Hobo Stu

Hello everyone,

In his interview with HoboTrashcan this week, Neal Jones revealed that his goal as an actor has been to “be able to act a variety of roles without the audience having to be taken out of the project by thinking, ‘Oh, that’s that guy from whatever …’”

I have to say, I think Neal is achieving that goal. I watched several episodes of Generation Kill before realizing that he was the one playing Sgt. Maj. John Sixta, even though I had just seen him on Rescue Me (which I’ve been watching on DVD). Even his own castmates on Generation Kill didn’t realize that he was the one carrying watermelons with Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing.

The more I think about it, I’m beginning to wonder if Neal Jones chose the wrong profession. If he can blend so seamlessly into the characters he plays, perhaps he should be working as a spy. I mean, he’s so good at what he does, he could be across the street from you right now watching you and you’d never even know he was there.

Here’s what’s new on HoboTrashcan.com this week:

One on One with Neal Jones
While many actors seek fame and recognition, Neal Jones would be pleased if you never realized he was on your TV screen. The journeyman character actor enjoys creating unique characters and blending seamlessly into films and TV shows without having the audience realize that it’s him playing the role. Luckily, he was still willing to step out and talk with us about his work on Rescue Me, Generation Kill and Dirty Dancing.

Murphy’s Law – Boob Tube breakdown
September is the month that all four major networks unveil their new fall lineups. With so many new shows debuting all at once, it can be tough to keep track of them all. Luckily, Joel Murphy is here to tell you about all of the new shows, explaining why they suck and will inevitably be canceled.

Note to Self – The tie that Bonds
While the NFL proves time and time again that it is willing to take second and third chances on players with “character issues,” Brian Murphy can’t help but wonder why Barry Bonds is blacklisted from MLB. So to help right this injustice, Murphy has compiled a list of seven teams that could benefit from adding Bonds to their roster for the final month of the season.

Outside of the In-Crowd – Courtney throws a political/relationshipital tantrum
Courtney Enlow is certainly not a fan of John McCain and Sarah Palin. Unfortunately, her significant other seems to have no problem voting Republican this year. So what’s an opinionated left-leaning girl to do when she finds out her boyfriend is voting for McCain? In Enlow’s case, the answer is to throw a political/”relationshipital” tantrum.

Overrated – Joe DiMaggio
He’s been called The Yankee Clipper, Joltin’ Joe and even “America’s Greatest Living Ballplayer.” But, this week, Ned Bitters calls Joe DiMaggio overrated. Bitters thinks DiMaggio was a great player, he just doesn’t believe Joltin’ Joe is as great as everyone seems to think he is. Bitters believes DiMaggio’s legendary status is a result of clever P.R. and a healthy dose of bullshit.

From the Vault – No Hit Wonder – Breaking up is hard to do
This week’s From the Vault comes from Vick Viggler, an airport screener/rock star who wrote the now defunct “No Hit Wonder” column. In this September 6, 2007 column, Viggler reveals that breaking up with a band can sometimes be as difficult as breaking up with a significant other. Luckily, Viggler found a rebound band to jump in bed with.

Also make sure to check out an all new Hobo Radio, Chicken and Milk, Recyclables and our daily Hobo Headlines.

- Hobo Stu

Hobo Stu’s Weekly Recap is also available as an email newsletter. To sign up for the newsletter to ensure you never miss an update, send an email to newsletter-subscribe@hobotrashcan.com.

• Introduction
• Contractually obligated Batman discussion
• A tribute to Don LaFontaine
• TV shows
• “Just Walk Away” by Trading Voices

Week 59 Spotlight: In a world without Don LaFontaine.

Don LaFontaine, the King of Voiceovers and the man who coined the phrase “In a world,” which is used to introduce countless movie trailers, passed away earlier this week. His death is a huge loss to the entertainment community and it couldn’t have come at a worse time. September is the beginning of the new fall TV season, which means now, more than ever, the world needs Don LaFontaine to make their favorite TV shows sound even more awesome.

This week, Joel Murphy and Lars Periwinkle pay tribute to Don LaFontaine. They also preview the new fall TV lineup, revealing which shows they are most excited about. They also reminisce about Arrested Development and share their thoughts selling out.

What shows are the guys looking forward to? Why hasn’t there been a Dark Knight video game? Why must Lars always bring up the Nazis? The answers to these questions and more are in this week’s show.

Similar Posts:

• Hobo Radio 55 – Making the world a better place
• Hobo Radio 54 – The end of staycations
• Hobo Radio 63 – Dude, where’s my car?
• Hobo Radio 57 – Sax appeal
• Hobo Radio 68 – The triumphant return of Lars Periwinkle

Hobo Radio 59 - In a world without Don LaFontaine [ 44:15 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We scan the top newspapers and websites to bring you all of the important news of the day. Then we convert the newspapers into hobo blankets or funny hats.

Here are today’s Hobo Headlines:

• Maybe he should have gone with the “Can you smell what the Mac is cookin’?” speech he delivered to all of his McCainiacs in the WWE a few months back.
  John McCain gave a bipolar speech last night at the Republican National Convention, claiming that teaming up with Sarah Palin allowed him to be a political outsider, while also playing up his over 25 of service in Congress and taking shots at Obama’s lack of experience.

  He also said, “Let me just offer an advance warning to the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first-country-second crowd: Change is coming,” which could have been aimed at many of the Republican politicians in the room with him. Also, according to The New York Times, McCain’s speech was “offered in a monotone as he stood before a solid-color backdrop that flicked from green to blue. The reaction was far more subdued than it was the night before for his running mate, Ms. Palin.”
  [The New York Times]

• This might be a good time to start stockpiling cans of soup.
  The unemployment rate in the U.S. reached a five-year high in the month of August. News of the unemployment rate has caused the stock market to decline this morning. Yesterday, the Dow Jones dropped 344 points as investors began reacting to “negative jobless claims data and disappointing retail sales figures.”
  [CNN Money]

• It can’t be any worse than Ghostbusters 2.
  Because Hollywood won’t rest until it has bled every last dime from our 80s nostalgia, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson will be reunited for a Ghostbusters sequel, which will be written by The Office‘s Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky.
  [People]