Cameron Carpenter: The ABC’s Of Rock’n’Roll- Start Spreading The News

Be it in Canada, or while visiting our neighbours to the south, I have always been an east coast type of guy. Give me Halifax over Vancouver, St. John’s over Victoria and, most definitely New York over Los Angeles. In the past I spent a lot of time in both New York and L.A. as back in the good old days these were the two epicentres of the record biz. L.A. can have its charms in the short term, what with the weather and the ocean, but it is strange to be in a town where nobody walks. I walk everywhere and think nothing of a quick jaunt from the Beach in Toronto to downtown. People in New York walk. Manhattan streets are an obstacle course of fast moving people, yellow cabs, constant honking and ever present sirens. There is an energy and attitude in NYC that is sadly lacking in L.A..

Darrell Vickers: Mr. John We Hardly Knew Ye

Most people have the misguided, almost laughable-if-it-weren’t-so-cryable, perception that being a TV comedy writer is a glamorous occupation.  Admittedly, if your definition of epic razzmatazz is living out your days staring at a computer screen and despising the entire universe then yes, by all means, we are up to our naughty parts in tinsel and glitter.

Oh sure, there have been a few fleeting nanoseconds that have come close to some sort of spellbinding glitz.  I’ve been nominated for four Emmys.  Lost each and every time.  I guess that makes me the Buffalo Bills of comedy.  There’s this marvelous moment when you get out of the stretch limo in front of the Shrine Auditorium.  At first, there’s an electrical surge of excitement that goes through the crowd which quickly turns to crestfallen bitterness when they realize that it’s only you.  In that instant, you become the turd in the entertainment world’s punchbowl.