Trapped in a world he was not designed to cope with, Dave-El (the true Kryptonian name of alleged Earth creature David Long) writes about comics, Doctor Who, Star Trek, politics, the absurdity of the human condition and whatever other nonsense that befuddles his unbalanced mind.
This is.... I'M SO GLAD MY SUFFERING AMUSES YOU!
Here are the Christmas specials and holiday themed episodes that have been watched this holiday season here at the Fortress of Ineptitude
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The story of an ordinary green dude who just wants some goddam peace and quiet this Christmas! Is it too much to ask?
I'm rooting for the Grinch's wacky scheme to steal Christmas. Does that make me weird?
The Year Without a Santa Claus
Santa's just tired, y'all. Everyone just sort out Christmas among yourselves, OK?
I'm rooting for Santa to make retirement work. Does that make me weird?
Meanwhile...
Heat Miser Vs. Snow Miser! Battleground: North Carolina!
(Seriously! We've been freezing our asses off for 2 weeks now and Christmas Day? Forecast calls for a high near 70! What the hell people?)
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Hermie comes out as gay.... I mean, as a dentist.
I'm rooting for Abomniable Snowman to enjoy some deer meat. Does that make me weird?
A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter.
Last year I watched Sabrina's Netflix holiday special by myself.
This year, I chose to share it with inflict it on other people: wife Andrea, son Dean, friend Jan and dog Rosie. Andrea said that she liked it. Dean described the special as "a thing that exists that we watched."
I don't mean to suggest Dean is grumpy but he agrees with me about the Grinch.
_________________________
Here are some Christmas themed episodes I've watched this month.
Abbott Elementary
It's the last day of school before the winter Christmas break and it's time for the winter talent show. So naturally that's when the heating system dies in a violent spasm of smoke and busted water pipes. Abbott Elementary the building is closed for business.
Merry freakin' Christmas!
When the holiday break is over, classes will move to an abandoned mall. See y'all in January!
Sue Thomas F.B. Eye
Sue's mother comes to visit for Christmas and is an overbearing control freak and the normally kind and amiable Sue is pissed off. (Well, as pissed off as the star of a family friendly crime show is allowed to get.) Also we find out that although she is deaf, Sue can sing and play the piano.
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage
The McAllisters take the family to sunny Miami for Christmas. Which is washed out by a torrential rain.
Connor sums up the trip in song.
Ghosts
A double dose yuletide nonsense.
1) Thor arranges for Flower to possess Sam's body as a Christmas gift. Flower died while high as hell so her ghost is high as hell which means Sam is high as hell during her TV interview to promote her new book. And has a massive case of the munchies! Sam devours an entire ginger bread house on live national TV.
2) Sam wishes she never had the ability to see ghosts and Carol returns from the afterlife as an erzatz guardian angel to grant her wish. The Woodstone Manor B&B is doing better but much else is not.
Saturday Night Live
Ariana Grande hosted the Christmas episode this week and her monologue (set to Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas") is a lament on buying presents for people you barely know.
Cher was the musical guest who did a couple of holiday tunes including a kick ass version of "Run Run Rudolph". Not bad for a woman who is 79 years old! (Really? Really!)
The episode was also the last for cast member Bowen Yang.
Andrea wanted to stay up past weekend update for Bowen.
He got a silly but sweet send off in the 10 to 1 sketch about a guy serving eggnog at the airport for the last time.
And that is that for my holiday television viewing this year.
Up next week on the Tuesday TV Touchbase.
Did I keep my resolution to watch even more television? We'll take a look at the year that was.
Until next time, remember to be good to one another and try to keep it down in there, would ya? I'm trying to watch TV over here.
Donald Trump plopped his fat lying duplicitous dementia addled ass into North Carolina last week for one of his circle jerk rallies designed to help soothe his ego for a minute.
In Rocky Mount, the Trump faithful assembled with their stupid hats, their pale white faces and their vacant eyeballs to cheer on der Führer.
If you're worried about....
the high cost of food
the high cost of health care
the rising rate of unemployment
...well, don't worry! Donald J. Trump has got you covered.
None of that is happening! The evidence of your eyes is fake news and everything is great because Donald Trump is in charge and ONLY good things happen when der Führer is in charge.
His adoring cultists cheered even though most of them just come back from Wal-Mart where cheap shit costs more and the cheaper shit at Dollar General is going up too.
But who cares about that shit?
Donald Trump wanted to talk about something really important.
Melania's panties.
....
...
He what about who when where now?
Trump decided to rant and vent about his grievances over the FBI raid on Mar-A-Lago in 2022 during the investigation about Trump taking government documents he wasn't supposed to.
You know, the raid that found boxes of classified documents stored in bathrooms at Trump's very public Florida resort.
In scouring the joint looking for Li'l Donnie's ill-gotten government booty, one of the places the FBI looked was Melania's bedroom.
Including her underwear drawer.
I'll let Li'l Donnie tell the tale.
“Everything is perfect. Her undergarments, sometimes referred to as panties, are folded, perfect. Wrapped. They’re like, so perfect. I say, ‘That’s beautiful.’ You know, that’s the part of the world she came from. Everything was perfect, no problem. Fold, fold, fold. I think that she steams them.”
...
...
Yeah, that's crying out for some kind of commentary.
...
...
"I think she steams them"?
...
...
Well, I got nothing.
To the MAGA cultists of Rocky Mount who came out to cheer der Führer, I hope you feel better about the high cost of living secure in the very important knowledge that the FBI invaded Melania's panties.
And that, my friends, is the true meaning of Christmas.
You know Trump was all I AM PRESIDENT and I MADE EVERYTHING GREAT and I CAN SAY WHATEVER I WANT!
So he set up time on network television prime time to do just that.
One might cite his disastorous poll numbers as an excuse to assuage his ego with a nationwide address but since der Führer doesn't believe those polls anyway, I'm not sure that's it.
He tells anyone who listens that he's getting the best poll mumbers in the history of numbers since the Mesopotamian's developed the concept of counting in 3400 BC.
(Yep, I did some research. Or a cursory scan of Wikipedia on the subject of "numbers".)
Reality has a different point of view from Donald Trump and other people bringing up reality's persistent difference of opinion with Trump keeps der Führer in a constant state of irked.
When Trump is not venting his penchant for rage, he's indulging in pettiness.
The “Presidential Walk of Fame” was installed earlier this year with portraits of past Presidents. Except for Joe Biden whose portrait is a photo of an auto pen.
On I presume the taxpayer's dime, plaques were added to the portraits. Long, verbose plaques written in the style of Trump’s social media babbling.
Plaques that identify Joe Biden as the worst President in history, Barack Obama as the most devisive President, etc etc.
Even plaques that are ostensibly postive still manage a pro-Trump spin. Like the one for Ronald Reagan that extolls “he was a fan of President Donald J. Trump before President Trump’s historic run for the White House. Likewise, President Trump was a fan of his!”
Over on Trump's beloved Fox News, there was an objection to this level of petty trolling. Brian Kilmeade isn’t on board with this sort of thing.
Well, Li'l Donnie has one supporter at Fox News. Jesse Watters opined, "It’s his house for now. For the next three years ― maybe more. And so he can decorate it any way he wants.”
It is NOT his house, you asshole and it more imporantly, it is NOT his history to re-write.
__________________
Other people have things to say:
Click here for Amanda Marcotte's take on the Wednesday speech, the Walk of Fame and that goddam ballroom nobody wants.
And click here for David Remnick's post on Trump's bullshit effort to add his name to the Kennedy Center.
Yeah, that's a thing that's happening.
And sorry but the blog is not done with Donald Trump today.
Later today, Li'l Donnie addresses the all important topic of... panties?
For yesterday's movie post, we had a Korean pop group take on sinister demons.
For today's movie post, we have a Swedish group taking on rabid Australians.
First released in December 1977 in Australia and Sweden, it's ABBA: The Movie!
While I am a life long fan of ABBA going back to my kid-hood back in the 1970's, I had never seen ABBA: The Movie until earlier this year (2025).
Much like the platypus which is native to Australia, ABBA: The Movie! is a odd mish mash of a movie as a real world document of the smash Swedish pop quartet on tour in Australia merged with a fictional narrative about a radio DJ tasked with getting an up close and personal interview with ABBA.
Meet Ashley Wallace, a naïve DJ on Radio 2TW which is a country music station but that doesn't stop his boss from sending Ashley on a quest: get an in-depth interview ("Not an interview, a dialogue!") with ABBA.
Ashley is extraordinarily bad at his job.
He has no experience with doing interviews.
He forgets his press card so he can't get in to the press groups that follow ABBA to every appearance.
He can't get near the group at all.
He can't even finagle tickets to get into their concerts.
So we follow Ashley as he ineptly pursues his quest as the ABBA tour progresses across Australia.
The best Ashley can get are interviews with people on the street about why they love ABBA.
These fans are super excited that ABBA is in Australia and are just so giddy that they might just explode.
Articulating WHY they love ABBA so much? It essentially boils down to "WE JUST DO LOVE THEM SO!"
To be honest, I took would be hard pressed to explain why I am an ABBA fan.
I just am! Accept it!
Bow down before the ABBA!
Obey the ABBA!
Offer praise to the ABBA!
All hail the ABBA!
Concurrent to Ashley's shenanigans, we get clips of ABBA being ferried from one press event to another and looking more than a bit overwhelmed by all this extreme fan attention.
And we get to see ABBA in concert in various venues throughout Australia.
The playlist features ABBA's more well known hits:
"S.O.S."
"Money, Money, Money"
"Waterloo"
"Mamma Mia"
"When I Kissed the Teacher"
"Fernando"
"Dancing Queen"
There is a deep dive into songs only the most devoted ABBA fan would know.
"Tiger". Here's a clip of that song from the film in all it's glam rock glory.
"Intermezzo No. 1" which is a solo by keyboardist Benny Andersson.
"Rock Me", a deep cut with Björn Ulvaeus on lead vocals.
One song ABBA performed is unique to the movie sound track. "Get on the Carousel" was written as part of ABBA's mini-musical "Girl With the Golden Hair" but was never included on any of their albums.
Back to the silly side quest of radio DJ Ashley Wallace, on the final day of the ABBA tour of Australia, a chance encounter with ABBA in an elevator finally gives him the interview he's being struggling to get this entire movie.
ABBA: The Movie provides a snap shot of ABBA at the height of their power and fame. And seeing them in their all their gaudy costumed glory performing live.
I wish the director had not invested so much time in the side story of Ashley the DJ trying ineptly to score an interview and found some other narrative hook that would've allowed us to spend more time with Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.
ABBA, dance us off the blog page with "Dancing Queen".
Sometimes something happens in pop culture that is so pervasive, so ubiquitous, it becomes impossible to ignore.
Which brings us to the topic of today's movie post, KPop Demon Hunters.
"Golden", the hit singe from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, was a perpetual presence on pop music radio.
The women who give voice to the movie's KPop power trio were making the rounds of all the talk shows.
KPop Demon Hunters was present at this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.
The season premiere of Saturday Night Live had a sketch where Bad Bunny's character is obsessed with KPop Demon Hunters.
KPop Demon Hunters was everywhere.
And I didn't get it!
I was on the outside looking in.
When Dean suggested watching KPop Demon Hunters this summer, I said no.
When Thanksgiving rolled around, I was all "Fuck it! Let's watch this thing!"
With that ringing endorsement....
KPop Demon Hunters is the must see movie hit of the year! Dave-El of I'm So Glad My Suffering Amuses You says "Fuck it! Let's watch this thing!"
Here's today's Movie Time Post about KPop Demon Hunters.
It's plot exposition time!
There's a big bad known as Gwi-Ma.
He hungers for human souls.
His demons prey on humans.
They feed human souls to Gwi-Ma.
You got all that? Good!
(Or not. I don't care. I'm pushing on through.)
A trio of women rose up!
They hunt the demons!
They fight the demons!
They sing to the demons!
Wait! Who does what to who with what now?
Their singing voices form a magical barrier called the Honmoon!
Mystic power of the Honmoon acts to
repulse
resist
fight
deflect
turn back
fend off
withstand
oppose
stave off
beat off
ward off
defy
hold off
rebuff
...demons!
Over generations, trios of women singers stand as the ultimate line of defense against demons with the ultimate goal of creating a Golden Honmoon which will permanently seal off Earth from demons forever!
Wow! That's a lot of backstory and we haven't started the movie yet.
In the present, the K-pop girl group Huntrix—composed of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey—are the latest demon-hunting trio.
Plot twist! Rumi is part demon!
Rumi is keeping her demon attributes (such as strange tatoo-like markings on the skin) hidden from everyone including her best friends in Huntrix. Rumi is filled with anxiety and self-loathing about being part demon. She is anxious to launch the Golden Honmoon, believing it will obliterate her demon side forever.
Huntrix does appear to be on a glide path to their goal of creating the Golden Honmoon. Huntrix is incredibly popular with a vast and insanely devoted fan base.
Nothing can stop them now!
Except...
The Saja Boys, a rival K-pop boy band.
Well, what's the harm? A little healthy competition never hurt anyone.
Except...
The Saja Boys are demons!
Oh no!
The Saja Boy are lead by Jinu, a human-turned-demon. In exchange for stopping Huntrix from creating the Golden Honmoon, Gwi-Ma promises to erase Jinu's painful human memories.
Rumi and Jinu have a one-on-one encounter, demon hunter vs. demon! The fight is ON!
Except...
Maybe not.
Because of their mutual duo natures of demon + humanity, Rumi and Jinu click on an emotional level.
Is it... love?
Or is Jinu playing Rumi for a sucker?
Long story made short, things get worse before they get better.
Wouldn't be much of a movie if they didn't.
KPop Demon Hunters is a remarkable movie.
The animation pops with a vibrant use of color, innovative designs and powerful staging for action sequences.
The story works on the basic level of good vs. evil but there are deeper themes to be found. Rumi's struggles with her identity, over who she really is and her concerns of being accepted or outcast. This storyline resonates quite strongly.
And there's the not so small matter of music. Even if you're not a fan of K-pop, the tunes are catchy and are actually integral to the plot.
Thanks to Dean and peer pressure from nearly all of America to convince me to watch KPop Demon Hunters. It is not necessarily a movie I would've chosen on my own but I'm glad I got a chance to experience this most interesting and distinctive film.
As we celebrate the Christmas season with Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir.
Better and more simply known as Laufey.
Laufey is a singer-songwriter and musician from Iceland, employing a blend of genres such as jazz pop, classical and bossa nova.
The first clip for today's post is a performance of a song called Christmas Magic from The Graham Norton Show.
Hey kids! Sing along with Laufey! (Lyrics are below the link.)
Let me tell you
About Christmas magic
It’s a wondrous thing to behold
When the snow starts falling
And lover’s calling
For you to put on your coat
Let me show you
Christmas Magic
It’s the best kind of sorcery I know
With the angels singing and sleigh bells ringing
Grandma’s underneath the mistletoe
Reindeer flying past the moon
Oh saint nick will be here soon
But don’t be alarmed
It’s all part of Christmas charm
Now you know all about Christmas magic
You can tell this tale on your own
When it turns December, you must remember
Christmas magic
Christmas magic is here at home
Reindeer flying past the moon
Oh Saint Nick will be here soon
But don’t be alarmed
It’s all a part of Christmas charm
Now you know all about Christmas magic
You can tell this tale on your own
When it turns December, you must remember
This magic
Christmas magic
Magic magic
Christmas magic
Christmas magic is here at home
But WAIT! There's MORE!
Here's a performance by Laufey from 2024's Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve!
From the whole gang here (that's just me!) at I'm So Glad My Suffering Amuses You, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
And I mean that sincerely. This is no "laufing" matter.
