he trained [Steve McQueen was the best fighter]
  • his breakthrough on “Longstreet”
  • the new American tv series he was set to star in [Although it’s not covered, the series eventually went to David Carradine and the title was changed from “The Warrior” to “Kung Fu”]
  • and more!

It was great seeing Bruce Lee in a new interview.  He was an amazing talent and died way too young.  I think it’s time for another viewing of “Enter the Dragon.” What better way to honor his memory than to enjoy his ultimate performance?