Leslie Hall: How She’s Going Out (not necessarily in a flame of glory)?

When I first discovered Leslie Hall in 2006, what I liked the most about her was her completely unapologetic nature. She was big, she loved gem sweaters (or at least her constructed persona loved them), and she was lo-fi all the way.

Since then, several major plot points in the career of Leslie Hall have occurred: the release of her more polished (and excellent!) Doorman’s Daughter, her appearance on a Nickelodeon show “Yo Gabba Gabba” (which is aimed at tiny tots), her insistence on having the majority of her shows “All Ages,” her featured You Tube video “How We Go Out Version 2″ (which earned her over 1,000,000 views), and now the re-invention of her “Zombie Killer” music video with cameos galore (including Elvira—though she only is present in voice over… I guess she couldn’t make it to the video shoot). Oh, and this revised song will also be on her new album entitled ceWEBrity.

I guess what this rant is about is something that I saw coming all along: Leslie Hall, by testing out various images and styles and levels of political correctness, is tailoring herself in order to get as many admirers as possible (even if those admirers are in their cribs gnawing on Gerber’s). Leslie Hall’s image, which seemed at first to be unapologetic, is becoming more and more plastic as her fan base grows. I don’t think it’s [primarily] about money or “selling out” in the traditional sense. After all, “selling out” implies getting signed to a huge record label and becoming excited by the prospect of product endorsements. No, it’s not about that. It is about a deep need to be admired, which is charming if you look at her earlier work. But when that need to be admired goes from a charming quirk to bordering on obvious desperation, that’s not exactly the way to maintain your adult fan-base (or at least the indie fan base with which she started).

Don’t get me wrong, I like Leslie Hall. But I used to love her.

Leslie Hall’s Timeline O’ Change

Original “Zombie Killer” (2005):

Appearance on Yo Gabba Gabba (though she made a random appearance on the public access show “Chic-a-go-go” years ago—so this isn’t her first appearance with kiddies, just her most widely exposed kiddie romp):

Revised “Zombie Killer” with guest appearances by Mark Borchardt and Mike Schank of American Movie and the disembodied voice of Elvira (Notice how she has removed the part about shooting the zombie children in the brains. Though there is some überfake carnage…) (2008):

Valentine’s Frustration: The Revillos - Where’s the Boy for Me (1979)

In honor of Valentine’s day, and signing off for the weekend, I give you the Revillos’ “Where’s the Boy For Me.” The bright colors and loud keyboards will make you forget all about how you aren’t (or ARE!) getting chocolate hearts. From their Rev Up album.

Whitest Kids U Know - Poop Meeting (not work safe)

Hilarity ensues when a businessman pulls poop out of his pants at a meeting. From the NYC comedy troupe Whitest Kids U Know.

Crispen Glover - “Clowny Clown Clown” (Baltimore Public Access)

Now this is worth seeing. A man dressed in business attire has fantasies about a clown. A clowny clown clown.

Bollywood Goes Disco!

If you think you can stop watching this video before it’s finished, think again. Many treasures are hidden in its 7 minutes. Just wait until the audience member gets on the stage and starts to “get down with her bad self.” This clip is from the 1983 Bollywood film Disco Dancer.

If you glance at my site, you’ll probably notice tons of 70s kitsch and disco. This is just a current obsession; mars poetica is not a disco heaven. I have a theory that people are getting tired of 80s nights and that they will soon be replaced by 70s nights. And if it doesn’t happen, it should. How many times can you really listen to “Like a Prayer”?

Anna Nicole Smith “Skyscraper” Extended Outtakes (not work safe)

I just love it when she says, “Well excuse me for still believing in Jim’s Crispy Fried Chicken, walks—slow walks on the park, and little babies.” You have to wonder what the other actors in Skyscraper are thinking. How can they stay in character while in the presence of Anna?

Scenes from John Waters’ Female Trouble (1974)

The following clips represent my favorite scenes from Female Trouble. In the first clip, Divine (Dawn Davenport) has a mother/daughter heart-to-heart with Mink Stole (Taffy). In the following two, Edith Massey (Aunt Ida) is troubled by her straight hair-dressing son named “Gator.” If you haven’t seen this film, it is a riot. The movie (and these clips) are a must-see.

“I am not retarded!”:

“The world of heterosexuals”:

“No Gator! NO!”:

Ex-Stripper Sandy Cane performs Laura Branigan’s “Gloria” (not work safe)

I’m thinking people might have already seen this, but it bears repeating. If you are easily offended, you may not appreciate this.

Superchick Trailer (1973)

She’s no ordinary chick, she’s Superchick. It is apparent in this trailer that as time passes, much of pop culture loses its relevance. The movie (not the trailer) also boasts some of the worst kung-fu and action sequences in recent cinematic history. Superchick, you’re one swell gal.

Soul Train Clip (1970s) “The Sounds of Philadelphia”

While searching for M.F.S.B.’s tune “T.S.O.P.,” I found this clip from a 1970s episode of Soul Train. It is by far one of the most amazing things I’ve seen in a while. The dancing starts off funky, and it stays funky. Man, I wish I was there to dance with them.