# Tom Lennon

> Freelance writer


## Posts

- [Marvel vs DC: a Secret War in Crisis](https://tomlennon.com/marvel-vs-dc-a-secret-war-in-crisis/): A brief history of superhero sectarianism and the never-ending conflict between Marvel and DC fans. Contains jokes.
- [Alejandro Jodorowsky: A ‘Jodoverse’ Comics Reading Guide](https://tomlennon.com/alejandro-jodorowsky-jodoverse-comics-reading-guide/): An overview of Alejandro Jodorowsky's magnificently insane 'Jodoverse' comics
- [Philippe Druillet Comics in English](https://tomlennon.com/philippe-druillet-comics-in-english/): Philippe Druillet is a French comics legend. Here's a guide to his books that are currently available in English. 
- [Metal Hurlant Comic Strips in English](https://tomlennon.com/metal-hurlant-comic-strips-english/): A list of English-language translations of classic Métal Hurlant comic strips that are currently in print or available digitally
- [Hotel Pennsylvania and Other New York Stories](https://tomlennon.com/hotel-pennsylvania-and-other-new-york-stories/): "The Hotel Pennsylvania hosted the world’s first Star Trek convention in 1972, although that was later retconned to 1997 by JJ Abrams." Once upon a time I took my dear oul Irish ma to New York City...
- [19 of the West Midlands' sauciest streets](https://tomlennon.com/birmingham-west-midlands-sauciest-streets/): They say you can't draw a straight line through a map of Birmingham and the West Midlands without, well, crossing a line. Here's the proof.
- [Benched - extract from a one-act play](https://tomlennon.com/benched-extract-from-a-one-act-play/): Recently-dumped Danny gets unsolicited relationship advice from an uncouth park bench
- [The John Munch Cinematic Universe](https://tomlennon.com/the-john-munch-cinematic-universe/): Meet John Munch, the veteran TV cop who moonlights as the focal point of a vast, MCU-like fictional universe
- [H.P. Lovecraft's The Pac-Man](https://tomlennon.com/h-p-lovecrafts-the-pac-man/): Can problematic Lovecraftian glutton P.A.C. Mann (Esq) survive on Mouthfuls of Madness?
- [Moebius: Tangled up in Blueberry](https://tomlennon.com/moebius-tangled-up-in-blueberry/): Meet Mike S. Blueberry, Jean 'Moebius' Giraud's criminally underrated Western comics hero
- [Gig of My Life: Tom Waits, Grand Rex Paris, 29th May 2000](https://tomlennon.com/gig-of-my-life-tom-waits-grand-rex-paris-29th-may-2000/): Somewhere between the dawn of this century and the tail-end of the last I went to see Tom Waits in Paris. It's still the best gig I've ever been to.
- [Peaky Blinders, Teethy Whiteners and Other Old English Gangs](https://tomlennon.com/peaky-blinders-cheesy-rollers-and-streaky-bakers/): TV smash Peaky Blinders could open the floodgates to other old English street gangs like the Cheesy Rollers, the Teethy Whiteners and the Streaky Bakers
- [Christopher Lee to the Sixth Degree](https://tomlennon.com/christopher-lee-to-the-sixth-degree/): Forget Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon - Christopher Lee was the real Centre of the Hollywood Universe, a Prince of Darkness who almost became a Prince of Comedy
- [Elvis Presley: Social Justice King](https://tomlennon.com/elvis-presley-social-justice-king/): The shocking untold truth behind some of Elvis Presley's most popular songs (Warning: contains tall tales and shaggy Hound Dog stories)
- [West Midlands Avengers: Shard Endgame](https://tomlennon.com/west-midlands-avengers-shard-endgame/): Meet Captain Midlands, Birmingham Iron Man, Solihull Thor, Coventry Hulk and Ward End Black Widow... together, they are The West Midlands Avengers!
- [St Theresa's Club, Perry Barr](https://tomlennon.com/11-11-11-st-theresas-club-perry-barr/): Memories of gone-but-not-forgotten St Theresa's Social Club in Perry Barr, once a focal point of the North Birmingham's Irish community
- [Comics’ Secret History: Outside Now!](https://tomlennon.com/comics-secret-history-outside-now/): Silver Age Superhero Comics were made by tough, no-nonsense guys who could throw a punch and hit a deadline. This is their story.
- [Comics' Secret History: Toxic Fandom](https://tomlennon.com/toxic-fandom/): A harrowing tale of kidnapping and comics. Contains cheap humour.
- [Blade Runner: The Cyberpunk Nexus](https://tomlennon.com/blade-runner-the-cyberpunk-nexus/): I've contributed an essay about the film Blade Runner to a new book called The Cyberpunk Nexus: Exploring the Blade Runner Universe
- [The Odd Job](https://tomlennon.com/the-odd-job/): The weirdest job I ever had: ‘I get messages from the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit tells me that you’ll make a perfect Editorial and Research Manager’
- [Métal Hurlant: the French comic that changed the world](https://tomlennon.com/metal-hurlant-the-french-comic-that-changed-the-world/): Some comics are defined as ‘classics’, while others are regarded as innovative titles years ahead of their time. Then there’s Métal Hurlant, possibly the most influential comic ever published...
- [The Boss of Me](https://tomlennon.com/the-boss-of-me/): A brief Springsteen anecdote.
- [Five Great Comic Book Parodies of Daredevil](https://tomlennon.com/five-great-daredevil-parodies/): To celebrate the return of Marvel's Daredevil to Netflix, here's a timely look at comics that have poked fun at everyone’s favourite visually-impaired vigilante.
- [A Lee Majors Christmas](https://tomlennon.com/a-lee-majors-christmas/): “May this Christmas be better than it was before. Better… stronger… happier.”
- [Queensway the Hard Way](https://tomlennon.com/queensway-the-hard-way/): Tall tale from the 1990's of how a broken down car in Birmingham's Queensway tunnel brought a once-great city to it's knees. Features cheap jokes and some last-minute innuendo.  
- [Jaws 5: The Pool Shark](https://tomlennon.com/jaws-5-pool-shark/): An inflatable promotional 'Jaws' shark from 1995 contains a foul and potentially deadly cargo…
- [The Gig Jacket](https://tomlennon.com/the-gig-jacket/): Full Denim Jacket.
- [Akira Kurosawa's Reality TV Shows](https://tomlennon.com/kurosawas-reality-tv-legacy/): Films by the great Japanese movie director Akira Kurosawa inspired many of today's most popular Reality TV shows. Here's a brief overview.
- [Twin Peaks Video Shop of Horrors](https://tomlennon.com/twin-peaks-video-shop-horrors/): In which David Lynch and a VCR plotted together to humiliate me in Hull...
- [Welcome Back, Twin Peaks](https://tomlennon.com/welcome-back-twin-peaks/): Some thoughts on Twin Peaks...
- [The Comics Universe of Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://tomlennon.com/comics-universe-alejandro-jodorowsky/): Cult filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky moonlights as the author of the most crazed, uncompromising, visually stunning comics you're ever likely to read...
- [Sorted](https://tomlennon.com/sorted/): Meet Sorted - a sad old man trapped in the 1990s. Contains low humour and preposterous allegations.
- [Stand-Up Comedy, Mac Birmingham, 18 July](https://tomlennon.com/comedy-showcase-mac-birmingham-fri-18-jul/): I'll be doing stand-up comedy at the Mac Birmingham Stand-up Comedy Showcase, Friday 18th July 2014. 
- [James Joyce's Ulysses Part 2: Twolysses](https://tomlennon.com/james-joyces-ulysses-part-ii-twolysses/): Twolysses - the sequel to James Joyce's Ulysses. Contains low humour.
- [Want to Quit Smoking? Try this:](https://tomlennon.com/cigarette-health-warning/)
- [Selfie](https://tomlennon.com/selfie/): Man Booker Prize-nominated Will Self takes writing lessons from Dan Brown. Contains cheap humour.
- [Michael Gove-friendly American novels](https://tomlennon.com/michael-gove-friendly-american-novels/): What are your suggestions..?
- [Krazy Kat: It Started with a Brick](https://tomlennon.com/krazy-kat-started-brick/): It was the original Itchy and Scratchy Show, a comic saga of love, bricks and misunderstanding that featured the strangest romantic triangle ever...
- [The ShatNav: Canadian Ham on the Dashboard](https://tomlennon.com/shatnav/): Combining state-of-the-art satellite navigation technology with TVs Captain Kirk - it's the ShatNav.
- [This is Captain Midlands](https://tomlennon.com/this-is-captain-midlands/): Move aside Captain America - here comes Marvel's shield-slinging Brummie, 'Captain Midlands'
- [My Suburban Destiny](https://tomlennon.com/suburban-destiny/)
- [The Breakfast Kebab](https://tomlennon.com/breakfast-kebab/): I try so hard to be creative, but I’m no match for my daughters.  Here’s the breakfast kebab, invented this morning by Edie (age 4). Thanks, Clare :)
- [Typo Negative](https://tomlennon.com/typo-negative/): Happy Halloween!  
- [Bob Newhart Therapy](https://tomlennon.com/bob-newhart-therapy/): Bob Newhart, you’re a very funny man…
- [Peaky Blinders (and other Gangs of New Street)](https://tomlennon.com/peaky-blinders-and-other-gangs-of-new-street/)
- [Craig Ferguson: Why Everything Sucks](https://tomlennon.com/craig-ferguson-why-everything-sucks/): This isn’t exactly new, but my pal (and former work colleague) Alex introduced it to me and it made me laugh. Let’s see if it does the same for you.  
- [James Joyce: the Aston Villa Years](https://tomlennon.com/james-joyce-the-aston-villa-years/): The untold story of Irish writer James Joyce and his doomed love affair with Aston Villa Football Club
- [The Frankley Steins](https://tomlennon.com/the-frankley-steins/): A comic tale of gothic horror, rodent-themed revenge and resurrection relativity in the picturesque English village of Frankley (just outside Birmingham)
- [Alejandro Jodorowsky's The Dance of Reality trailer](https://tomlennon.com/alejandro-jodorowsky-dance-of-reality-trailer/): Ooh, this is exciting… The film director Alejandro Jodorowsky is one of my artistic heroes.  I’ve written about him extensively and even interviewed him once (albeit via email). Sadly, though, he hasn’t made a film in over 23 years.  Jodorowsky, you see, is something of an uncompromising artist and not the sort of four-quadrant guy who panders to test audiences or studio types. Over the years there have been a few false starts: a sort-of sequel to his seminal classic El Topo almost got off the ground (but didn’t), and – more recently – David Lynch was set to produce  [...]
- [The day Bob the Builder taught my child to swear...](https://tomlennon.com/the-day-bob-the-builder-taught-my-child-to-swear/): Since playing the Bob the Builder game on the CBeebies website my 4 year-old daughter now regularly says 'A plastic sh*t!'  Thanks for that, Bob.
- [Cookiewaits](https://tomlennon.com/cookiewaits/): Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster + Tom Waits = Cookiewaits.  It’s obvious, really, and I love this much more than any man should love love some exquisitely edited video footage. Thanks to Pete for the heads-up.
- [The Grandfather Clock](https://tomlennon.com/the-grandfather-clock/): April 24th is my youngest daughter's birthday. It would have been my Dad's, too. Here's something I wrote about the two of them.
- [Fantastic Beasts of Birmingham](https://tomlennon.com/fantastic-beasts-birmingham/): Painstakingly-researched analysis of Birmingham-based mythological beasts (also includes Yampires, West Brombies and Werewolverhamptons)
- [My Olympic Shame](https://tomlennon.com/my-olympics-shame/): An Olympic-themed Tale of Teenage Turmoil from a weird, faraway land called 1988...
- [Tom Waits: Hell Broke Luce](https://tomlennon.com/tom-waits-hell-broke-luce/): I’m a massive Tom Waits fan.  A video for Hell Broke Luce (a rather excellent track from his rather excellent latest album, Bad as Me) came out today. Needless to say, it’s rather excellent.    
- [Lord Byron's Luggage](https://tomlennon.com/lord-byrons-luggage/): I’ve had a song on heavy rotation in my head today.  It’s an up-tempo ditty called Lord Byron’s Luggage by the criminally-underrated (and sadly no longer with us) American singer-songwriter Warren Zevon: As a lyricist, Zevon was up there with the best of them.  Dylan, Waits, Costello and Cohen – that’s the kind of league he played in.  That being said, I never really gave much thought as to what Lord Byron’s Luggage was all about until today. Here’s the first verse: Lord Byron had a lot of luggage He took it when he travelled far and wide He didn’t  [...]
- [2012](https://tomlennon.com/2012/): From The Archaic Revival by Terence McKenna: ‘What is happening to our world is ingression of novelty toward what Whitehead called “concrescence”, a tightening gyre. Everything is flowing together. The “autopoetic lapsis”, the alchemical stone at the end of time, coalesces when everything flows together. When the laws of physics are obviated, the universe disappears, and what is left is the tightly bound plenum, the monad, able to express itself for itself, rather than only able to cast a shadow into physis as its reflection. I come very close here to classic millenarian and apocalyptic thought in my view of  [...]
- ["Boss" Tin](https://tomlennon.com/boss-tin/): The second issue of Dirty Bristow magazine features a piece I wrote entitled Lennon’s Guide to the Mythical Fauna of the English Midlands.  It’s my attempt at presenting an overview of those Birmingham-based mythological beasts that have so often been ignored by local historians, cryptozoologists and the presenters of Midlands Today.
- [Tales from the Crypt](https://tomlennon.com/tales-from-the-crypt/): Sometimes I like to draw things. Not often, just sometimes. Recently I was asked to provide an illustration for The John School, a marvellous short story by my old pal Dan Powell that appears in the second issue of Dirty Bristow magazine. The John School is a morality tale set in kerb crawler rehabilitation unit and – without giving too much away – it’s powerful stuff and not for the faint hearted. My illustration for the story tried to evoke the style of a 1950s EC horror comic: in a dimly-lit classroom, a frightened man turns to us and screams;  [...]
- [De-petitioned](https://tomlennon.com/de-petitioned/): The UK government’s new e-petition website has been in the news a lot this week. For one thing, it’s been crashing a lot. I imagine there’s already an e-petition urging e-petitions to invest in better servers. A lot of the e-petitions that have featured in the news are the predictable outpourings of the rabid reactionary forces we all know and love.  I was in a bit of a mischievous mood today and had a few minutes to spare, so I decided to engage in the democratic process and submit an e-petition of my own: We strongly urge the government to  [...]
- [Jon Stewart's Daily Show vs Hackgate](https://tomlennon.com/hackgate/): Jon Stewart’s Daily Show take on the News International phone hacking saga wasn’t broadcast in the UK.  Fancy that. Thanks to Andrew for the heads up.
- [Dirty Bristow-lympics: Change of Date](https://tomlennon.com/dirty-bristow-lympics-change-of-date/): The launch party for Dirty Bristow issue 2 (which, amongst many other things, will feature stand-up comedy from me) will now take place on Saturday 13th August 2011 at The Edge in Digbeth. Further details can be found here and here. As you were.
- [David Beckham is the new George Costanza, it seems...](https://tomlennon.com/david-beckham-is-the-new-george-costanza-it-seems/)
- [Dirty Bristow Returns](https://tomlennon.com/dirty-bristow-returns/): UPDATE: PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE – DIRTY BRISTOW #2 LAUNCH PARTY WILL NOW TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY 13TH AUGUST The more observant amongst you may notice a discrete ad for the second issue of Dirty Bristow at the top right corner of this blog.  Of course, if you’re reading this post via Google Reader or some other similar doohickey then that last sentence will probably make no sense to you whatsoever.  In that case, I’m going to have to ask you to concentrate really hard and try to imagine – as vividly as possible – a discrete ad for  [...]
- [Ken Campbell and Robert Anton Wilson: Theatre Perilous](https://tomlennon.com/ken-campbell-the-great-caper/): Cosmic Coincidence Control Center: Ken Campbell's 70s stage adaptation of Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea's Illuminatus!
- [The Dirty Bristow ELO-ke](https://tomlennon.com/the-dirty-bristow-elo-ke/): On Saturday night I’ll be going to this: It’s an ELO-themed Karaoke fundraiser for Dirty Bristow, the magazine with no ads, no rules and no objection to publishing stuff by me (God love ’em).  A ticket for the ELO-ke comes with a free copy of Issue 1, which features something I wrote about my dad and my daughter and my not-too-shabby first attempt at drawing something for over six years.  The next issue will be out soon, and I’ve written & illustrated stuff for that one, too.  I’ll tell you more about that some other time.  Possibly. Anyhow, do come  [...]
- [Still Boldly Going Strong](https://tomlennon.com/still-boldly-going-strong/): William Alan Shatner turned 80 earlier this week.  Shatner is – and most likely always will be – one of my favourite screen icons, and I say that without so much as a trace element of irony.  Seriously: he’s up there with Clint Eastwood, Woody Allen and Orson Welles in my personal pantheon and all-time Honour Roll. Don’t look at me like that: for once I’m not taking the piss. Anyway, to celebrate the great man’s recently acquired state of octogenarianism, here he is performing a cover of Cee Lo Green’s poignant and heartfelt ballad, Fuck You:
- [The Canyon Star](https://tomlennon.com/the-canyon-star/): I recently heard from my old pal Jamie, one of those old pals of mine I haven’t heard from for too long.  Jamie’s an accomplished singer/songwriter – by my reckoning a damn fine one, too – and a veteran of the London music scene.  It’s good to hear, then, that he’s recording again – under the wonderfully evocative, Country-tinged sobriquet The Canyon Star.  According to his MySpace page (he’s a musician, that’s what they do), his “influences range from Tim Buckley and Terry Callier to Little Feat and The Band.”  Pretty good influences, then. There’s a hint of early Ryan  [...]
- [Wrath of Khan in 60 Seconds](https://tomlennon.com/wrath-of-khan-in-60-seconds/): Clare showed me this earlier, so I’m sharing it with you.  It’s an entry to this year’s Empire magazine-run Done in 60 Seconds competition by Mawgan.  It made us smile. On a related note, our beautiful daughter Edie is now 21 months old.  One of her first words was “KHAAAAAAAN!” I blame her sister, Lily. Lily blames me.
- [Home taping did not kill music, after all..](https://tomlennon.com/home-taping-did-not-kill-music-after-all/): I’ve been listening to Frank Zappa’s music on and off since I was in my teens.  Without giving too much away, that’s a long fucking time. Zappa’s music is an acquired taste so you may not like it, but he was one of rock music’s smartest and most erudite voices, which is one of the reasons why I’ve been listening to his music on and off since I was in my teens.  As the media once again predict a final dirt nap for the music industry as we know it (Gee, it must be Saturday), here’s a Zappa interview from the  [...]
- [Naughtie Boy](https://tomlennon.com/naughtie-boy/): This morning, I was getting ready for work while listening to Radio 4’s Today Programme.  That’s just the way I roll.  I skipped breakfast, which is probably just as well because this NSFW gem would have made me drop my toast:
- [Comedy Gig - Rock 'n' Relativity Holiday Conspiracies - Walsall - 30th December 2010](https://tomlennon.com/comedy-gig-rock-n-relativity-holiday-conspiracies-walsall-30th-december-2010/): One last shameless plug then it’ll be back to normal blog posts… Meet Dom. He’s just a regular guy with some strongly-held beliefs about JFK, UFOs and the Loch Ness Monster. Dom’s a conspiracy theorist and he’s about to face his greatest ever challenge: he’s just been dumped by his long-suffering girlfriend. Now, armed only with the power of the internet and three rather dubious expert witnesses, he must try to win her back by proving there’s a point to all his paranoia… Join us on Thursday 30th December for a fun-filled tale of love, loss and shape-shifting alien reptiles.  [...]
- [Comedy Gig: Alcester - CHANGE OF DATE: now 15th December 2010](https://tomlennon.com/comedy-gig-lord-nelson-inn-alcester-1st-december-2010/)
- [Comedy Gig: Dudley - 9th December 2010](https://tomlennon.com/comedy-gig-lamp-tavern-dudley-9th-december-2010/)
- [Four King Hell](https://tomlennon.com/four-king-hell/): This evening I will be going to this:   It’s being organised by Dirty Bristow – the magazine with no ads, no rules and no objections to publishing stuff by me – and promises to be: …the most difficult pub quiz you’ve even attended — and every penny raised goes towards printing and other costs of this most individual, independent and inspiring of magazines. It’s a quiz so hard, that you’re allowed to cheat. It’s a test of your logic, your search powers and your network as much as your general knowledge. Bring mobiles, laptops, dongles, encyclopedias, get a phone-a-friend  [...]
- [Indoor Smoking Guy](https://tomlennon.com/indoor-smoking-guy/): I’ve been neglecting my blog as of late due to preparations for this week’s Rock ‘n’ Relativity Holiday Conspiracy comedy show. A man should never neglect his blog, so here’s a little something to make it feel loved again. It’s a homage to the legendary comics artist Jack Kirby I did to accompany an article by Mark Parfitt that appeared in the first issue of Dirty Bristow, the rather exellent new magazine I’m rather proud to be associated with. I hope you like it:  
- [Fair Exchange](https://tomlennon.com/fair-exchange/): This is Fair Exchange, a rather marvellous and eerie short film by Lee O’Connell and Andrew Spencer.  Good, isn’t it? Lee is a pal and one of my comedy co-conspirators on next month’s Rock ‘n’ Relativity Holiday Conspiracy show.  He’ll be playing the role of Dom, a misanthropic conspiracy theorist who narrates the show.  I like to think of him as a cross between Rod Serling from The Twilight Zone and Barry from Auf Weidersehen, Pet. At least, that’s how I like to think of him…
- [Dirty Bristow](https://tomlennon.com/dirty-bristow/):   The debut issue of Dirty Bristow magazine is now on sale.  It’s a beautiful looking thing – as magazine’s go, it’s definitely a looker – and features an article wot I wrote and an illustration wot I drew and lots of great stuff by very talented people.    You can find out more about it from here where you can also buy yourself a copy for the very reasonable asking price of £4 (inc UK P&P).
- [Rock 'n' Relativity Holiday Conspiracy](https://tomlennon.com/rock-n-relativity-holiday-conspiracy/): Part of this year’s Birmingham Comedy Festival, Rock ‘n’ Relativity Holiday Conspiracy from Half-a-Dog Comedy is “an insight into the mind of a man whose life has become ruled by Internet conspiracies.”  If a typical comedy show can be described as a mixtape, then this – dare I say it – is a concept album, featuring a collection of dubious and demented characters united by a single theme.  Its like Dark Side of the Moon, but with more dick jokes. One of these characters is called Sorted, a middle-aged man trapped in the 1990s.  He’s a BritPop refugee – the  [...]
- [The Exorcism of Ghede](https://tomlennon.com/the-exorcism-of-ghede/): The following is an extract from Carl Jung’s final book, Man and His Symbols (1964): “Among primitives, ‘possession’ implies that a god or demon has taken over a human body.  Above
- [The Dirty Bristow Summer Fête](https://tomlennon.com/the-dirty-bristow-summer-fete/): Dirty Bristow– the magazine with no ads, no rules and no objections to publishing stuff by me – will be having a launch party at The Edge in Digbeth on Saturday August 28th.   There’s all sorts of strange, summer fête-themed shenanigans lined up for the night as well as live music and comedy (with yours truly helping out with the latter). Tickets are £5 (which includes a complimentary copy of Dirty Bristow’s first issue) and you can book them here.
- [Markets of Britain](https://tomlennon.com/markets-of-britain/): This short film by Lee Titt (AKA Robert Popper and Peter Serafinowicz) is one of the funniest 3 minutes and 32 seconds I’ve seen in ages:
- [Next Gig: Howling Mad Comedy](https://tomlennon.com/next-gig/): I really do need to set-up a seperate section of this for stand-up related missives.  In the meantime, though, this’ll have to do. Details of my next stand-up gig are as follows: Howling Mad Comedy Wharf 10 Bar 10 Wolverhampton Street Walsall Thursday, August 26th 7.30pm-10.30pm The night is being organised by my pals at Half-a-Dog-Comedy and also appearing on the bill will be Bethany Black and Andy Jones (with more to be confirmed).  The compere is Mr Phillip McCullough. That will be all.
- [Alejandro Jodorowsky Interview](https://tomlennon.com/alejandro-jodorowsky-interview/): Here's an interview I did with cult filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky about his acclaimed comics work.
- [Bob Dylan at Hop Farm](https://tomlennon.com/bob-dylan-at-hop-farm/): In 1970, the year I was born, Rolling Stone magazine published a review by learned rock journalist Greil Marcus of what was then Bob Dylan’s latest album, Self-Portrait.  The review’s high impact opening sentence has since earned itself a place in the annals of popular culture for its succinct precision and evocative use of language.  It simply asked the question:  ‘What is this shit?’ It’s 2010 and Bob Dylan and Greil Marcus are both nearly 40 years older and I’m nearly 40 years-old.  Dylan has just performed a storming set on a sizzling Saturday night in front of Clare, the  [...]
- [Capello, Cook and Alan Latchley](https://tomlennon.com/capello-cook-and-alan-latchley/): The mounting speculation over Fabio Capello’s future as England coach reminds me of a character that legendary satirist Peter Cook created shortly before his death.  Football manager Alan Latchley was one of three Cook creations that Clive Anderson ‘interviewed’ in a special edition of his early-90s Channel 4 chat show, each a perfectly-formed slice of improvisational brilliance.  When Anderson grilled Latchley over rumours that he was being lined up to replace that era’s disgraced England manager, Graham Taylor, Latchley’s response was a priceless and strangely prescient given this week’s events: “He did a cracking job.  When you look at the  [...]
- [Plugging my Pals: Lee O'Connell](https://tomlennon.com/plugging-my-pals-lee-oconnell/): My stand-up comedy compadre Lee O’Connell will be performing a set at the Alternative World Cup Final Comedy Night at the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath on Sunday, 11th July.  Lee’s a very funny anecdote fiend from North Birmingham who delivers his material with dry wit, easy charm, clinical precision and – when the situation calls for it – the vocal mannerisms of Dustin Hoffman.  I recommend him highly. Lee is also a filmmaker.  Here’s a rather charming short film he made for this year’s Film Dash competition (the one where Brum-based filmmakers have to make a flick in  [...]
- [Stand-Up Gig Photos](https://tomlennon.com/tomlennonstandupgigpic/): Here’s a couple of photos from my stand up gig at Highlight last month: Pics courtesy of Brum-based MTC Media Productions. As you were.
- [My first stand-up gig (in COLOR)](https://tomlennon.com/my-first-stand-up-gig-in-color/): For those who like to supplement their audio with moving pictures, here’s a video of my first stand-up gig from last month (my “early, funny period”). The video was recorded by my good pal Gerry Logan and – just to clarify – I’m now available for bookings.
- [The Difficult Second Album](https://tomlennon.com/the-difficult-second-album/): Watching the video of my second stand-up gig was a painful experience. I knew before I went on stage that it wouldn’t be as strong as my first set.  For one thing, I only had a day to prepare for it; for another, the average comedy audience – like the average person – is sick of hearing about politics.  Being an awkward critter, I’m not sick of hearing about politics, let alone blathering on about it (just look at my Twitter account).  As soon as I found out that I’d be performing just three days after a general election I  [...]
- [My next stand-up gig](https://tomlennon.com/my-next-stand-up-gig/): I just discovered that I’ll be doing another stand-up set this Sunday night (9th May). Venue is the same as last time: Highlight Comedy Club (formerly Jongleurs) Quayside Tower 259-262 Broad Street Birmingham B1 2HF Doors 6.45pm,  Tickets £5 Don’t worry, I have new material.
- [Last night](https://tomlennon.com/last-night/): Courtesy of my good friend Mr Pete Ashton, here’s an audio of my first ever stand-up comedy gig from last night. Tom Lennon’s First Standup from Pete Ashton on Vimeo. (This, of course, means I’ll now have to write fresh material)
- [Comedy Night - Change of Venue](https://tomlennon.com/comedy-night-change-of-venue/): I’ll be doing my first proper stand-up comedy set this Sunday night (11th April).  The venue is now: Highlight Comedy Club (formerly Jongleurs) Quayside Tower 259-262 Broad Street Birmingham B1 2HF Doors 6.45pm,  Tickets £5 It’d be great if you could make it.
- [On the subject of writing stuff and being funny](https://tomlennon.com/on-the-subject-of-writing-stuff-and-being-funny/): Update: there’s been a change of venue for the Sunday night stand-up comedy show.  I’m just awaiting final confirmation and will update the details ASAP. I’ve been a bit quiet as of late due to a couple of reasons.  Firstly, I’ve been writing an article for a new magazine that my pals Jon Bounds and Danny Smith will be launching soon.  There’ll be more about that in due course, I imagine. Secondly, I’ve been attending a weekly stand-up comedy workshop and in a couple of weeks time will be doing my first live gig in front of an audience alongside  [...]
- [Movie Haiku: My Top 100 Films of the Decade (Part 4 of 4)](https://tomlennon.com/movie-haiku-my-top-100-films-of-the-decade-part-4-of-4/): For 100-76 go here For 75-51 go here For 50-26 go here And for the Top 25, read on… ____________________________________________________ 25. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (dir. Andrew Dominik, 2007) Oft-told tale retold Won’t spoil the ending for you But clue’s in title 24.  Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (dir. Adam McKay, 2004) Male chauvinism In the Channel 4 newsroom (No, it’s not Jon Snow) 23. Hot Fuzz  (dir.  Edgar Wright, 2007) Team Shaun strike again With country copper carnage: High-octane Heartbeat
- [Movie Haiku: My Top 100 Films of the Decade (Part 3 of 4)](https://tomlennon.com/movie-haiku-my-top-100-films-of-the-decade-part-3-of-4/): Here’s my next batch of 25 favourite films of the last decade, taking us from number 50 to number 26.  Each one has a lovingly hand-crafted piece of haiku.  Any resemblance to any haiku appearing in any of my previous end of year lists is purely coincidental. For 100 to 76 go here For 75 to 51 go here My final batch of favourite films will follow forthwith… 50.  Gladiator (dir. Ridley Scott, 2000) This muscular flick Made Swords and Sandals look cool (Got mine from Top Man) 49. Requiem for a Dream (dir. Darren Aronofsky, 2001) Grange Hill’s Zammo  [...]
- [Movie Haiku: My Top 100 Films of the Decade (Part 2 of 4)](https://tomlennon.com/movie-haiku-my-top-100-films-of-the-decade-part-2-of-4/): Here’s my second batch of favourite films of the last decade in haiku-form, which covers number 75 through to 51. For 100 through to 76 scroll up or go here. More to come… _____________________________________________________ 75.  Drag Me To Hell (dir. Sam Raimi, 2009) Raimi’s zeitgeist surf As bank clerk is damned Due to Evil Debt 74.  The Bourne Identity (dir. Doug Liman, 2002) New ‘JB’ in town It’s those initials again! Bond and Bauer – meet Bourne 73.  Gone Baby Gone (dir. Ben Affleck, 2008) Those Affleck brothers Adapt Boston-set thriller (Look out for Omar!)
- [Movie Haiku: My Top 100 Films of the Decade (Part 1 of 4)](https://tomlennon.com/movie-haiku-my-top-100-films-of-the-decade-part-1-of-4/): What follows is the first part of the hideously overdue rundown of my Top 100 favourite films of the last decade. Not a Top 20, not a Top 50 but a Top 100. You can see why I’m doing this in installments. Most lists like this are published in late-December or early-January, but most lists like this don’t contain lovingly hand-crafted haiku summaries. You get what you wait for. This delay has also given me the chance to catch up with films released in 2009 that I didn’t manage to catch last year. That helps to explain why some films  [...]
- [Pancake Daze](https://tomlennon.com/pancake-daze/): The historical roots of Pancake Day (contains shameless falsifications)
- [The Minister of Information Returns](https://tomlennon.com/the-minister-of-information-returns/): Gil Scott-Heron’s new album I’m New Here has been on heavy rotation since I bought it earlier in the week.  It’s an absolute blinder, real return-to-form stuff that I heartily and unequivocally recommend. If you fancy listening to it yourself, an official streamed version from Scott-Heron’s new label, XL Recordings, is available online.  Here it is: (If the above widget doesn’t appear on your browser, then you can also try here) If you like it, then please do the decent thing and go out and buy it.  Streamed albums – official or otherwise – are all well and good, but  [...]

## Pages

- [Featured Humour](https://tomlennon.com/featured-humour/)
- [Affiliate Disclosure](https://tomlennon.com/affiliate-disclosure/)
- [Articles](https://tomlennon.com/articles/)
- [Disclaimer](https://tomlennon.com/disclaimer/): tomlennon.com is owned and operated by Tom Lennon and may contain advertisements, sponsored content, paid insertions, affiliate links or other forms of monetization. tomlennon.com abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content. tomlennon.com is never directly compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this website are purely those of the authors.  [...]
- [Amazon Affiliate Disclosure](https://tomlennon.com/amazon-affiliate-disclosure/): Tom Lennon is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon
- [Disclosure](https://tomlennon.com/disclosure/): This policy is valid from 2nd February 2019 This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Tom Lennon (tom@tomlennon.com ). This blog accepts forms of affiliate compensation. The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements. The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog  [...]
- [Terms and Conditions](https://tomlennon.com/terms-and-conditions/): Welcome to our website. If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern tomlennon.com’s relationship with you in relation to this website. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, please do not use our website. The term “tomlennon.com” or ‘us’ or ‘we’ refers to the owner of the website. The term ‘you’ refers to the user or viewer of our website. The use of this website is subject to the following terms  [...]
- [Privacy Policy](https://tomlennon.com/privacy-policy/)
- [Comics](https://tomlennon.com/comics/)
- [Geeky Humour](https://tomlennon.com/geeky-humour/)
- [Birmingham Humour](https://tomlennon.com/birmingham-humour/)
- [Portfolio](https://tomlennon.com/portfolio/)
- [About Tom](https://tomlennon.com/about-me/)
- [Freelance Writer: comedy and pop culture](https://tomlennon.com/)
- [We're sorry, that page is missing...](https://tomlennon.com/page-missing/):   Every day, hundreds of online pages from the world wide internet go missing. Sometimes it’s because addresses are typed incorrectly, while other times it’s because desperate pages have fallen in with a bad link. Mostly, though, it’s because Tom was an eejit. If you’ve been affected by this then please visit our home page or let us know.
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