Photo by Disney Interactive Studios Disney's 2010 'Epic Mickey' Wii video game is sporting a new mousy look

It's tough to write a blog entry when my fingers feel like frozen fish sticks surgically attached to my knuckles. But I soldier on for you, faithful Poppers. (In all attempts to avoid continuing the seafood references, that is my affectionate name for my followers, all three of them. Thanks, Dad, for reading.)


This blog has been brought to you by the letter S

I didn't mean to completely overlook the week-long celebrations of "Sesame Street"'s 40th anniversary. My grand apologies, Cookie Monster; my love will never fade.

Some of my favorite childhood memories land me back on my grandparents' bed, watching the "Street" gang, stalling before bath time. I can't recall the specifics, though I do have vague impression that I was always wrapped up in a towel, gleefully plopped on the edge of the bed, staring at the corner-TV.

Come to think of it ... I barely remember any of the human characters on the show. Oscar's grouchy trash can and Big Bird's bench are fresh in my mind. But who the heck was Gordon?

The life-long lessons of "Sesame Street" have stuck with me through 23 years, though. Everyone knows now that, despite Al Gore's efforts, it really isn't easy being green. Guy Smiley rocks. (Yes, that is an important message.) And I'm pretty sure I actually learned to count from The Count.

(My nickname years ago between my friends at my temple's summer camp was Snuffy, short for Snuffleupagus … Though now I wonder if that truly stemmed from my love for the shaggy mammoth or was simply a jab at my 11-year-old size.)

The show has survived homophobia, death and a hip-hop-infused theme song, and lives on four decades later to allow Michelle Obama to teach children of the world how to plant a garden.

I'd like to see my own grandchildren entertained by the street-wise clan of Jim Henson's characters, learning about the letter "I" and having mighty imaginary friends.

In honor of it's 40th birthday, what are your favorite "Sesame Street" moments?


M-I-C-K-E-Y D-A-R-K-O

Mickey Mouse may be shedding his wholesome skin and piercing one of those iconic ears. (OK, so the ears are staying bling-free, but wouldn't it make for a great image?)

Apparently you can teach old mice new tricks: Disney and Nintendo have spent the past year redesigning the eight-decade-old icon for a new Wii video game.

"Steamboat Willie"'s leaner and meaner cousin is hitting the shelves in fall 2010.

"I wanted him to be able to be naughty—when you're playing as Mickey you can misbehave and even be a little selfish," said Warren Spector, "Epic Mickey" game designer, in the New York Daily News.

Mickey's symbolic red shorts, yellow shoes, and white gloves are still part of his image. But now the senior citizen's original "rubber hose" limbs will accompany edgier facial expressions.

The studio is hoping to avoid upsetting lifelong Mouse fans, but knows they're gambling with 81 years of tradition. But as the world turns, kids want to see something less hearty and a little more emo.

What's next: Minnie Mouse on the street corner turning tricks? Pluto being put down after attacking the mail man?

I wonder if it is a slippery slope to darken one of the most world-renowned identities. You might as well replace the Pillsbury Doughboy's feminine giggle with a satanic laugh.

Poppers: Does a darker Mickey entice you, or sicken you to the point of boycotting Disney World/Land from today forward?

	Photo by ABC Looks just like your family, right?

Now, the story of a sad TV addict who lost her favorite show, and the one family who had no choice but to keep her together. It's "Modern Family."


I never thought I'd find a show that compares to "Arrested Development" in even an iotic way. And I almost didn't.

"Modern Family" didn't strike me as much in the lineup of new fall TV. Recycled Ed O'Neill, long-lost Julie Bowen, a cast of nobodies. I'd like a good explanation as to why I should be watching this.

Of course, every fall, I say "screw explanations" and set my DVR to record 98 percent of the new shows, 74 percent of which I delete after two episodes. (See "Accidentally on Purpose" and "The Good Wife.")

There's no easy way to say this, but "Modern Family" is one of the wittiest, most relatable shows I've seen in seasons. And I love "House," "The Mentalist," "Castle," "Glee," and, um ... Yeah, that's about all the decent TV I watch.

I joined the "Arrested" family a few years late, but in college became addicted to the sarcasm and docu-style shooting. Now the bastard cousin of the Bluths has hit the airwaves, and I am incessantly ringing the Dunphy's/Pritchett's/Pritchett-Tucker's doorbells.

The set of "Modern Family" is like a civil-rights activist's dream come true. It's got a little bit of something for everyone: multi-cultural, multi-sexual, multi-generational. And multi-laughable. In seven episodes, this show has done more for television than "King of Queens" ever did.

The plot lies in the interactions of three different families, connected by blood lines, who are the epitome of the completely dysfunctional modern American family:
— Jay Pritchett serves as the godfather of the group, with his significantly younger—and significantly feisty—wife of six months, "coal-digger" Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, and her all-man 10-year-old son Manny.
— Mitchell Pritchett and his boyfriend Cameron Tucker recently adopted baby Lily, who they dress up as pop culture icons.
— Claire (Pritchett) and Phil Dunphy are raising beauty queen Haley, brilliant but vindictive Alex and probably-dropped-on-his-head-as-a-baby Luke.

Lessons are learned in every episode, like a season full of "Scrubs" endings. I'm already fully enamored with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, his beard, (the one growing on his face; no gay humor there) and Eric Stonestreet. No matter how many times I watch it, I never cease to laugh at their parenting skills: Without you we wouldn't even have a baby to injure.

Tonight's episode has been pre-empted by the Country Music Awards, but the show will return next week with (hot waffles!) Elizabeth Banks and Edward Norton.

If you're up for some funny, follow some of the cast and crew on Twitter: Jesse Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Julie Bowen, Steve Levitan (co-creator/exec producer), Danny Zuker (co-creator) and the rest of the non-existant group too busy to Tweet.

Or, you could just turn on your TV to ABC at 9/8 central every Wednesday night, except tonight, because then you'll turn on Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley. But do it all other Wednesday nights during the season. But DVR "Glee." Because it's awesome, too.

So, Poppers: Have you been tuning in to see what "hip" dad Phil will say next? Or do you avoid the reincarnation of Al Bundy altogether? Sound off.



Pop goes the culture:

I love trivia that has anything to do with Tom Hanks, and subsequently Veteran's Day.

Which of the following films was not directed by Ron Howard: "EdTV," "Apollo 13," "Cocoon" or "Forrest Gump?"