Mark McDermott is a writer, desktop layout specialist, researcher, popular culture maven, and lover of good beer. I'm even capable of some simple coding, in PHP, Wordpress, and whatever else.
He Strikes Like Thunderball: The Place of the James Bond Theme Song
Examines the history of movie theme songs, which a special focus on the distinctive songs from James Bond Movies. What do they tell us about the spy, or about the dangerous world he lives in?
“Hamlet will return in Thunderball”: Historical Precedents of Riffing
Defines the elements of riffing (as practiced on "Mystery Science Theater 3000" that set it apart from other types of literary or dramatic lampoons. Examples of performance that fall under this definition are offered. Through examples from the years before recorded performance, I hope to be able to make it possible to bring up more obscure, but no less enlightening examples.
Yogi Bear: The Guide to United States Popular Culture
Encyclopedia article about cartoon character Yogi Bear. From: The Guide to United States Popular Culture edited by Ray B. Browne & Pat Browne Copyright 2001 © Bowling Green State University Popular Press One of the dozen or so articles I wrote for this massive tome.
TV Yesterdays: September 24, 1955
This has been my idea, to present a TV guide-type listing for a date in history. To that end, I own the TVYesterdays.com domain, which directs here.
Ren & Stimpy: The Guide to United States Popular Culture
Encyclopedia article. From: The Guide to United States Popular Culture edited by Ray B. Browne & Pat Browne Copyright 2001 © Bowling Green State University Popular Press One of the dozen or so articles I wrote for this massive tome.
Homebrew Beer Labels
Labels I deigned for bottles of my homebrewed beer.
Flip Wilson: The Encyclopedia of Television
The Museum of Broadcast Communications
The Flip Wilson Show was the first successful network variety series with an African-American star. In its first two seasons, its Nielsen ratings placed it as America's second most-watched show. …
From: Horace Newcomb, Editor. The Encyclopedia of Television. Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn (Museum of Broadcast Communications), 1997. Copyright © 1997 by Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers. Vol 1, pp. 619-621.
Movie Time: Untogether
Once more, I get to expand my “influencer” tag by reviewing a movie.
“Untogether” marks the directorial debut of writer Emma Forrest. …
Flexibility key to placement in tight education market
Article on jobs in education. From the Chicago Tribune's CareerBuilder jobs classified, June 1, 2003.
One-Hit Wonder LP Parade: Sailcat – Motorcycle Mama
An eventual series of posts on the LPs from which that wondrous category “One-Hit Wonders” can be drawn. Does the rest of the album explain why some of these bands dropped out of the record charts? Does the LP stand up to the single’s “One-Hit Wondrous-ness?”
Marvel Comics: The Guide to United States Popular Culture
Encyclopedia article. From: The Guide to United States Popular Culture edited by Ray B. Browne & Pat Browne Copyright 2001 © Bowling Green State University Popular Press One of the dozen or so articles I wrote for this massive tome.
Book Layout: The Book of Iowa Films
A publication layout that I did myself, in service of an academic book on movies about or involving the state of Iowa. The Kindle edition can be previewed at http://www.amazon.com/Book-Iowa-Films-Marty-Knepper-ebook/dp/B00NB12FV2
The Menace of Fans to the Franchise
From "Finding the Force of the Star Wars Franchise: Fans, Merchandise, and Critics"
Edited by Matthew Wilhelm Kapell & John Shelton Lawrence. A collection of essays on Star Wars fandom. My article is an analysis of Star Wars fan reaction to changes in the Star Wars franchise, especially with regard to the Prequel Trilogy. Includes analysis of fans films and fan fiction.
Interview With Samuel Adams' Jim Koch
The Boston Beer Co. (Samuel Adams) is debuting a new year-round beer this month, Sam ‘76. As part of the promotional push for the new beer, Sam Adams founder Jim Koch has been available for interviews.
The Jetsons: The Guide to United States Popular Culture
Encyclopedia article. From: The Guide to United States Popular Culture edited by Ray B. Browne & Pat Browne Copyright 2001 © Bowling Green State University Popular Press One of the dozen or so articles I wrote for this massive tome.