Normally, when someone famous dies I have a tendency to go dark and simply let the wave of Tweets and Facebook posts pass. After all, whether I was a fan of the person or not, I didn’t really know them and feel that I should leave the eulogies to those who did. This time it’s…
“Being a scientist means you never have to grow up” – an interview with SETI director Jill Tarter (video)
Since I first heard about it I’ve been a fan of the Emmy-nominated PBS series, The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers. I’m especially thrilled with this one because, I think, more people know the movie “Contact” than know who Jill Tarter is. Tarter is a renowned astronomer, the recipient of two public service medals from…
David Bowie explains the origins of Ziggy Stardust and more in a 1998 interview, animated by PBS
The PBS animated series “Blank on Blank” has devoted their latest episode to a 1998 interview with David Bowie. In just over 5 minutes Bowie and music executive Joe Smith manage to cover a lot of ground including the rock and roll life style, the problems with fame (or the lack thereof), the origins of Ziggy…
Listen to Neil deGrasse Tyson’s interview with Inquiring Minds
As someone who is a bit obsessive when it comes to politics and science, the Inquiring Minds Podcast is one of my favorites. Inquiring Minds looks at the science stories of the week, as well as the impact those stories might have on political issues. This week is particularly awesome because Neil deGrasse Tyson is…
Future plans for Game of Thrones series laid out in Vanity Fair article
A Vanity Fair article in which contributing editor Jim Windolf talks to George R. R. Martin and others involved in the show will hit newsstands on Thursday. The article posted today, however, contains some troubling quotes which make me wonder what else might be in that article. For example, George RR Martin admits that the…
Watch Zach Galifianakis interview President Barack Obama on Between Two Ferns
In the kind of hard hitting interview that you’d normally expect from CNN or Entertainment Weekly Zach Galifianakis and President Barack Obama talk about basketball, turkey pardons, presidential libraries, hangover 3 and other vital issues of state. Still, the Phillip Bump at the Wire says that it’s the interview that could “Save Obama’s Presidency” and they…
Harold Ramis offers advice to young filmmakers in 2002 interview
As most (hopefully all) of you know by now Harold Ramis passed away yesterday. The star of SCTV, writer of Animal House, Meatballs, Stripes, and Ghostbusters, Director of Caddyshack, National Lampoon’s Vacation and Groundhog day leaves a void in comedy. But maybe, just maybe, someone out there has what it takes to be “the next…
One Hour Bill Murray Interview with Charlie Rose
This was just posted by Slashfilm and I had to pass it along. Bill Murray is one of my favorite people ever and has been since his days on SNL. He rarely does interviews and, when he does, it’s usually 10 minutes on Letterman and it’s closer to a comedy skit than a real interview.…
The Last Interview with Jimi Hendrix, Animated
On September 11, 1970 one week before his death, Jimi Hendrix did his final interview with NME’s Keith Altham. Fortunately, Altham saved the tape and it has now been restored and animated by Blank on Blank for PBS. While the animation is brilliant and entertaining, it is only 6.5 minutes of the 31 minute interview, so I’ve…
First Nelson Mandela TV Interview (1961)
The death of Nelson Mandela is, obviously, very sad. It’s tempting at times like this to remain offline. Today I got Tweets, Facebook posts and emails from just about every political organization, elected representative and candidate with whom I’ve ever had any association. I know it’s expected of them but somehow it all diminishes the…