Matthew Sardo spoke with musician and writer Duff McKagan about his new book “How To Be A Man (and other Illusions),” the state of rock & roll, and if Guns N’ Roses will ever get back together.
“I went out and played some shows with Axel last spring and we had a good time. That music is really good, myself I forgot, cause I hadn’t gone back and revisited old songs like Michelle, and the Estranged, Rocket Queen, etc. It would be fun,” said McKagan.
Duff McKagan played bass for Guns N’ Roses for twelve years and co-wrote many of their most iconic songs. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Duff formed Velvet Revolver with his former band mate Slash and fronts his own band, Loaded. He writes weekly columns for Seattleweekly.com and ESPN.com. McKagan lives in Seattle with his wife, supermodel Susan Holmes McKagan, and their two daughters.
Director Brad Bird while promoting Tomorrowland, spoke with Collider about the status of the Incredibles 2 script.
“Oh yeah I have pages, a bunch of pages. I had a lot of ideas for the original Incredibles that I didn’t get a chance to use, that I like. I have ideas that I wanted to pursue a little bit and there wasn’t enough time in Incredibles. There are new ideas I have, and I think there are enough of those together to make an interesting movie. I’m just focusing on getting Tomorrowland out into the world and playing with the Incredibles sandbox again,” said Bird.
When asked if The Incredibles 2 would be his next film, “Yeah it feels like it to me, yeah,” said Bird.
It has been 11 years since Incredibles has been released, do you think the delay will hurt its box office success?
Tyler Crook’s artistic style gives Harrow County an innocent feel, but Cullen Bunn’s writing makes your skin crawl with anticipation of the story’s outcome.
Harrow County #1 sets the tale for a rustic version of the Evil Dead. What is most exciting about this series is you have no clue where the story is going. The combination of storyline, artwork, era in time, dishevels the reader to the mercy of Bunn’s imagination. The issue doesn’t use a cliffhanger to hook the reader with the last page but the over all tense tone compels you to turn the page and look for issue two.
Crook’s art and colors work well with the first issue to set up and eerie tale. His work excels in the close up shots of the characters as the detail and emotion is over flowing. On the first page, in the bottom right hand corner, there is an image of Hester the witch, hanging. Your view is looking up at her and she has one eye open, looking down at you with a slight smile. When I lay down tonight and close my eyes, that will be the haunting image I see. There a several panels where Crook’s artwork sends chills down the spine with soft brush strokes.
If you’re a fan of solid storytelling and the Evil Dead, Harrow County is a must.
HARROW COUNTY #1
This town will make your skin crawl!
Emmy always knew that the deep, dark woods surrounding her home crawled with ghosts, goblins, and zombies. But on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, she learns that she is connected to these creatures—and to the land itself—in a way she never imagined.
Don’t miss the first issue of this southern gothic fairy tale from the creator of smash hit The Sixth Gun, beautifully and hauntingly realized by B.P.R.D.’s Tyler Crook!
Archie Comics started a Kickstarter campaign Monday morning to raise $350,000 to relaunch the Archie universe.
The publisher wants to relaunch: Jughead with writer Chip Zdarsky, Betty and Veronica with Adams Hughes on art and story, and Life with Kevin by Dan Parent and J. Bone.
Publisher to launch new JUGHEAD, BETTY & VERONICA and LIFE WITH KEVIN comic book series with help of dedicated fandom
New York, NY (May 11) – Archie Comics, the acclaimed and bestselling comic book publisher that is home to some of the best-known pop culture creations in the world, including Archie, Jughead, Betty & Veronica, Josie & The Pussycats, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and the hit AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE series, announced today that it would launch a historic crowdfunding campaign via the popular Kickstarter platform.
The Kickstarter campaign’s call to action is a simple one: Help Archie Comics build a New Riverdale. Specifically, the Kickstarter will ask fans to help fund a slate of titles that build off the surefire success of ARCHIE #1 — the debut issue of a new, ongoing ARCHIE series from writer Mark Waid (Daredevil, Kingdom Come) and artist Fiona Staples (Saga). The series will be crafted by some of the biggest names in the comic book industry and feature the most beloved characters in comic book history.
The three new titles, launching over the next 18 months, include:
JUGHEAD — Featuring the adventures of Archie’s hamburger-loving best friend, from acclaimed writer Chip Zdarsky (Sex Criminals, Howard the Duck) and an artist TBA. An off-the-wall series full of laughs, unexpected twists and a modern sense of humor.
BETTY AND VERONICA — Girl-next-door Betty Cooper and wealthy socialite Veronica Lodge are best friends and fiercely competitive. While they both have a history with that guy Archie, the series puts the focus squarely on them — their friendship, their high school lives and adventures beyond Riverdale. Written and drawn by comic book legend Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman, Before Watchmen: Doctor Manhattan).
LIFE WITH KEVIN — Kevin Keller, the hugely-popular and historic character that broke new ground in Riverdale by being the first gay character in the company’s publishing history returns in a new ongoing series. Writer/artist Dan Parent (Kevin Keller) and inker J. Bone (The Spirit) tell a tale of an older, more experienced Kevin as he navigates a new city, new romance and leaving home.
“Our fans are part of our family — they’re an integral part of everything we do,” said Archie Comics Publisher/Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. “We’re not flush with corporate cash like Marvel or DC. But we’re also not afraid to take calculated risks. With this Kickstarter, fans have the chance to get in on the ground floor of an exciting and forward-thinking initiative. Fans can help build a New Riverdale, brick-by-brick. We’ve put together a stellar lineup of titles — featuring the best and the brightest creators working on our top characters. With your help, we can make this New Riverdale a reality. The best part? This is only the beginning.”
The crowdfunding initiative marks the latest part of the company’s 75th anniversary celebration — while also marking the beginning of a new era for the long-running publisher. With the launch of ARCHIE #1 on July 8, the company will be poised to reimagine its core characters while retaining the humorous and edgy elements that made them instant sensations when they first appeared.
“When I first stepped into the Archie offices, the brand was frozen in time. The stories felt stiff and dated. That’s no longer the case,” Goldwater said. “This is a new Archie. A new Jughead. A new Betty and Veronica and a new Kevin. We’re holding onto the things that made them great — the humor, the love triangle, the friendship and youthful exuberance — but presenting them in a way that can appeal to everyone, from classic comic fans to new readers who might not know every nook and cranny of our history. Each part of this is a brick that will help build a New Riverdale. But we can only do it with your help.”
Wizard World Philadelphia was this past weekend, and the biggest headline to come out of the con is, “Burt Reynolds attends first comic-con.”
The 79-year-old actor made his first-ever Comic Con convention appearance on Saturday.
Reynolds took part in an audience Q&A at the Wizard World Comic Con in Philadelphia.
“I think it’s a good time to find out what it’s all about,” Reynolds told the Philadelphia Inquirer earlier this week. “I always enjoy talking to fans and I’m usually very pleased with their curiosity about my career, what I’m doing, what I’m not doing, and why I’m not doing more.”
New York – Dana Walden and Gary Newman, Chairmen and CEOs, Fox Television Group, today unveiled the FOX primetime slate for the 2015-2016 television season to the national advertising community during its annual Programming Presentation at the Beacon Theatre.
“Building on the phenomenal momentum created by GOTHAM, THE LAST MAN ON EARTH and, of course, EMPIRE, we’re infusing next season’s schedule with new ambitious dramas, smart comedies, aspirational unscripted series and big live events and specials – all from the best creators in the business,” said Walden and Newman. “And our strategy with these bold creative swings is simple: schedule them strategically, market them relentlessly and create events that break through and captivate viewers across every platform.”
Tuesdays are all-new this fall on FOX, with new comedies GRANDFATHERED and THE GRINDER, followed by killer comedy-horror series SCREAM QUEENS.
The new comedies kicking off an all-new Tuesday are GRANDFATHERED and THE GRINDER. A comedy about coming of age – at any age – GRANDFATHERED stars John Stamos (“Full House,” “ER”) as the ultimate bachelor whose life is turned upside down when he discovers he’s not only a father, but a grandfather. THE GRINDER, starring Emmy Award nominee Rob Lowe (“Parks and Recreation,” “The West Wing”) and Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award nominee Fred Savage (“The Wonder Years”), follows a famous TV lawyer (Lowe) who, after his hit series, “The Grinder,” is canceled, moves back home and joins his brother (Savage) at their family’s real-life law firm – despite having no formal education, no bar certification, no license to practice and no experience in an actual courtroom.
Award-winning executive producers Ryan Murphy (GLEE, “American Horror Story”), Brad Falchuk (GLEE, “American Horror Story”) and Ian Brennan (GLEE) meld comedy, mystery and horror in SCREAM QUEENS. All hell is about to break loose for the Kappa House sisters of Wallace University when a murder takes place, exactly 20 years after a mysterious death originally rocked their college campus. The super-charged anthology series is a modern take on the classic whodunit with a killer cast, including Emma Roberts (“American Horror Story: Freak Show,” “Scream 4”), Jamie Lee Curtis (“Halloween,” “A Fish Called Wanda,” “True Lies”), Lea Michele (GLEE), Oliver Hudson (“Nashville,” “Rules of Engagement”), Keke Palmer (“Akeela and the Bee,” “Masters of Sex”) and guest stars Ariana Grande and Nick Jonas (“Kingdom”), among others. With at least one casualty each week until the mystery is solved, anyone could be the next victim – or the murderer.
Two new dramas – the futuristic MINORITY REPORT and the Miami-set ROSEWOOD – debut this fall. Based on Steven Spielberg’s international blockbuster film and the first of his films to be adapted for television, MINORITY REPORT follows the partnership between a man (Stark Sands, “Inside Llewyn Davis”) haunted by the future and a cop (Meagan Good, “Think Like A Man” franchise, “Californication”) haunted by her past, as they race to stop the worst crimes before they happen.
Also joining the schedule this fall is ROSEWOOD. From executive producer Todd Harthan (“Psych,” “Dominion”), ROSEWOOD stars Morris Chestnut (“Nurse Jackie,” “The Best Man” franchise) as DR. BEAUMONT ROSEWOOD, JR., a brilliant private pathologist who uses wildly sophisticated technology and his drive to live life to the fullest to help a tough-as-nails detective (Jaina Lee Ortiz, “The After”) and the Miami PD uncover clues no one else can see.
The next mind-bending chapter of THE X-FILES debuts with a special two-night event beginning Sunday, Jan. 24 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/7:00-8:00 PM PT), following the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, and continuing with its time period premiere on Monday, Jan. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). The thrilling, six-episode event series, helmed by creator/executive producer Chris Carter and starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as FBI Agents FOX MULDER and DANA SCULLY, marks the momentous return of the Emmy Award- and Golden Globe-winning pop culture phenomenon, which remains one of the longest-running sci-fi series in network television history.
In 2016, additional new series joining the schedule include devilish drama LUCIFER and modern action series THE FRANKENSTEIN CODE; and two comedies, THE GUIDE TO SURVIVING LIFE and animated BORDERTOWN.
Based on characters from DC Entertainment’s Vertigo imprint, LUCIFER stars Tom Ellis (“Merlin”) as the charming, charismatic and handsome-as-hell original fallen angel, who, bored and unhappy in Hell, takes refuge in Los Angeles, where he uses his gift of persuasion to punish bad guys. But the longer he’s away from the underworld, the greater the threat that the worst of humanity could escape.
In THE FRANKENSTEIN CODE, from executive producer/writer Rand Ravich (“Life,” “Crisis”) and executive producer Howard Gordon (“Homeland,” “24”), a disgraced, 75-year-old ex-sheriff, whose life ends at the hands of corrupt cops, is brought back to life and given a second chance by a pair of young tech scientists, as a 35-year-old (Rob Kazinsky, “True Blood”) with unpredictable near-superhuman abilities.
NEW GIRL will return to Tuesdays in January, for its first-ever season of virtually uninterrupted originals. These weekly all-new episodes will platform THE GUIDE TO SURVIVING LIFE, the new young ensemble comedy about a group of friends living together for the first time. Each episode is told from the perspective of COOPER BARRETT (Jack Cutmore-Scott, “Kingsman: The Secret Service”), a wickedly charming and deeply flawed recent college grad whose life is filled with terrible choices, excellent mistakes and fantastic misadventures.
A new animated comedy from FAMILY GUY’s Mark Hentemann and Seth MacFarlane, BORDERTOWN is a satirical look at the cultural shifts taking place in America. Exploring family, politics and everything in between with a cross-cultural wink, the series centers on two very different families living in a fictional Southwest desert town on the U.S. – Mexico border.
AMERICAN IDOL will begin its 15th – and final – season this January on FOX. A season-long celebratory event, AMERICAN IDOL XV will feature host Ryan Seacrest and judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., as they search for the final IDOL superstar and pay tribute to the past 14 seasons of amazingly talented contestants and the millions of fans who tweeted, texted and championed their IDOLs.
As previously announced, GREASE: LIVE, a three-hour production of the massively popular crossover musical “Grease,” starring superstar singers, dancers and actresses Julianne Hough (“Safe Haven,” “Rock of Ages”) and Vanessa Hudgens (Broadway’s “Gigi,” “Spring Breakers”), will air LIVE Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016 on FOX. With Hough as the angelic “Sandy” – Rydell High’s most talked-about newcomer – and Hudgens as iconic bad girl “Rizzo,” this first-ever live television production of “Grease” will re-imagine the hit musical for an entirely new generation.
Additional FOX series include: ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER?, BOB’S BURGERS, BONES, BOOM!, BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, BULLSEYE, EMPIRE, FAMILY GUY, GOTHAM, HELL’S KITCHEN, HOME FREE, THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, MASTERCHEF, MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, THE SIMPSONS, SLEEPY HOLLOW, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE and WORLD’S FUNNIEST.
Additional schedule information to be announced.
Following are the FOX fall 2015 primetime schedule, as well as social media information for and synopses of the new series:
FOX FALL 2015 SCHEDULE
(All Times ET/PT)
MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM GOTHAM
9:00-10:00 PM MINORITY REPORT (new)
TUESDAY
8:00-8:30 PM GRANDFATHERED (new)
8:30-9:00 PM THE GRINDER (new)
9:00-10:00 PM SCREAM QUEENS (new)
WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM ROSEWOOD (new)
9:00-10:00 PM EMPIRE
THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM SLEEPY HOLLOW
FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM MASTERCHEF JUNIOR
9:00-10:00 PM WORLD’S FUNNIEST
SATURDAY
7:00-10:30 PM FOX SPORTS SATURDAY: FOX COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Fox announced Monday that it had renewed American Idol, and the current judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, Harry Connick, Jr. and host host Ryan Seacrest.
Fox also confirmed that season 15 would be the last for American Idol and the season will be “season-long celebratory event.”
The lines seem carved into his aging face. His eyes are heavy and sad, his beard unkempt, and his once majestic physique seems to be weighing him down rather than propping him up. This is not the Arnold Schwarzenegger of your childhood, with the one liners and the heavy artillery. In Maggie, Schwarzenegger is shedding his irony-fuleled action superstar skin in order to play Wade, the grieving father to a daughter who is slowly changing into a zombie.
The world of this post-zombie apocalypse is flat, gray and morose. The sky seems to always be filled with smoke, as farmers have been compelled to burn their fields as some sort of defense mechanism against the zombies, who are never called zombies. Maggie, played by Abigail Breslin, is bitten by another undead flesh eater in the nameless city, and Wade comes to get her and bring her back to their farm. But Wade knows she has only a few weeks before she will begin to change, her body will wither away and a zombie will take its place, hungry for human flesh. He will have to report her progress to the local authorities, represented here by two police officers. One is understanding of Wade’s apprehension, the other is scared and aggressive.
Wade and Maggie return to the secluded farm with Wade’s second wife, Caroline (Joely Richardson) and their two younger children, who are swiftly taken away to a relatives house to stay safe from what may become a dangerous Maggie. The rest of the film is a waiting game, with a great deal of introspection, fear, and resignation.
I was conflicted about Maggie. On the one hand, seeing Schwarzenegger in a role that required him to dig deep and find subtlety in his acting was something I never imagined he would be able to do. Schwarzenegger is hypnotizing in his understatement because he comes to the role with so many explosions and marble-mouthed one-liners in his past. His Wade has to kill in this film, but the killing comes with no joy or panache. It is utilitarian, regrettable, and it haunts Wade in the scenes afterward. Schwarzenegger truly displays the weight of the situation on his broad shoulders and sad eyes. And Breslin is becoming an adult actress herself. As Maggie, she shows a maturity and depth, especially in a scene in the middle where she has to say goodbye to her friends.
The acting is superb, but the film could use a bit of a push. As strange as this sounds, especially after praising Schwarzenegger for changing direction in his career so admirably, Maggie could use a little more energy. The introspective nature of the film causes the dramatic tension to stall at times, as Wade sits in his truck or stares at the burning horizon. First-time feature director Henry Hobson does have a specific vision for his film, and he shows everyone he has real talent. But the emotional pulse of the entire story stays so faint that the emotional impact of earlier scenes dissipate by the end.
And credit to the end for not selling out and going the expected direction. Maggie is uneven in its dedicated evenness, consistently morose enough to keep the overall impact at arm’s length. But it does succeed in the performances, both brilliant turns by Breslin and Schwarzenegger, who shows range I never knew was there. I only wish he would follow up Maggie with another challenging role, and not three sequels to his big-bicep spectacles from the 80s.
A new trailer has been released for Nightingale, HBO’s one-man show starring David Oyelowo (Selma), and while it remains mysterious, this trailer still shows off what is certain to be a daring performance.
Oyelowo plays a war veteran whose mind is getting the better of him as he waits on what must be an important dinner appointment. Here is the newest Nightingale trailer:
Matthew Sardo spoke with Alex Kennedy, the managing editor of BasketballInsiders.com about his journalistic journey, the state of the NBA, the evolution of journalism, and how social media has changed the game.
Kennedy started covering the Orlando Magic at the age of 14, his dad had to chaperone him to games.
LeBron James has 50 playoff games with 30 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, which is just one game shy of Michael Jordan's record. (via Elias)
Do you want to be our SUPER-FAN of the week? All you have to do is comment on this podcast to be eligible.
Do you have a question that you would like answered during the show? Email your questions to matt@popaxiom.com.
About the Monkeys Fighting Robots Podcast:
A Gen Xer and a Millennial debate the latest topics in pop culture. One guy is a filmmaker and the other is a journalist, but both are nerds. We make your slowest days at work better. Hosts, Matthew Sardo and EJ Moreno.
Never heard of Matt Sardo? For starters, he made the Kessel Run in less than 11 parsecs. Prior to that, he gave Doc Brown the idea for the flux capacitor and led the Resistance to victory over SkyNet – all while sipping a finely crafted IPA. As a radio host, he’s interviewed celebrities, athletes and everyone in between. He’s covered everything from the Super Bowl to Comic-Con.
Who’s EJ Moreno? Is he a trained physician? No. Is he a former Miss Universe contestant? Possibly. But what we know for sure is he’s a writer, filmmaker, and pop culture enthusiast. Since film school, EJ has written & directed several short films. He’s used his passion of filmmaking to become a movie critic for MonkeysFightingRobots.com.
