Tag: Lewis Black

  • Contest Round-Up: 2010-11-03

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    Welcome to our weekly round-up of featured giveaways here at FRED. Every week, we’ll present a new clutch of DVDs, books, and other cool stuff you can take a shot at winning. All you have to do is click on the graphics below to be taken to their respective contest pages. And good luck!

    In conjunction with Adult Swim, we’re giving away two (2) copies of VENTURE BROS: SEASON 4 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Shout Factory, we’re giving away two (2) copies of THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW: SEASON 2 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Shout Factory, we’re giving away two (2) copies of LEAVE IT TO BEAVER: SEASON 4 on DVD.

    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS WITH LEWIS BLACK on DVD.

    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of WWII 360 on Blu-Ray.

    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of HOW THE EARTH WAS MADE: SEASON 1 on Blu-Ray.

    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of EARTH AND SPACE on Blu-Ray.

    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER: THE WILD RIDE COLLECTION on DVD.

    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) prize packs containing all five (5) of the following Lifetime movies on DVD: THE HAUNTING OF SORORITY ROW, HUSH LITTLE BABY, STILL SMALL VOICES, DEVIL’S DIARY, and THE GATHERING.

    In conjunction with Cartoon Network Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE VOLUME 9 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Cartoon Network Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of GENERATOR REX: VOLUME 1 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Warner Bros Home Video, we’re giving away five (5) copies of V: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON on DVD.

    In conjunction with Comedy Central, we’re giving away one (1) copy each of BO BURNHAM: WORDS WORDS WORDS on CD & DVD.

    In conjunction with Hear Music, we’re giving away two (2) copies of PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGS: BAND ON THE RUN on CD.

  • Win SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS WITH LEWIS BLACK on DVD!

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    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS WITH LEWIS BLACK on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, November 24th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    Official Rules

    No member of FRED Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.

    No Purchase necessary to win.

    Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

    One entry per day, per person.

    All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, November 24th.

    The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.

  • Weekend Shopping Guide 10/29/10: 1.21 Gigawatts!

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    The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the FRED Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

    (Please support FRED by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)

    I have been counting the days until the high definition 25th Anniversary edition of the Back To The Future Trilogy (Universal, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$79.98 SRP) arrived, eager to see it looking all snazzy and hoping the reality lived up to my outrageous expectations. Well, I’m delighted to say all three films look and sound amazing, and they’ve managed to plus the bonus materials above and beyond the ridiculous amount found on the original DVD special editions, including new documentaries (plus some tantalizing yet still unsatisfying glimpses of the legendary Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly footage). Is this an upgrade worth making? Yes. Yes it is.

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    If there’s one thing this gadget crazy future we currently live in has taught me, it’s how to tie a sailor’s knot. No. Scratch that. What I meant to say, is that it’s taught me that you can never have to many USB ports, and that’s where Thinkgeek’s ridiculous 24 Port USB Monster Hub ($49.99). That’s right. You heard me. 24 powered USB ports. Beautifully ridiculous.

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    By the time we reach the third volume of Bloom County: The Complete Library – 1984-1986 (IDW, $39.99 SRP), we’ve arrived at the golden age of the strip, where both the political satire and the humor had gelled into a transcendently pointed, funny strip that cemented itself in the comics pantheon. If you’re new to Bloom County, get all of the available volumes. Fast. Rectify that oversight now.

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    About 5 years ago, I became aware that a documentary had been made about an artist I held dear to my heart – the underrated, underappreciated Harry Nilsson. I received a promo copy at the time, and found the documentary to be a comprehensive, enlightening overview of a brilliant artist beloved by friends and fans (including the likes of The Beatles) who happened to be a very flawed human being whose excess led to a far too early death. The doc floated around the festival circuit for the past few years, but Who’s Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him?) (Lorber, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP) is finally available on DVD, along with nearly 90 minutes of additional interview footage. Get this documentary, and get Harry’s music. Now.

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    I know a lot of you are probably waiting for next year’s Blu-Ray release of the entirety of season 4, but for those who can’t wait, The Venture Bros.: Season 4 Volume 1 (Adult Swim, Not Rated, DVD-$23.98 SRP) contains the first 8 episodes of the season, plus audio commentaries (in which, yes, I am mentioned – count the times!), deleted scenes, a Comic-Con promo, and a “lost” open.

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    It’s been almost a year since the Blu-Ray Ultimate Editions of the first two films were released, but the rather long wait has brought us the just-in-time for Deathly Hallows: Part 1 release of Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban: Ultimate Edition & Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire: Ultimate Edition (Warner Bros., Rated PG/PG-13, Blu-Ray-$49.99 SRP each), both of which are necessary upgrades from the previous Blu-ray editions, if only for the next two installments of the 8-part documentary series “Creating The World Of Harry Potter, which have been newly produced for these Ultimate Editions. Also included are all of the previous special features and documentaries from the previous releases, plus photo books and character cards. The bottom line? Get ’em both, and hope the next two come out a lot quicker.

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    It’s been 6 years since their first textbook, America, but Jon Stewart and the writers behind The Daily Show return with their follow-up Earth: A Visitor’s Guide To The Human Race (Hachette, $27.99 SRP), and it was well worth the wait. Providing a unique overview on everything from Love & War to Reproduction & Investing, it’s everything you could possibly need to know about anything. And while you’re at it, be sure to pick up the companion Earth: The Audiobook (Hachette, $24.98 SRP), featuring all of your favorite correspondents plus special guess Sigourney Weaver.

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    I didn’t think a film about Jack Kevorkian starring Al Pacino would be something I would watch, let along think was remarkably good, but You Don’t Know Jack (HBO, Not Rated, DVD-$26.98 SRP) is certainly worth a watch, framing Kevorkian’s position on assisted suicide quite clearly, underscored by a collection of great performances. Bonus materials include a behind-the-scenes featurette.

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    Every few months like clockwork, I’m guaranteed that a delightfully fun read will land on my doorstep, for that is what the periodic arrival Charles Schulz’s masterpiece has become. We’re now up to The Complete Peanuts: 1977 to 1978 (Fantagraphics, $28.99 SRP), which gives us weeks of strips about jogging and a few references to disco… Including a polyester-suited beagle. We’re now almost 30 years into Peanuts 50-year run, and if you haven’t picked up any of these volumes yet, rectify that grievous oversight.

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    Scholastic has opened up the vault and provided a pair of releases perfect for entertaining your kids on those dark, cold Fall & Winter nights. Seasonally, they’re releasing The Halloween Stories Collection (Scholastic, Not Rated, DVD-$24.95 SRP), featuring Where The Wild Things Are, A Very Brave Witch, and The Teacher From The Black Lagoon. Even more massive is the 17-disc Treasure Of 100 Storybook Classics 2 (Scholastic, Not Rated, DVD-$99.95 SRP), containing scads of stories including the likes of Ralph S. Mouse and Corduroy.

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    It’s awkward to think about all of the families he was creating while On The Road (Acorn, Not Rated, DVD-$39.99 SRP), but the episodes featured in the 3rd volume of Charles Kuralt’s venerated man in a camper series still stand as a fascinating time capsule of a less-hectic America fast fading into the past.

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    For anyone who feared that their favorite TV show, left partially-released on DVD, would never see those final seasons, Shout Factory has proven themselves a savior, as their latest batch of TV releases testifies – Titles like Leave It To Beaver: Season 4 (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$39.97 SRP), Designing Women: Season 4 (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$44.99 SRP), Mister Ed: Season 3 (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$39.97 SRP), The Facts Of Life: Season 5 (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$39.97 SRP), and Mad About You: Season 5 (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$29.93 SRP). Keep it up, Shout!

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    If you weren’t quick enough to grab the complete first season when it was available – or just want a cheaper alternative for a few episodes – the 4th volume of episodes from the first season of Scooby-Doo: Where Are You? (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP) is now available, containing a quartet of episodes plus a bonus episode of Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get A Clue.

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    Try as they might, and as good as Jackie Earle Haley is in the role of Freddy Krueger, the remakagining of Nightmare On Elm Street (New Line, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$35.99 SRP) doesn’t quite capture the appeal of the original… An appeal, granted, that eluded me, but not as much as this cruder, blatantly opportunistic franchise cash-in. Bonus materials include an alternate opening/ending, an additional scene, and a featurette on the reimagining of Krueger.

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    I am clearly not the audience for Sex And The City 2 (Warner Bros., Rated R, Blu-Ray-$35.99 SRP), as the best way I can explain its plot is to say “Clothes, travel, ladyparts, clothes, sand, shoes, sex, clothes, friendship.” I may have left out clothes. Bonus features include an audio commentary, featurettes, and a look at the soundtrack with Alicia Keys.

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    The visual style was based on the artwork of Charles Addams, so there’s plenty to be said for Hanna-Barbera’s take on The Addams Family (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$20.96). Unfortunately, the stories never quite lived up to Addams brilliant dark humor, so it’s little wonder that the show lasted on 16 episodes, all of which can be found in this set, available exclusively from the Warner Archive.

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    I thought one sequel was pushing it, but the fact that we’re now on Lake Placid 3 (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$24.95 SRP) absolutely baffles me. Giant alligators killing people is all well and good, but the only reason anyone even remembers the first film is because of Betty White. And she’s not here. What is here? More alligators.

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    Seeking to make sense of over a month of madness, everyone’s favorite intensely opinionated comedian returns with Surviving The Holidays with Lewis Black (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$19.95 SRP), in which he looks at the history, customs, and culture that swamps us all.

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    A pair of classy shows make their way to high definition, with the highlight being the release of David Suchet as the titular detective in Poirot: Murder On The Orient Express (Acorn, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP), with a bonus documentary featuring Suchet giving a tour of the legendary train. The second Blu-Ray release is Slings & Arrows: The Complete Collection (Acorn, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$79.99 SRP), featuring all 3 season of the darkly comic Canadian series about a Shakespearean theatre troupe.

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    I personally can’t stand the man or his reality series, but there are plenty of fans out there who will probably dive right into the Dog The Bounty Hunter: Wild Ride Megaset (A&E, Not Rated, DVD-$39.95 SRP), which contains 45 select episodes plus additional footage, specials, and featurettes.

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    So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

    -Ken Plume

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  • Weekend Shopping Guide 6/18/10: Buzz Lightyear On Tiki Island

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    The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the FRED Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

    (Please support FRED by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)

    It’s the last of their live recordings from November’s run of shows in Los Angeles, but they’ve certainly saved the best till the end – Cinematic Titanic’s Danger On Tiki Island (Cinema Titan, Not Rated, DVD-$14.99) is the Titans operating at the top of their game, tearing into a terrible little gem about pathetic people sort of fighting in the direction of mutant monsters on a South Pacific island populated by stalkers, virgins, and midgets. Also delightful? A brief bonus documentary with the CT crew. I hope future discs can do more of this.

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    Want to be able to put your cellphone or Flip camera just about anywhere? Well, you pretty much can using the incredible gripping ability of the GorillaMobile stand ($29.99), which features a trio of sectional legs that wrap around practically anything.

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    The latest in the line of must-have production art books from the fine folks at Pixar and Chronicle is, of course, The Art Of Toy Story 3 (Chronicle Books, $40.00 SRP). Packed to the brim with art and behind-the-scenes information from every stage of production (including spoilers), it needs to be on your shelf. Now.

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    Fans who have been wondering when Universal would finally bring their spiffy remastered edition of Flash Gordon (Universal, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$26.98 SRP) to high definition need wonder no more, as it has arrived, and it looks even spiffier. It also ports over the featurettes and classic Flash serial found on the original release. Also being released on the same day – consider it a bonus – is Sam Raimi’s Darkman (Universal, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$26.98 SRP) which has, unfortunately, no bonus materials to speak of.

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    It’s been a long, long, LONG wait, but fans can now pick up the complete 3rd season of Leave It To Beaver (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$39.97 SRP). The 6-disc set contains all 39 episodes, completely remastered, plus a radio interview with Jerry Mathers & Frank Bank.

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    I’ve been a big fan of the Playing For Change music project since I first heard about it last year, as most people did, via the brilliant viral video of artists worldwide doing a jam session on “Stand By Me”. The latest release from the project is Playing For Change Live (Playing For Change Records, $18.98 SRP), a DVD/CD combo compiling performances from the concerts in LA, Vancouver, Madrid, and Glastonbury.

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    Now that the series has been released in its entirety, it’s only left to mop things up and release MacGyver: The TV Movies (Paramount, Rated R, DVD-$19.99 SRP), which collects the two post-series telefilms – Lost Treasure Of Atlantis and Trail Of Doomsday.

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    When all else in the world is uncertain, one can always rely on the complete, unadulterated, glorious crapfest that is Showgirls (MGM, Rated NC-17, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP), whose fleshy cruddity is now available in high definition. The 15th anniversary edition features an audio commentary, pole & lapdancing featurettes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and a bonus standard edition DVD.

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    Backfilling your TV series collection in HD is obviously the new thing to drain your wallet dry, and with that in mind I’m sure fans will be picking up Supernatural: The Complete First Season (Warner Bros., Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$49.99 SRP). The 4-disc set contains all 22 episodes, plus audio commentaries, featurettes, and a brand-new addition of the Paley Festival panel discussion.

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    I don’t know why last year seemed to bring out the post-apocalyptic flicks, but The Book Of Eli (Warner Bros., Rated R, Blu-Ray-$35.99 SRP) certainly falls into that category, as it stars Denzel Washington as the titular Eli who carries the titular book, which can either save society or destroy it. I won’t say if that book is Hop On Pop. The 2-disc set contains a trio of featurettes, additional scenes, an animated short, and a standard DVD copy of the film.

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    Really, the only reason for watching the otherwise toothless romantic comedy When In Rome (Touchstone, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP) is the always fun, funny Kristen Bell, who co-stars as a woman who finds an unexpected crush when her sister’s wedding finds her in the titular Italian city. Bonus materials include an alternate opening/ending, a featurette, deleted scenes, bloopers, and music videos.

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    OD on animated sitcoms from Seth MacFarland by picking up not only the 8th volume of Family Guy (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP), but also the 5th volume of American Dad (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP). Family Guy contains audio commentaries, deleted scenes, a featurette, and karaoke. American Dad sports audio commentaries, deleted scenes, trivia, and a drinking game.

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    Harrison Ford as a reclusive medical researcher? Sure, I’ll buy that. Brendan Fraser as an idealistic dad desperate to find a cure for his children’s rare genetic disorder before it’s too late? Okay. Is Harrison Ford awake in Extraordinary Measures (Sony, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$34.95 SRP)? Mostly! It’s a button-pushing emotional rollercoaster, but at least it’s watchable. Bonus materials include a behind-the-scenes featurette and deleted scenes.

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    It’s been awhile since his last comedy special, but Black is back with a new album – Lewis Black: Black Is Back (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$16.99 SRP). It’s Black as beautifully bile-filled as you’d expect him to be. It’s also available on CD (Comedy Central Records, $12.98 SRP).

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    It doesn’t have quite the budget of Primordial, but Sanctuary (E1, Not Rated, DVD-$44.98 SRP) does cover the same monster squad territory, with a group of specialists out to investigate and protect strange and terrifying creatures from around the globe. The 4-disc set contains all 13 episodes, plus audio commentaries, featurettes, video diaries, outtakes, and a gallery.

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    I think it was during Youth In Revolt (Sony, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$34.95 SRP) that I’d finally had enough of Michael Cera. His one-note performances had been getting increasingly grating since the highs of Arrested Development, but while starring as straightlaced but odd teen Nick Twisp, whose vacation attempt to woo a pretty girl makes him adopt a suave but destructive alter ego (with a mustache), I’d just had enough of him. The flick itself has some energy, but not enough to overcome the black hole that is Cera. I hope Scott Pilgrim slaps some life into him. Bonus materials on this disc include audio commentary, deleted scenes, deleted/extended animated sequences, and audition footage.

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    Leave it to that good ol’ golden retriever to make sure he gets in on the sports action with Air Bud: World Pup (Walt Disney, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP), in which the pooch give soccer a spin. Bonus materials include commentary from the Buddies, and a production featurette.

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    Really, the only thing that makes the fourth season of The Secret Life Of The American Teenager (ABC Family, Not Rated, DVD-$39.99 SRP) is the continued presence of Molly Ringwald as the main character’s mother. Yes. She’s playing a mother. A mother! The 3-disc state contains all 12 episodes, plus a pair of featurettes.

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    Adults (and even kids) have been eagerly awaiting the next installment from their trippy friends who dance around to music and stuff, and now they can pick up Yo Gabba Gabba! Clubhouse (Nickelodeon, Not Rated, DVD-$16.99 SRP), which contains a quartet of episodes.

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    Always one of those inoffensive, rather forgettable WB shows, I could never bring myself to watch Everwood (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP). But for those that did, the complete third season is now available, whose 5-disc boxset contains all 22 episodes plus outtakes.

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    It may be on the pricey side, but there are some collectibles that cross beyond the threshold of cool to the rarified realm of sublime, and I’d have to say that’s the case for the 13″+ Robby The Robot ($429.99). Not only is it a faithful reproduction of the Forbidden Planet icon, but it also lights up when it speaks. That’s right – it speaks multiple lines from the film. If that weren’t enough, an extra level of cool is added when you take the head off and find a 12″ figure operating the “robot” for a meta surprise. If you have the ability to snap this up, do so.

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    So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

    -Ken Plume

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