May 7, 2008 by traveler.

Speaking of Stephen Colbert, he just won the 2008 “Person of the Year” Webby award! Stephen has always harnessed the power of the internet for his goals, from google-bombing (searches for Greatest Living American used to bring up Colbert Report as the #1 hit) to encouraging online voters to name a Hungarian bridge (which pulled in over 17 million votes- far more than the entire population of Hungary).

Stephen’s many web ‘accomplishments’ make him a deserving winner of Webby’s Person of the Year. As noted in my previous post, Stephen has branched out beyond the web into things like his own hockey team mascot and ice cream flavor. I can’t help but think, though, that his ice cream should have been “Stephen Colbert’s AmeriCone Sherbert” (pronounced sher-bear, of course). And when is AmeriFlown Dream coming out? Please don’t tell me that Stephen Jr. is the only one who gets to enjoy that treat.

Congratulations again to Stephen on his Webby award. Steagle Colbeagle would be proud.

Posted in Video, Funny, TV | No Comments »

May 7, 2008 by traveler.

Raise your Jamoca Almond Fudge in honor of Irvine Robbins, co-founder of Baskin-Robbins. Valerie Nelson’s article in the LA Times chronicles Robbins’ contributions to ice cream fans everywhere.

Robbins opened his ice cream shop, Snowbird, in Glendale after leaving the Army in 1945. Mr. Baskin started his own shop, Burton’s, in Pasadena in 1946. The two became business partners and by 1948 they had 8 shops between them (5 Snowbirds and 3 Burton’s). In 1953, they rebranded the company as Baskin-Robbins and introduced the concept of 31 flavors (not to be confused with 21 Choices, another great Pasadena spot).

What really grabbed me about the article was Robbins’ focus on innovative flavors. When the Dodgers moved to LA, Baskin-Robbins celebrated with Baseball Nut, Lunar Cheesecake marked the ‘69 moon landing, etc… Being a longtime Gold Medal Ribbon fan, I am grateful for the creation of new flavors and for convincing Americans to expand their ice cream tastes. Of course, this innovation comes with its share of ill-fated experiments. I had never heard before that Baskin-Robbins attempted Lox & Bagel and Ketchup ice creams. Barf. Then again, I guess you can get garlic ice cream at The Stinking Rose, so to each their own.

This weekend I think I’ll celebrate Irvine Robbins’ life with a scoop of Gold Medal Ribbon. Without Mr. Robbins, we wouldn’t have the abundant ice cream choices from numerous companies that we have today. Who knows- maybe we wouldn’t have modern-day classics like Stephen Colbert’s AmeriCone Dream.

Posted in Food | 1 Comment »