The Quick 10: The Beatles’ Ed Sullivan Debut
As a big Beatles fan, I sure wish I was there 46 years ago when the Fab Four appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show for the first time. Since we haven’t quite worked out that whole time travel thing yet, I’ll have to content myself (and you!) with trivia.
1. Although appearing on Sullivan was [...]
The Quick 10: 10 Long-in-the-Tooth “Teenagers”
You all know that I’m a big Glee fan. But I’m not delusional – I know that a lot of the actors in the show are nowhere close to being of high school age… unless they’ve flunked many a grade (Cory Monteith and Mark Salling, who play Finn and Puck respectively, are both 27). They’re [...]
The Quick 10: 10 Unexpected Elvis Covers
It’s Elvis’ 75th birthday! I’m sure he’s out there celebrating somewhere with a Fool’s Gold sandwich. To celebrate his birthday here on the _floss, we thought we’d forego the calories and check out some rather interesting cover versions of his songs instead. The King had such a large repertoire (many of which he covered) that [...]
6 Controversial Christmas Carols
When you think of Christmas, you probably envision a row of cherry-faced carolers standing on your doorstep, holding candles and swaying to the soft, delicate notes of classic Christmas songs. But at certain points in history, some carols might have gotten those festive vocalists chased out of the neighborhood.
1. Elvis Presley’s “White Christmas” (1957)
It seems [...]
22 Great Photos Found in Presidential Libraries
A few weeks ago, after stumbling across this photo of John Travolta and Princess Diana dancing at the White House, I sent our readers on a Presidential Library scavenger hunt. You found some fantastic photos—here are 22 of our favorites.
1. Gatorade Bath
After winning their first Super Bowl in early 1987, the Giants celebrated by dumping [...]
The Late Movies: Springsteen’s Last Stand
Philadelphia recently said goodbye to a beloved institution when the Wachovia Spectrum closed its doors forever on Halloween night. Before the 42-year-old arena’s final event (a four-night stand by Pearl Jam), Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band set up shop at 3601 S Broad St. and bid farewell to the first arena they ever [...]
The Legend of Undercover Elvis
The Photo: While you probably recognize the iconic photo of Elvis meeting Nixon in 1970, you might not know the exact reason for the visit. Elvis desperately wanted to become an undercover agent. Concerned about increased drug use in America, he petitioned Nixon in a handwritten letter proposing he be named a “Federal Agent at [...]
Science Fiction Velvet Paintings
Image: Rainbow Handicraft
Charlie Jane Anders of io9 has assembled a gallery of sixteen velvet paintings with science fiction themes, such as Yoda/Elvis, Kim Jong-Il as a Sleestak, and the great Wesley Crusher.
Would you like for Admiral Ackbar to decorate your home?
Link
What’s With the Uniforms? The Stories Behind the AFL Throwbacks
The eight charter members of the American Football League are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the league’s launch by wearing throwback uniforms for select NFL games this season. At various times before the AFL merged with the NFL in 1970, the Titans played in New York, Tennessee and Kansas City’s current franchises were in Houston [...]
Suffer from disposophobia? These 7 famous hoarders did
Do you have trouble throwing stuff out? Afraid to let go of that old remote control for the broken TV you’ve got stored away in the basement just in case you might need it someday? Have trouble giving those old, worn-out shoes over to charity? You might be suffering from disposophobia, sometimes called pathological hoarding. [...]
