Meet Rick Lax!

Happy #FridayFunny!

Here is one of the funniest pranks I’ve seen, thanks to a really funny prankster named Rick Lax!

Rick Lax is a Magician and Entertainer, as well as the Author of three books. He also created the TV show “Wizard Wars”, which aired on Syfy in 2014.

Lax has a Facebook fan page, and one also called “Rick Lax Has Friends” – and someone shared this hilarious “snake attack” prank – just take a look and see for yourself:

I will admit that I would have a heart attack if this was done to me – but boy is it funny!

It’s also a great thing to share with friends on social media as well…and speaking of funny clips to share:

Yes, nothing beats live news bloopers, and here is just one of the stories I’ve shared about them, the story of two feuding News Anchors:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/06/24/anchor-catfights-f-bombs-galore-local-news-is-live/

Yes, they pulled the clip down but there are plenty more to laugh at!

Experience Life As A “Sea Gypsy!”

Can you imagine living your entire life on the water? Well, for a number of nomadic tribes, that is their entire world! Look at this “small town”:

Pic: Copyright Timothy Allen http://www.humanplanet.com

This fascinates me – and I discovered this story by surfing the internet – thanks to the terrific Daily Mail website, I learned about these unique “sea gypsies”:

As The Daily Mail reports:

“These fascinating images reveal what life is like for the Bajau people – a nomadic tribe who spend their lives on the water.
The group have been dubbed ‘sea gypsies’ thanks to the fact they continue to live a seaborne lifestyle off the coast of Borneo.”

The story continues:

“The Bajau people have severed ties with the mainland, instead choosing to live a nomadic lifestyle on the open ocean.
Standing on stilts above the lapping waves, the Bajau built an off-shore community that relies solely on the ocean to survive.
Instead of learning about algebra or science, the Bajau children are given a net and taught to catch fish, octopus and lobsters off their unique handmade boats.
The children reportedly spend so much time in the ocean that their eyes have adjusted to see more clearly underwater and much like sea sickness for those who live on land, they also experience ‘land sickness’ when they leave the water.”

Thanks to The Daily Mail for this great story, their website is always filled with fascinating and wild wild wild stories!

You can read the entire story, with more great photos, here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5421701/Fascinating-images-reveal-lives-Bajau-sea-gypsies.html

Recently, I read this great book about living in paradise like this:

Could you imagine life on a South Seas island? Well, one young teacher tried it, and he wrote all about the experience – you can see that story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2018/02/08/surviving-paradise-a-year-on-a-south-pacific-island-blue-lagoons-swaying-coconut-trees-millions-of-flies-lost-in-the-middle-of-the-pacific-ocean/

Let me know if you could handle life on the water as a “Sea Gypsy!”

Welcome To The “Original” Ninja Warrior Course In Japan!

It’s the world’s most difficult obstacle course – a test of strength, agility and endurance – a course so hard that in the first 23 competitions, only 3 Athletes had ever achieved “total victory” – yes, it’s the original “Ninja Warrior” course in Japan!

I was able to travel to Japan for the taping of several Ninja Warrior competitions when it aired on G4 – which are known there as “Sasuke”, thanks to the incredible people at the Tokyo Broadcasting System:

I was there with Kevin Pereira and Olivia Munn, who were hosting shows for G4, and we got a shot that night from the starting platform. Alison Haislip was also hosting, and I captured shots of her shooting interviews during the course construction with the great camera team of Mike Dunn and Aaron Murray:

And since Alison was always the nicest person to work with, she was willing to pose for me as well:

Behind The Scenes Of “Ninja Warrior!”

It was fun to be on the set while all four stages of the obstacle course were being built, and the show creators also put up some smaller obstacles for fans to try.

There was a smaller version of the “net jump” built, and my great Producer John Hill decided to give it a try:

Oops!

Well, he was brave enough to give it a shot and just BARELY missed – and it really is harder than it looks!

Kevin and Olivia then had to climb to the top of Stage 4, the legendary “Mt. Midoriama”, in order to film standups….it’s quite a climb up stairs, and to make sure they were safe, they were tethered by a rope to the railings the entire time!

Filming “Ninja Warrior”…

Early in the morning on competition day, all one hundred competitors arrive, sign in, get their number to run, and then wait to race…and some show up like this:

The coolest thing is when all one hundred competitors are put in front of “Mt. Midoriama” to pose before the competition begins:

The one hundred competitors a re a mix of gifted Athletes and some “fan favorites”, along with some American Athletes we brought with us, who showed off a bit before the competition began:

Both Olivia and Kevin ran the course, and Olivia was nice enough to pose with me before her run:

Perhaps she realized what she was in for, because it is as incredibly difficult as it looks! Olivia slipped on the last uneven step, and Kevin just skimmed his foot in the water on the log drop – but they were real competitors that day!

By the time all one hundred competitors have taken on the first stage of the course, it gets dark and the rest of the competition is run at night!

It’s A Long Day Of Competition On “Ninja Warrior!”

I attended these “Ninja Warrior” tapings on four different occasions, and not once did we finish filming the competition before 3am. The entire event takes place outdoors in a secret location just outside Tokyo. During the colder months, there was even a bonfire lit to help keep everyone warm!

Everyone on G4 worked that late as well, which meant Alison and her Host partner Matt Iseman had only a few minutes to eat dinner on the production bus before heading back to work:

After filming was complete on stage one, I was able to go onto the set and get a picture of me on the iconic warped wall…

It was one of the greatest trips of my life…the entire Tokyo Broadcasting team was a pleasure to work with, and I got to pose with the greatest Ninja Warrior of all, Makito Nagano!

These legendary Athlete has “achieved total victory” more than any other “Ninja Warrior”, and a great person as well!

And of course, on the one trip I couldn’t make, for the “all female” race, G4’s own Sara Underwood won the first stage of the competition!

You can see more of Kevin and Olivia’s trip to “Ninja Warrior”, and see a clip of Sara on the course by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/07/30/ninja-warrior-olivia-munn-and-kevin-pereiras-race-to-greatness-sara-underwood-rules-the-course-oliva-munn-as-psylocke/

Can’t wait to see the new edition of “American Ninja Warrior” and good luck to all the Athletes!

Tyra’s New Book – With Her Mama!

I’m very happy to share details of Tyra’s great new book, celebrating the ten great life lessons her Mom taught her!

Tyra has been successful because she was smart, focused and more than anything, completely committed to her craft. She has also always been self-deprecating and self-aware, something rare in the entertainment business…

My wife Alex has worked with Tyra on numerous occasions – she is terrific, and Alex shared this recently on Instagram:

“Mogul, model, momtrepreneur and inventor of the Poochie Tooch, and very “fierce friend” Tyra Banks has hit another milestone. She’s written a new book with her Mama called “Perfect is Boring”. It’s raw and unfiltered and has a chapter called “Lip Gloss+ Pizza Sauce= Boss”.

What more do you need? Run don’t walk to your Amazon app (or brick and mortar store) and pre-order a copy!”

If you want to support his new book, you can pre-order like we did at Amazon – here is the link!

https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Boring-Things-Fierce-Taught/dp/014313230X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521574967&sr=8-1&keywords=tyra+banks+book

Bravo to Tyra and her Mom for a great new book!

“I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer”

One of California’s most notorious serial rapists and a serial killer as well – The Golden State Killer – is the subject of a fascinating story about obsession, from the late writer Michelle McNamera.

“I was married to a crime fighter for a decade,” writes Patton Oswalt in describing his wife, Michelle McNamara. “She was born with a true cop’s heart and mind… She made everything about me and everyone around her better. And she did it by being quietly, effortlessly original.” When Michelle died in the spring of 2016, she was still hard at work on her debut book.

One Writer’s Obsession…

The book is a fascinating story of obsession, not only the Authors but the Detectives trying to solve the crimes as well.

In the 70’s, a horrific serial Rapist terrorized Sacramento and surrounding areas, committing 49 rapes. Based on years of police work, he was also found to be responsible for a dozen murders in Central and Southern California, the last in 1986. Now more than thirty years later, an incredible book about the attempts to find this killer.

McNamera was married to Actor/Comedian Patton Oswalt, who is now touring to promote his late wife’s book.

McNamara died unexpectedly on April 21, 2016. Following her unexpected death, her husband explained that the book would be finished with the help of her colleagues.

Oswalt posted this on Facebook:

“She left behind an amazing unfinished book, about a horrific series of murders that everyone — including the retired homicide detectives she worked with — was sure she’d solve. The Golden State Killer. She gave him that name, in an article for Los Angeles Magazine. She was going to figure out the real name behind it…”

The Origin Of “The Golden State Killer”…

McNamera came up with the moniker, since prior to that he was known by police as the “East Area Rapist” – EAR. Police admit the lack of a catchy nickname made it more difficult to get the public’s awareness as they struggled to solve the crimes.

Oswalt worked with McNamera’s colleagues to finish the book and he is now promoting it – I saw a fascinating conversation with him recently where he discussed the case and his wife’s obsessor with it.

Here is the video from a portion of the conversation from this appearance at a “Live Talks Los Angeles” event in March:

https://www.facebook.com/LiveTalks/videos/1576548549047439/

It was a great event, one of many fascinating conversations this group puts on…you can see their entire schedule here:

http://www.Livetalksla.org

The book is riveting, and McNamera’s death was a shock to the fans of her “True Crime Diary” website, which is still open…

Oswalt is a great talent, and I posted about him before, specifically about his love of a very obscure horror film:

Yes, he loved “Death Bed – The Bed That Eats!” Click here to find out why:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/07/28/classic-cult-horror-death-bed-the-bed-that-eats-patton-oswalts-obsession-is-here/

Let me know if you’ve read the terrific book “I’ll Be Gone In The Dark!”

Coffee Causes Cancer?!?!?!?!

Sometimes we go TOO FAR – like when someone sued McDonald’s because their coffee was too hot….

Now, a Judge in California is ordering coffee companies to put cancer warnings on their products…which is ludicrous!

As the Los Angeles Times reports:

“A California court ruling this week that a cancer warning label should be required on coffee has left the scientific community puzzled.

There is plenty of research showing that coffee doesn’t cause cancer, and can actually prevent liver and endometrial cancer. The World Health Organization announced two years ago that there was “no conclusive evidence for a carcinogenic effect of drinking coffee.”

So what’s behind this idiotic ruling?

The Times goes on to report:

California’s Proposition 65, officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, requires that businesses warn customers if they could be exposed to any of the more than 900 confirmed or suspected carcinogens. One of compounds on the list is acrylamide, which is found in French fries, burnt toast and roasted coffee beans.

Some studies in animals have found that exposure to high levels of acrylamide causes cancer, but there’s little evidence of that in humans, said Kathryn Wilson, a Harvard senior research scientist who studies links between diet and cancer. Researchers also warn that it’s unwise to extrapolate acrylamide studies in animals to humans because the species metabolize the compound differently.

“I think it’s crazy,” Wilson said of the court’s decision. “Reducing coffee or French fries to their acrylamide content isn’t how we study diet and nutrition.”

Many pointed out that Proposition 65 doesn’t account for the positive benefits of coffee.

So don’t worry about a few roasted beans – coffee is for winners, and here’s proof!

Coffee’s For Closers!

Alec Baldwin screamed at Jack Lemmon to put the coffee down – but I have no problem picking up cup after cup after cup – and here are three unique ways to drink it yourself!

Celebrate “Colorless Coffee”!

I had to share this latest news: a company has developed “colorless coffee”, which they say has all the flavor you demand, with none of the staining!

Here is the story from NEWSER:

“Two Slovakian brothers are promising to protect coffee lovers from stained teeth with a concoction they’re calling the world’s “first colorless coffee drink.” It looks like a bottle of water, but CLR CFF is a “potent, cold brew,” per the Evening Standard. Self-described heavy coffee drinker David Nagy says he came up with the idea with brother Adam while in London, and the brothers aren’t sharing their production process except to say it involves methods never used before. They say it’s safe, however, with arabica beans, water, and no chemicals or sweeteners. The label notes that a 200ml bottle has 100mg of caffeine, on par with a typical cup of coffee.”

Well, I just might give it a try! See what others thought by checking out the entire story on Newser:

http://www.newser.com/story/241406/a-colorless-cup-of-joe-plus-white-teeth.html

Of course, this new coffee sensation reminded me of a unique coffee I tried:

Nothing better than “coffee jelly” to get you caffeinated – yes, and you can buy it from a machine!

Of course, there is only one place you go for such a treat!

Welcome To Tokyo!

Time for another trip to one of the greatest places on earth to explore: the exciting night lights of Tokyo!

Tokyo’s Vending Machines!

Of course, Tokyo is famous for all of their vending machines – they are EVERYWHERE, on virtually every single block.

My Producer Corrado LOVES his vending machines….he had to make sure I understood how important they were to him…he actually WASN’T trying to shake it down…

Even our Host, Alex Sim-Wise, used a bit of downtime to shop at the vending machines…the rain wasn’t about to stop her!

Coffee Jelly!

The reason we love the vending machines is simple: where else can you get a nice icy cold can of COFFEE JELLY?

Yep, I found this unique drink in one of Tokyo’s vending machines, and I had to give it a try…

I got my can, which props out of the machine ice cold. I will spare you the suspense: coffee jelly is EXACTLY what you think it is going to be: a coffee gelatin, like espresso jello – you suck it out of the can and squish it through your teeth…I mean, I think so, it wasn’t like it came with instructions…if that’s not for you, try this instead:

Yes, “Hard” Coffee!

I have no idea why it’s called this and yes, it’s a coffee drink too…in fact, there are a ton of different coffee drinks – both hot and cold – that you can buy in vending machines in Tokyo, along with a ton of different waters and sodas – see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/12/23/crazy-tokyo-food-coffee-jelly-meat-fish-mix-octopus-bar-almond-fish/

Finally, my friend Sabrina brought me a special gift from her trip through Southeast Asia:

Yes, it’s “Weasel Coffee!”

If you haven’t heard of this unique coffee, it’s thought to be the world’s most expensive – because it comes straight from this guy!

A Palm Civet stands near Arabica coffee cherries in a coffee plantation owned by state plantation firm PT Perkebunan Nusantara XII in Bondowoso, in Indonesia’s East Java province June 27, 2009. The fruits are fed to civets bred in cages and their droppings collected to make a brew enriched by the civets’ stomachs that sell for as much as $770 a kg in London. Picture taken June 27, 2009. To match Reuters Life! INDONESIA-COFFEE/ REUTERS/Sigit Pamungkas (INDONESIA – Tags: BUSINESS AGRICULTURE ANIMALS) – RTR2HLBT

Yes, the coffee bean is harvested AFTER it goes through this guy – an Indonesian “Palm Civet” – or “weasel” for short…as you can see here:

IT IS A PREMIUM WEASEL PRODUCT!

I have more interesting trivia to share, along with my own taste test – see it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/05/22/worlds-best-weasel-coffee-bring-on-the-kopi-luwak-yes-its-poop-coffee/

And remember, coffee won’t cause cancer!

Time For Our Annual Easter Feast!

This has become an annual tradition: a roasted leg of lamb provencal-style, thanks to the incredible Chef/Author Patricia Wells!

I am already in miss en place mode on this Easter Sunday – and here is the menu that I just posted on our chalkboard:

Pity about that Bunny, but you get the idea – a provencal feast that I have made in years past, and here are the pictures to prove it!

Making “Gigot D’Agneau”, inspired by Cookbook Author and Food Writer Patricia Wells!

Alex and I got the chance to cook with Patricia at her house in Provence – an adventure of a lifetime!

Yes, this is me stealing a bite of food under the watchful eye of Patricia Wells.

It was all part of a cooking adventure with the Author, who hosts cooking classes at her house in Provence, France.

It inspired me to make my family her classic roast lamb shank, which is baked on top of potatoes, onion and tomatoes so that the incredible juices from the lamb soak into the gratin!

First Up: “Gigot D’Agneau”

Let make a roasted lamb shank with provencal vegetables! First, preheat your oven to 400.

Rub the bottom of your roasting pan with a split piece of garlic. I also lay down a dozen slivers of butter to help the potatoes carmelize…then slice your potatoes and lay them down as the base of your dish…

On top of the potato I spread sliced onion…instead of chopped, I like them spread out as rings, and then I add chopped garlic. The amount is up to you…but a head of garlic and one large onion worked for me…

Next, slice tomatoes over the top of the onion – I used three tomatoes total, and I cut them in a larger chunk as they will melt down a bit during cooking – and then I season the dish with a healthy amount of salt, pepper and fresh thyme…

I used a leg of lamb that was just under six pounds. I got mine bone-in, which I think helps the flavor of the meat…Put the lamb shank on an oven rack, which you put directly over the vegetables…season the lamb with salt, pepper and fresh rosemary…

I roasted the lamb for about an hour and fifteen minutes…the thicker part was medium rare and the smaller side of the shank was medium, so it worked well for everyone!

I removed the lamb to a cutting board and let it rest for fifteen minutes – and here is what that beautiful potato-onion-tomato looked like underneath….

As good as this is, I also am making the legendary Chez L’Ami Louis Potato Cake from Paris.

Patricia Wells has the entire recipe, but here’s a primer: you slice potatoes and cook them in a frying pan with butter or oil:

After pan cooking them for twenty minutes, you press them tightly down then bake them in that same pan for 25 minutes, and – using shot pad of course, you take it out of the oven and flip it onto the serving dish – and you get this:

Add raw chopped garlic and parsley and you are ready to go! But what about a side dish? How about this?

Chef Thomas Keller’s Ratatouille!

Yes, the legendary French Laundry Chef also created a ratatouille recipe for the animated film, and I make as well!

I begin by making a roasted red bell pepper sauce, which I spread on the bottom of a gratin dish….

Then I cut yellow squash, green zucchini and eggplant with a mandolin and make a circular pattern like this:

I actually enjoy laying this dish out, with the vegetables like casino chips! And when it comes out of the oven, it looks like this:

You can get the entire recipe for Thomas Keller’s Ratatouille dish by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/06/29/ratatouille-chef-thomas-kellers-recipe-for-animated-food-magic/

Finally, I made a dish of provencal carrots and garlic with basil….you sear the carrots in a pan with butter for ten minutes, then add sliced garlic and cook slowly – and fold fresh basil in….guests can top the dish if they want with slivered black olives at the table…

Cooking With Patricia Wells!

As I said, these recipes come from Patricia Wells.

Patricia and her husband Walter Wells own a home in Provence, right outside the small village of Vaison la Romaine…

The couple open up their house several weeks a year for cooking classes – one that my wife Alex and I were able to attend in 2009. We spent 5 days with Patricia, Walter and ten other participants, a terrific group of people who shared our passion for food and adventure.

Here we are with Patricia, posing in front of the Julia Child’s provencal stove – a personal gift to Patricia from Julia:

This was a cooking adventure of a lifetime, and it inspired me to cook with a provencal feel, like Gigot D’Agneau! Here is a look at our cooking adventure:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/10/20/new-patricia-wells-cookbook-her-amazing-cooking-classes/

And since we were in Provence, we took time to explore the wine region as well!

Here is a look at our trip through the provencal wine region:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/09/03/wine-roman-ruins-and-gigondas-too-whiskey-babys-and-a-few-papes-touring-provence-thanks-to-patricia-wells/

Time for a great meal and glass of wine!

Looking For Your Own Island?

The Daily Mail UK has a great story about private islands you can buy – if you can afford them!

Imagine living like this – on your own exotic island – all you need is some money and a bit of wanderlust!

As The Daily Mail UK reports:

“These are the perfect properties on which to live out your castaway fantasies – private islands for sale in some of the world’s most exotic locations, from dreamy spits of sand in the Maldives to tree-lined chunks of land in the South Pacific. They are listed by Private Islands Inc and all come decked out with luxury accommodation, with other perks ranging from helicopter landing pads to private beaches and boat docks.”

Here is an example of one of the islands featured in their terrific story:

Move Onto Iguana Island!

Yes, you can buy Iguana Island, which is a volcanic island 12 miles off the coast of Bluefields, Nicaragua.

As the Daily Mail reports:

“This five-acre retreat, cloaked in coconut palms and banana trees for maximum privacy, includes a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with wraparound porch, dining room, bar and living area, plus additional accommodation for staff on the other side of the island.”

Closer to home, the article showcases islands off the coast of Canada, and one right offshore in Florida:

Yes, Crescent Island is a four-acre strip of land in Florida that features one self-contained ‘Old Florida’ style house with a boat dock, a private beach and wooded forest as well!

Thanks to The Daily Mail UK for this great look at some amazing places to live – see all the rest at their website here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-5535621/The-worlds-lust-worthy-islands-BUY.html#newcomment

I have a bit of wanderlust when it comes to tropical islands like this:

How could you not? Well, I have read several books about “island paradise” and it’s a bit more complicated than that – as this book shows:

A young Teacher spent a year on a microscopic south seas island, and what an adventure it was! Read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2018/02/08/surviving-paradise-a-year-on-a-south-pacific-island-blue-lagoons-swaying-coconut-trees-millions-of-flies-lost-in-the-middle-of-the-pacific-ocean/

One of my favorite Authors is Lucy Irvine, who wrote about her year on a deserted island:

She followed up this amazing adventure with a sequel called “Faraway” that detailed another year in the south seas:

These are two incredible travel memoirs, and you can read more about them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/31/faraway-lucy-irvines-castaway-sequel-more-amazing-island-escapes-2/

Let me know if you are planning to make a bid for your own private island!

The Fate Of The Iconic Beverly Hills Deli Nate ‘n’ Al Of Beverly Hills Hangs In The Balance! The Latest News!

Here is some terrific reporting on the situation with Nate ‘n’ Al, the iconic Beverly Hills delicatessen.

Richard Rushfield has the terrific website “The Ankler”, which is filled with great reporting about the entertainment industry – with lots of great insight and scoops – including this one posted about Nate ‘n’ Al!

Here is some of his report:

“The Ankler can exclusively report that the rumors are true and the fate of the restaurant, indeed, currently hangs in the balance.

Nate n’ Al today is operated by Mark and David Mendelson, grandsons of the eponymous Al Mendelson, the founder. Scuttlebutt has circulated that the grandsons were never in love with their inheritance and have been looking to bail out.

After an exclusive Ankler conversation with a Nate ’n Al deep insider, we can sadly report, that the rumors are true and the historic cornerstone of the industry is on the block.

According to our inside source, the grandsons have put the deli up for sale and there are two current bidders – not including, as has been rumored, Larry King. One of the bidders, we are told, would tear the whole place down and turn it into a Lulemon store or something, and that would be that.”

This would be devastating of course, but The Ankler goes on to report that a second option could be equally disastrous:

“The other bidder wants to maintain it as a restaurant – BUT! These bidders are ready to take it on the condition that the current employee’s union be disbanded. To do that would require shutting the joint down for some amount of time and reopening it, possibly under a new name so that they could demonstrate it was a new and different entity that didn’t need to honor the old union’s contract. Which is to say – it would be a different restaurant.”

This would be the latest Hollywood institution to close, and a shame. The Ankler has much more on this story as well – I subscribe to the newsletter, and at the top of it, everyone is encouraged to share it with others, so I hope he doesn’t mind that I am doing that here.

Here is a link to the entire story – and some other great updates on the current status of the #MeToo movement, Les Moonves’ salary and much more! I think once you read it, you will as hooked as I am, and subscribe at Theankler.com!

https://mailchi.mp/48d0f4815681/the-ankler-loose-ends-april-6-482015?e=a58495a71c

I posted about the fate of the restaurant when word first leaked that it might be up for sale – here is that story, which includes some more information about the history of this iconic restaurant:

https://johnrieber.com/2018/02/21/the-legendary-nate-n-al-beverly-hills-deli-has-it-been-sold-will-city-step-up-to-save-it/

Let’s hope someone steps up and does the right thing here, before another “hip shop of the moment” comes in and ruins the history of Beverly Hills!

Time To Celebrate These “Unleashed” Machete Maidens!

You like cult cinema? Then do I have a terrific documentary for you – one that tells the story of the booming Philippine film industry in the 70’s and 80’s, when empowered women kicked ass overseas!

Look at these posters! They are perfect examples of the type of film that was very popular in american movie theaters. These low-budget films were filled with three things: “Breasts, blood and beasts!”

Meet The “Machete Maidens Unleashed!”

I love films that look at unique eras in film, and this one does just that!

The documentary takes an indepth look at one of the wildest “anything goes” eras in film – the filmmaking boom in the Philippines! The movie is full of great movie clips and very candid interviews with a ton of people who worked on these films, such as Director John Landis, Producer Roger Corman, Director Joe Dante, and a slew of great actors from the era, including Pam Grier and more!

Here is the slightly NSFW trailer:

It all began with “women in prison” pictures – low budget exploitation films that showed what happened when innocent women were put in prison – and guess what? Since it was so cheap to shoot in the Philippines, why not imprison them there!

Yes, this documentary explains how Pam Grier was discovered, and starred in several films shot in the Philippines – the documentary has some great anecdotes, and a short interview with Grier as well…see more about her early films here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/03/21/black-mama-white-mama-queen-of-blaxploitation-pam-grier-naked-showers-women-in-prison-classics/

These movies were shot in the Philippines for a reason – everything was dirt cheap, and there were virtually no safety standards whatsoever!

These movies promised lots of action, and nudity as well – as one person in the film admits: these “women in prison” movies allowed the convicts two showers a day – and both were shown in the film!

Director Jack Hill made several films in the Philippines and has hilarious stories about his experiences – he also made several with Pam Grier, including the one that started it all:

The film discusses Producer Roger Corman extensively – he was behind many of these films, and he is interviewed as well – he made a lot of films in the Philippines during the 70’s – and they point out that he gave many Directors, like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese their start…here is the film he produced for Scorsese:

You can read more about this 70’s cult classic here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/04/11/boxcar-bertha-naked-barbara-hershey-martin-scorseses-exploitation-classic/

The documentary also talks about how Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos enticed filmmakers to come to his country – in fact, his wife love movies!

There is a lot of great footage of Imelda in this documentary, and it talks about one of the country’s biggest – and smallest – stars, Weng Weng!

There is a great documentary about the life and films of Weng Weng, and guess what?

Amazingly, Imelda Marcos is interviewed in the film!

See more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/12/03/superstar-weng-weng-lives-the-world-smallest-action-hero-my-actionagogo-review/

“Machete Maidens Unleashed” is a great story about filmmaking – and how one country bent over backwards to bring Hollywood to them!

The film spends some time showing a bit of the chaos surrounding the filming of “Apocalypse Now” there – as the Army gave Director Francis Ford Coppola military helicopters for the film!

Also interviewed in the film is R Lee Ermey, who was the military advisor to Coppola and has some choice words about the “Apocalypse Now” shoot – he is candid as always, and just a few years later, became a star because of his role in “Full Metal Jacket” – see more about that here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/07/05/full-metal-jacket-foul-mouthed-memories-from-sgt-hartman-r-lee-ermey-speaks/

“Machete Maidens Unleashed” is a great film for cult movie lovers, so check it out!

RIP Mitzi Shore…

Hollywood’s comedy community is mourning the news that Mitzi Shore has died. She was the legendary owner of The Comedy Store, where some of the world’s biggest comes got their start.

Jim Carrey posted this painting on Twitter that he did of him with Mitzi, with this tweet:

“The great Mitzi Shore, owner of the famous Comedy Store, has passed away. No words can express the gratitude I have for her. We met in 1979. She opened the door to my dreams! If she loved you, you did well. If she didn’t, you did something else. I will love her forever. ;^)”

As Deadline.com reported yesterday:

“Comedians young and old are pouring their hearts out today as their godmother, Comedy Store owner Mitzi Shore, has passed away at the age of 87. In the near 46 years of the Comedy Store, not only did Shore provide a mic and a stage for those looking to break through on the comedy scene, but a crash pad at the nearby 8420 Cresthill Road house, not to mention her advice and insight on the craft and showbiz were priceless (Marc Maron tweets today that she advised him “You’re a poet. You should wear a scarf on stage.”) and sometimes the truth hurt (In Judd Apatow’s recent HBO documentary The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling Part 1, the late comedian and his peers recall how Shore had a belief that there was a difference between writers and stand-ups, and only the latter would take the stage, something that Shandling grappled with). Jim Carrey tells Apatow in that doc that the vibe of The Comedy Store in its heyday was, “a magical gateway to all your dreams and you’re seeing people get their dreams all the time. You’re seeing them rise out of this dark, dingy place.”

The legendary comedy club on Sunset Boulevard is mourning her passing today, with these signs posted, and flowers left outside the entrance:

I passed by there early in the day, and I can only assume that the flowers and tributes will continue to flow in. You can click here to see more comments from the Hollywood community, thanks to great reporting at Deadline.com:

http://deadline.com/2018/04/mitzi-shore-dead-hollywood-comedian-reaction-whitney-cummings-pauly-shore-marc-maron-jay-leno-1202362355/

Jim Carrey is one of the Executive Producers of “I’m Dyin’ Up Here”, a series on Showtime that tells the story of Hollywood’s comedy scene in the 70’s. Melissa Leo plays a brassy comedy club owner, clearly based on Shore.

The show’s second season premieres soon…

RIP Mitzi Shore…

Wine Reduces Your Lifespan? Take It Back!

My wife Alex forwarded me a study that says that one extra glass of wine every day will cut your lifespan by 30 minutes – for each one!

Well, I decided NOT to grab my calculator and figure this one out, because I totally disagree – wine is healthy!

“Wine is sunlight, held together by water.”

How can you argue with that, since wine is a vital part of a healthy life!

Toast, It’s Good For You!

We all know that a glass of red wine every day tastes great, but science has shown that it’s a great way to maintain a healthy heart. Did you know the other benefits of a glass of wine? How about boosting your memory and immune system. Not only that, but wine in moderation might also help with weight loss. I mean, this stuff is gold!

Toast To Good Health And Eternal Life!

We all know how good wine taste, but thanks to Food and Wine magazine, here are the eight great reasons you need to be drinking an f’in Merlot right now – let’s cut down these great health benefits!

Benefit #1: Promotes Longevity

The Evidence: Wine drinkers have a 34 percent lower mortality rate than beer or spirits drinkers. Source: a Finnish study of 2,468 men over a 29-year period, published in the Journals of Gerontology, 2007.

Benefit #2: Reduces Heart-Attack Risk

The Evidence: Moderate drinkers suffering from high blood pressure are 30 percent less likely to have a heart attack than nondrinkers. Source: a 16-year Harvard School of Public Health study of 11,711 men, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, 2007.

Benefit #3: Lowers Risk of Heart Disease

The Evidence: Red-wine tannins contain procyanidins, which protect against heart disease. Wines from Sardinia and southwest France have more procyanidins than other wines. Source: a study at Queen Mary University in London, published in Nature, 2006.

Benefit #4: Reduces Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

The Evidence: Moderate drinkers have 30 percent less risk than nondrinkers of developing type 2 diabetes. Source: research on 369,862 individuals studied over an average of 12 years each, at Amsterdam’s VU University Medical Center, published in Diabetes Care, 2005.

Benefit #5: Lowers Risk of Stroke

The Evidence: The possibility of suffering a blood clot–related stroke drops by about 50 percent in people who consume moderate amounts of alcohol. Source: a Columbia University study of 3,176 individuals over an eight-year period, published in Stroke, 2006.

Benefit #6: Cuts Risk of Cataracts

The Evidence: Moderate drinkers are 32 percent less likely to get cataracts than nondrinkers; those who consume wine are 43 percent less likely to develop cataracts than those drinking mainly beer. Source: a study of 1,379 individuals in Iceland, published in Nature, 2003.

Benefit #7: Cuts Risk of Colon Cancer

The Evidence: Moderate consumption of wine (especially red) cuts the risk of colon cancer by 45 percent. Source: a Stony Brook University study of 2,291 individuals over a four-year period, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2005.

Benefit #8: Slows Brain Decline

The Evidence: Brain function declines at a markedly faster rate in nondrinkers than in moderate drinkers. Source: a Columbia University study of 1,416 people, published in Neuroepidemiology, 2006.

I mean, these are just the tip of the “wine is healthy” iceberg! My wife and I got the chance to explore the Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine region of France:

We had incredible wines all over the region – here is a look at that tasty trip:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/09/03/wine-roman-ruins-and-gigondas-too-whiskey-babys-and-a-few-papes-touring-provence-thanks-to-patricia-wells/

Finally, I leave you with Daryl Hall and John Oates and their raucous musical tribute to wine:

Daryl Hall & John Oates – Intravino!

Wine is so good for you that Hall & Oates once wrote a song about it!

“Gimme wine, wine, I need IntraVino
Wine, wine, I need it every day-o
Wine, wine, Mis en bouteilles au Chateau
All the time, I need wine all the time.
Six o’clock gotta have Beaujolais
Eight o’clock I open up Pouilly-Fuiss?
Love the ruby color. Grand cru classe
Never love another once I’ve savored that bouquet
Oh yeah need IntraVino!”

Here they are performing it live:

Wine is also funny. If you don’t believe me, ask Monty Python, who offered up this wine review:

“It’s a fine regurgitator!”

See some of the Python’s best wine reviews here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/03/12/hilarious-wine-descriptions-monty-python-wine-reviews-wine-wine/

So there you go – I say “what’s 30 minutes if it means I can’t have one last glass of Burgundy?” Drink up!

RIP R. Lee Ermey…

Sad news: R. Lee Ermey, the former Marine who went from an off-camera Vietnam War Expert to stardom, has died…he will always be remembered as the foul-mouthed Marine Sergeant from Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece “Full Metal Jacket”…

“I am Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, your senior drill instructor. From now on you will speak only when spoken to, and the first and last words out of your filthy sewers will be “Sir”. Do you maggots understand that?

Recruits: [In unison in a normal speaking tone] Sir, yes Sir.

Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Bullshit I can’t hear you. Sound off like you got a pair!

Recruits: [In unison, much louder] SIR, YES SIR!”

Shape Up, Maggots!

Talk about intense! Who can ever forget the vulgar and utterly mesmerizing R. Lee Ermey performance as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in “Full Metal Jacket!”

The Actor’s Manager announced his death on Twitter…Ermey was 74 years old, and no cause of death was mentioned.

R. Lee Ermey was in more than 75 films, but he will always be known as the foul-mouthed Sargeant who trains new recruits in Stanley Kubrick’s anti-war masterpiece!

“Full Metal Jacket!”

First, the film itself:

A two-segment look at the effect of the military mindset and war itself on Vietnam era Marines. The first half follows a group of recruits in boot camp under the command of the punishing Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. The second half shows one of those recruits, Joker, covering the war as a correspondent for Stars and Stripes, focusing on the Tet offensive.

Marine Training Camp, Kubrick-Style!

“Full Metal Jacket” is Kubrick’s classic anti-war film, showing how young men are turned into killing machines. The first half of the film is anchored by Ermey’s mesmerizing performance as the drill Sergeant who will whip this fresh bunch of new recruits into shape:

“You are nothing but unorganized grabastic pieces of amphibian shit!”

OK, perhaps we are, but what a classic way to put it! The film is filled with hilariously profane instructions from the Sergeant, like this:

Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: “If you ladies leave my island, if you survive recruit training, you will be a weapon. You will be a minister of death praying for war. But until that day you are pukes. You are the lowest form of life on Earth. You are not even human fucking beings. You are nothing but unorganized grabastic pieces of amphibian shit! Because I am hard, you will not like me. But the more you hate me, the more you will learn. I am hard but I am fair. There is no racial bigotry here. I do not look down on niggers, kikes, wops or greasers. Here you are all equally worthless. And my orders are to weed out all non-hackers who do not pack the gear to serve in my beloved Corps. Do you maggots understand that?”

Sgt. Hartman Speaks!

Thanks to the terrific genre magazine “VideoScope” for a great interview with the Actor, who shared many anecdotes about “Full Metal Jacket” as well as other films he has appeared in – “VideoSCope” is always full of great interviews that celebrate unique aspects of the world of film…

Here is some great trivia: Did you know that R. Lee Ermey was a technical advisor on another classic anti-war film “Apocalypse Now?” As he explained to VideoScope:

“I was hired as a background extra. Once we started shooting they found out I was a Vietnam veteran and I ended up being the number two technical advisor on the movie.”

Ermey’s performance in “Full Metal Jacket” is infused with his unique history as a drill instructor, leading to a nonstop series of monologues like this:

Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Tonight, you pukes will sleep with your rifles. You will give your rifle a girl’s name because this is the only pussy you people are going to get. Your days of finger-banging ol’ Mary-Jane Rottencrotch through her pretty pink panties are over! You’re married to this piece. This weapon of iron and wood. And you will be faithful. Port, hut!”

Ermey Meets Kubrick!

Ermey was originally hired by Kubrick to be a technical advisor, but of course, things ended up differently. It all began with Ermey decided to train the extras AS Gunnery Sgt. Hartman:

“I approached them as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman would approach a platoon and I delivered the first scene. Then I dropped them down for push-ups. I had them choking themselves.”

The material was videotaped for Kubrick to see how they were being trained, and when the Director saw the material he called Ermey into his office and gave him the role!

All Ermey’s, But No Ad-libs!

It is a common misconception that most of R. Lee Ermey’s dialogue during the training sequence was improvised. In several interviews Ermey stated that he worked closely with Kubrick to help mold the script so that it was more believable, all while retaining certain dialogue crucial to Kubrick’s vision.

While filming the opening scene, where he disciplines Pvt. Cowboy, he says Cowboy is the type of guy who would have sex with another guy “and not even have the goddamned common courtesy to give him a reach-around”. Stanley Kubrick immediately yelled cut and went over to Ermey and asked, “What the hell is a reach-around?” Ermey politely explained what it meant. Kubrick laughed and re-shot the scene, telling Ermey to keep the line!

According to Ermey, he was allowed to write almost all of the material himself, but it was all written down – nothing was improvised on the set!

To keep the recruits’ reactions as convincing as possible, Matthew Modine, Vincent D’Onofrio, and the other actors never met R. Lee Ermey prior to filming. Stanley Kubrick also saw to it that Ermey didn’t fraternize with the actors between takes – as if they would want to!

And one final piece of trivia: did you know that the Motion Picture Association refused to allow this poster for the film?

They decided that the line “in Vietnam the wind doesn’t blow it sucks” was inappropriate to be seen on a movie poster!

I can only imagine what Sergeant Hartman would have said about that! Kudos to R. Lee Ermey for creating one of the most memorable film characters in movie history!

As I said, he also advised many films and TV shows, including “Apocalypse Now”, and he discusses that in this terrific documentary about filming in the Philippines…

This is a great documentary, and he is really candid about working with Coppola on the classic anti-war film…see my story here…

https://johnrieber.com/2018/04/11/meet-the-empowered-machete-maidens-unleashed-pam-grier-got-her-start-here-terrific-documentary-celebrates-the-anything-goes-films-of-the-philippines/

RIP to R. Lee Ermey…

Are You Ready To Rock?

I’m taking part in a “Music Monday” event, thanks to Phil Taylor, who has a great website called “The Phil Factor”.

You can see his blog here:

https://thephilfactor.com

I am sharing seven incredible concerts that I was able to see live, and yes, that includes the greatest rock band of all time, Led Zeppelin!

1 – Led Zeppelin at The Seattle Center Coliseum, 1975

I was young, but not TOO YOUNG to rock with the greatest band of all time! The Seattle Center Coliseum could barely contain them – this was at the height of their prowess as a band…

Luckily, many of these performances were captured in the band’s unique concert film “The Song Remains The Same” – and if you love the band as much as I do, you no doubt also have all of their albums remastered – here is a look at those, and my “top 5” singles from the band:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/08/01/led-zeppelin-iv-remastered-zoso-zeppelins-top-5-singles-hoth-remastered-too/

Another incredible live performer is Paul McCartney, and when Seattle’s Kingdome was built, he played the first concert there:

2 – Paul McCartney & Wings Over America at The Kingdome in 1976

Six years after the breakup of The Beatles, Paul was at the height of his popularity, and he took his band Wings around the world, releasing a triple live album that captures all of the magic of the shows:

I remember standing outside with 50,000 other fans waiting to get in, when we saw Paul and Linda on the roof of the Kingdome, looking out at us!

He played his great solo hits, new Wings songs and a few Beatles classics as well – one of the greatest live performers there is – he still performs for three hours and you know every song!

Here is a look at that show at the Kingdome, with a couple of live clips!

https://johnrieber.com/2014/07/12/paul-mccartney-wings-over-seattle-the-kingdome-implosion-seattle-sports-history/

I am a huge fan of Todd Rundgren, as those who read my blog know – and in 2016, he put on a great show filled with his greatest hits!

3 – Todd Rundgren at The Sabon Theater in Beverly Hills, 2016

Todd is out on the road now with his band Utopia, reuniting after decades apart…but in 2016, Todd toured to promote a new album, and also toured with a show that focused on his library of classic songs, like this one.

Here is Todd performing “Hello It’s Me”:

If you don’t know Todd’s music, he is an incredible Artist…here are more videos from the Beverly Hills show:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/01/07/todd-rundgren-rocks-beverly-hills-todds-2016-tour-reviewed/

I have focused on legendary performers, because when you hear them perform, you realize why they have such long and successful careers….my next Artist is no different:

4 – Stevie Wonder at The United Center in Chicago, 2014

Some don’t know that in the 70’s, Stevie Wonder released 3 albums in 4 years, and each one took home the Grammy for Album Of The Year!

In 1974, he won for “Innervisions”, the next year for “Fulfillingness’ First Finale” (beating “Bankd On The Run” from Wings), and in 1977, he won again for “Songs In The Key Of Life.”

A couple of years ago, Wonder went on the road to perform “Songs” in its entirety – confirming what a masterpiece it is!

In addition to those “songs in the key of life”, Wonder also performed some of his other hits, like this great rendition of “My Cherie Amour”:

Wonder’s voice was flawless, and he was full of energy and humor – here is a look at this show, with more videos:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/15/songs-in-the-key-of-life-stevie-wonders-masterpiece-live/

Sometimes, a band can wear out over time, becoming a hollow version of their best self…but not in the case of Tears For Fears:

5 – Tears For Fears at Staples Center in Los Angeles, 2017

I was surprised to hear that TFF were touring with Daryl Hall & John Oates, assuming they no longer recorded or toured….I was wrong, because in some ways they blew H&O off the stage!

Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith put on a 90-minute show filled with non-stop hits like “Shout”, “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”, “Mad World”, and this classic…

Here they are performing “Sowing The Seeds Of Love:”

I was impressed by how tight the band sounded, how energetic Roland and Curt were, and how well the music holds up…here is my story about the show, with more clips:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/10/21/tears-for-fears-incredible-live-performance-iconic-band-wows-l-a-with-their-biggest-hits/

I have posted stories about every single Eagles album, and they are another band that performs their catalog of songs with respect and passion:

6 – The History Of The Eagles at the United Center in Chicago, 2013

The group’s “history” tour coincided with the dynamite 5 hour documentary about the band…it was the last tour before Glenn Frey’s tragic demise.

Here is the band performing their classic “Take It Easy:”

The band is still performing, with Frey’s son replacing him in the band, along with country Artist Vince Gill…I am so happy I saw this show, which was dynamite, and including founding member Bernie Leadon as well – see that clip here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/09/21/history-of-the-eagles-amazing-concert-old-friends-return/

Finally, I was lucky enough to see punk rock at its most ferocious. thanks to The Clash:

7 – The Clash at The Paramount Theater in Seattle, 1979

When The Clash toured America, it was an event, tearing up theaters across the country with their punk energy, and songs like “Janie Jones” and “I’m So Bored With The USA”…

If you never saw them live, you have a chance to relive it, because of a unique film that they co-starred in!

“Rude Boy” was a fictional film about a roadie who was friends with the band, and they shot The Clash in concert as part of the film – here are some of those clips – an incredible document of the power of punk at the end of the 70’s:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/03/09/the-clash-is-live-rude-boy-iconic-punk-music-meets-classic-cult-movie/

The Clash returned to Seattle to open for The Who at The Kingdome a few years later, and yes, The Who could top this list as well…

Let me add that I’ve seen a ton of great shows in my life, all of which could end up on this list – including:

Daryl Hall & John Oates
Pearl Jam
Oasis
Diana Krall
Elvis Costello
Neil Young
The Doobie Brothers
Glen Hansard
The Who
Bruce Springsteen

And so many more to go – let me know your favorites!

Sex! Scandal! The White House!

Let’s be honest: regardless of what is true or not, recent headlines prove once again that politics is, indeed, a dirty business.

Nothing new, of course – we have a history of scandals in and around the White House, and there have been many great books and films that tell those stories.

Alex and I just re-watched one of the best films about sex and politics!

The “Not Bill Clinton” Biography!

“Primary Colors” is the 1998 film that was based on the novel “Primary Colors: A Novel of Politics”, a roman à clef about Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign in 1992 – although all the names were changed, it was clearly written about him.

The scandalous political novel was originally published by an Author known as “Anonymous”, but in 1996 was revealed to have been written by journalist Joe Klein, who covered Bill Clinton’s first successful presidential campaign for Newsweek magazine.

The film has an impeccable cast and crew: it was directed by Mike Nichols, who made “The Graduate”, “Catch-22” and many other great films, and it starred John Travolta, who does a great “homage” performance as the Bill Clinton character. Emma Thompson plays Hillary, and the supporting cast of Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Maura Tierney, Larry Hagman, and Adrian Lester are all terrific!

Here is the trailer:

Kathy Bates was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as an old family friend who is called in to quash a sex scandal, and the legendary Writer/Director Elaine May was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Cool John Travolta As Jack Stanton, 'primary Colors' – Photos with regard to Primary Colors Movie – Comadre Coloring Site

“Primary Colors” features a terrific performance by John Travolta as a caring, gifted Politician who happens to have a problem with his “caring and warmth”, especially toward women. Emma Thompson does a great job capturing the “Hillary” character – eye on the prize, disgusted by her husband’s infidelities. A great political film.

With the current controversies in The White House, I am reminded of an earlier scandal involving our President…well, more accurately, America’s “horniest” Commander-In-Chief!

Remember “Horndog” Harding?

“It’s a good thing I’m not a woman. I would always be pregnant. I can’t say no!”

Those were the actual words of America’s 29th President – the smug White House Sex Stud known as Warren G. Harding!

His administration was roiled by sex scandals – and there is a great book that tells the sordid story – you can see it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/08/17/americas-horniest-president-warren-g-hardings-sex-shenanigans-in-the-white-house/

Of course, the scandals go far beyond the White House:

“This Town” tells the story of just how broken our political system is right now – a great look at power and politics in the nation’s capital – check it out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/12/02/dirty-sexy-politics-the-politics-of-brilliant-book-this-town-washington-dc-expose/

Let me know what you think of “Primary Colors”!

Bite Into This Iconic “Potato Cake!”

I love potatoes, and this is my all-time favorite dish – a “gateau de pommes de terre” – a “potato cake!”

It’s a dish I first had in Paris with my wife Alex at the legendary bistro Chez L’Ami Louis, home of the $125 chicken:

Along with this incredible chicken dish – yes it’s $125 but feeds two easily! Along with the chicken, they serve a potato cake that is topped with raw garlic and fresh parsley…that is what I set out to replicate – let’s see how I did:

Making The Chez L’Ami Louis Potato Cake!

Here is my step-by-step process for making this iconic “gateau de pommes de terre”…

I began with five Russet potatoes, which I peeled and then sliced thinly – you can do it on a mandolin, but I did it by hand, each slice approximately 1/4” or so thick…next, you sauté all of them together in a large NON-STICK frying pan – I used clarified butter as well:

The Pan Is Everything!

Make sure the frying pan is large enough for all of the potatoes, and has some depth to it, because this is the pan you will putting into the oven to finish the dish – and make sure it’s non-stick!

You will sauté the potatoes over medium heat for 20-25 minutes, and now is the time to pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees as well…

I added some chopped garlic in with the potatoes as well, along with a healthy amount of salt and pepper – the amount of clarified butter you use is a matter of taste, but at least several tablespoons…and I add a bit of olive oil as well – more oil will help ensure that the potato cake will caramelize int he oven and also come out of the pan easily…

After sautéing for 20-25 minutes on medium heat, the pan will look like this – and that is when you take it off the heat, and press the potatoes down evenly, so they look like a disc of goodness – and this is what you put into the oven!

Now, grab an oven mitt, because the pan will be hot! Here is what your cooked potato cake looks like when it comes out of the oven 25 minutes later:

What’s next is the most important part of the process – take a rubber spatula and gently glide it under your cake, all the way around the pan…this will loosen it up for the “flip” that is to come – that’s right, now you have to flip the cake, because the carmelized top is at the bottom right now!

Here is how I did it!

Again, this is your potato cake once you have flipped it over onto your serving plate…as you saw me do in the video, you add your raw chopped garlic and fresh parsley next:

Voila!

I’m very happy with how this potato cake turned out, and yes, it took a few attempts to get it right – I’ve had people help me with the “flip” and it’s just too awkward, so the key is a non-stick pan and good caramelization…and you will have this to enjoy!

You can serve this with a roast chicken, steaks, chops, or even as part of a vegetarian or vegan meal…it’s delicious and reheats well…thanks to Patricia Wells, who first told us about this dish, and of course, the incredible Chez L’Ami Louis….by the way, their “gateau de pommes de terre” looks like this:

Theirs has better structure and caramelization, but I’m happy with how close I got…you can see our entire meal at Chez L’Ami Louis here – I show you how they serve the $125 chicken in multiples stages:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/04/20/chez-lami-louis-love-this-125-paris-chicken-garlic-potato-cake-rocks-too/

We love this bistro, as much as we love Paris – and the potatoes of Paris:

Yes, these are some cheesy potatoes, part of our last visit to Paris – here is how we tackled the “potatoes of Paris:”

https://johnrieber.com/2018/01/27/a-guide-to-the-potatoes-of-paris-baked-mashed-fried-roasted-cheesy-a-cake-as-well/

Let me know how your potato cake turns out!

Welcome To Alcatraz!

This legendary shot of a prison guard at Alcatraz is haunting – a solitary guard watching over some of America’s worst criminals, housed on a “rock” in San Francisco Bay – and guess what – you can see it up close!

Welcome to “The Rock!”

Yes, America’s most notorious prison is open to the public – and is located in one of the most unique place imaginable – on a rock in the middle of San Francisco bay!

Alcatraz is fascinating to me – and the subject of many great films like “Escape From Alcatraz” with Clint Eastwood and “Birdman Of Alcatraz” with Burt Lancaster!

One of the great action films of the 90’s is “The Rock” with Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery, shot on the rock itself!

Now, you can tour the island where the prison is located – and wander through the cellblocks as well!

As we board a ferry to the island, here are some facts to share:

Alcatraz Island is just a mile offshore from the heart of downtown San Francisco, since it is located in the middle of San Francisco Bay. The island was a military prison in 1868, then it was turned into a federal prison in 1934. After almost thirty years housing some of America’s worst criminals, it was finally closed permanently in 1963.

In 1972, Alcatraz became a national recreation area and was made a National Historic Landmark in 1986.

So, it’s time to head to the island! As you will see from this video, it’s a windy ride across the bay, with the Golden Gate bridge easily visible in the distance!

You will hear that it is VERY WINDY on the ride over, so bundle up!

It’s a truly spectacular trip on a sunny day – if you want to go, you MUST get your tickets online well in advance as it’s always sold out!

Welcome to “The Rock!”

You arrive through an abandoned corridor, but this actually helps with the mystique of the place – and there are a ton of great signs that tell you all about the prison:

The tour is well-organized, and you end up exactly where you want to be: on cellblock row, where the inmates lived!

The best part is they have several still “dressed” as if lived in, and they let you inside a few as well!

Imagine living for 20-30 years in this space! Of course, my wife Alex and I got the obligatory “let me out of here Warden!” shots!

They have other areas open as well, and lots of vintage pictures of life in the prison – and if you feel “locked up”, you can just go outside and look back at San Francisco!

Imagine being housed there for years – and always seeing the city so close, yet so far away! A recent story suggested that the only inmates who escaped from the island might not have drowned, but actually made it to shore!

We’ll never know, as you can see from the video I shared earlier, the water is really rough and since it’s Pacific Ocean water, ice cold as well!

Heading away from the island, you can see the San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate bridge and sailboats in the bay.

It takes 15 minutes by ferry from San Francisco’s Pier 33 – and as I said, you MUST get advance tickets.

Of course, since you are right there, head a few blocks away to pier 39 and see some seals – lots and lots of seals!

You are literally just a few feet away from hundreds of seals – and yes, it smells like it too!

You can see more of my story about the seals here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/04/15/san-franciscos-famous-sea-lion-hangout-sea-lions-take-over-a-pier/

Let me know if you’ve ever been to Alcatraz!

RIP Verne Troyer…

This is such sad news.

Verne Troyer, who played “Mini-Me” in two of the Austin Powers movies, has died at the age of 49, according to statements posted to his social media accounts Saturday.

No cause of death has been released yet.

I was lucky enough to meet with him several times about a potential food show, and he was funny, engaged, interested in a wide range of subjects, and self-aware in the best way…

“Verne was an extremely caring individual. He wanted to make everyone smile, be happy, and laugh,” a statement posted to his social media said. “Anybody in need, he would help to any extent possible. Verne hoped he made a positive change with the platform he had and worked towards spreading that message every day.”

Here is the great rap video “Hard Knock Life” by Dr. Evil and Mini-Me, from “Goldmember”…

He had a long list of acting credits, as well as commercials and reality TV as well. This is truly sad, he was far too young…

RIP Verne…

Meet The Legendary Producer Allan Carr!

I just read a great book about one of Hollywood’s most flamboyant and entertaining Producers, the legendary Allan Carr!

Here he is with Bob Hope, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell – in the 70’s, he was one of Hollywood’s biggest Producers, and was behind some incredible hits – as well as the worst debacle in Oscar history!

“Party Animals: A Hollywood Tale of Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll Starring the Fabulous Allan Carr” – by Robert Hofler.

I read this book awhile ago, and I recommend it for anyone who loves entertainment and the wild and crazy times of the hedonistic 70’s.

This book looks at Carr’s years in Hollywood, both good and bad!

Here is how the book is described:

“Allan Carr was Hollywood’s premier party-thrower during the town’s most hedonistic era—the cocaine-addled, sexually indulgent 1970s. Hosting outrageous soirees with names like the Mick Jagger/Cycle Sluts Party and masterminding such lavishly themed opening nights as the Tommy/New York City subway premiere, it was Carr, an obese, caftan-wearing producer — the ultimate outsider — who first brought movie stars and rock stars, gays and straights, Old and New Hollywood together.”

As a Producer, Carr had the massive hit “Grease” and the Broadway smash “La Cage aux Folles”, but he made the decision to do a sequel to “Grease” without John Travolta or Olivia Newton-John, the stars of the first film…

A very young Michelle Pfeiffer starred in the sequel, which bombed badly…then, Carr decided to make another lavish musical – this one with a confounding cast and Director!

“Can’t Stop The Music!”

As the poster says “The Musical Event Of The 80’s”!

Producer Carr decided to capture the “disco craze” of the late 70’s by doing a big budget musical extravaganza starring Steve Guttenberg, the Village People and Bruce Jenner!

First, check out the trailer!

Go Go Nancy!

Oh, and since it was a lavish musical, they decided to get aging “character actress/never-directed-before so let’s have her do it” Nancy Walker behind the camera to direct it!

Walker was best known for her role as Rhoda’s mother on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”

A1J7KX Can t Stop The Music Year 1980 Director Nancy Walker Village People

“YMCA!”

Yes, the movie stars The Village People, who sang one of disco’s catchiest songs of all time. But it doesn’t end there!

Bruce Jenner runs around New York City in Daisy Dukes and a bare midriff, with a shrunken tee shirt!

Because it’s a musical – and because it stars the imcomparable Village People, there are a variety of wildly over the top musical sequences!

Run out in a buying frenzy to get your hands on this masterpiece…and if you need more of the worst films ever committed to celluloid, check out my list here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/05/03/from-the-beatles-to-flying-severed-heads-five-mesmerizingly-bad-films/

But Carr’s worst debacle was still to come…

“Snow White” Bombs At The Oscars!

At the end of the 80’s, the pinnacle of Carr’s fall from grace took place when he produced the 1989 Academy Awards show – and started the show with a tone-deaf musical number that had Rob Lowe serenading Snow White, a fiasco that made Carr an outcast, and is still widely considered to be the worst Oscar show ever.

“What A Bunch Of Coconuts!”

Yes, Carr was skewered by Hollywood for the infamous opening production number in which Merv Griffin sang “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts!” amid an onstage re-creation of the Cocoanut Grove nightclub before turning the stage over to a high-pitched Snow White, who boogalooed with Rob Lowe to the tune of “Proud Mary.”

The Academy Strikes Back!

The fallout from this show was immediate.

As author Robert Hofler wrote in the book:

“Allan tried to reinvent the Oscars through camp comedy.”

It was a disaster.

In an open letter, 17 prominent Hollywood figures, including past Academy president Gregory Peck, proclaimed the ceremony:

“an embarrassment to both the Academy and the entire motion picture industry. It is neither fitting nor acceptable that the best work in motion pictures be acknowledged in such a demeaning fashion.”

Carr died in 1999, but one thing about that Oscar debacle? He came up with the idea of changing “and the winner is…” to “and the Oscar goes to…”, something that has been used ever since.

The book is fast-paced and full of great insight about a wild era in Hollywood – a great read!

Has The Infamous “Golden State Killer” Been Caught?

Wow, there may have been a break in one of California’s biggest murder rampages – the subject of the late Author Michelle McNamara’s terrific new book:

Patton Oswalt’s late wife was obsessed with this crime spree, and her book was recently published posthumously…and now, her work may have paid off!

According to an exclusive report in “The Daily Beast”:

“Joseph James DeAngelo, 72, was arrested on two counts of murder early Wednesday morning, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Sacramento Bee reported on Wednesday that a suspect was arrested in the decades-old rape and murder case, and a Fox affiliate in California reported there had been a “significant break” in the case. Both outlets confirmed that authorities plan to announce more information Wednesday afternoon. Several other local outlets also confirmed the news.”

The Daily Beast goes on to report:

“DeAngelo is the suspect in the Golden State Killer case, said Billy Jensen, one of the writers responsible for researching I’ll Be Gone in the Dark. The book was written by Michelle McNamara, who worked with investigators on the Golden State Killer case. McNamara died before the book could be published and it was finished by Jensen, researcher Paul Haynes, and McNamara’s husband, the comedian Patton Oswalt.”

Jensen, Haynes, and Oswalt tweeted on Tuesday night there would be a “large announcement tomorrow” in the case. On Wednesday morning, Oswalt called the news “surreal” and said in an Instagram video: “Think you got him, Michelle.”

This is amazing news if true, and you can read more about the latest developments here:

Here is the entire story at The Daily Beast:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/golden-state-killer-arrested-according-to-co-author-of-ill-be-gone-in-the-dark?ref=home

I heard Jensen, Haynes and Oswalt discuss the book last month:

You can see more about the book, and watch a lengthy clip from Patton’s conversation here:

https://johnrieber.com/2018/03/28/patton-oswalt-talks-ill-be-gone-in-the-dark-his-late-wife-michelle-mcnamaras-real-life-search-for-the-golden-state-killer/

Bravo to the entire team who worked with McNamara, and I hope it paid off with the capture of this horrific person…