Bruce Littlefield's Life 101 » Pop Culture Pop-Up

Holidays – Groundhog!

Bruce Littlefield — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:45:21 +0000

Happy (?) Groundhog’s Day, the day Punxsutawney Phil climbs out of his burrow in Pennsylvania at 7:20 a.m. in front of a crowd of 40,000 visitors to predict whether winter will “end” early. Today, he scurried back inside, indicating we’ve got another 6 weeks. But, um, he’s accurate only 39% of the time, which means he’s running neck and neck with meteorologists. Here’s my Groundhog’s Day predictions: It’s always my friend Karen’s birthday. (Happy birthday, Karen!) AND it is my day to announce to the groundhogs who have declared my barn their condo that “you will be evicted in 6 weeks!” So, you better start packing.

American Fun – Pac-Man Reality Show

Bruce Littlefield — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:48:52 +0000

Attention all Pac-Man lovers! (Wait, is there anyone who didn’t love playing that game?) The beloved arcade game of the ’80s is being resurrected – as a reality-TV show! In honor of the game’s 30th anniversary, Merv Griffin Entertainment is working on a new show that would bring Pac-Man to life. So what should we expect? According to Merv Griffin’s president of TV, they’re bringing “the world’s biggest game of tag to television.” Let’s hope it lasts longer than the Pac-Man cartoon series did!

Pop Culture Pop-Up – Human Tetris

Bruce Littlefield — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:19:10 +0000

French-Swiss artist Guillaume Reymond is pure genius. His video performance pieces take pop culture icons and turn them into performance spectacles. Watch his interpretation of the game Tetris played by real human-beings sitting in an auditorium and shot stop-motion. I guarantee you’ll be a new fan and want to visit his site NotSoNoisy to see more of his cleverness.

Life 101 – A smile a day in 2011

Bruce Littlefield — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 14:48:18 +0000

As we head toward New Year’s, I thought I’d post one of the most iconic commercials of all time and suggest you join me in resolving to make at least one person smile a day in 2011. I don’t believe resolutions should feel overwhelming, impossible, or cause you to starve or go thirsty. More on my resolution ideas later in the week, but for now just watch and smile. (Also, you might have noticed I’m posting once a day this week. I’m trying to take it easy. I hope you are getting some rest too! Next week, my resolution is to be back at it full throttle with all things American fun!)

Famous Dogs – Lassie

Bruce Littlefield — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:38:52 +0000

You could always count on Lassie. And Lassie #2. And Lassie #3. And so on.

Whether it was a fire in the barn or a neighborhood kid who’d fallen through thin ice, you could count on Lassie, one of pop culture’s most famous dogs. Lassie’s character is based on Eric Knight’s short story, Lassie Come-Home, which was later expanded to a novel and published in 1940. In 1943, MGM produced a film by the same title, and Lassie was played by Pal, a male rough collie. A California native, Pal starred in six Lassie films during his career, and he retired in 1954 after shooting two pilots for the Lassie TV series. Pal’s descents continue to play Lassie, even long after their great-great-grandfather went to the big dog park in the sky. How’s that for a feel-good ending?

American Fun – Cookie Monster

Bruce Littlefield — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:04:17 +0000

Hey Lorne, let Cookie Monster host Saturday Night Live!

Sesame Street is getting so clever. Tell me how to get to pop culture mainstream! First, there was that Katy Perry boobie thing, then I hear Lady Gaga is going to do the Muppet movie… and today the Street has posted video of Cookie Monster performing on Saturday Night Live, complete with a monologue, MacGruber, Fake News, and a Monster Gaga performance. If you like it, join the one of the millions who will obviously support the Facebook campaign to let Cookie Monster host. Betty White who?

Dinner Party Talk – Beatles on iTunes

Bruce Littlefield — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:17:51 +0000

From across the pond to your computer.

After several years of negotiation and red tape, The Beatles have arrived on iTunes. You could say Apple met Apple yesterday, since The Beatles record label is called Apple Records. Apple made a huge deal about the release, calling it a day you’ll never forget. I’m not sure how I feel about The Beatles songs being proffered individually; I tend to be of the school of thought that The Beatles should be consumed as full albums, not as singles. Looks like many iTuners are in agreement– Beatles albums dominate the top 50 in iTunes album sales, with Abbey Road leading the race.

Gossip! – Gwyneth Paltrow does Glee

Bruce Littlefield — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:38:36 +0000

Gwyn guest stars on Tuesday's Glee when she fills in as a sub for Mr. Schuester.

Gwyneth Paltrow doing Cee Lo’s “Forget You” this week on Glee is, as NY Mag puts it, “undeniably great.” After last week’s awesome all-guy rendition of “Teenage Dream” (which is now a huuuuge You Tube sensation-over 1.5 million views!), it looks like season two might be better than we expected after a few lackluster, plotless earlier episodes. I love me some Lea Michelle, but it’s great to see somebody other than Rachel Barry hogging the Glee spotlight. You go Gwyn! And I hear you’re working on a new book, “My Father’s Daughter,” with recipes and tales of growing up as Bruce Paltrow’s daughter. Cheers to that!

American Fun – Snow White remix

Bruce Littlefield — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:38:14 +0000

Fresh, unique and as the DailyWhat says, a “Feast For The Senses.” Do your day a favor and listen to the magic of dice-master Pogo. He slices, dices and creates a menu of visual and auditory deliciousness. His latest, “Wishery,” chops up Disney’s Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs into whimsical delight. I’m a new fan! Check out what he’s done with some of your other childhood favorites.

Gossip! – Katy Perry on December Harper’s Bazaar

Bruce Littlefield — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:46:39 +0000

Katy Perry on the upcoming holiday issue of Harper's Bazaar

Between releasing a hit album chock full of songs that are constantly stuck in everybody’s heads, causing hoopla on Sesame Street and marrying Russell Brand in India, Katy Perry’s been a busy girl. Luckily, though, she had time to pop by Harper’s Bazaar for a photoshoot, and her December cover is gorgeous and sparkly and everything I want in my holiday mag cover. I love her colorful highlights and outlandish fingernails, but she definitely classed it up for Bazaar. Love it, Katy! And congrats on your wedding. Keep that Russell on a leash.