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Notes, News and Erratta-tat-tat From the Cellar
Hi, everybody! Just wanted to drop a few syllables on you all this fine morning, nothing big, just stuff… first, here’s some shots of last Saturday’s Art Hop taken at Tapas Downtown…
Here’s a shot of the incomparable Benita Epstein, cartoonist extraordinaire, published in the New Yorker, Reader’s Digest. etc. etc., the schlub on the left was once published in Hakeem’s Liquor’s Monthly Coupon Circular. Hey, they have some great prices. The man in the mirror is former Penguineer, Greg Pate. (Photo courtesy of Benita’s husband, Ted)
In this photo, the Literati mingle, chat and suck down free wine while the cartoonist toils and sweats. Ain’t it the way? That’s A News Cafe.com’s own Jim Dyar shuckin’ and jivin’ with Greg.
In other news…
“Beat The Reaper” Is Big Hit, Twice!
Josh Bazell’s dark comedy, “Beat The Reaper”, is a big hit and will soon be a major motion picture. That’s swell and all, but fans (and even members) of the comedy troupe Firesign Theatre are a little bewildered that nobody seems to mind that the title of Mr. Bazell’s bestseller rhymes with a famous FST bit from their first album, “Waiting For The Electrician, Or Someone Like Him” called “Beat The Reaper”.
The Firesign version is a game show parody wherein a contestant is injected with various diseases and he must guess, from his symptoms, what malady he’s contracted. A correct answer will “Beat The Reaper” and earn a shot of the antidote. Failure results in, well…you get the picture. The audio skit is deeply ingrained in popular culture and, despite the generational differences, it’s hard to believe Josh had never heard the phrase in connection with the piece. I’m not saying there should be a lawsuit or anything, but it would be nice if the author at least acknowledged that the title was Firesign’s creation.
I saw the book on our local library’s “New Release” wall and checked it out… I loved it. Clever, dark and fast-paced, it deserves its success. I think the Firesign guys deserve their credit as well.
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Lord knows I’m no historian, lexicon-o-graphy type person (or even literate), but it seems to me a phrase like ‘beat the reaper’ has been around for eons, kind of life ‘hit the street’ or ‘make hay’ or ‘ain’t it a shame’ and etc. etc. so I’m thinkin’ it’s possible this guy thought of the title without (consciously at least) borrowing from Firesign Theater.
But then again, I tend to see the best in all people (except you, of course, based solely on your absurd belief in all things Dodgers).
I am willing to stand (sitting is preferable) in a corrected fashion.
Yours for confusion,
Jes’ thinkin’
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Philbert Reply:
May 12th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Well, I’m not ready to imply there was anything sinister about Bazell’s use of the phrase. I’m pretty sure the words, “gone with the wind” had been uttered before that was published as well, but it’s hard not to associate the phrase with the book and movie. Perhaps I’m more attuned to Firesign Theatre references than the average person (I love those guys). So, it’s hard for me to fathom that someone at the publishing house didn’t make the connection. I think the FST would have appreciated the homage had there been some acknowledgement of their previous work. But, I want to be clear that I’m not suggesting that there was any nasty intent on anyone’s part. Just want to point out that “Beat The Reaper” has been a part of our cultural landscape as a Firesign bit since the late 60’s.
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Hey…stop shoving…I wanted to be first but go ahead. Looks like there is plenty or room left to comment in after all.
Where the heck is everybody? Still at Tapas tapping their feet at the bar? OK…I am not caught up in this but I am glad you notice these things as I hate wearing something that is not branded properly and especially when credit isn’t given where due. Kind of like stealing cartoons off the web…ouch! Is that ink in that pen?
Glad to see ya tweet as it let me know you were home at the blog cabin working away at posting something for us to ponder.
I just returned from Houston Texas where I met of with my 5 Grands and extended families…while in conversation…my son-n-law informed me he recently had critter-on-a-stick at a local fair where a vendor from Louisiana was serving up an assorted array of critters. He thinks he tried the raccoon! LOL
Cheers!
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OMG, Phil! Naturally you are working hard three, over three straight hours without breathing. I am in a “thinking”. Everyone loved all your cartoons. Exceptional. You are such a talent!
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