Q & A (The Fun Stuff)
BC: What book/CD/DVD do you have more than one copy of, in case something happens to the original one?
El Bicho: None. I might have two copies of something due to upgraded formats, such as albums on Record, Tape and CD, or movies on VHS and DVD, but my neuroses doesn’t apply to this question.
BC: If you had to pick one sense to do without, which of your five senses would it be?
El Bicho: Sight because that seems to be the most manageable.
BC: What do you wish they'd do a series about on TV?
El Bicho: Whatever great idea I come up with.
BC: If you could, would you swap sexes for a week?
El Bicho: Sure.
BC: What do you think you'd learn if you could swap to the opposite sex?
El Bicho: Well, assuming my mind would still be “me”, I don’t think I would truly grasp the female experience, but I would probably get a better sense of how others treat women.
BC: What sports team will you love until the day you die?
El Bicho: None. Being from Buffalo, I root for the Bills and Sabres. I grew up in Southern California, so I root for the Lakers, even though The Clippers used to be the Buffalo Braves and UCLA teams. But, in essence, they are businesses and any of the owners or fans could commit an act of stupidity that would stop my love. Of course, a wager will always affect my fickle heart.
BC: What's one sign that you're a total nerd?
El Bicho: Other than being Blogcritic of the Month? I don’t see myself as being a total nerd since I only have adequate skills on the computer, have dated plenty of women, and don’t live with my mom. But I’m sure the superhero action figures, being more interested in writers and directors of TV shows and movies than I am actors, and getting into discussions and arguments with complete strangers online are nerd-like qualities.
BC: What's the first book you recall reading?
El Bicho: Something by Dr. Seuss or some type of pop-up book.
BC: What magazines do you subscribe to?
El Bicho: None.
BC: Who is your favorite writer?
El Bicho: I don’t have a singular favorite, but, in alphabetical order, and I’m certain I’ll be mad I left someone out, I enjoy the work of Woody Allen, Bill Amend, Isaac Asimov, Tex Avery, George Carlin, Paddy Chayefsky, Arthur C. Clarke, Larry David, Phillip K. Dick, Bob Dylan, Tom Fontana, Thomas Friedman, Neil Gaiman, Robert Heinlein, Christopher Hitchens, William Joyce, Jon Krakauer, Charlie Kaufman, Stanley Kubrick, Akira Kurosawa, Steve Martin, Arthur Miller, Frank Miller, Monty Python, Alan Moore, Ralph Nader, Cole Porter, Shakespeare, David Simon, Robert Smith, Dr. Seuss, Hunter Thompson, Roger Waters, Bill Watterson, George Will…
Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
Congrats, El B. Well done feature, Lisa.
2 - Lisa McKay
Thank you, DJ. It was a lot of fun to do, but the lion's share of the credit belongs to El Bicho, who, after all, supplied me with the source material.
3 - Eric Berlin
Outstanding El B and Lisa, great stuff !
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
"El" means "the?"
5 - -E
And how about that sexy mug shot. Good job, El Bitch-o.
6 - Sterfish
This is a very cool new feature and congrats to El Bicho for being the first honoree. It's definitely well-deserved.
7 - Mark Saleski
well-deserved bicho. congrats.
8 - Jess
Congrats! Next time you come by this way again we'll have to celebrate :0)
9 - Triniman
Very interesting. It's cool to get to know more about the writers. I look forward to more profiles in the series.
This may make you laugh. For a while, I thought El Bicho and Aaron, Duke de Mondo were the same person. I'm not sure why.
10 - El Bicho
My reign is half over and I wanted to thank those of you who stopped in and offered your congratualtions. It is appreciated.
Trini, although we started at around the same time and have some similar tastes, I too must wonder how you thought the Duke and I were one in the same.
Yes, Matt, "El" can mean "The". I'm glad to see you found the feature thought-provoking.
11 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
El Bicho, this was all the fun in the world, and a damn great feature, too, Ms. McKay.
Heh, Triniman, that dazzles my shock-glands senseless.
12 - Scott Butki
Congrats. I'm going to go read a few of your reviews.
13 - -E
So now that your reign as supreme king of all critics with blogs everywhere is almost over, how was it?
14 - El Bicho
-E,
The honor was a great compliment. I hope the powers-that-be got out of the feature what they desired. As for me, and not to appear ungrateful, after the first week, it was mostly uneventful on my end.
Intially, I noticed a few people come to my blog from this article, but they can read everything I write over here, so that's not an accurate measure of anything.
With all the writers and readers the site has I thought there might be more comments, but I proably needed to take a strident position on a political issue or list the greatest [insert noun] of all time.
I was surprised not to get a negative comment by a random poster, this is the Internet after all, so that's a relief. Although, I'm sure I've just opened up that door wide.
From the comments I did received, it appears at least half the people already knew and enjoyed my writing. That was flattering to discover because I was unaware they thought so.
If this feature introduced me to one new reader who will continue to read my future articles, it was definitely well worth it.
And lastly, we've finally put the rest the notion that Duke De Mondo and I are the same person. That's got to be worth something right there.
Thanks again to BC and Lisa.
El Bicho
BCotM for the next few hours
15 - Jet in Columbus
ElBicho did you write oscar acceptance speeches in another life? By the way, oddly your photo is exactly the way I've always pictured you.
I enjoyed it ;}
16 - Lisa McKay
El Bicho, it is indeed our fervent hope that this series will introduce the featured writers to a new audience by bringing just a bit more attention your way. You're quite right that the posts that always seem to bring the greatest number of comments are the political ones and the ones that challenge one's notions of who the greatest guitar players might be. The rest of us, laboring quietly in the vineyard for the most part, never really know who's out there reading, but if a few more readers are regularly making their way to your articles because of this piece, then it was well worth the effort.
And I personally enjoy learning a tiny bit about the 'insides' of our regular contributors, too.
17 - El Bicho
Dang, just saw a bio on Rod Serling last night on PBS and would certainly add him to my list of favorite writers.
18 - Dawn
Having finally met you in person, you are every bit as engaging and interesting as your writing. We sure are glad to have you around!!!
19 - for-too-oooh
i guess you know in puerto rico el bicho is vulgar for penis? it makes you seem sexier to me -- despite your associating the word with its literal meaning of bug
20 - IgnatiusReilly
"in puerto rico el bicho is vulgar for penis"
That's a coincidence because I know people who think he's a dick.