Think About It: Qs, As and assorted other letters
This week, friends, as I do every so often, I'm opening up the World Famous Think About It Central Mailbag, delving into missives submitted by you, to give my insight on various aspects of our society, pop culture, and possibly breakfast cereal. So let's get started.
Yello!
Blake, I'm told you listen to an awful lot of podcasts. Something about comics, TV shows, movies, theme parks -- and of course, you and your pal Chase co-host your own 2 in 1 Showcase podcast, which of course is the finest show since the invention of sliced bread.. So what's the newest show that's managed to grab your attention?
Listening Lester.
Lester,
Thanks for the kind words about the show! (You'll be getting your residual checks in the mail shortly.) Since you asked, ever since my girlfriend Erin started steering me towards zombie movies, my tastes for that particular horror sub-genre have really exploded. Zombie movies, comics, novels -- I've been really gobbling them up lately, and feeding my new hunger is the Library of the Living Dead podcast. Hosted by the inimitable Dr. Pus, this show has plenty of reviews of zombie movies and books, zombie music, and serialized zombie tales that he reads every episode. It's definitely whet my appetite for more Zombie-lore. Plus, hearing tales of surviving the Zombie Apocalypse is preparing me for dealing with my ninth-graders when school starts in a few weeks.
Blake,
I know you were interested in going to a midnight release for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Did you make it? What was it like? Were you accosted at various points in the evening by ten-year-olds with replica wands?
Curious Creevy.
Creev-meister,
It wasn't easy, because I was directing a play last weekend. (Lucky Stiff, at the Thibodaux Playhouse, three shows remaining, call 985-446-1896), but after the show was over last Friday my sister/assistant director Heather and I hauled butt from the theatre to a bookstore that was having a midnight release event. It was wild -- the store was packed with both kids and adults, some dressed up, some in t-shirts, many just there in street clothes, looking to get their hands on the book. After we'd been there for a while, I got a call on my cell phone from my podcast partner Chase, who was waiting at the front of the line in the same store with his wife, Jenny, and her family. Neither of us knew the other was going to be there that night. We chatted with them until the Fire Marshall arrived, announced that there were too damn many people in the building (I may be paraphrasing) and those of us who didn't have the right color bracelets on would have to wait outside until they actually started selling the books. This is actually the reason most firefighters get into the business, I think: crowd control at book release parties. Heather and I finally got our books at about 1 a.m. I finished reading it approximately 23 hours later, but the only reason it took that long is because I had another show to direct that Saturday (985-446-1896), I spent a few hours hanging out with my buds Mike and Kenny, and somewhere in there I had to eat and sleep.
Captain Petit,
The new season of Who Wants to Be a Superhero? started this week. Personally, I find this show to be childish, campy, and a complete embarrassment for anyone who wants to see comic books gain credence as a legitimate art-form. Also, I totally think Basura is hot. What do you think?
TV's Ted.
Teddy,
Despite myself, I've started watching this show again. As cheesy as it is, there's an undeniable fun quality to it. Based solely on the first episode, I'm pulling for the Defuser so far, as to me, he seems to be the most heroic, and the only one with any genuine leadership qualities. Yeah, he's probably putting on an act, but as the point of this show is to create a superhero, they're all putting on acts, and I currently like his act the best.
Blake,
What do you want for lunch?
Edible Edna.
Edna,
I could really go for a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese right now. I'll probably have a turkey sandwich on wheat with low-fat mayo. Stupid nutrition.
Mr. Petit,
Being a fan of your work as an actor, writer, director and journalist, I was sure to be there for last night's performance of Lucky Stiff (and totally encourage people to call 985-446-1896 for ticket information). As I walked past the dressing rooms before the show, though, I heard this incessant scribbling sound. Is it possible that my hopes and dreams have been answered, and you're working on a new book?
Phanboy Phillipe.
Phil,
Well, since you asked so nicely, yeah I am. I got struck by inspiration a few days ago, and I've been stealing moments to work whenever I can to write. I'm almost finished with the first chapter, and I'm quite excited about the project. I won't give out any more details yet, except to say that the idea was somewhat inspired by one of the other things I mentioned in this week's column. Also, what the hell were you doing near the dressing rooms? Didn't you see the "staff only" sign on the door? Are you the reason my actors are complaining about flashbulbs going off while they change?
Um... No.
Good.
The last thing Blake M. Petit needs is another mystery to figure out. In the meantime, see his play. Three more performances. The phone number for tickets is around here somewhere. And contact him with comments or suggestions at BlakePT@cox.net.