From Dolphin to Argonaut

Ricky Williams has the potential to be, and probably is, one of the best running backs in the NFL. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1998 and was a first round draft pick to the New Orleans Saints in 1999. The Miami Dolphins in many ways felt very lucky to get Williams in a trade in 2002.

But now he’s going to be playing with the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts.

Back in December, 2003 Williams failed an NFL drug test, testing positive for marijuana. This wasn’t Williams’ first failed drug test. He had failed a drug test soon after being drafted by the Dolphins. Williams was faced with a $650,000 fine and a four-game suspension going into the 2004-2005 football season. Rumored to have failed a third drug test, Williams announced his retirement.

Williams did return to the Dolphins in the 2005-2006 season, and immediately served his four game suspension. In February, 2006 it was revealed that Williams had failed yet another drug test which resulted in his being suspended from the NFL for one year, and has to apply for reinstatement by the NFL commissioner for the 2007 season.

In the meantime Ricky Williams didn’t want to stop playing football. He was offered a position with the Toronto Argonauts. After some back and forth the Dolphins agreed to allow Williams to play for the Argonauts. In addition, if the NFL at any point in the next year decides to terminate Williams’ contract then the Argonauts can pick him up outright.

But was this the right decision? I don’t want to deny anyone their livelihood, but at the same time is allowing Williams to play football in another league going against the original intent of the suspension? What lesson will Williams learn, if any?

Former Toronto Argonaut, Washington Redskins quarterback, and NFL MVP Joe Theismann has come forward criticizing the decision. He has gone so far as to say that he is embarrassed to have been a Toronto Argonaut because of the decision to allow Williams to play for them. He even calls Williams a “disgrace” and states that he “doesn’t deserve to play football.”

This really has become a hot button issue to many. Is it fair to let Williams play outside of the NFL once the NFL suspends him? Is it a slap in the face to the NFL rules and regulations? And what will happen if Williams tests positive while playing for the Argonauts (assuming that the CFL has drug testing)? Only time will tell.

“I Heard a Ruckus”

One of my most favorite movies of all time is The Breakfast Club. Released in 1985, this film followed five very different high school students as they spend a Saturday together in detention. After this Saturday together the lives of a jock, a weirdo, a nerd, a prom queen, and a criminal were forever changed for the better.

One of the greatest lines in the movie comes from vice-principal Richard Vernon. While addressing John Bender, the criminal played by Judd Nelson, Vernon says, “Don’t mess with the bull, young man. You’ll get the horns.” This is a classic movie line.

Today vice-principal Vernon’s portrayer, Paul Gleason, died at the age of 67. He died of mesothelioma, which is a rare form of lung cancer that is linked to asbestos.

Gleason has also appeared in many other films, including Van Wilder and Die Hard, as well as guest spots in dozens of television shows from the original Mission: Impossible through his most recent appearance on George Lopez. Gleason also made a classic appearance in Not Another Teen Movie where he parodied his Breakfast Club role.

Rest in Peace.

Comic Strip to Share

I must admit that I am in no way a fan of the comic strip Ziggy. However, I saw this strip yesterday and found it very funny in our current political climate. I hope you enjoy it too.

Loopholes

As someone who has called Indiana University my home for the last eight years I must admit that I have a great bit of interest in the school’s men’s basketball team. This used to be a basketball powerhouse known for its basketball greatness. This was the home of Bobby Knight for many years and the school has won a few national championships. Basketball here isn’t just a sport; for many it’s a religion.

All eyes have been on the basketball program as of late. Our last coach, Mike Davis, was the immediate successor to Bobby Knight. The deck seemed stacked against Davis from day 1. The Hoosiers that seem to bleed cream and crimson just didn’t seem to accept a coach that wasn’t Knight. Even though Davis had some early successes, including an appearance in the national championship game, the pressure was too much. During this past season Davis announced his resignation at the end of the 2005-2006 season.

Everyone wondered who would be the man to replace Davis. This past March it was announced that the coach from the University of Oklahoma, Kelvin Sampson, would be the next basketball coach.

The question was then asked, “Is this a good move?”

This is because Sampson brings with him the possibility of NCAA sanctions due to breaking recruitment rules. While Indiana University recently revealed that they had the option of canceling Sampson’s contract upon hearing what the NCAA sanctions were, many believed that they would not fire who they believed to be IU’s next great coach.

Yesterday those sanctions were handed down. Sampson is not allowed to recruit any potential players off of the IU campus and he is not allowed to telephone any possible recruits. Indiana University, who has not received an NCAA sanction since 1960, announced yesterday that this would not impact his contract.

Many would wonder why. The reason is that they language of the NCAA ruling has the potential for a great many loopholes. Sampson can’t recruit players off campus, but there is no reason that they can’t be brought to campus to talk to the coach. Sampson can’t call players, but he can e-mail or text message them asking them to call him on the basketball program’s 800-number. Or, for that matter, an assistant coach can call the recruit and then hand the phone over to Sampson.

While I’m a big supporter of IU basketball, and I am hopeful that Sampson will return the basketball to national greatness, does a manipulation of these NCAA sanctions take away the spirit of the punishment and possibly tarnish Sampson’s reputation further? And in turn, could it possibly harm the reputation of IU and its basketball program?

NBC 2006-2007 Season Redux

As I reported last week, all of the major broadcast networks revealed their upcoming fall season of programs during the upfront presentations. NBC went first on Monday, revealing what they hoped to be the slate of programs that would ensure their improving on their current standing as the fourth ranked television networks in the ratings.

Then, as the week progressed, the other networks revealed their schedules.

And then officials at NBC panicked.

NBC had hoped to debut one of their most anticipated new series, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Thursdays at 9pm. NBC knew going in that it would be a competitive timeslot going up against CSI on CBS. But when ABC revealed that they were moving hit drama Grey’s Anatomy into that timeslot as well, NBC knew that they needed to do something to protect their new show.

Today NBC announced a complete revamp of their fall schedule, the first time a network has had to do such a thing. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip has been moved to Mondays at 10pm. The original occupant of that timeslot was Medium. That program will now not debut until midseason. This left a slot open on the fall schedule. Now, instead of coming back at midseason, Crossing Jordan will debut their new season in September.

While NBC was at it many of their other programs were shifted around as well.

If you’d like to see what NBC’s original plan was, click here to read my original blog entry about it. Here’s is NBC’s new plan, with the timeslot changes noted.


Monday:

8pm-9pm Deal or No Deal

9pm-10pm Heroes

10pm-11pm Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (moved from Thursdays at 9pm)


Tuesday:

8pm-9pm Friday Night Lights

9pm-10pm Law & Order: Criminal Intent (moved from Fridays at 10pm)

10pm-11pm Law & Order: Special Victims Unit


Wednesdays:

8pm-8:30pm 20 Good Years (moved from Wednesdays at 9pm)

8:30pm-9pm 30 Rock (moved from Wednesdays at 9:30pm)

9pm-10pm The Biggest Loser (moved from Wednesdays at 8pm)

10pm-11pm Kidnapped (moved from Tuesdays at 9pm)


Thursdays:

8pm-8:30pm My Name is Earl

8:30pm-9pm The Office

9pm-10pm Deal or No Deal (moved from Fridays at 8pm)

10pm-11pm ER


Fridays:

8pm-9pm Crossing Jordan (moved to debut from midseason)

9pm-10pm Las Vegas

10pm-11pm Law & Order (moved from Wednesdays at 10pm)


Saturdays:

8pm-9pm Dateline NBC

9pm-11pm Drama Series Encores


Sundays:

7pm-11pm Football Night in America & Sunday Night Football

Qualifying Exams

For those of you out there wondering, I have made through my four days of qualifying exams.

While it was a grueling process, it turns out that it was not as bad as I had made it out to be in my head.

Granted I did end up writing 61 pages worth of answers, but I shocked even myself by what I actually had learned over the past four years.

Now I only have to wait 12 days until I have to defend my answers to my committee! Hopefully after those 12 days I'll be able to say that my status has changed from being a "doctoral student" to a "doctoral candidate."

American Idol Indifference

For the past three television seasons I’ve anxiously spent the final week of May sweeps anticipating the American Idol finale and voting for the singer that I thought would win. (I didn't watch the innaugural season.) Once I voted for the eventual winner, and the other times I didn’t.

In 2003 I called numerous times in order to cast as many votes as possible for Clay Aiken to defeat Ruben Studdard. It turns out the audience and I disagreed, and Ruben ended up walking away with the title of American Idol.

2004 was the year that I actually got it right. Fantasia Barrino was my vote getter, and she prevailed over runner-up Diana DeGarmo.

Then along came 2005. It was a great singing duel between country crooner Carrie Underwood and rocker Bo Bice. I sent many a vote Bo’s way, but Carrie was the eventual winner.

Fast forward to 2006 and the current season of American Idol. I had two favorites all along, and I really did believe that they would be the final two contestants. The final four contestants were the unique Taylor Hicks, “funky white boy” Elliott Yamin, soulful rocker Chris Daughtry, and well-trained Katharine McPhee. I thought that I had actually predicted it right. Elliott was the one singer that had shown consistent growth throughout the competition while Chris was the one who stayed true to himself and who he is throughout. I just knew that they would be competing against each other in the final two.

Then two weeks ago Chris was shockingly eliminated. He, along with his legions of fans, was rightfully shocked. This was followed by last week’s elimination of Elliott, who was voted out by less than a half percent of the vote.

This leaves us with a finale between Taylor and Katharine. I’ve thought all along that Katharine was a great singer but didn’t have much personality, while I thought Taylor had a strange style and not a lot of substance.

So I’m faced with the final performances tonight, and truth be told I don’t really care who wins. I don’t believe that either one is capable of succeeding in the music world. I see this season’s winner going the path of Ruben Studdard, immediate success but nothing long term, rather than the path of first season winner Kelly Clarkson, who has had continued success ever since her win.

I hate to have to ask, but is it too early to starting rooting for next season's American Idol to come?

A First for Women's Basketball

In an unprecedented move for women’s basketball, the sport now has its first million dollar coach.

Million dollar salaries for the coaches of men’s basketball teams are common. Coaches of major universities and the NBA have very lucrative deals. This trend had yet reached women’s basketball until now.

Pat Summitt, the coach of the University of Tennessee’s Lady Vols and the winningest coach ever in all of college basketball, yesterday became women’s basketball first coach to make more than a million dollars a year.

In Summitt’s six year contract, she will start off making $1.125 million the first year. That is $325,000 for her base salary, $350,000 in TV and radio deals, $300,000 in endorsement deals, and $150,000 in public relations funds. By the sixth year on her contract, for the 2011-2012 season, Summitt will be making $1.5 million.

There are also potentials for bonuses in her contract. These bonuses include:

-$10,000 for having a graduation success rate of 80%
-$15,000 for the team having a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
-$25,000 for being named the SEC Coach of the Year
-$50,000 for being named the National Coach of the Year
-$75,000 for being the SEC regular-season or tournament champion
-$100,000 for a Final Four appearance
-$250,000 for winning a national championship

This is an amazing feat in women’s basketball, and a great achievement for Summitt who interestingly started with this program as a graduate assistant making $250 a month.

Back on the Road to the Top

As I wrote in this blog previously, Martina Hingis in January 2006 made her march back toward being the number one women’s tennis player in the world.

Hingis retired nearly three years before due to severe knee and ankle injuries. But the call of the game that she loves was too strong and Hingis decided to return.

Today Hingis won her first tournament back. Yesterday, during the semifinal round of the Italian Open, Hingis came back from being one set down to beat the world’s twelfth ranked player Venus Williams. She then followed that up by defeating the world’s nineteenth Dinara Safina to win the title.

This was Hingis’ 41st championship title, and her second ever Italian Open. However, this was her first title since winning a tournament in Tokyo more than four years ago.

This tournament win should propel Hingis up to fourteenth in the world and give her some great momentum heading into the French Open starting May 28th.

It appears to be only the beginning of the winning trends for one of the greatest women’s tennis players today.

Hurdle Is Coming Closer and I Need to Get Ready to Jump

I am faced with the biggest hurdle of my academic career. I’ve mentioned it here before. But now it is nearly upon me.

I am three days away from taking my qualifying/comprehensive exams.

If all goes well, once the process is complete, I will finish being a doctoral student and I will officially be a doctoral candidate.

If it doesn’t go well, I’ve got a few weeks to prepare to take them again.

Comprehensive exams are an excruciating process that nearly every PhD student must endure. Different departments and different schools have differing procedures when it comes to these exams. My exams will take place over four consecutive days. I will be placed in a room for four hours on each of these days. All that will be in the room besides me is a desk, a chair, and a laptop computer without Internet access. I will be presented with 1-3 questions on a broad topic and I have to answer all of the questions in the four hours without any assistance.

On day 1 I will be dealing with questions based on my specialization. Earlier in my PhD career I completed a program of study that was based off of my research interests and the topics that I specifically wanted to study. The questions on day 1 will be based on this academic plan.

On day 2 I will be answering questions based on what we call “core.” “Core” will likely entail a question from a class I took my first semester in the graduate program that took a look at the philosophical foundations of science. In addition I will have a question based on a class about theory that I took.

Day 3 is a day on methodology. I took a basic course on methodology many semesters ago. In addition I have taken many more methodologically based courses along the way (psychophysiological methods, audience analysis, message analysis, etc.). The questions on this day will test what I have learned in these classes.

Finally, on day 4, I will be tests on my minor. I actually have two minors: cognitive science and gender studies. Gender studies do not require an exam, and for this reason my committee member from the gender studies department chose to opt out of this process. Therefore I will be tested on this day solely about my very basic knowledge of cognitive science and how it relates to my primary studies, mass communications.

I have a feeling that it is going to be an arduous week next week. I just hope that I have the mental and physical strength (especially after having a 101.5 degree temperature on Wednesday) to get through it.

The CW 2007-2007 Season

In the final upfront announcements of the week, the CW announced their fall schedule.

The CW is the new network that will feature programming from the WB and UPN television networks.

Shows not making the cut from the two networks onto the new amalgamated network include the WB’s Charmed and Everwood as well as UPN’s Half & Half and Cuts.

Also, in surprise moves, shows that were believed to be gone from the fall schedule have now been resurrected, including 7th Heaven and Reba (which will show-up midseason).

Here’s a night-by-night look at what the CW fall schedule is for the 2006-2007 television season, including a brief description for each of the new series. All times listed are Eastern.


Mondays:

8pm-9pm 7th Heaven

9pm-10pm Runaway

In this drama a family is forced to go on the run after the father is framed for murder. Starring Donnie Wahlberg (Boomtown) and Leslie Hope (24).


Tuesdays:

8pm-9pm Gilmore Girls

9pm-10pm Veronica Mars


Wednesdays:

8pm-9pm America’s Top Model/Beauty and the Geek

9pm-10pm One Tree Hill


Thursdays:

8pm-9pm Smallville

9pm-10pm Supernatural


Fridays:

8pm-10pm WWE Friday Night Smackdown


Sundays:

7pm-7:30pm Everybody Hates Chris

7:30pm-8pm All of Us

8pm-8:30pm Girlfriends

8:30pm-9pm The Game

This spin-off of the hit sitcom Girlfriends features a group of women who are friends and whose husbands are all professional football players. Starring Coby Bell (Third Watch) and Tia Mowry (Sister, Sister).

9pm-10pm America's Next Top Model Repeats

Also slated for midseason is Hidden Palms. This drama examines how a picture-perfect neighborhood may not be so "picture-perfect" after all.

FOX 2006-2007 Season

Today marks day four of the upfronts. So far this week we’ve seen the fall schedules for NBC, ABC and CBS. Today the FOX network announced their slate of programs for the 2006-2007 season.

Shows such as Malcolm in the Middle and That ‘70s Show ended their long runs on FOX this year.

Similar to their announcements in recent years, FOX announced two schedules. They have broken their schedule up with their Fall schedule and their January schedule.

Here’s a night-by-night look at what the Fox fall schedule is for the 2006-2007 television season, including a brief description for each of the new series. All times listed are Eastern.


Mondays:

8pm-9pm Prison Break

9pm-10pm Vanished

The young wife of a Georgia senator goes missing, but before the FBI can find where she is that have to figure out who she really is. Viewers will see the mystery through the eyes of Senior FBI Agent Graham Kelton and reporter Judy Nash. All the while the FBI uncover clues that the woman’s disappearance may actually be a part of a much large conspiracy. Starring Gale Harold (Queer as Folk), Rebecca Gayheart (Nip/Tuck) and Ming-Na (ER).


Tuesdays:

8pm-9pm Standoff

This drama follows Matt Flannery and Emily Lehman, the top negotiators in the FBI’s Crime Negotiation Unit. They are at the top of their game, but are keeping their sexual relationship a secret. Their secret is uncovered when Matt reveals their relationship to the entire world during a hostage standoff. This public revelation caused friction between them and problems with their boss and colleagues. Starring Ron Livingston (Sex and the City) and Gina Torres (Firefly).

9pm-10pm House


Wednesdays:

8pm-9pm Bones

9pm-10pm Justice

The newest drama from Jerry Bruckheimer, the man behind CSI and Without a Trace. This series will examine a behind-the-scenes look at how high profile cases are tried in the current media age. Four lawyers with different backgrounds team together to try some of the most controversial and newsworthy cases. These four make themselves indispensable to their law firm due to each of their individual skills. Ron Turk is the face of the law firm, seen all over the nation on every news and talk show, but juries hate him. For this reason he has to depend on his team to bring in the desired verdicts. Starring Victor Garber (Alias), Kerr Smith (Dawson’s Creek) and Eamonn Walker (Oz).


Thursdays:

8pm-8:30pm ‘Til Death

This comedy looks at the marriages of two couples. The Woodcocks are young newlyweds of 12 days who live next door to the Stamms, a couple who have been married for 8,743 days and counting. It is a series about keeping the romance alive and maintaining a relationship with the person you love. Starring Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond) and Joely Fisher (Ellen).

8:30pm-9pm Happy Hour

Henry Beckman was on top of the world. He had a great job, the perfect girlfriend, and an awesome apartment. Then his girlfriend convinces him to move from their Missouri town to Chicago to work for her uncle. Then one day Henry’s girlfriend dumps him, her uncle fires him, and he gets kicked out of his apartment. Henry then finds a new roommate, a vain rogue named Larry Cone. With Larry’s help Henry begins to rebuild his life and ends up meeting Amanda, who is a beautiful mess that is trying to emulate her hero, Kelly Ripa.

9pm-10pm The O.C.


Fridays:

8pm-9pm Nanny 911

9pm-10pm Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy


Saturdays:

8pm-8:30pm Cops

8:30pm-9pm Cops

9pm-10pm America’s Most Wanted: America Strikes Back


Sundays:

7pm-8pm NFL Football Overrun

8pm-8:30pm The Simpsons

8:30pm-9pm American Dad

9pm-9:30pm Family Guy

9:30pm-10pm The War at Home


Here’s a night-by-night look at what the Fox January schedule is for the 2006-2007 television season, including a brief description for each of the new series. All times listed are Eastern.


Mondays:

8pm-9pm Standoff

9pm-10pm 24


Tuesdays:

8pm-9pm American Idol

9pm-10pm House


Wednesdays:

8pm-9pm Justice

9pm-9:30pm American Idol

9:30pm-10pm The Loop


Thursdays:

8pm-8:30pm ‘Til Death

8:30pm-9pm Happy Hour

9pm-10pm The O.C.


Fridays:

8pm-9pm Bones

9pm-10pm The Wedding Album

This drama looks at the one person that sees all of the ups and downs at a wedding, the wedding photographer. Tony Zutto works every high profile wedding and is in very high demand. But just because he attends weddings doesn’t mean that he himself is ready to get married. Tony relishes his role as a serial bachelor, until he hires his new assistant. Milla Cavendish is a British woman who keeps Tony on his toes who may eventually capture his heart. Starring Bruno Campos (Nip/Tuck).


Saturdays:

8pm-8:30pm Cops

8:30pm-9pm Cops

9pm-10pm America’s Most Wanted: America Strikes Back


Sundays:

7pm-7:30pm Comedy Reruns

7:30pm-8pm King of the Hill

8pm-8:30pm The Simpsons

8:30pm-9pm American Dad

9pm-9:30pm Family Guy

9:30pm-10pm The War at Home


Though currently unscheduled, the following series are set to appear during the fall season:

The Winner

In this sitcom, 43-year old Glenn Abbott, who happens to be incredibly rich and successful, looks back to 1994. Back in 1994 this man was still living with his parents, but attempts to makes something of himself when the only woman he has ever kissed comes back to town. Driven by the desire to capture this woman’s heart Glenn begins his transformation into the most successful man in Buffalo. Starring Rob Corddry (The Daily Show) and Julie Hagerty (Airplane!).

Duets

In this reality program, produced by Simon Cowell (American Idol), an established singing star will be paired with someone from outside the music industry to compete as duos for charity. The show will show the professional singers teaching their partners, choosing the right songs, and performing in front of judges and a live studio audience. After each episode viewers will vote for their favorite duets.

Though currently unscheduled the following series are set to appear during the January season:

On the Lot

In the most recent reality program from Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice), he joins forces with Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan, Munich) to find the one filmmaker that will rise above all their competition and win a studio development deal. Each week teams of contestants will make a short film in an assigned genre, with one member of the team as the director and the rest of the team as producers. Each film will be shown and critiqued in front of a live studio audience and judged by a motion picture executive, a film critic, and guest judges. But it will be the television viewers that will vote on the better of the two films. The director of the losing film will be sent home.

CBS 2006-2007 Season

All week I have been covering the upfront announcements from the broadcast television networks. Monday I reported on NBC’s fall schedule. Yesterday was ABC. Today CBS revealed what was in store for its viewers during the 2006-2007 television season.

Not returning to the CBS slate of programming includes first season series Threshold and Love Monkey and long running series such as Yes, Dear.

In a move that NBC and ABC have done in season’s past, CBS is abandoning the Sunday night television movie. Movies have been a staple for CBS on Sunday nights for 20 years, but with sliding ratings for made-for-television movies they felt their best bet would be to schedule original series during those times.

In addition, long running sitcom The King of Queens will return as a midseason replacement.

Here’s a night-by-night look at what the CBS schedule for the 2006-2007 television season has in store, including a brief description for each of the new series. All times listed are Eastern.


Mondays:

8pm-8:30pm How I Met Your Mother

8:30pm-9pm The Class

A sitcom in which a group of 20-somethings are bound together because they were in the same third grade class. They come together for the 20th anniversary of when they all met. They share childhood memories and the issues that they are facing as adults, and end up strengthening friendships and bonds after nearly two decades apart. Starring Jason Ritter (Joan of Arcadia).

9pm-9:30pm Two and a Half Men

9:30pm-10pm The New Adventures of Old Christine

10pm-11pm CSI: Miami


Tuesdays:

8pm-9pm NCIS

9pm-10pm The Unit

10pm-11pm Smith

This drama looks at a group of career criminals who perform high-stakes robberies around the country. Bobby Stevens appears to be a typical husband and father, but in truth he is a thief looking to score just a few more big jobs so that he can leave this life behind and live a comfortable lifestyle. The FBI is determined to catch Stevens and his crew, but ultimately they want to catch “Smith,” the mastermind and leader of the criminal operation. Starring Ray Liotta (Goodfellas) and Virginia Madsen (Sideways).


Wednesdays:

8pm-9pm Jericho

This drama looks they aftermath in a Kansas town when a nuclear mushroom cloud appears on the horizon. The people of the town of Jericho do not know if anyone else is alive, and it is made worse when all communication and power is shut down. The town starts to come apart, and some citizens become paranoid that their personal secrets will come forward while others find the strength to be heroes. Starring Skeet Ulrich (Scream) and Gerald McRaney (Major Dad).

9pm-10pm Criminal Minds

10pm-11pm CSI: NY


Thursdays:

8pm-9pm Survivor

9pm-10pm CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

10pm-11pm Shark

In this drama Sebastian Stark, a ruthless defense attorney, comes to a personal epiphany and decides to become a prosecutor. He brings his cutthroat tactics to this office where he works for an ambitious D.A. who despises him and his strategies. Stark is teamed with a group of your prosecutors in order for the young lawyers to learn from his experience while it is hoped that Stark will reform his underhanded approach. Starring James Woods (Ghosts of Mississippi) and Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Voyager).


Fridays:

8pm-9pm Ghost Whisperer

9pm-10pm Close to Home

10pm-11pm Numb3rs


Saturdays:

8pm-9pm Crimetime Saturday

9pm-10pm Crimetime Saturday

10pm-11pm 48 Hours: Mystery


Sundays:

7pm-8pm 60 Minutes

8pm-9pm The Amazing Race

9pm-10pm Cold Case

10pm-11pm Without a Trace


Also announced were mid-season series in development that will appear later in the 2006-2007 season.

Comedy coming mid-season:

Rules of Engagement

This sitcom follows two couples and a single guy as they navigate the trials and tribulations of dating, engagement and marriage. Starring Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld).


Dramas coming mid-season:

3 LBS

A medical series about neurosurgeons. Starring Stanley Tucci (The Terminal).

Waterfront

A drama about the colorful mayor of Providence, Rhode Island. Starring Joe Pantoliano (The Sopranos).

ABC 2006-2007 Season

As I mentioned yesterday, this week marks the week that the broadcast television networks reveal their programming for the upcoming fall season. These announcements are called the upfronts. This is the first opportunity that advertisers and critics get to see the new programs.

Yesterday NBC revealed their schedules. Today is ABC’s turn.

Previous ABC series that didn’t make it to the fall schedule include freshman programs Invasion and Commander in Chief as well as longer running programs Hope & Faith.

In a big gamble, ABC is moving hit program Grey’s Anatomy from its Sundays at 10pm slot to Thursdays at 9pm, where it will face off with CBS’ juggernaut CSI and NBC’s much anticipated Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.

Here’s a night-by-night look at what the ABC schedule for the 2006-2007 television season has in store, including a brief description for each of the new series. All times listed are Eastern. (In the time slots that feature more than one program, the program listed second will air after the preceding program’s limited episode run.)


Mondays:

8pm-9pm Wife Swap

9pm-10pm The Bachelor/Supernanny

10pm-11pm What About Brian


Tuesdays:

8pm-9pm Dancing with the Stars/
Set for the Rest of Your Life

A game show in which contestants play for the highest possible monthly check that they could receive every month for the rest of their lives. First they compete for the amount of the check. It could be $50, $500, or even over $10,000 a month. Next they have to compete for how long they will receive the monthly payments. Will it be for just one month, every month for a year, every month for ten years, or possibly every month for the rest of their lives? The biggest twist is that the contestant’s partner, who is off stage in a sound-proof isolation booth, could assist in making the contestant’s dream come true or turn it all horribly wrong.

9pm-9:30pm Let’s Rob…

In this comedy, Eugene Gurkin is a janitor with bigger dreams. He wants to open a bar of his own. The only problem is that his janitorial job won’t allow him to make the money necessary to start his dream. After the death of a coworker, and after watching some television, Eugene has an idea about how to help himself. He recruits a group of “misfits” in order to plan and execute a heist that will make all of their dreams come true. They plan to rob the apartment of rock legend Mick Jagger. What ends up happening is that these individuals end up finding friendship and confidence within each other. Starring Donal Logue (Grounded for Life) and featuring a cameo by Mick Jagger himself.

9:30pm-10pm Help Me Help You

This comedy looks at a group therapy session and their leader. Their leader, Dr. Bill Hoffman, is a well respected celebrity due to his authorship of an incredibly popular series of self-help books. But this façade hides the fact that Dr. Hoffman is probably the one most in need of mental help. Starring Ted Danson (Cheers) and guest starring Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle).

10pm-11pm Boston Legal


Wednesdays:

8pm-9pm Dancing With the Stars/
George Lopez (8pm-8:30pm), According to Jim (8:30pm-9pm)

9pm-10pm Lost

10pm-11pm The Nine

This drama looks at the relationships built between nine people after they endure a 52-hour hostage standoff inside a bank. Not everyone escapes the bank alive. These people will share a bond that will carry through their ordeal in the bank and into the outside world. Starring Tim Daly (Wings), Chi McBride (Boston Public), and Scott Wolf (Party of Five).


Thursdays:

8pm-8:30pm Big Day

This comedy examines the biggest day in many individuals’ lives: their wedding day. The entire season takes place on Danny and Alice’s wedding day, and the trials and tribulations the groom, bride, and their families must endure while getting the ceremony to happen. Starring Marla Sokoloff (The Practice) and Wendie Malick (Just Shoot Me).

8:30pm-9pm Notes from the Underbelly

Andrew and Lauren are going to have a baby, but want to try to keep it a secret. However, changing their everyday habits is making it very difficult to keep it from family and friends. Once the secret is out they realize that dealing with the help and advice is just as difficult as parenthood itself.

9pm-10pm Grey’s Anatomy

10pm-11pm Six Degrees

In this drama six New Yorkers go about their daily lives without every realizing that they are having an impact on each other. With each subsequent coincidence these six individuals are brought closer and closer to each other. Is what happens to each of the six people fate or some greater force guiding their lives?


Fridays:

8pm-9pm Betty the Ugly

Betty Suarez, a slightly plump plain girl, is hired as the assistant to the publisher of a fashion magazine. She is hired because she is the one woman that the publisher will not sleep with. Betty’s spirit and ideas win the publisher over and they make a great team against the world of fashion that wants to see them fail.

9pm-10pm Men in Trees

Marin Frist is the author of two best selling self-help books about how to make you happy. While Marin is able to give advice, she doesn’t actually follow it. She learns that her fiancé has cheated on her and the wedding is cancelled. On a trip to Alaska, during a snowstorm, she is stranded in a small town full of available men. Her friends offer her long distance support as she starts to follow some of her own advice. Now the only problem she has is the raccoon living in her hotel room. Starring Anne Heche (Nip/Tuck).

10pm-11pm 20/20


Saturdays:

8pm-11pm ABC Saturday Night College Football

ABC features one spectacular college football game each week.

Sundays:

7pm-8pm America’s Funniest Home Videos

8pm-9pm Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

9pm-10pm Desperate Housewives

10pm-11pm Brothers & Sisters

In this drama the adult children of William Walker gather together for a birthday party that ends up changing their lives. Kitty has a great job offer in New York City, but her Los Angeles boyfriend has just proposed. Thomas & Sarah decide to join together to save the family business. Kevin is shocked to hear that his ex-wife is moving their sox to Texas. Justin, a Gulf War vet, has finally stopped smoking but has to deal with some other addictions. And all six kids start to learn some of the family secrets that threaten to tear all of their lives apart. Starring Calista Flockhart (Ally McBeal), Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under), and Ron Rifkin (Alias).

Also announced were mid-season series in development that will appear later in the 2006-2007 season.

Comedies coming mid-season:

In Case of Emergency

Four friends from high school start to realize that their lives have not taken the paths that they had originally planned. Sherman learns that his wife left him and cleaned out their bank accounts. Financial whiz Jason is facing a fraud indictment. Harry, who was recently divorced, goes for a “massage” only to find that his “masseuse” is high school friend Kelly, who was the class valedictorian. Emergencies bring these four friends back together and they realize that they can still depend on each other. Starring David Arquette (Scream), Greg Germann (Ally McBeal), Lori Loughlin (Full House), and Jonathan Silverman (The Single Guy).

Dramas coming mid-season:

Day Break

Detective Brett Hopper is having a horrible day, and he keeps living the same day over and over again. Detective Hopper is accused of killing the assistant DA, but he has an alibi that no one believes. When he decides to go on the run he realizes that his family is in danger too. Every night he goes to sleep and when he wakes up he’s living the exact same day. The only way to break this vicious cycle is to learn who is framing him for the murder. Starring Taye Diggs (Rent).

Traveler

Two friends from grad school are about to leave for summer vacation when a rollerblading prank through a famous New York City museum makes two of them prime suspects in a terrorist bombing of that same museum moments later. Hopeful that their friend Will will be able to clear them of the charges, Jay and Tyler learn that Will is missing and may be dead. The friends are unable to go to the authorities when they realize that they can not even prove that Will exists. In every photo that they have of him from the past two years his face is blocked. These students are pawns in a great conspiracy that may take years to figure out.

Alternative/Reality Programs coming mid-season:

Greg Behrendt’s Wake-Up Call

Greg Behrendt, author of the book He’s Just Not That Into You, will help one couple in each episode through their issues and give them the tools to help.

Just for Laughs

A hidden-camera comedy series that "cuts across cultural boundaries by appealing to viewers of all ages and demographics."

NBC 2006-2007 Season

This week marks the annual television network upfronts. It is at these upfronts that the television networks announce their fall slate of shows. It is the first opportunity for advertisers to see what programs will be returning to the networks, what series that have been on the air have finally been cancelled, and what new shows have been picked up. Many advertising deals are set-up during this week for the following fall season while network executives attempt to sell the viability of their programming to potential advertisers.

Today NBC was the first television network to reveal its upcoming schedule.

Previous and current NBC series that didn’t make it to the fall schedule include Conviction, Joey, and Surface.

Here’s a night-by-night look at what the NBC schedule for the 2006-2007 television season has in store, including a brief description for each of the new series. All times listed are Eastern.

Mondays:

8pm-9pm Deal or No Deal

9pm-10pm Heroes

A drama about the lives of ordinary people who turn out to have extraordinary abilities. These extraordinary people include a politician’s brother who has the ability to fly, a cheerleader who turns out to be indestructible, an artist that can predict the future through his paintings, a police office that can hear other people’s thoughts, and a young man who can stop time. These individuals end up being brought together to save the world.

10pm-11pm Medium


Tuesdays:

8pm-9pm Friday Night Lights

Inspired by the hit film of the same name, this drama follows a small Texas town and their passion for its top ranked high school football team. Starring Kyle Chandler (King Kong).

9pm-10pm Kidnapped

A thriller in which the teenaged son of a wealthy family is kidnapped, and everyone is a possible suspect. The cast includes Dana Delany (China Beach), Jeremy Sisto (Six Feet Under), and Timothy Hutton (Kinsey).

10pm-11pm Law & Order: Special Victims Unit


Wednesdays:

8pm-9pm The Biggest Loser

9pm-9:30pm 20 Good Years

Comedy that follows two New Yorkers that realize that life doesn’t last forever. The two friends are complete opposites, but agree that they only have about 20 good years left and decide to live each day as if it were their last. Starring John Lithgow (3rd Rock from the Sun) and Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development).

9:30pm-10pm 30 Rock

Comedy about the workplace happenings behind the scenes at a television variety show. Starring Alec Baldwin (The Aviator) and Saturday Night Live’s Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, and Rachel Dratch.

10pm-11pm Law & Order


Thursdays:

8pm-8:30pm My Name is Earl

8:30pm-9pm The Office

9pm-10pm Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Emmy Award-winning executive producers from The West Wing, Aaron Sorkin and Tommy Schlamme, helm this program about the drama behind the scenes of a popular, late-night comedy sketch show. Starring Amanda Peet (Syriana), Matthew Perry (Friends), Bradley Whitford (The West Wing), and D. L. Hughley (The Hughleys).

10pm-11pm ER


Fridays:

8pm-9pm Deal or No Deal

9pm-10pm Las Vegas

10pm-11pm Law & Order: Criminal Intent


Saturdays:

8pm-9pm Dateline NBC Saturday

9pm-11pm Drama Series Encores


Sundays:

7pm-8pm Football Night in America

8pm-11pm Sunday Night Football

NFL football comes to Sunday nights on NBC. Games start at 8pm with John Madden, preceded by a studio show hosted by Bob Costas, Cris Collinsworth, Jerome Bettis, and Sterling Sharpe.


Also announced were mid-season series in development and returning series that will appear later in the 2006-2007 season.

Returning mid-season will be fan favorites Crossing Jordan and Scrubs.

Comedies coming mid-season:

Andy Barker, P.I.

A successful CPA, who has succeeded at everything throughout his entire life, has his first failure: his new accounting business doesn’t take off. He is mistaken for a private investigator that used to occupy his business’ space, and takes the case. His wife supports his new endeavor, and his friends help him with the investigations. Starring Andy Richter (Late Night with Conan O’Brien).

The Singles Table

A group of strangers meet at a wedding, and all have in common the fact that they are each a party of one. These five individuals commiserate over their lonely status, and build friendship based on this. And some will become more than friends.

Dramas coming mid-season:

The Black Donnellys

A crime drama that follows four working-class Irish brothers and their involvement with New York City’s organized crime. These brothers do anything to protect each other, no matter the odds against them.

Raines

A police drama in which LAPD detective Michael Raines has detailed conversations with deceased crime victims. These conversations allow him to retrace the victims’ lives, up to their murders, and allow him to solve the cases. Starring Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park).

Quite Possibly the Best Ever

Annika Sorenstam is arguably the greatest female golfer of all time.

Sorenstam won an NCAA golf championship in 1991 while attending the University of Arizona. Since turning pro in 1993, Sorenstam has won 64 LPGA events, 10 Ladies European Tour events and 3 events co-sanctioned by both tours (the Evian Masters in 2000 and 2002 and the Women's British Open in 2003).

Yesterday, while competing at the Michelob Ultra Open at Kingsmill, Annika Sorenstam missed the cut. Sorenstam finished the second round of the event with a score of +4, placing her tied for 72nd. The cut ended up being set at +3, and the top 72 players went on to play in the third round.

This marked the first time since 2002, in 68 straight cuts, that Sorenstam did not make it through to the third day of play. This was only the second time in 143 events that Sorenstam did not make the cut, and the first time in 198 non-major events. The last time she did not make the cut in a non-major LPGA event was 1994.

It’s worth noting that the last time Sorenstam didn’t make the cut, at the 2002 Women's British Open, she followed that up with three straight victories. Also, she has won 27 of 65 events since then.

This is a true testament to the caliber of player that Sorenstam is. To be so successful for so long really does show that Sorenstam could be the best player in the history of the women’s game.

Distastefulness on Reality TV

It seems that every C- and D-list celebrity are either appearing on a reality show or getting a reality show of their own. We’ve had Tatum O’Neal Dancing with the Stars, Todd Bridges on Skating with Celebrities, and even Patti LaBelle on Celebrity Cooking Showdown. Those who have or have dad their own shows include Ozzy Osborne, Paris Hilton, and Bobby Brown.

Now we can add OJ Simpson to the list.

The program is Juiced with OJ Simpson. It is a hidden camera show in the vein of MTV’s Punk’d. In the program Simpson performs practical jokes and then reveals the prank by using his new catchphrase, “You’ve been juiced.”

The programs air strictly on InDemand pay-per-view television.

A recent prank, however, really is an example of the extreme distastefulness of some of OJ’s pranks. In the program OJ Simpson pretends to be selling the infamous white Bronco that the world saw Simpson riding during a slow speed chase in when the news broke that the police were looking for him in the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson, OJ’s ex-wife, and Ronald Goldman.

In the prank Simpson tells the person looking at the Bronco that he made the automobile famous. In fact, Simpson says that “It was good for me – it helped me get away.”

Granted Simpson was acquitted of the murder, though he was found guilty during a later civil trial which award $33.5 million dollars to the Brown and Goldman families.

I do not want to knock Simpson for attempting to make a living. If he wants to find success in the world of reality television, more power to him. But making the statements that he did and using the infamous Bronco in this way just seems reprehensible and an inappropriate way to do so.

2008 Election Polls

Today I read some very interesting polls about the upcoming 2008 presidential election and possible candidates. These Diageo/Hotline polls, conducted by Financial Dynamics, give some very interesting scenarios for the future primary and presidential elections.

These polls first took all the possible challengers for the Republican and Democratic nominations and asked who the respondent would be most likely to vote for during primary season. Later, probable winners of each party’s nomination were pitted against each other for another survey.

For registered Democrats in the survey, they were asked, “If the 2008 Democratic presidential primary were held today, whom would you support if the candidates were [see list below]?” If the respondent said all of the candidates, the follow up question was, “If you absolutely had to choose, which one person would you support?”

Hillary Clinton (Senator from New York)-38%
John Kerry (Senator from Massachusetts)-14%
John Edwards (former Senator from North Carolina)-13%
Joe Biden (Senator from Delaware)-5%
Wesley Clark (retired 4-star Army General)-3%
Russ Feingold (Senator from Wisconsin)-3%
Bill Richardson (Governor of New Mexico)-2%
Mark Warner (former Governor from Virginia)-2%
Evan Bayh (Senator from Indiana)-1%
Tom Vilsack (Governor of Iowa)-0%
All of these-1%
None of these-5%
Unsure-12%

The follow-up question was, “Now, suppose the 2008 Democratic presidential primary were being held today between Hillary Clinton and [see names below], for whom would you vote?”

Hillary Clinton-57%, John Kerry-30%, Unsure-11%, Refused to Answer-3%

Hillary Clinton-52%, John Edwards-33%, Unsure-12%, Refused to Answer-3%

Hillary Clinton-66%, Mark Warner-15%, Unsure-17%, Refused to Answer-3%

Hillary Clinton-57%, Al Gore-29%, Unsure-12%, Refused to Answer-2%

Registered Republicans were asked the same question, but with possible Republican nominees. Here are the results of that poll.

John McCain (Senator from Arizona)-25%
Rudy Giuliani (former Mayor of New York City)-23%
Newt Gingrich (former Representative from Georgia)-7%
Bill Frist (Senator from Tennessee)-5%
Mitt Romney (Governor from Massachusetts)-4%
George Allen (Senator from Virginia)-3%
George Pataki (Governor from New York)-2%
Chuck Hagel (Senator from Nebraska)-1%
Tom Tancredo (Representative from Colorado)-1%
None of these-4%
Wouldn’t Vote-1%
Unsure-22%

The follow up question was, “Now suppose the 2008 Republican presidential primary were being held today between John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, for whom would you vote?” The results were:

Rudy Giuliani-42%, John McCain-40%, Unsure-14%, Refused to Answer-3%

Finally, when polls respondents were asked “Thinking ahead to 2008: If the next election for president were held today, and John McCain were the Republican candidate and Hillary Clinton were the Democratic candidate, for whom would you vote?” The results were:

John McCain-46%, Hillary Clinton-37%, Depends-3%, Neither-8%, Unsure-6%

Very interesting indeed.

Biweekly Update

For those wondering, I lost another 2.5 pounds this week.

This brings the grand total for the last 17 or 18 weeks to 45.5 pounds.

And I plan to keep going strong!

Big Love and Real Life

I have been pleasantly surprised by a new program that I have been watching this spring on HBO. Big Love didn’t seem like a show whose premise would be one that I enjoy. I have been pleasantly surprised.

The producers have said that Big Love is basically a drama about a family and their problems, as well as basic family values. The big twist is that they are not a traditional family. It is the story of a Utah polygamist and his daily dealings with his three wives, who all live next door to each other and share each others lives.

It is smartly written and superbly acted. In particular, Chloë Sevigny does an excellent job playing Nicki, the middle wife and shopaholic. The entire cast, which also includes Bill Paxton, Jean Tripplehorn, and Ginnifer Goodwin, make Big Love a compelling story and something that I can’t wait to turn in to every week.

However, this past week real life seemed to imitate reel life. The FBI placed Warren Jeffs, the leader of a polygamist sect in Utah, on their ten most wanted list. Jeffs is accused of arranging plural marriages between older men and under age girls. In addition he himself is accused of having relationships with underage girls as well. He was wanted in Utah and Arizona before the FBI stepped in and placed him on their ten most wanted list.

The Utah Attorney General is also looking into the finances of Jeffs’ Utah sect to see if there were any financial wrongdoings.

One of the main point plots on Big Love is the main character’s financial and personal struggles with a similar sect leader named Roman Grant, as played by Harry Dean Stanton. Roman leads a sect of followers who believe him to be their prophet; Roman sanctions marriages between underage girls and the males of his group. Roman’s most recent wife, of I believe 13 wives, is underage as well. (It also doesn’t help that Roman is the father of Nicki.) In the program the Utah Attorney General has begun looking into the dealings and finances of Roman and his group to see if there have been any illegal activities.

In hearing about the real life troubles of Jeffs I immediately thought that Big Love has further fodder to feed into Roman’s storyline during the program’s second season.

That's the Best?

Anyone who regularly reads this blog knows that I don’t usually tackle political topics. I’m not exactly sure why. With that being said, there was a story released today that I felt the need to comment on.

This past week President George W. Bush was interviewed by Bild am Sonntag, a weekly German newspaper. The interviewed was published in today’s edition.

President Bush was asked what the worst moment has been since January 2001, when he assumed the position of President. Unsurprisingly his response was when the hijacked planes crashed into the Pentagon and the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

What surprised me was President Bush’s response when asked what his best moment has been. He responded, “You know, I’ve experienced many great moments and it’s hard to name the best…I would say the best moment of all was when I caught a 7.5 pound (3.402 kilos) perch in my lake.”

Is he serious? In 5 ½ years the very best moment has been when he caught a fish? You’d think he might say something about the capture of Saddam Hussein, or some political or international success he may have had. But catching a perch?

I think this speaks volumes about our president and his terms in office.

Commencement Congratulations

I just wanted to wish a big congratulations to two of my friends and fellow students here in the Department of Telecommunications at Indiana University who will be participating in today's commencement ceremony.

Congratulations to Ph.D. candidate Johnny Sparks and M.A. student Brian Wilson.

While both have not quite yet finished their dissertation or thesis, respecitively, both will have them finished over the next couple of months. They have worked very hard to get to this point, and I wish them all the luck in the world as they move on to the next phases of their lives.

News of the Weird

Over the past few days I’ve read a couple of stories that can only be considered “news of the weird.”

An employee at a Salisbury, Maryland Wal-Mart became concerned when he heard banging and yelling coming from the men’s restroom. When the employee went into the restroom they found a patron stuck to a toilet. It seems that the customer went in to use the restroom and sat down on the toilet. Unbeknownst to the customer, someone had placed glue on the toilet seat. The patron was stuck to the seat and had to yell and make noise until help arrived.


The other story comes straight from my backyard, here in Bloomington, Indiana. A customer at the local TGI Friday’s was sitting down to a meal, ordering a hamburger. Before the diner bit into his sandwich the customer found a piece of a finger on it. It seems that one of the kitchen managers had injured themselves. The manager was tended to by other kitchen staff, and was eventually sent for treatment at the hospital, but no one had realized the extent of his injury. Even the manager though he had just cut himself; he didn’t realize that he had severed part of his finger. Meanwhile, the food the manager was working on was served to the customer who ordered it. That is when the finger was found.

I guess the lesson is to be careful what you eat and where you sit when out in public.

Most Buzzworthy of the Summer Films

Can anyone guess which summer film seems to be getting the most buzz?
Could it be the Da Vinci Code? Sorry, no.

How about Superman? It’s got some people talking, but no try again.

What about this summer’s sequels like Mission Impossible 3, X-Men: the Last Stand or the new Pirates of the Caribbean? All legitimate answers, but none are correct.

Would have guessed that it is a move called Snakes on a Plane?

That’s right. You heard me. Snakes on a Plane.

The title says it all. It pretty much gives away the entire plot of the film. And based on this title alone it has been generating Internet buzz for months. There are people out there creating their own merchandise, writing pages upon pages about the upcoming release, and even creating their own movie trailers and parodies. No movie in recent memory has generating such buzz, especially when you consider that it is all based solely on the movie’s title.

The film stars actor Samuel L. Jackson. I am one who believes that Jackson does not need to make every film script that comes across his desk (xXx anyone?) and I thought the same thing when I read that he was staring in Snakes on a Plane. But the key point is that Jackson agreed to make the film based on the title. He even threatened to quit when producers wanted to change the title to something a bit less obvious.

The film also co-stars Julianna Margulies (of ER fame), Bobby Cannavale (from Third Watch and Will & Grace), and Kenan Thompson (pictured at left, from Saturday Night Live).

Does anyone really need to know the plot of the film? Or are people going to go just because it’s called Snakes on a Plane? For those of you wanting a brief synopsis of the plot, there is a witness to a major crime on the plane and an assassin sets free a crate of poisonous snakes onboard so to kill the witness. (Am I wrong to ask why the pilots don’t just make an emergency landing when they find out there are poisonous snakes loose on the flight?)

Fan interest has been so great for this film that filmmakers decided that they wanted to add additional scenes to the movie to move it from a PG-13 rating to an R rating. All this needed was a few additional scenes of Jackson swearing incessantly, which many have come to expect from his R rated films.

It just seems strange that a film could become so popular so far in advance of its release date based on such a silly title. But I do have to admit that I’ve been sucked in. I’ll be there on or around August 18, opening day, to see if the anticipation for Snakes on a Plane has been worth it.

"Silly Little Fairy"

I read a review today on Ad Age.com of a recent Dodge commercial that I was directed to by friend Sam Bradley. I’ve been thinking all day about if I would discuss it here, and if I were how I would do it. I’ve ultimately decided to write about it.

The television advertisement is for Dodge’s new compact car, the Caliber. In this commercial a fairy flies around a city changing the items there into more storybook-like items. She changes a skyscraper into a gingerbread house. She transforms a subway train into a yellow and green toy train. But when the fairy tries to transform the Caliber she is unsuccessful. In addition the Caliber repels the fairy and forces her into a brick wall.

At this point a very masculine, black denim clad man walks by the fairy with a Doberman. The man utters the only line in the entire advertisement, “Silly little fairy.” The fairy then transforms the man into a well-groomed, bright yellow shirt and white sweater wearing guy who was walking four very small lap dogs.

I do get it. The fairy is transforming all these hard, masculine images into more “fairy-like” items that are bright, almost neon, colors and more feminized. The Caliber is too hard and masculine to be changed by the fairy.

What the reviewer discussed, and what I thought the first time I saw the commercial, was how offensive the advertisement is.

First, fairy is such an insulting term for gay men. The use of it just to describe the woman who was portraying the fairy would have been just fine with me. It’s the accompanying imagery with the use of the word fairy that is offensive.

Second, the changing of the ultra-masculine guy walking the Doberman to the guy with the sweater draped over his shoulders while walking four itty bitty dogs implies that the “fairy” has also feminized this guy. But the image used for the transformed man is one often used when media puts forth a stereotype for gay men.

The use of the word “fairy” right before this transformation is what sealed it for me as being an offensive and even hateful advertisement. I would almost call its imagery and message homophobic (particularly the use, and the reviewer called it, of the double entendre use of the word “fairy”), though I am very reticent to throw that term around in any way unless I am 100% positive of the intent.

Dodge’s parent company, Daimler Chrysler, was actually surprised when concerns about the advertisement were brought to them. They state that the message being put forth wasn’t intentional, but I must be honest. I don’t buy it. Someone decided that they wanted to sell their new compact car and a tough, masculine vehicle that a man should want. And what’s more non-masculine than the stereotyped image of a gay man?

I wonder if this advertisement will be effective. Will more men actually go out and buy this compact car? Or will the effect on the gay community have more of an impact? I foresee an organized protest coming, from an organization such as GLAAD that may bring this issue to the forefront of their agenda and will ultimately hurt Daimler Chrysler’s sales among homosexuals and allies.

Now I'm Completely Done

As of 1:45pm today I am completely done with all of my graduate school coursework.

While last week marked the final class I attended, I still had two papers to finished.

I turned in my paper for my gender studies class about privacy, sexuality and the law on Friday. The paper for my SLIS class on gender and computerization was turned in minutes ago.

Now I turn my attention toward my comprehensive/qualifying exam. This is the one academic hurdle that I have been nervous about since about day 1 of my tenure in the graduate program. I just hope that I can succeed at them.