Michael Rankins

Writer. Speaker. Voice actor. Pop culture geek. Comic art collector. Jeopardy! champion. The Chase winner. Yeah... I'm totally that guy.

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

Fun fact: Ms. Lansbury was only three years older than Mr. Harvey when she played his mom. She was the very definition of "an old soul." #RIPAngelaLansbury

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

It's weird to think of Angela Lansbury passing away at 96 in 2022 when it seems as though she's been old my entire life. I mean, she played Laurence Harvey's mother in The Manchurian Candidate in 1962.

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

An earnest Shanah Tovah to Uncle Swan's many friends who'll begin celebrating this evening. May the year ahead bring you and yours much joy, and none ill. #RoshHashanah

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

Scrolling through YouTube recommendations, I wondered: (a) why the YT algorithm thinks I’d have any interest in a video entitled “Top 20 Greatest Country Songs of All Time,” and (b) whether there’s a more oxymoronic title than “Top 20 Greatest Country Songs of All Time.”

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

congratulates the @LVAces on a hard-fought, well-earned WNBA championship. So proud of these players, and coach Becky Hammon and her staff.

Major props to Finals MVP Chelsea “The Point God” Gray, who turned an All-Star snub into a lights-out second half and postseason.

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

Congrats to @_ajawilson22 on winning a well-earned second WNBA MVP Award (she previously won in 2020). Add this to Defensive Player of the Year honors, and it's been an impressive campaign. It'd be nice to cap it with a championship. #LVAces #ALLIN

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

Your Uncle Swan hopes that all of his fellow USians enjoy a safe and sane Fourth of July.

(I realize that second part may be a tough ask in these present times, but do what you can.)

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

Uncle Swan refers to this guy as Play-Doh Thompson. #dubnation #gsw #warriors https://t.co/xhrU7GArWD

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

The front of Luka’s uni should read “ALLAS” because he wants no part of any D. #makeaneffort #WarriorsVsMavs #DubNation

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

I still live on a planet where every day is #EarthDay… although some days, I wonder whether this is still Earth.

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

Once again, we echo the immortal words of Thomas Boswell: Time begins on Opening Day. #BaseballsBack #GoGiants @SFGiants

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

Uncle Swan notes that the only Kansas he ever put money on had a violin player. #carryonwaywardson

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

Y'know, I liked Manfred significantly better back when he was just Tom Terrific's Wonder Dog.

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

@JackieFox1976 I value your friendship over your signature.

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

You Uncle Swan reminds you, as he does at this time every year, that for some of us, every Tuesday is Mardi Gras. #FatTuesday

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

Yet another Norwegian athlete wins a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. Or as they call it in Norway, the Olympics. #Beijing2022

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

Uncle Swan sure would like to know who those “experts” were who didn’t think Klay Thompson is one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history. #Warriors #DubNation

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

I was less surprised to learn that today is #NationalPizzaDay than to realize that every day is NOT National Pizza Day.

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

Unfortunate that there’s no walk-up music in Olympic women’s slopestyle snowboarding, because Japanese competitor Murase Kokomo is missing an opportunity. #Beijing2022

[Michael Rankins @SwanShadow]

Here's hope for a happy, healthy, and prosperous Year of the Tiger to those about to celebrate the Lunar New Year.