Barry on Buffalo

Once in awhile, this blog will tackle something that no other blog would dare touch, even if they had this rare, but extraordinary, information.   This information has never been released before, that I’m aware of, but it is of such significance that it could topple the mighty Disney Corporation. 

During a recent illness, and some “couch” time, I stumbled across an old favorite movie of mine, the 1964 Warner Brothers classic, “The Incredible Mr. Limpet”, starring Don Knotts.  Although, I’d like to do a full review, my kids have ruled against it, as they claim it will be a turn-off to some of our younger bloggers.  I’m guessing, however, that the release of what I am about to tell you, will generate a new interest in this movie, as it has strong ties to a movie that the younger generation does have familiarity with, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”. 

To set the scene I would like to provide a description of Limpet from Amazon.com: “Starring the irrepressible Don Knotts, this 1964 family feature combines live (land) action and animated (undersea) sequences with delightful results. During World War II, Knotts is mild-mannered, spectacle-sporting bookkeeper Henry Limpet. More than anything–he’s a fish fan and a patriot. When the navy rejects him due to poor eyesight, he falls into a funk from which not even his beloved aquarium or loving–if bossy–wife can rescue him. So he makes a wish… to become a fish. Next thing he knows–he is! With a little help from a hermit crab named Crusty and the lovely Ladyfish, it’s as a talking, bespectacled fish that Limpet proves himself the war hero he always knew he was meant to be.” 

In researching this blog, I did discover that Jim Carrey is pushing a re-make, but I wouldn’t wait, the original plays on HBO Family, or is available at any video store. 

As my first viewing in probably more than 30 years of a movie I probably saw ten times before, I came to a startling revelation, Limpet’s good pal, Crusty the Crab, is an original version to what I find out now to be a way too similar character that was introduced much, much later in time, Disney’s famous crab, Sebastian.    Eerie parallels in looks, mannerisms and language, including a saying, correct me if I’m wrong youngsters, that I believe Sebastian used, “jumping jellyfish”.  I was truly shocked at such blatant animatronic plagiarism. 

Those of us who have been to Orlando or purchased Disney merchandise have certainly at least thought of the term “rip-off” in a monetary sense, but to find out that we’re spending our money on “rip-off” characters makes me downright “crabby”.     

Remember, you won’t find this kind of information on your normal run of the mill blog…

To hear the boos as Bush walked out on the field to throw out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals game, broadcast throughout the world on ESPN last night, really disappointed me.    The beauty of our country is that it does allow such behavior but the ugly reality is that people don’t recognize that they are also disparaging the position itself, the Presidency.  If you don’t want to cheer the man, don’t, I’m sure he’d get the message by your lack of response, but show some decency and respect toward your country and the toughest job in an extremely complicated and difficult world.   

I don’t know if you’ve been following the local news story of a pastor who had been reported missing by his wife only to be found in an Ohio strip club a day later.  It is an unfortunate family event and I hope that they are able to work things out and get the help that they need.   

Call me old-fashioned, but what happened to the good old days when a man could reach his boiling point and go out on a two day “bender” only to face the perfectly deserved ridicule, scorn and embarrassment of his wife and family without having to have his face plastered all over the local news and newspaper.  

Is it necessary for the whole world to know what he drank, how many lap dances he had and his concern over the cost of said dances? C’mon mainstream media, that’s not news, let the family deal with it in private, and let’s take the Reverend at his word, “I have no idea how I got there!” 

The oceanic term “sea crest” may be defined as the pinnacle of the ocean, the highest wave, the peak of the sea. Turn on any radio or TV and you will certainly arrive quickly at an uncanny homonym, “Seacrest”, followed by the rapid realization that “sea crest” and “Seacrest” are also synonyms in terms of pinnacle, height and being at the top. 

Yes, I am talking about “the” Ryan Seacrest, who has quickly been elevated to the most recognizable, sought after entertainer of the day.  The ubiquitous one is always present, whether it be hosting American Idol, E News, the Super Bowl pre-game, the Red Carpet at the Oscars, Rockin’ the New Year or his weekly “top 40” radio gig. He is riding a tidal wave of success and is at the peak crest of his profession. 

Love him or hate him, this modern day Dick Clark with the wide smile may be of small stature but he has enormous talent, juggling his many assignments seemingly with ease.  He consistently shines weekly on his American Idol appearances, effortlessly managing the flow of a live show with it’s many personalities, egos, and inexperienced stage performers.  He especially holds his own with the judges, particularly with his frequent banter with the pesky Simon Cowell.   In whatever he does, the man comes off as knowledgeable, smooth and entertaining.    

After actor Gary Busey infamously stormed Seacrest on the Red Carpet while interviewing Jennifer Garner he offered the following explanation the next day on Ryan’s radio show: 

“And then you captured me. You are to me, when you’re working, an innocent champion of honesty. Your heart has a way to embrace the truth in your delivery without looking like you are reading a script. Everything looks spontaneous. What spontaneity is — spontaneity comes from an invisible idea that is there before the creation began. And you have that naturally, so I just wanted to pay you a compliment.”  

Well said Mr. Busey, even with a killer hangover.   I just do not have a feeling that the rest of the world shares mine and Busey’s feelings.  Perhaps it is Seacrest’s sexual ambiguity that make people afraid to show their true feelings, perhaps it’s just his over-exposure or perhaps it’s just plain jealousy.  I wouldn’t say that I share Busey’s deep “man crush” but to steal a quote from the famous Nagafooki, “There are over 6 billion people alive today. Out of all of those I consider Ryan my friend”.   

QABFLO Out!…… but I would like you to share your personal comments on the new King of All Media…

You may have noticed the links listed under the Blogroll to the right.  These represent the links to our sponsors and affiliated blogs.   If you haven’t made time yet to visit these sites you are missing out on some special happenings….

You know what they say, it’s better to look good than to feel good and I am not afraid to say that my bloggers have the best looking hair in the blogosphere, thanks to the fine work of Colleen & Company. That’s no small task, making these people look good, I might add.  I love her and you can click her link to add your personal positive feedback on her establishment.

What can I say about Franco’s Pizza, the man not only works hard, offers great food at reasonable prices and throws killer pool parties, but he employs half of my wife’s family.

I always thought I was a “hep cat” but the Bizzle Brothers rock when it comes to our multi-media world.  They are on the cutting edge of music, cyberspace, video and gaming.  You know it’s good or bad once the Bizzles or Alli have given it one of their demanding reviews.

Still haven’t been able to figure out the mysterious Nagafooki but as long as the checks don’t bounce I’ll continue to display his/her link. When I clicked it for the first time, I didn’t know whether I should be flattered or call the police cyber squad.

I do want to make it clear that if you read something on this blog that you don’t agree with, please take it out on me, not my blogroll partners.   If anyone would like a link added to the blogroll, please let me know and please support our sponsors. 

All I can say is that the overwhelming response to yesterday’s bloguest was simply amazing and reading your “Top 5” choices has truly humbled me as a blogmaster.  Thankfully, DGoodz has offered to do an on-going weekly to bi-weekly series of other “Top 5s”.  If you have suggested categories for him, send them along, I know that I would personally like to see a “Top 5 Public Toilets”, with my current personal favorite being the Wegman’s in Blasdell.  If there are bathrooms in heaven, I have a feeling they are using Wegman’s brand soaps, TP, air freshners and cleaning products.  Steer clear of the Ladies Room at Wal-Mart in Orchard Park, however, as Mark and I once got “overwhelmed” just standing near the customer service station. What has truly amazed me is how far reaching this blog has been, we actually had a posting (and a mini- blog, or a blogette), in a response from Bob from Williamsville yesterday.  Growing up in South Buffalo, Williamsville to me was like the other side of the world, this whole blog thing has a way of uniting and has the ability to knock down the many walls that separate us.  We can only hope that it will be the blogosphere that finally brings Peace to our world. Instead of continuing my blog today, I would like to ask you to take the time to read the many postings of a new-comer to our blog, nagafooki.  He/she has added a completely new dimension to this blog and had several poignant, moving and thought-provoking postings yesterday.  With a name like nagafooki, I can’t even imagine where he/she might be from, is it possible that he/she is somewhere beyond the outskirts of Williamsville?  Nagafooki, if you would like to write a bloguest, please contact me at qabflo@aol.com.  You guys can comment the way you see fit, but all I can say is that nagafooki’s musings are nagafookin’ unbelievble! 

Now that I have the proper communication forum, it may be necessary to comment on some things that I just never did have the opportunity to, when they were topical, so this one may seem a little bit out-dated to some but an important issue to me nonetheless.  I am going to call these older items “belated-blogs” or “be-blogs”. Today’s “be-blog” centers on the injustice that did occur in this country in the television industry from 1989-1998.  We all remember Steve Urkel from the TV show, “Family Matters”, the nerdy, yet loveable kid next door.  That character portrayed so beautifully by child actor Jaleel White is one that is still popular today with young and old alike.  The great injustice is that an actor that brought a character to life that brought so much joy to the faces of millions for close to 20 years now, was never once, nominated by the Academy for an Emmy Award.  Let’s not also forget Jaleel’s versatility, portraying other characters on the sitcom, Stefan Urquelle, Myrtle Urkel and Bruce Lee Urkel.  To not put him in the same category as other great comedic actors who won Emmys during that era, Kelsey Grammer (Frazier), Ted Danson (Cheers), Craig T. Nelson (Coach) and Burt Reynolds (Evening Shade) is one thing but to by-pass White for the likes of Richard Mulligan (Empty Nest) and John Lithgow (3^rd Rock) is beyond me.  John Lithgow won twice for crying out loud!!! Nickelodeon did have the decency to give Jaleel a Kids Choice Award in 1996, my props to the kids!  The only thing I can say is that when the Academy voters read this be-blog, I hope they ask themselves, as only Urkel could, “Did I do that?”