Distraction Avenue

The way-too-soon deaths of comedian Norm MacDonald and actor Michael K. Williams and what we've lost. Covid stuff and why there is not a "vaccine mandate." Plus, 99.9% of K-Mart stores are gone.

How will entertainment - concerts, sports, etc. - and society, evolve due to COVID 19? Live Nation look will test drive-in and virtual concerts. The five-year-old kid that stole his parents car to go and buy a Lamborghini could be a great entrepreneur someday. Who was the Supreme Court justice that flushed? And the deaths of Little Richard and Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy.

The ever-fun and interesting pop culture writer Darren Paltrowitz returns. We discuss the tragic death of Fountains of Wayne co-founder Adam Schlesinger and his huge body of great music - FOW, That Thing You Do! Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and so much more. Its corona virus and self-isolation time and there's lots to watch, read, and listen to: Better Things, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Brockmier, All-Elite Wrestling and Colt Cabana; books on Quentin Tarantino, Van Halen and KISS; new music from the amazing Nada Surf, The Strokes and others. Plus, our last concerts, at least for a little while. And veteran acts we love: David Lee Roth, Zebra, Y&T. Cool apps Watch Worthy, Tune In and Special Guest. And all about Darren's great podcast, Paltrocast, where you can find a ton of interviews with a huge array of people including, Dan Rather, Myles Kennedy, John 5, Adam Carrolla, Ace Frehley, Bruce Kulick, Dennis Quaid, Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees, Chris Jericho, Ted Nugent, Englebert Humperdink and dozens more.

You can find Paltrocast at Spotify, iTunes, Podbean, Tune In and more. Follow Darren at Paltrowitz.com and @Paltrowitz at Twitter

What do you do to get yourself psyched before a concert? Those familiar pre-concert rituals from the drive to the show, the music, merch and more. Heading to the east coast to see Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame members Cheap Trick for three straight shows in NY, Atlantic City and Washington D.C. and the setlists of late have been amazing. Plus, quick details about a poignant and wonderful short film, "Today You Tomorrow Me," Pluto makes an appearance, and an Obscure But Cool Song.

Check out weaponofselfdistraction.com for more missives and occasionally interesting stuff

Visit the cool website Laughing Squid for more about the movie "Today You Tomorrow Me"

Happy New Year! Starting the start of the third decade of the 21st century, talking about New Year's Eve and seeing the always-amazing Cheap Trick. Plus, dealing with some anxiety, some new things to watch on HBO and the death of radio legend Don Imus. And, a Cool But Obscure Song!

For more visit Weapon of Self-Distraction 

An annual tradition at the podcast: the famous and funny "Turkeys Away" episode of the classic and hilarious TV series WKRP In Cincinnati. "As God is my witness...I thought turkeys could fly" Happy Thanksgiving! Forty years later, it still holds up, its still hilarious. 

The USA Today might be ending its print edition after four decades and a lone Waffle House employee gets help in Alabama. Plus, a funny and weird tattoo, and an obscure but very cool song.

We welcome once again Friend of the Podcast Barrie! Barrie is a Personal Stylist specializing in men's fashion. What's in? What's out? What about pants if your backside is just a straight line from the shoulder to the heels? Barrie's got answers to those questions and much more. Plus, the new book King's X: The Oral History by Greg Prato. 

Find Barrie and cool men's clothes on Instagram @BarrieYellen and see her Look of the Day, every day.

King's X: The Oral History is available wherever you buy your books as well as direct from the publisher at QuartoKnows.com

For more podcasts and assorted other distractions, visit WeaponofSelfDistraction.com

Be good to yourself and be good to other people.

Going overboard without the benefit of a life raft over the seventh and final season of VEEP. It's snarky, rude, profane, mean, vicious, audacious, brilliant, hilarious, and one of the greatest sitcoms ever. Plus, some sage advice from a comedian.

For more about VEEP and additional trailers visit the official website.

For additional distractions and podcast episodes visit the Weapon of Self-Distraction blog.

Veep, Julie Louis Dreyfuss, HBO, Netflix, Barry, Russian Doll, TV

Episode 70? Indeed! The new book The Art of Being Bill: The Many Faces of Awesome is the largest collection of Bill Murray fan art; "Is This Power Pop?" (the answer is, of course, YES!), Charles Barkley doesn't wear underwear, Billy Idol gets sued, the Fall Movie Preview One Movie At a Time and a movie review. And "You Can't Make This Up" -a squirrel is not considered an emotional support animal.

For more info about the new book The Art of Being Bill, click here

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