In this week's news, we've been bombarded with information about Amy Winehouse, the latest member of the infamous 27 club. Well imagine the confusion and dismay when the tragic inductee before Amy, Kurt Cobain is in the center of a new controversy. The city council of Aberdeen, Washington, Cobain's oft mentioned hometown voted against dedicating the Young Street Bridge in his honor. Several members were said to have opposed it because of Kurt's muddled legacy as a drug addict and suicide victim. There was also mention of how his music showed his disdain for his music. But the city council did vote to name a small piece of land that is an offshoot of the Wishkah River Cobain Landing. All this aside, it just shows how controversial honoring anyone, especially a deceased rock star can be.
Earlier this week, Amy Winehouse's father, Mitch announced that he plans to start a foundation in his late daughter's honor to help people struggling with drugs and alcohol. While this is well intentioned, the real question is how will this work? Not to say Mr. Winehouse's intentions are wrong, but how effective will it be and who will help run the organization? Anything in honor of someone, usually provides a basis for further discussion of their legacy, their impact, and their cultural status. I'm not sure how this will play out but it is a start in providing help and resources for those who really need it.
Back to the Aberdeen issue and Kurt Cobain; in the articles I have read there is an obvious tension between people in the town. Some see him as a hero and an icon and others see him as a tragic figure who burned out too soon. Each side has a legitimate argument, but I can see from the side of those opposing the bridge. It's one thing when your town is known for having a famous face, it's another when that person was a controversial figure who is divisive even in death.
I would even argue that Kurt Cobain had he lived would not even want this. As anti-establishment as he seemed in interviews and in song, the last thing he would want is a conventional landmark named after him. However, had he lived he could have mellowed and came to see what some of the residents of Aberdeen saw. Even though his life was hard and fraught with difficulty, he made it. He lived a small part of his dream which is more than many can say. But I guess we'll never know.
http://www.nme.com/news/nirvana/58334
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
The Mo'Nique Show, Gone Already?
It was November 2009 when I first heard that BET was presenting a new talk show featuring Mo'Nique. Now my first reaction was surprised. Number one, how could BET present a credible, yet enjoyable talk show? Number two, what kind of guests will she have? Number three, will Mo'Nique step on any toes in the process. The answers to all of these questions for the past 20 months were seemingly positive until late yesterday when it was revealed that show is on "indefinite hiatus." I was shocked because the ratings seemed to indicate the show was a success. But there were other factors not known to the viewer that curtailed the project.
I've watched the show quite a few times and I thought it was a quality program. The guests weren't people you typically see on late night and Mo'Nique's background as a comedian and actress gave her insight to life in the entertainment industry. Now sure, she was loud and outspoken but most late night hosts are. George Lopez pulls no punches and Chelsea Handler is only in it for the laughs. I think that's what give late night it's edge. Hosts who are too friendly or afraid to ask the real questions usually get glossed over. While Jay Leno has lasted this long, he has not had the same impact as David Letterman or his predecessor Johnny Carson. Even Jimmy Fallon who is not necessarily mean, commands a different element by infusing his show with hip-hop culture and having a real recording artist (The Roots) as a band. And I believe that's what's needed.
I think that's how BET was thinking, but it proved too much in the end. Honestly, The Mo'Nique Show didn't seem to fit the rest of the network. It was mostly catered to an older audience with guests who were famous in the 80's and 90's. Also, it didn't feature music videos or the same kind of cultural references as the network's highest rated show 106 & Park.
According to several reports, there were also supposed issues with Mo'Nique. But those haven't been confirmed. Mo'Nique has yet to comment and BET is still trying to dodge the bullet. But now with that out of the way, how about we start a petition to get Arsenio a new show?
News Source:http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/2011/07/27/atlanta-based-the-monique-show-canceled/
I've watched the show quite a few times and I thought it was a quality program. The guests weren't people you typically see on late night and Mo'Nique's background as a comedian and actress gave her insight to life in the entertainment industry. Now sure, she was loud and outspoken but most late night hosts are. George Lopez pulls no punches and Chelsea Handler is only in it for the laughs. I think that's what give late night it's edge. Hosts who are too friendly or afraid to ask the real questions usually get glossed over. While Jay Leno has lasted this long, he has not had the same impact as David Letterman or his predecessor Johnny Carson. Even Jimmy Fallon who is not necessarily mean, commands a different element by infusing his show with hip-hop culture and having a real recording artist (The Roots) as a band. And I believe that's what's needed.
I think that's how BET was thinking, but it proved too much in the end. Honestly, The Mo'Nique Show didn't seem to fit the rest of the network. It was mostly catered to an older audience with guests who were famous in the 80's and 90's. Also, it didn't feature music videos or the same kind of cultural references as the network's highest rated show 106 & Park.
According to several reports, there were also supposed issues with Mo'Nique. But those haven't been confirmed. Mo'Nique has yet to comment and BET is still trying to dodge the bullet. But now with that out of the way, how about we start a petition to get Arsenio a new show?
News Source:http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/2011/07/27/atlanta-based-the-monique-show-canceled/
Please Check: Yes, No, or Maybe, But Do It For Your Country
In the past few weeks, several celebs have been asked out to military balls by various members of the armed forces. It all started with Mila Kunis, then Justin Timberlake, then Betty White, somehow Linda Hamilton, flash to Miley Cyrus and now Scarlett Johansson. Now this was cute the first and maybe the second, but by the time it got to the lady from Terminator, I was like please stop.
I believe that supporting the military is just as important as voting and paying taxes. But does doing the electric slide qualify as support or something else? I honestly believe that the military makes a huge commitment to do their best and protect us, but does that give them free reign to say hey, you better dance with me. This reminds me of the fabled rite of passage and immense awkwardness of the middle school dance. You get asked out and you want to go, but not alone but not with Joe who drools in the middle of third period. Everyone can relate. However, with the military, the pressure intensifies.
I think the reason several of the celebrities have accepted is because of the fact that it would look unpatriotic if you didn't. But let's be honest. If you have made a commitment months in advance, decided to take time off or just plain can't shouldn't be held against you. I mean if people can get out of weddings, graduations, and other special events of close family members, I believe we can cut some slack to Betty White for having to shoot an episode of Hot in Cleveland.
Also, the level of attention that will automatically be garnered because of a certain star showing up causes the need for more security. The actual event may not even be as enjoyable because of this. It's like when the popular kid joins the AV Club and now everyone wants to join. The whole culture changes because a different person enters the mix and the environment changes.
Finally, how come there's only one female officer asking out a male celebrity. If I was in the Militia, I'd definitely have a long list of guys to ask, but since I'm not, I'll just have to imagine it.
I believe that supporting the military is just as important as voting and paying taxes. But does doing the electric slide qualify as support or something else? I honestly believe that the military makes a huge commitment to do their best and protect us, but does that give them free reign to say hey, you better dance with me. This reminds me of the fabled rite of passage and immense awkwardness of the middle school dance. You get asked out and you want to go, but not alone but not with Joe who drools in the middle of third period. Everyone can relate. However, with the military, the pressure intensifies.
I think the reason several of the celebrities have accepted is because of the fact that it would look unpatriotic if you didn't. But let's be honest. If you have made a commitment months in advance, decided to take time off or just plain can't shouldn't be held against you. I mean if people can get out of weddings, graduations, and other special events of close family members, I believe we can cut some slack to Betty White for having to shoot an episode of Hot in Cleveland.
Also, the level of attention that will automatically be garnered because of a certain star showing up causes the need for more security. The actual event may not even be as enjoyable because of this. It's like when the popular kid joins the AV Club and now everyone wants to join. The whole culture changes because a different person enters the mix and the environment changes.
Finally, how come there's only one female officer asking out a male celebrity. If I was in the Militia, I'd definitely have a long list of guys to ask, but since I'm not, I'll just have to imagine it.
40 Something in Hollywood
Biography's airing a special tonight on 40 something stars who have remained famous among an industry that has historically suffered from ageism. I have several reasons why people appreciate celebrities who aren't necessarily young and fun.
Older celebrities have lives beyond a camera. Many actors and actresses at this stage have children, charities, and causes beyond the screen. Young Hollywood is typically more concerned with exposure and building a career rather than trying to expand their influence to other causes. I'm not pigeonholing every young star, but if you've ever read an interview with young ladies whose first name is Jessica, there's not much beyond how they prepare for a role, their strange eating habits, and their constant struggle with their looks. Now I won't narrow it down to a certain Jessica or even say that it is all of them, but just to show how they can't really appreciate that their are times that people want to hear about life beyond the screen.
More experienced stars tend to not draw ridiculous attention. I really believe that some younger stars don't understand that one statement on Twitter, a supposedly out of context soundbite or even a heated exchange with a photog outside of The Ivy becomes instant fodder for tabloids. I'm not saying live in cover of darkness, but I think the mystery of not always being so palpable for consumption pays off in people wanting to see your talents rather than your explanation for getting mad on TMZ.
Finally, most older celebrities have a history with the public. I've grown up watching Brat Pack movies and 90's rom-coms rather than some of the newer fare that doesn't always draw my interest. While I'm familiar with several young celebs, their ability to stand the test of time hasn't been challenged yet. I think once public tastes change and we see who will have the staying power, it may be different. Who knows who'll be on the next special in 2020?
Older celebrities have lives beyond a camera. Many actors and actresses at this stage have children, charities, and causes beyond the screen. Young Hollywood is typically more concerned with exposure and building a career rather than trying to expand their influence to other causes. I'm not pigeonholing every young star, but if you've ever read an interview with young ladies whose first name is Jessica, there's not much beyond how they prepare for a role, their strange eating habits, and their constant struggle with their looks. Now I won't narrow it down to a certain Jessica or even say that it is all of them, but just to show how they can't really appreciate that their are times that people want to hear about life beyond the screen.
More experienced stars tend to not draw ridiculous attention. I really believe that some younger stars don't understand that one statement on Twitter, a supposedly out of context soundbite or even a heated exchange with a photog outside of The Ivy becomes instant fodder for tabloids. I'm not saying live in cover of darkness, but I think the mystery of not always being so palpable for consumption pays off in people wanting to see your talents rather than your explanation for getting mad on TMZ.
Finally, most older celebrities have a history with the public. I've grown up watching Brat Pack movies and 90's rom-coms rather than some of the newer fare that doesn't always draw my interest. While I'm familiar with several young celebs, their ability to stand the test of time hasn't been challenged yet. I think once public tastes change and we see who will have the staying power, it may be different. Who knows who'll be on the next special in 2020?
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tell Me Why: Robert DeNiro in New Years Eve!
I was watching Entertainment Tonight's preview of the sequel to Valentine's Day, New Year's Eve. Okay, I admit it, I watched Valentine's Day last year because some silly part of me thought it might actually be good. And the fact that legendary rom-com director, Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride) was directing and producing it as well as the sappy Taylor Swift song from the soundtrack, Today Was A Fairytale (darn it Swift!). What can I say, some part of me likes to watch romantic comedies and pretend they happen, but as I've grown older and have been exposed to a greater fare of films, I have been more critical of movies. However, some strange part of me likes seeing the girl kiss the guy at the end. But I think I draw the line here.
Robert DeNiro, arguably one of the most brilliant and dynamic actors of the past forty years is in New Year's Eve. I'm not saying Bob has no right to diversify. The original Meet the Parents is amazing, but after Meet the Fockers, I think we can all say he hasn't picked the best films. If I were DeNiro, I would make an awesome movie a year, somewhat like Jack Nicholson or Tom Hanks (Larry Crowne excluded). But someone of his status shouldn't feel compelled to take a movie just so he can be exposed to younger audiences or to seem cool to his kids. His body of work says it all.
He's not the only one I have issue with being in this movie. Halle Berry, who seems to be suffering from an extended bout of the Oscar curse shouldn't do this movie either. I'm not saying she doesn't have a right to do the film, but she should consider going far left again because that's what got her the Oscar in the first place.
Ludacris, really? Dude you were in Crash! You played one of the most sinister Law Order: SVU villains ever! You throw 'bows, not bows in sappy rom-coms. I could partially overlook No Strings Attached, but this is almost too much for me to bear.
Now by all means this doesn't mean I won't watch the movie, I'm just admitting to not paying to watch this movie. That's what FX is for.
Robert DeNiro, arguably one of the most brilliant and dynamic actors of the past forty years is in New Year's Eve. I'm not saying Bob has no right to diversify. The original Meet the Parents is amazing, but after Meet the Fockers, I think we can all say he hasn't picked the best films. If I were DeNiro, I would make an awesome movie a year, somewhat like Jack Nicholson or Tom Hanks (Larry Crowne excluded). But someone of his status shouldn't feel compelled to take a movie just so he can be exposed to younger audiences or to seem cool to his kids. His body of work says it all.
He's not the only one I have issue with being in this movie. Halle Berry, who seems to be suffering from an extended bout of the Oscar curse shouldn't do this movie either. I'm not saying she doesn't have a right to do the film, but she should consider going far left again because that's what got her the Oscar in the first place.
Ludacris, really? Dude you were in Crash! You played one of the most sinister Law Order: SVU villains ever! You throw 'bows, not bows in sappy rom-coms. I could partially overlook No Strings Attached, but this is almost too much for me to bear.
Now by all means this doesn't mean I won't watch the movie, I'm just admitting to not paying to watch this movie. That's what FX is for.
Let's Hear it for the Boys
A recent Ask Men survey, asked which celebrity is most irritating. The magazine broke it up by celebrities' respective genders. But the winner (or loser) of the females is Lady Gaga and the victor for male celebs is none other than the Biebs. Rounding out the top three for the women are Alaska's favorite former governor, Sarah Palin and Kim Kardashian. The other two in the top three for men are Charlie Sheen and the commander-in-chief. I agree wholeheartedly except with the fact that Ask Men considers are president a celebrity. While agree that Obama has had a strong amount of pop culture exposure, I don't consider him a celebrity. Anyone who can press a red button to is more than a celebrity, but I digress.
I can see why men are irritated by Lady Gaga. And don't Twitter hate me little monsters, I have to agree. How many more meat dresses can we stand? I understand that she likes to express herself differently and I do like some of her songs, but every award show appearance has become more than theater, it has become a campaign of shock and awe. While every pop star does this to a certain extent, the fact that Lady Gaga does this every time she comes on a stage gets to be too much. I appreciate her creativity in music, but being boring and posing for Rolling Stone in your underoos isn't always bad.
Justin Bieber is also highly understandable. Any guy who can get every woman's attention by just walking by is a source of envy. But more than that, I think it's the fact that Justin Bieber doesn't even sound like he went through puberty and attracts more girls than a wet puddle draws mosquitoes is quite nauseating. Also, most male pop stars seem inaccessible to men because of them saying girl or baby every other five seconds in a song. It can get rather old.
Now I know I just wrote in agreement to a survey of a men's magazine about two major Twitter celebrities, but someone has to be honest. One thing I can appreciate is that guys don't hold back. Just because someone is popular doesn't mean everyone has to appreciate what they contribute. I think it's also refreshing that in our celebrity obsessed culture than people can put things in perspective and say what they think. But I will admit, Somebody to Love gets me everytime.
News Source: http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/now/askmen-com-survey-reveals-that-men-do-not-have-bieber-fever/171
I can see why men are irritated by Lady Gaga. And don't Twitter hate me little monsters, I have to agree. How many more meat dresses can we stand? I understand that she likes to express herself differently and I do like some of her songs, but every award show appearance has become more than theater, it has become a campaign of shock and awe. While every pop star does this to a certain extent, the fact that Lady Gaga does this every time she comes on a stage gets to be too much. I appreciate her creativity in music, but being boring and posing for Rolling Stone in your underoos isn't always bad.
Justin Bieber is also highly understandable. Any guy who can get every woman's attention by just walking by is a source of envy. But more than that, I think it's the fact that Justin Bieber doesn't even sound like he went through puberty and attracts more girls than a wet puddle draws mosquitoes is quite nauseating. Also, most male pop stars seem inaccessible to men because of them saying girl or baby every other five seconds in a song. It can get rather old.
Now I know I just wrote in agreement to a survey of a men's magazine about two major Twitter celebrities, but someone has to be honest. One thing I can appreciate is that guys don't hold back. Just because someone is popular doesn't mean everyone has to appreciate what they contribute. I think it's also refreshing that in our celebrity obsessed culture than people can put things in perspective and say what they think. But I will admit, Somebody to Love gets me everytime.
News Source: http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/now/askmen-com-survey-reveals-that-men-do-not-have-bieber-fever/171
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Jett Jackson: Back in Action
Earlier today, I talked of 90s nostalgia in the form of TEENICK reviving the best 90s Nickelodeon programming but I'm an equal opportunity blogger. Disney was key in my childhood to a certain extent. In the 90s, the Disney Channel wasn't always a part of basic cable so I relied on visits to my cousins' house and free preview weekends to get my fill. And although my cousins and I argued over what to watch at times, there was one show we couldn't resist: The Famous Jett Jackson. It was awesome. Lee Thompson Young was Jett, an average teenager who happened to have his own television show. He was smart, witty, and quick. The show was great because it was for kids, but it wasn't dumbed down or filled with excessive silliness. After the show ended, I always wondered what happened to him and then I saw him on Scrubs a couple of years ago.
Imagine my surprise when TNT's newest drama, Rizzoli and Isles debuted a year ago and Jett Jackson was the young gun slinging partner of Angie Harmon's Jane Rizzoli. I was like Jett Jackson's back in action and still looks good. I forgot his name the first few episodes and had to use Wikipedia but I remembered him. I'm glad he turned out on the good side of former child stardom. But better than that it reminded me of what I liked about 90s Disney and Nickelodeon.
The shows and the stars weren't far from reality. Jett Jackson was set in a small North Carolina town. He still had to deal with friends and family. I feel that as Disney and Nickelodeon shows became more and more about being cute or sassy than actually entertaining. Passing through the channels, the shows don't have any real substance or suspense. I'm not saying that it has to be masterpiece or anything but something that actually could prompt discussion. Watching Jett Jackson, I always wondered what would happen if I were him. I can't say if I had the same feeling watching Hannah Montana, but then again I can't watch it the same way I watched in the 1990s.
Imagine my surprise when TNT's newest drama, Rizzoli and Isles debuted a year ago and Jett Jackson was the young gun slinging partner of Angie Harmon's Jane Rizzoli. I was like Jett Jackson's back in action and still looks good. I forgot his name the first few episodes and had to use Wikipedia but I remembered him. I'm glad he turned out on the good side of former child stardom. But better than that it reminded me of what I liked about 90s Disney and Nickelodeon.
The shows and the stars weren't far from reality. Jett Jackson was set in a small North Carolina town. He still had to deal with friends and family. I feel that as Disney and Nickelodeon shows became more and more about being cute or sassy than actually entertaining. Passing through the channels, the shows don't have any real substance or suspense. I'm not saying that it has to be masterpiece or anything but something that actually could prompt discussion. Watching Jett Jackson, I always wondered what would happen if I were him. I can't say if I had the same feeling watching Hannah Montana, but then again I can't watch it the same way I watched in the 1990s.
ComicCon: Not Just for Trekkies Anymore
If you've watched any entertainment news or checked blogs lately, there has been a wealth of interviews of various actors, actresses, and directors from ComicCon this past weekend. I've heard of ComicCon before, but have scarcely pay attention to what it's about. Full disclosure, I was exposed to Star Trek as a child ( I think it was the one with Whoopi Goldberg and LeVar Burton) but after about the age of ten it stopped airing regularly in syndication and I lost interest.Something about science fiction seemed to not draw my interest and then as a freshman in high school I watched "Gattaca." That movie changed my mind about what science fiction could be.
It could apply to real life in new and transparent ways. And when I found out the new movie from the director of Gattaca was going to be featured in ComicCon I got re-interested.
The movie is called In Time and features a cast of various talents from Young Hollywood with Justin Timberlake as the main protagonist. Cast notwithstanding, the plot that involves aging stopping at twenty five and people trying to remain in power by how long they live is intriguing. It deals with issues of social class, power, and aging. It is not only sci-fi, but neo-noir which is something I definitely enjoy.
Apart from that I noticed how many people from different movies including the Total Recall remake, Captain America, and others were there. I think ComicCon has expanded to include more noticeable faces but has become great for both the comic and movie industries. Its a promotional venue that is fan friendly and introduces something that was once considered a niche area further into pop culture mainstream.
Apart from movies various television shows are showcased. One perennial favorite is my favorite television show for the past 5 years, Psych. Psych is a dramedy mystery with lots of pop culture references but definitely appeals to fan-boys which is why I think it has lasted so long. Why it hasn't been recognized by the Emmy's is beyond me, but the devotion of fans is definitely something that has helped keep it popular.
All in all, ComicCon isn't just for those who know the real story about the Dark Knight or can quote all of Star Wars Episode 3, it is for people who enjoy all kinds of pop culture who want to learn about what's on the horizon.
It could apply to real life in new and transparent ways. And when I found out the new movie from the director of Gattaca was going to be featured in ComicCon I got re-interested.
The movie is called In Time and features a cast of various talents from Young Hollywood with Justin Timberlake as the main protagonist. Cast notwithstanding, the plot that involves aging stopping at twenty five and people trying to remain in power by how long they live is intriguing. It deals with issues of social class, power, and aging. It is not only sci-fi, but neo-noir which is something I definitely enjoy.
Apart from that I noticed how many people from different movies including the Total Recall remake, Captain America, and others were there. I think ComicCon has expanded to include more noticeable faces but has become great for both the comic and movie industries. Its a promotional venue that is fan friendly and introduces something that was once considered a niche area further into pop culture mainstream.
Apart from movies various television shows are showcased. One perennial favorite is my favorite television show for the past 5 years, Psych. Psych is a dramedy mystery with lots of pop culture references but definitely appeals to fan-boys which is why I think it has lasted so long. Why it hasn't been recognized by the Emmy's is beyond me, but the devotion of fans is definitely something that has helped keep it popular.
All in all, ComicCon isn't just for those who know the real story about the Dark Knight or can quote all of Star Wars Episode 3, it is for people who enjoy all kinds of pop culture who want to learn about what's on the horizon.
The 90s are the New 80s
The announcement came yesterday that TEENICK, the digital cable sister network of Nickelodeon is showing an all 1990s block weeknights starting at midnight. Who says nothing good happens after midnight? They may not have seen Kenan & Kel or Doug but now you can. As a proud 90s kid this is great. It also to me signifies that the 90s are back in a big way. As they say, what's old is new again. One of the hot tickets of the summer tour lot are the combined forces of the New Kids on The Block and Backstreet Boys. Child stars of the 1990s (for the most part) have become the new cultural icons and most importantly hysterically funny fashions are back (no rat-tails please!) So to me the 1990s have become the new 1980s, the decade we still wish it was.
At the dawn of the 1990s, there was still alot of 80s flare that carried over, but there were also alot of new things that happen. How can anyone forget Beverly Hills, 90210 setting off an entirely new genre of television show, the teen drama. Flashfoward over twenty years later, 90210, the latest spinoff is trying to recreate the parent series. While there have been several teen dramas, I think the success of Donna, Dylan, Kelly, et al. has yet to be captured. At that point of time social and cultural issues melded together to give the show its push. Now the issues of teens are captured in reality shows such as 16 & Pregnant, but nonetheless the glory days of the Peach Pit contributed to this trend.
Movies now even capture the essence of the nineties. Recent releases have been reminiscent of several movies. Take for instance the pragmatic, romantic comedies that question love and its power remind me of Julia Roberts, Meg Ryan, and Sandra Bullock looking for love while claiming they hate it. Crazy Stupid Love, Friends with Benefits, Valentine's Day, and many others released in the past few years have captured this renaissance of sorts.
Music as well has followed this trend. As the aforementioned poster boys of Backstreet and New Kids have come together it emphasizes how comfortable people are reliving their respective glory days. However, newer artists such as Katy Perry have relied on retro sounds to capture fans' attention. To me the song, "Teenage Dream" captures an experience that could have easily been alongside Mariah Carey in 1995.
Not to fear Gen X'ers, the 80s still hold a very special place to anyone who appreciates it. But nobody can say "wiggety wiggety wack" like Mack Daddy and Daddy Mack :)
At the dawn of the 1990s, there was still alot of 80s flare that carried over, but there were also alot of new things that happen. How can anyone forget Beverly Hills, 90210 setting off an entirely new genre of television show, the teen drama. Flashfoward over twenty years later, 90210, the latest spinoff is trying to recreate the parent series. While there have been several teen dramas, I think the success of Donna, Dylan, Kelly, et al. has yet to be captured. At that point of time social and cultural issues melded together to give the show its push. Now the issues of teens are captured in reality shows such as 16 & Pregnant, but nonetheless the glory days of the Peach Pit contributed to this trend.
Movies now even capture the essence of the nineties. Recent releases have been reminiscent of several movies. Take for instance the pragmatic, romantic comedies that question love and its power remind me of Julia Roberts, Meg Ryan, and Sandra Bullock looking for love while claiming they hate it. Crazy Stupid Love, Friends with Benefits, Valentine's Day, and many others released in the past few years have captured this renaissance of sorts.
Music as well has followed this trend. As the aforementioned poster boys of Backstreet and New Kids have come together it emphasizes how comfortable people are reliving their respective glory days. However, newer artists such as Katy Perry have relied on retro sounds to capture fans' attention. To me the song, "Teenage Dream" captures an experience that could have easily been alongside Mariah Carey in 1995.
Not to fear Gen X'ers, the 80s still hold a very special place to anyone who appreciates it. But nobody can say "wiggety wiggety wack" like Mack Daddy and Daddy Mack :)
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Lessons Learned at ComicCon http://content.usatoday.com/communities/popcandy/post/2011/07/50-things-i-learned-at-comic-con/1
SNICK Comes Back to TEENICK! http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/nickelodeon-offers-90s-nostalgia-with-kenan-and-kel-all-that-and-more/2011/07/20/gIQAOdmkRI_story.html
Monday, July 25, 2011
Murph's Picks
Murph's Picks is a new feature I'm starting. It will be a weekly feature about something in Pop Culture that I find interesting, intriguing, entertaining, funny or what not. It won't necessarily be new and hip, but neither am I . Consider it a distraction from whatever part of your day that irks you the most. I'm starting the inaugural edition of Murph's Picks with a song. This song is beautiful in so many ways to me. When I hear it, it becomes like gum to the desk of my brain in the middle of third period.
The song is Elton John's "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" from his album, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. I first heard it about five or six years ago in a preview for a the TNT series Heartland starring Treat Williams. Of course it was a medical drama that looked like ER, but my interested was sparked in the chorus. Something was intoxicating about his voice.
Elton John is an artist my mom liked in the 1970s, but before iTunes we never had any of his albums. It wasn't just because my mom liked him was the reason I was interested. I very rarely get attached to something else because of force or insistence, but curiosity. When I found about the songs he wrote and produced I could recognize them from commercials. The most notable being Bennie and the Jets. But this song was not one my mom mentioned, I just remember hearing it.
I love the way the song starts off. The staccato in his voice reminds me of a rapper ready to give his best verse in the middle of a song, but then the key melody chimes in and the bluesy soul of his voice takes over. The imagery is stunning, such that I like to close my eyes and let the song take my imagination. When I listened to it today, I thought of a film noir dame in a large mink stole wielding a gun at her lover who was ready to frame her for murder.
Even though there have been accounts that the song is about drug addiction, it does reflect darkness to a certain extent but there is a rescue that inspires hope. I think the layers that entangle the song are truly beautiful and real. I think it offers something in the times we live in. Even though we may want to give up and curl in the corner, someone will be there to try and save us. And that to me is one of the many reasons music is so powerful, it can give us so much in such a small period of time. And if you listen for nothing but the melody, I think you'll like it.
Wanna Be A Baller...
So as you know, today was the day for the end of the NFL lockout. So now we have only one sport from the the big three pastimes that is in a stalemate. The good news we can prep for Monday Night Football in September, Superbowl menu for next Winter, and my personal favorite, the end of NFL athletes keeping their names in the press by making outlandish statements and/or trying to find a new career. I'm sure some were entertained, but for me, I was not. Not to say there aren't articulate and well-intentioned players such as Ryan Clark on ESPN's 1st and 10 but there seem to be many more suffering from hoof and mouth disease. That is they didn't know when to be quiet or how to.
My first example of this is Chad Ochocinco and his pursuit of athletic fulfillment via bull riding and soccer playing. Not that I think this is wrong but with Ochocinco everything's a spectacle. I mean never mind his wrong translation of his number (ochocinco means eight five, not eighty five) but his overall demeanor as an athlete has made him more of a joke than an actual athlete.
Then there is Ray Lewis who was now infamously said that crime would go up because of the lockout. So I guess we dodged the bullet of riots, pickpockets, and who knows what other perils because there's no football. I just though that there might actually be less football widows and more Tupperware parties. We'll never know but nonetheless, it was too much of blanket statement to be considered fact.
And finally there was James Harrison's insightful musings about his teammates along with the artistic photography of him brandishing guns. He called out his teammates Rashard Mendenhall and Ben Rothlisberger on what he perceives as a lack of skill on the field and followed that up by holding guns across his bare chest. The cherry on top being him insulting NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Now don't get me wrong, I believe in free speech as much as anyone, but in terms of maintaining a public profile you have to think before you speak and then think before the ink hits the paper. Athletes I believe especially are vulnerable to criticism because of what they do and how much money they make compared to the average person. But I will admit these quotes and musings provide great entertainment on a slow news day or a day you don't want to watch the real news. I'm just waiting now to hear what we'll hear during the NBA lockout.
News links: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story/_/page/gallo-110714_harrison_influence/offseason-pigskinpalooza-lets-james-harrison-pass-wisdom
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6550618
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=hill/110524
My first example of this is Chad Ochocinco and his pursuit of athletic fulfillment via bull riding and soccer playing. Not that I think this is wrong but with Ochocinco everything's a spectacle. I mean never mind his wrong translation of his number (ochocinco means eight five, not eighty five) but his overall demeanor as an athlete has made him more of a joke than an actual athlete.
Then there is Ray Lewis who was now infamously said that crime would go up because of the lockout. So I guess we dodged the bullet of riots, pickpockets, and who knows what other perils because there's no football. I just though that there might actually be less football widows and more Tupperware parties. We'll never know but nonetheless, it was too much of blanket statement to be considered fact.
And finally there was James Harrison's insightful musings about his teammates along with the artistic photography of him brandishing guns. He called out his teammates Rashard Mendenhall and Ben Rothlisberger on what he perceives as a lack of skill on the field and followed that up by holding guns across his bare chest. The cherry on top being him insulting NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Now don't get me wrong, I believe in free speech as much as anyone, but in terms of maintaining a public profile you have to think before you speak and then think before the ink hits the paper. Athletes I believe especially are vulnerable to criticism because of what they do and how much money they make compared to the average person. But I will admit these quotes and musings provide great entertainment on a slow news day or a day you don't want to watch the real news. I'm just waiting now to hear what we'll hear during the NBA lockout.
News links: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story/_/page/gallo-110714_harrison_influence/offseason-pigskinpalooza-lets-james-harrison-pass-wisdom
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6550618
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=hill/110524
Upgrade Who?
Dancing with the Stars is a source of entertainment for many people. Namely those of us with a fascination of those whose status is mostly faded. Now comes word that Dancing with the Stars is trying to up the ante by adding more high profile celebrities to the show. The plan on doing this by offering no required practices as well as stars having a say in costumes. On the surface it sounds like it is a good way for people to become more interested in the show, but I like to believe otherwise.
Number one, which actual A-lister would be on Dancing with the Stars? I can't see someone like say Denzel clamoring to be on. A-listers have something that most people on Dancing with Stars don't have, a steady string of projects to work on. I can't believe ABC would actually try and think that someone who is actually known for doing something in the present would attempt dancing next to Maks or Karina just for funzies. I just don't see it happening.
Number two, the C-listers of past and present would have something to legitimately be mad at. The idea that ABC is adding extra perks for certain celebrities is like in gym class when coach always gave the position of team selector for dodgeball to the most athletic kid and class. It's not the best thing for anyone, it just gives the idea labeling who is more important than who when there are enough ways to do that already.
Number three, this wouldn't necessarily increase viewership because it minimizes the initial appeal of DWTS. Alot of people watch to see has-beens and reality starlets Monday and Tuesday nights and then giggle the rest of the week that these people have less rhythm than my washing machine. Real stars who might happen to be good at something else only become targets of more gossip and envy.
Number four haven't y'all heard of the rule: "If it ain't broke don't fix it?!"
News Sources:http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2011/07/25/7161792-is-dancing-finally-kissing-d-listers-goodbye
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2011/07/dancing-with-the-stars-season-13-casting-buzz-builds/1
Number one, which actual A-lister would be on Dancing with the Stars? I can't see someone like say Denzel clamoring to be on. A-listers have something that most people on Dancing with Stars don't have, a steady string of projects to work on. I can't believe ABC would actually try and think that someone who is actually known for doing something in the present would attempt dancing next to Maks or Karina just for funzies. I just don't see it happening.
Number two, the C-listers of past and present would have something to legitimately be mad at. The idea that ABC is adding extra perks for certain celebrities is like in gym class when coach always gave the position of team selector for dodgeball to the most athletic kid and class. It's not the best thing for anyone, it just gives the idea labeling who is more important than who when there are enough ways to do that already.
Number three, this wouldn't necessarily increase viewership because it minimizes the initial appeal of DWTS. Alot of people watch to see has-beens and reality starlets Monday and Tuesday nights and then giggle the rest of the week that these people have less rhythm than my washing machine. Real stars who might happen to be good at something else only become targets of more gossip and envy.
Number four haven't y'all heard of the rule: "If it ain't broke don't fix it?!"
News Sources:http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2011/07/25/7161792-is-dancing-finally-kissing-d-listers-goodbye
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2011/07/dancing-with-the-stars-season-13-casting-buzz-builds/1
Sunday, July 24, 2011
In the Club and On Fire
Now the title of this post may seem confusing, but the subject matter is not what's implied. Taking a look at several trailers for summer blockbusters, there's no one I'd rather be than Emma Stone. Why you may ask? This week she breaks up with Justin Timberlake in Friends With Benefits only to fall for dangerous charms of Ryan Gosling in next week's Crazy Stupid Love. To paraphrase Rod Stewart, some girls have all the luck. But I digress.
I'm not sure if this is the first time where two mouseketeers open as stars in movies back to back, but it had me wonder about both of these fellas in relative comparison to their fellow MMC alumni. Now rather you agree with it or not, the New Mickey Mouse Club which ran from the late eighties to the mid nineties was one of the best launching pads for a diverse group of stars since the Brat Pack. And very much like the Brat Pack each of its members have had varying degrees of success.
Ryan Gosling and Justin Timberlake may have been the two most unlikely candidates for most successful former mouseketeer, but nevertheless I believe their impact on pop culture is greater than the sum of their former club cast mates.
Christina Aguilera has had a career resurgence of sorts on NBC's The Voice that ran this past spring, but before then she was destined to becoming a tabloid punchline for boozing. Not that I'm trying to downplay her amazing voice, but it seemed like the instant success of her first album had her trying to search for artistic freedom and sexual independence in ways that were at times brash rather than unique. She also tried acting in Burlesque starring alongside Cher, but with disastrous results. I hope after this new found popularity that she'll focus on her true talent which is that mind blowing voice.
JC Chasez, (aka the other dude in *NSYNC) tried to go solo right after Justin but he obviously became a victim of the curse of the second banana. His voice was more layered and dynamic than Timberlake's but his ability to shape shift wasn't as savvy as his old friend's. Now every season on America's Best Dance Crew he serves as the Simon to Lil' Mama's Paula, but nonetheless has remained visible.
Britney Spears who at one point was the most famous ex-mouseketeer, has gone from peak to valley and back again. There's no denying her impact on popular culture but beyond her music she hasn't extended herself in the way many people first envisioned her. While many did say she was the next Madonna, however I think in many ways she has rebounded in such a way to make her a very potent force in her own unique way.
This brings me back to JT and Gosling. They're both very easy on the eyes and very talented but as I said they were the ones who weren't supposed to succeed.
Being in a boy band is the surefire way to end up on a season of Celebrity Rehab, but Justin Timberlake took everyone's miscalculations and made sure we would remember him as more than that dude with crazy hair from *NSYNC. He took the path of someone who was still wanting to be challenged by his work, not always going for convention. Even in movies, he didn't want to be in The Notebook. It as obviously paid off because he's exceeded everyone's expectations and then some.
And then there was the dude from The Notebook. Ryan Gosling took smaller parts and blew up as Noah but after which he decidedly took smaller and weightier roles such as his brilliant performance in Half Nelson. But he might be setting himself up for even greater success in Crazy Stupid Love by charming us.I think the distinction of being the first Academy Award nominated mouseketeer is in great hands.
Yet if you really want to know why these two are as successful as they are the proof is in the pudding. If you look at any of the YouTube clips of the MMC days, you can see who the camera loves them. This is particularly evident in a cover of Cry for You by Jodeci they share lead on. The charm, the charisma, and the hair was already there, they were just waiting on us to notice.
I'm not sure if this is the first time where two mouseketeers open as stars in movies back to back, but it had me wonder about both of these fellas in relative comparison to their fellow MMC alumni. Now rather you agree with it or not, the New Mickey Mouse Club which ran from the late eighties to the mid nineties was one of the best launching pads for a diverse group of stars since the Brat Pack. And very much like the Brat Pack each of its members have had varying degrees of success.
Ryan Gosling and Justin Timberlake may have been the two most unlikely candidates for most successful former mouseketeer, but nevertheless I believe their impact on pop culture is greater than the sum of their former club cast mates.
Christina Aguilera has had a career resurgence of sorts on NBC's The Voice that ran this past spring, but before then she was destined to becoming a tabloid punchline for boozing. Not that I'm trying to downplay her amazing voice, but it seemed like the instant success of her first album had her trying to search for artistic freedom and sexual independence in ways that were at times brash rather than unique. She also tried acting in Burlesque starring alongside Cher, but with disastrous results. I hope after this new found popularity that she'll focus on her true talent which is that mind blowing voice.
JC Chasez, (aka the other dude in *NSYNC) tried to go solo right after Justin but he obviously became a victim of the curse of the second banana. His voice was more layered and dynamic than Timberlake's but his ability to shape shift wasn't as savvy as his old friend's. Now every season on America's Best Dance Crew he serves as the Simon to Lil' Mama's Paula, but nonetheless has remained visible.
Britney Spears who at one point was the most famous ex-mouseketeer, has gone from peak to valley and back again. There's no denying her impact on popular culture but beyond her music she hasn't extended herself in the way many people first envisioned her. While many did say she was the next Madonna, however I think in many ways she has rebounded in such a way to make her a very potent force in her own unique way.
This brings me back to JT and Gosling. They're both very easy on the eyes and very talented but as I said they were the ones who weren't supposed to succeed.
Being in a boy band is the surefire way to end up on a season of Celebrity Rehab, but Justin Timberlake took everyone's miscalculations and made sure we would remember him as more than that dude with crazy hair from *NSYNC. He took the path of someone who was still wanting to be challenged by his work, not always going for convention. Even in movies, he didn't want to be in The Notebook. It as obviously paid off because he's exceeded everyone's expectations and then some.
And then there was the dude from The Notebook. Ryan Gosling took smaller parts and blew up as Noah but after which he decidedly took smaller and weightier roles such as his brilliant performance in Half Nelson. But he might be setting himself up for even greater success in Crazy Stupid Love by charming us.I think the distinction of being the first Academy Award nominated mouseketeer is in great hands.
Yet if you really want to know why these two are as successful as they are the proof is in the pudding. If you look at any of the YouTube clips of the MMC days, you can see who the camera loves them. This is particularly evident in a cover of Cry for You by Jodeci they share lead on. The charm, the charisma, and the hair was already there, they were just waiting on us to notice.
Back to Black
As I'm writing at this moment, it is a gray and rainy Sunday afternoon. Not unlike many Sunday afternoons in London. But today has to be different for the Winehouse family as they await for their 27-year-old daughter's body to be autopsied. I'm sure that they hoped that it would be her doing this to them and not the other way around, but unfortunately as many of us know, tragedy doesn't discriminate or acquiesce into what we believe should happen.
From the moment she emerged on the cultural landscape in America five years ago, Amy Winehouse had already attained cult status. Cult status being that her voice and her music had instantly made her an iconoclast in contrast to her peers. While she is credited with being the face of the new millennium British Soul invasion, it was her disregard for pop star conventions that made her stand out in America. She was visibly clad with several tattoos, had a beehive that seemed to go on forever, and her public appearances made obvious that she wasn't coached by a team how to act. But looking back it is all a haunting reminder of how what the public fell in love with was an illusion to hide years of pain.
Anyone who has even casually heard "Rehab" knows that song is powerful in a unique way, but now it's haunting. One lyric: "There's nothing you can't teach me/That I can't learn from Mr. Hathaway" keeps going in my head. Mr. Hathaway refers to tragic soul legend Donny Hathaway who died in his early thirties after being ravaged by schizophrenia. His death was so shocking that it was hard at the time for anyone to imagine it happening. Flash forward over thirty years later, you heard comments from people saying it was almost expected she die young. Is this a sad commentary on society's expectations for some celebrities or a wake up call to how drugs affect even the brightest talents.
There's no denying that Amy used her voice to capture the rawness of her pain, but relied on drugs to numb it. Like so many people who constantly felt pain, the only way she could live inevitably was to kill herself slowly. Josh Groban's tweet expressed it best when he said that she was already gone before she actually died. Drugs and music unfortunately have their own overly cliched catchphrase. Yet as time moved on drug use became more hidden because many people saw it as wrong and it became criminalized in the Reagan era. And the music industry with advent of MTV became more visual. But as anyone knows drugs never disappeared, they just got more high tech.
Sure no one was singing about them, but they were there. And even now as we joke about the casual use of marijuana of artists such as Snoop Dogg and Willie Nelson, the darker demons of drugs still linger. Wouldn't it have been nice to see Amy Winehouse mature and go to rehab to produce more music? Wouldn't it have been nice to see Nirvana make another record and then breakup? Or how about Janis Joplin singing at the Grammys before receiving a lifetime achievement awards? While these things can never be answered, I really would have like to have not been writing about another member who joins the tragic 27 club.
From the moment she emerged on the cultural landscape in America five years ago, Amy Winehouse had already attained cult status. Cult status being that her voice and her music had instantly made her an iconoclast in contrast to her peers. While she is credited with being the face of the new millennium British Soul invasion, it was her disregard for pop star conventions that made her stand out in America. She was visibly clad with several tattoos, had a beehive that seemed to go on forever, and her public appearances made obvious that she wasn't coached by a team how to act. But looking back it is all a haunting reminder of how what the public fell in love with was an illusion to hide years of pain.
Anyone who has even casually heard "Rehab" knows that song is powerful in a unique way, but now it's haunting. One lyric: "There's nothing you can't teach me/That I can't learn from Mr. Hathaway" keeps going in my head. Mr. Hathaway refers to tragic soul legend Donny Hathaway who died in his early thirties after being ravaged by schizophrenia. His death was so shocking that it was hard at the time for anyone to imagine it happening. Flash forward over thirty years later, you heard comments from people saying it was almost expected she die young. Is this a sad commentary on society's expectations for some celebrities or a wake up call to how drugs affect even the brightest talents.
There's no denying that Amy used her voice to capture the rawness of her pain, but relied on drugs to numb it. Like so many people who constantly felt pain, the only way she could live inevitably was to kill herself slowly. Josh Groban's tweet expressed it best when he said that she was already gone before she actually died. Drugs and music unfortunately have their own overly cliched catchphrase. Yet as time moved on drug use became more hidden because many people saw it as wrong and it became criminalized in the Reagan era. And the music industry with advent of MTV became more visual. But as anyone knows drugs never disappeared, they just got more high tech.
Sure no one was singing about them, but they were there. And even now as we joke about the casual use of marijuana of artists such as Snoop Dogg and Willie Nelson, the darker demons of drugs still linger. Wouldn't it have been nice to see Amy Winehouse mature and go to rehab to produce more music? Wouldn't it have been nice to see Nirvana make another record and then breakup? Or how about Janis Joplin singing at the Grammys before receiving a lifetime achievement awards? While these things can never be answered, I really would have like to have not been writing about another member who joins the tragic 27 club.
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