Author: DOuG pRATt

Smoother, milder Obama?

I had a funny thought while driving in today from PT (physical therapy — I love PT!), about Obama. Pundits — the ones who like him — have commented on his steady nerves and his rich sounding voice. Both of these characteristics were, in the past, promoted as benefits of smoking. I’m thinking of Nat King Cole, who was a heavy smoker. In my radio days I knew that announcers were encouraged to start smoking because of the effect it had of lowering their voice.

I’d heard some months ago that Obama was trying to quit smoking. If Obama is still smoking cigarettes, I can’t imagine he would be able to quit once he’s dealing with the demands of being President. If Obama isn’t already feeling the debilitating effects of smoking, he will as he gets into his fifties, whether it be shortness of breath or a morning cough.

Jonathan Ross and his “Juvenile Radio Prank”

I was flummoxed by how many items and editorials that originated in the UK today about the Jonathan Ross brouhaha didn’t explain exactly what he and his radio pal did. But now I have the story, and it’s strange. Here’s one of many write-ups about it. Sounds like typical shock jock antics, but where everybody knows each other, in one way or another.

Wait! This just came in from our man in Scotland, Petula Clark fan Dave Moncur.

Thought you might like this article which tells a bit about Ross’s fall from grace.

Click here

He is paid £18 million over 3 years, and he and his cohort Brand, thought it would be funny to mock the granddaughter of one of our beloved comedy actors, and to leave a filthy message about having shagged her on the guy’s voicemail.

In England, where they live, that is a criminal offence.

It wasn’t a live programme, it was recorded and “signed off” by a BBC executive.

So frankly, it would, in my opinion be good if there were a series of resignations. The manager, producer and to two so-called stars.

As I write, it seems that Brand has done the decent thing and resigned. Ross seems to be a little too fond of his £18 million to do that, but I hope he will be prosecuted under the Telecommunications Act which makes lewd calls a crime, and hopefully the BBC will sack him. This is not what we all pay £140 a year for!.

Incidentally the said Ross, was horribly patronising and rude to Petula when she appeared on his show in 2002 to promote the Ultimate Tour and Album. She was VERY polite, and a little cold back, but I’m pretty sure the little pipsqueak knew that he had been put in his place by someone who has been a superstar longer that he’s been alive.

From that time on I haven’t watched him or listened to him. Frankly most of his humour is a bit childish and crude. You know, anyone can get a laugh out of saying “fuck” or “wank”. It takes talent to get a laugh out of something less crude.

Hope your health is better now.

Thanks, Dave! Yes, my back is completely better. In fact, it’s better than ever and I can say I’m almost glad it happened.

Sorry to hear that Mr. Ross was anything other than sycophantically worshipful of Petula. The swine. But as a comic book fan, I have to give him credit and thanks for producing “In Search of Steve Ditko”.

Jonathan Ross in a row

The BBC’s Jonathan Ross, who I have praised up and down here, not only for his documentary “In Search of Steve Ditko,” but for his BBC2 radio programme, is in major hot water. I don’t even know yet what the furor is all about, but I heard enough on the BBC World Service on WBUR in Boston to know it’s big trouble.