August 26, 2004
Scot Williams as Pete Best
Pete Best was almost a Beatle. History, in the guise of Brian Epstein, intervened, and today we have Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band. History's funny like that. Anyway, we asked a bunch of folks to use one of popular culture's most famous examples of almostness as a springboard, in something we call, simply enough, The Pete Best Project. This week, we have the first two installments, with more to follow.
August 20, 2004
Nobody else got hit? I'm the only one? What's the deal?
If it's still steamy outside, chances are the studios are still slapping junk into the theatres. Thank heavens you still have Zonar to tell you what films to skip and why.
Speaking of the old picture show, one of our favorite directors around here, Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums), has a new film coming out in December, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. The trailer's just hit the ol' interweb and you really should see it.
And speaking of our favorites, don't miss this week's Jeremy by Jon Morris, in fact don't miss any week's installment - it's good stuff. The latest installment of this webcomic, starring Frankenstein's youngest son, includes a shout out to Team USA Banjo! Thanks, Jon and Jeremy.
NEXT WEEK: Something decidedly different in one important way than anything previously appearing on capnwacky.com.
August 13, 2004
With a bang
All good things must come to an end. And so must TEAM USA BANJO whether you thought it was a good thing or not. The final two installments are not online. Goodnight, sweet banjoeers. Feel free to post your feedback in in our forum, if you are so inclined.
But our fifth anniversary celebration is not yet over! Check back for more fun next week. I'm sure a certain opinionated green alien is not going to want to miss out on the festivities.
ALSO, if you've had your eye on any of the items in one of our stores, you might want to buy them now. Fairly soon we'll be discontinuing most of the existing merchandise and replacing them with all-new designs. If you hate the current stuff, check back soon and maybe you won't hate the new stuff as much.
August 12, 2004
Plinka plinka plinka
Today? Surprise! More TEAM USA BANJO. Meet Raymond, Marcus, and Butch. Tomorrow - the big finish!
August 11, 2004
Support the team
Two more thrilling installments of TEAM USA BANJO today as the spotlight falls on Ma Banjo and Pee Wee Banjo.
At this point in the week, I'm sure you're asking yourself two things: 1. How can I spread the word about TEAM USA BANJO? and 2. How can I feel like I'm a part of TEAM USA BANJO. Easy.
1. Use this banner image to spread the word:
just copy the following and paste it up on your website and/or weblog:
<a href="http://www.capnwacky.com/flotsam/teamusabanjo"> <img src="http://www.capnwacky.com/banners/banjominibanner.jpg"> </a>
2. Purchase Official TEAM USA BANJO merchandise by clicking here.
BANJO
August 10, 2004
Banjos and books
TEAM USA BANJO continues today with two more exciting installments. Click away to meet Teddy and Fern. The plot thickens (mildly).
Come back every day this week for more TEAM USA BANJO.
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Also this: now avaiable in fine bookstores everywhere is Created in Darkness by Troubled Americans: The Best of McSweeney's Humor Category, a collection of fine comedy pieces published by our friends at Timothy McSweeney's Internet Tendency website and the Timothy McSweeney's Quartley Concern print journal.
Two of the troubled Americans mentioned in the title are capnwacky.com's founders RJ White and Brodie H. Brockie. Included in the book is the piece they co-authored entitled The Latest From Jokeland (or as longtime capnwacky.com readers may remember it Setups, No Punchlines) and Tips From "Jokes And How To Tell Them," Published in 1963 compiled by Mr. White all alone because he's special like that.
Also there are lots of great pieces from other fine writers such as Neal Pollack, Ben Greenman, Kevin Shay, and edited by Dave Eggers. Pick it up in a bookstore or order a copy from the interweb bookseller of your choice.
Then come back here tomorrow for more banjos.
August 09, 2004
The saga begins
Today in Flotsam & Jetsam begins the week-long epic tale of TEAM USA BANJO. Come back to capnwacky.com for two more chapters of this thrilling, coming of age story of togetherness and banjos every day this week.
After TEAM USA BANJO, you will never look at a banjo in quite the same way again.
August 05, 2004
And 5, 5, 5 for my lonely
Back in the last century, in August of 1999, this site began with a meager offering of comedic surprises and the guidance if a certain venerable wooden mascot. In recognition of the last five years, this month's Disgruntled Employee of the Month feature is devoted to Cap'n Wacky.
Also, be on the lookout for a special feature next week, as you find out about the legendary Team USA banjo, with two updates every day!
You know, this all makes one think, with it being half a decade and all. Why, five years ago, I lived in a different city far away and held a different job. A lot can change in five years.
What?
Oh, no, I only moved about three months ago. Still, though, change and all of that.
August 04, 2004
Outguessing The Village
OK, despite hearing almost universally negative things about it, I'm going to go see The Village tonight. Please don't tell me if I'm right or wrong, but I'm going to give multiple guesses now as to what the twist ending might be, despite knowing only what the previews tell us.
Possible twist endings of The Village:
* Actually takes place in the distant future in a post-apocalyptic Earth on which apes evolved from men.
* The village is what's become of The Neighborhood of Make Believe since Mr. Roger's death. This is revealed when we see the shocking footage of X the Owl's rotting corpse.
* The creatures in the forest? Crazed Ewoks.
* The village and its inhabitants are owned by a giant pop-music conglomerate hoping to form a popular gay disco novelty act.
* The creatures in the forest? The 1919 Chicago Black Sox.
* Everything turns out exactly as you would expect and then Joaquin Phoenix turns to the camera, winks, and says, "Didn't see THAT coming, now did you?"
* The keys were right there in her purse the whole time! Whoops!
* The creatures in the forest? OURSELVES!
* Patrick McGoohan actually IS Number One all along.
* Turns out the real spirit of Christmas lives in our hearts! Awww.
* The last shot is of writer/director M. Night Shyamalan sitting at his typewriter and yelling into the camera, "And none of it was true! It was just a story I MADE UP!" before falling into a fit of hysterical laughter.