From The Other Side of the Mirror » tv

Iggy Pop on the Tom Snyder Show 1980

john — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 02:16:10 +0000

I posted a couple of videos earlier this month about Iggy Pop selling car insurance in the UK. I questioned his motives, as the man, has for many including me, been a true rock n roll rebel, a leader who embodied a spirit that has unquestionably been all but squashed in recent years.

I came across this horrifying Iggy interview from 1980 with Tom Snyder. We did not get the Tom Snyder Show over in Scotland, only 3 channels back then. Taxi and Mash were about it and a lot of BBC original programming.

This is post Stooges, post Bowie/Berlin collaborations and unfortunately after watching it, I was struck by;

1. how lucky he is to still be alive

2. Snyder was slick, smooth but really pretty creepy, although wasn’t having Iggy Pop on your show in 1980 risky?

3. even selling car insurance in 2009 is a step-up from the obvious depths to which Iggy had plumbed

What do you think?

Mystery Voice is….

john — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:46:46 +0000

Drum roll please

The voice was from the old TV show Sea Hunt, and belonged to the one and only

Lloyd Bridges

Congratulations and thanks for your suggestions. Here’s the clip for those who missed it.

Download: about-diving.mp3

Alternate Mighty Putty Ad

john — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 23:31:59 +0000

Billy Mays is apparently a famous infomercial DIY or pitchman.

This is so understated, I laughed my arse (ass) off.

A Spectacle Spectator

john — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:11:54 +0000

Anyone else been watching the new Elvis Costello music show Spectacle on Sundance Channel?

If you haven’t, check it out as fast you can. It’s a delight for anyone remotely interested in music, the craft of songwriting, and the real back story of some of its protagonists.

It stays away from shameless self-promotion, from, the “I’m only here doing the rounds as I’ve got a new release coming out” and it isn’t obvious. No dumb-ass questions. No telegraphed discussions we’ve all heard before.

That means its real. It’s deep, thoughtful, provocative, filled with the unlikely suspects. Starting with Elton John (a producer), to Lou Reed with Julian Schnabel (below), James Taylor (the only dud show so far coz he’s a really boring speaker), Bill Clinton, Tony Bennett and from someone who cut his teeth in the punk/new wave scene in Britain of 77-78, this weeks with The Police, was a delight.

Not at all grotesque, mutual back slapping pandering, but entertaining insights in 3 seperate interviews, before the obligatory band jam with Elvis and his trusty side-men, Steve Nieve and Pete Thomas on drums.

I couldn’t stop grinning as copeland and thomas murdered out the beats on a mix of costello and police mash-ups, culminating on The Cream classic, Sunshine of your love.

There is not much worth watching on TV these days, but do yourself a favor and check out Spectacle. Sundance Channel, usually Wednesdays at 8pm.