Fish as 'Sea Kittens'? We think not.
1/16/2009"...as human beings we are capable of making sense of situations based on the thinnest slice of experience."
Malcolm Gladwell, author of Blink and The Tipping Point.
CUTE AND CUDDLY: We at Thin Slices are all for treating animals ethically. The combined staff has a couple of cats, a dog and even a few birds. But the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has come up with the concept of ""Sea Kittens" designed to make fish seem more lovable. We just think that's weird. A fish is a fish is a fish. (RL)
DVD PICK OF THE WEEK: Might I suggest ...
The Bad News Bears. I have fond memories of this 1976 comedy when I was a kid, and find I enjoy it nearly as much as an adult. Walter Matthau is a home run as surly, broken-down minor leaguer Buttermaker, who's saddled with managing a little-league baseball team of misfits and castoffs -- none of whom can play baseball. Buttermaker spends much of the movie's first half drunk -- few actors play alcoholics better than Matthau -- before he puts away the 12-packs and finds purpose in turning the team's fortunes around. Forget the dreaded remake starring Billy Bob Thorton, the original Bad News Bears is far superior and funnier; it's also much more crude and racy, and pushes the limits of its PG rating -- even in the pre-PC era. The ending is an unforgettable triumph, though, and a nice nod to underdogs, whose valiant battles against superior forces often go unrewarded, nevertheless they remain eternally optimistic that their day will come. (RL)
GOODBYE TO A GROUNDBREAKER: Ricardo Montalban was more than just a stereotypical Latin lover, "soft Corinthian leather," Fantasy Island, and, of course, Khan on Star Trek. He was highly respected for his leadership in finding role for fellow Latins in the movie industry, something he likely paid for by being typecast throughout his career. And the guy really was a good actor when he had a good role, such as Khan on Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan. Montalban died Wednesday at the age of 88." (RL)
BREAK OUT: As part of a move to focus on more comedies, Fox has announced that Prison Break will be canceled after four seasons. The show had run its course, what with the fact that the main characters are no longer in prison. Maumee-native Robert Knepper, who played T-Bag on the show, predicted this would happen." (RL)
CRITICS' DARLINGS: In the wake of its Golden Globes awards, 30 Rock is under the microscope because it's one of those shows that TV writers like a lot and the public, not much so. Here's a breakdown of how the TV intelligentsia (if there is such a thing) see the show that has stars like Oprah Winfrey and Jennifer Aniston clamoring to get on." (RL)
ATOMIC TRAIN WRECK: That's what one of the posters on this blog called the appearance by Ann Coulter on The View. We at Thin Slices profess affection for neither Coulter nor the women of The View because both are, there is no nice way to say this, ANNOYING. See for yourself." (RL)
OUR EARS HURT: American Idol is back again tonight with more musical mediocrity. The contestants will bleat out tunelessly, the judges will look on bemusedly, and the bar for real talent will drop a little lower. New judge Kara DioGuardi promises to be a straight shooter." (RL)
GOLDEN MOMENTS: As awards shows go, the Golden Globes have to be the loosiest goosiest, what with all the swearing, bird flipping and parental nagging. Here's who got drunk." (RL)
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