Fleeting Expletives...gone by way of U2 dinosaur! F*ck it!

The fleeting expletive - the subject of much wrangling in recent years in State and Federal courthouses - has gone by way of the proverbial dinosaur.

On basic Constitutional issues, the 2nd Court of Appeals, gave a thumbs down to a vague policy crafted by the FCC which sought to establish across the board  that profane references to sex and excretement - though not always icky to a handful of liberated Americans  blessed with sick senses of humor - are always indecent.

"By prohibiting all 'patently offensive' references to sex, sexual organs, and excretement without giving adequate guidance to what 'patently offensive' means, the FCC chills speech, because broadcasters have no way of knowing what the FCC will find offensive," the wiggy Justices concluded in their opinion on the matter.

Some things are common sense, aren't they?

For example, it's never a promising (wise) idea to shit where 'ya sleep!

Nonetheless, the Justices are bound by tradition - and the still potent U.S. Constitution - to lay down a solid foundation so the "people" are not led astray.

In fact, in this instant scenario, the posse of bench-warmers in the Manhattan Appeals Court confessed from their lofty pulpits  that the FCC might be able to pull it off.

Back to square (and I do mean square) one!

Bono fans may recall that the "fleeting expletives" policy was swiftly made "Law" at the FCC on the heels of an impromptu comment - "fuc*ing brilliant" - uttered up by the U2 front-man on stage at the Golden Globe Award Ceremonies (2003).

According to the FCC, the "F" bomb in any context inherently hints at a sexual connotation, which renders it  a "no-no" to be skirted at all cost.

To no avail, now.

Julius Genachowski - FCC Chairman - noted that the Government watch dog is reviewing the ruling to determine whether to pursue the prickly issues further.

"We're reviewing the court's decision in light of our commitment to protect children, empower parents, and uphold the 1st Amendment."

I'm really not such a prude, but, Amen!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Ellen DeGeneres...Family Feud contestants choke on gay issue! Simon unpopular...

OMG!

On the West Coast - especially in the show biz arena - we are all so blase about Ellen DeGeneres being "openly" gay.

Married to a pretty lipstick lesbo?

Who cares!

Not so - in mainstream America - if we're to try to fathom what went down on Family Feud this week.

Even Ellen was a trifle perplexed (miffed?).

Game show contestants were asked to take a stab at a quiz that should have been a snap!

During the segment - "Things that people know about Ellen DeGeneres" - it became quite evident that the guests (a typical middle-class American family) were having a difficult time dealing with the issue of Ellen's "gayness".

I expect the first answer that popped into the fuzzy little heads of the viewers at home was quite obviously one that pertained to the fact that Ellen is "gay!".

Nope.

First answer?

"Ellen has a talk show."

Okay, not bad, but just betcha the next response will focus on her same-sex persuasion (I thought to myself from the comfort on my Hotel suite in San Francisco).

The second answer tripped off-the-tongue of the contestant trippingly, no problem.

"She is a funny lady."

Uh-huh.

Not queer, mind you, just funny.

Golly, the next words to be uttered up would  surely have the - "H", "G", or "L" - letters in it (wouldn't you have thunk?).

"Ellen doesn't like this country," the husband hazarded a guess (with a straight face, mind you!).

Huh?

"Ellen takes care of her mother," flunked out too.

Not on the ubiquitous board above the stage!

Finally - gosh almighty - a family member piped up that Ellen's married.

Bingo!

But, the tactful woman stopped short of noting the particulars.

"To a woman, you idiot!"

Needless to say, when Ellen showed the clip on her show earlier today, she was obviously in need of some consoling.

Til now, the perky talk show host - and upbeat friendly Judge on American Idol - must have thought she was the darling of America.

Nope.

Hard to swallow, eh Ellen?

In another surprise moment (when Ellen was setting up a belated April Fool's Day joke) she announced that Simon Cowell was exiting American Idol.

The spirited guests in her audience cheered!

Or was there an applause sign being held up from the sidelines?

Nope.

Ellen was shocked.

"You want Simon Cowell to leave Idol?"

The crowd roared in approval.

Life is full of surprises, isn't it?

http://www.thetattler.biz

Fairies, Fantasy & Fun...family outing at the Grove (March 22)! Actor Toby Froud to attend screening of Labyrinth...

In their continuing effort to provide entertainment to the local community, the Grove is hosting a family event on March 22, titled:

"Fairies, Fantasy & Fun".

In addition to fairy wing making, face painting, live performances and readings by authors at Barnes & Noble book store, there will be a screening of Labyrinth.

Toby Froud, the film's star, will be on hand to meet 'n greet fans.

Glam rocker, David Bowie (his face graces the poster above) is also featured in the fantasy pic.

The Grove invites families to either come in fairy wings and costumes or put 'em together with the sponsors on site.

The event is FREE and open to all members of the public!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Train Master...charming family entertainment at Backlot Film Festival!

The buzz around the Backlot Film Festival was that a surprise independent - "Train Master" - was the film to catch.

In fact, Phil Bransom - a film producer who hails from Oregon - crafted a charming independent that touches the heart and is a must-see.

In fact, one woman at the question & answer period was inclined to note with elation:

"It was so refreshing to sit back and watch an entertaining movie without any bad language or inappropriate material."

Disney would be envious!

In the first engaging scenes - the audience is quickly introduced to a cast of likable characters - an experienced train "master" in charge of a quaint rail line in the Pacific Northwest, his young grandchildren and a smattering of their friends, and a few unpretentious townsfolk who charm by virtue of their down-to-earth nature.

A young entrepreneur (the rogue of the film) schemes to snap up the old railroad for a song, turn it around, and generate big bucks in the process.

But, after retiring the engineer (a seasoned pro) and introducing innovations that fail miserably, it is soon evident his vision was ill-conceived.

During a mishap, one of the ailing locomotives fires up and starts barreling down a stretch of the worn old tracks, with a small posse of startled kids on board the runaway train.

Now, the excitement begins, as the townsfolk rally together to prevent a tragedy.

The script is intelligent and well-written.

Astoundingly, for the first-time out, Mr. Bransom's directing is relatively seamless, too.

In fact, as the story unfolds, the audience is immediately swept up into the drama as it beautifully plays out on the wide adventure-filled screen.

In particular, I was impressed with the soundtrack, which buttressed a handful of the scenes when an emotional lift was oft needed.

Indeed, at times it appeared that at inspired moments during the course of the film, a chorus of Angels was serenading in the background.

Simply joyous!

For a couple of magical moments, I was transported back in time, when scenes of the young ones playing with toy trains in their grandpa's garage lit up the screen.

Understandably.


My Uncle Gordon (who resided on Nairn Street) set up a train set in his rustic attic, replete with a track that snaked through a make-believe town dotted with lakes & mountains that ran wild with animals.

As one character noted in the film:

"I've never known a boy to play with trains to turn out bad."

I guess that's true. Look at me!

Mr. Bransom has done alright for himself, too.

The film has won a handful of festival awards which include those garnered at the Backlot Film Festival, the Fairhope Film Festival, the Big Island Film Festival, and KIDS FIRST.

In fact, you may be able to catch a screening of the "Train Master" in this year's upcoming travelling KIDS FIRST Film Festival.

http://www.kidsfirst.org/filmfestival

Now in its ninth year, the Festival is a showcase for new and classic children's films, TV shows, and DVDs from studios, independent producers and youth producers.

The festival is a traveling year-round festival that partners with more than 100 venues nationwide and acts as their off-site curator.

Unique to the festival circuit, youths are given a true voice - as curators of the Festival, as panelists critiquing films at the festival, as volunteer staff, and as filmmakers and videographers showing their work.

One astute film enthusiast quipped:

"Celebrities & paparazzi have Sundance and Cannes, but kids & families have the KIDS FIRST Film Festival."

In 2007, almost one-third of the films accepted were from youth producers.

In spite of the odds, Mr. Bransom was one of the lucky adults to charm the tots with his own brand of engaging family entertainment.

Why not?

Train Master is a gem that will warm the cockles of your heart.

Director Phil Bransom pictured at center

http://www.julianayrs.com