Rose Parade

If you're like me and missed the Rose Parade because you were busy with more important things, like wondering why you woke up in the dumpster behind Denny's, someone was nice enough to record the best part of the parade: the Star Wars floats, marching stormtroopers, and the man himself, George Lucas. I suggest you watch it with the sound turned off, because in the entire history of televised parades, the commentators have never said anything worthwhile.

My favorite is the Ewok village, though the waterfalls on the Naboo float are pretty cool, too. Speaking of Ewoks, did anyone else notice that in Return of the Jedi, the Ewoks are never once referred to as "Ewoks?" They're just weird little forest creatures. Also, what the heck is Yoda supposed to be? I personally believe he's a shaved Ewok, kicked off Endor for being a non-conformist.

Video after the jump.

How's this for a wacky trend - singers performing at live televised events without lip-syncing? American Idol competitor Katharine McPhee is pulling a reverse Ashlee Simpson at the Rose Parade this coming New Year's Day. She'll be singing from a float live - without a guiding vocal track or, heck, anything but what God gave her coming out over the airwaves.

McPhee will be riding the "Clean Water" float. Standing in a lush garden setting between a "giant leaping frog" and a working faucet dumping 400 gallons of water per minute, she'll spread McPheever through the streets of Pasadena. You know, I'm actually not all that bothered to find out when people are lip-syncing. The demands of television production sometimes require it. Would you blame Katharine for not wanting to sing live from atop of moving vehicle with a giant frog straddling her head? I should hope not.