The other day I heard an NPR story on how in Russia today (yes, 2012) the Beatles are being blamed by some in positions of authority for the nation's drug problems. Yes, you read that correctly. Apart from the absurdity of the accusation, the story dipped into this further bit of absurdity: A Russian navy band playing "Let It Be" to an enthusiastic crowd who clearly must be made up of stone-deaf people. (Or just stoned people, given the story's theme.) Evidently this has been often cited as the Worst Beatles Cover Ever. I'm inclined to agree. And take a good look at the vocalist: I think Newt Gingrich has been moonlighting. ~cd

I have come across, via Netflix, a funny curio for Orson Welles completists: A short-lived British TV series from the 1950's called Around the World with Orson Welles. It seems there were only a handful of episodes produced, and the "world" was western Europe, but what the hey. In one episode he visits artists and poets on the Boulevard St. Germain, in another he chats with pensioners in a London soldiers' home, in another he observes a Madrid bullfight, and in another he visits Basque country. All in all, it is a rather low-key show--Welles is being his charming, quirky self, performing chatty and good-natured interviews, sharing a laugh with people, and having a good time letting his hair down. It's nice to see another angle of this multi-faceted man. His native intelligence and good humor are on full display. I wish there were more programs like it today...and, no, reality TV doesn't cut it. I mean, it's Orson Welles for crying out loud! ~cd