Paper Anniversary

Today is the first anniversary of the beginning of this blog. It has been an interesting time with many different things written about.

I’ve talked about items that many may have found interesting (Michelle Wie becoming a pro golfer, Martina Hingis returning to professional tennis) while others have wondered why I even bothered (my discussion of good and bad superheroes).

And I know many people who read this blog wonder why I have such a fascination, which almost borders on an obsession, for reality television.

I just want to thank everyone that has taken the time over the past year to check out my blog and read my rants. And I hope that you continue to visit to see what else I come up with.

Downsizing on an Enormous Scale

Throughout elementary, middle, and high school I learned that our solar system has nine planets. Somewhere around the third grade I learned a mnemonic to help me remember the names of the nine planets and the order they are from the sun.

I was able to remember Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto I just had to remember “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles.” It was definitely a clever way to help a 10 year old learn just a little bit of astronomy.

Yesterday the International Astronomical Union decided that our solar system only has eight planets. What qualifies as a planet changed; therefore Pluto ended up being reclassified as a dwarf.

This is a big change in the world of science and astronomy. Kids going back to school this fall will have text books with incorrect information. Posters and models of the solar system that show all the planets are now inaccurate. Such a change as this renders a lot of educational materials inaccurate and requires school to invest money in getting accurate materials.

And what about that mnemonic? I guess I have to figure out some new way to remember the Milky Way’s eight planets.

Dividing by Race-Smart or Stupid?

This past week the producers of the CBS reality show Survivor announced their big twist for the upcoming 13th season: Survivor: Cook Islands.

In the past they have done men versus women. This past season they broke up into four tribes: older women, younger women, older men, and younger men. This coming season, however, is the most controversial twist they’ve ever come up with.

The twenty competitors will again be broken up into four tribes. However, this time they will be broken up by race: whites, blacks, Asians, and Hispanics.

Survivor host Jeff Probst has called the coming season an interesting social experiment in order to better understand race relations in American society.

Organizations such as the NAACP have decided to withhold judgment until seeing the season’s premiere episode.

I am not sure if this will result in better ratings or just a season full of unnecessary controversy. Only time will tell.

Worth the Hype

I’ve written here previously about the juggernaut Snakes on a Plane had become on the Internet before it even came close to theaters. Fans were making up their own trailers before the official ones were released. Fans who had heard that the film would have a PG-13 rating were outraged and believed that it should be rated R. They even latched on to the fact that film star Samuel L. Jackson didn’t use the f-word enough.

Producers and New Line Cinema listened. They went back for five additional days of reshoots. In the process they upped the violence, sexual content, and the profanity.

Many in the movie industry were worried that the producers were making changes due to the public’s demand. They did not want a precedent set that movie goers could demand something on the Internet and then they would have to go back and change their final product.

Critics became worried when New Line did not have any pre-release showings for critics. This is often a sign of a bad movie that is trying to avoid bad reviews before opening day. However, New Line said that they wanted audiences to go in without any preconceived opinions that could be steered by critics.

With all this being said, I went to see Snakes on a Plane on Friday evening. Ever since I heard about this movie so many months ago I knew that I wanted to go to one of the first possible showings. I didn’t go in with very high expectations. How could I when the entire film is described with the four words in the title? I hoped for some campy fun and not much more.

But, after seeing it, I must say that I did get a whole lot more.

The premise of the film is pretty silly. (A witness against a notorious criminal is being transported from Honolulu to Los Angeles to testify. The criminal snuck hundreds of poisonous snakes of many different varieties onto the plane and has them released once the plane hits 35,000 feet, and he sees to it that they go on a rampage.) But I found myself really enjoying it.

“Someone seemed to think that was a comedy,” was what I was told as I left the theater.

In truth, for what was supposed to be a suspense-thriller, I did find it to be very campy. Much of the dialogue was written for laughs. There is no doubt in that. I did jump a couple of times because of snakes coming out of nowhere, but overall Snakes on a Plane was just a fun ride from beginning to end. Granted there are some strange and grisly deaths, including snakes biting people while in the bathroom in some very delicate areas, but overall this film was much more fun than even I thought it would be.

Media Frenzy

Unless you've had your head in the sand, you know that this week John Mark Karr has all but confessed to the murder of JonBenet Ramsey in 1996.

While I am not surprised by the frenzy that this has caused in the media, what I am surprised by is to what lengths some will go to report the story.

In particular, Fox News reported from the cemetary where JonBenet and her mother Patsy are buried. How surreal is it to see a reporter discussing John Mark Karr with the headstones of the Ramseys behind him?

How far is too far? And is reporting like this in good taste?

Eight Done, Ninth Coming Up

I’ve been reflecting back on my time at Indiana University lately. Next week marks my fifth year as a graduate student and my ninth overall as an IU student. That seems like such an incredibly long time.

When I first moved to Indiana back in 1997 I had no idea what kind of a path I was going to take. Who knew back then that I would find a field that I would fall in love with that I now hope to work in for the rest of my life? And not only that, but I actually seem to be succeeding and excelling within it.

As I enter what will probably be my last year at IU I wonder what path my life will take at this time next year. It will definitely be both an exciting and scary time. I am really looking forward to it.

That is, as long as I can get this infernal dissertation done!

Hilarious Short Film

If you come here frequently you’ve noticed that over the past month I’ve discovered how to add video to my blog. It turns out that youtube.com allows videos to be downloaded and placed onto blogs. This has added a new dimension to my blog that I hope adds to the experience of the reader.

With that being said, I’m now looking for more interesting and fun videos to place up here. And I hope to bring you one here.

While flipping through my cable channels the other night I stumbled upon a short film on Logo, a relatively new network targeted to gay and lesbian viewers. I must admit that this short film made me laugh like I haven’t in a while. I immediately turned to youtube to see if I could find it. You will find it below.

I must throw in a warning. This seven minute video isn’t going to be for everyone. The humor is sexually charged and definitely not for all audiences. But I encourage you to check it out because I truly think that you will enjoy Billy’s Dad is a Fudge-Packer.

More Movement Toward Equity

I’ve written here previously about how female athletes have been working extremely hard to get equitable prize money as their male counterparts. This past week women in another event achieved a more equitable share of the prizes.

Female skateboarders competing in the X-Games met with ESPN executives and were able to increase the total prize money for their event from $8,000 to a first prize of $15,000, a second prize of $10,000, and a third prize of $5,000. In addition they are hoping that female skateboarders helped to move ESPN toward increasing their on camera exposure during the X-Games broadcast.

These athletes are also hoping that by increasing the prize payouts more women will turn to these extreme sports for a living. The small amounts previously made when winning these events, plus the lack of sponsorship deals for female athletes, made competing quite prohibitive; it was not enough money to survive on.

Also, an increase in TV time for women in extreme sports will hopefully increase the overall buzz that they generate which will lead to more women getting on skateboards, surfboards, and snowboards.

Let’s hope that this leads to increased equity in extreme sports.

Another One Bites the Dust

That’s it. Why do I even try? My pick for Last Comic Standing, Chris Porter, was eliminated. The event was eventually won by Josh Blue.

It's About Time

It has been reported that a German scientist has had some success in testing an “anti-stupidity” pill on mice and fruit flies. What this pill does is help with short-term memory, improves and individual’s attentiveness, and helps in curbing hyperactivity.

Am I the only one who has been waiting for years for an “anti-stupidity” pill? How long before it’s mass marketed? Is it too early to recommend some people I know to consult a doctor about it?

Zero For Two

My jinx continues. Another of my picks to win a reality show lost last night.

At the end of last night’s episode of Hell’s Kitchen my choice to win, Keith, was eliminated.

What do I got to do to pick a winner?

"My Slump"

Below you will find a music video from Fox's MAD-TV. It is a parody of the Black Eyed Peas song My Humps. I saw this many months ago, but it was just repeated again this evening. I thought it was hilarious and decided to find the video so that I could share it here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Advertising Space

Is your company looking for an inventive way to advertise? Are they looking for a way to get their logo or other advertising out to the public in an inventive way?

Masterfoods USA, a part of Mars Inc. who makes M&Ms, is hoping that companies will want to advertise themselves by having their logos imprinted onto M&Ms.

How does this benefit Mars Inc.? They are hoping that by doing this they will be able to sell more M&Ms to corporate clients. These companies pay between $22.50 and $30.00 a pound. Mars has said that they believe they could handle a million customers of this type a year. This could potentially generate many millions of dollars to Mars each and every year.

This is also a very inventive way to advertise. Many companies might see this as “different” and a way to get themselves further into the mainstream consumer culture.

I really do think that this is a great idea, and am surprised that something like this hasn’t really been done before. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until more corporations such as this start renting and selling their products as advertising space.

Jinxed Again

Following my last blog entry, it took only 40 hours for one of my picks to win a reality show to be eliminated.

BethAnn, my choice to win I Wanna Be a Soap Star, was eliminated from the competition last evening.

What will it take for me to back a winner?

Summer Reality

Anyone that regularly reads my ramblings here knows of my affection for reality television. While many individuals do not see the appeal of the genre, I often find myself getting hooked. While I don’t watch ever reality program out there (who has the time?), I find myself attracted to some of the strangest of these programs.

I’ve also discussed previously how I don’t like to tell my picks for these programs’ winners because they typically end up being the next one eliminated. Why jinx their chances?

With that being said, and considering I haven’t written too much lately, I’m throwing caution to the wind and letting you in on not only which shows I’m watching this summer, with a little description of each, but who I’m pegging to win.

Big Brother: All Stars

This is my ultimate favorite during the summer months. In the past locking between 12 and 14 different people in a house for three months in order to win $500,000 kept me glued to the television three days a week watching CBS. I think this season is a bit weaker because all of the competitors have been in the competition before. Eight players from the previous six seasons were voted into the house by the viewers, while the remaining six slots were picked by the producers. While preexisting alliances took control of the house, it appears that some of these alliances are about to implode. And my prediction to prevail once this happens? My pick is Danielle from season three. She is arguably the best, and sneakiest, player of the game to never have won. This will be her season.

Last Comic Standing

This is season four of this program that searches for the best stand up comic. The winner gets an exclusive talent contract with NBC and their own stand up special on Bravo. This show was great during its first two seasons, but the rushed third season was thought to have killed the program. This summer it was revived to some success. My original pick to win, Roz, was funny and original. However, she was eliminated last week. My current pick to win is Chris Porter. He kind of looks like Willy Wonka, and has the potential to be incredibly funny.


So You Think You Can Dance

Now in season two on the Fox network, I never thought I would become a fan. I watched an episode last summer and just could not get into it. I decided to give it another chance this summer and have been hooked. Watching all of the different styles of dance, from hip-hop to the waltz to Broadway, is extremely entertaining. I must admit that I still don’t quite understand contemporary dance, but the performance a few weeks back by Ivan and his partner really moved me and made me an instant fan of his. Then last week we had an inventive hip hop routine in which the dancers wore masks which I thought was unbelievable. This is the one show this summer that I find it too close to pick a winner. It’s going to come down to Benji (a West Coast Swing dancer) and Donyelle (a Jazz and Hip Hop dancer). Both have a lot of talent, and either could walk away with the grand prize: an SUV, $100,000, and a year contract with Celine Dion’s Las Vegas show (if they so choose).

Hell’s Kitchen

In this Fox program Chef Gordon Ramsey is looking for the one individual to become head chef at the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa, a multi-million dollar resort in Las Vegas just 10 miles off of the Las Vegas strip. This is another show that I could not get into during its first season. I just couldn’t understand the appeal of a belligerent British man yelling obscenities at a group of cooks/chefs while trying to decide who will win the grand prize. Again, I gave this show another chance this season and have been surprised by how much I’m enjoying it. The season started off men vs. women and the women’s team proved early on to be superior. We are currently down to the final three, and my pick to win is Keith, a confident cook and bartender from New York with a bit of hip hop style.

Rock Star: Supernova

I really enjoyed this show last summer when they attempted to find a new lead singer for rock band INXS. The results, declaring J.D. Fortune the winner, were the worst choice in my opinion. But just because I didn’t like the winner doesn’t mean I’m going to shut the show off. This season on CBS they are attempting to find a lead singer for a new rock group: Supernova. This new group is made up of three rock greats: Tommy Lee, drummer from Mötley Crüe, Jason Newsted, bassist from Metallica, and Gilby Clarke, guitarist from Guns N’ Roses. The overall problem that I am having with this program this year is that the viewers have very little invested with Supernova. With INXS, they were a group with a long history and tons of hits. Who actually knows what Supernova will sound like? With that being said, I’m still enjoying the show because the singers competing are very talented. One would think that I would pick Storm Large as the front runner by name alone. Besides a rock singer, what could a person with that name (and her given name at that) actually do? Weather reporter? Porn star? I’m actually choosing Dilana. She has a unique, graveling voice with a Grace Slick-like quality. And she hasn’t had a bad performance yet.

Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat

This is the next installment of an MTV series that uses alumni from the Real World and Road Rules by putting them in competitive situations with a huge cash prize at the end. Unlike previous seasons, this program added twelve new competitors that never appeared on a previous challenge or on the Real World or Road Rules. (With Road Rules being cancelled a few years back, the producers needed to find a way to bring in new blood.) And alumni are paired with “fresh meat” and compete each and every week in some very strenuous physical challenges. My original favorites, Coral from Real World: Back to New York and “Fresh Meat” Evan, were eliminated due to injury: Coral from a dislocated knee and Evan from a sports hernia. My new favorites are Theo from Road Rules Maximum Velocity Tour and Chanda, his “Fresh Meat” partner. They are physical powerhouses that up until this point have been flying under the radar. They have what it takes to win it all.


I Wanna Be a Soap Star

Now that you see what show I have here please continue reading once your laughing fit has subsided. On this program, broadcast on Soap Net, ten actors vie for a 13-week contract role on the soap opera One Life to Live. Each week they are given a different scene that uses a basic soap staple: cheating spouses, singing, and sex scenes. Not only that, but during on week all of the eliminated contestants return because everyone knows that on a soap opera no one is really dead and anyone can come back to life at any time. While the individuals on this show aren’t necessarily the greatest actors around, they definitely show their desire to improve and how much they want this role on One Life to Live. My favorites to win here is BethAnn. She has a very natural quality about her and seems the most comfortable in front of the camera. She definitely has what it takes to win it all.

Who Wants to Be a Superhero?

This show premiered just last week on the Sci Fi Network. While watching it I found it to be incredibly cheesy, much like a comic book. In this competition eleven individuals come up with a concept for a super hero, one that they will become in a variety of competitions. They will be judged throughout by comic book great Stan Lee, the creator of such great comic book characters as the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men, Daredevil and Spider-Man. The winner of this competition will have an original comic book with their character as the star and have an original Sci Fi Network movie all about their character. During the shows first competition the superheroes had to find a secret place to change into their costume and then run as fast as they could to a predetermined location. What they didn’t know until after the task is that there was a twist. Just before the finish was a crying little girl yelling that she had lost her mother and looking for help. Any good superhero would have stopped to help a crying little girl, but only about a third of the competitors actually stopped. It’s so hard to figure out who will actually win. How can someone choose between Monkey Woman, Cell Phone Girl, or Major Victory (whose catch phrase is “Be a Winner, not a Weiner”). I think, however, that I’m going to have to go with Fat Momma to win. That’s right, Fat Momma. Fat Momma’s power is that when she’s angry she can grow to five times her normal size. Her super powers are fueled by her eating doughnuts, but she becomes weakened and shrinks to just five inches in height if she eats any diet foods. What a concept, and she sings her own theme song to boot!

I Want My MTV

August 1, 1981 marked a revolution in music, though no one really knew it at the time. This was the day that music television, or MTV for short, was born.

Up until this point the primary way for individuals to get their music was on the radio or by purchasing it on records or cassettes. No one really knew if a 24-hour cable station devoted strictly to music would work. Who would have guessed that MTV would become what it is today?

Coining the name VJ, for video (disk) jockey, five individuals started on MTV as the ones delivering these music videos to their viewing audience. J. J. Jackson, Nina Blackwood, Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman, and Martha Quinn were the original five VJs, introducing music videos and interviewing a variety of different musicians. In the early days very few artists created music videos to go with their songs, so the same handful of videos ended up getting played over and over. Over time, with the popularity of MTV increasing, more and more artists created music videos as a way for the public to be exposed to their music.

The early days of MTV weren’t as great as many may remember. Videos by black artists were not played on MTV at the beginning. It took nearly twenty months after starting for MTV to play its first video by a black musician. It was Michael Jackson’s Beat It that broke this barrier and finally desegregated MTV’s airwaves on March 31, 1983.

Over time MTV has evolved from its original mission to what it is today. No longer do you see music videos 24-hours a day. There is now more original programming on MTV than there are music videos. Executives have said that they have evolved with the tastes of their target audience, which to me seems unfortunate. While music videos can often still be seen in blocks during the overnight hours, MTV just doesn’t seem to have the same mission as it once did. While they still want to entertain, it appears that they are doing so less and less with music. Instead they are using reality programming and games to reach their audiences.

Over the years, though, many memorable moments have been aired on MTV. From Pedro Zamora living with AIDS on the Real World San Francisco, to Madonna humping the stage while performing Like a Virgin at the Video Music Awards, to Bill Clinton being asked the “boxers or briefs” question, and the emergence of reality television as a viable genre (due to shows such as The Real World, Road Rules, and The Osbournes) MTV has been a constant contributor to American culture.

However, in an effort to remain relevant to their target audience, MTV isn’t even celebrating their birthday. Most of their current viewers were not born at MTV’s inception. For that reason MTV doesn’t want to tell their viewers that they are actually 25 for fear that the current audience will start to think that MTV was not for them but for older audiences. This too seems to be a shame. MTV and its executives are letting two and a half decades of history fall by the wayside, almost forgetting its roots in the music industry.

I think that’s the whole point of this entry. Seeing as how I’m 32, I can’t remember a time that I’ve had cable television without MTV. Granted I was not in one of the initial markets that MTV was carried in, for at least the past 20 years I’ve always had the option to tune into MTV if I so choose. (And I sometimes still do!)

Even though MTV doesn’t want to acknowledge its birthday, I do. And to commemorate the occasion below you will find the first video ever played on MTV. It’s Video Killed the Radio Star by the Buggles.