Harris Online Blog
Daily throughts from Paul Harris
David Bianculli on The Smothers Brothers
In the wake of the death of Tommy Smothers this week, I’m reposting my conversation with David Bianculli about his book, “Dangerously Funny,” a history of the Smothers Brothers’ TV show.
Tommy Smothers
I’m saddened to hear of the death of Tommy Smothers at the age of 86. Here’s a conversation I had with him in 2007 about his long career with brother Dick — and the time he taught John Lennon the right way to play a song.
Worst Movies Of 2023
It can be fun ripping really bad movies to shreds, but I hate that I wasted so much time watching these, the ten I most disliked in the last twelve months.
Best Movies Of 2023
Here’s my list of the ten movies that impressed me most in the last twelve months, regardless of platform. Most of them did not earn big numbers at the box office, but they all put a smile on my face.
Stuff Worth Reading
I recommend these pieces about “The Sound Of Music,” Elon Musk’s big lie, the NY Times games department, an ill-advised remake of a Christmas movie classic, and why a proposed big media merger is such a bad idea.
You Can Wish Me A Merry Christmas
A re-post of a piece I wrote in 2012 about why, even though I don’t celebrate the holiday, you can still wish me a Merry Christmas (and vice versa).
“American Fiction”
Here’s my rave review of a clever, funny new movie about a frustrated Black author fed up with the way the publishing world treats people who look like him.
“Maestro”
Here’s my review of Bradley Cooper’s biopic of composer/conductor Leonard Bernstein and his longtime marriage to his wife, Felicia.
Busting The Bugsy Myth
Despite the claims of Barry Levinson’s 1991 movie “Bugsy,” mobster Ben Siegel did not create the first casino in Las Vegas. In fact, it was a woman named Alice Morris.
What’s Wrong With You?
I couldn’t believe the reaction of the guy next to me on a Southwest flight when passengers sang “Happy Birthday” to a two-year-old girl. Here’s the story.
No More Info
We take you now to the evening news broadcast of a local TV station in any American city for breaking news live from the courthouse.
As I Tweeted
In order to collect the $148 million from Rudy Giuliani, his victims in Georgia will have to squeeze his head so hard the juice runs out again.
Thoughts And Prayers
From a group called Mothers For Democracy, this is the most creative and compelling political message I’ve seen in a long time.
Best Thing I’ve Seen Today
What effect would a magnitude 15 earthquake have on the US — and the world? Randall Munroe answers in this short video.
“Immediate Family”
If you bought rock albums during the singer-songwriter era of the 1970s, you often saw the names of four extraordinary musicians on the back covers. Here’s my review of a new documentary about them.
Random Thoughts
Quickies about the Golden Globes, sports movies, the college football transfer portal, and blocking ads on Twitter.
Ryan O’Neal
When Ryan O’Neal died, headlines referred to his lead role in the 1970 movie, “Love Story.” But my mind went to these four others I really enjoyed.
As I Tweeted
At my last radio job, I had a contract similar to the one Shohei Ohtani just signed with the Dodgers. Except in my case, I had to work 700 years to make $10 million.