Batman Knows Santa Claus?

For some reason I'm in a Batman kind of mood today.  Maybe it's because we're deep into the Christmas season.  You see, when I was a kid, Christmas time usually meant it was time for me write a letter to Santa asking him for Batman action figures or other toys.  I've closely associated Christmas with the Dark Knight for years.  But this association goes back much farther than me.  Batman and Santa Claus are old friends!   Saint Nick appeared in a Batman comic book over 50 years ago.  (see the cover to the right)  He also made a cameo on the Batman TV show.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4_5jngpLkY]

Of course those examples are from a time with Batman was a little more light hearted.  But once Batman turned more serious, Santa stuck around:



I'm not sure if Kris Kringle is going to make an appearance in the current Batman comic books, but we have been given a little Bat-present this season!  The 2nd trailer for Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises was just released.  Check it out----

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gFwvozMHR4]

I Got Legos for Christmas!!

A few weeks back I was shopping in Myrtle Beach with my parents when we came upon a toy store that sold Lego playsets.   This reminded me of a sore spot from my childhood.  I had once asked for Legos for Christmas but by Mom told me that "Legos are a pain!  Those tiny pieces will get lost in the carpet then mess up the vacuum cleaner!"  So instead of legos I got some pretty kick ass Thundercats figures and my very own Sword of Omens!  My little kid brain quickly forgot about my desire for legos since I was so happy with my other toys.  But later in life I'd occasionally get jealous of my friend's Lego masterpieces that they've saved over the years.  (Yes I have those kind of friends).    But I never asked my Mom for them again because I knew in my heart of hearts that she was right.  We had a thick shag carpet in our house-- dark green, light green, gold, & beige in splotches.  It was probably the ugliest carpet I've ever seen but it could hide a Kool-Aid stain and would surely also hide that essential Lego piece that would just ruin my Castle playset.

During this shopping trip I jokingly  reminded Mom about my desire for Legos as a child.  I said to her: "Remember how I always wanted legos but 'No, they'll get in the carpet' you used to tell me?" She didn't remember this but said that it sounds like something she would say and we laughed about it.  Fast forward to  yesterday when my parents and I exchanged gifts.  Guess what was waiting for me under the tree?  It was a lego playset!!   It was a small kit was for a speedboat with a cool little driver!  I didn't hesitate to tear open the box and packaging and spread all the tiny pieces out on the living room carpet and start building!  :) Mom thought it was hilarious and I couldn't be happier.

William Shanter Coming to Broadway!?

I woke up to some great news this morning!  All my NY news sources (i.e. Playbill) are saying that William Shatner is coming to Broadway!  The 80 year old TV and movie legend (and god to some Trekkies) is said to be bringing a one man show to the Music Box Theatre in February!  This should be no big surprise.  Shatner just ended his Canadian tour "How Time Flies: An Evening With William Shanter" that played in 6 cities in October & November of this year.   And back in April he was in Australia & New Zealand with another one man show called "Kirk, Crane & Beyond: William Shanter Live".  Clearly he was trying out material in preparation for a US run.  According to Playbill.com he's changed the title again calling it "Shatner's World: We Just Live in It."  The article goes on to say that "The Broadway engagement will kick off a 15-week national tour."  Smart. Very smart.   Shatner's official web site and twitter feed (@WilliamShanter) are silent on the topic.  I'm sure his people will make a more official announcement soon.

SOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!

20 Years Ago....

I'm a very inconsistant blogger.  I know that.   My posting lapses often coincide with when I'm busy working.  Like right now I'm pretty busy with the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Nashville TN.  (If you're in town, come check it out!)  But that's not really a good excuse.  I have 3 "1 show days" each week when I don't have to be at work until 6:30pm.  I could be blogging all day prior to that.  But, alas, I do not.  And I think I know why.  I think I see blogging as a way to interact with other people.  And when I'm working I get the chance to interact with lots of people every day at the theatre.  That being said, here I am... BLOGGING!   So, let's get to it!

Star Trek VI was released 20 years ago this week!  My god that makes me feel old!  The release of Star Trek VI coincides with the year that I became a hardcore Trekkie.  The stars were aligned back then.  The Next Generation was in their 4th (and arguably best) season.   The Original Series was airing on our local Fox affiliate 5 times a week-- and I was LOVING it.  And then that same amazing original cast came back for one more movie-- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.  Man, what a great movie!  Ah... life was so good 20 years ago!  I was in 7th grade and enjoying having little responsibility.    It was also around the same time as my first Star Trek convention!  John DeLance (Q) was the guest of honor, as I recall.  the convention was in downtown Knoxville in what is now the Knoxville Convention Center- near the Sun Sphere.  Star Trek VI wasn't out on VHS yet-- but you could pick up a bootleg copy at the convention.  Not that I did that!

Ok.  Nostalgia done.  Please return to your regularly scheduled programing.