A updated look at prior Top Comments stories of mine, after-the-jump ...
But first: Top Comments appears nightly, as a round-up of the best comments on Daily Kos. Surely ... you come across comments daily that are perceptive, apropos and .. well, perhaps even humorous. But they are more meaningful if they're well-known ... which is where you come in (especially in diaries/stories receiving little attention).------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Send your nominations to TopComments at gmail dot com by 9:30 PM Eastern Time nightly, or by our KosMail message board. Please indicate (a) why you liked the comment, and (b) your Dkos user name (to properly credit you) as well as a link to the comment itself.
In August 2022, I looked at the legacy of the short, mid-70’s comedy series by John Cleese (of Monty Python fame) called Fawlty Towers— about Basil Fawlty, a snobby, misanthropic owner of a hotel who reckons he’d be a first-rate hotel owner ... “if it weren’t for the #*~% guests”. And its most famous episode The Germans— with Basil exhorting his staff “Don’t Mention the War” … only to mention it constantly to a group of German tourists, with a madcap series of events leaving their guests to wonder at the end …. “How did they ever win the war?” — which Cleese saw as a satire of England’s obsession about WW-II. You can read my original essay at this link.
Now …... an update
In early 2023, John Cleese announced that he would be preparing a re-boot of the show … yet as of this past May, he allowed that he has no timetable yet for its release. It will be written by himself and his daughter Camilla, and will pick up years later and find a widowed Basil Fawlty embarking on a new hotel venture in the Caribbean with his estranged daughter. (Reportedly, Rob Reiner is helping with the production).
Meanwhile, a stage production of three episodes of the original show (which previously ran only in Australia) — finally made its London debut earlier this year. Fawlty Towers — The Play (which includes The Germans as part of its ensemble) was due to close this week, but has been extended by popular demand to early January.
In early January, 2022 obituaries and tributes following the death of comic/actor/author/TV host Louie Anderson revealed a portrait of someone from hardscrabble beginnings who made a career out of his dysfunctional family — yet was someone who helped other comics climb the ladder he had to struggle to ascend. You can read my original essay at this link.
Now …... an update
Since his passing, many have cited his help in sponsoring their work … and one is a pop singer named Brian Evans. Early this year, he revealed that before his death Louie Anderson suggested adding a comic aspect to even serious musical videos. And while it does not appear to have (yet) been released: Evans sings a popular Barry Manilow tune with Louie as part of the video. When-and-if released: this on-screen appearance of Louie Anderson … may finally close the book on his career.
Plus, a Twin Cities comic named Jason Schommer was yet another who cited Louie’s ability to help comics needing that big break, hiring him back in 2012 and more times over the years (including in Las Vegas). Schommer also noted visiting Anderson in the hospital just two days before his death… and revealed this:
“He made me promise him that someday I will have a televised comedy special on Netflix. He told me that I am talented enough and that it is possible if I want it bad enough. I do. I want it not only for myself but also for him. So, that is a long-term goal that I am continually working towards. Fingers crossed, hopefully someday!”
Finally, ten years ago in August 2014, I looked at the worst single-season baseball teams in major league history since 1900. These included the expansion 1962 New York Mets (40-120, for a .250 winning %), the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics (36-117 for a .235 winning %) and the 1935 Boston Braves (38-115 for a .248 winning %). In the 21st Century, the 2003 Detroit Tigers had 118 losses with only six games left … yet won five of their last six games to finish 43-119 (with a .265 winning %). You can read my original, detailed essay at this link.
Now …... an update
After more than sixty years, the Chicago White Sox have finally broken the record for most losses in a season since 1900 — finishing 41-121 for a .253 winning %. They fired their manager Pedro Grifol and three coaches (naming Grady Sizemore as an interim manager) in August … it remains to be seen if he’ll be retained. Team owner Jerry Reinsdorf wrote a letter of apology to Sox fans that — you may not surprised to learn — blames others (and economics) ... just not himself.
A tune apropos for tonight’s focus.
Now, on to Top Comments:
From ColoTim (responding to Mary5920):
In the front-page story about the visit by Kamala Harris to a hurricane-stricken area— this comment (made by RichatPRW) should get much more attention.
And from Ed Tracey, your faithful correspondent this evening ........
In the diary by ThisLittleLightOfMine on the nine-year sentence handed down to Colorado county clerk Tina Peters for for leading a voting system data-breach scheme in 2020 … Stwriley ...becomes … well, rather poetic… while bleeding blue includes a 10-minute clip of the judge sentencing her, with this line “You’re as defiant a defendant as this court has ever seen.”
And in the diary by davidkc about his positive experiences (on just his first day) staffing a Pennsylvania voting hotline— wishingwell offers some additional background info for Keystone State voters on requesting an early ballot (and how it may differ county-by-county).
And lastly: yesterday's Top Mojo - mega-mojo to the intrepid mik ...... who rescued this feature from oblivion:
1) Tim Walz is the dad you always wanted. … by anon004 +2302) Now, I LOVE this October Surprise! 😆 by SAGG +15710) I agree with this. I lost my father in 201 … by scooba +12211) Jimmy Carter vs The Grifter by Denise Oliver Velez +12112) Women are humans by Denise Oliver Velez +11313) Thanks, Greg. Daily Toons. Debate by Denise Oliver Velez +10815) The lying duo by Denise Oliver Velez +10425) Project 2025 by Denise Oliver Velez +8225) I really don’t care do u? by Cal Worthington +82