This Week in History

On February 7, 1948, the Right Honorable Fifth Baron of Haden-Guest in the County of Essex was born in New York City. 

Christopher Guest remained active in the British House of Lords until a 1999 act removed most of the hereditary peerage seats in Parliament. Aside from politics, Guest became a multifaceted actor, director, writer, and musician, known for his unique contributions to comedy in the country of his birth, where he holds dual citizenship. With a career spanning several decades, Guest has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. He first gained prominence as part of the ensemble cast of "This Is Spinal Tap," a mockumentary masterpiece that showcased his improvisational skills and comedic genius. Guest's signature mockumentary style continued to shine in films like "Waiting for Guffman," "Best in Show," and "A Mighty Wind," which he not only starred in but also directed and co-wrote. His films often feature an ensemble cast and explore the eccentricities and quirks of various subcultures with wit and charm. Guest's ability to blend satire with genuine human emotion has earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. His contributions to comedy cinema have solidified his legacy as a true pioneer in the genre. 
   
     Well, in recent weeks, stock markets (at least the S&P 500) have not waited for Guffman or anyone else as they charged into record territory. “The numbers all go to eleven. Look right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and…” So, the question is, does this one go to eleven? Maybe, but the best in the show remain stubbornly entrenched as the major tech giants again lead the markets higher with their impressive earnings season. Perhaps the good news is that signs of broadening are embedded in those earnings reports. It isn’t just AI providing the mighty tailwind in Q4, and economic growth remains decent, which may serve to float all of the rest of the boats for a while. In the words of Spinal Tap’s Viv Savage: “Quite exciting, this computer magic!”