My dad passed away on Sept. 1. Here is his obituary from the Kansas City Star :
John "J. C." Gipson
John Charles "J. C." Gipson, 56, Lawson, MO passed away September 1, 2005. Memorial services will be 3 p.m. Saturday, September 3, at the McGilley Antioch Chapel; cremation. Contributions are suggested to the family. J.C. grew up in the Harlem area of Kansas City. He was a life long area resident. He was a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War. J.C. was employed by Davis Paint Co. for 15 years. Survivors include his wife, Mary; two sons, Monte Churchman and wife, Terry Ann and Brody and John L. Gipson and wife, Kimberly; a daughter, Julia C. Pettiecord and husband, Matt and Erin and Peyton. (Arr.'s: McGilley Antioch Chapel 816-453-7700) Published in the Kansas City Star on 9/2/2005.
I'm posting this because I am just now starting to get over it.
Dad had been sick for years. He had several strokes, each one taking a little more of the father I had always known.
September 27, 2005
August 24, 2005
Long time
Since my last personal posting a lot of things have happened. I was unemployed for while, since Time Warner Cable decided to give me the boot. During that time I was job searching on the Internet for anything to pay the bills. I finally found a job at Best Buy. I started at the end of July and have been there ever since.
Something Kimberly and I have discovered recently is the Majestic Theater. It’s a new movie theater, restaurant and comedy club all in one. We’ve been to the movies once and the comedy club twice. At the movie theater you can order drinks and have them refilled just by pushing a button on your seat. The comedy club is awesome! So far, we’ve seen two comedians there and both kicked ass.
I also finely read the new Harry Potter book, “Harry Potter and a Half Blood Prince”. It’s the best Harry Potter book, but the ending is sort of a cliff hanger. I really can’t wait till the next book comes out. That’s going to be a long time for now I’m sure. The new movie should hold me over for a little while though.
Today was Erin Brooks first day of kindergarten. I called her after work to see how much fun she had, but she was too busy playing video games. Tomorrow’s her birthday. She will be six years old. Last week was Peyton’s birthday and he turned four. Kimberly and I still haven’t gotten them gifts but we’re going to get them some soon.
Something Kimberly and I have discovered recently is the Majestic Theater. It’s a new movie theater, restaurant and comedy club all in one. We’ve been to the movies once and the comedy club twice. At the movie theater you can order drinks and have them refilled just by pushing a button on your seat. The comedy club is awesome! So far, we’ve seen two comedians there and both kicked ass.
I also finely read the new Harry Potter book, “Harry Potter and a Half Blood Prince”. It’s the best Harry Potter book, but the ending is sort of a cliff hanger. I really can’t wait till the next book comes out. That’s going to be a long time for now I’m sure. The new movie should hold me over for a little while though.
Today was Erin Brooks first day of kindergarten. I called her after work to see how much fun she had, but she was too busy playing video games. Tomorrow’s her birthday. She will be six years old. Last week was Peyton’s birthday and he turned four. Kimberly and I still haven’t gotten them gifts but we’re going to get them some soon.
July 26, 2005
'Sith' out on DVD Nov. 1
That's when the final installment, "Revenge of the Sith," hits DVD, allowing fans to watch all six movies in George Lucas' epic at home.
"The great news is, it's nearly 30 years in the making, now fans old and new alike can enjoy the entire 'Star Wars' saga whenever they want," said Steven Feldstein, senior vice president of marketing for 20th Century Fox home video, which releases the "Star Wars" films.
Lucasfilm Ltd. also announced Monday it will release the franchise's new video game, "Star Wars: Battlefront II," on November 1.
The two-disc set for "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" will include a making-of documentary produced by Lucasfilm; featurettes on the movie's stunts and on Anakin Skywalker -- who transforms into galactic bad guy Darth Vader; and an Internet documentary series featuring 15 segments produced for the Web.
"From the beginning of production, George wanted to be sure we chronicled everything that went into the making of 'Episode III' specifically to create an incredible DVD experience," said Jim Ward, vice president of marketing and distribution for Lucasfilm.
The year's top-grossing film with $376 million in domestic revenue, "Revenge of the Sith" completes the transformation of Skywalker from honorable Jedi knight to Vader, the villain of the original three "Star Wars" movies.
June 9, 2005
Comedy Central and Dave Chappelle meet
NEW YORK (AP) — Comic Dave Chappelle has met with executives at Comedy Central for the first time since his unscheduled "spiritual retreat" in South Africa forced the suspension of the third season of his show.
Comedy Central President Doug Herzog met with Chappelle Friday in Los Angeles, network spokesman Tony Fox said.
Fox would not talk about what was discussed and when — or if — Chappelle would return to the network. A spokesman for Chappelle did not immediately return a call for comment.
Chappelle had two unannounced performances at a comedy club in Los Angeles last week. He has said he left for South Africa because he was unhappy with the direction of his show, which had been scheduled to start a third season on May 31, and denied reports of drug or mental problems.
Meanwhile, Comedy Central sold another 400,000 copies last week of its DVD of the show's second season, for a total of 1.4 million so far. The first season's DVD has sold 2.9 million copies, the biggest-selling DVD of a TV series of all time.
Comedy Central President Doug Herzog met with Chappelle Friday in Los Angeles, network spokesman Tony Fox said.
Fox would not talk about what was discussed and when — or if — Chappelle would return to the network. A spokesman for Chappelle did not immediately return a call for comment.
Chappelle had two unannounced performances at a comedy club in Los Angeles last week. He has said he left for South Africa because he was unhappy with the direction of his show, which had been scheduled to start a third season on May 31, and denied reports of drug or mental problems.
Meanwhile, Comedy Central sold another 400,000 copies last week of its DVD of the show's second season, for a total of 1.4 million so far. The first season's DVD has sold 2.9 million copies, the biggest-selling DVD of a TV series of all time.
June 6, 2005
'Star Wars' slips to third place at North American box office
Animated animals ruled the big screen across North America this weekend, as the latest installment of the 'Star Wars' saga sank to third place, according to box office returns released Sunday.
DreamWorks' animated "Madagascar," which debuted last weekend in second place, topped the list of most viewed movies, according to Encino, California-based Exhibitor Relations, which monitors ticket sales.
"Madagascar" is expected to gross 28.7 million dollars this weekend, boosting its estimated two-week take to 101 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.
"The Longest Yard," which pits inmates and guards against each other in an American football prison game, moved from third place to second, earning about 26.1 million dollars this weekend.
The movie, starring comedians Adam Sandler and Chris Rock, is the remake of a 1974 movie starring Burt Reynolds, who has a role in the re-made version.
Meanwhile "Star War: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith," which held the top spot for two weeks, fell to third place with an expected gross of 26 million dollars.
That would raise the three week domestic take for the movie, the last of George Lucas' six-part Star Wars franchise, to 308.8 million dollars.
Trailing in fourth and fifth place are two debuts: the boxing flick "Cinderella Man," starring Oscar winner Russell Crowe, which grossed some 18.6 million dollars, and "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," a teenage girl movie that raked in some 10.2 million dollars.
DreamWorks' animated "Madagascar," which debuted last weekend in second place, topped the list of most viewed movies, according to Encino, California-based Exhibitor Relations, which monitors ticket sales.
"Madagascar" is expected to gross 28.7 million dollars this weekend, boosting its estimated two-week take to 101 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.
"The Longest Yard," which pits inmates and guards against each other in an American football prison game, moved from third place to second, earning about 26.1 million dollars this weekend.
The movie, starring comedians Adam Sandler and Chris Rock, is the remake of a 1974 movie starring Burt Reynolds, who has a role in the re-made version.
Meanwhile "Star War: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith," which held the top spot for two weeks, fell to third place with an expected gross of 26 million dollars.
That would raise the three week domestic take for the movie, the last of George Lucas' six-part Star Wars franchise, to 308.8 million dollars.
Trailing in fourth and fifth place are two debuts: the boxing flick "Cinderella Man," starring Oscar winner Russell Crowe, which grossed some 18.6 million dollars, and "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," a teenage girl movie that raked in some 10.2 million dollars.
June 5, 2005
New Chappelle DVD flies off shelves
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Underscoring the growing clout of the TV-DVD category, "Chappelle's Show: Season 2 Uncensored" chalked up first-day sales of nearly 500,000 copies, setting a new TV-DVD sales record, according to Paramount Home Entertainment.
Within a week of its May 24 release, sales of the hefty three-disc, $37 package topped 1.2 million units, Paramount said, while sales of the first-season set, out for more than a year, spiked past the 3 million-unit mark.
That's 200,000 units more than the sales tally in early May, when Comedy Central announced Season 3 of Dave Chappelle's highly rated sketch comedy show would be postponed indefinitely and the comedian flew to South Africa, where rumors circulated that he had checked himself into a mental health facility.
The controversy made headlines worldwide and put Chappelle on the cover of Time and other magazines.
Paramount maintains the first-day sales total makes "Chappelle's Show: Season 2 Uncensored" the fastest-selling TV DVD release ever.
Thomas F. Lesinski, president of worldwide home entertainment for Paramount Pictures, said the title is "poised to reach the 2 million-unit mark within the next 30 days."
"Dave Chappelle has set a new standard for comedy, and this DVD, which we worked closely with Comedy Central on, has now set the standard for TV-DVD," Lesinski said.
Sales were strong across all demographics, Lesinski said, with particularly high numbers among the lucrative 18-34 male demographic.
Within a week of its May 24 release, sales of the hefty three-disc, $37 package topped 1.2 million units, Paramount said, while sales of the first-season set, out for more than a year, spiked past the 3 million-unit mark.
That's 200,000 units more than the sales tally in early May, when Comedy Central announced Season 3 of Dave Chappelle's highly rated sketch comedy show would be postponed indefinitely and the comedian flew to South Africa, where rumors circulated that he had checked himself into a mental health facility.
The controversy made headlines worldwide and put Chappelle on the cover of Time and other magazines.
Paramount maintains the first-day sales total makes "Chappelle's Show: Season 2 Uncensored" the fastest-selling TV DVD release ever.
Thomas F. Lesinski, president of worldwide home entertainment for Paramount Pictures, said the title is "poised to reach the 2 million-unit mark within the next 30 days."
"Dave Chappelle has set a new standard for comedy, and this DVD, which we worked closely with Comedy Central on, has now set the standard for TV-DVD," Lesinski said.
Sales were strong across all demographics, Lesinski said, with particularly high numbers among the lucrative 18-34 male demographic.
Harry Potter thief shoots reporter with fake gun
Associated Press - A man who allegedly tried to sell a stolen copy of the forthcoming Harry Potter book to two tabloid newspapers fired a fake gun next to the head of a reporter who came to meet him, one of the papers reported Saturday.
The Sun said its journalist agreed to meet two men who contacted the paper saying they had obtained copies of the highly anticipated book. The newspaper contacted police, who were waiting outside the meeting site in Kettering, north of London, and arrested the two suspects on Friday.
The Daily Mirror newspaper also said it had been contacted about buying an early copy of the novel and sent a reporter to meet the men. The paper also contacted police before its meeting.
The Sun said that when its reporter attempted to leave the meeting carrying the book, one of the suspects put a gun next to his head and fired a shot over the journalist's shoulder. The shooter said the gun was not real, but it made a loud bang when it went off, the paper reported.
The newspapers said the man worked at a distribution warehouse where copies of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" are being stored ahead of their release July 16.
"It was very hard" to get around security, the Mirror quoted him as saying. "The whole warehouse is on camera."
Northamptonshire police said they had arrested a 37-year-old and 19-year-whose names they did not release. The older man was charged with weapons possession and handling stolen property and the teen with theft and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear, police said.
Both were released on bail, police said.
Lawyers for author J.K. Rowling got a High Court injunction against the two barring any leaks from the stolen copies.
"This order was made following our client's discovery ... that a copy of ... 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,' had been obtained by unauthorized persons who had subsequently offered the book to newspaper journalists," said Rowling's lawyers at the firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.
The sixth Harry Potter novel has sparked massive interest since author J.K. Rowling revealed a major character will be killed in the book
The Sun said its journalist agreed to meet two men who contacted the paper saying they had obtained copies of the highly anticipated book. The newspaper contacted police, who were waiting outside the meeting site in Kettering, north of London, and arrested the two suspects on Friday.
The Daily Mirror newspaper also said it had been contacted about buying an early copy of the novel and sent a reporter to meet the men. The paper also contacted police before its meeting.
The Sun said that when its reporter attempted to leave the meeting carrying the book, one of the suspects put a gun next to his head and fired a shot over the journalist's shoulder. The shooter said the gun was not real, but it made a loud bang when it went off, the paper reported.
The newspapers said the man worked at a distribution warehouse where copies of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" are being stored ahead of their release July 16.
"It was very hard" to get around security, the Mirror quoted him as saying. "The whole warehouse is on camera."
Northamptonshire police said they had arrested a 37-year-old and 19-year-whose names they did not release. The older man was charged with weapons possession and handling stolen property and the teen with theft and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear, police said.
Both were released on bail, police said.
Lawyers for author J.K. Rowling got a High Court injunction against the two barring any leaks from the stolen copies.
"This order was made following our client's discovery ... that a copy of ... 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,' had been obtained by unauthorized persons who had subsequently offered the book to newspaper journalists," said Rowling's lawyers at the firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.
The sixth Harry Potter novel has sparked massive interest since author J.K. Rowling revealed a major character will be killed in the book
June 3, 2005
Weezer Make Nice on Tour
Rollingstone Magazine by AUSTIN SCAGGS
With a Top Twenty disc and a hot summer tour, Cuomo and Co. are getting along fine "We've had our shitty history," says Weezer drummer Pat Wilson. "But I don't think we've ever gone through three weeks of touring and had so much fun."
In May, Weezer's new album, Make Believe, debuted at Number Two, their highest chart position ever, and the band headlined Coachella and wrapped a twelve-date club tour. Even better, their notoriously eccentric frontman, Rivers Cuomo, has yet to go mental. "I'm not suspicious anymore of how well we're getting along," says Wilson. "So that should tell you something."
With the album at Number Seventeen in its third week (selling 325,000 copies so far, according to Nielsen SoundScan), Weezer just left for Europe to play festivals. The band will be back in the States playing amphitheaters in July. (There's also a rumored fall tour with Foo Fighters.)
For fans wondering why recent gigs have leaned so heavily on early tracks from the Blue Album and Pinkerton, Wilson says, "Before we started this run, we all voted. We put our songs into a spreadsheet, and the songs that got the most votes are the ones we put in the set. Every show was almost exactly the same." Wilson promises that the group will re-vote and add about six songs to the repertoire for the summer tour.
Cuomo, who studies Buddhism and has been celibate for two years, spends most of his downtime on the tour bus, watching European soccer on the Fox Soccer Channel. "Rivers knows about all that stuff," Wilson says. "He was schooling me."
There are rumors that Cuomo may return to Harvard, where he's majoring in English, to finish his final semester. Cuomo hasn't addressed the issue, but Wilson says, "I can't imagine, if the record is blowing up and we're all having a good time, why he'd just bail." He adds, "I want to do everything I can to keep this vibe going. If it starts feeling unnatural, then I think the band will stop. But right now it feels great."
With a Top Twenty disc and a hot summer tour, Cuomo and Co. are getting along fine "We've had our shitty history," says Weezer drummer Pat Wilson. "But I don't think we've ever gone through three weeks of touring and had so much fun."
In May, Weezer's new album, Make Believe, debuted at Number Two, their highest chart position ever, and the band headlined Coachella and wrapped a twelve-date club tour. Even better, their notoriously eccentric frontman, Rivers Cuomo, has yet to go mental. "I'm not suspicious anymore of how well we're getting along," says Wilson. "So that should tell you something."
With the album at Number Seventeen in its third week (selling 325,000 copies so far, according to Nielsen SoundScan), Weezer just left for Europe to play festivals. The band will be back in the States playing amphitheaters in July. (There's also a rumored fall tour with Foo Fighters.)
For fans wondering why recent gigs have leaned so heavily on early tracks from the Blue Album and Pinkerton, Wilson says, "Before we started this run, we all voted. We put our songs into a spreadsheet, and the songs that got the most votes are the ones we put in the set. Every show was almost exactly the same." Wilson promises that the group will re-vote and add about six songs to the repertoire for the summer tour.
Cuomo, who studies Buddhism and has been celibate for two years, spends most of his downtime on the tour bus, watching European soccer on the Fox Soccer Channel. "Rivers knows about all that stuff," Wilson says. "He was schooling me."
There are rumors that Cuomo may return to Harvard, where he's majoring in English, to finish his final semester. Cuomo hasn't addressed the issue, but Wilson says, "I can't imagine, if the record is blowing up and we're all having a good time, why he'd just bail." He adds, "I want to do everything I can to keep this vibe going. If it starts feeling unnatural, then I think the band will stop. But right now it feels great."
Chappelle in Surprise L.A. Gig
AP News - LOS ANGELES Jun 3, 2005 — Is Dave Chappelle back? The AWOL comedian dropped in unannounced at two popular comedy clubs Thursday night, saying he had just arrived in Los Angeles and felt like performing, Daily Variety reported Friday.
Chappelle served up some impromptu standup to stunned audiences at the Hollywood Improv and the Comedy Store, the trade paper said.
Chappelle, 31, took off last month to South Africa for a "spiritual retreat," leaving his fans and even his agent and publicist wondering where he went.
After Comedy Central announced that the planned May 31 debut of the third season of "Chappelle's Show" had been postponed, the magazine Entertainment Weekly reported that Chappelle had checked himself into a mental health facility in South Africa.
But Chappelle denied checking into a mental facility or having a drug problem in an interview with Time magazine.
Instead, he fled to stay with friends in Durban because he wasn't happy with the direction of the show, which is behind only "South Park" as Comedy Central's most-watched program.
Calls to Chappelle's publicist and Comedy Central were not immediately returned Friday morning.
An unnamed Comedy Central representative told Variety that network officials would be sitting down with Chappelle to talk business "really, really soon."
Chappelle served up some impromptu standup to stunned audiences at the Hollywood Improv and the Comedy Store, the trade paper said.
Chappelle, 31, took off last month to South Africa for a "spiritual retreat," leaving his fans and even his agent and publicist wondering where he went.
After Comedy Central announced that the planned May 31 debut of the third season of "Chappelle's Show" had been postponed, the magazine Entertainment Weekly reported that Chappelle had checked himself into a mental health facility in South Africa.
But Chappelle denied checking into a mental facility or having a drug problem in an interview with Time magazine.
Instead, he fled to stay with friends in Durban because he wasn't happy with the direction of the show, which is behind only "South Park" as Comedy Central's most-watched program.
Calls to Chappelle's publicist and Comedy Central were not immediately returned Friday morning.
An unnamed Comedy Central representative told Variety that network officials would be sitting down with Chappelle to talk business "really, really soon."
May 31, 2005
Star Wars Wins Holiday Weekend
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Payback for the Sith has meant a real payday at the box office.
"Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" beat two strong newcomers to remain the top movie with $70.75 million over the long Memorial Day weekend, though Hollywood again failed to climb out of a prolonged revenue decline.
Debuting in second place was the animated adventure "Madagascar" with $61 million, while Adam Sandler's football remake, "The Longest Yard," opened a close third with $60 million, according to studio estimates Monday.
Despite the two big debuts and a strong hold for "Revenge of the Sith" in its second weekend, theatrical receipts overall were down for the 14th straight weekend compared with last year.
The top 12 movies grossed $225.5 million, an impressive four-day haul but still 5.5 percent behind last year's record Memorial Day weekend, when "Shrek 2" and "The Day After Tomorrow" alone combined for $181 million in grosses between them.
"On the one hand, yeah, 14 weeks, that's a terrible slump," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "But I'm optimistic, because this weekend proves you can still get a heck of a lot of people in theaters with the right movies.
"It takes a lot more to excite people today, and the crop of movies this year other than 'Star Wars' and the movies that opened this weekend haven't inspired audiences to make that step and go to the theaters."
The final installment of George Lucas' "Star Wars" saga grossed $271.2 million domestically in its first 12 days, putting it on pace to soar beyond the $310 million total for its predecessor, "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones."
"Revenge of the Sith" may be on track to approach the $431 million domestic haul of "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace," said Bruce Snyder, head of distribution for 20th Century Fox, which released the "Star Wars" films.
As with "Titanic," the modern box-office champ that brought young girls back to the theater to see it again and again, "Revenge of the Sith" is drawing strong repeat business among young males.
"We've got a lot of kids who already have this picture four and five times," Snyder said.
Worldwide through Sunday, "Revenge of the Sith" had taken in $504.4 million since its almost simultaneous debut in most countries beginning May 18.
"Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" beat two strong newcomers to remain the top movie with $70.75 million over the long Memorial Day weekend, though Hollywood again failed to climb out of a prolonged revenue decline.
Debuting in second place was the animated adventure "Madagascar" with $61 million, while Adam Sandler's football remake, "The Longest Yard," opened a close third with $60 million, according to studio estimates Monday.
Despite the two big debuts and a strong hold for "Revenge of the Sith" in its second weekend, theatrical receipts overall were down for the 14th straight weekend compared with last year.
The top 12 movies grossed $225.5 million, an impressive four-day haul but still 5.5 percent behind last year's record Memorial Day weekend, when "Shrek 2" and "The Day After Tomorrow" alone combined for $181 million in grosses between them.
"On the one hand, yeah, 14 weeks, that's a terrible slump," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "But I'm optimistic, because this weekend proves you can still get a heck of a lot of people in theaters with the right movies.
"It takes a lot more to excite people today, and the crop of movies this year other than 'Star Wars' and the movies that opened this weekend haven't inspired audiences to make that step and go to the theaters."
The final installment of George Lucas' "Star Wars" saga grossed $271.2 million domestically in its first 12 days, putting it on pace to soar beyond the $310 million total for its predecessor, "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones."
"Revenge of the Sith" may be on track to approach the $431 million domestic haul of "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace," said Bruce Snyder, head of distribution for 20th Century Fox, which released the "Star Wars" films.
As with "Titanic," the modern box-office champ that brought young girls back to the theater to see it again and again, "Revenge of the Sith" is drawing strong repeat business among young males.
"We've got a lot of kids who already have this picture four and five times," Snyder said.
Worldwide through Sunday, "Revenge of the Sith" had taken in $504.4 million since its almost simultaneous debut in most countries beginning May 18.
May 24, 2005
'Star Wars' Grosses $108.4M in Second Biggest Three-Day Weekend
The force was with the final "Star Wars" movie last weekend when it raked in $ 108.4 million in North America, the second- biggest three-day box office haul ever, figures showed Monday.
George Lucas' classic sci-fi saga generated a whopping $ 158.4 million in its first four days on US and Canadian screens, a record for a four-day period, box office trackers Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc said.
"Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" also set a single-day record, raking in more than $ 50 million on its opening day on Thursday, shattering "Shrek 2's" single-day record of nearly $ 44.8 million .
But the film failed to smash the critical three-day record set three years ago by the weekend opening of "Spider-Man," which notched up $ 114.8 million in ticket sales, Exhibitor Relations said.
George Lucas' classic sci-fi saga generated a whopping $ 158.4 million in its first four days on US and Canadian screens, a record for a four-day period, box office trackers Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc said.
"Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" also set a single-day record, raking in more than $ 50 million on its opening day on Thursday, shattering "Shrek 2's" single-day record of nearly $ 44.8 million .
But the film failed to smash the critical three-day record set three years ago by the weekend opening of "Spider-Man," which notched up $ 114.8 million in ticket sales, Exhibitor Relations said.
May 20, 2005
'Star Wars' Grosses $50M in Single Day
LOS ANGELES(AP) The last of the "Star Wars" movies has done what no movie in history has ever accomplished _ sold $50 million worth of tickets in a single day.
"Star Wars: Episode III _ Revenge of the Sith" grossed $50,013,859 from showings at 3,661 theaters and more than 9,000 screens around the country Thursday, including special midnight shows, according to box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
That beat the one-day record set in May 2004 by "Shrek 2," which sold $44.8 million on a single Saturday _ its fourth day in theaters.
The George Lucas film, which features the transformation of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker into the evil Darth Vader, also beat the opening day record held by "Spider-Man 2," which grossed $40.4 million when it opened on a Wednesday last June.
"Fifty million is a good opening weekend, let alone a single day," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations. "This is the box-office equivalent of a 100-year flood."
It is almost assured the film will push well past the $100 million mark for its opening weekend.
The only question is _ how far?
"The sky's the limit on how well this film could do," Dergarabedian said.
"Star Wars: Episode III _ Revenge of the Sith" grossed $50,013,859 from showings at 3,661 theaters and more than 9,000 screens around the country Thursday, including special midnight shows, according to box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
That beat the one-day record set in May 2004 by "Shrek 2," which sold $44.8 million on a single Saturday _ its fourth day in theaters.
The George Lucas film, which features the transformation of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker into the evil Darth Vader, also beat the opening day record held by "Spider-Man 2," which grossed $40.4 million when it opened on a Wednesday last June.
"Fifty million is a good opening weekend, let alone a single day," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations. "This is the box-office equivalent of a 100-year flood."
It is almost assured the film will push well past the $100 million mark for its opening weekend.
The only question is _ how far?
"The sky's the limit on how well this film could do," Dergarabedian said.
May 18, 2005
Pulling an all-nighter!!!
Since I'm going to see the midnight showing of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, I'm staying up as late as I can today! There's no way I'm going to miss this! I've been watching all of my Star Wars DVD's I have all day.
Also, thought as long as I'm up (and hopped-up on caffeine), I thought I'd catch everyone up on what's going on in my world. Later this evening, my niece is going to be graduating from preschool and of course I'm going to her graduation. I wouldn't miss that for the world. After that, I'm meeting up with my wife and some friends to see STAR WARS!
As of May 4th, I no longer work for Time Warner Cable. My doctor gave me a permission to return to work slip on April 4th. Well, I called work and was told I need to re-apply for my job, so I did. They said it was company policy to re-apply after being on long term disability and I needed to find a position in the company by May 4th. Well, I applied for my old job and didn't hear anything. After no calls for about a week I called back and asked if I should apply for other jobs in the company and was told to do so. I applied for just about every position that was open. Well, May 4th came, no calls for an interview for ANY of the positions. I received a letter in the mail soon after stating I was no longer employed with the company. All of this because of the cancer on my back. So now I am in the ranks of the unemployed and have been looking for a job for 3 weeks now. I have 2 really good prospects. We'll see what happens.
I applied for unemployment as soon as I heard I was no longer with the company. I just received a letter in the mail today stating that Time Warner Cable feels like they don't have to pay for my unemployment and I need to speak to my local unemployment office, via phone interview, on Thursday the 19th. Boy, are they going to get to hear about this. I'm pulling no punches and we'll see what happens with that as well.
As you probably can figure out I finished my radiation treatments and the doctor just wants me to come in and get an x-ray every 6 months for the next 2 years to make sure nothing pops up again. It's a relief, but I still kind of wish I was going to get a catscan evey 6 months for 5 years, like I was told before. That just seems a little more accurate to me than an x-ray. I'm relieved a little, but not a day goes by that I think of what I went threw and pray it doesn't happen again!
I read the rest of Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, as Told By Its Stars, Writers and Guests and it was an o.k. read. I felt it was lacking a bit though.
Also, thought as long as I'm up (and hopped-up on caffeine), I thought I'd catch everyone up on what's going on in my world. Later this evening, my niece is going to be graduating from preschool and of course I'm going to her graduation. I wouldn't miss that for the world. After that, I'm meeting up with my wife and some friends to see STAR WARS!
As of May 4th, I no longer work for Time Warner Cable. My doctor gave me a permission to return to work slip on April 4th. Well, I called work and was told I need to re-apply for my job, so I did. They said it was company policy to re-apply after being on long term disability and I needed to find a position in the company by May 4th. Well, I applied for my old job and didn't hear anything. After no calls for about a week I called back and asked if I should apply for other jobs in the company and was told to do so. I applied for just about every position that was open. Well, May 4th came, no calls for an interview for ANY of the positions. I received a letter in the mail soon after stating I was no longer employed with the company. All of this because of the cancer on my back. So now I am in the ranks of the unemployed and have been looking for a job for 3 weeks now. I have 2 really good prospects. We'll see what happens.
I applied for unemployment as soon as I heard I was no longer with the company. I just received a letter in the mail today stating that Time Warner Cable feels like they don't have to pay for my unemployment and I need to speak to my local unemployment office, via phone interview, on Thursday the 19th. Boy, are they going to get to hear about this. I'm pulling no punches and we'll see what happens with that as well.
As you probably can figure out I finished my radiation treatments and the doctor just wants me to come in and get an x-ray every 6 months for the next 2 years to make sure nothing pops up again. It's a relief, but I still kind of wish I was going to get a catscan evey 6 months for 5 years, like I was told before. That just seems a little more accurate to me than an x-ray. I'm relieved a little, but not a day goes by that I think of what I went threw and pray it doesn't happen again!
I read the rest of Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, as Told By Its Stars, Writers and Guests and it was an o.k. read. I felt it was lacking a bit though.
Well, this is a pretty big post and I'd better end it here! I'll try to post more often.
Seacrest OUT!!!
May 16, 2005
Who needs tickets Star Wars Episode III in Kansas City area?!
I have 7 tickets available...Star Wars Episode III : Revenge of the Sith
The tickets are for the Thursday, May 19, 2005
12:01 am showing
Located at AMC Barrywoods 24 Theatres
8101 Roanridge Rd. Kansas City, MO 64151
I-29 and Barry Road
Selling tickets at regular price, $8.50 a ticket.
The tickets are for the Thursday, May 19, 2005
12:01 am showing
Located at AMC Barrywoods 24 Theatres
8101 Roanridge Rd. Kansas City, MO 64151
I-29 and Barry Road
Selling tickets at regular price, $8.50 a ticket.
May 13, 2005
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire trailer
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is coming! Book is out in July (I already have it pre-ordered) and movie comes out in November!
May 7, 2005
CNN.com - Mother, stepfather charged in 'Precious Doe' killing - May 5, 2005
CNN.com - Mother, stepfather charged in 'Precious Doe' killing - May 5, 2005: "Mother, stepfather charged in 'Precious Doe' killing"
March 24, 2005
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy :: The Official Movie Website
Not many people have heard about this movie, but I hope to change that. Here is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy :: The Official Movie Website.
Many people have probably read the book, but I'm not one of them.
Many people have probably read the book, but I'm not one of them.
Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo
I'm a big fan of the first Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo and I can't wait to see Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo.
Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party
I ran across Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party while looking at movie trailers. This look's like a really good movie, but will probably be in limited release. If it come here to Kansas City, I'm there!
I'm a big movie fan and already know who he is. See if you do and name a movie he has been in.
I'm a big movie fan and already know who he is. See if you do and name a movie he has been in.
February 23, 2005
NBC's The Office
Hopefully NBC's The Office will do better than their americanized version of the British sitcom Coupling. By the looks of the site though, I pretty sure (fingers crossed) it will be a hit.
January 28, 2005
STOP THE PRE-MOVIE ADS!
"STOP THE PRE-MOVIE ADS!" by sending an e-mail to the movie theater big-wigs!
January 23, 2005
Johnny Carson and SNL
I'm reading Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, as Told By Its Stars, Writers and Guests right now, and in a weird twist of sorrowful irony, my wife tells me that Johnny Carson has passed away. This is the man who, because he did not want re-runs of the Best of the Tonight Show run on Saturday and Sunday nights, got the ball rolling towards Lorne Michaels starting SNL. I thought I'd post this, since most other blogs or news corporations will not write about this. It's just another accomplishment that Johnny made. A very big one at that!
Johnny Carson, late-night TV legend, dies at 79
(CNN) -- Johnny Carson, host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" for nearly 30 years, died Sunday of emphysema.
"He passed away this morning," Carson's nephew, Jeffrey Sotzing, told CNN.
Carson, a longtime smoker, was 79 and had announced in 2002 that he was suffering from the disease.
Carson was host of the late-night talk show from October 1, 1962, to May 22, 1992, taking over from Jack Paar and handing off to Jay Leno after 4,531 episodes.
"It is a sad day for his family and for the country," "Late Show" host David Letterman said in a statement Sunday. "He was the best -- a star and a gentleman."
Carson kept a low profile after leaving "The Tonight Show" in 1992.
"He has been greatly missed since his retirement" Letterman said. "Thank God for videotapes and DVDs. In this regard, he will always be around."
Born John William Carson on October 23, 1925, in Corning, Iowa, he is survived by his fourth wife, Alexis, and sons Christopher and Cory from his first marriage, to Joan "Jody" Wolcott. Another son, Richard, died in a car accident in 1991.
Despite decades on television, Carson was never open publicly with the details of his personal life.
"Nobody got to know him," said comedian Joan Rivers, who often substituted for Carson as a "Tonight Show" guest host. "He was very private."
Teenage magician
Carson began his show business career as a teenage magician and ventriloquist before serving in the Navy during World War II.
After the Navy, he attended the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1949 with a bachelor of arts degree.
While still in college, Carson took a job as an announcer with KFAB in Lincoln, Nebraska, and two years later moved to Los Angeles, California, where he took an announcer's job at KNXT-TV.
A year later, the boyish-looking budding comedian had his own show -- "Carson's Cellar" -- 15 minutes of poking fun at the news, on which Carson persuaded stars of the 1940s and 1950s to appear for free.
In the midst of the show's run, famed clown Red Skelton hired Carson as a writer -- and even put him on as host on live television when Skelton was injured during a rehearsal.
"The Johnny Carson Show" spent 39 weeks on CBS in 1955 and 1956, then he moved to New York, where he was host of ABC's quiz show "Who Do You Trust?" and met Ed McMahon, who became Carson's sidekick until Carson retired from "The Tonight Show" 35 years later.
Under Carson, "The Tonight Show" earned 42 Emmy nominations and won seven trophies. Carson picked up a Golden Globe nomination in 1975, three years after moving the show from New York to Hollywood.
Carson was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1987. An estimated 50 million people watched his final broadcast in 1992.
"And so it has come to this. I am one of the lucky people in the world. I found something that I always wanted to do and I have enjoyed every single minute of it," Carson said to close his final show. "I bid you a very heartfelt goodnight."
President George H.W. Bush awarded Carson the Medal of Freedom on December 11, 1992, and the following year he was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Award.
Carson's departure led to a bitter battle to replace him, between Letterman, whose "Late Night with David Letterman" followed "The Tonight Show" on NBC's schedule, and frequent guest host Jay Leno. Leno won and remains the host; Letterman jumped to CBS, where he is host of "The Late Show."
Who's Who of top comedians
Carson is credited with boosting the careers of numerous young comedians.
"The Carson show changed your life," Rivers said. "If Carson liked you, you were set. He got the bright comics. He picked the ones who were different, who were smart."
The list of other Carson alumni reads like a Who's Who of top comics -- Bill Cosby, David Brenner, Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin and Garry Shandling.
"He gave me a shot on his show and in doing so gave me a career," Letterman said. "A night doesn't go by that I don't ask myself, 'What would Johnny have done?'"
"All of us who came after are pretenders," Letterman said. "We will not see the likes of him again."
Rivers said she, too, owes her start -- and her later introduction to the man who became her husband -- to Carson.
"We all started on his show," Rivers said. "Every solid comedian today really got their break on the Carson show."
Carson had a special knack for putting people at ease, comedian Jackie Mason said.
"The nervousness never lasted more than a second because he was so congenial and comfortable," Mason said. "He made more stars on his show, probably, than anybody in the whole history of show business."
A guest's ability to make the host laugh was the sign of a successful appearance, said Dr. Joyce Brothers, who appeared on Carson's show about 90 times.
"If you made Johnny Carson laugh, the sun shone. It was such a triumph for you, and he was always, always kind," Brothers said. "[He] never said a cutting remark in all of the years that I watched the show, and I watched it for years and years, because it was fun to go to bed feeling happy and pleased."
"He was kindness personified," Brothers said.
Rivers called Carson "the best straight man in the business."
"Nobody in the world was like him," she said. "He was absolutely the best I've ever worked with."
But Rivers said Carson never spoke to her again after she left to start her own late-night show -- one of many challenges he fended off during his time on "The Tonight Show."
And Carson worked hard to maintain his privacy, Brothers said.
"He had his own entrance onto the stage," she said. "He had his own makeup room.
"You never spoke to him at all before the show. He didn't want the guests to say something funny, and then feel that they were too embarrassed to say it on air."
Peter Lassally, Carson's executive producer for 23 years, took credit for Carson's continuing to write jokes for Letterman until recently.
"It gave him great pleasure," Lassally told CNN. "He'd pick up the paper in the morning and could think of a dozen jokes and had no outlet for them, so I urged him to share them with America."
"He passed away this morning," Carson's nephew, Jeffrey Sotzing, told CNN.
Carson, a longtime smoker, was 79 and had announced in 2002 that he was suffering from the disease.
Carson was host of the late-night talk show from October 1, 1962, to May 22, 1992, taking over from Jack Paar and handing off to Jay Leno after 4,531 episodes.
"It is a sad day for his family and for the country," "Late Show" host David Letterman said in a statement Sunday. "He was the best -- a star and a gentleman."
Carson kept a low profile after leaving "The Tonight Show" in 1992.
"He has been greatly missed since his retirement" Letterman said. "Thank God for videotapes and DVDs. In this regard, he will always be around."
Born John William Carson on October 23, 1925, in Corning, Iowa, he is survived by his fourth wife, Alexis, and sons Christopher and Cory from his first marriage, to Joan "Jody" Wolcott. Another son, Richard, died in a car accident in 1991.
Despite decades on television, Carson was never open publicly with the details of his personal life.
"Nobody got to know him," said comedian Joan Rivers, who often substituted for Carson as a "Tonight Show" guest host. "He was very private."
Teenage magician
Carson began his show business career as a teenage magician and ventriloquist before serving in the Navy during World War II.
After the Navy, he attended the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1949 with a bachelor of arts degree.
While still in college, Carson took a job as an announcer with KFAB in Lincoln, Nebraska, and two years later moved to Los Angeles, California, where he took an announcer's job at KNXT-TV.
A year later, the boyish-looking budding comedian had his own show -- "Carson's Cellar" -- 15 minutes of poking fun at the news, on which Carson persuaded stars of the 1940s and 1950s to appear for free.
In the midst of the show's run, famed clown Red Skelton hired Carson as a writer -- and even put him on as host on live television when Skelton was injured during a rehearsal.
"The Johnny Carson Show" spent 39 weeks on CBS in 1955 and 1956, then he moved to New York, where he was host of ABC's quiz show "Who Do You Trust?" and met Ed McMahon, who became Carson's sidekick until Carson retired from "The Tonight Show" 35 years later.
Under Carson, "The Tonight Show" earned 42 Emmy nominations and won seven trophies. Carson picked up a Golden Globe nomination in 1975, three years after moving the show from New York to Hollywood.
Carson was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1987. An estimated 50 million people watched his final broadcast in 1992.
"And so it has come to this. I am one of the lucky people in the world. I found something that I always wanted to do and I have enjoyed every single minute of it," Carson said to close his final show. "I bid you a very heartfelt goodnight."
President George H.W. Bush awarded Carson the Medal of Freedom on December 11, 1992, and the following year he was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Award.
Carson's departure led to a bitter battle to replace him, between Letterman, whose "Late Night with David Letterman" followed "The Tonight Show" on NBC's schedule, and frequent guest host Jay Leno. Leno won and remains the host; Letterman jumped to CBS, where he is host of "The Late Show."
Who's Who of top comedians
Carson is credited with boosting the careers of numerous young comedians.
"The Carson show changed your life," Rivers said. "If Carson liked you, you were set. He got the bright comics. He picked the ones who were different, who were smart."
The list of other Carson alumni reads like a Who's Who of top comics -- Bill Cosby, David Brenner, Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin and Garry Shandling.
"He gave me a shot on his show and in doing so gave me a career," Letterman said. "A night doesn't go by that I don't ask myself, 'What would Johnny have done?'"
"All of us who came after are pretenders," Letterman said. "We will not see the likes of him again."
Rivers said she, too, owes her start -- and her later introduction to the man who became her husband -- to Carson.
"We all started on his show," Rivers said. "Every solid comedian today really got their break on the Carson show."
Carson had a special knack for putting people at ease, comedian Jackie Mason said.
"The nervousness never lasted more than a second because he was so congenial and comfortable," Mason said. "He made more stars on his show, probably, than anybody in the whole history of show business."
A guest's ability to make the host laugh was the sign of a successful appearance, said Dr. Joyce Brothers, who appeared on Carson's show about 90 times.
"If you made Johnny Carson laugh, the sun shone. It was such a triumph for you, and he was always, always kind," Brothers said. "[He] never said a cutting remark in all of the years that I watched the show, and I watched it for years and years, because it was fun to go to bed feeling happy and pleased."
"He was kindness personified," Brothers said.
Rivers called Carson "the best straight man in the business."
"Nobody in the world was like him," she said. "He was absolutely the best I've ever worked with."
But Rivers said Carson never spoke to her again after she left to start her own late-night show -- one of many challenges he fended off during his time on "The Tonight Show."
And Carson worked hard to maintain his privacy, Brothers said.
"He had his own entrance onto the stage," she said. "He had his own makeup room.
"You never spoke to him at all before the show. He didn't want the guests to say something funny, and then feel that they were too embarrassed to say it on air."
Peter Lassally, Carson's executive producer for 23 years, took credit for Carson's continuing to write jokes for Letterman until recently.
"It gave him great pleasure," Lassally told CNN. "He'd pick up the paper in the morning and could think of a dozen jokes and had no outlet for them, so I urged him to share them with America."
January 19, 2005
Oligopoly Fisticuffs in North Kansas City
Broadband Fisticuffs in North Kansas City
Written by Karl Bode
North Kansas City (not to be confused with Kansas City) officials believe broadband is a utility that should be provided to everyone. As such, they're taking casino revenues to build a city-wide fiber network, though Time Warner Cable lawyers may put an end to the project.
The idea was to create a fiber ring, which would not only serve businesses, but also provide networked video IP cameras to aid in law enforcement. Costing around $10 million dollars, the project was largely supported because it wasn't pulling from taxpayer funds, instead relying on the city's casino revenue.
After the initial connections, the project chief, Bob Jewell, hoped to create Wi-Fi networks accessible by city patrol cars. He even had plans for a city-wide easily accessible database for city building schematics, making it easier for city Fire departments to have a better understanding of building layouts before arrival.
Eventually, the city could turn to providing triple play services to city residents, including phone, cable and broadband internet. Such a move would allow the project to finance itself in the future without draining city coffers should casino revenue dry up.
But none of that may ever happen.
Time Warner Cable this week sued the city, claiming the plan violates state law. According to Missouri law, a municipal entity who plans on providing telecom services to consumers must put the plan to a vote. Who lobbied and doled out campaign contributions to state lawmakers to have that law put in place? SBC.
There's a reason Time Warner Cable and SBC love a public vote, and it isn't an affection for Democratic process.
Written by Karl Bode
North Kansas City (not to be confused with Kansas City) officials believe broadband is a utility that should be provided to everyone. As such, they're taking casino revenues to build a city-wide fiber network, though Time Warner Cable lawyers may put an end to the project.
The idea was to create a fiber ring, which would not only serve businesses, but also provide networked video IP cameras to aid in law enforcement. Costing around $10 million dollars, the project was largely supported because it wasn't pulling from taxpayer funds, instead relying on the city's casino revenue.
After the initial connections, the project chief, Bob Jewell, hoped to create Wi-Fi networks accessible by city patrol cars. He even had plans for a city-wide easily accessible database for city building schematics, making it easier for city Fire departments to have a better understanding of building layouts before arrival.
Eventually, the city could turn to providing triple play services to city residents, including phone, cable and broadband internet. Such a move would allow the project to finance itself in the future without draining city coffers should casino revenue dry up.
But none of that may ever happen.
Time Warner Cable this week sued the city, claiming the plan violates state law. According to Missouri law, a municipal entity who plans on providing telecom services to consumers must put the plan to a vote. Who lobbied and doled out campaign contributions to state lawmakers to have that law put in place? SBC.
There's a reason Time Warner Cable and SBC love a public vote, and it isn't an affection for Democratic process.
January 13, 2005
Updates...
Everything is going good with my radiation treatments. I go in and it takes about 10 minutes and I'm out. Still a little depressed about all of this, but trying to keep my hopes up.
Kimberly and I are going to join a gym this weekend. We need to get into shape. I've really let myself go. Kimberly got some of our family Christmas pictures back the other day and I look terrible. I actually teared up when I saw how big I was in the picture. We are both going to diet and I am not going on any fad diets. Just lots of vegetables, fruits, lean meats, no red meat, no processed foods, wheat breads and pastas, etc.
Kimberly and I are going to join a gym this weekend. We need to get into shape. I've really let myself go. Kimberly got some of our family Christmas pictures back the other day and I look terrible. I actually teared up when I saw how big I was in the picture. We are both going to diet and I am not going on any fad diets. Just lots of vegetables, fruits, lean meats, no red meat, no processed foods, wheat breads and pastas, etc.
January 7, 2005
AMERICAN DAD
AMERICAN DAD will be playing right after the Superbowl on FOX. This is a new animated series from the creators of the Family Guy.
FAMILY GUY
FAMILY GUY is going to be back for a 4th season. It's coming back to FOX. It's going to be AWESOME!!!
I've got Seasons 1 & 2 on DVD and the Freakin' Sweet Collection on DVD. I can watch this show over and over and still lmao!!!
I've got Seasons 1 & 2 on DVD and the Freakin' Sweet Collection on DVD. I can watch this show over and over and still lmao!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)