Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The Simpsons (and other Stuff)

There was a time when the Simpsons, the Fox animated show, was considered vulgar. Perhaps it still is, but it seems to me that the American public is more accepting of it now...almost to the point where we consider it an American institution. Something about it seems inherently "American." Well, the show was recently pulled from airing in the morning on Venezuelan television because it was considered inappropriate for that time slot (when kids are watching). The Simpsons was rescheduled to air at night. What was put in to replace The Simpsons in the morning time slot, "Baywatch: Hawaii." So what is worse in your eyes, The Simpsons or Baywatch? And do you think that the Simpsons have toned down their act or have we become more accepting of its type of humor?

Also...and i swear i didn't post this video....the whole talk of Oprah as a cult leader escalated this week upon the release of this video. I wonder what you think of it. Take note that at the end there is a sales pitch for the author's book.

Monday, April 14, 2008

The Queen of All Media

Oprah Winfrey seems to have the midas touch, everything she touches turns to gold. Let me count the ways. She has her TV show, her magazine, her book club, her own satellite radio channel, her production studio, her own broadway musical, and she just partenered with the Discovery channel to begin her own cable channel the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Needless to say she also appoints people to celebrity status, such as Dr. Phil. By the way see this video to see what hot water Dr. Phil has himself in now.

When Oprah promotes a product it sells unbelievably. She pitches self-help gurus, sex therapists, financial advisors, and all other sorts of personalities. She started her school in Ghana for poor African girls.

Here's my question. Do you think Oprah has become a cult figure? She tells you how to live a better life, what books to read, what to listen to, and what to purchase. What's the difference between Oprah and other past cult figures? If she told people to drink the koolaid and get ready for the mothership, do you think women would listen? Of course, part of me is joking about this, but........

At least two paragraphs please.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Every Generation's Voice

Every decade has a voice. Sometimes we can associate a celebrity with that voice. In the 60's Bob Dylan was a fresh-faced voice for youth. Recently, Dylan was honored with a pulitzer prize. Read the article by clicking here. Other names come to mind when thinking about musicians whose voices are important to society. I recall John Lennon's fight for peace. I think about rap's early days with Public Enemy and with Boogie Down Production's KRS-One. I think about Bob Marley.

So....who are today's voices. Notice i mentioned musicians in my thoughts above. Let's keep it in the same vein. Which musicians performing today do you think should be honored as trying to help society and why are they important? Do you feel some musicians of past have been overlooked? If you don't agree with someone's selections, give reasons why that musician is not worthy. Remember try to give me two paragraphs.