This weekend is the SNL Christmas show. I apologize for using bandwidth when not everyone cares about US television or a Christmas show for that matter. That said....... ~~ If you have never seen Dana Carvey's "Church Lady at Christmas" skit, oh my, oh my, my brothers and sisters! First he/she sets the tone, defining the character in a mini-talk show, when she criticizes two guests for their shocking lack of Christian values. Next she does a word scramble, trying to figure out (by scrambling the letters "SANTA"), how Christmas has been perverted its focus on Christ. I won't spoil the fun but it's hilarious. Finally, the repressed "Church Lady" accompanies some fellow parishoners for a couple of carols. "She" is the drummer. Naturally, she gets into her performance and slowly is seduced by the beat until she ends up thrashing up a wild storm, losing her dignity entirely. This is absolutely one of my favorite skits of all time. Not jamming it down any throats or anything, not saying it's "THE BEST". Just a big Lama favorite. ~~~ In years past, they've included a wonderful performance of "Under African Skies" from Paul Simon's way-cool "Graceland" album, complete with Linda Ronstadt doing that tremelo thing that makes me go cross-eyed. She dives at the mic and just sort of quivers. I go slack-jawed and can't breathe..... There may be a hint of drool involved. It sounds like the whole band that created the song. If you like the song, you'll LOVE this performance because it's basically a recreation except that you can see Linda at the peak of her..... physical presence. I mean her visceral charisma. The way she raptly studies Paul, trying to figure out his idiosyncratic phrasing. Those huge Linda eyes. Those boots. ANYWAY! Another very big Lama favorite. BTW, does anyone have any video of Linda for swap? Heartlessly helping himself to her bad dreams, he worries. Did he hear a "Goodbye"? Jim L'Hommedieu
