Midnight Approaches

1. Paul McCartney (or someone - it was probably McCartney) got practically EVERY star at the Golden Globes to make an inside reference for my benefit (including himself). Don't believe it? I wouldn't expect you to. However, I would expect you to. Sorry, this happens whenever I address more than one person at a time. Everybody see my recent Spielberg video, it should at least make a believer out of the smart people.

2. I have one more idea that could affect the outcome of tomorrow's Massachusetts Senatorial race, which in turn would likely affect whether or not there will be healthcare reform. Now it's almost too late for this idea, but I've thought it through, and it's totally do-able. I know you're reading this, McCartney!

First, what better way to play off of the Jay/Conan battle than, on the very same night that Ringo Starr is a guest on Jay (tonight, according to the schedule), Paul McCartney is a guest on Conan? Too late? Wrong. Conan shows a "pre-taped" segment, a phone conversation with McCartney. At the beginning of the phone conversation, strangely, it is McCartney who is seen on video, with a still image of Conan as if he is the caller (this is the standard manner used when one person is on the phone but not in the studio). At a certain point in the conversation, Conan says, "Excuse me, uh, I think I'm the one who is supposed to be on camera, you know, with your still image shown?" McCartney agrees, and instantly it is Conan who is seen on video, with a still image of McCartney seen for the remainder of the conversation, as he is the caller. Thus, a humorous way to convey the sense of them actually having a real conversation over the phone, in the style of a caller on a TV show.

And what does the phone conversation touch on? Healthcare. How is it in England, and how does McCartney feel about the healthcare debate, and, oh, by the way, that election in Massachusetts, what about that? Well, I sure hope things work out for healthcare in the U.S. Thanks so much, Paul, for showing up like this on my last week on The Tonight Show! Do you think you could actually come to the studio in person if I get another show? Well, Conan, first let's see how things go in Massachusetts.

3. I'll let you know if I have any more ideas that could affect tomorrow's Massachusetts election - though I have to say, I may be running out of time.

Bits and Pieces Strike Back

Today I'm offering a few bits and pieces that cannot possibly be worthy of significance, unless you have already familiarized yourself with lots of other bits and pieces. The significance of this videoclip regarding Kevin Smith, Will Ferrell and Jason Lee is connected to several prime facts:

1. Jason Lee's first big movie, "Mallrats" (1995), which was made by Kevin Smith (aka Silent Bob) and produced by Sean Daniel, who was the first person from whom I learned of the college I attended, CalArts, was named after my video, "Mall Man" (1993). I have been pointing out well before "Mallrats" that every time Sean Daniel produces a movie one can find things derived from my work.
2. Ever since "Mallrats", Jason Lee, like Sean Daniel, always appears in projects that contain things derived from my work, or related to me in other ways. This includes "Underdog" (for which Jason Lee is the voice of Underdog) and "Alvin and the Chipmunks" (which stars Jason Lee as Dave), among other Jason Lee roles. The NBC TV sitcom in which Jason stars, "My Name Is Earl", began with my idea.
   
3. Will Ferrell is among a number of celebrities whose work invariably contains references to my work (though there have been a few Will Ferrell projects that do not).

As I said, these are mere bits and pieces, and require familiarity with other bits and pieces before they (cumulatively) contain recognizable significance in relation to me.

Another movie that includes a reference to my work, one I just had the opportunity to see yesterday for the first time when it made its premium TV channel (Showtime) premier, is "1408", which stars John Cusack and Tony Shaloub. Owing to Tony Shaloub being involved, I was immediately aware that I should be on the lookout (see the second-to-last paragraph of my 12.25.08 blog), based on my experiences. I then found this movie to make very pronounced use of the identical section of a Mozart piece that I use for the opening of Steinhoff's Dostoyevsky's "Uncle's Dream" (one of my three more important live action videos). Though I would never say that anyone using this section of this Mozart piece was therefore doing so in relation to me, the Tony Shaloub connection had tipped me off in advance. Shorthand indicators are things an intelligent person appreciates. I then found this movie to share something further with this video work of mine, the recurring question of whether one is witnessing a reality or a dream. Again, I would not say that every time such a component contains significance in a work it is therefore being done in relation to my work. However, with the cumulative and shorthand aspects, I must conclude the Mozart was there for me. I should add that it often happens that John Cusack movies also include things for me. On this subject, Cusack's first big movie, "Better Off Dead," was written and directed by Steve Holland, who I knew at CalArts and who was the roommate of someone who was at that time a friend of mine.