#historyofcool

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Hey everyone! There’s still 49 hours left in this Kickstarter for an authorized documentary about the late Catherine Coulson, Twin Peaks’ Log Lady! They’re just short of their $250,000 goal! If you have any cash you can spare please consider donating it to this cause!

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https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/historyofcool/i-know-catherine-the-log-lady/description

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Tameeka Henry: Valerie June, Love and Education

Tameeka Henry tells us about an artist she had just discovered, Valerie June. She discusses the over-use of love and the importance of educational opportunities.

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Valerie June's song 'Raindance' is the Coolest song I've ever heard

by Shabrena Barnard

I must admit, I almost feel guilty for how much fun I'm having editing interviews here at History of Cool. Allowing myself to flow with the tides of life has led me directly to a passionate group of dedicated folks whose pure intention is to build a platform for positive discussion worldwide. I've found a place where I am consistently inspired, and am in direct access with Cool people who lead me to the waters of creative life. And oh how refreshing those waters are... One upcoming Cool interviewee, the sparkly and charming Tameeka Henry, led me to a singer who is expanding my knowledge of human potential.  Her name is Valerie June. Born and raised in Tennessee, Valerie's look and voice are striking as the most brilliant iris. A true artist, her songs are a hopeful reflection of longing not only for personal freedom, but for the liberation of love in all of our hearts.  I am going to go on record and declare "Raindance" as one of the most powerful songs to ever travel the sonic gateway to my soul. 

Here are two gorgeous live versions of "Raindance"; one from the cozy studio of Seattle's KEXP, and a slightly more damp forest performance in Holland.

Highly recommended - Valerie June: Manifest

This short documentary gives a glimpse into the delicately complex relationship Valerie has with her family, as well as insight into the determination it took to create her own life built on the principles of simplicity and loving acceptance.

Watch for more Valerie June in our interview with Tameeka Henry:

Shabrena Barnard is an editor, writer, and a member of the History of Cool team. Follow her on twitter: @shabsoasis

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"The Book Was Better"

We’ve all heard it before: “The movie was good, but the book was better.” In many cases, this phrase comes from the mouth of a pretentious antagonist: someone who would go on to describe how said movie “spoiled” the book’s integrity. 

 But if a treasured piece of literature gained integrity in the first place, can anything -including a bad movie - really do it damage?

History of Cool recently caught up with actress/musician Sarah Ho. Ho alluded to author Roald Dahl as her personal ambassador of cool. If that sounds odd, consider the worlds Dahl created in books like Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, James and The Giant Peach and Matilda. After some “investigative research” (fine, Wikipedia), it turns out Dahl clashed with studio heads during the novel’s film adaptation, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. Apparently, the famed author wrote the original screenplay, only to find it drastically altered. A furious Dahl distanced himself from the now-classic musical. 

 Decades later, a poorly received remake staring Johnny Depp, arrived in theaters. Did this 2005 reboot ruin the beloved 1971 film, or even the original book? While some may jump to that conclusion, I submit that a true masterpiece stands on its own merit, despite projects that might compromise its legacy. Look no further than director/screenwriter Ivan Passer’s insight on the unscathed War and Peace; “Thirty-four movies have been made from War and Peace, each one worse than the last. Hasn’t hurt the book a bit.” 

So when you’re cringing over your favorite novel’s obliteration through unjust remakes, take comfort that the truly great ones remain immune to inferior renditions. 

Have you ever felt frustration over Tinsel Town’s take on book? If so, which ones? Conversely, do you think any movies surpassed a book in terms of quality?

Greg Dorn is a freelance writer and a member of the History of Cool team. He lives in Chicago. He is also a contributing Writer at Chicago Tribune Media Group. Follow him on twitter:@GregoryDorn

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"Roald Dahl is fantastically cool"

Watch our interview with actress Sarah Ho.

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Sid Caesar 1922 – 2014

If Milton Berle served as Mr. Television and Jack Benny embodied comedic timing, Sid Caesar was the resident goofball. Welcome to the golden age of television, when talk shows, variety hours and sitcoms still ruled the airwaves.

Caesar first set out to become a jazz musician, choosing the saxophone as his axe. His commanding officer in the army witnessed him cracking up his troops, and the rest is history. Perhaps not as celebrated as other TV stars, Sid Caesar set the standard for organized insanity. His first writing team for the groundbreaking Your Show of Shows can be described as the “Dream Team” of comedy: Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Mel Tolkin and Neil Simon. Although short lived, Your Show made way to Caesar’s Hour, championed by an unknown, neurotic funnyman, Woody Allen. As the variety hour concept became more prevalent and crowded, Caesar’s star diminished.

Despite notable performances in It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, this genius of comedy never truly received the household name that he deserved. Many folks of the baby boomer generation might remember him as the likeable Coach Calhoun in Grease, but his stamp on comedy remains widely underrated and unappreciated. Perhaps now, in his passing, the king of sketch comedy will go down as a legend at his craft.

Greg Dorn is a freelance writer and a member of the History of Cool team. He lives in Chicago. He is also a contributing Writer at Chicago Tribune Media Group. Follow him on twitter: @GregoryDorn

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Roundtable discussion with 6 hollywood executives: full uncensored interview

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LIVING IN A TREE IN STYLE.

Thank you Brian Roberts for submitting this! A whole new level TREE HOUSE! Who wants to build one for us at the studio?

Check out Brian's Tumblr:

http://fromconcentrate.tumblr.com

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PLEASE COMMENT, RATE, AND SUBSCRIBE.

It helps us out a lot!!! Thank you for your support!

Allan Havey tells us how the beach, the woods and the moon are cool, how some things will always be cool and some things will never be cool, and about how cool the world already is.

We want to hear from everybody. Make a video response answering the Three Questions:

1. Tell us about a person place or thing, real or imaginary, that you think is cool and why.

2. What is cool?

3. If you could change the world, how would you make it cooler?

Bonus Show and Tell: Something cool you have or something cool you do.

Check us out on our other sites!

TUMBLR: http://historyofcool.tumblr.com/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/historyofcool

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/historyofcool

Music: "The Back Seat" by Louis Durra:

http://www.louisdurra.com/

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Shoot your own video in response to our 3 questions! 

1. Cool place, person, or thing?

2. What is 'cool'?

3. If you could change the world, how would you make it cooler?

Submit to makesome@historyofcool.com

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Thanks @fromconcentrate for submitting Dave Kinsey's art. http://ow.ly/larKm 

#mixedmedia

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What's cool about your dream house? Our staff member Pedro wants this....might be a bit of a hike!

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PLEASE COMMENT, RATE, AND SUBSCRIBE.

It helps us out a lot!!! Thank you for your support!

Penelope Lombard tells us about the future of cool, dogs, the Fonz, and why everybody should listen to and see Free To Be You And Me.

Free To Be You And Me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_26FOHoaC78

"The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0173547/

We want to hear from everybody. Make a video response answering the Three Questions:

1. Tell us about a person place or thing, real or imaginary, that you think is cool and why.

2. What is cool?

3. If you could change the world, how would you make it cooler?

Bonus Show and Tell: Something cool you have or something cool you do.

Check us out on our other sites!

TUMBLR: http://historyofcool.tumblr.com/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/historyofcool

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/historyofcool

Music by Murphy Mumm:

https://soundcloud.com/murphymumm

Music by Thaddeus Durra:

https://soundcloud.com/thaddeus-durra