Big Phil brand could be in play

Big Phil’s dieting. Identity in question, he’s not sure whether he’s really Big Phil, Bizarro Phil, Bald Phil (He confesses he’s also stopped shaving his head!) or James Brown, the Godfather of Soul.

Which Phil is he today? “The Bizarro Phil, not…the Phil…Big Phil!” he replies triumphantly after some hesitation. Sigh.

Madison Avenue is shaken. Analysts suggest the U.S. $1B Big Phil brand could be up for grabs. Meanwhile, Phil Thompson, host of the popular podcast Big Phil’s Love Parade, continues to try on new hats, seeking the best fit for his smooth dome. Continue reading

Posted in: Podcast Roundup at 3:32 pm Mon, May 18, 2009.

The kid can write his own ticket!

City For Conquest: Sensitive composer Arthur Kennedy’s sitting at the piano during mobster Elia Kazan’s fancy blowout, and reluctant welterweight Jimmy Cagney implores him, “Come on, Eddie. Play that song that I like.”

So Arthur Kennedy begins his sweaty classical masterpiece, and the partiers ignore him, start talking even louder, and Arthur Kennedy responds, bitterly, “I’ll show them,” and breaks into a wild, cheap, popular number he’s been holding in reserve. Continue reading

Posted in: Interviews at 8:46 pm Sat, Mar 28, 2009.

Ben Twisted returns fire, grazes target

The sensitive comedic artist known as Ben Twisted, inexplicably stung by remarks I clearly meant as supportive and encouraging, has issued a rebuttal on his own blog.

I only happened to mention Ben as an afterthought during a frank, recent discussion of Steve Wheatley’s fine, fine power-pop podcast, the daily Dalecast. Continue reading

Posted in: Hot Topics at 2:32 am Tue, Mar 17, 2009.

Steve won’t stop playing my songs

I keep waiting for a break in the action here. Maybe Steve Wheatley will stop playing my songs, the same pitiful few, over and over again, so I can summarize the latest batch of episodes with a Podcast Roundup entry.

“Somebody asked how many times I’ve played his tunes on Dalecast now. I’ve actually lost count!” Steve mused in his charming Weardale brogue during one recent show. Continue reading

Posted in: Podcast Roundup at 2:57 am Sat, Mar 14, 2009.

David Tanny at war with Dementia, self

It sounds to me as if David Tanny’s trying a bit too hard to convince everyone that he’s having fun.

“We’re just havin’ fun, folks!” Dave pleads during yet another of his ephemeral new podcasts, the Fun 30 Countdown Show. “That’s all it is, is just fun, folks. It’s just fun, it’s all it is.”

Unfortunately, fun as a concept seems beyond Dave’s reach. In fact, he feels abandoned by his two true loves, the Dr. Demento Show and Top 40 radio. He’s searching for meaning in his life. Continue reading

Posted in: Dementia at 3:06 pm Thu, Jan 8, 2009.