The Occasional Blog of Jonah Weiland

Today, John Ashcroft sported major wood as he took down a bunch of head shops, the “true” evil in the world. It would be nice if someone sent Johnny boy a copy of the movie “Traffic” or explained to him why the war on drugs is a futile one. The facts surrounding the “successes” of the war on drugs are mind-boggling.

It’s becomes clear that the Federal Government’s focus is so fractured that it’s a miracle anything gets done.

From the makers of “Best In Show” (excellent movie), “Waiting for Guffman” (CRAP!) and “This is Spinal Tap” (the best comedy of all time) comes “A Mighty Wind.” Think “Spinal Tap” with country music and I think we’ve got the movie. From a look at the trailer it appears that a number of actors from “Best In Show” have returned for this film. There even seems to be a bit of a Tap reunion as one scene from the trailer showed Guest, McKean and Shearer sitting together. Clearly they weren’t Tap, but having the three together is a plus.

What I’d really like to get ahold of one of these days days is the Criterion Edition copy of “This is Spinal Tap,” now very much out of print. A quick look on eBay reveals it’s still WAY too over priced.

John McMorran, the oldest living American man died Monday from heart failure. He was 113. “He smoked cigars, drank beer and ate greasy food. He was an amazing man.”

Will someone please stop me from watching the Kill Bill trailer repeatedly. It’s disrupting my ability to live.

Well, if for some reason tomorrow the 6 major US Networks should disappear (that’s CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, The WB and UPN), well, that would be okay with me. Because, see, for the past two years or so I’ve slowly found that some of the best programming is on BBC America (available on sattelite and with finer Cable companies).

I admit, it started with “Changing Rooms,” the British show that inspired the American show “Trading Spaces.” “Changing Rooms” is infinantly better in that it’s funnier, it’s tighter (it’s only 30 minutes compared to TS’s 1 hour bore fest) and just more creative. Now, I’m not much one for interior decorating or construction myself, but I’ve always loved watching those shows. I’d LIKE to add a room onto my house all by myself, but I’d rather just watch someone else do it.

My next find was “British Men Behaving Badly” (The official site can be found here). In Britain it’s actually just called “Men Behaving Badly,” but a few years back they tried importing the show to America with a VERY bad State-side version starring Rob Schneider. The American Version did very poorly. It lacked the humor the British version has. All the episodes of BMBB have been aired on BBC America and it’s currently not on the schedule.

The next show I became addicted to from the U.K. was “Manchild,” a brilliantly touching “dramedy” about four 50-something year old guys who are going through mid-life crisis’. Two are divorced, one never married, one is still married and they’re all filthy wealthy. This show will make you laugh your arse off (“Ohh, clever, Jonah used the British version of the word ‘ass.’”), it’ll touch your heart and at other times it can bring you on the verge of tears.

Once I saw all the episode of “Manchild,” I had a need for more contemporary British comedy and graduated to “Coupling.” Think “Friends” with a lot more sex and dirty words. Three guys, three girls, they’ve all slept with each other in some capacity and the crazy shit they get into is phenomenal.

My latest BBC addiction has to be the absolutely hillarious mocumentary “The Office.” Best way to describe this show would be to think “Spinal Tap” meets your work place. Ricky Gervais does a BRILLIANT job playing the part of office manager David Brent, a sinveling dickweed who’s likely the stupidest guy in the office, passing the blame when he makes a mistake and going on about pretty much nothing. The love affair between Tim and Dawn is really sad, as they just can’t get it going, while Gareth’s complete lack of, well, anything is always hillarious. In a recent episode David played a song for his employee’s, “Freeway Love.” Understand, David felt this would be entirely appropriate to play when David’s brought in a motivational speaker to kick the employee’s in the ass. Instead, David takes over, frustrating everybody and his signature inappropriateness shines through.

Those are the only shows on BBC America I make an effort to watch. I’ve caught a number of episodes of “So Graham Norton” and “Ground Force,” but I don’t watch them with any regularity.

So, I’d do just fine without the U.S. Networks. Well, I’d miss “The West Wing,” “24″ and “NYPD Blue,” but I’d find a way to live without.