OH BABY, strike up the marching band. People are doing flips down the streets, old ladies are fainting and the monkey cages are being raided (I’ll explain that last statement in a few paragraphs) The Super bowl is only a few days away, and the hype is already at a fever pace.
The best part about the Super bowl is the fact that it has nothing with American Football Conference champions taking on the National Football Conference champions to determine the champion of the National Football League. Football is only the backdrop. In fact, many of the 93 million people in the more than 40 countries really don’t care about the football game. I bet you more people care about what Tom Brady is going to do after the game than the final score. (Let me guess Tom, you’re going to Disneyworld.)
So why are people going to going the tune into this year’s game you might ask. The reply is simple—monkeys and boobies.
I say monkeys because of the commercials:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnQMq5wtZcg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gc96BYHUbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBnFjXZtHIE
Everybody tunes in for the commercials. Commercials that mostly feature monkeys, or chimpanzees (Yes, I know the difference) dressing up like people and doing funny things. I must admit, that as much as I do care about the football game, I also tune in for the monkeys. I love the monkeys and I’m glad that most advertising agencies have realized that most people love monkeys also. I hope there are at least three different monkey commercials this year.
I also hope Budweiser comes to its senses and brings Budbowl back. Next to monkeys, beer bottles playing football also rock:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0zVJ-MgwkM
I say boobies, because of Janet Jackson and her contribution to our popular culture. http://www.teambio.org/uploads/JanetJacksonSuperBowlPic.jpg Don’t tell me anyone goes to the bathroom during halftime anymore. Thanks to Justin and a convenient “wardrobe malfunction” people are all about seeing this year’s outrageous antics during halftime. Those that tuned in last year weren’t disappointed, Prince’s performance is still kicking ass right now, not because there were any boobies, just because Prince is a little man who kicks ass.
Well I hope you are all ready for the excitement. Tom Petty is set for the main stage. I don’t care what part of his wardrobe malfunctions; he will have a hard time topping Prince. One thing I do know, I will be tuning in to find out.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
My second moratorium on Bush bashing.
I think it was about 2001 or so and an envelope showed up in my mailbox from the federal government. Since it looked official, I opened the letter immediately only to find a $350 check.
It was my cut of a $1.35 trillion tax cut, President George Bush pressed through early in his presidency. I didn’t vote for Bush, so the check was a big surprise. Bush said he wanted to cut taxes to simulate the economy and I promptly agreed with him. (The focus of my first economic stimulus packaged impacted the Hawaii entertainment scene.)
Since I had such a good time simulating the economy with George Bush I decided to impose a two-week moratorium to any Bush bashing.
This moratorium included any jokes or insults directed at the president. I pretty much had to stop watch the Daily Show, and I avoided watching any speeches given by “W.” Ever since I’ve seen the Will Farrell’s impression of the president I have to laugh.
Now the old boy is back to his old tricks again. People are going around calling him a “lame duck” and he ain’t hearing none of that.
“W’ is going to send me another check, this time for a similar amount. Since I have already set precedence, another check buys the President another two weeks.
I will now have to avoid spirited debate at the coffee shop, and head shaking while I read the newspaper. Never mind that $120 billion is just a small percentage of a $14 trillion economy, another check buys my silence.
Thank you Mr. President. I don’t think I will have quite as much fun simulating the economy with you this time. But I guess it is the thought that counts.
It was my cut of a $1.35 trillion tax cut, President George Bush pressed through early in his presidency. I didn’t vote for Bush, so the check was a big surprise. Bush said he wanted to cut taxes to simulate the economy and I promptly agreed with him. (The focus of my first economic stimulus packaged impacted the Hawaii entertainment scene.)
Since I had such a good time simulating the economy with George Bush I decided to impose a two-week moratorium to any Bush bashing.
This moratorium included any jokes or insults directed at the president. I pretty much had to stop watch the Daily Show, and I avoided watching any speeches given by “W.” Ever since I’ve seen the Will Farrell’s impression of the president I have to laugh.
Now the old boy is back to his old tricks again. People are going around calling him a “lame duck” and he ain’t hearing none of that.
“W’ is going to send me another check, this time for a similar amount. Since I have already set precedence, another check buys the President another two weeks.
I will now have to avoid spirited debate at the coffee shop, and head shaking while I read the newspaper. Never mind that $120 billion is just a small percentage of a $14 trillion economy, another check buys my silence.
Thank you Mr. President. I don’t think I will have quite as much fun simulating the economy with you this time. But I guess it is the thought that counts.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Britney is always a good place to start
I know that Britney Spears has a new boyfriend. I know that she recently had an altercation with Tom Cruise at a Hollywood night club. I know a lot of things about Britney Spears, the drug problems, the custody battles and even the head shaving. I know all these things because she is everywhere. I really challenge any person to take a daily stroll through our media and not come back with some juicy little Brit tid-bit.
In fact, I was even listening to NPR the other day and she appeared.() This time, however, the information I obtained about Britney helped me make more sense to why I hear about her all the time.
Duff McDonald, a writer at Portfolio Magazine, recently wrote an article called "The Britney Economy" () This article shows that despite what looks like a "trainwreck" in life is really a $100 million industry.
The Paparazzi, the companies that use her name and likeness and of course the media make millions each year. Not so hard to believe when you think about how much we see and hear about her.
I understand everyone likes to watch a "trainwreck" as it takes place. I guess watching a once successful, bright young person ruin multiple peoples lives helps us feel better ourselves.
What I didn't understand was why the media covered the so much. But now it is all starting to make sense to me. People are making money from the whole thing, including Britney. For her, acting crazy makes her just as much money as making records. In fact it probably makes her more.
The Elizabeth Ardens, Jive Records and People Magazines of the world have also hit the jackpot because Britney saturates the media and produces publicity for their product.
When you start thinking about the situation in this realm Britney and our apparent fascination for her is really an industry like anything else. A group of people seeking to make easy money.
The whole thing really starts to get boring at this point, doesn't it?
In fact, I was even listening to NPR the other day and she appeared.() This time, however, the information I obtained about Britney helped me make more sense to why I hear about her all the time.
Duff McDonald, a writer at Portfolio Magazine, recently wrote an article called "The Britney Economy" () This article shows that despite what looks like a "trainwreck" in life is really a $100 million industry.
The Paparazzi, the companies that use her name and likeness and of course the media make millions each year. Not so hard to believe when you think about how much we see and hear about her.
I understand everyone likes to watch a "trainwreck" as it takes place. I guess watching a once successful, bright young person ruin multiple peoples lives helps us feel better ourselves.
What I didn't understand was why the media covered the so much. But now it is all starting to make sense to me. People are making money from the whole thing, including Britney. For her, acting crazy makes her just as much money as making records. In fact it probably makes her more.
The Elizabeth Ardens, Jive Records and People Magazines of the world have also hit the jackpot because Britney saturates the media and produces publicity for their product.
When you start thinking about the situation in this realm Britney and our apparent fascination for her is really an industry like anything else. A group of people seeking to make easy money.
The whole thing really starts to get boring at this point, doesn't it?
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