You're all looking very, very pretty tonight.

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Okaaaay...

Viggo won the Empire Icon award, which was presented to him by none other than Sean Bean. You can see the video of his acceptance speech here:


Viggo wins award from Empire Magazine


How about you all do me a favor and watch the video? (It won't be a chore because really, it's hilarious.) What I'd like is for you to tell me - Is Viggo as completely shit-faced drunk here as I think he is? Because, even given his normally strange manner of speech, this is just nuts. Not only is he slurring his words, but Christ on a crutch! He goes off on these weird tangents, and just...O_o.


Oh, and I think you're going to like the V/S hug and kiss. (Holy cow, Sean looks WAY better than Vig. Just sayin'.)

Midnight Media Cafe - Pinball Wizard

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From The Secret Policeman's Ball, an annual comedy/music event held in England during the 80's by Amnesty International:

Pinball Wizard - Pete Townsend

"Ever since I was a young boy,
I've played the silver ball..."


"Unplugged" performances aren't always gems, but when they work, they can be magic. Here is Pete Townsend, whose ego was the main pillar in the construction of The Who, one of rock's Pantheon Bands. Listening to Pete sing Pinball Wizard alone with only his guitar for company is a bit of a revelation. There are so many associations that tumble through my mind like shuffling cards on hearing this song - thunder through my headphones, the work of art that was Roger Daltrey in the 70's, stuttering guitar chords, smoking weed under the Hollywood Sign, Elton John's electric sunglasses, the biggest pair of boots ever built.

And here is another to add to the mix: one of the great anthems of my youth, transformed into a street-corner ditty about a dedicated gamer. It's unexpected and charming, the more so because Townsend so obviously enjoys the simplicity of it. He gets to sing much more gently than usual, and comes off younger and more energetic than my usual perception of him.

A classic, by a master. Enjoy!