LOST Book Club

Looking for a good read? Fan of LOST?

One of the things I love about LOST is how smart it is. Not only is the plot smart, there are a ton of references to history, historical figures, philosophy, philosophers, and literature.

ABC has done a very cool thing by listing the books that are mentioned, sighted, referenced, and that share the same name as an episode. A partial list is here below but, you should check out the site to get the whole list.

No promises of any hints or solved mysteries, but if you read everything in the book club you'd certainly be well read in some classic books.

Can't wait for the season premier! Wednesday, January 21st.

On the Road
Jack Kerouac
Episode #403, “The Economist”
The alias Ben uses in the episode, Dean Moriarty, is a character from On the Road.

The Invention of Morel
Adolfo Bioy Caseres
Episode #404, “Eggtown”
Sawyer is seen reading this book in the Barracks.

Valis
Philip K. Dick
Episode #404, “Eggtown”
Locke offers this book to Ben

Slaughterhouse Five
Kurt Vonnegut
Episode #405, “The Constant”
This episode bears some resemblance to the “unstuck in time” theme of the book.

Survivors of the Chancellor
Jules Verne
Episode #407, “Ji Yeon”
Regina is seen reading it

A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens
Episode #301, “A Tale of Two Cities”
Obviously, the episode shares a title

Carrie
Stephen King
Episode #301, “A Tale of Two Cities”
Members of the Others’ book club discuss the novel when 815 crashes.

Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Episode #304, “Every Man for Himself”
Sawyer reads the book in prison

A Brief History of Time
Stephen Hawking
Episode #307, “Not in Portland”
Aldo reads the book while guarding the building in which Karl is being held captive.

Laughter in the Dark
Vladmir Nabokov
Episode #308, “Flashes Before Your Eyes”
Charlie takes the book from Sawyer’s stash, Hurley later takes the book from Charlie and begins to read it.

Stranger in a Strange Land
Robert A. Heinlein
Episode #309, “Stranger in a Strange Land”
Obvious shared title of book and episode

The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand
Episode #312, “Par Avion”
Sawyer reads the book while noticeably missing Kate.

Evil Under the Sun
Agatha Christie
Episode #314, “Expose”
Sawyer is reading the book while interrupted by Nikki.

Jurassic Park
Michael Crichton
Episode #314, “Expose”
Nikki references the book as she debunks Paulo’s theory on the Monster by telling him “it’s not Jurassic Park, Paulo.”

Catch-22
Joseph Heller
Episode #317, “Catch-22”
Desmond finds Naomi’s Portugese edition of the book

The Oath
John Lescroart
Episode #320, “The Brig”
The book can be seen in Ben’s tent when he is talking to Locke.

Afro-Asian World: A Cultural Understanding
Edward Kolevzon
Episode, “The Man Behind the Curtain”
Seen on the shelves in the Dharma classroom of Ben’s flashback.

The Coalwood Way
Homer Hicklam
Episode, “The Man Behind the Curtain”
Seen on the shelves in the Dharma classroom of Ben’s flashback.

The Stone Leopard
Colin Forbes
Episode, “The Man Behind the Curtain”
Seen on the shelves in the Dharma classroom of Ben’s flashback.

Through the Looking Glass
Lewis Carroll
Episode, “Through the Looking Glass”
Title of episode

Bluebeard
Charles Perrault
Episode, “Adrift”
Sawyer calls Mr. Friendly, “Bluebeard.”

An ECG Workout: Exercises in Arrythmia Interpretation
Jane Huff
Episode, “Orientation”
On the Swan Station’s bookshelf

Dirty Work
Stuart Woods
Episode, “Orientation”
Seen in the Swan Station by Sawyer’s bed as he is recovering from the injuries caused as a result of the raft incident.

High Hand
Gary Phillips
Episode, “Orientation”
On the Swan Station’s bookshelf

N.T. Wright on Colbert Report

One of my favorite people in the world, N.T. Wright recently appeared on The Colbert Report. N.T. Wright--or as we refer to him at Westwinds "The Bishop"--is one of a handful of authors/theologians who have influenced my theology and changed my perspective. If you have never read The Bishop, pick up a copy of "Simply Christian" today.

We recently took a trip to Asbury Theological Seminary to hear The Bishop speak. He blows my mind.

While Stephen Colbert may not be in the company of my favorite theologians, he does win my vote for the funniest book title to come along in a while with "I Am America (And So Can You!)"



HT: Ben

TV Awards

My son Connor and I were chatting about our favorite TV shows by genre the other day and having a blast. It was like a little game—which we do often—create games, that is.

When it’s your own game, you can create your own rules and categories. And so we did. Here are some of the winners : : :

• Best TV Ever : : : LOST

• Best Comedy Period : : : King of Queens

• Best Current Comedy : : : 30 Rock

• Best Current Comedy too : : : The Office

• Best Animated Comedy : : : Family Guy

• Best Shameful Show : : : Southpark

• Best Occasional Catch : : : King of the Hill

• Best Game Show : : : Jeopardy

• Worst Show We Still Watch : : : The Bachelor

• Dating Show that Was Better Than The Bachelor : : : For Love or Money

• Best Current Reality Show : : : American Idol

• Best Reality Show that Didn’t Last : : : My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé

• Lamest Reality Show : : : Rock of Love tied with So You Think You Can Dance

• Show We Get Sucked Into Every Time : : : Hannah Montana

• Great Run/Lots of Laughs : : : SpongeBob Squarepants

• Show We are Pretty Sure is Awesome Though We’ve Never Seen an Episode : : : 24

• Shut Up Already! : : : Tyra Banks

• Classic : : : Seinfeld

• Best Comedy--Not Sitcom : : : SNL

• Channel We Were Sad to Lose When We Downsized Cable : : : History Channel

Yeah, there were a lot of categories. Yeah, we watch a lot of TV. Yeah, we stay up late. Yeah, we have TiVo.

But, the one that we had the most fun talking about was . . .
Best Comedy That Got Canceled Too Soon : : : Freaks and Geeks.

“Everything you remember from high school... that you choose to forget” was the famous tagline from the show about two distinct groups of teenagers—both outsiders—growing up in Michigan in the early 80’s. This show will remind you of how awkward it is to be a teen. Young love. First dates. Finding your identity. Breaking away from your parents. Getting in trouble.

Freaks and Geeks was a cornucopia of budding talent. Check this out : : :

Theme Song by Joan Jett.

Directed by Judd Apatow. Hello!?! Judd Apatow! Cable Guy. Anchorman. Talladega Nights. Superbad. Knocked Up. Walk Hard. Step Brothers.

Many of the shows were written by Mike White. Highly underrated Mike White. School of Rock. Orange County. Nacho Libre.

Linda Cardellini played Lindsay Weir. Then she went on to Legally Blonde, Scooby Doo, Brokeback Mountain, and now stars as Nurse Samantha Taggart on E.R. (who my wife tells me is dating John Stamos on the show but, I don't watch it)

John Francis Daley played Sam Wier. Then he went on to a variety of TV spots including Judging Amy, Boston Public, and Bones.

James Franco played Daniel Desario. He is probably best known now for his role as Harry Osborn/New Goblin in the Spiderman flicks.

And, get this . . . Seth Rogen as Ken Miller! Knocked Up. 40-Year-Old Virgin. A million voiceovers. Seth is the man.

How about Jason Segel? How I met Your Mother. Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

That’s not all! Samm Levine? Martin Starr? Becky Ann Baker? Joe Flaherty? Busy Philipps? Dang!

This show is FINALLY on DVD. I waited for years. Classic. It’s not just because it is set in Michigan. I used to watch this show every week when it was on and I lived in California (though admittedly being in Michigan now has added a whole new level of humor to it).

The music is phenomenal on this show. Van Halen. Kenny Loggins. Styx. Deep Purple. Santana. Joplin. Kiss. Nugent (of course). Cheap Trick. Cream. BTO. Journey. Billy Joel. Kansas. XTC. Queen. The Cars. The Who. Black Flag. The list goes on!

The series only ran for 18 episodes before the communists who ran the network at NBC at the time shut it down. Maybe it’s for the best. The 18 episodes are all comedy gold. Go buy this DVD collection today. Really.

An Idol Mind is the Devil's Playground

I have stayed out of the conversations surrounding American Idol whenever they get remotely religious. Until today. I can stay silent no longer.

I have read countless blogs regarding Idol in relation to the “religious” performances of “God Bless the USA” by Kristy Lee Cook, all the American Idols singing, “Shout to the Lord,” and finally, the controversy surrounding Carly Smithson singing, “Jesus Christ Superstar.

Today, the Times reported, “Carly Smithson might be the first “American Idol” contestant to be voted off the show for blasphemy . . . Online chat boards devoted to “American Idol” have been abuzz since Ms. Smithson performed the title song from “Jesus Christ Superstar” — the 1970 rock opera, which many Christians consider offensive — on Tuesday’s episode.”

The controversy is directly related to the lyrics of the song which portray Jesus as a confused savior who doesn’t really know he is the savior or is at least cautious about accepting the savior role. Then there are the Jesus/Mary Magdalene affair suggestions. This reminds me of how conservative Christians got pissed at The Matrix when Neo was such a great picture of Christ except for his confusion about his role as “the one.”

I’m just gonna lay this out here : : :

Do we really care about this? Should we?

Here are my thoughts on God and pop culture in light of the recent discussion—random, stream-of-consciousness, and unfiltered. Food for thought : : :

1. Christians, let’s stop trying to redeem TV shows. Just because someone performs a song about Jesus, it does not make the show any better. Just because they don’t does not make the show any worse. Just because it mentions Jesus doesn’t make it a good song. Nobody is sitting at home getting saved because Idol uses a “Christian” song and no one is denying God because someone sang a Queen song.

2. Carly Smithson is a singer. As far as I know, not a Christian or a spokesperson for Christianity. Leave her alone. Judge her on her voice—not her song choice. Plus, the song has been around forever. It already ran the gauntlet of conservative fundie Christian concern. Do we really want to go there again? Do we really want to be known as the group that makes a stand "against" every thing that is "wrong" in culture?

3. Should we really expect TV shows to reflect any type of Christian value or ethic? Really? Is that what we're called to?

4. Society does not change because of the ethics we impose on it. Hearts and lives change form the inside-out. No law, rule, ethic, style, or song choice will change the heart of a nation or an individual. Just ask Moses. Or read the Bible.

5. Do we really care that Jesus was referred to as “shepherd” on Idol instead of the original wording—“my Jesus, my Savior?” My friend Nathan shared a good thought on this one on his blog comments here where he says,

Regardless of whether or not the name of Jesus was taken out of the song, it is pretty obvious by the remaining lyrics what, or should I say 'who', the song is about. I kind of disagree with saying that the song just isn't the same without the name of Jesus in it. It isn't the same to us, as believers. But the message is still there to the non-believers. He was still exalted.

6. If the Simpsons write a character that is a cooler Christian than Ned Flanders, will that make it an acceptable show to some? If Eric Cartman becomes a Christian and South Park writes him wonderfully, will South Park become a better/more ethical show? Would we really think that would make a difference in the world?

7. Is this next election gonna go down like American Idol? I hope not. If Hillary sings Shout to the Lord on TV will it make her the favorite? If Obama sings a Tomlin tune will he get the vote? McCain—wanna try some Leeland? Maybe Huckabee can make a comeback with an oldie but goodie—I suggest Don Francisco for Huckabee.

8. Can we expect Hollywood to live up to a Christian ethic? Should we expect any more?

9. Should a Christian win the competition? What will that do?

10. What message do we (Christians) send the rest of the world when we get our panties in a wad over this stuff? My guess? They hate us more. We build the stereotype.

11. Count the people you know who have become believers through bumper stickers, TV shows, church marquees, and other Jesus “stuff” in pop culture. Now count the people you know who think those things are dumb and annoying.

12. Does God somehow “win” if American Idol does a God-song? What game are we playing?

13. I like “Shout to the Lord.” It is, in my opinion, a song that changed worship music FOREVER. I love it. I’m glad they did it based on the merits of the songwriting. Guess what? Idol knows that. They know you like the song. They know their audience. Don’t think for a minute they did the song because they were “convicted” to do it. They are smart. They have done their homework. I guarantee you there was conversation in the boardroom about changing the lyric. They know who is watching. Ratings, folks.

14. What I want to know is . . . did Oprah like the song? That’s what matters.

15. WWJVF? DJRC?

"The culture war is over. We lost." --Jud Wilhite

What the . . .

Many people are wondering what will happen next on LOST. The show boggles my mind. I love it. I love the conversation it sparks. I love the storyline and the creativity. I often end an episode shaking my head and looking at my son : : : both of saying in unison . . . "what?" What just happened? What did I just see?

Apparently, we are not the only ones.