Michael Hopcroft

he original cast recording of Hadestown, recorded during a live show so you get some of the thunderous applause that greeted many of these songs. The show is a retelling of the Orpheus myth set in something similar to the Depression, where the god Hades' marriage is on the rocks and he's overcompensating by turning the land of the dead into a massive factory complex using the souls of the deceased as labor. Some of the tracks with Hades the god (especially his interaction with Orpheus) are terrifying. I have no likelihood of going to New York and seeing Hadestown live. But heavens do I want to!

Things will be interesting for the Pelicans. Zion Williamson has the potential to be a generational player but he will still be a rookie who needs to adjust to the speed and rigors of the pro game. The young players they got from the Lakers have some intriguing possibilities. Lonzo Ball hasn't become great, ut his assist totals aren't bad and by all accounts he is now playing pretty good defense at the point. He could thrive in New Orleans if Dad lets him be coached. Ingram has serious potential as well. They'll be young. They won't have a ton of experience. They won't really know what they've got until 25-30 games into the season. During that period they could lose a lot of games. But if there's one thing we've learned this season, both in basketball and in hockey, is not to give up on a team too soon. Not many people (myself included) expected the Raptors to win the title. Not many people expected Portland to make a run to the conference finals. This has been a year of surprises.

"If you were French, I would take a knife and you would tell me all I wanted to know. " "But we are allies." "Allies? Do allies keep secrets from each other?" "Lovers lie to each other, and yet they still make love." "Sharpe's a killer. Killed three French cavalrymen and saved Wellesley's life. Three seconds, slash, cut, thrust. And that's while he was still a Sergeant." "So, you and me are going to stop a rebellion? Just the two of us? " "Well I don't see no bugger else."

Q: What do you never want to hear the Comedian say to you? A: I'm leaving for a less complicated galaxy. I hear Andromeda is nice this time of year...

This judge was cited as running one of the best "drug courts" in the state, an institution that diverts low-level drug defenders into programs that help them avoid re-offending and get clean. Any conviction in the court is then expunged and taken off the defendant's record -- an important consideration when so many doors are slammed shut in the faces of ex-convicts.

Q: Here, follow the instructions of this Pink Floyd album, OK? A: All in all, you're just another brick in the wall.

The much-derided Ice Cube family-friendly vehicle Are We Done Yet? is a remake of Mr. Blandings Builds hit Dream House. He plays a Portland sportswriter who recently married a woman with several kids, and wants to move out of his cramped apartment by building a house in the country. Hilarity (supposedly) ensues.

Ivan Golunov, an "investigative reporter" in Moscow, has been in jail jail for a week under drug charges. Not only were the charges generally considered an outright fabrication, but his treatment at the hands of Russian police has been brutal. In a rare reversal, Golunov was given complete vindication and released. In addition, several police officials, including two Generals (yes, Russia has Generals commanding police forces), have been sacked by the Interior Minister. Russia is having regional elections in September, and while the outcome is not in doubt there is a potential for major embarrassment in the international community if Vladimir Putin, the Russian dictator, makes other blatant measures to silence his critics before them. And certainly imprisoning other journalists is something that is being noted.

Q: What do you mean we're down to eight men? A: I'm pretty sure having seventeen players at the line of scrimmage has to be a penalty, but it's not being called.

Q: What is the typical day in college like? A: There is no point to educating your child, so no I'm not going to admit them to Kindergarten.

Q: We need hazmat suits, industrial-strength chlorine bleach, flamethrowers, and rubber chicken to clean the Oval Office every night? A: Where's my rubber stamp? WHERE'S MY RUBBER STAMP?

But not as many after the reaction in the arena to Durant's injury. It is normal to applaud an injured player when he leaves the court or arena out of encouragement, regardless of which team the player is on. But a large group of the Toronto fans cheered that Durant was injured, one of the least classy things you can do at a sporting event. As a result, the Raptors fanbase has been under a storm of criticism. I don't think Toronto wins this; not anymore. Game 5 was a backbreaker, with the Raptors head coach calling a stupid time out right when Leonard was on one of the hottest streaks you will ever see from which the Warriors gained substantial benefit. Golden State proved they could take the Raptors' best shot and prevail. All the momentum and energy is on their side.

The collaborative band formed by Primus bassist Les Claypool (one of the most brilliant and eccentric bass players in rock today) and Sean Ono Lennon (second acknowledged son of the Beatle John Lennon). Claypool has described Sean Lennon as even weirder than himself (which he considers a high-order compliment), and they've recorded several albums and toured together.

Q: Why won't you go to the club with me? I hear the band is great! A: You told me we'd go clubbing tonight! But there's no band here, just a whole bunch of helpless baby seals...

The upcoming Godzilla vs Kong is facing an apparent delay, perhaps owing to the near-disastrous box office performance of King of the Monsters. I really want to see Shin Godzilla now. KOTM was entertaining, but I have this desire to see a Godzilla movie that really works as a movie. The way the original Gojira did 65 years ago, terrible effects and all.

Paul Darrow, best known for playing the ruthless antihero Kerr Avon in the cult classic SF series Blakes 7, has died after a brief illness at the age of 78. I especially recommend "Rumours of Death" for "Peak Avon". Although Avon was the best role he ever got in television, he remained a working actor for most of his adult life. On a personal level, Avon and B7 were one of the reasons I got into British Media fandom (for good or ill).

Merry Men

Godzilla: King of the Britons

What is the sword that is literally mounted onto your gauntlet called? I need a Western-style name for something I'm writing (it's the signature weapon of my main general, used more for symbolism and directing troops than for personal combat).

To get off on a tangent, does it seem to you that advancement in D&D/PF/OSR/DCC is alarmingly fast by the standards of a HERO campaign? Which will surprise players going either way between them?

I wonder if the other heads are sensory/weapon platforms and only the central head actually has a brain (or at least a functional one). Not that it matters, of course, because "Monster Zero" is so alien (and the normal laws of physics don't apply to daikaiju anyway). It is also worth noting that while the other "Titans" seem to have the side effect of encouraging the development of other life in their wake, Gidorah is pure, unmitigated destruction and chaos. Godzilla leaves a world in bloom, while Gidorah leaves a lifeless rock.

"You are perfectly safe." "The point is I'm a perfectly safe penguin and my friend is rapidly running out of limbs!" "Humans are not proud of their ancestors, and never invite them to dinner."

Q: For some reason, the animatronic Jerry Garcia video didn't impress the studio. How can we win the contract anyway? A: It's called a spoon for a reason, you know.

DC Universe itself likely faces cancellation, or at least absorption into the megacorp's wider plans.