Davy Jones Dead at 66

It's always harder to write these things when it's someone you like, and this is a rough one, compounded by death at such a young age. This morning actor, singer, songwriter and musician, among other things, Davy Jones, passed away from a heart attack in Florida. He was 66.

His career began early, acting in the British soap "Coronation Street," and even working as a jockey before landing the role of the Artful Dodger in "Oliver!" on the West End stage in London. The cast performed on the same "Ed Sullivan Show" that the Beatles made their first American appearance, and after seeing them, Jones knew what he wanted to do with his life. He moved from British TV to American TV and was eventually cast as one of the Monkees, both on television, in the recording studio, and on the concert stage.

The Monkees broke up in 1971, and Davy Jones made a legendary appearance on "The Brady Bunch," one which he recreated for the movie that came decades later. The Monkees reunited for a series of reunion tours, starting in the mid-1980s. I had the opportunity to meet the man twice on these tours. He was always polite, funny, and pleasant and gracious to his fans, no matter what they did to him, wanted him to sign, or embarrassed him with. He was a good guy. We have lost a legend, and probably the king of the teen idols. He'll be missed.

Comic Book Men

AMC wanted to cash in on "The Walking Dead" so bad that I guess they accepted any show about comic books. Now don't get me wrong, I am a hardcore Kevin Smith fan, but "Comic Book Men" is, on many levels, a disappointment.

Unless Kevin Smith himself doesn't know what he wants this show to be, it seems to be suffering from a lot of outside, or possibly even inside interference. It's all over the place. Sometimes it wants to be a reality show, sometimes a bad imitation of "Hardcore Pawn" and other shows of its ilk, sometimes an extension of Smith himself, sometimes a podcast on video, and sometimes just an outright commercial for the Secret Stash store, Smith, and/or AMC. Could they really get any more Smith or Walking Dead merch in the camera frames?

Having frequented comic book shops all my life, I can tell you, that except for the guy who doesn't work there and never leaves, this is sooo not like a comic book shop. They did however have to clean up the Secret Stash, which was a relief. I've been there, they cleaned, believe me. The occasion of folks coming in wanting sell stuff doesn't happen all that often, neither do hockey games, or sadly women in the shops. And of course that's the other thing that bugs me about it, the supposedly unscripted employees are more than a little sexist - perhaps they should be scripted.

Maybe they could focus on the buying comics from customers concept, or the roundtable podcast concept, or just make it Kevin Smith-centric - I really enjoyed the Jason Mewes/Batmobile episode. Maybe it could be cut down to a half-hour, but it must focus, and pick a direction. Sadly the one thing I enjoy about visiting a comics shop, talking comics, has only been featured once, and they mocked it. To me that's what the show should be about, sans ridicule. If you're fanboys (and girls), embrace it!

Right now, we're three episodes into a six-episode run. I hope it gets better, and finds its center. It would be nice to have a geek home on television, especially smack between "The Walking Dead" and "Talking Dead."

Avengers Vs. X-Men Pregame Thoughts at Biff Bam Pop!

My most recent article at Biff Bam Pop! reviews my thoughts on the upcoming Marvel Comics event "The Avengers Vs. the X-Men," the past confrontations between the teams, the reasons behind the upcoming conflict, and anything else that crosses my mind. Check it out here.

My Oscar Picks for This Year

Okay, first off, yes, I have been lax this year with The Oscars. I am hesitant to admit this, but I really haven't even taken a good look at the nominees until earlier this week. Nevertheless, I will take a shot a predicting the Academy Awards - both what will win, as well as what should win. And just to remind all you other latecomers, check out the nominees here.

Best original Screenplay - I want Woody Allen for Midnight in Paris which I thought was brilliant, but it will probably go to The Artist.

Best Original Song - Of the choices, it's "Man or Muppet." Only two songs nominated? Really?? And only one from The Muppets??? What about the songs in Captain America or Bunraku?

Best Animated Film - Nothing deserving was nominated, and the three I saw were abysmal. For the first time in quite a few years, I don't care about this category.

Best Supporting Actor - Is it time for Nick Nolte to win this year? Plummer and von Sydow deserve it, but I think it'll go to Nolte, just a hunch.

Best Supporting Actress - I looove Janet McTeer, and would love to see her get this, but I think one of the ladies from The Help will take this one.

Best Actor - I only saw Clooney and DuJardin, but I'm still going to say the latter.

Best Actress - Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady. It's her turn again.

Best Director - If Martin Scorsese doesn't get this for Hugo, it will be a crime. Not only will the Academy admit they know nothing about direction, they nothing about film either.

Best Picture - The Help and Midnight in Paris were my favorite movies of the year in this batch, The Artist and Hugo are wonderful love letters to film itself, but I'm going to say they give it to The Help.

Check back later and see how I did. What are your picks?

Closing Out the Blog Tour, and More

If you read yesterday's blog entry about The Hungry Heart Stories virtual book tour, you know that I am giving away a copy of the book to the best comment or question by a reader along the tour stops. I will be awarding this prize on Friday, March 2, so there is still time to make your mark and add a comment to any of the stops.

Here are the stops for THE HUNGRY HEART STORIES Blog Tour:

"Writing - Art - Metaphysics" by Shelley Szajner, her interview can be found here.

"Becca Butcher's Blog" by Becca Butcher, you can check out the tour with Becca here, here, here, here and the interview here. Yeah, Becca rocked the house when it came to promoting this tour. Thank you! ((hugs))

"Gilbert Curiosities" by Marie Gilbert features the author interview here and the review here.

"The Author-in-Training" by Mieke Zamora-Mackay has an interview with Fran about inspiration here.

"A Reference of Writing Rants or "Learn from My Mistakes"" by Jennifer M. Eaton, you can find her unique and entertaining interview here.

"The Dream Between" by Robin Renee, see her thoughts here.

"Literary Debauchery" by Krista Magrowski, the review can be found here.

And here at Welcome to Hell, I talk about Fran, the book, and the blog tour here, here, and here.

And make sure to check out all of the above blogs, and not just for the tour. They are all by terrific, talented writers and artists with much to say.

THE HUNGRY HEART STORIES is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and from the publisher Wilderness House Press.