Recently, I’ve been doing some political chum. To cleanse the palette, here’s some non-political chum:
- From the “A Huge Mistake” Department: ABC Family has cancelled “Huge”. I’m sad to see this: I found it a very well written and well acted show. More importantly, it was a show that showed large people as people first, without feeling the need to make jokes about size. This is vitally important if we are to address one of the remaining areas of encouraged discrimination in this country. In terms of scripted programming, this leaves only “Mike and Molly”, which is an entertaining program and isn’t totally overkill on the stereotypes. Yes, I am aware that obesity is “an epidemic” (which is really isn’t if you look at the definition). Yet even as we strive to be healthier, we need to encourage health first and size second. Huge was a step in that direction, and I’m sorry to see it go.
- From the “Finding Value in Trash” Department: The NY Times has an interesting article on how Japan is recycling electronic trash to obtain rare earth minerals, given that China is restricting shipments of rare earth minerals to Japan. These minerals are vital for the products that Japan produces. I’ll note the problem is not just a Japanese one, as noted in the article: “Concern over China’s hoarding of rare earths has also been spreading to the United States. Although China has not specifically blocked shipments to any place but Japan, it had already tightened its overall export quotas of the minerals, announcing in July that it would reduce them by 72% for the rest of the year.”
- From the “Just Send My Mail…” Department: Popular music is often influenced by real life. The “Ballad of the MTA” was based on a real campaign to fight subway fare increases, and the Kingston Trio song “Tiajuana Jail” was based on a real infamous jail in Tiajuana. Well, now that jail is closing, and that makes many people very happy.
- From the “You’re a Sister, Sisterella” Department: Way back in 1996, the Pasadena Playhouse presented a musical version of the Cinderella story called “Sisterella”, written by gospel-artist Larry Hart, and financed by Michael Jackson. It was entertaining with a pounding beat, and was rumored to be on the track to Broadway. However, it rapidly disappeared, leaving only a Larry Hart complete score CD that is very rare, and a “Selections From” CD with members of the Pasadena Playhouse cast that is less rare. Well, it looks like Sisterella is resurfacing: there are rumors of it coming to New York (Broadway is implied). It is unclear how it has changed: the original was based in a mythical kingdom, but the Playbill report states “A retelling of the classic “Cinderella” story set in New York City”.
