Walter Cronkite was born in a normal household in Missouri to a Dentist and a homemaker. He became so iconic, it’s hard to imagine that he had humble beginnings just like anyone else.
While he was very young, he read an article in “Boy’s Life” about the life of a reporter. He was instantly enamored, and just knew that was what he wanted to spend his life doing. He started gathering experience by working on his high school newspaper and yearbook.
He later went to the University of Texas at Austin to study political science, economics and journalism, but he never graduated. The call of the press was too loud to ignore. Instead, he chose to fulfill his childhood dream by working at the Houston Post.
In 1939 he started working for the United Press. Then the world started to change, and he jumped at the chance to report on it. He went to Europe to cover World War 2. He was part of the “Writing 69th,” which was a group of reporters who were instantly thrust into some of the most important developments in the war, including the D-Day invasion, bombing missions over Germany, and later, the Nuremburg war trials. He delivered his front line written commentary.
Television emerged, forever changing the way the world was reported on; not with written words, but spoken ones. At first resistant to a job at CBS, he finally took the TV job in 1950. Television was not considered to be a “serious” journalistic job. Radio and print were taken much more seriously. His first job was pretending to interview historical figures such as Joan of Arc or Sigmund Freud, for a show called, You are there. His famous last line for these programs was: “What sort of day was it? A day like all days, filled with those events that alter and illuminate our times… and you were there.”
Throughout his tenured career at CBS, he reported on a lifetime of events, indeed the stories that changed our lives including JFK’s assassination, the Vietnam war, The Apollo 11 mission, which left him speechless, The Cuban Missal crisis, and Watergate to name a few.
He recognized the limitations of TV, and it’s inability to give the whole story. He said, in 1952, “I wanted to end every broadcast saying, “For more details, see your local newspaper.” Even after his many broadcast successes, he never lost his true love for the written word. In 1994 he told the American Journalism Review, “We’ve got a great percentage of our population that, to our great shame, either cannot or, equally unfortunate, will not read. And that portion of our public is growing. Those people are suckers for the demagogue.” Ironically it is television he blames for the current impression our modern society has that reading isn’t necessary.
In a day when the news was all that was reported, not the corresponding feelings that the media thought you should have as well, Cronkite became such a trusted and influential authority. He truly had his finger on the pulse of American society. In fact, when President Lyndon B. Johnston learned that he opposed the Vietnam War, he said, “If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost middle America.”
Do you think the legacies of any of the current politicians will be this strong? Their level of competence or talent is irrelevant. Can you truly imagine feeling a void this big for any of the more abrasive, acidic commentators? Cronkite made his way into everyone’s family. He was like a trusted uncle. He didn’t tell you what to believe. He didn’t judge you for what you believed. He just reported the news. And that’s the way it was.
c. 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Partisan Punchlines
Everyone knows in times of conflict and stress, people often turn to humor as a way to cope. It is interesting the various ways people do this. Some can definitely dish it but have a hard time taking it. Others are very good-natured and don’t take themselves too seriously.
George Bush had a great sense of humor, so did Sarah Palin. It was a good thing, too. They were insulted mercilessly. I seriously doubt any one of their opponents could have handled it with such class. The ability to laugh at oneself shows a true strength.
It is especially interesting in such a stressful and public field as politics.
Humor can be a great tool to connect with the people. It can lighten the moment and endear you to the audience. When microphone problems interrupted Rudy Giuliani’s answer to a question in a CNN debate with Catholic bishops, he was told that it was because of the lightning. He laughed and said, “For someone who went to parochial schools his whole life, this is a very frightening thing.”
Palin’s spokesperson Tracey Schmitt told CBS that [Palin] thought that Tina Fey’s impersonation of her on SNL was funny. “The governor and the press corps watched the sketch in the back of her plane, laughing at Tina and Amy’s satirical take on the two politicians. She thought it was quite funny, particularly because she once dressed up as Tina Fey for Halloween.”
Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, known for his wit, jokingly said he was going to ask satirist Stephen Colbert to be his running mate if he won. The Vulture blog reports in, Mike Huckabee Gives Stephen Colbert His Funniest Interview So Far, “Yes, he was funnier than Leno last Wednesday and got more laughs than Letterman on Monday… Which other candidate will protect us from the terrorists and make us laugh? Mike Huckabee for President of Earth!”
In the Democrat debate, people sent questions via video submissions from YouTube users. The atmosphere was a little edgier than usual. John Edwards, when asked to name something he doesn’t like about Clinton, stared at the brightly colored jacket she was wearing: “I’m not sure about that coat.”
Of course, no one likes being the butt of jokes, but I’ve found that often some of the more comedic sorts are the ones who can’t stand being laughed at.
The more overtly left leaning humorists all seem to have something in common. They are all obnoxious blowhards. Think Michael Moore, and Al Franken. The guys from Southpark show a lot more class than them. Oh yeah, they’re not flaming liberals.
Liberals tend to dominate the entertainment industry, and as such, they are dubious, if not combative of any Conservative influence. There are mixed reviews about Mike Judges’, The Goode Family, which pokes fun at Liberals. Liberals, not surprisingly, hate it because they can’t stand to be the butt of any jokes. They can dish it, but they can’t take it. Contrast Chevy Chase’s “moral problem” with SNL’s parody of Hilary Clinton, with his opinion that Fey should “go even harder on” and “decimate” Sarah Palin (video here).
Liberal humor tends to be more insulting and backbiting (Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot is just one example), whereas Conservative humor doesn’t feel it has to stoop that low. Not that Conservatives are completely innocent and not that Liberals are completely devoid of humor.
Take the confirmation hearings for Sonya Sotemayor, for instance. Al Franken lightened a, perhaps, tense situation with a humorous comparison of, well, something completely irrelevant, their shared love for Perry Mason. He likened the preparation for a job such as a Supreme Court Justice to watching Perry Mason day in and day out. Well, maybe he is kind of funny!
c. 2009
George Bush had a great sense of humor, so did Sarah Palin. It was a good thing, too. They were insulted mercilessly. I seriously doubt any one of their opponents could have handled it with such class. The ability to laugh at oneself shows a true strength.
It is especially interesting in such a stressful and public field as politics.
Humor can be a great tool to connect with the people. It can lighten the moment and endear you to the audience. When microphone problems interrupted Rudy Giuliani’s answer to a question in a CNN debate with Catholic bishops, he was told that it was because of the lightning. He laughed and said, “For someone who went to parochial schools his whole life, this is a very frightening thing.”
Palin’s spokesperson Tracey Schmitt told CBS that [Palin] thought that Tina Fey’s impersonation of her on SNL was funny. “The governor and the press corps watched the sketch in the back of her plane, laughing at Tina and Amy’s satirical take on the two politicians. She thought it was quite funny, particularly because she once dressed up as Tina Fey for Halloween.”
Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, known for his wit, jokingly said he was going to ask satirist Stephen Colbert to be his running mate if he won. The Vulture blog reports in, Mike Huckabee Gives Stephen Colbert His Funniest Interview So Far, “Yes, he was funnier than Leno last Wednesday and got more laughs than Letterman on Monday… Which other candidate will protect us from the terrorists and make us laugh? Mike Huckabee for President of Earth!”
In the Democrat debate, people sent questions via video submissions from YouTube users. The atmosphere was a little edgier than usual. John Edwards, when asked to name something he doesn’t like about Clinton, stared at the brightly colored jacket she was wearing: “I’m not sure about that coat.”
Of course, no one likes being the butt of jokes, but I’ve found that often some of the more comedic sorts are the ones who can’t stand being laughed at.
The more overtly left leaning humorists all seem to have something in common. They are all obnoxious blowhards. Think Michael Moore, and Al Franken. The guys from Southpark show a lot more class than them. Oh yeah, they’re not flaming liberals.
Liberals tend to dominate the entertainment industry, and as such, they are dubious, if not combative of any Conservative influence. There are mixed reviews about Mike Judges’, The Goode Family, which pokes fun at Liberals. Liberals, not surprisingly, hate it because they can’t stand to be the butt of any jokes. They can dish it, but they can’t take it. Contrast Chevy Chase’s “moral problem” with SNL’s parody of Hilary Clinton, with his opinion that Fey should “go even harder on” and “decimate” Sarah Palin (video here).
Liberal humor tends to be more insulting and backbiting (Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot is just one example), whereas Conservative humor doesn’t feel it has to stoop that low. Not that Conservatives are completely innocent and not that Liberals are completely devoid of humor.
Take the confirmation hearings for Sonya Sotemayor, for instance. Al Franken lightened a, perhaps, tense situation with a humorous comparison of, well, something completely irrelevant, their shared love for Perry Mason. He likened the preparation for a job such as a Supreme Court Justice to watching Perry Mason day in and day out. Well, maybe he is kind of funny!
c. 2009
Bravo: Queer TV
One thing that struck me as I was watching the Bravo network the other day was the overabundance of estrogen; both real and fabricated. According to Reuters, Bravo is one of the leading gay-friendly stations. Bravo, part of the NBC/Universal family, is known for it's both female and gay appeal. Fashion shows, and reality shows such as Top Chef, America's Top Model, Kathy Griffin's My Life on the D List, Inside the Actor's Studio, Make Me a Supermodel, Miami Social, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, all seem to have a gay element to them. If Lifetime is called “TV for women,” I think we can safely call Bravo, “TV for gays.”
The Fashion Show, is hosted by Isaac Mizrahi, where a collection of designers, both over-the-top women and extremely flamboyant men get together and have a “design-off,” as well as vie not to be the “design that greatly disappointed us this week.” In one of the competitions they are told to sketch a dress from memory. This checks their eye for detail, (because “being a designer is kind of like being a secret agent,” don'tcha know). Just like any other reality show, some contestants get voted off.
The blunt or “direct,” as she prefers, lesbian Tabitha Coffey's, Tabitha's Salon Takeover showcases her razor-sharp directions to motley salon staffs. After bringing one stylist to tears, she declares, coldly, “I hate tears. Why don't you channel all those tears and emotions into something productive....work.”
Lesbian, Jackie Warner hosts Work Out, a show that chronicles the life and drama of a Beverly Hills spa owner. The cast includes the trainers at her spa,”Sky Sport and Spa,” as well as Warner's lover, Mimi, who is a self-centered Brazilian She-Rah.
Of course there's Queer Eye For the Straight Guy where 5 gay guys transform an everyday shlub to sheer fabulousness.
Comedy Central even hosted a spoof on it called Straight Plan for the Gay Man, which featured four heterosexual men teaching gay men how to be straight, or “mannish,” redecorating their homes with neon beer signs and teaching them about sports.”
United States Congressman Barney Frank speaking to the New York Post commented on Queer Eye, saying, "The notion that gay men have a superior fashion sense is not true and it's damaging. It's perfectly possible to enjoy that show and say, look at those clever homosexuals. What they do with hair! And not support gays at all.".
On Top Chef, It seems food isn't the only thing holding the attention of the viewers. The restaurant's kitchen is the backdrop for a saucy soap opera. The chefs, both gay and straight, have 30 minutes to cook dishes complete with amuse-bouches, and refreshing palate cleansers, topped off with sexual innuendoes and double entendres.
The judges hold nothing back. One chef's dish, quoted judge, Steven “reminded me of the career of Elvis Presley. It started out great, but then died on the toilet.”
So, is gay TV really that odd an idea? It is not rare for other subcultures have a channel that is exclusively theirs. Some say that they, just as anyone would, want to have a voice; a representation. Others say that they are trying to push their agenda on all of us straight people, thus validating themselves. Some say that they are trying to make homosexuality seem “normal” or mainstream, turning the kettle water up a notch, so to speak.
I think whatever they are doing, for good or for bad, is working. I remember 20 years ago, gayness was very much in the broadcast closet. TV networks would never even think of putting a gay character on one of their shows (Jack Tripper, aside). An entire gay channel would have been out of the question.
Now, however, it seems we have surpassed mere acceptability. We are embracing it. Celebrating it, even. We are forced to revel in their flamboyancy. My question is, can we honestly say that we celebrate or feel an obligation to be “OK” with any other subculture as much as the homosexual culture?
c. 2009
The Fashion Show, is hosted by Isaac Mizrahi, where a collection of designers, both over-the-top women and extremely flamboyant men get together and have a “design-off,” as well as vie not to be the “design that greatly disappointed us this week.” In one of the competitions they are told to sketch a dress from memory. This checks their eye for detail, (because “being a designer is kind of like being a secret agent,” don'tcha know). Just like any other reality show, some contestants get voted off.
The blunt or “direct,” as she prefers, lesbian Tabitha Coffey's, Tabitha's Salon Takeover showcases her razor-sharp directions to motley salon staffs. After bringing one stylist to tears, she declares, coldly, “I hate tears. Why don't you channel all those tears and emotions into something productive....work.”
Lesbian, Jackie Warner hosts Work Out, a show that chronicles the life and drama of a Beverly Hills spa owner. The cast includes the trainers at her spa,”Sky Sport and Spa,” as well as Warner's lover, Mimi, who is a self-centered Brazilian She-Rah.
Of course there's Queer Eye For the Straight Guy where 5 gay guys transform an everyday shlub to sheer fabulousness.
Comedy Central even hosted a spoof on it called Straight Plan for the Gay Man, which featured four heterosexual men teaching gay men how to be straight, or “mannish,” redecorating their homes with neon beer signs and teaching them about sports.”
United States Congressman Barney Frank speaking to the New York Post commented on Queer Eye, saying, "The notion that gay men have a superior fashion sense is not true and it's damaging. It's perfectly possible to enjoy that show and say, look at those clever homosexuals. What they do with hair! And not support gays at all.".
On Top Chef, It seems food isn't the only thing holding the attention of the viewers. The restaurant's kitchen is the backdrop for a saucy soap opera. The chefs, both gay and straight, have 30 minutes to cook dishes complete with amuse-bouches, and refreshing palate cleansers, topped off with sexual innuendoes and double entendres.
The judges hold nothing back. One chef's dish, quoted judge, Steven “reminded me of the career of Elvis Presley. It started out great, but then died on the toilet.”
So, is gay TV really that odd an idea? It is not rare for other subcultures have a channel that is exclusively theirs. Some say that they, just as anyone would, want to have a voice; a representation. Others say that they are trying to push their agenda on all of us straight people, thus validating themselves. Some say that they are trying to make homosexuality seem “normal” or mainstream, turning the kettle water up a notch, so to speak.
I think whatever they are doing, for good or for bad, is working. I remember 20 years ago, gayness was very much in the broadcast closet. TV networks would never even think of putting a gay character on one of their shows (Jack Tripper, aside). An entire gay channel would have been out of the question.
Now, however, it seems we have surpassed mere acceptability. We are embracing it. Celebrating it, even. We are forced to revel in their flamboyancy. My question is, can we honestly say that we celebrate or feel an obligation to be “OK” with any other subculture as much as the homosexual culture?
c. 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Betcha Didn't Know Ed McMahon's Story
Given all the untimely deaths happening at once, poor Ed was being upstaged by Michael, Farrah, and Billy. We would have been very remiss not to still give him his props.
Ed McMahon has passed away at 86. While that is a reasonable age to die, I suppose, there was something so timeless about him. It’s so hard to imagine that such an icon will no longer be with us; that we’ll no longer hear his familiar voice. Indeed, it was a voice that resonated in everyone’s lives. A voice that as Dave Letterman has said, “was a signal that something great was about to happen.”
A legendary talent, in his own rite, he was famous for being a supporting character, for making others look good. He is probably best known as Johnny Carson’s co-host on The Tonight Show, but even those who are too young to remember that are, no doubt, familiar with his voice. “Heeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!” is a recognizable tag line in most societies.
He died at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in California on June 23, 2009 in his sleep. Ed was obviously very old and was fighting many health problems, including cancer, but what ultimately got him was pneumonia.
His stellar career started when he was 15 years old. He was a “caller” at a bingo game in Maine. He spent the next three years performing as a clown in the state fair and carnival circuit. The second World War interrupted his clowning antics, and he became a Marine fighter pilot. He studied architecture at a Catholic University in Washington DC. He supplemented his education by selling vegetable slicers on Atlantic City’s boardwalk. He actually had no aspirations of stardom at this age. He was a natural at math and engineering, so a career as an architect seemed ideal.
However, the lure of the microphone won out over stability.
In the 50s, along with the 13 television shows he had consistent roles on, he hosted his own 3 hour daily interview show, not unlike The Tonight Show, in Philadelphia. Televisions were such a rarity then, he joked that it didn’t matter if he made mistakes.
However, after dusting his clown shoes off for the show Big Top (1950), his next assignment was flying planes in the Korean War. He came back from the war to cancelled shows. He scraped together bit parts. When he landed one on Who Do You Trust? with Johnny Carson, he finally found his niche.
Their chemistry was so good that when Johnny landed The Tonight Show in 1962, he took Ed with him.
McMahon has said, “You can’t imagine hooking up with a guy like Carson. There’s the old phrase, hook your wagon to a star. I hitched my wagon to a great star.” In fact, the two used to joke that their partnership outlasted their multiple marriages.
He has added so much to all sorts of shows, including Hee Haw, Celebrity Family Feud, Just Shoot Me, and The Simpsons. His reoccurring role? Himself. It was an easy role to play. He remained the same down to earth, likable guy in real life too.
Weatherman, Gene Crane recalls, “Ed sometimes filled in for me as emcee on Fame and Fortune Talent Show, which included doing commercials for the sponsor, Erlanger Beer. They made him do the commercial over and over, each time drinking a beer. He was a little bombed when he returned to the show, but was a pro. Ed was fun and worked harder than any of us.”
Jerry Lewis of The Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon, which he co-hosted with Ed said, “On the telethon, he was my right-hand man. It’s hard to imagine doing the show without him.”
And then we can’t forget TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes, co-hosted with Dick Clark. Most also remember him hosting the primitive American Idol, Star Search, where stars such as Britney Spears, Drew Carey and Arsenio Hall got their first breaks. Both Bloopers and Star Search were favorites at my house. In fact, my friends and I used to do was pretend we were contestants on Star Search.
McMahon suffered a broken neck in March 07, as well as financial problems. He filed lawsuits related to the injury as well as the faulty medical care he received, which included two botched spine operations, and a misdiagnosis. His not being able to work due to injuries only exacerbated the problem.
He lived a full life that most can envy. I think a lesson we can all take away from his example, would be to always strive to make the other person look good. In a world where everyone is trying to make themselves look good, we definitely could use a lot more Ed McMahons. I know I’m going to try to be one. And Ed would concur with a resounding, “YES!”
Ed McMahon has passed away at 86. While that is a reasonable age to die, I suppose, there was something so timeless about him. It’s so hard to imagine that such an icon will no longer be with us; that we’ll no longer hear his familiar voice. Indeed, it was a voice that resonated in everyone’s lives. A voice that as Dave Letterman has said, “was a signal that something great was about to happen.”
A legendary talent, in his own rite, he was famous for being a supporting character, for making others look good. He is probably best known as Johnny Carson’s co-host on The Tonight Show, but even those who are too young to remember that are, no doubt, familiar with his voice. “Heeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!” is a recognizable tag line in most societies.
He died at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in California on June 23, 2009 in his sleep. Ed was obviously very old and was fighting many health problems, including cancer, but what ultimately got him was pneumonia.
His stellar career started when he was 15 years old. He was a “caller” at a bingo game in Maine. He spent the next three years performing as a clown in the state fair and carnival circuit. The second World War interrupted his clowning antics, and he became a Marine fighter pilot. He studied architecture at a Catholic University in Washington DC. He supplemented his education by selling vegetable slicers on Atlantic City’s boardwalk. He actually had no aspirations of stardom at this age. He was a natural at math and engineering, so a career as an architect seemed ideal.
However, the lure of the microphone won out over stability.
In the 50s, along with the 13 television shows he had consistent roles on, he hosted his own 3 hour daily interview show, not unlike The Tonight Show, in Philadelphia. Televisions were such a rarity then, he joked that it didn’t matter if he made mistakes.
However, after dusting his clown shoes off for the show Big Top (1950), his next assignment was flying planes in the Korean War. He came back from the war to cancelled shows. He scraped together bit parts. When he landed one on Who Do You Trust? with Johnny Carson, he finally found his niche.
Their chemistry was so good that when Johnny landed The Tonight Show in 1962, he took Ed with him.
McMahon has said, “You can’t imagine hooking up with a guy like Carson. There’s the old phrase, hook your wagon to a star. I hitched my wagon to a great star.” In fact, the two used to joke that their partnership outlasted their multiple marriages.
He has added so much to all sorts of shows, including Hee Haw, Celebrity Family Feud, Just Shoot Me, and The Simpsons. His reoccurring role? Himself. It was an easy role to play. He remained the same down to earth, likable guy in real life too.
Weatherman, Gene Crane recalls, “Ed sometimes filled in for me as emcee on Fame and Fortune Talent Show, which included doing commercials for the sponsor, Erlanger Beer. They made him do the commercial over and over, each time drinking a beer. He was a little bombed when he returned to the show, but was a pro. Ed was fun and worked harder than any of us.”
Jerry Lewis of The Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon, which he co-hosted with Ed said, “On the telethon, he was my right-hand man. It’s hard to imagine doing the show without him.”
And then we can’t forget TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes, co-hosted with Dick Clark. Most also remember him hosting the primitive American Idol, Star Search, where stars such as Britney Spears, Drew Carey and Arsenio Hall got their first breaks. Both Bloopers and Star Search were favorites at my house. In fact, my friends and I used to do was pretend we were contestants on Star Search.
McMahon suffered a broken neck in March 07, as well as financial problems. He filed lawsuits related to the injury as well as the faulty medical care he received, which included two botched spine operations, and a misdiagnosis. His not being able to work due to injuries only exacerbated the problem.
He lived a full life that most can envy. I think a lesson we can all take away from his example, would be to always strive to make the other person look good. In a world where everyone is trying to make themselves look good, we definitely could use a lot more Ed McMahons. I know I’m going to try to be one. And Ed would concur with a resounding, “YES!”
Do You Remember Rock and Roll Video?
I have often wondered what I used to spend my days doing before the internet and social networking sites emerged. It just hit me; I watched MTV, of course! Times have changed so much that I can barely remember. While it's true that I still see videos thanks to the internet, it's just not the same. It's almost as if internet killed the video star.
MTV was the epitome of cool, back in the day. Antics of Veejays such as Kennedy, Adam Curry, Downtown Julie Brown, Martha Quinn, and (the other) Julie Brown were a part of the whole MTV experience. They personified cool. I could only hope and pray to someday reach their level of coolness. They each presented the videos to us in their own unique ways.
The new era of social networking is probably a little more productive than just vegging out, watching videos (not much, though). I remember when MTV was music television, when they actually played music, instead of asinine reality shows.
I was dubious when they started airing The Real World in 1993. Otherwise, though, they were true to their name as an all music station. Little did we know that this programming ploy would be the catalyst for a whole new future MTV generation. It would forever change music television as we knew it. Soon, Real World shows were sprouting up in every major city, slyly edging out music television. It was gone before we knew what hit us.
According to NPR, MTV's modus operandi is to completely change formats every 4 years, or every high school term. This allows it to keep current, allowing for a new generation of cool, thus pissing off a previous generation. (This would seem to be a smashing success. I can testify that I, as well all of the other Gen X-ers I know are sufficiently pissed off).
They were always cutting edge, but always seemed true to themselves as Music Television; even with shows like Remote Control. And, we do tend to forget that MTV has always embraced pop culture, which is not just limited to music. Image is just as important, if not more, than music is. In 1992, they held their first Town Hall meeting where, then presidential candidate, Bill Clinton campaigned on MTV, and then as president, in 1994 he came on, answering the infamous question “boxers or briefs?” I didn't particularly feel that this was out of line with their format, but I'm sure some did.
Patrick Goldstein of the LA Times says that there is nothing in America more influential than MTV.
The station shapes trends in the three most important areas of the average teenager's life; music, movies, and fashion. He reiterates the importance of staying current. But reality shows are neither current nor are they music.
Is this really what the Gen. Nexters groove on? Apparently not, say the ratings, which seem to be steadily declining. It is cheaper, though. MTV's response to last year's low ratings, was to foist a different lineup of the same sort of reality shows upon us. It seems this is more a case of the wallet speaking the louder than the ratings, which means that the station has lost much of it's coolness. Or perhaps they are too cool to pay attention to ratings.
c.2009
MTV was the epitome of cool, back in the day. Antics of Veejays such as Kennedy, Adam Curry, Downtown Julie Brown, Martha Quinn, and (the other) Julie Brown were a part of the whole MTV experience. They personified cool. I could only hope and pray to someday reach their level of coolness. They each presented the videos to us in their own unique ways.
The new era of social networking is probably a little more productive than just vegging out, watching videos (not much, though). I remember when MTV was music television, when they actually played music, instead of asinine reality shows.
I was dubious when they started airing The Real World in 1993. Otherwise, though, they were true to their name as an all music station. Little did we know that this programming ploy would be the catalyst for a whole new future MTV generation. It would forever change music television as we knew it. Soon, Real World shows were sprouting up in every major city, slyly edging out music television. It was gone before we knew what hit us.
According to NPR, MTV's modus operandi is to completely change formats every 4 years, or every high school term. This allows it to keep current, allowing for a new generation of cool, thus pissing off a previous generation. (This would seem to be a smashing success. I can testify that I, as well all of the other Gen X-ers I know are sufficiently pissed off).
They were always cutting edge, but always seemed true to themselves as Music Television; even with shows like Remote Control. And, we do tend to forget that MTV has always embraced pop culture, which is not just limited to music. Image is just as important, if not more, than music is. In 1992, they held their first Town Hall meeting where, then presidential candidate, Bill Clinton campaigned on MTV, and then as president, in 1994 he came on, answering the infamous question “boxers or briefs?” I didn't particularly feel that this was out of line with their format, but I'm sure some did.
Patrick Goldstein of the LA Times says that there is nothing in America more influential than MTV.
The station shapes trends in the three most important areas of the average teenager's life; music, movies, and fashion. He reiterates the importance of staying current. But reality shows are neither current nor are they music.
Is this really what the Gen. Nexters groove on? Apparently not, say the ratings, which seem to be steadily declining. It is cheaper, though. MTV's response to last year's low ratings, was to foist a different lineup of the same sort of reality shows upon us. It seems this is more a case of the wallet speaking the louder than the ratings, which means that the station has lost much of it's coolness. Or perhaps they are too cool to pay attention to ratings.
c.2009
Palin Power
Palin Power
I was really depressed when I found out that Republicans had selected John McCain to run in the '08 elections. I was definitely not a fan to begin with, but I knew there was no way he could possibly compete with Obama fever. But my outlook brightened considerably when I got word that Sarah Palin would be his running mate. The RINO would be forced to reckon with a true elephant. It was now a dream ticket. She is such a powerhouse, with a contagious excitement that easily tops Obama's “Yes we can” platform. The more liberal McCain might be more attractive to democrats and disillusioned republicans, and any socialist deeds he might be inclined to would be kept in check by the ever- conservative Palin. It was now a ticket I could definitely get on board with.
Palin was a breath of fresh air to the Republican party. She incited a fresh enthusiasm that we truly could have change without sacrificing our principles. Liberals saw this, and it scared the hell out of them. Here was a woman who truly had everything, family, career, looks, charisma, and a run for the highest office in the country. (And she did this on her own. She didn't have to ride on anyone's coattails). You really can't hope to get much better than that. You'd think that the feminists would love her. The only problem is, she didn't do it their way. She didn't count on government handouts. She sent her son off to war. She didn't believe in “choice,” and acted out those beliefs in her everyday life.
Liberals certainly weren't going to have any of this. Because they recognized what a threat they were, they made sure that McCain was painted in the same hues as Bush, although the two couldn't be more different. And the popular Alaskan governor had to be quickly cut down to size.
They constantly pummeled her with inexperience allegations, which is simply ludicrous given her opponent's level. Her experience as Governor gave her more executive experience than Obama. She has experience running both City and State, as Governor and Mayor. She has experience lowering taxes as well as building an oil pipeline, which helped meet the energy needs of Alaska. She did all this while raising a family and giving birth to a newborn baby, herself. She didn't even let having her water break stop her speech at a conference in Texas. Is she Superwoman or what?
In 1992, when she was just 28, she began her two three-year terms on the city council of Wasilla, Alaska. This was prompted by a concern that the revenue from new sales tax would be spent recklessly.
Although she labeled herself as a conservative Christian, and the particular church she went to disapproved of alcohol. She surprised her opponent, and probably everyone else, by voting against a bill that would force bars to close 2 hours early,
It's understandable that Hilary had to be feeling a bit one-upped by Palin. In fact, according to the NY Daily News, In September '08, Hilary Clinton angrily backed out of a pro-Israel, anti-Iran rally when she learned that Sarah Palin would be there as well. She was so threatened that she got her leftist cronies to disinvite Palin.
Erik Sean Nelson, of The Huffington Post wrote a very offensive piece entitled, Palin will Run in '12 On More Retardation Platform. In fact, the article was so offensive that he pulled it. In it's place is an apology.
While it's true that every public figure must develop “thick skin.” There is something very venomous about the attacks Sarah Palin has had to endure. She'll have 4 years to regroup, unencumbered by the duties of Governorship, hopefully to make a run in 2012.
c. 2009
I was really depressed when I found out that Republicans had selected John McCain to run in the '08 elections. I was definitely not a fan to begin with, but I knew there was no way he could possibly compete with Obama fever. But my outlook brightened considerably when I got word that Sarah Palin would be his running mate. The RINO would be forced to reckon with a true elephant. It was now a dream ticket. She is such a powerhouse, with a contagious excitement that easily tops Obama's “Yes we can” platform. The more liberal McCain might be more attractive to democrats and disillusioned republicans, and any socialist deeds he might be inclined to would be kept in check by the ever- conservative Palin. It was now a ticket I could definitely get on board with.
Palin was a breath of fresh air to the Republican party. She incited a fresh enthusiasm that we truly could have change without sacrificing our principles. Liberals saw this, and it scared the hell out of them. Here was a woman who truly had everything, family, career, looks, charisma, and a run for the highest office in the country. (And she did this on her own. She didn't have to ride on anyone's coattails). You really can't hope to get much better than that. You'd think that the feminists would love her. The only problem is, she didn't do it their way. She didn't count on government handouts. She sent her son off to war. She didn't believe in “choice,” and acted out those beliefs in her everyday life.
Liberals certainly weren't going to have any of this. Because they recognized what a threat they were, they made sure that McCain was painted in the same hues as Bush, although the two couldn't be more different. And the popular Alaskan governor had to be quickly cut down to size.
They constantly pummeled her with inexperience allegations, which is simply ludicrous given her opponent's level. Her experience as Governor gave her more executive experience than Obama. She has experience running both City and State, as Governor and Mayor. She has experience lowering taxes as well as building an oil pipeline, which helped meet the energy needs of Alaska. She did all this while raising a family and giving birth to a newborn baby, herself. She didn't even let having her water break stop her speech at a conference in Texas. Is she Superwoman or what?
In 1992, when she was just 28, she began her two three-year terms on the city council of Wasilla, Alaska. This was prompted by a concern that the revenue from new sales tax would be spent recklessly.
Although she labeled herself as a conservative Christian, and the particular church she went to disapproved of alcohol. She surprised her opponent, and probably everyone else, by voting against a bill that would force bars to close 2 hours early,
It's understandable that Hilary had to be feeling a bit one-upped by Palin. In fact, according to the NY Daily News, In September '08, Hilary Clinton angrily backed out of a pro-Israel, anti-Iran rally when she learned that Sarah Palin would be there as well. She was so threatened that she got her leftist cronies to disinvite Palin.
Erik Sean Nelson, of The Huffington Post wrote a very offensive piece entitled, Palin will Run in '12 On More Retardation Platform. In fact, the article was so offensive that he pulled it. In it's place is an apology.
While it's true that every public figure must develop “thick skin.” There is something very venomous about the attacks Sarah Palin has had to endure. She'll have 4 years to regroup, unencumbered by the duties of Governorship, hopefully to make a run in 2012.
c. 2009
Meghan McCain: Fighting for Republican Coolness
Meghan Marguerite McCain apparently thinks she's Carrie Bradshaw from Sex in the City. To others she seems like Paris Hilton, with the same intellectual witticisms. She's actually an extremely bright girl with a case of diarrhea of the mouth. She just doesn't know when to quit.
Her blog, the MccainBloggette, as well as her column for The Daily Beast, is chock-full of inane commentary on all sorts of topics. Her weight, what it's like on the campaign trail, being single; her attempt to make Republicans seem cool. She shouldn't bother, because she's not one.
But she calls herself a Republican who is liberal on social issues. (Just like her dad). She says, "I am a woman who despises labels and boxes and stereotypes." She calls herself a “pro-sex” woman, who is “a lot more religious than I let on. I have a great relationship with God. I was raised to love people and not judge people....”
Sure, she doesn't judge anyone. I suppose this remark about Ann Coulter was meant to be endearing. “I straight up don't understand this woman or her popularity. I find her offensive, radical, insulting, and confusing all at the same time.” She thinks Coulter is too extremist in her political views, and thinks that she is doing more harm to the party.
McCain has said she'd "be flattered to be considered the anti-Ann Coulter, the anti-Rush Limbaugh."
She says that she had changed her party registration from Independent to Republican "as a symbol of my commitment to my dad and to represent the faith I have in his ability to be an effective leader for our country and to grow and strengthen the Republican party when he is elected President of the United States."
Apparently her “commitment” is little more than symbolic, when she goes around calling Joe the Plumber a “dumbass.” Another, an example of her not judging. "Joe the Plumber -- you can quote me -- is a dumbass. He should stick to plumbing."
You may have read about her catfight with Laura Ingraham, who made a distasteful comment about McCain's weight. I can sort of see both sides here. Ingraham was doing a satire bit on Bill O'Reilly's show, in response to an article McCain wrote. She was impersonating McCain, saying, “Ok, I was really hoping that I was going to get that role in the Real World, but then I realized that, well, they don’t like plus-sized models...”
Of course this is a horrible thing to say about anyone, and certainly not true in McCain's case; but also no worse than anything the libs say about, say, Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh or anyone else they don't like. You can watch for yourself Ingraham's defense, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjRyR4WSWZ4&feature=related
McCain responded on her blog, “...Instead of intellectually debating our ideological differences about the future of the Republican Party, Ingraham resorted to making fun of my age and weight, in the fashion of the mean girls in high school.” I have a feeling that she would be no match for Ingraham in a debate.
Her book, My Dad, John McCain, came out in 2008. She also hopes to write a "satirical account" of her experiences on the campaign trail. (I wonder if she'll be more sympathetic to Ingraham as a satirist). The one thing she won't talk about is Sarah Palin, which seems to be the one break, that Palin has experienced in this election.
Speaking at The Log Cabin Republicans convention in April 2009, she shared this mantra, "I am concerned about the environment. I love to wear black. I think government is best when it stays out of people's lives and business as much as possible. I love punk rock. I believe in a strong national defense. I have a tattoo. I believe government should always be efficient and accountable. I have lots of gay friends. And yes, I am a Republican.”
We can all breathe a sigh of relief now. Being a Republican is cool.
c. 2009
Her blog, the MccainBloggette, as well as her column for The Daily Beast, is chock-full of inane commentary on all sorts of topics. Her weight, what it's like on the campaign trail, being single; her attempt to make Republicans seem cool. She shouldn't bother, because she's not one.
But she calls herself a Republican who is liberal on social issues. (Just like her dad). She says, "I am a woman who despises labels and boxes and stereotypes." She calls herself a “pro-sex” woman, who is “a lot more religious than I let on. I have a great relationship with God. I was raised to love people and not judge people....”
Sure, she doesn't judge anyone. I suppose this remark about Ann Coulter was meant to be endearing. “I straight up don't understand this woman or her popularity. I find her offensive, radical, insulting, and confusing all at the same time.” She thinks Coulter is too extremist in her political views, and thinks that she is doing more harm to the party.
McCain has said she'd "be flattered to be considered the anti-Ann Coulter, the anti-Rush Limbaugh."
She says that she had changed her party registration from Independent to Republican "as a symbol of my commitment to my dad and to represent the faith I have in his ability to be an effective leader for our country and to grow and strengthen the Republican party when he is elected President of the United States."
Apparently her “commitment” is little more than symbolic, when she goes around calling Joe the Plumber a “dumbass.” Another, an example of her not judging. "Joe the Plumber -- you can quote me -- is a dumbass. He should stick to plumbing."
You may have read about her catfight with Laura Ingraham, who made a distasteful comment about McCain's weight. I can sort of see both sides here. Ingraham was doing a satire bit on Bill O'Reilly's show, in response to an article McCain wrote. She was impersonating McCain, saying, “Ok, I was really hoping that I was going to get that role in the Real World, but then I realized that, well, they don’t like plus-sized models...”
Of course this is a horrible thing to say about anyone, and certainly not true in McCain's case; but also no worse than anything the libs say about, say, Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh or anyone else they don't like. You can watch for yourself Ingraham's defense, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjRyR4WSWZ4&feature=related
McCain responded on her blog, “...Instead of intellectually debating our ideological differences about the future of the Republican Party, Ingraham resorted to making fun of my age and weight, in the fashion of the mean girls in high school.” I have a feeling that she would be no match for Ingraham in a debate.
Her book, My Dad, John McCain, came out in 2008. She also hopes to write a "satirical account" of her experiences on the campaign trail. (I wonder if she'll be more sympathetic to Ingraham as a satirist). The one thing she won't talk about is Sarah Palin, which seems to be the one break, that Palin has experienced in this election.
Speaking at The Log Cabin Republicans convention in April 2009, she shared this mantra, "I am concerned about the environment. I love to wear black. I think government is best when it stays out of people's lives and business as much as possible. I love punk rock. I believe in a strong national defense. I have a tattoo. I believe government should always be efficient and accountable. I have lots of gay friends. And yes, I am a Republican.”
We can all breathe a sigh of relief now. Being a Republican is cool.
c. 2009
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