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Unlucky 13 — this episode is all about candy and movie soundtracks. I dare you not to crave candy during this. Enjoy!

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Ticklepuss.

This guy smells like a wet band-aid.

The Death of Michael Jackson

The Farrah post I wrote previously was one of shock and sadness for an incandescent beauty who died too young, someone who seemed too vital to go. Now, on the same day, within hours of Fawcett’s death, pop icon Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50. There are notable similarities in the passing of these two: both shared the distinction of being—for a time, and in their own specific eras—the biggest celebrities in the world. Both were lauded for their looks and talent, and both shared a very public downward spiral. They both had a major influence on the world of popular culture, our perceptions of sex symbols, and they were both merchandised into legends.
The similarities end there, however, for the death of Michael Jackson is historic. The shockwaves of his passing have only begun, and I anticipate that the flood of mourning will be nearly overwhelming as the reality is slowly absorbed. This was no one-time star who had fallen out of the public’s (and media’s) notice. Jackson transformed the landscape of popular culture, music and entertainment with his Grammy-winning albums, sell-out concerts and astonishingly singular dance style. His childlike demeanor was made all the more fascinating by his at times very adult videos, where crotch-grabbing, innuendo and titillating dance moves all converged to produce the feel of a sexually supercharged star who could seduce any woman. And indeed, Jackson had more female admirers during his greatest heights than anyone else I was aware of in my lifetime. The 60’s had the Beatles appearing on Ed Sullivan, the 70’s had the Bee Gees and their disco-dominating soundtrack for ‘Saturday Night Fever’, but there is no doubt that Michael Jackson’s performance on ‘Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever’ literally changed pop culture overnight. Moonwalking, spinning and finger-snapping his way through ‘Billie Jean’, the world stood still for just a moment as we all watched, transfixed by this version of the ‘little’ Michael from the Jackson 5. Following this up with his legendary Thriller video, and the second-biggest selling album of all time, ‘Bad’ (Thriller, of course, being the first), Michael seemed untouchable, a singular source of magic and slickness.
Years later, shortly after the release of his excellent album, ‘Dangerous’, the star was suddenly saddled with accusations of child molestation, excessive plastic surgery, and generally bizarre behavior. Previously, these claims of strangeness could be brushed off, for they were fairly innocent in nature. But with the allegations of misconduct with children, Michael’s spotless image began to tarnish. As more and more people began to come forward (almost all looking for ‘financial restitution’), he seemed to slip further and further into a state of denial and reclusiveness.
I was contacted by my friend Karen Faye, Michael’s personal makeup artist (who has been with him since making him up for the ‘Thriller’ album cover), to potentially do some masks for the ‘Ghosts’ segment of his upcoming tour in England, but things fizzled when it became clear that there wasn’t enough time to do them properly. I had a feeling then that this show was possibly going to end disastrously, but I had no idea what level of disaster was waiting the beleaguered star only a month away. It is still hard to comprehend the scope of this thing, and I have not come anywhere near facing its total impact. But I do know that the ramifications are enormous, America’s version of the Princess Diana tragedy.
Many years ago, while Michael was going through the terrible trial that would ultimately result in self-exile for a time from the United States, Karen asked if I wanted to perhaps send a sculpture to Michael. My answer was an emphatic ‘Yes!’. But I told her I wanted to do something really special for him, something that might take a good deal of time. He disappeared almost immediately after the trial to the Middle East, but not before I was able to have Karen pass on a book of fantasy art, one that contained a few images of mine in it. He graciously sent back a collection of his music and videos, with a hand-written note on the cover. I will treasure this forever, because I was—and always will be—an enormous fan of his. It is hard to put into words all that he has meant to so many, and what he may have given us in the future had he only been able to live a little longer. Michael, thank you so much—you have inspired, amazed and dazzled us all for over forty years, and you can now, finally, be at peace. You, of all people, deserve a good rest.
—–Jordu

Despite Farrah’s somewhat controversial appearances during the final decade or so of her life, it is still with great sadness and a sense of genuine shock that I write this blog about her death at 62. An icon of beauty and sophistication in the mid-70′s, Farrah went on to prove after her ‘Angel’ days that she was a serious actress, just one that had been gifted with extraordinary beauty. Her performances in ‘The Burning Bed’, ‘Extremities’ and ‘The Apostle’ all stand out as moving depictions of women battling their own demons, as well as those outside themselves. But, nonetheless, it is her devastating looks that will be cemented forever in this kid of the 70′s mind. A tremendous crush was formed the first time I saw her on ‘Charlie’s Angel’s', and I still remember the wet bathing suit poster that my cousin had of her hanging in his bedroom. He was one of 12 million people to have the image plastered on his wall, making this one of the biggest-selling posters in history. According to news reports, Farrah battled fiercely with cancer for the last several years of her life, finally succumbing at 9:30 this morning at Santa Monica Hospital.

Thank you for the memories, lovely lady; you will always be an angel.

—J

Another “on the road” episode; this time – Pittsburgh! Hear Jordu nerd-out with his close friends, Mike, Dan and ‘Becca.

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He never goes anywhere without his black rectangle.

The scoop just fell off of his ice cream cone. Poor guy.

Can’t wait to ride the Zipper.

Here is a weird vintage monster.

Click on the “Gallery” link then click on “last uploads”. There are some new images of old things and some new albums of all new stuff. You will not be disappointed.

You can see in her eyes that she is in love.

Nobody messes with Ghost Arm.

This is our “Monsterpalooza” episode with special guests, the Chiodo Brothers. Some topics include stop-motion, movie prop collecting, and the making of “Thriller”.

N.E.R.D.cast

N.E.R.D.cast is available through iTunes, or you can subscribe to this and future N.E.R.D.casts by clicking on the link in the right sidebar.>>>