The Mental Nomad Podcast: Podsafe music from all over the world. Pod Across America: A journey across America, one state at a time. And other feats yet to be revealed.
Today is Kalevala Day, the day of Finnish culture. John Wesley chartered the Methodist Church this day in 1784. The first vaudeville theater opened in Boston this day in 1883. American gangster Bugsy Siegel was born this day in 1906. Cartoonist Milton Caniff (whose works included the adventure strips Terry and the Pirates and Steve Canyon) was born this day in 1907. Actor Zero Mostel was born this day in 1915. Writer Henry James died this day in 1916. Actor Charles Durning was born this day in 1923. Fordham University faced the University of Pittsburgh in the first televised basketball game this day in 1940. Actress Kelly Bishop was born this day in 1944. Nobel-winning economist Paul Krugman was born this day in 1953. The Four Seasons' "Walk Like a Man" topped the U.S. singles chart this day in 1963. Train frontman Patrick Monahan was born this day in 1969. Author Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) was born this day in 1970. Model-turned-actress Ali Larter was born this day in 1976. Czech model Karolína Kurková (you're welcome for the link) was born this day in 1984. The first Gulf War ended this day in 1991, and Irish actress Sarah Bolger was born the same day. Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle's "A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme)" was the No. 1 single in the U.S. this day in 1993. Historian, political commentator and former Kennedy White House staffer Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. died this day in 2007. And legendary radio broadcaster Paul Harvey died this day in 2009.
Roman emperor Constantine I was born this day in 272 C.E. Washington, D.C., was placed under the jurisdiction of Congress this day in 1801 under the District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801. American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born this day in 1807. English poet Lord Byron gave his first speech in the House of Lords this day in 1812, defending Luddite attacks on Nottinghamshire. The Dominican Republic became independent from Haiti this day in 1844. German singer Lotte Lehmann was born this day in 1888. American contralto Marian Anderson was born this day in 1897. Nobel-winning writer John Steinbeck was born this day in 1902. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld women's right to vote in the Leser v. Garnett decision this day in 1922. Jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon was born this day in 1923. Actress Joanne Woodward was born this day in 1930. Consumer advocate and author Ralph Nader -- who really should have quit when he was ahead in terms of presidential runs -- was born this day in 1934, as was actor Van Williams (TV's Green Hornet). The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified this day in 1951, limiting presidents to two terms or 10 years in office. English actor Timothy Spall was born this day in 1957. American actor Adam Baldwin was born this day in 1962. Canadian actor Donal Logue was born this day in 1966.
*cut it down or keep going? I think you know the answer*
The Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday" topped the U.S. singles chart this day in 1967. American singer Frankie Lymon died this day in 1968. British "psychological illusionist" Derren Brown was born this day in 1971. Members of the American Indian Movement began an occupation of Wounded Knee, S.D., this day in 1973; Marvel Comics artist Bill Everett (co-creator of Daredevil and Namor the Sub-Mariner) died the same day. People magazine published its first issue this day in 1974. Presidential daughter Chelsea Clinton was born this day in 1980. Singer Josh Groban was born this day in 1981. Celebrity crush Kate Mara was born this day in 1983. Debbie Gibson's "Lost in Your Eyes" was the top single in the U.S. this day in 1989. Actress Lillian Gish died this day in 1993. Film heavy J.T. Walsh died this day in 1998; Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" topped the U.S. singles chart the same day. Children's TV host Fred Rogers died this day in 2003.
Name:Isla Fisher (images) Hometown: Born in Oman and raised in Australia, according to her Wikipedia entry Best Known For: Comedic roles in films like Wedding Crashers, Hot Rod, Confessions of a Shopaholic and Definitely, Maybe. Humble Beginnings: Fisher starred in Australian soaps before heading to the northern hemisphere. She donned a blonde wig to appear in the live-action, animation-duo Scooby-Doo as a (dog-allergic) love interest for Shaggy.
Obligatory Edgy Stuff: She's engaged to controversial comic Sacha Baron Cohen and has a daughter with him. Why Ye Olde Podcaster Likes Her: A beautiful redhead with legs that go all the way up and a great sense of comic timing as well. How could you look at that face and resist? Shameless Commerce: Amazon and iTunes links follow. Any affiliate payments earned from your purchase or rental will help pay the hosting fees for my podcasts, so please consider clicking.
English dramatist Christopher Marlowe was born this day in 1564. French writer Victor Hugo was born this day in 1802. Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from exile on the island of Elba this day in 1815. American frontiersman William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody was born this day in 1846. President Abraham Lincoln signed the National Currency Act this day in 1863. Cartoonist Tex Avery was born this day in 1908. Actor, writer, composer and comedian Jackie Gleason was born this day in 1916. The Original Dixieland Jass Band recorded the first known jazz record this day in 1917. Writer Theodore Sturgeon was born this day in 1918. Congress set up most of the Grand Canyon as a national park this day in 1919; Grand Teton National Park was created this day in 1929. American singer and cultural icon Johnny Cash was born this day in 1932. American crime novelist Elizabeth George was born this day in 1949. Comic book editor Karen Berger was born this day in 1958. Canadian actor Currie Graham was born this day in 1967. National Public Radio incorporated as a nonprofit corporation this day in 1970. American singer Erykah Badu was born this day in 1971. English singer Corinne Bailey Rae was born this day in 1979. The World Trade Center was bombed this day in 1993. Truth-telling American comedian Bill Hicks died this day in 1994. The Taliban took a break from oppressing women and girls to dynamite two giant Buddha statutes in Bamyan, Afghanistan, this day in 2001. And character actor Lawrence Tierney died this day in 2002.
This actress doesn't have a ton of screen credits, and as such she might be a better pick for a short-takes entry, but I have a feeling she's going to be a breakout star. So I'll give her an entry of her own, on the chance I'll eventually look prophetic.
Name:Magda Apanowicz (images | Web site | Twitter) Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia, according to her Wikipedia profile Best Known For: Magda co-stars on the science fiction drama Caprica as Lacy Rand, the best friend of the late Zoe Graystone, the angry teen who ends up being the mother of the Cylon race seen decades later on Battlestar Galactica.
Previously, she played a supporting role on the ABC Family teen science fiction drama Kyle XY and starred in a Lifetime TV movie called Every Second Counts. Humble Beginnings: Early work included appearances on the Canadian series Cold Squad and the science fiction series Jeremiah and John Doe. She's also guest-starred on The L Word, the revamped Bionic Woman and the TV remake of The Andromeda Strain, and she was in the film The Butterfly Effect. Obligatory Edgy Stuff: She saw Pulp Fiction when she was 10 and decided she wanted to be an actress.
Why Ye Olde Podcaster Likes Her: Besides being an attractive young woman (though still largely playing teen roles, she's 24), Magda brings an earnestness and realism to characters even amid a milieu of the extraordinary. On Kyle XY, she was a cancer survivor living alongside super-powered teenagers; on Caprica, she's the girl trying to make up for letting her best friend down and unsure who she can trust. Shameless Commerce: Amazon and iTunes links follow. Any affiliate payments earned from your purchase or rental will help pay the hosting fees for my podcasts, so please consider clicking.
Pope Pius V excommunicated England's Queen Elizabeth I this day in 1570. Hiram Rhodes Revels became the first African American member of the U.S. Congress when the Mississippi Republican was sworn into office this day in 1870 (when the Republicans were good guys and not racist thugs, remember). Comic actor Zeppo Marx was born this day in 1901. The area now called Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve was established in Alaska this day in 1925. Gilligan's Island co-star and Mr. Magoo voice actor Jim Backus was born this day in 1913. English author Anthony Burgess was born this day in 1917. Bluegrass singer Ralph Stanley was born this day in 1927. Rock guitar guru George Harrison was born this day in 1943. Velvet Underground bassist and later (post-Lou Reed) frontman Doug Yule was born this day in 1947. Irish director Neil Jordan was born this day in 1950. American musician and actor John Doe was born this day in 1954. Actor Alexis Denisof and actress Téa Leoni were both born this day in 1966. Actor Sean Astin was born this day in 1971. Actor Anson Mount was born this day in 1973 and went to high school with guys Ye Olde Podcaster knows. Celebrity crush Rashida Jones was born this day in 1976. Playwright Tennessee Williams died this day in 1983. Amnesty International founder Peter Benenson died this day in 2005. Actor Darren McGavin died this day in 2006.
Sorry I've sorta lagged on these lately -- launching a new blog and a Twitter feed has taken up a bit of time.
Name:Tania Raymonde (images) Hometown: Born and raised in Los Angeles, according to her Wikipedia entry Best Known For: She played the recurring role of Alex Rousseau on Lost for the first several seasons, and before that had a recurring role on Malcolm in the Middle. Most recently she played a love interest for Danny Pino's character on Cold Case.
In 2006, she wrote, directed and edited a short film called Cell Division.
Guest roles include The Guardian, C.S.I. New York, The Cleaner and others. Obligatory Edgy Stuff: She's 21; she dated actor Jeff Goldblum, who's more than twice her age, and appeared with him in an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. The Courteney Cox Factor: She's appeared in at least two music videos: "Won't Go Home Without You" by Maroon 5 (2007) and "I Couldn't Love You" by Cursive (2009).
Why Ye Olde Podcaster Likes Her: The lips, the hair, the cleavage ... this mixture of French and Russian ancestry is smoldering. Shameless Commerce: Amazon and iTunes links follow. Any affiliate payments earned from your purchase or rental will help pay the hosting fees for my podcasts, so please consider clicking.
See today's Bizarro Files for a more in-depth look at history than usual for the Midday Distraction's show notes; click below to buy music from Jonathan Coulton and other artists, with commissions helping keep my show going after I lose my job in April.
Today is Independence Day in Estonia, Flag Day in Estonia, National Artist Day in Thailand, and Dragobete in Romania.
Entering the world on this date in history: German folklorist and philologist Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859), America actor Abe Vigoda (born in 1921), actor Steven Hill (1922), actor and singer Dominic Chianese (1931), walking disgrace Joe "Traitor Joe" Lieberman (1942), English singer Paul Jones (of Manfred Mann, born 1942), American actor Edward James Olmos (1947), singer and blues-rock guitarist George Thorogood (1950), Canadian actress and director Helen Shaver (1951), American computer pioneer Steve Jobs (1955), comic Mitch Hedberg (1968-2005), actress and singer Bonnie Somerville (born 1974, seen at right, who sadly joined NYPD Blue after its nudity was more or less over), and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (born 1977).
Passings on this date include American magazine publisher Malcolm Forbes (1917-1990), actress and singer Dinah Shore (1916-1994), English-born comic Henny Youngman (1906-1998), American author and MacArthur Foundation fellow Octavia Butler (1947-2006), and American actors Don Knotts and Dennis Weaver (both born in 1924, both died in 2006).
Happenings and Hits on This Date:
Big day for opera: One of the first works recognized as an opera, Claudio Monteverdi'sL'Orfeo, had its debut on this date in 1607. And on this day in 1711, George Frideric Handel debuted his Rinaldo, the first Italian opera written for the London stage.
The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, the first treaty under the genocidal Indian Removal Act, was proclaimed on this date in 1831. Mississippi's Choctaws were forced to give up territory east of the Mississippi River in exchange for a pittance and some dusty land out west.
The first Mardi Gras parade with floats was held this day in 1868 in New Orleans. On the same day, President Andrew Johnson was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives, the first president to be impeached; he was later acquitted by the Senate.
The Iranian religious leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini offered a $3 million bounty for the death of The Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie on this date in 1989. (Rushdie is still alive and well, and the reaction of extremists only helped boost his career.)
And Fidel Castro retired as Cuba's president two years ago today, after 50 years in the position. His brother, Raoul Castro, succeeded him in the leadership role, though Fidel and his magnificent beard still pop up from time to time to share their thoughts and generally mock whoever's in the White House at the time.
The Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon (the Khutbatul Wada') this day in 632. This is also the traditional date of the 1455 publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first book published with movable type. German-British Baroque composer Georg Friedrich Handel was born this day in 1685. English poet John Keats died this day in 1821. The Battle of the Alamo began in San Antonio on this day in 1836. American civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois was born this day in 1868. Cuba leased Guantánamo Bay to America "in perpetuity" this day in 1903. The world's first service club, the Rotary Club, was formed this day in 1905 in Chicago. American actress Majel Barrett Rodenberry was born this day in 1932. Actor Peter Fonda was born this day in 1940. Comic book writer Doug Moench was born this day in 1948. The first mass polio inoculation of children with Jonas Salk's vaccine happened in Pittsburgh this day in 1954. British singer Howard Jones was born this day in 1955. English musician David Sylvian was born this day in 1958. American actress Kristin Davis was born this day in 1965; British-born comic actor Stan Laurel died the same day. Actor Neal McDonough was born this day in 1966. British actress and possible future celebrity crush entrant Kelly Macdonald was born this day in 1976. English actress Emily Blunt and Indian-American comic Aziz Ansari were both born this day in 1983. Actress Dakota Fanning was born this day in 1994 and seems, amazingly, to be one actress whose parents have allowed her to be a normal teenager. And writer James Herriot died this day in 1995.
Courtesy of Ariel Publicity, here's an artist who has opened for Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty.
