In an attempt to get into the holiday spirit, I thought I’d search up some quotes about Christmas.
One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don’t clean it up too quickly. – Andy Rooney
Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling. – Edna Ferber
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. – Burton Hills
If you haven’t got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. – Bob Hope
To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. – Calvin Coolidge
The smells of Christmas are the smells of childhood. – Richard Paul Evans
Christmas is a time when you get homesick — even when you’re home. – Carol Nelson
We are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime. – Laura Ingalls Wilder
I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. – Harlen Miller
Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most. – Ruth Carter Stapleton
Christmas gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the important things around us. – David Cameron
Christmas waves a magic wand over the world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. – Norman Vincent Peale
Christmas is a bridge. We need bridges as the river of time flows past. Today’s Christmas should mean creating happy hours for tomorrow and reliving those of yesterday. – Gladys Taber
The true Christmas spirit is putting others’ happiness before our own, and finding you’ve never known such happiness. – Toni Sorenson
Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day to spend in the warm circle of family and friends. – Margaret Thatcher
Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection. – Winston Churchill
When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things — not the great occasions — give off the greatest glow of happiness. – Bob Hope
Christmas is the keeping-place for memories of our innocence. – Joan Mills
We count down the days just to experience it nearly exactly as we always have. It is so comfortable, familiar, and perfectly nostalgic that, frankly, we have no desire to improve upon it at all. – Joanna Gaines
Christmas is a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart. – Freya Stark
Some Christmas tree ornaments do more than glitter and glow, they represent a gift of love given a long time ago. – Tom Baker
Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values. — Thomas S. Monson
Before we took down the tree each year, Dad would always say a prayer that we would be together the next Christmas. I cling to that prayer, which serves as a reminder that it’s important to be grateful in the present for the people you love because, well, you never know. — Catherine Hicks
I was saddened to read of the passing of James Lipton this week at age 93. Many know him from Inside the Actor’s Studio, but he did so much more. He was a writer and producer (working with greats like Bob Hope, and writing for many soap operas). He was also an actor (on Guiding Light, Arrested Development) and voice actor (often playing himself on shows like the Simpsons and Family Guy). He was also an author (he wrote the novel Mirrors, which was made into a TV movie in 1983).
He was born in Detroit and worked as a copy boy for the Detroit Times. He actually starred on radio’s The Lone Ranger (which was broadcast out of WXYZ in Detroit) as Dan Reid, the Lone Ranger’s nephew. He wanted to be a lawyer, but went into acting to earn money to pay for his education.
It was with Inside the Actor’s Studio that made him a household name. The show was a non-credit class at the Actor’s Studio Drama School where successful writers, directors, and actors were interviewed by him about their craft. The acting students could also ask questions of the guests. The sessions were recorded, edited, and broadcast on television for audiences to enjoy. The show began in 1994 and continued with him as host until 2018, when he stepped down.
He was parodied by many, including Will Sasso on MadTV and David Cross on Mr. Show. But the most memorable parody was done by Will Ferrell on Saturday Night Live. Ferrell’s portrayal was over the top and hilarious. When asked how he liked it, Lipton said, “I love it! I love it! It’s flattering.” The thing I always remember about it was the HUGE stack of blue question cards Ferrell had on the table for his guest.
I know many people found him to be a bit creepy, but I found him fascinating. I was always amazed at how he was able to get his guests to open up and share stuff. He was very good at that.
Whenever we interviewed someone on the radio, we had a jar with questions. The questions were written by staff members, listeners, and some were just made up. We’d have them dig into the jar and answer five of them We called it the “Final Five”. It was far from an original idea, as James Lipton always wrapped up his interviews with a series of questions inspired by French interviewer Bernard Pivot.
In honor of his passing, here are those 10 questions.
What is your favorite word?
What is your least favorite word?
What turns you on?
What turns you off?
What sound or noise do you love?
What sound or noise do you hate?
What is your favorite curse word?
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
What profession would you not like to do?
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Here are my answers:
Ridiculous. I am not sure that I’d call it my favorite, but I use it a lot! I am guessing it changes from day to day.
Moist. That’s the first word that pops into my head, and I hate it!
My wife. Constantly! She is beautiful.
Smoking. I was exposed to it as a kid and I find it disgusting.
Birds singing on a spring or summer morning. Love it even more when I hear it on the golf course.
Children crying – it always breaks my heart.
Fuck. Not proud of this, and believe me, I am trying really hard to stop using it so much! There are just some things that force me to say it – like my co-workers – they’ve come to expect it from me. LOL
I would love to teach. Today’s atmosphere is a lot different from when I was in school. I would love to teach some sort of fun subject – music or entertainment oriented. Wishful thinking, I know.
Any political job. No matter what you do, someone disagrees with you. I’m not sure I could handle that kind of criticism or pressure.
I believe heaven does exist, and I would love for God to say, “Welcome, Keith. You’ve done well. You were a good father, a good husband, and a good friend. You’re mom and grandparents have been waiting for you. They need a fourth for pinochle.”
40 years ago this week, The Muppet Movie hit theaters. My brother and I always made it a point to watch the Muppet Show on TV. It was always fun to see the famous guest stars interact with Kermit and the gang. If I am being honest, I am still upset that the final 2 seasons of The Muppet Show has yet to come out on DVD!
The movie itself was the 10th highest grossing film of 1979 and was loaded with cameos from celebrities like Bob Hope, Richard Pryor, Milton Berle, Dom Deluise, Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, Mel Brooks, Telly Savalas, and so many more. The cameo by Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy is especially special, because Bergen passed away shortly after he shot his scene in 1978. Bergen was a hero of Muppet creator Jim Henson, and the movie is dedicated to his memory.
The movie itself is a masterpiece. It remains, in my opinion, the best of all the Muppet films. Jim Henson did things in this movie that had never been done before – we saw Muppets walking, and Kermit riding a bike!!!!
The movie had a great story and thanks to the writing of Paul Williams and Kenny Ascher, some really amazing music! The soundtrack includes “I’m Going to Go Back There Someday” (which would be performed at Jim Henson’s funeral), “Never Before, Never Again”, and the bluesy, “I Hope That Something Better Comes Along”. All of these are great songs in their own right, but for Tune Tuesday, and in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of The Muppet Movie, here are MY favorite songs from the film.
Can You Picture That?
I have always loved Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem! First of all, what a great name for a band! Second, Dr. Teeth was always so “hip.” Floyd and Janice were “like totally far out!” Animal was one hell of a drummer and I Zoot could really nail a sax solo! I always loved how they could take a standard song like “Tenderly” and rock it out! Check out this groovy track!
Oh yeah, whoo
Everybody’s lover, everybody’s brother, I wanna be your lifetime friend
Crazy as a rocket, nothin’ in my pocket, I keep it at the rainbow’s end
I never think of money, I think of milk ‘n honey, grinnin’ like a Cheshire cat
I focus on the pleasure, somethin’ I can treasure, can you picture that?
Can you picture that?
Hey Floyd, take a verse
Let me take your picture, add it to the mixture, there it is I got you now
Really nothin’ to it, anyone can do it, it’s easy and we all know how
Now begins the changin’, mental rearrangin’, nothing’s really where it’s at
Now the Eiffel Tower’s holdin up a flower
I gave it to a Texas cat
Fact is there’s nothin’ out there you can’t do
Yeah, even Santa Claus believes in you
Beat down the walls, begin, believe, behold, begat
Be a better drummer, be an up and comer Can you picture that?
Can you picture that
All of us are winnin, pickin and a-grinnin, Lordy but I love to jam
Jelly-belly gigglin’, dancin’ and a-wigglin’, honey that’s the way I am
Lost my heart in Texas, Northern lights affect us
I keep it underneath my hat
Aurora Borealis, shining down on Dallas, can you picture that?
Can you picture that?
Can you picture? You gotta see it in your mind
Can you picture? You know it’s quick and easy to find
Can you picture? You don’t have to buy a frame
Can you picture? Can you picture that?
Can you picture that?
Use it if you need it
Don’t forget to feed it
Can you picture that?
Movie Fact: The Studebaker in the movie is currently housed at The Studebaker Museum in Indiana.
Movin’ Right Along
There is just so much to love about this song! Kermit and Fozzie are traveling the open road in the Studebaker mentioned above. It’s really the perfect song to kick off any road trip. It’s just a fun song. As I watch this scene now, I think about how many times my buddies and I would hop in my Caprice Classic in high school, pop in a “driving mix” tape and sing along to songs as we drove around wasting gas. We were so much like Kermit and Fozzie!
Movin’ right along in search of good times and good news,
With good friends you can’t lose,
This could become a habit!
Opportunity knocks once let’s reach out and grab it (yeah!),
Together we’ll nab it,
We’ll hitchhike, bus or yellow cab it!
(Cab it?)
Movin’ right along.
Footloose and fancy-free.
Getting there is half the fun; come share it with me.
Moving right along (doog-a-doon doog-a-doon).
We’ll learn to share the load.
We don’t need a map to keep this show on the road.
(Hey, that song is sounding better Fozzie.)
Movin’ right along,
We’ve found a life on the highway.
And your way is my way,
So trust my navigation.
California here we come, the pie-in-the-sky-land.
Palm trees, and warm sand.
Though sadly we just left Rhode Island.
(We did what?!)
(Just forget it.)
Movin’ right along (doog-a-doon doog-a-doon).
Hey LA, where’ve you gone?
Send someone to fetch us, were in Saskatchewan!
Movin’ right along (doog-a-doon doog-a-doon).
You take it, you know best.
Hey, I’ve never seen the sun come up in the West?
Movin’ right along.
We’re truly birds of a feather,
We’re in this together and we know where we’re going.
Movie stars with flashy cars and life with the top down.
We’re storming the big town,
(Yeah, Storm is right should it be snowing?)
(Uh, no I don’t think so…)
Movin’ right along,
Do I see signs of men?
Yeah, “welcome” on the same post that says “come back again.”
Moving right along, nice town!
Footloose and fancy-free,
You’re ready for the big time…
Is it ready for me?
Movin’ right along,
Movin’ right along,
Movin’ right along,
Movin’ right along
The Rainbow Connection
What an amazing song this is! It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song (it lost to a song no one remembers), it was a Top 40 hit (reaching #25 on the charts), and has been covered by artists like The Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson, Judy Collins, Kenny Loggins, Jason Mraz, Gwen Stefani, and The Carpenters (just to name a few!). The American Film Institute named the song one of the top 100 songs in their AFI’s 100 Years … 100 Songs list (it came in at #74).
Jim Henson told the song writers that the opening song would be Kermit in a swamp singing with a banjo. According to Paul Williams, he and Kenny Ascher wrote most of the song fairly quickly at Williams’ house, but got stuck trying to think of appropriate words for the part in the chorus that eventually became the phrase “the rainbow connection”; they were looking for a way to tie in the chorus to the song’s theme of rainbows. As they sat down for dinner with Williams’ then-wife, Kate Clinton, they explained to her their predicament of looking for a phrase that would provide “a rainbow connection”, then realized, in the course of explaining the problem to her, that the phrase “the rainbow connection” would itself be a good fit.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Paul Williams explained how the song was recorded. He said that when the song was being recorded in the studio, Jim Henson started by simply performing the song himself in Kermit’s voice. However, there was a feeling that something was missing. Williams said that somebody, he doesn’t recall who, suggested that Kermit should give the song a try. Henson then took the Kermit the Frog puppet into the recording booth with him and performed the song with the world’s most famous piece of green felt. He says that “Kermit sang it brilliantly! One can only imagine what this looked like to the people working on recording the song. Kermit the Frog himself, with Jim Henson standing behind him, really did sing “Rainbow Connection.” Clearly, this was the thing that was missing. The recording would then be perfect, and would go on to inspire millions in The Muppet Movie.
Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what’s on the other side
Rainbows are visions
But only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we’ve been told
And some choose to believe it
I know they’re wrong, wait and see
Some day we’ll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it’s done so far
What’s so amazing
That keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see
Someday we’ll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
All of us under its spell, we know that it’s probably magic
Have you been half asleep?
And have you heard voices?
I’ve heard them calling my name
Is this the sweet sound
That called the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same
I’ve heard it too many times to ignore it
It’s something that I’m supposed to be
Someday we’ll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
La da da di da da dum da duh da da dum di da ohhh
Happy Anniversary!
40 years later, and this movie still amazes me. It never gets old. I still enjoy watching it and I still tear up during the finale. 40 years later and I agree with the Swedish Chef – “Der Flim is Okie Dokie”!
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 