My beat has developed into covering the width and breadth of popular culture. What is that? It's a lot. I've written articles and reviews out of all these beats, reviewed hundreds of concerts, films and plays. And the thing is, these high arts all sprang from the pop culture of their day. Don't forget, Shakespeare was once Spielberg.
Oddly enough, this varied experience with the high and low arts has allowed me to synthesize and juxtapose a cavalcade of trends -- from the influence of Don Knotts on Western civilization (insecure nebbish as folk hero) to public fascination with reality TV dating shows (emotional brutality as post-modern entertainment) to the shaky future of comic books (underappreciated art form as fodder for Hollywood hits, including "Road to Perdition" and "Spider-Man").
As I peer into the world of arts and entertainment, I'm always looking for that piece of junk that could be a jewel in disguise. Who can say which of today's crowd-pleasing diversions fighting for exposure in the media slipstream is destined to become a classic? A Pokemon or an Elvis?
The search for significance can lead anywhere. And that's why I write about it.
Submitted by doug wells from independence missouri
Q: Could you connect me with the person/persons, who are using segway transporter tottour the. plaza . I would like to do a tour .
Answered 07/22/05 14:57:09 by Brian McTavish
A: Doug: The Segway Experience of Kansas City is located under McCormick & Schmick's seafood restaurant on the Country Club Plaza. The address is 446 W. 47th. The phone is (816) 531-0600. A Segway tour of the Plaza runs $40 to $60. Have fun, BrianSubmitted by Diane Gibson Conger from Crawfordsville, Indiana 47933
Q: I read your article about Carroll Lewis in an email put out by Susan Shea Worthington called The Lexington Connection. Mr. Lewis was the Music director in Lexington Missouri before teaching at Raytown. He was a phenominal teacher!! I had the privilege of being one of his students, Chorus, Girl's Glee Club and Sextet. I would like information about where I can purchase his CD. Thanks.
Answered 07/22/05 14:46:09 by Brian McTavish
A: Hi, Diana. I phoned Dr. Lewis, and he sounded pleased by your request. He also remembered your name. You can order his CD through Raytown Jewelry. I don't think they do e-mail. Their number is (816) 353-1024. Thanks for writing, BrianSubmitted by Jenny Henderson from Kansas City, MO
Q: Comics: Where is Bizarro? I LOVE that comic. It was missing in Saturday's paper. I hope that was just a fluke. And what about Mallard Fillmore? Can we try that one? I got hooked on both these comics when I lived in Washington DC. I've been on hold, trying to telephone the Star with these comments, for 25 minutes. If there's a better way to reach someone at the Star about this, please tell me! Thanks!
Answered 11/23/04 16:47:11 by Brian McTavish
A: Jenny: The one-time absence of "Bizarro" was, indeed, a fluke. To express your desire to have "Mallard Fillmore" (or any other favorite strip) added to The Star's comics pages, I suggest that you contact our readers' representative, Derek Donovan. Derek's photo and a brief explanation of his gig runs daily on page A2. He is there to field any and all questions and comments regarding the paper. You can reach him at (816) 234-4487 or by e-mail at readerrep@kcstar. Thanks for your interest. And keep reading those comics. BrianSubmitted by gert from New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Q: How can i locate Steamboat Arabia Museum on line? I visited it a couple years ago and want to share the info.
Answered 11/23/04 16:32:16 by Brian McTavish
A: For official information on the Steamboat Arabia Museum in Kansas City, go to 1856.com. Enjoy.Submitted by Anonymous from Overland Park, KS
Q: Does anyone actually go to see greyhound racing anymore? Between the animal abuse reports and the seediness of the tracks, what is the appeal?
Answered 10/25/04 14:28:13 by Brian McTavish
A: My guess: Take away the betting and no one would be interested.Submitted by John Stower (yeah, r from No location specified
Q: Hey Brian: We have a LONG overdue beer awaiting us somewhere to accompany probably a LONG talk since it has been a LONG time since I have seen my LONG lost friend.... (that's about the long & short of it....) Pretty sad when we are both in KC and I haven't made the effort to recontact you bud.... even when I knew you still worked for the KC Star. I just happened to be on the web page searching for an article and there was your name up in lights! Hmmmmmm..... karma? Anyway, email me back or simply call me at 816/822-3528 (work) or home (816/455-1052) so we can finally sit down and have a chat.... if you are still interested....
Answered 10/22/04 17:29:12 by Brian McTavish
A: Hi, John. Now it's YOU who's on kansascity.com. I guess it's a small Web after all. Great to hear from you, and in such an unpredictably public way! Thanks for reaching out, man. Inside aside: We'll always have Stan Harris.Submitted by Brian from WYCO, Ks
Q: Hey, I read your answer that said you would like to see a Flash movie. I'm not a big fan of the Flash, but I would love to see a Green Lantern movie or a Iron Man movie. Who would you have to play both parts?
Answered 10/20/04 15:56:55 by Brian McTavish
A: Tom Cruise as Tony Stark/Iron Man has been talked about and would be very cool. And how about Jim "Passion of the Christ" Caviezel as GL?Submitted by Pat Morgester from Kansas City
Q: I read months ago that there is a smokefree night club in Kansas City. Where can people go to dance, have an adult beverage and not breathe secondhand smoke?
Answered 09/29/04 14:50:42 by Brian McTavish
A: Pat: The Blue Room, part of the Kansas City Jazz Museum at 18th and Vine, is a smoke-free place to throw one back and/or hear live jazz. Thanks for your question... BrianSubmitted by Greg G. from Kansas City, MO
Q: Do you think that comic books (or comix, as some say) will ever attain the widespread level of acceptance as "high art" or mainstream entertainment in this country, as they have in Japan and elsewhere?
Answered 09/29/04 14:43:54 by Brian McTavish
A: Greg: I'd like to think so, but I'm not overly optimistic. Whether seen as "high" or "low" art, the fact is that comics in this country don't reach nearly as many readers as they used to.Ironically, even as comic-book sales stagnate, characters taken from comic books are providing the masses with plenty of big-screen entertainment at the movies, from "Ghost World" and "Amercian Splendor" to the "Spider-Man" franchise and the upcoming "Batman" flick. It sounds like your a comics fan, so hang in there. Unsolicited tip: Buy what you like, not what you think will go up in value. Then, no matter, what you'll always be satisfied with your purchase. Thanks for writing... BrianSubmitted by Anonymous from No location specified
Q: There's been a tremendous influx of comic book movies (which I personally love). Besides the Fantastic Four, is there another comic book hero your dying to see portrayed on the big screen?
Answered 09/29/04 14:32:13 by Brian McTavish
A: Anonymous: Wouldn't it be cool to see a big-budget movie about the Flash? DC Comics' "Fastest Man Alive" already got some exposure in the Tom Hanks/Leonardo DeCaprio movie, "Catch Me if You Can." Old Flash comic books play a part in the story, including the name of the Flash's alter-ego, Barry Allen. Thanks for writing... Brian