The Crazy Real-Life Story Of Andy Warhol Hulton Archive/Getty Images
By William J. Wright/Dec. 29, 2020 9:38 am EDT
Controversial and enigmatic, Andy Warhol was one of the most important artists of the 20th century. Arguably, there is no other artist who so embraced and reflected the zeitgeist of the modern era. Beginning his career as a commercial artist, Warhol instinctively and consciously blurred the lines between art and commerce as well as good taste and bad.
Transfiguring product logos and celebrity images into works that both commented on the banality of consumer culture and celebrated its uniquely American qualities, Andy Warhol, with his famous, screen-printed soup cans and garish movie star portraits, redefined fine art for a generation. Through his Factory studio, he even changed the artist s role in creation, employing assistants to manufacture his works on a virtual assembly line.
Tragic Details About Comedy Legend Ernie Kovacs Shout Factory TV
By William J. Wright/Dec. 10, 2020 10:56 am EDT
During television s celebrated golden age, Ernie Kovacs was to comedy what Rod Serling was to drama. Although his name may not be as familiar as 1950s legends such as Lucille Ball, Sid Caesar, or Jackie Gleason, Ernie Kovacs impact is immeasurable, if not largely unsung. His quirky sensibilities and penchant for absurdity have influenced generations of comics ranging from Great Britain s legendary Monty Python troupe to talk show giant David Letterman. Kovacs, with his lightning fast wit and spontaneity, revolutionized comedy for television, stripping it of its vaudeville roots and re-inventing it for a new medium and a new generation.