#Laurence Cohen

[toddbl4ck]

richard siken / mitski / duncan laurence / marina abramović and ulay / leonard cohen / fall out boy

[ballumville]

When I watched 'Man in an Orange Shirt' in 2017 for the first time, I immediately thought of making a video of Michael and Thomas' sad love story using the soundtrack of 'Merry Christmas, Mr Laurence' by Sylvian & Sakamoto called 'Forbidden Colours' . So I did it but I never expected it to be so popular. It's posted on my old YT channel - The Rainbow Romance 🌈

[yorkcalling]

New Music: Gifts From Crows - Fragments of Light (Ambient)

New Music: Gifts From Crows – Fragments of Light (Ambient)

Inspired by one of Leonard Cohen’s most memorable lyrics (and one of my favourite), neoclassical composer Gifts From Crows, real name Richard Laurence, is back on the blog with another new piece. This time it’s the ambient version of his composition Fragments of Light. (more…)

[mostlysignssomeportents]

A taxonomy of corporate bullshit

Next Tuesday (Oct 31) at 10hPT, the Internet Archive is livestreaming my presentation on my recent book, The Internet Con.

There are six lies that corporations have told since time immemorial, and Nick Hanauer, Joan Walsh and Donald Cohen's new book Corporate Bullsht: Exposing the Lies and Half-Truths That Protect Profit, Power, and Wealth in America* provides an essential taxonomy of this dirty six:

https://thenewpress.com/books/corporate-bullsht

In his review for The American Prospect, David Dayen summarizes how these six lies "offer a civic-minded, reasonable-sounding justification for positions that in fact are motivated entirely by self-interest":

https://prospect.org/culture/books/2023-10-27-lies-my-corporation-told-me-hanauer-walsh-cohen-review/

I. Pure denial

As far back as the slave trade, corporate apologists and mouthpieces have led by asserting that true things are false, and vice-versa. In 1837, John Calhoun asserted that "Never before has the black race of Central Africa, from the dawn of history to the present day, attained a condition so civilized and so improved, not only physically, but morally and intellectually." George Fitzhugh called enslaved Africans in America "the freest people in the world."

This tactic never went away. Children sent to work in factories are "perfectly happy." Polluted water is "purer than the water that came from the river before we used it." Poor families "don't really exist." Pesticides don't lead to "illness or death." Climate change is "beneficial." Lead "helps guard your health."

II. Markets can solve problems, governments can't

Alan Greenspan made a career out of blithely asserting that markets self-correct. It was only after the world economy imploded in 2008 that he admitted that his doctrine had a "flaw":

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/greenspan-admits-flaw-to-congress-predicts-more-economic-problems

No matter how serious a problem is, the market will fix it. In 1973, the US Chamber of Commerce railed against safety regulations, because "safety is good business," and could be left to the market. If unsafe products persist in the market, it's because consumers choose to trade safety off "for a lower price tag" (Chamber spox Laurence Kraus). Racism can't be corrected with anti-discrimination laws. It's only when "the market" realizes that racism is bad for business that it will finally be abolished.

III. Consumers and workers are to blame

In 1946, the National Coal Association blamed rampant deaths and maimings in the country's coal-mines on "carelessness on the part of men." In 2003, the National Restaurant Association sang the same tune, condemning nutritional labels because "there are not good or bad foods. There are good and bad diets." Reagan's interior secretary Donald Hodel counseled personal responsibility to address a thinning ozone layer: "people who don’t stand out in the sun—it doesn’t affect them."

IV. Government cures are always worse than the disease

Lee Iacocca called 1970's Clean Air Act "a threat to the entire American economy and to every person in America." Every labor and consumer protection before and since has been damned as a plague on American jobs and prosperity. The incentive to work can't survive Social Security, welfare or unemployment insurance. Minimum wages kill jobs, etc etc.

V. Helping people only hurts them

Medicare will "destroy private initiative for our aged to protect themselves with insurance" (Republican Senator Milward Simpson, 1965). Covid relief is unfair to people that are currently in the workforce" (Republican Governor Brian Kemp, 2021). Welfare produces "learned helplessness."

VI. Everyone who disagrees with me is a socialist

Grover Cleveland's 2% on top incomes is "communistic warfare against rights of property" (NY Tribune, 1895). "Socialized medicine" will leave "our children and our children’s children [asking] what it once was like in America when men were free" (Reagan, 1961).

Everything is "socialism": anti-child labor laws, Social Security, minimum wages, family and medical leave. Even fascism is socialism! In 1938, the National Association of Manufacturers called labor rights "communism, bolshevism, fascism, and Nazism."

As Dayen says, it's refreshing to see how the right hasn't had an original idea in 150 years, and simply relies on repeating the same nonsense with minor updates. Right wing ideological innovation consists of finding new ways to say, "actually, your boss is right."

The left's great curse is object permanence: the ability to remember things, like the fact that it used to be possible for a worker to support a family of five on a single income, or that the economy once experienced decades of growth with a 90%+ top rate of income tax (other things the left manages to remember: the "intelligence community" are sociopathic monsters, not Trump-slaying heroes).

When the business lobby rails against long-overdue antitrust action against Amazon and Google, object permanence puts it all in perspective. The talking points about this being job-destroying socialism are the same warmed-over nonsense used to defend rail-barons and Rockefeller. "If you don't like it, shop elsewhere," has been the corporate apologist's line since slavery times.

As Dayen says, Corporate Bullshit is a "reference book for conservative debating points, in an attempt to rob them of their rhetorical power." It will be out on Halloween:

https://bookshop.org/a/54985/9781620977514

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/27/six-sells/#youre-holding-it-wrong

[medievalandfantasymelee]

The Near Misses Tourney (2 of 2)

In 400+ submissions many worthy and noble (also some dastardly and evil) men (and orcs and elves and hobbits and the like) were admitted to our fair Tourney.

These are... not them.

No indeed, 20 men (and one... unit?) of those submitted failed to qualify for the tournament, for diverse reasons. They were therefore turned away and tossed on the Near Misses Pile. But the spirit of competition still burns within them and they have erected a makeshift tilt on the outskirts of the Tourney Grounds.

We wish them the Best of luck in their fruitless endeavour!

The four competitors with the most votes will advance to the next round, all others will be sent home in final disgrace

Row 1:

Jan Skrzetuski [Michał Żebrowski], With Fire and Sword {Ogniem i Mieczem} (1999)

Kala Bhairava [Ram Charan], Magadheera (2009)

Row 2:

Captain Killian "Hook Jones [Colin O'Donoghue], Once Upon a Time (2011-2018)

Othello [Laurence Fishburne] Othello (1995)

Row 3:

Silas Dengdamor [Lee Majdoub], Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (2016-2017)

Tristan [Mads Mikkelsen], King Arthur (2004)

Row 4:

Tristan Thorn [Charlie Cox], Stardust (2007)

Vultan [Timothy Dalton], Flash Gordon (1980)

Row 5:

William Shakespeare [Joseph Fiennes], Shakespeare in Love (1994)

Wolf [Scott Cohen], The 10th Kingdom (2000)

[strawberryqueen00]

Hell no we are not letting this OFMD finale distract from that THIS LETTER.

Had a signature from Taika Waititi. I understand the sensitivity here this issue with Taika being Jewish(and that’s not my place as someone that’s Not Jewish or in those regions to condemn him on that perspective’s behalf) but this letter is directly bastardizing the situation.

Now, when there is a major production from a major figure in this platform that did this, is when we can make the most impact. Remember our values, even when those values involve a show that is strengthening the LGBTQ community.

Because this letter tore down the strength of the movement in support of Gaza. There are going to be so many people that saw this letter and take it completely uncritically, unchallenged.

Standing up for our values means sacrificing our interests, holding accountable the things we enjoy.

And also. I don’t want to see ANYONE. Being fucking antisemitic or racist towards Taika here. That is never appropriate and absolutely inexcusable behavior. You should he ashamed if you think that’s okay even after Taika’s actions.

[Text of Letter]

October 23, 2023

Dear President Biden, We are heartened by Friday's release of the two American hostages, Judith Ranaan and her daughter Natalie Ranaan and by today's release of two Israelis, Nurit Cooper and

Yocheved Lifshitz, whose husbands remain in captivity. But our relief is tempered by our overwhelming concern that 220 innocent people,

including 30 children, remain captive by terrorists, threatened with torture and death.

They were taken by Hamas in the savage massacre of October 7, where over 1,400

Israelis were slaughtered - women raped, families burned alive, and infants beheaded. Thank you for your unshakable moral conviction, leadership, and support for the Jewish people, who have been terrorized by Hamas since the group's founding over 35 years ago, and for the Palestinians, who have also been terrorized, oppressed, and victimized

by Hamas for the last 17 years that the group has been governing Gaza. We all want the same thing: Freedom for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace. Freedom from the brutal violence spread by Hamas. And most urgently, in this

moment, freedom for the hostages. We urge everyone to not rest until all hostages are released. No hostage can be left behind. Whether American, Argentinian, Australian, Azerbaijani, Brazilian, British, Canadian, Chilean, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Eritrean, Filipino, French, German, Indian, Israeli, Italian, Kazakh, Mexican, Panamanian, Paraguayan, Peruvian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, South African, Spanish, Sri Lankan, Thai, Ukrainian,

Uzbekistani or otherwise, we need to bring them home.

Sincerely,

[Text of the names presented. This isn’t all of them, just the copy of this with Taika’s name on it)

Jessica Biel

Jessica Elbaum

Jessica Seinfeld

Jill Littman

Jimmy Carr

Jody Gerson

Joe Hipps

Joe Quinn

Joe Russo

Joe Tippett

Joel Fields

Joey King

John Landgraf

John Slattery

Jon Bernthal

Jon Glickman

Jon Hamm

Jon Harmon Feldman

Jon Liebman

Jon Watts

Jon Weinbach

Jonathan Baruch

Jonathan Groff

Jonathan Marc Sherman

Jonathan Ross

Jonathan Steinberg

Jonathan Tisch

Jonathan Tropper

Jordan Peele

Josh Brolin

Josh Charles

Josh Dallas

Josh Goldstine

Josh Greenstein

Josh Grode

Josh Singer

Judd Apatow

Judge Judy Sheindlin

Julia Fox

Julia Garner

Julia Lester

Julianna Margulies

Julie Greenwald

Julie Rudd

Julie Singer

Juliette Lewis

Jullian Morris

Justin Theroux

Justin Timberlake

KJ Steinberg

Karen Pollock

Karlie Kloss

Katy Perry

Kelley Lynch

Kevin Kane

Kevin Zegers

Kirsten Dunst

Kitao Sakurai

Kristen Schaal

Kristin Chenoweth

Lana Del Rey

Laura Benanti

Laura Dern

Laura Pradelska

Lauren Schuker Blum

Laurence Mark

Laurie David

Lea Michele

Lee Eisenberg

Leo Pearlman

Leslie Siebert

Liev Schreiber

Limor Gott

Lina Esco

Liz Garbus

Lizanne Rosenstein

Lizzie Tisch

Lorraine Schwartz

Lynn Harris

Lyor Cohen

Madonna

Mandana Dayani

Mara Buxbaum

Marc Webb

Marco Perego

Maria Dizzia

Mark Feuerstein

Mark Foster

Mark Scheinberg

Mark Shedletsky

Martin Short

Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Mary McCormack

Mathew Rosengart

Matt Geller

Matt Lucas

Matt Miller

Matthew Bronfman

Matthew Hiltzik

Matthew Weiner

Matti Leshem

Max Mutchnik

Maya Lasry

Meaghan Oppenheimer

Melissa Zukerman

Melissa rudderman

Michael Aloni

Michael Ellenberg

Michael Green

Michael Rapino

Neil Blair

Neil Druckmann

Neil Paris

Nicola Peltz

Nicole Avant

Nina Jacobson

Noa Kirel

Noa Tishby

Noah Oppenheim

Noah Schnapp

Noreena Hertz

Octavia Spencer

Odeya Rush

Olivia Wilde

Oran Zegman

Orlando Bloom

Pasha Kovalev

Pattie LuPone

Patty Jenkins

Paul Haas

Paul Pflug

Paul & Julie Rudd

Peter Baynham

Peter Traugott

Rachel Douglas

Rachel Riley

Rafi Marmor

Ram Bergman

Raphael Margulies

Rebecca Angelo

Rebecca Mall

Regina Spektor

Reinaldo Marcus Green

Rich Statter

Richard Jenkins

Richard Kind

Rick Hoffman

Rick Rosen

Rita Ora

Rob Rinder

Robert Newman

Roger Birnbaum

Roger Green

Rosie O’Donnell

Ross Duffer

Ryan Feldman

Sacha Baron Cohen

Sam Levinson

Sam Trammell

Sara Berman

Sara Foster

Sarah Baker

Sarah Bremner

Sarah Cooper

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Treem

Scott Braun

Scott Braun

Scott Neustadter

Scott Tenley

Sean Combs

Sean Levy

Seth Meyers

Seth Oster

Shannon Watts

Shari Redstone

Sharon Jackson

Sharon Stone

Shauna Perlman

Shawn Levy

Sheila Nevins

Shira Haas

Simon Sebag Montefiore

Simon Tikhman

Skylar Astin

Stacey Snider

Stephen Fry

Steve Agee

Steve Rifkind

Sting & Trudie Styler

Susanna Felleman

Susie Arons

Taika Waititi

Thomas Kail

Tiffany Haddish

Todd Lieberman

Todd Moscowitz

Todd Waldman

Tom Freston

Tom Werner

Tomer Capone

Tracy Ann Oberman

Trudie Styler

Tyler Henry

Tyler James Williams

Tyler Perry

Vanessa Bayer

Veronica Grazer

Veronica Smiley

Whitney Wolfe Herd

Will Ferrell

Will Graham

Yamanieka Saunders

Yariv Milchan

Ynon Kreiz

Zack Snyder

Zoe Saldana

[dear-indies]

full list of biden letter 2:

Aaron Bay-Schuck Aaron Sorkin Adam & Jackie Sandler Adam Goodman Adam Levine Alan Grubman Alex Aja Alex Edelman Alexandra Shiva Ali Wentworth Alison Statter Allan Loeb Alona Tal Amy Chozick Amy Pascal Amy Schumer Amy Sherman Palladino Andrew Singer Andy Cohen Angela Robinson Anthony Russo Antonio Campos Ari Dayan Ari Greenburg Arik Kneller Aron Coleite Ashley Levinson Asif Satchu Aubrey Plaza Barbara Hershey Barry Diller Barry Levinson Barry Rosenstein Beau Flynn Behati Prinsloo Bella Thorne Ben Stiller Ben Turner Ben Winston Ben Younger Billy Crystal Blair Kohan Bob Odenkirk Bobbi Brown Bobby Kotick Brad Falchuk Brad Slater Bradley Cooper Bradley Fischer Brett Gelman Brian Grazer Bridget Everett Brooke Shields Bruna Papandrea Cameron Curtis Casey Neistat Cazzie David

Charles Roven Chelsea Handler Chloe Fineman Chris Fischer Chris Jericho Chris Rock Christian Carino Cindi Berger Claire Coffee Colleen Camp Constance Wu Courteney Cox Craig Silverstein Dame Maureen Lipman Dan Aloni Dan Rosenweig Dana Goldberg Dana Klein Daniel Palladino Danielle Bernstein Danny Cohen Danny Strong Daphne Kastner David Alan Grier David Baddiel David Bernad David Chang David Ellison David Geffen David Gilmour & David Goodman David Joseph David Kohan David Lowery David Oyelowo David Schwimmer Dawn Porter Dean Cain Deborah Lee Furness Deborah Snyder Debra Messing Diane Von Furstenberg Donny Deutsch Doug Liman Douglas Chabbott Eddy Kitsis Edgar Ramirez Eli Roth Elisabeth Shue Elizabeth Himelstein Embeth Davidtz Emma Seligman Emmanuelle Chriqui Eric Andre Erik Feig Erin Foster Eugene Levy Evan Jonigkeit Evan Winiker Ewan McGregor Francis Benhamou Francis Lawrence Fred Raskin Gabe Turner Gail Berman Gal Gadot Gary Barber Gene Stupinski Genevieve Angelson Gideon Raff Gina Gershon Grant Singer Greg Berlanti Guy Nattiv Guy Oseary Gwyneth Paltrow Hannah Fidell Hannah Graf Harlan Coben Harold Brown Harvey Keitel Henrietta Conrad Henry Winkler Holland Taylor Howard Gordon Iain Morris Imran Ahmed Inbar Lavi Isla Fisher Jack Black Jackie Sandler Jake Graf Jake Kasdan James Brolin James Corden Jamie Ray Newman Jaron Varsano Jason Biggs & Jenny Mollen Biggs Jason Blum Jason Fuchs Jason Reitman Jason Segel Jason Sudeikis JD Lifshitz Jeff Goldblum Jeff Rake Jen Joel Jeremy Piven Jerry Seinfeld Jesse Itzler Jesse Plemons Jesse Sisgold Jessica Biel Jessica Elbaum Jessica Seinfeld Jill Littman Jimmy Carr Jody Gerson

Joe Hipps Joe Quinn Joe Russo Joe Tippett Joel Fields Joey King John Landgraf John Slattery Jon Bernthal Jon Glickman Jon Hamm Jon Liebman Jonathan Baruch Jonathan Groff Jonathan Marc Sherman Jonathan Ross Jonathan Steinberg Jonathan Tisch Jonathan Tropper Jordan Peele Josh Brolin Josh Charles Josh Goldstine Josh Greenstein Josh Grode Judd Apatow Judge Judy Sheindlin Julia Garner Julia Lester Julianna Margulies Julie Greenwald Julie Rudd Juliette Lewis Justin Theroux Justin Timberlake Karen Pollock Karlie Kloss Katy Perry Kelley Lynch Kevin Kane Kevin Zegers Kirsten Dunst Kitao Sakurai KJ Steinberg Kristen Schaal Kristin Chenoweth Lana Del Rey Laura Dern Laura Pradelska Lauren Schuker Blum Laurence Mark Laurie David Lea Michele Lee Eisenberg Leo Pearlman Leslie Siebert Liev Schreiber Limor Gott Lina Esco Liz Garbus Lizanne Rosenstein Lizzie Tisch Lorraine Schwartz Lynn Harris Lyor Cohen Madonna Mandana Dayani Mara Buxbaum Marc Webb Marco Perego Maria Dizzia Mark Feuerstein Mark Foster Mark Scheinberg Mark Shedletsky Martin Short Mary Elizabeth Winstead Mathew Rosengart Matt Lucas Matt Miller Matthew Bronfman Matthew Hiltzik Matthew Weiner Matti Leshem Max Mutchnik Maya Lasry Meaghan Oppenheimer Melissa Zukerman Michael Aloni Michael Ellenberg Michael Green Michael Rapino Michael Rappaport Michael Weber Michelle Williams Mike Medavoy Mila Kunis Mimi Leder Modi Wiczyk Molly Shannon Nancy Josephson Natasha Leggero

Neil Blair Neil Druckmann Nicola Peltz Nicole Avant Nina Jacobson Noa Kirel Noa Tishby Noah Oppenheim Noah Schnapp Noreena Hertz Odeya Rush Olivia Wilde Oran Zegman Orlando Bloom Pasha Kovalev Pattie LuPone Paul & Julie Rudd Paul Haas Paul Pflug Peter Traugott Polly Sampson Rachel Riley Rafi Marmor Ram Bergman Raphael Margulies Rebecca Angelo Rebecca Mall Regina Spektor Reinaldo Marcus Green Rich Statter Richard Jenkins Richard Kind Rick Hoffman Rick Rosen Rita Ora Rob Rinder Robert Newman Roger Birnbaum Roger Green Rosie O’Donnell Ross Duffer Ryan Feldman Sacha Baron Cohen Sam Levinson Sam Trammell Sara Foster Sarah Baker Sarah Bremner Sarah Cooper Sarah Paulson Sarah Treem Scott Braun Scott Braun Scott Neustadter Scott Tenley Sean Combs Seth Meyers Seth Oster Shannon Watts Shari Redstone Sharon Jackson Sharon Stone Shauna Perlman Shawn Levy Sheila Nevins Shira Haas Simon Sebag Montefiore Simon Tikhman Skylar Astin Stacey Snider Stephen Fry Steve Agee Steve Rifkind Sting & Trudie Styler Susanna Felleman Susie Arons Taika Waititi Thomas Kail Tiffany Haddish Todd Lieberman Todd Moscowitz Todd Waldman Tom Freston Tom Werner Tomer Capone Tracy Ann Oberman Trudie Styler Tyler James Williams Tyler Perry Vanessa Bayer Veronica Grazer Veronica Smiley Whitney Wolfe Herd

Will Ferrell Will Graham Yamanieka Saunders Yariv Milchan Ynon Kreiz Zack Snyder Zoe Saldana Zoey Deutch Zosia Mamet

[kdo-three]

US Memorial Day 2024

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 - 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 / 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 (𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟖) Words: "For the Fallen" by Laurence Binyon Music: "Flowers of the Forest" (Traditional) from: "Spirit of the Glen: Journey" (CD)

Pipes | Scottish | Military | Requiem | Spoken Word

JukeHostUK (left click = play) (320kbps)

Narration by James Naughtie Produced and Arranged by Jon Cohen

'For the Fallen', Poem Spoken Over a Solo Piper. Recorded on a Military Runway in Basra, Iraq.

For the Fallen (excerpt) They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. by Laurence Binyon (1914)

[unibrowzz]

The Signs and their Eurovision winners

Here we are again, with just one new name this time, but one for a rarely seen sign for once 👀

♈ Aries: Agnetha Fältskog (ABBA, 1974), Ard Weeink (Teach-In, 1975) Lee Sheridan (Brotherhood of Man, 1976), Elisabeth Andreassen (Bobbysocks, 1985), Céline Dion (1988), Nenad Nakić (Riva, 1989), Linda Martin (1992), Rolf Løvland (Secret Garden, 1995) Katrina Leskanich (Katrina and the Waves, 1997), Nils Olsen (Olsen Brothers, 2000), Sergei Morgun (2XL, 2001) Duncan Laurence (2019)

♉ Taurus: Teddy Scholten (1959), Jacqueline Boyer (1960), Jørgen Ingmann (1963), Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA, 1974), Marie Myriam (1977), Johnny Logan (1980 and 1987), Jay Aston (Bucks Fizz, 1981), Emilija Kokić, Dalibor Musap AND Zvonimir Zrilić (All Riva, 1989), Paul Harrington (1994), Alexander Rybak (2009), Victoria de Angelis (Måneskin, 2021), Oleh Psiuk and MC KylymMen (both Kalush Orchestra, 2022)

♊ Gemini: Grethe Ingmann (1963), Anne-Marie David (1973), Salomé (Spain, 1969), Koos Versteeg (Teach-In, 1975), Kaido Põldma (2XL, 2001), Ruslana (2004), Lena Meyer-Landrut (2010), Eldar Qasımov (Ell & Nikki, 2011), Måns Zelmerlöw (2015)

♋ Cancer: John Gaasbeek (Teach-In, 1975), Toto Cutugno (1990), Amen and OX (both Lordi, 2006)

♌ Leo: Isabelle Aubret (1962), Massiel (1968), Vicky Leandros (1972), Per and Richard Herrey (Herreys, 1984), Bobby Gee (Bucks Fizz, 1981), Marie N (2002), Nemo (2024)

♍ Virgo: Dana (1970), Boško Colić (Riva, 1989), Carola (1991), Fionnuala Sherry and Hans Frederik-Jacobsen (Secret Garden and Co, 1995), Indrek Soom (2XL, 2001), Nigar Jamal (Ell & Nikki, 2011), Jamala (2016)

♎ Libra: France Gall (1965), Udo Jürgens (1966), Séverine (1971), Chris de Wolde (Teach-In, 1975), Smulik Bilu (Milk and Honey, 1979), Sandra Kim (1986), Åsa Jinder (Secret Garden and Co, 1995) Vince de la Cruz (Katrina and the Waves, 1997), Charlotte Nilsson (1999), Loreen (2012 and 2023), Ethan Torchio (Måneskin, 2021), Sasha Tab and Vitalii Duzhyk (Kalush Orchestra, 2022)

♏ Scorpio: Jean-Claude Pascale (1961), Frida Boccara (France 1969), Lulu (UK, 1969), Anni-Frid Lyngstad (ABBA, 1974), Rudi Nijhuis (Teach-In, 1975), Reuven Erez (Alphabeta, 1978), Nicole (1982), Corinne Hermès (1983), Louis Herrey (Herreys, 1984), Tanel Padar (2001), Marija Šerifović (2007), Conchita Wurst (2014)

♐ Sagittarius: Corry Brokken (1957), André Claveau (1958), Gigliola Cinquetti (1964), Benny Andersson (ABBA, 1974), Martin Lee, Nicky Stevens AND Sandra Stevens (all Brotherhood of Man, 1976), Reuven Gvirtz (Milk and Honey, 1979), Mike Nolan (Bucks Fizz, 1981), Charlie McGettigan (1994), Eimear Quinn (1996), Kimberley Rew (Katrina and the Waves, 1997), Sertab Erener (2003)

♑ Capricorn: Esther Tzuberi (Alphabeta, 1978), Gali Altari (1979), Aleksandra Kalafatović (Riva, 1989) Dima Bilan (2008), Salvador Sobral (2017), Damiano David and Thomas Raggi (both Måneskin, 2021), Ihor Didenchuk (Kalush Orchestra, 2022)

♒ Aquarius: Yehuda Tamir (Milk and Honey, 1979), Hanne Krogh (Bobbysocks, 1985), Niamh Kavanagh (1993), Gunnhild Tvinnereim (Secret Garden and Co, 1995), Dana International (1998), Dave Benton (2001), Helena Paparizou (2005), Mr Lordi and Kita (both Lordi, 2006), Netta Barzilai (2018), Tymofii Muzychuk (Kalush Orchestra, 2022)**

♓ Pisces: Lys Assia (1956), Sandie Shaw (1967), Lenny Kuhr (Netherlands, 1969), Getty Kaspers (Teach-In, 1975), Yizhar Cohen (1978), Cheryl Baker (Bucks Fizz, 1981) Jørgen Olsen (Olsen Brothers, 2000), Lauri Pihlap (2XL, 2001) Awa (Lordi, 2006), Emmelie de Forest (2013)

UNKNOWN: Lisa Gold-Rubin*, Itzhak Okev and Nehama Shutan* (all Alphabeta, 1978), Alex Cooper (Katrina and the Waves, 1997)

*I did uncover some information regarding Lisa Gold-Rubin and Nehama Shutan which would make them Pisces and Leo respectively, however I was unable to confirm whether they were the actual Eurovision performers or whether they just happened to share the same names. The lead for Gold-Rubin is stronger... but still unconfirmed 😅

**Some sites list Tymofii's birthday as being in September, however his actual Ukrainian Wikipedia page shows it as February 6th, so that's what I'm going with

Corrections/additional information welcome!

[goat-esc-winner-showdown]

ROUND 1 WINNERS

Round 1 Poll 1: "What's Another Year" - Johnny Logan (Ireland, 1980) vs "Arcade" - Duncan Laurence (Netherlands, 2019)

Round 1 Poll 2: "Tu te reconnaîtras" - Anne-Marie David (Luxembourg, 1973) vs "Euphoria" - Loreen (Sweden, 2012)

Round 1 Poll 3: "J'aime la vie" - Sandra Kim (Belgium, 1986) vs "Ein bißchen Frieden" - Nicole (Germany, 1982)

Round 1 Poll 4: "Puppet on a String" - Sandie Shaw (United Kingdom, 1967) vs "The Voice" - Eimear Quinn (Ireland, 1996)

Round 1 Poll 5: "Boom Bang-a-Bang" - Lulu (United Kingdom, 1969) vs "Tom Pillibi" - Jacqueline Boyer (France, 1960)

Round 1 Poll 6: "Rise Like a Phoenix" - Conchita Wurst (Austria, 2014) vs "Toy" - Netta (Israel, 2018)

Round 1 Poll 7: "Refrain" - Lys Assia (Switzerland, 1956) vs "Everyway That I Can" - Sertab Erener (Turkey, 2003)

Round 1 Poll 8: "Diva" (דיווה) - Dana International (Israel, 1998) vs "Satellite" - Lena (Germany, 2010)

Round 1 Poll 9: "Si la vie est cadeau" - Corinne Hermès (Luxembourg, 1983) vs "La det swinge" - Bobbysocks! (Norway, 1985)

Round 1 Poll 10: "Nous les amoureux" - Jean-Claude Pascal (Luxembourg, 1961) vs "Un banc, un arbre, une rue" - Séverine (Monaco, 1971)

Round 1 Poll 11: "Dors, mon amour" - André Claveau (France, 1958) vs "Ne partez pas sans moi" - Céline Dion (Switzerland, 1988)

Round 1 Poll 12: "1944" - Jamala Jamala (Ukraine, 2016) vs "Save Your Kisses for Me" - Brotherhood of Man (United Kingdom, 1976)

Round 1 Poll 13: "Waterloo" - ABBA (Sweden, 1974) vs "Hold Me Now" - Johnny Logan (Ireland, 1987)

Round 1 Poll 14: "Take Me to Your Heaven" - Charlotte Nilsson (Sweden, 1999) vs "Zitti e buoni" - Måneskin (Italy, 2021)

Round 1 Poll 15: "Why Me?" - Linda Martin (Ireland, 1992) vs Ukraine "Wild Dances" - Ruslana (Ukraine, 2004)

Round 1 Poll 16: "Stefania" (Стефанія) - Kalush Orchestra (Ukraine, 2022) vs "De troubadour" - Lenny Kuhr (Netherlands, 1969)

Round 1 Poll 17: "Only Teardrops" - Emmelie de Forest (Denmark, 2013) vs "Nocturne" - Secret Garden (Norway, 1995)

Round 1 Poll 18: "Hallelujah" (הללויה) - Milk and Honey (Israel, 1979) vs "Molitva" (Молитва) - Marija Šerifović (Serbia, 2007)

Round 1 Poll 19: "Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley" - Herreys (Sweden, 1984) vs "I Wanna" - Marie N (Latvia, 2002)

Round 1 Poll 20: "Fairytale" - Alexander Rybak (Norway, 2009) vs "Merci, Chérie" - Udo Jürgens (Austria, 1966)

Round 1 Poll 21: "Fångad av en stormvind" - Carola (Sweden, 1991) vs "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" (א-ב-ני-בי) - Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta (Israel, 1978)

Round 1 Poll 22: "Après toi" - Vicky Leandros (Luxembourg, 1972) vs "Love Shine a Light" - Katrina and the Waves (United Kingdom, 1997)

Round 1 Poll 23: "Dansevise" - Grethe and Jørgen Ingmann (Denmark, 1963) vs "Fly on the Wings of Love" - Olsen Brothers (Denmark, 2000)

Round 1 Poll 24: "Making Your Mind Up" - Bucks Fizz (United Kingdom, 1981) vs "L'Oiseau et l'Enfant" - Marie Myriam (France, 1977)

Round 1 Poll 25: "Insieme: 1992" - Toto Cutugno (Italy, 1990) vs "Everybody" - Tanel Padar, Dave Benton and 2XL (Estonia, 2001)

Round 1 Poll 26: "All Kinds of Everything" - Dana (Ireland, 1970) vs "In Your Eyes" - Niamh Kavanagh (Ireland, 1993)

Round 1 Poll 27: "Hard Rock Hallelujah" - Lordi (Finland, 2006) vs "Net als toen" - Corry Brokken (Netherlands, 1957)

Round 1 Poll 28: "Een beetje" - Teddy Scholten (Netherlands, 1959) vs "Heroes" - Måns Zelmerlöw (Sweden, 2015)

Round 1 Poll 29: "Rock 'n' Roll Kids" - Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan (Ireland, 1994) vs "My Number One" - Helena Paparizou (Greece, 2005)

Round 1 Poll 30: "Running Scared" - Ell and Nikki (Azerbaijan, 2011) vs "Amar pelos dois" - Salvador Sobral (Portugal, 2017)

Round 1 Poll 31: "Poupée de cire, poupée de son" - France Gall (Luxembourg, 1965) vs "Believe" - Dima Bilan (Russia, 2008)

Round 1 Poll 32: "Vivo cantando" - Salomé (Spain, 1969) vs "Tattoo" - Loreen (Sweden, 2023)

[doveabovetheworld]

Greta Van Fleet as…

Musicals!!

Josh;

I know previously I said how Josh gives Footloose vibes in my GVF as 80s movies, but I do think he also gives major Hamilton vibes. The way that while he sings his hands go up and sometimes he looks like the classic Hamilton pose as well. But Josh is the type of person to memorize all the songs and dances and perform it when he’s by himself in his room (which I cant blame him I do that with every musical but…). Josh also reminds me of the musical and specifically Laurence because of how he cares about people even if he knows them personally or not. He will do anything he can if it’s the right thing to do and he will fight for people’s rights. I honestly think that he is such an amazing person and I know I say this a lot but he cares so much about people. He would also yell at Hamilton during “Say No To This” and during “Burn” he would be clapping for Eliza. He would also cry during “Stay Alive - Reprise” but to be honest I did as well so there’s no shame in that.

Jake;

Les Misérables is probably if not is the one musical that really made an impact on me so the fact that Jake reminds me of it is so amazing. Les Mis is such an inspiring musical about love, war, and passion. The history aspect of this as well is one of my favorite things since I went down a whole rabbit hole about the French Revolution cus of this musical. Another thing that is funny that I just realized is how both Jake and Josh are both musicals that have revolutions in them as well as aspects of romance and tragedy I didn’t intend for that to happen but I’m happy it came out like it did. But Jake really reminds me of Marius Pontmercy because he is so passionate for fighting in what he believes is right as well as super romantic and just super kind in general. Jake would ball his eyes out when Gavroche, Cosette, and Fantine die because I know I did and that shit hurt so hard. He would also be the number one fan of Cossett and be intrested in Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert’s story.

Sammy;

Sammy is for sure Newsies not just because of how much he is all for people getting equality, but because he reminds me of Racetrack Higgens. Sammy is such a sassy but loving person with amazing humor just like Race. He’s the type of person that would walk around with a New York accent and sing “King of New York” and a “Carrying the Banner”. His favorite character would probably be either Crutchy or Les Jacobs. He would also be so infatuated with Katherine Plumber and Jack Kelly’s relationship just cheering for them right from the start. He, just like his brothers, believes in people’s rights and how they should be fought for. Not to mention how Sammy would love the choreography. He may not be like Josh to the point that he would learn and perfect the dances, but he would just sit there awestruck at how good the dancing is. Sam’s just one of those people that have youthful energy and it is another reason why I think he is this musical.

Danny;

Danny gives off strong Rent vibes because of how much he loved being around his friends and family. He treats his friends like they’re part of his family and he’s just the sweetest. He also (just like the other boys) is huge on people’s rights and how everyone should be equal. I feel like the character that resonates with him the most is probably Mark Cohen. He is such a loving and inspiring person who is passionate about what he loves. The one song that he would love to sing and dance around to would be “La Vie Boheme” which is such an amazing song. Danny would love Angel Dumott Schunard and Mimi Marquez and would cry when Agnel dies and when Mimi almost dies. He would be cheering for Maureen Johnson and Joanne Jefferson’s relationship wanting them to be together but jamming to “Take Me or Leave Me” while being so mad that they fought. Danny is such an amazing person who cares about so many people so I feel like this musical resonates with him. Not to mention the time period for this musical reminds me of him too.

Moodboards made by me!!

[are-they-z]

Supporters of #NoHostageLeftBehind Open Letter to Joe Biden - Part 2/2

Gabe Turner

Gail Berman

Gary Barber

Genevieve Angelson

Gideon Raff

Grant Singer

Greg Berlanti

Guy Nattiv

Hannah Fidell

Hannah Graf

Harlan Coben

Harold Brown

Henrietta Conrad

Howard Gordon

Iain Morris

Imran Ahmed

Inbar Lavi

Jackie Sandler

Jake Graf

Jake Kasdan

Jamie Ray Newman

Jaron Varsano

Jason Fuchs

Jason Biggs & Jenny Mollen Biggs

Jason Segel

JD Lifshitz

Jeff Rake

Jen Joel

Jeremy Piven

Jesse Itzler

Jesse Sisgold

Jill Littman

Jody Gerson

Joe Hipps

Joe Quinn

Joe Russo

Joe Tippett

Joel Fields

John Landgraf

Jon Bernthal

Jon Glickman

Jon Liebman

Jonathan Baruch

Jonathan Groff

Jonathan Tropper

Jonathan Marc Sherman

Jonathan Steinberg

Jonathan Tisch

Josh Goldstine

Josh Greenstein

Josh Grode

Julia Lester

Julie Greenwald

Karen Pollock

Kelley Lynch

Kevin Kane

Kevin Zegers

Kitao Sakurai

KJ Steinberg

Laura Pradelska

Lauren Schuker Blum

Laurence Mark

Laurie David

Lee Eisenberg

Leslie Siebert

Leo Pearlman

Limor Gott

Lina Esco

Liz Garbus

Lizanne Rosenstein

Lizzie Tisch

Lorraine Schwartz

Lynn Harris

Lyor Cohen

Mandana Dayani

Maria Dizzia

Mara Buxbaum

Marc Webb

Marco Perego

Mark Feuerstein

Mark Shedletsky

Mark Scheinberg

Mathew Rosengart

Matt Lucas

Matt Miller

Matthew Bronfman

Matthew Hiltzik

Matti Leshem

Dame Maureen Lipman

Max Mutchnik

Maya Lasry

Meaghan Oppenheimer

Melissa Zukerman

Michael Ellenberg

Michael Aloni

Michael Green

Michael Rapino

Michael Weber

Mike Medavoy

Mimi Leder

Modi Wiczyk

Nancy Josephson

Natasha Leggero

Neil Blair

Neil Druckmann

Nicole Avant

Nina Jacobson

Noa Kirel

Noah Oppenheim

Noreena Hertz

Odeya Rush

Oran Zegman

Pasha Kovalev

Paul Haas

Paul Pflug

Peter Traugott

Rachel Riley

Rafi Marmor

Ram Bergman

Raphael Margulies

Rebecca Angelo

Rebecca Mall

Reinaldo Marcus Green

Rich Statter

Richard Kind

Rick Hoffman

Rick Rosen

Robert Newman

Rob Rinder

Roger Birnbaum

Roger Green

Rosie O'Donnell

Ryan Feldman

Sam Trammell

Sarah Baker

Sarah Bremner

Sarah Treem

Scott Tenley

Seth Oster

Scott Braun

Scott Neustadter

Shannon Watts

Shari Redstone

Sharon Jackson

Shauna Perlman

Shawn Levy

Sheila Nevins

Simon Sebag Montefiore

Simon Tikhman

Skylar Astin

Stacey Snider

Stephen Fry

Steve Agee

Steve Rifkind

Susanna Felleman

Susie Arons

Todd Lieberman

Todd Moscowitz

Todd Waldman

Tom Freston

Tom Werner

Tomer Capone

Tracy Ann Oberman

Trudie Styler

Tyler James Williams

Vanessa Bayer

Veronica Grazer

Veronica Smiley

Whitney Wolfe Herd

Will Graham

Yamanieka Saunders

Yariv Milchan

Ynon Kreiz

[georgefairbrother]

In 1971, Columbia Pictures commissioned a cinema adaptation of the hit BBC sitcom, Dad's Army. It was directed by Norman Cohen, and written by the television series creators and writers, Jimmy Perry and David Croft. The producer was John R Sloan, whose credits also included The Odessa File, No Sex Please, We're British, To Sir With Love, and Force 10 From Navarone.

The production was not an altogether happy experience for the television ensemble. Perry and Croft were frustrated that the director failed to understand that the comedy was as much in the reaction as the funny line, and the cast, Ian Lavender recalled, were upset by the treatment of the 'back row' actors, who formed the rear ranks of the Home Guard parade during the television episodes. Although they rarely had a line, the same actors were used from one series to the next, so were considered part of the cast. For the film, they were classed as extras and treated accordingly.

Mrs Pike, who was played for television by Janet Davies, was recast with Liz Fraser, who had a higher cinema profile and a 'less homely' image, against the objections of Perry and Croft and the disappointment of the cast. Another bone of contention was the location; the exteriors were shot in and around Chalfont St Giles rather than the series regular location of Thetford.

John Laurie was injured while handling a horse being used in the film, and perhaps reflecting the general mood of the cast and deteriorating relationship with the production crew, Arthur Lowe drove the prop master mad by complaining incessantly about the weight of his pistol. (He ended up taking matters into his own hands, found a local toyshop which he entered in full uniform, and purchased a plastic one).

The end result performed well at the box office, and there was talk of a sequel, Dad's Army and the Secret U-Boat Base, possibly to star Laurence Olivier, but this never eventuated.

Director Norman Cohen went on to direct three Confessions sex comedies, which probably made him one of the most financially successful directors in 1970s British Cinema. He passed away in 1983, aged 47.

The television series continued until 1977, and there were also radio and stage adaptations. In 2016, a cinema adaptation starred Toby Jones as Captain Mainwaring, Bill Nighy as Sergeant Wilson, and Sarah Lancashire as Mrs Pike. Ian Lavender had a cameo as the Brigadier, but the only original cast member to appear as his own character was the Vicar, played by Frank Williams, who passed away aged 90, in June 2022. He was afforded a standing ovation by the entire cast and crew when he arrived on set for his brief scene.

[eighteenthcenturyfiction]

Free to read: Book reviews!

The new issue of Eighteenth-Century Fiction will be out soon. Until then, read for free the newest batch of book reviews, for a limited time on the journal website.

Vol. 35, no. 1, January 2023

Click here for a pdf file of all the reviews in this issue.

Review essay on 3 books: States of Terror: History, Theory, Literature by David Simpson Ghosts in Enlightenment Scotland by Martha McGill The Gothic and Theory: An Edinburgh Companion, ed. Jerrold E. Hogle and Robert Miles Review by Peter DeGabriele, Mississippi State U.

The Global Indies: British Imperial Culture and the Reshaping of the World, 1756–1815 by Ashley L. Cohen Review by James Mulholland, NC State U.

Founded in Fiction: The Uses of Fiction in the Early United States by Thomas Koenigs Review by Xine Yao, University College London

Transatlantic Women Travelers, 1688–1843, ed. Misty Krueger Review by Melissa Adams-Campbell, Northern Illinois U.

Laurence Sterne and the Eighteenth-Century Book by Helen Williams Review by Paul Baines, University of Liverpool

Daughters of Aataentsic: Life Stories from Seven Generations by Kathryn Magee Labelle, in collaboration with the Wendat/Wandat Women’s Advisory Council Review by Shelby Johnson, Oklahoma State U.

Radical Conduct: Politics, Sociability and Equality in London 1789–1815 by Mark Philp Review by Miriam L. Wallace, New College of Florida

Before the Raj: Writing Early Anglophone India by James Mulholland Review by Padma Rangarajan, University of California, Riverside

Narrative, Catastrophe and Historicity in Eighteenth-Century French Literature by Jessica Stacey Review by Daniel Rosenberg, University of Oregon

Organic Supplements: Bodies and Things of the Natural World, 1580–1790, ed. Miriam Jacobson and Julie Park Review by Cass Turner, Indiana University Bloomington

One Great Family: Domestic Relationships in Samuel Richardson’s Novels by Simone Eva Höhn Review by Karen Lipsedge, Kingston U.

Mind over Matter: Memory Fiction from Daniel Defoe to Jane Austen by Sarah Eron Review by Amanda Hiner, Winthrop U.

L’Infortuné Napolitain, ou les Aventures du seigneur Rozelli, éd. Érik Leborgne et Emmanuelle Sempère Critique littéraire par Bruno Tribout, Université d’Aberdeen (Royaume-Uni)

[fearsmagazine]

COUNTRY OF HOTELS - Review

DISTRIBUTOR: Terror Films

SYNOPSIS: Should you end up in room 508 in this mysterious, nameless and fetid hotel, you will find yourself in an alternate reality, akin to the “Twilight Zone,” with an unseen threat lurking behind the walls and in the air ducts. COUNTRY OF HOTELS presents five tales of lost souls who enter room 508 and are confronted by the darkness in their lives.

REVIEW: COUNTRY OF HOTELS is an entry into the subgenre of sinister hotels/rooms such as the Cohen Brothers’ “Barton Fink,” David Lynch’s “The Hotel Room,” or the grand-daddy of them all “The Shinning” (pick your adaptation).

Having said that, COUNTRY OF HOTELS establishes an atmosphere and a tension that it sustains throughout. They achieve it through a compilation of performances, production values and camera work. The wallpaper in room 508 appears to be a homage to the carpet design from the Overlook Hotel in Kubrick’s “The Shining.” There are a lot of dark tones and hues that add to the oppressive feel of the film. Given the tight spaces, the edits are sharp with an organic feel to the movement. Christos Fanaras’s score was okay was okay, but the film’s sound design adds more to the overall atmosphere to the film. For all the room’s production design and art direction, the rest of the locations are lacking and feel makeshift, especially the check-in/front desk area.

The stories tend to be superficial in only addressing the particulars of the situation the viewer is presented with. The characters at the center of each tale do not present as a full person, never feeling there is a chance for redemption. Much like a classic EC Comic tale, such as “Tales From the Crypt” or “Haunt of Fear,” these characters wear their damnation on their sleeves. The TV in the room serves as a source of torment, sometimes feeling a bit more unrealistic than surreal. I enjoyed the adult themes. Still, the writing does not offer any satisfying conclusions or any speculation about the hotel or its staff to sustain the viewer’s curiosity past the credits.

The performances are interesting, frequently intense, but limited. There is no breathing room to allow the viewer to connect with the character and potentially feel for them. There is a lot of energy and a perspective of that character in that moment, which kept me at a distance, feeling like a spectator at a “peep show.”

Julio Maria Martino’s & David Hauptschein’s COUNTRY OF HOTELS is an interesting adult film about not nice people who find themselves in a surreal hotel room that challenges them. There are many good things about the film that make it worth a watch. I don’t feel the dark humor works and by the end I did not feel anything for these characters, even the hotel staff.

CAST: Siobhán Hewlett, Michael Laurence, Adam Leese, Matthew Leitch, Charles Pike, Sabrina Faroldi, Ben Shafik, Olegar Fedoro, and Mia Soteriou. CREW: Director - Julio Maria Martino; Screenplay - David Hauptschein; Producer - Saba Kia; Cinematographer - Stefano Slocovich; Score - Christos Fanaras; Editor - Peter Allinson; Production Designer - Mike McLoughlin; Costume Designer - Lauren Miller; Visual Effects Supervisor - Ross Macpherson OFFICIAL: N.A. FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/CountryOfHotels TWITTER: N.A. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/MQFBf3vXcVY RELEASE DATE: On digital platforms May 26th, 2023

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike)

Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri