When a band opens its set with a song entitled "Live Fast, Diarrhea," you know that you're in for a treat. Leave it to the Vandals to not only open their set with said tune, but to dub one of their albums with the very same name. 
Vandals strip naked
Hollywood has a history of making addiction films, from the classic morality tale "The Lost Weekend" to "Arthur." But recently, a new breed of independent films about addiction has appeared, taking a darkly comic approach to the subject. "Permanent Midnight" fits in better with "Leaving Las Vegas" and "Trainspotting" than it does Hollywood drug and alcohol films.
Midnight awakens
Those looking for a musical at the Performance Network this weekend may notice one crucial component of a traditional musical theatre performance absent: the orchestra. That's because "Avenue X," written by John Jiler and Ray Leslee, is an a cappella musical.
Performance Network eases down avenue, without music
"Vegas baby, Vegas," Vince Vaughn utters to his buddy Jon Favereu near the beginning of the Doug Liman film, "Swingers." Now if Liman made this film ten years later, these guys would probably be crying, "Alimony baby, alimony." And, voila, that's the premise of the new ABC comedy "The Secret Lives of Men," a half hour of "Swingers"-turns-35 from Susan Harris, creator of the charming show, "The Golden Girls.
Sitcom doesn't offer secrets
The year is 2013. The oldies station on the car radio hums to the sound of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. And while there are no kids riding around on flying skateboards or wearing inflatable jackets as "Back to the Future" predicted, the world has changed dramatically. In his new thriller "The Bird That Flies Highest," Brad Johnson reveals his predictions for the frightening future of the nation.
Johnson to fly high at Borders
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Black activists are condemning "The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer," an upcoming UPN comedy set during the Civil War, saying that it makes fun of slavery.
"This show desensitizes the pain and devastating suffering of slavery," said Ron Wright, pastor of the Emmanuel AME Church in Los Angeles.Activists condemn new UPN comedy for civil rights
09-23-98
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