DEJA REVIEW - JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS (2001)

Karate in the Garage

This episode was recorded back in early March 2022 before Freddy headed to Atlanta for One Fast Move.

We've got 2001's Josie and the Pussycats starring Rachel Leigh Cook, Rosario Dawson, and Tara Reid as the rockin' trio just waiting for their big break while playing huge gigs like the local bowling alley.

Along for the ride, and playing their nastiness to the hilt, are Parker Posey and Alan Cumming as the record executives that pluck the girls from Riverdale obscurity and "help" them become pop superstars literally overnight. That's how the music business works, right?

Written and Directed by Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont (both from Can't Hardly Wait) serve up the dense satire on what happens when music and commerce collide.

ENJOY!

YES. SAG-AFTRA HAVE FINALLY JOINED THE WGA, AND HAS COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE AMPTP. IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG AND UPHILL BATTLE FOR NOT JUST THE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES OF BOTH UNIONS, IT HAS ALSO CAUSED A GREAT DEAL OF HARDSHIP FOR THE REST OF THE INDUSTRY'S PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

BUT ALL ISN'T BACK TO NORMAL AND WON'T BE FOR SOME TIME. THESE WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE GOING TO BE STRUGGLING WHILE THE INDUSTRY STARTS REMEMBERING HOW TO WORK. THE OVERWHELMING BURDEN OF PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE AND A ROOF OVER ONE'S HEAD DOESN'T END WHEN THE DEALS ARE MADE OR EVEN RATIFIED.

THE INDUSTRY'S USUAL HIATUS/SHUTDOWN THIS MONTH IS MOST LIKELY GOING TO EXTEND ANY KIND OF BREAK FROM "NORMALCY" IN THE FREQUENCY OF WORK. IT COULD EVEN BE MONTHS INTO 2024 BEFORE PRODUCTIONS GET UP TO SPEED AGAIN. BUT EVEN IF THEY WORK THROUGH THAT USUAL "HOLIDAY HIATUS", FOR MANY FAMILIES THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO NEED ASSISTANCE, EVEN IF THEY RETURN TO WORK. THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP.

IF YOU HAVE A FEW DOLLARS TO SPARE, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND. THE FUND HELPS ALL WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE STRIKE, NOT JUST ACTORS AND WRITERS.

Entertainment Community Fund

https://entertainmentcommunity.org/support-our-work

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As always, and maybe even more than ever, here are some mental health resources for North America:

United States

https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

The Suicide Hotline phone number has been changed. Now, just text or call 988.

Canada

https://www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca/mental-health-resources-1

1 [phone]

Even though we don't say it in this episode, more NOW than ever before: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take care of yourselves and those around you.

Be mindful of your surroundings.

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