The Last Blockbuster

The last Blockbuster video rental store in America is in Bend, Oregon. In a recent viral video, it vows to survive the apocalypse, like the mighty cockaroach:

After the video appeared on social media, business at the shop increased 200%.

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Top image by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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Barnstorming

Mo Rocca explores Barnstorming for The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. 

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Trump: Ah, THAT Explains It.

Gracie Allen and Pat Paulsen did it first, but Donald Trump is really nailing this presidential campaign thing. Trevor Noah explains:

Trump TV Reality Show in Cleveland

Donald J. Trump, middle-aged spoiled rich kid, a 6-times-bankrupt businessman, and former reality TV star, is featured in a TV miniseries this week in Cleveland, Ohio (“the Open-Carry State”). Speakers include minor show-biz celebrities who didn’t make the cut for Mr. Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice series:

Scott Baio, from the 1982 TV show Joanie Loves Chachi

Kimberlin Brown, soap opera actor (The Young and the Restless [1973], The Bold and the Beautiful [1987])

Ben Carson MD, former surgeon, a motivational speaker, … somehow

Chris W. Cox, Executive Director of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action

Jerry Falwell Jr., gun-totin’ Christian lawyer famously sired by televangelist Jerry Falwell Sr.

Natalie Gulbis, 492nd-ranked LPGA golfer (and “Blonde Bombshell,” adds the Daily Caller)

Laura Ingraham, right-wing radio host

Brock Mealer, “inspirational speaker” and car crash victim

Willie Jess Robertson, Duck Dynasty TV personality and duck call company executive

Phil Ruffin, Las Vegas casino owner, partner in the Trump International Hotel and Tower

Antonio Sabato Jr., underwear model

Darrell Scott, pastor of Cleveland’s New Spirit Revival Center, a “prosperity church“

Lisa Shin, optometrist, of Korean Americans for Trump (founded in April), who formed a new non-certifying optometry association and then resigned from it; one of very few non-blonde  women speaking at the Convention

Melania Knaus Trump, Slovene-American former model and the incumbent Mrs. Trump

Tiffany Trump, out of Marla Maples by D.J. Trump, Internet celebrity who is famous for being well-known

Dana White, President of the mixed martial arts organization Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Monica Lewis, 1922 — 2015

Monica Lewis, “America’s Singing Sweetheart,” replaced Peggy Lee in the Benny Goodman Band, had her own radio show and recording contracts, performed on Broadway, on early network television, in nightclubs and in movies. She died last week at the age of 93. Despite her impressive résumé, she will always be remembered as the voice of Chiquita Banana.

More:

“Monica Lewis, singer-actress known as voice of Chiquita bananas, dies at 93,”Matt Schudel, Washington Post

“Monica Lewis, 93, Dies; Her Apple-Pie Appeal Sold Chiquita Bananas,” Sam Roberts, New York Times

“Monica Lewis, Actress Who Sang in Chiquita Banana Cartoons, Dies at 93,” Variety

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Video Game Hall of Fame: First Inductees

The Strong Museum in Rochester, home of the National Toy Hall of Fame, has announced the first inductees in the World Video Game Hall of Fame: DOOM, Pac-Man, Pong, Super Mario Bros., Tetris, and World of Warcraft.

Electronic games now earn more money than recorded music or Hollywood films, about $21 Billion in 2013.

The Strong Museum collects and preserves video games and artifacts through its International Center for the History of Electronic Games. The collection includes more than 55,000 video games and artifacts, personal papers and corporate records that document the history of video games.

Video Game Hall of Fame

The Strong Museum in Rochester, home of the National Toy Hall of Fame, has announced the creation of the World Video Game Hall of Fame. “Electronic games have changed how people play, learn and connect with each other, including across boundaries of culture and geography,” said museum President G. Rollie Adams.  Unsaid: Games now earn more money than recorded music or Hollywood films, about $21 Billion in 2013.

You can nominate significant arcade, console, computer, hand-held and mobile games here until March 31, 2015. An international panel will choose the annual inductees.

Marlene Dietrich, Musician

Marlene Dietrich und ihrem Singenden Säge.

h/t: Andrea James, Boing boing

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Blockbuster Waives Late Fees, Waves Goodbye

The last 300 Blockbuster Video stores will close by the end of the year. The brand will live on in the video-streaming service of parent company Dish Network and on the facades of 50 stores owned by franchisees. The Blockbuster video rental chain was once the country’s largest, with 60,000 employees and 9,000 stores.

More:

“OBITUARY: Blockbuster Video: 1985-2013,” Alex Pappademas, Grantland 

“I Loved You, Blockbuster,” Alexis C. Madrigal, The Atlantic

“The miseries and pleasures of Blockbuster Video,” By Dana Stevens, Slate

“As Blockbuster Prepares To Close, Fans Line Up To Stock Video Libraries,” CBS Los Angeles

“Why Blockbuster’s Death Doesn’t Matter,” Daniel Carlson, Pajiba

“Blockbuster closure could cost Dish $30M,” L. Wayne Hicks, Denver Business Journal

Take My Wife — Please! — To the Catskills

Filmmakers Mevlut Akkaya and Ron Frank interview the alter kockers and big machers of Borscht Belt stand-up in When Comedy Went to School. It’s opening this month, so you can spend 98 minutes in the Catskills this summer. Warning:  The food won’t be as good (and such small portions …).