Management killed the video star.

"Going into 2026, maybe the goal isn’t blind optimism or total despair. Maybe it’s grit. Maybe it’s humor. Maybe it’s the radical act of believing that things can get better. Not automatically. Not easily. But because people decide to make them better."

Let's get down to the real nitty gritty: It's Day 25 of our musical advent calendar and we wish you a merry Xmas with the lady who gave us the name game, the great Shirley Ellis. Peace be unto you. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrGY...

For Day 24 of our musical advent calendar, we present the magnificent Lord Nelson, who reminds us that any party is better with Santa. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXBj...

It's Xmas Eve Eve and Day 23 of our musical advent calendar. This one's kind of obvious but there's still so much to love here, from the audience singing out at 3:02 to the lovely fake snow to the all-too-short slow dance at the end—and of course, the great Kirsty. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrAw...

I'm with her.

Look, the Beatles were HUGE for me as a kid, and I still love them as much as, if not more than, the next #BeatlesGuy. But I’m BEGGING someone to put this kind of energy into the KINKS, for the love of god

Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Paramount Television Studios, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios. Television Networks (US): CBS, Paramount Network, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, CMT, TV Land, VH1, Pop, Smithsonian Channel CANCEL PARAMOUNT+

CBS really Bari'd the story huh.

Rivers Cuomo wrote it. Micky Dolenz sang it. @allredmd.bsky.social (and lovely spouse Laura) illustrated it. All of which makes this track a perfectly ginchy choice for Day 22 of our musical advent calendar. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZfE...

It's Day 21 of our musical advent calendar and the shortest day of the year—so it makes sense to present a Winter song. Welcome to Lindisfarne. www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYYB...

It's Day 20 of our musical advent calendar and we'll cutting loose with a magnificent bit of 1990s glam from New York City, courtesy of The Prissteens. Points to whichever fan put together this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=byUE...

For Day 19 of our musical advent calendar, we don't forget the Motor City. Presenting the late, great Marvin Gaye, recorded on stage at the Apollo Theatre. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzKH...

In the words of Orson Welles, "Never touch shit, even with gloves on. The gloves get shittier, but the shit doesn't get any glovvier."

For Day 18 of our musical advent calendar, we momentarily bypass the tradition Xmas turkey in favor of the Ol' Possum, with a blue lament by the late, great George Jones: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvHo...

Is there such a thing as classical-punk? If so, here's the proof, as Day 17 of our musical advent calendar features Swedish soprano Anne Sofie von Otter cutting loose on a 160-year-old French carol. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcbb...

We've lost a good one. RIP Joe Ely. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTpH...

Public libraries are wonderful places and I'm especially proud to see the LaGrange library featured here. (We were there this fall to talk about mystery and horror.) Congrats to @raforall.bsky.social and thanks!

IT's Day 16 of our musical advent calendar. Some fifty years ago, The Kinks made a Christmas record—and while we adore the work of Ray and Dave Davies, we admit we prefer this Kinky bauble from Bobby Lloyd & The Skeletons. Talk about goodness and light. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJCl...

It's very special when a filmmaker makes consistently good and entertaining films, and even more special when they make films you want to see more than once. Rob Reiner made those kinds of films: This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally... he will be missed. RIP.

For Day 15 of our musical advent calendar, we invite you to go free form with the remarkable Rahsaan Roland Kirk. www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHj4...

For Day 14 of our musical advent calendar, we present the beautiful harmonies of Linda and Laura Good, aka The Twigs. Let the kites go flying into space and never land. www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Fi...

If you’re afraid that books might change someone’s thinking, you’re not afraid of books, you’re afraid of thinking.

For Day 13 of our musical advent calendar, an offering from Memphis legend Rufus Thomas, dedicated to @wdcb909.bsky.social's Tom Marker, who's been playing music on the radio for the last five decades. Thanks, Tom, and good luck in your retirement! www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcoJ...

Just in time for the weekend, it’s Day 12 of our musical advent calendar. Stop for a refreshing beverage to the swinging sounds of the late, great Ramsey Lewis. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE2M...

This is the best Xmas ever.

For Day 11 of our musical advent calendar, we present the legendary Loretta Lynn with a rousing song of holiday disappointment. www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHLR...

For Day 10 of our musical advent calendar, something for both the naughty and nice, courtesy of the saucy Kay Martin (who is not pictured on the cover). Listen for the twist ending! www.youtube.com/watch?v=90wg...

A song co-written by Bobby Darin, with Eddie Cochran in the role of Elvis Presley?! What better way to cash in on a new musical phenomenon? It’s The Holly Twins with Day 9 of our musical advent calendar. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKc2...

A great thread—and it’s a pretty good film as well.

For Day 8 of our musical advent calendar, we present Clyde Lasley & His Cadillac Baby Specials with a Blue Monday offering that doubles as a helpful list for those looking for holiday spirit(s). www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3lH...

For Day 7 of our musical advent calendar, we celebrate acts of kindness, from the tenth century to the present, with the beautiful harmonies of The Roches. We miss you, Maggie. www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-G4...

A great idea!

For Day 6 of our musical advent calendar, we drift back to a carefree time—the mid-1990s—for a remarkable slice of broken-hearted punk pop from Florida's own New Found Glory. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGqH...

So sorry to hear about the passing of Steve Cropper. It's hard to imagine the history of Stax Records without him, which is really saying something. www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFQE...

For Day 5 of our musical advent calendar, we wish you a funky Christmas, courtesy of the Electric Jungle. (You probably know already that the record label and the shoe company are not related.) Pass the biscuits, please. www.youtube.com/watch?v=skst...

Shopping small is meaningful!

For Day 4 of our musical advent calendar, a musical snowblower from down under, courtesy of the fantastic Hoodoo Gurus. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Se-...

Day 3 of our musical advent calendar presents a recording that should be even better known than it is, courtesy of the legendary Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Shall we dance? www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ9E...

The new Winter issue of Nostalgia Digest is here, with a cover story about the amazing Andrews Sisters—as well as articles about the legendary Louise Brooks, great toys of the 1950s, actor Richard Conte, the heyday of the milkman and more! Get your copy now at www.nostalgiadigest.com/nostalgiadig...

May every writer be as fortunate to change lives the way Tom Stoppard did.

Welcome to Day 2 of our musical advent calendar. Here's a song that seems appropriate for Giving Tuesday, sung by the woman who first recorded it some fifty years ago (and joined here by her daughter): www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGNS...

Presenting day one of our musical advent calendar: 25 days (or as I many as I remember to post) of seasonal songs that haven't been little drummered into our collective heads. We start with a lovely number from the great @judithowen.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqiK...

Dear @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social: Do you think centrists would understand “We’ve got to take action against a would-be dictator who declares war on American citizens, sells pardons to notorious criminals and decimates the economy to enrich himself”? Asking for a nation.

Part of why Trump won in 2016 was he was an "outsider" who promised to "end corruption." He did not end corruption, he is a big "to the victor belongs the spoils of the enemy" guy. He's a spoiled and corrupt person, who has spoiled and corrupted his party and government. That story sells itself.

The president is a political cartoon of corruption come to life, a gaudy grifter who is selling off pardons and lining his pockets, building a golden ballroom and protecting his fellow sex predator elites, all the while regular Americans are suffering and struggling to make ends meet. Run on *that*

The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.

Years ago, I met Tom Stoppard long enough to say something like "I'm sure you hear this all the time, but 'Rosencrantz and Guilderstern are Dead' changed my life." He looked pleased and surprised as he said "Actually, I don't hear that all the time." I imagine he actually heard it a lot. RIP.

Among the things I'm thankful for is having a cell phone that's so old and primitive that I don't keep photos on it, which means the sixth one can't possibly kill me. Nice try, photos!

So sad to learn about the passing of the wonderful Jimmy Cliff. Everyone knows and loves the "Harder They Come" soundtrack (and rightly so) but here's a favorite of mine from 1981 or so, taken from the vinyl. RIP and thank you for spreading the love. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1og...