1. An amazingly large cast of characters.
2. Characters of surprising depth, considering how many there are.
3. Nobody's perfect, but nobody is beyond redemption, either. (Lisa and Mr. Burns both come close, respectively, but not quite)
4. A perfect balance of reality/fantasy (i.e. basic rules of earth are followed, but it doesn't seem to matter how many side jobs Homer takes).
5. It bites the hand that feeds it occasionally (FOX).
6. They are one of the few tv families that regularly prays/attends church.
7. The jokes are packed densely, and often layered.
8. They consistently reference the classics, and are still funny even when 90% of the audience misses the reference.
9. The leap to film worked.
10. The humor stands the test of time.
Coming soon: 10 things I like about my wife, and then some more challenging posts (maybe 10 things I like about the Iraq War?). If you have any requests, let me know!
Drew's Journal
My Podcast Link
08/28/2007 19:50 #40789
10 Things I like about the SimpsonsCategory: 10 things
08/27/2007 20:56 #40767
10 things I like about BuffaloCategory: 10 things
1. Eating. Buffalo knows how to eat. Wings, Pirogies, Fish fries, pizza--it's all good.
2. Cheap houses. We couldn't live in a house like ours in a neighborhood like the Elmwood Strip in Pittsburgh. And Pittsburgh is cheap. Buffalo is uber-cheap.
3. Summer fun. There was so much to do, and much of it is cheap/free.
4. Personality. I like rust-belt friendliness.
5. Entrepreneurship. People start their own businesses/movements/whatever here. They get stuff done.
6. Nearby stuff. Lakes, skiing, falls, hiking, etc. It's all good.
7. Online media. Holla back estrip!
8. Walka-bikability. You can get around here without a car.
9. Elmwood Ave. Another candidate for a 10 things within 10 things list. Much to like about this part of town.
10. It's trivia. We birthed a super-freak and killed a president. We invented a bar food and were the first wired for electricity. And what other city hates the St. Lawrence Seaway like we do?
2. Cheap houses. We couldn't live in a house like ours in a neighborhood like the Elmwood Strip in Pittsburgh. And Pittsburgh is cheap. Buffalo is uber-cheap.
3. Summer fun. There was so much to do, and much of it is cheap/free.
4. Personality. I like rust-belt friendliness.
5. Entrepreneurship. People start their own businesses/movements/whatever here. They get stuff done.
6. Nearby stuff. Lakes, skiing, falls, hiking, etc. It's all good.
7. Online media. Holla back estrip!
8. Walka-bikability. You can get around here without a car.
9. Elmwood Ave. Another candidate for a 10 things within 10 things list. Much to like about this part of town.
10. It's trivia. We birthed a super-freak and killed a president. We invented a bar food and were the first wired for electricity. And what other city hates the St. Lawrence Seaway like we do?
james - 08/28/07 12:42
Leon Czolgosz is my favorite assassin of a US President. But saddly, he grew up in Detroit and lived in a steel town somewhere in Ohio. He went to Buffalo with the express purpose of killing McKinley.
Unless you are referring to Zachary Taylor who died in office of heart failure. His diet consisted entirely of FedExed LaNova pizza and wings.
Leon Czolgosz is my favorite assassin of a US President. But saddly, he grew up in Detroit and lived in a steel town somewhere in Ohio. He went to Buffalo with the express purpose of killing McKinley.
Unless you are referring to Zachary Taylor who died in office of heart failure. His diet consisted entirely of FedExed LaNova pizza and wings.
mrdeadlier - 08/28/07 10:01
yeah i'm totally stealing "we birthed a super-freak and killed a president" -- don't worry though drew, i'll give you credit for it :)
yeah i'm totally stealing "we birthed a super-freak and killed a president" -- don't worry though drew, i'll give you credit for it :)
museumchick - 08/28/07 06:21
I think it's funny that people always mention food as the first thing they love about buffalo! But seriously, though, I couldn't agree more with you about all the things on your list.
I think it's funny that people always mention food as the first thing they love about buffalo! But seriously, though, I couldn't agree more with you about all the things on your list.
carolinian - 08/28/07 00:20
"We birthed a super-freak and killed a president."
If I had a some kind of cool quote of the month website, you'd have definitely won this month.
"We birthed a super-freak and killed a president."
If I had a some kind of cool quote of the month website, you'd have definitely won this month.
drew - 08/27/07 22:33
The St. Lawrence seaway made the Erie canal unnecessary, which was bad news economically for Buffalo.
Rick James, who's greatest hit was "superfreak" is a Buffalo native.
The St. Lawrence seaway made the Erie canal unnecessary, which was bad news economically for Buffalo.
Rick James, who's greatest hit was "superfreak" is a Buffalo native.
tinypliny - 08/27/07 22:05
Who is the super-freak? The dog-killer? Confused.
Who is the super-freak? The dog-killer? Confused.
08/27/2007 08:43 #40752
10 Things I like about the Steelers.Category: 10 things
A new series. I will list 10 things I like about different stuff. Today its the Steelers, then comes Buffalo. Then some more personal ones than who knows what. Here it goes (in no order, I'm just going to list until I get 10.)
1. No Cheerleaders. It's not that we don't like girls, its just that they get in the way of what we come to games for: football.
2. History. We can always compare our team with the teams of the 70's, that won 4 superbowls.
3. Toughness. Sure, most players are tough, but the past three coaches have also been guys that the devil himself wouldn't mess with.
4. Coaches. Speaking of Coaches--the Steelers stick with thiers. That's an unusual, and good thing.
5. The Rooney's. The owners of the team aren't perfect, but they love their city, and their neighborhood, and would never leave. They also believe in justice (see, "the Rooney Rule.")
6. The fans. Almost every man, woman, and child in Pittsburgh can tell you why the Steelers play the 3-4, and how that requires different types of linemen/linebackers.
7. The 3-4. Truly a supierior defence.
8. The players. Polamalu, Casey Hampton, Big Ben, Fast Willie, and Hines Ward. I could come up with 10 things I like about each of these guys. #1 on Polamalu's list? He drives a Kia.
9. The uniform. We only put the logo on one side. Why? Because when they tried them the first time, they didn't have enough.
10. The colors. Black and Gold just looks good.
Tomorrow I will get local again and share what I like abou this town!
1. No Cheerleaders. It's not that we don't like girls, its just that they get in the way of what we come to games for: football.
2. History. We can always compare our team with the teams of the 70's, that won 4 superbowls.
3. Toughness. Sure, most players are tough, but the past three coaches have also been guys that the devil himself wouldn't mess with.
4. Coaches. Speaking of Coaches--the Steelers stick with thiers. That's an unusual, and good thing.
5. The Rooney's. The owners of the team aren't perfect, but they love their city, and their neighborhood, and would never leave. They also believe in justice (see, "the Rooney Rule.")
6. The fans. Almost every man, woman, and child in Pittsburgh can tell you why the Steelers play the 3-4, and how that requires different types of linemen/linebackers.
7. The 3-4. Truly a supierior defence.
8. The players. Polamalu, Casey Hampton, Big Ben, Fast Willie, and Hines Ward. I could come up with 10 things I like about each of these guys. #1 on Polamalu's list? He drives a Kia.
9. The uniform. We only put the logo on one side. Why? Because when they tried them the first time, they didn't have enough.
10. The colors. Black and Gold just looks good.
Tomorrow I will get local again and share what I like abou this town!
metalpeter - 08/27/07 19:52
The Steelers are one of my football teams. There have been 5 Football teams I have all ways liked for what ever reason. My 3 sort of home teams if you count where I'm from and where I was born (ok more then just that) The Raiders, The 49ers and The Bills. The two teams I liked since I can remember are the Redskins and Steelers. I will admit not sure why but I also like the Penguins but no where near as much as the Sabres. But I have never been to see any games there. I think one thing I have liked about them is there seems to be this blue collar sense of hard working guys on the team. If you look back at the last two coachs you see that, they where both long term coaches. I like your 10 things idea and look forward to reading more of them.
The Steelers are one of my football teams. There have been 5 Football teams I have all ways liked for what ever reason. My 3 sort of home teams if you count where I'm from and where I was born (ok more then just that) The Raiders, The 49ers and The Bills. The two teams I liked since I can remember are the Redskins and Steelers. I will admit not sure why but I also like the Penguins but no where near as much as the Sabres. But I have never been to see any games there. I think one thing I have liked about them is there seems to be this blue collar sense of hard working guys on the team. If you look back at the last two coachs you see that, they where both long term coaches. I like your 10 things idea and look forward to reading more of them.
08/26/2007 19:57 #40743
The SteaglesCategory: football
I know many of you don't care about football. Go ahead and skip this post if you are one of those people.
I just heard Kieth Oberman say that most people that root for the Steelers or Eagles don't know that the two teams had once merged. This is one more example of media assuming that we have no memory. They say this EVERY YEAR. EVERY YEAR, every media outlet drags out this old story, even the Pittsburgh papers. I get it, drop it, shut up.
I was hopeful that I would like the countdown, Oberman's show which is making its first appearance on non-cable tv as I type. Sadly, it has been a letdown.
I just heard Kieth Oberman say that most people that root for the Steelers or Eagles don't know that the two teams had once merged. This is one more example of media assuming that we have no memory. They say this EVERY YEAR. EVERY YEAR, every media outlet drags out this old story, even the Pittsburgh papers. I get it, drop it, shut up.
I was hopeful that I would like the countdown, Oberman's show which is making its first appearance on non-cable tv as I type. Sadly, it has been a letdown.
mrmike - 08/26/07 20:05
Ah, he only brought it up because we're at the point in preseason where there isn't much to say, doesn't stop commentators from trying. Next week it will be 15 versions of "Keep everybody healthy." Watching the Bills game on Friday made me look forward to when they actually game plan a little.
Ah, he only brought it up because we're at the point in preseason where there isn't much to say, doesn't stop commentators from trying. Next week it will be 15 versions of "Keep everybody healthy." Watching the Bills game on Friday made me look forward to when they actually game plan a little.
08/23/2007 10:47 #40692
Being a grown-upCategory: decisions
I would much rather see North Mississippi All-Stars at Thursday at the Square tonight. They are super cool, and so are the Wood Brothers.
I have committed to be at Erie County Executive Candidates forum tonight. I know that people in my church have to care about their community, and so I told them to go to this, because that is part of take care of their town.
So, in a sick way, the weather forecast makes me feel better. At least I won't be missing anything.
Anybody want to join me at a candidate's forum? It's at Blessed Sacrament Church on Delaware. 7pm tonight.
Concerts and beer aren't as much fun as candidates and issues anyway, right?
UPDATE: Not that you were going to go, but the forum has been postponed. Now we hope that the rain stays away so I can go and rock out.
I have committed to be at Erie County Executive Candidates forum tonight. I know that people in my church have to care about their community, and so I told them to go to this, because that is part of take care of their town.
So, in a sick way, the weather forecast makes me feel better. At least I won't be missing anything.
Anybody want to join me at a candidate's forum? It's at Blessed Sacrament Church on Delaware. 7pm tonight.
Concerts and beer aren't as much fun as candidates and issues anyway, right?
UPDATE: Not that you were going to go, but the forum has been postponed. Now we hope that the rain stays away so I can go and rock out.
fellyconnelly - 08/23/07 19:11
tsk tsk drew....
tsk tsk drew....
james - 08/23/07 14:20
I just got off the phone with my connect in the DA's office. Aparentlly there was a bomb threat. Hm, suspicious Drew, very suspicious.
(note: I am just making this up... though it sounds like a good idea now)
I just got off the phone with my connect in the DA's office. Aparentlly there was a bomb threat. Hm, suspicious Drew, very suspicious.
(note: I am just making this up... though it sounds like a good idea now)
fellyconnelly - 08/23/07 13:03
my question is... what did you do to get the forum postponed? hmmm? you can't hide secrets from us... we know all!
my question is... what did you do to get the forum postponed? hmmm? you can't hide secrets from us... we know all!
drew - 08/23/07 12:40
Hey. No talking like Linday Lohan on my blog!
Hey. No talking like Linday Lohan on my blog!
I'm looking forward to the top 10 about the war, there might be some reaches in there. ;)
12. Lenny & Carl
Well, this list must now be expanded to the top ELEVEN things about the simpsons, in order to accommodate:
SPIDER PIG!!!!!!!
My FAVORITE part of the movie.
I like your top tens. And you are right on with the Simpsons. I'm going to email your journal to some friends of mine who LOVE the Simpsons.
My smart assiness meant Hegel and Heidegger. My apologies. And it is so not worth looking up.
Has to be 10 things I like, but I WILL DO 10 things I like about the planet, and 10 things I like about efforts to make it cleaner/nicer.
10 top ways to stop littering this beautiful planet.
Not only can I not find him on wikipedia, I can't find him on Google. Did you spell his name right?
10 things you like about Hegal of Heidecher!
woohoo! on my way to the movie right now! I have been known to say that if you don't like the simpsons, i probably don't like you. Obviously there are exceptions, but it's a pretty fair generalization. :P