L.I.N.D.A. plays ELO, meets the Absorbaloff on BBC's Doctor Who

So I’m talking to my fellow Whovian, Jon Langford, about the next season of “Doctor Who,” because that’s what grownups do at the office. It leads to a discussion of the merits of the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith, compared to the Tenth Doctor, David Tennant, who I think we can all agree is the Proper Doctor. This of course leads to notes on our favorite episodes, and the second season’s “Love and Monsters” is mentioned. Which just reminds us of the Doctor-hunting L.I.N.D.A. and Elton Pope’s favorite band: the Electric Light Orchestra. Were the seeds of the current ELO renaissance planted six years ago in the fertile soil of the BBC?

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(Thought I’d share this post from 2010. Today, Illinois voters help shape the GOP presidential primary, elect a state Supreme Court justice,  and decide a host of other  issues. Turnout is projected to be very light — less than 30%. Here’s a little something to jog our consciences. -md) 

Here it is, Election Day. You know what to do. And for those who would allow their civic duty to be circumvented by the annoying robo-calls, the nasty political ads, and the heated rhetoric that clouds civil discourse, I’m going to show you this …

It may prevent whining in the five-person line at your precinct

Our Sun (image via YouTube)

Photos From Nasa’s Hubble…Get ready to have your radio transmissions disrupted. One of the largest solar storms in five years is set to occur today. Although the storm won’t hurt people, it will effect technology like utility grids, satellite networks, GPS services and airline flights. While you might not be able to see the Northern Lights tonight due to the bright city lights and cloudy sky, Lin Brehmer suggested we all hop a flight to Alaska to see them. Check out this video from NASA about the storm. Watch Video & Listen To The XRT Morning Show

Some of us are so pleased by the imminent return of “Mad Men”, we’re ready to throw a party. A retro soiree with canapes and cocktails. What’s a party without music? This show offers so much inspiration, we couldn’t stop with just one playlist. Here are some more “Mad” tunes, both from the show and from more modern sources. Press play, and imagine you’re Joan as you lead the conga line!

View Mary’s Mad Men Playlist

Don Draper looks for something in season 5. AMC TV photo.

We’ve been waiting so long for “Mad Men” to return, some of us were beginning to feel like poor old Miss Blankenship sitting at her desk for time eternal. Thank heavens the retro tales of Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Pryce are about to return. It’s enough to make you want to squeeze into a little sheath dress (or skinny suit), tease (or Brylcreem) your hair, and throw a party. While you mix the Manhattans, here’s a swinging playlist for you. We’ve got songs used in “Mad Men,” as well as a few modern tunes that evoke the right mood. Just steer clear of the riding mower, okay?View Mary’s Mad Men Playlist

Katy Perry (Photo by: Christopher Polk / Getty Images)

Like, Oh my goshhhhh…Kesha and Brittany Spears are doing it–even Mae West does it while saying ” Why don’t you come up some time and see me.” The “vocal fry” –a raspy or croaking sound added onto the end of a sentence is the new way many college-aged girls are talking according to the Science Times. Women have been changing their speech for years; adding slang words like “redic” or “bitchin” to their vocabulary. Now the latest trend in speech is the “vocal fry.” While some see this as sounding immature or stupid, linguists say women use this vocal trend as a way to seem more authoritative. Listen To The XRT Morning Show

Terminator (photo by: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Later this year, you can be just like Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Terminator movies. What was thought to be an accessory of the future will become a reality when Google releases a new pair of glasses that will project information into its lens. glasses will use the same Android software that powers smart phones and tablets. They will include features like GPS navigation, motion sensors, and camera and audio inputs and outputs. And if that isn’t enough, a built in camera will monitor your surroundings and return augmented reality information to you. The glasses will even tell you if friends are in the area.

This recent development has Lin Brehmer and Mary Dixon looking forward to the future. It’s going to be great… Listen To The XRT Morning Show

Will Ferrell, aka King Bacchus Photo: Skip Bolen/Getty Images

Some call it Paczki Day, others Carnival. Most would just prefer we not be called late to dinner (and cocktails). XRT has your soundtrack today, with Mardi Gras: The Music of New Orleans, as we observe the holy day of overindulgence before Lent begins.  Can’t make it to NOLA? Check out Bourbon Street from here

The list is up. Scholastic Parent & Child magazine has posted their top 100 list of children’s books. The list, meant to elicit debate, includes classics like “Charlotte’s Web” and “Goodnight Moon” as well as newer books like “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” and “The Hunger Games. The list also gave superlative awards such as “Most Side-Splitting Hilarious” book and ” Most Relatable Character.” Lin Brehmer and Mary Dixon channeled their inner child and talked about wizards, spiders and the quiet old lady whispering “hush.” View The List & Listen To Lin & Mary Discuss

(image via YouTube)

This looker has been named top dog at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. The ball of fluff strutted its stuff last night before winning best in show. Malachy the Pekingese beat out the big dogs–including a Dalmatian, German Shepherd, and Doberman Pincer. This came as a surprise to Lin Brehmer, former co-owner of Berferd the Wonder Dog, who thinks the award-winner shouldn’t even be considered a dog because of its pompom-like aesthetic. Watch The Video

If you’re friends on Facebook, does that mean you should ‘come up for coffee’ on the first date? A new survey suggests that’s what a lot of single Americans do. A LOT. While Lin and Mary sort out the euphemisms for hooking up .. the Singles in America survey suggests that 55% of singletons have … hooked up … on the first date. Read More & Listen To Lin & Mary Discuss

Aretha Franklin and Don Cornelius Getty Images

The word out of Los Angeles is that the man who created “Soul Train” — the Chicago show that introduced America to countless soul and R&B acts, and some groovy dancing, too — has died. Don Cornelius was 75.

Soul Train videos and more

This guy. On C-SPAN?

Celebrating Lin’s 20th…93XRT’s celebration of 20 years of Lin’s morning show has been pretty big. The Saturday radio extravaganza. Mayor Emanuel declaring it “Lin Brehmer Day” in Chicago. Now we learn that the milestone of our Best Friend In The Whole World and XRT’s upcoming birthday have been noted on the US House floor by longtime XRT listener (and Congressman, D-IL) Mike Quigley.

XRT and C-SPAN? See it for yourself!