Over the weekend, I watched Duets, the 2000 karaoke movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis (who is surprisingly hot, in a sleazy kind of way). It was definitely not what I'd call a good movie- bad writing, bad acting, and the characters were too contrived- but it was entertaining, especially because everyone in the cast did their own singing. Paul Giammati sang the old 70s ballad "Hello, it's me."
By pure coincidence, this weekend, my friend Briana emailed a youtube link of Hello,it's me to me, my sister, and my BIL with the following description: "Did you ever wonder who sang this song? Well, it's this guy. Apparently, he's part owl."
Needless to say, after watching the video, we became intrigued by this mysterious Todd Rundgren character. Some fun facts:
- He is also the musical mastermind behind the sports arena favorite, Bang the Drum all Day. (right click to download)
- From Wikipedia: On the 30 Rock episode "The C Word," Tina Fey's character Liz Lemon is telling producer Pete and writer Frank about the obscenity Lutz called her, stating, "He called me the worst name ever. I'm not gonna repeat it. That's how much I hate it." Then after multiple guesses by the two, she says, "No! It's the one that rhymes with the name of your favorite Todd Rundgren album," referring to Runt, but Frank replies, "It rhymes with Hermit of Mink Hollow?" As an additional bit of trivia, Fey and Rundgren both attended the same suburban Philadelphia high school.
and lastly, "On September 6, 2009, in Akron, OH, Todd Rundgren is scheduled to perform the entire A Wizard, A True Star album live for the first time in his career."
Road trip, anyone?
13 comments:
I watched that episode of 30 rock last night! I have the forst season on DVD and no cable. :-( I also watched the one where Jenna says to Chris Matthews on Hardball: "That's why I'm voting OSAMA (she meant Obama) in '08. What? No comeback? YA BURNT!" <3
Yeah, I need to start watching that show! I've only seen a couple of episodes, and several people have told me that the Tina Fey character reminds them of me. I was completely flattered until someone informed me that the other characters often make fun of her ugly clothes and her pathetic love life. Touché.
p.s. Seriously, people, watch the Hello, It's Me video, if only to catch a glimpse of the owl eyebrows.
I LOVE Duets! What do you mean "not what I'd call a good movie"!
Ditto on Briana's comment. Huey RULES! Also, you forgot to mention that Todd also wrote music for Pee Wee's Playhouse.
I cannot believe I missed the Pee Wee's Playhouse line in his Wikipedia entry!!
"Hello, it's me" is really good -- I had no idea. I have heard that Todd R. has a sorta rabid following. They must be a cool bunch.
No love for duets? Don't let lame Paltrow ruin it.
Duets! Great bad movie. Although a little creepy when Lewis and Paltrow sing "Cruise" together, since they play father and daughter and the song is about things fathers and daughters shouldn't be doing together...
A little more Todd...
http://rgcred.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/todd-rundgren-pic.jpg
P.S. - I'm going to a Hall and Oates show with Jess and my Mom in two weeks.
Hey, at least they didn't sing "Afternoon Delight." Awk-ward!
also, TR looks like Marilyn Manson in that pic, and I am love Hall and Oates. "Rich Girl" is such a great jam! and man duets are their own special kind of awesome.
Pretty funny. I actually was a teenager when Todd Rundgren was big stuff. I never cared a heck of a lot for him, myself.
His songs were often on the radio, and he was considered very progressive by some. He once made an appearance on the late-night ABC music program, In Concert, wherein he appeared on the stage solo, playing and singing to tapes of himself playing the other instruments. Odd stuff.
For those who care, he was also the producer of Grand Funk's song (and album) "We're An American Band".
good arrested development reference Eileen!
HaHa...Hello It's Me when Todd Rundgren was with a group called NAZZ http://www.last.fm/music/Nazz/_/Hello+It%27s+Me
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