Top Five Stories of the Week!

A lot happened this week. Here's a list of my favorite headlines. This is what everyone is going to be talking about at that party your going to tomorrow night.

5. J.J. Abrams To Direct Next Star Wars Movie. J.J. Abrams is the man. Not only has he rebooted the Star Trek film franchise but now he will direct the next Star Wars sequel. It was no doubt a very much sought after gig. He turned down the offer the first time then Disney dropped a money bomb on his house. That last part is speculation. Good luck Mr. Abrams. Don't screw it up. And go easy on the lens flare.

4. Ban On Women Serving In Combat Roles In US Military Lifted. Although women have found themselves in combat for years (convoy truck drivers, pilots, etc.) women will now be able to serve on the front lines in small combat units. The joint chiefs have until May 15th to figure out how this will all work but this decision could potentially open up almost 230,000 jobs to women in the military.

3. Parasitic Worm Crawling Out Of Dead Spider Video. OK, this isn't really news but its creepy, gross and interesting. Apparently we all have parasitic worms inside of us. RIGHT NOW. But none this big. The guy who posted the video called this thing a giant flying spaghetti monster. Much cooler name than nematode.

2. Gay Country Singer, Chely Wright Announces She Is Pregnant With Twins. Wish Me Away is a very powerful documentary about a closeted country signer about to out herself as a lesbian. That singer, Chely Wright, lets us witness her anxiety, fear, excitement, more fear and eventually triumph during a very difficult time. Two years after her outing, she is not only married but expecting twins. After watching the films you can't help routing for the singer. This latest news about her new family is even sweeter knowing the dark and scary places she's been.



And my favorite story of the week....

1. Manti Te'o Fake Girlfriend Saga continues. This story keeps getting better and weirder. It was revealed during Manti's Katie Couric interview that it was his sort-of-friend Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, an adult man using a falsetto voice, that was on the other side of the phone during hours and hours of conversation. So now the question is no longer, how dumb is Manti but what the hell is wrong with Ronaiah Tuiasosopo? Well luckily Dr. Phil is on the case. Apparently he has recorded an interview with Tuiasosopo that will air at a future date.

Disney Is On The Path To The Light Side

Recently via the intra-webs, retired artist Drew Struzan confirmed that he has been approached by Disney Studios to come out of retirement to design art for Star Wars Episode VII and maybe beyond.

"Oh my god, I’m trying to be retired!" Struzan laughs. "You know, I spent 35 years painting 'Star Wars'. I painted 'Star Wars' before most of you were born! But I guess there is always a chance. There’s no intention. But I would love to have a day off every now and again, and I have to work a weekend and all through the night. If the opportunity arises, it will be a real temptation. But it’s going to have to be a real temptation to get me away from my wife and my little grandkids and my family. Away from the green trees and the blue skies for a change instead of just locked in the studio. But, you know, never say never. All things are possible."

Yes Drew, all things are possible, especially when you can print your own money like Disney Studios. If Disney wants him, they'll get him.


What does this mean? I think this shows Disney's commitment to keeping the next installments of the SW saga true to the tone of the originals. I don't think they're interested in a reboot or re-imagining of the SW universe. I think they want to bring us back to the world we fell in love with over 30 years ago. If they're smart, which I think they are, they'll want to satisfy the old jilted fans (like me) as well as the young fans of the new franchise and still attract the new fans that are too young to know who Greedo is and why there's no way he shot first. And if anyone knows how to satisfy such a wide fans base, it's Disney.

I might be coming across as a Disneyphile but I'm not. I am a hopeful Star Wars fan who sees a lot of potential in the future. And if Disney wants to get me on board and believe they can bring Star Wars back to its glory, they are on the right path.


Cat Crimins

Thank You Huell Howser

Huell Howser, a local television legend, passed away earlier this week and I felt the need to honor him. His show, California's Gold, documented Huell traveling around the state and visiting interesting places and the people connected to those places.

Whether he was visiting an historic landmark or a local restaurant or farm, Huell made the ordinary, extraordinary. His energy and genuine excitement made everything he was doing engaging and interesting. No sarcasm or irony. Just genuine enthusiasm. In a world where the bad news always seems to drown out the good, Huell Howser was a refreshingly positive beacon of what's good about all of us.

If you aren't familiar with his work, I encourage you to go on YouTube and watch some of the many videos available featuring Huell. You'll find plenty of parodies and imitators but you'll also find some classic Huell Howser interviews. Like Huell talking to colorful locals at the Bagdad Cafe or Huell and the avocado eating dog.

Huell taught me that everyone has a story and everyone's story, if told by a good storyteller, can be interesting.

Thanks Huell, for making California into a magical place. A place full of amazing people, places and things.


Cat Crimins

"If you have a good story, it doesn’t have to be overproduced. I want our stories to reveal the wonders of the human spirit and the richness of life in California, including its history, people, culture and natural wonders."  - Huell Howser