There is controversy over an ad from ManCrunch.com, which CBS is considering for the Super Bowl. ManCrunch is a gay dating website, and the ad features two guys in football jerseys watching the big game and they reach into the bowl of chips at the same time and gaze into each other's eyes and then start making out...much to the shock of their buddy sitting nearby.
I just watched the ad, and it's hilarious.
Come on, CBS! You already turned down a Go Daddy ad featuring a retired football player acting effeminate. Now you're on the fence about ManCrunch? What's the message you're trying to send?
Maybe it's not about any sort of message. This is the Super Bowl, after all, not the State of the Union. We're just here to drink beer, gorge on nachos, and vomit after trying to eat 20 hot wings in a row.* The Super Bowl really isn't the place to discuss politics. The host network--in this case, CBS--has one job, and that is to collect some serious cash-money for ads. That's it. As long as the ad isn't paid for by NAMBLA, who gives a care?
CBS okayed an anti-abortion ad paid for by the conservative and religious group Focus on the Family. I'm fine with that. Left wing, right wing, hot wings, at the end of the day, if a 30-second Super Bowl ad can change or challenge your beliefs, maybe your beliefs weren't as strong as you thought.
So CBS, stop overthinking these ads. It's just a game. Nobody stopped watching you after Janet Jackson's big reveal, and nobody's going to stop watching if you show a couple of guys making out. It's totally fine!
*I have not been able to touch a hot wing since.
UPDATE: CBS officially rejected the ad. Surprise, surprise.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Big Love: Are The Opening Credits Better Than The Show? Debatable.
Last night, I watched the second episode of this season's Big Love. This puts me almost a quarter of the way through the season (here's why), and I still don't know what's going on. Too many storylines, too many new characters, and not enough of Bill's crazy mom.
But what I do know is that I LOVE the new opening credits.
Check it out on YouTube sometime. It's been compared to Mad Men's opener, with the lead character falling through space. But unlike Mad Men's opener, Big Love's isn't animated. Set to the song "Home" by Engineers, it features Bill and his three wives falling through black space, sometimes in slow motion, and sometimes suspended in mid-air.
It is haunting. Captivating. And absolutely gorgeous. I've seen it twice, and both times, I couldn’t tear my eyes off it.
The old theme, which featured Bill and his wives ice-skating and the ice cracking between them, was set to The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows." It, too, was terrific.
Seeing the new opener got me thinking about theme songs and opening credits in general. Chuck's is really fun, and I watch it all the way through each time. Mad Men's music draws you in, and the art/graphics are neat. I also love Dexter's, even though I can't watch the part where he gets bitten by a mosquito, and the part where he nicks himself shaving.
I can never watch people shave on TV. Too traumatic.
On the other end of the theme song spectrum, you have songs that go on foreverrrrr. You could probably take a shower and blow-dry your hair in the time it takes for the Family Guy theme to play through. Then there's Survivor, with all that tribal chanting...gahhh.
The latest theme song abomination I've discovered is Damages. Great show, but horrible theme. It's some guy mumbling, "When I am through with you...there won't be anything left..when I am through with you." He also mumbles some other things but they are incomprehensible. The singing is combined with bleak shots of NYC sculptures and architecture I've never seen, and I've lived here all my life. Yeah. Come visit New York!
I recently read an article saying that these days, traditional opening credits are getting supershort, even disappearing altogether. I hope not (unless your name is Survivor). Openers can be done well, and Big Love has proven it--twice.
But what I do know is that I LOVE the new opening credits.
Check it out on YouTube sometime. It's been compared to Mad Men's opener, with the lead character falling through space. But unlike Mad Men's opener, Big Love's isn't animated. Set to the song "Home" by Engineers, it features Bill and his three wives falling through black space, sometimes in slow motion, and sometimes suspended in mid-air.
It is haunting. Captivating. And absolutely gorgeous. I've seen it twice, and both times, I couldn’t tear my eyes off it.
The old theme, which featured Bill and his wives ice-skating and the ice cracking between them, was set to The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows." It, too, was terrific.
Seeing the new opener got me thinking about theme songs and opening credits in general. Chuck's is really fun, and I watch it all the way through each time. Mad Men's music draws you in, and the art/graphics are neat. I also love Dexter's, even though I can't watch the part where he gets bitten by a mosquito, and the part where he nicks himself shaving.
I can never watch people shave on TV. Too traumatic.
On the other end of the theme song spectrum, you have songs that go on foreverrrrr. You could probably take a shower and blow-dry your hair in the time it takes for the Family Guy theme to play through. Then there's Survivor, with all that tribal chanting...gahhh.
The latest theme song abomination I've discovered is Damages. Great show, but horrible theme. It's some guy mumbling, "When I am through with you...there won't be anything left..when I am through with you." He also mumbles some other things but they are incomprehensible. The singing is combined with bleak shots of NYC sculptures and architecture I've never seen, and I've lived here all my life. Yeah. Come visit New York!
I recently read an article saying that these days, traditional opening credits are getting supershort, even disappearing altogether. I hope not (unless your name is Survivor). Openers can be done well, and Big Love has proven it--twice.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Why, ABC, Why???
ABC has canceled Ugly Betty.
I am so...
I can't speak. I don't even know what to say.
The current season will be the show's last.
R.I.P. Betty.
Devastated.
I am so...
I can't speak. I don't even know what to say.
The current season will be the show's last.
R.I.P. Betty.
Devastated.
American Idol: All Sass, No Class.
Talk about terrible guest-judging on American Idol! I have been watching this show for nine seasons, and I do not recall two guest judges more obnoxious and bratty than Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry.
First of all, why is Avril Lavigne a judge? What has she done lately? Also, she's my age (25). I think some of the contestants who auditioned were older than her. I don't know about you, but if I lined up for hours to audition for a singing show, the last thing I'd want is Avril giggling at me like a 15-year-old at the mall.
Also, she showed up wearing a hoodie with devil ears and lots of makeup and black nail polish. This isn't one of your sk8t3r b0i concerts, Avril. At least put the dang hoodie down.
Next up, Katy Perry. She, too, is my age. Now, my complaint about her isn't her fashion or lack of industry experience. No, my complaint is her complete lack of a soul. Yes, I am aware she's a preacher's kid and I just said she has no soul. Allow me to explain. The last audition of the day was this guy Chris Golightly, a 25-year-old guy who grew up in the foster care system. He said he lived in at least 25 homes. When he opened his mouth to sing "Stand By Me," I started sobbing. All I could picture was him singing to the parents he never had but wished he had.
And you know what Katy's response to him was? "I understand where you're coming from..." Huh??? Katy, nuclear family. Chris, foster home of the week. Yeah, I don't see it. And then when Kara said she loved his audition, Katy had this gem: "This is not a Lifetime movie, sweetheart. You have to have talent." Because Katy Perry knows all about talent.
Not to mention Katy threatening to dump her Coke in Kara's face at one point. It's always nice when you're invited to be a GUEST JUDGE on someone else's show and you think it's okay to say something like that.
All I can say is, I am so ready for Ellen DeGeneres to join this show. Talented, funny, kind, and dresses well. Avril who?
First of all, why is Avril Lavigne a judge? What has she done lately? Also, she's my age (25). I think some of the contestants who auditioned were older than her. I don't know about you, but if I lined up for hours to audition for a singing show, the last thing I'd want is Avril giggling at me like a 15-year-old at the mall.
Also, she showed up wearing a hoodie with devil ears and lots of makeup and black nail polish. This isn't one of your sk8t3r b0i concerts, Avril. At least put the dang hoodie down.
Next up, Katy Perry. She, too, is my age. Now, my complaint about her isn't her fashion or lack of industry experience. No, my complaint is her complete lack of a soul. Yes, I am aware she's a preacher's kid and I just said she has no soul. Allow me to explain. The last audition of the day was this guy Chris Golightly, a 25-year-old guy who grew up in the foster care system. He said he lived in at least 25 homes. When he opened his mouth to sing "Stand By Me," I started sobbing. All I could picture was him singing to the parents he never had but wished he had.
And you know what Katy's response to him was? "I understand where you're coming from..." Huh??? Katy, nuclear family. Chris, foster home of the week. Yeah, I don't see it. And then when Kara said she loved his audition, Katy had this gem: "This is not a Lifetime movie, sweetheart. You have to have talent." Because Katy Perry knows all about talent.
Not to mention Katy threatening to dump her Coke in Kara's face at one point. It's always nice when you're invited to be a GUEST JUDGE on someone else's show and you think it's okay to say something like that.
All I can say is, I am so ready for Ellen DeGeneres to join this show. Talented, funny, kind, and dresses well. Avril who?
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Spinoff City.
CBS is prepping a spinoff to its hit series Criminal Minds. I have not seen a single episode of this show, but it does quite well on Wednesday nights. What's interesting about the spinoff is the network is wooing Forest Whitaker to star in it.
Yes, that's right, CBS of all networks is paving the way to a more diverse television landscape! Who'd have thunk it?
The other thing worth noting about the Criminal Minds spinoff is well, just that. It's a spinoff. CBS has three CSIs, two NCISes (which spun off of JAG), and now we're talking a third franchise. I don't hate on spinoffs the way other people do--after all, without spinoffs, we would not have Melrose Place (either incarnation), Private Practice, and The Colbert Report. We would not have The Hills or The City. We would not have Degrassi: The Next Generation (yes, I watch that, and no, I'm not ashamed of it).
So yeah, spinoffs are cool with me. It's just that I wish they'd spin off shows I watch more. Or, instead of canceling a show I like, they'd spin off one of the characters. Example: Lane from Gilmore Girls. She was the coolest character on the show (much cooler than dippy Rory) and I've always wanted to know what happened to her. Did she become a famous musician and go on tour? Is she still with that Zach dude? How are her babies? And how's her crazy mom?
Another good reason to love spinoffs: They take the place of craptastic new shows. Instead of The Deep End, ABC could've given us an Ugly Betty spinoff. Instead of Human Target (twenty minutes of my life I'll never get back), Fox could've given us a Glee spinoff to hold us over until April. You get my drift.
Will I be watching the Criminal Minds spinoff when the backdoor pilot airs this spring? Nope. But for every CBS spinoff there is on TV, that's one less Three Rivers. And we can all be grateful for that.
Yes, that's right, CBS of all networks is paving the way to a more diverse television landscape! Who'd have thunk it?
The other thing worth noting about the Criminal Minds spinoff is well, just that. It's a spinoff. CBS has three CSIs, two NCISes (which spun off of JAG), and now we're talking a third franchise. I don't hate on spinoffs the way other people do--after all, without spinoffs, we would not have Melrose Place (either incarnation), Private Practice, and The Colbert Report. We would not have The Hills or The City. We would not have Degrassi: The Next Generation (yes, I watch that, and no, I'm not ashamed of it).
So yeah, spinoffs are cool with me. It's just that I wish they'd spin off shows I watch more. Or, instead of canceling a show I like, they'd spin off one of the characters. Example: Lane from Gilmore Girls. She was the coolest character on the show (much cooler than dippy Rory) and I've always wanted to know what happened to her. Did she become a famous musician and go on tour? Is she still with that Zach dude? How are her babies? And how's her crazy mom?
Another good reason to love spinoffs: They take the place of craptastic new shows. Instead of The Deep End, ABC could've given us an Ugly Betty spinoff. Instead of Human Target (twenty minutes of my life I'll never get back), Fox could've given us a Glee spinoff to hold us over until April. You get my drift.
Will I be watching the Criminal Minds spinoff when the backdoor pilot airs this spring? Nope. But for every CBS spinoff there is on TV, that's one less Three Rivers. And we can all be grateful for that.
24: Grow A Spine, Starbuck!
I know this is going to make me sound insane, but I am one of those people who talks to her TV when something frustrates her or something crazy happens. To my credit, my fiance is usually in the room with me, so theoretically, you could say I am...uh...running my ideas past him, which makes me not as crazy. But yeah. I yell at my TV.
I was yelling last night during Chuck when he got inside the coffin with the dead guy and closed the lid...and you could still see everything inside the coffin. I went ballistic.
Me: How can you still see everything? It should be pitch-black!
Fiance: Well, he has his cell phone out, so maybe it's lighting up--
Me: NO! IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!
Yeah.
I was yelling again during 24. I didn't mention this in my last 24 post, but Starbuck (it's a better name than Dana Walsh/Jenny Scott or whatever her character's real name is) drives me crazy with her hair over her left shoulder. In every single second of every episode so far (five hours and counting), she has had her blond hair over that same shoulder. It never leaves that position. Not when she turns her head, not when she gets up and walks around, and drives across town. Hair. Still. Over. Shoulder.
Speaking of driving across town, why is she still hanging around that Ricky Gervais-lookalike bad guy? First of all, when he found her cell number and called, she should've pretended it was a wrong number and hung up. Then she should've ignored every subsequent call from him. Then when he came to visit her, SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE DOWNSTAIRS. Now he knows a) she dyed her hair (which defeats the purpose of dyeing her hair) and b) she's still scared of him. Also, she should not have removed her engagement ring before seeing him. Because not five minutes later, she gives him the keys to her apartment (WHY???)...where she has tons of pictures everywhere of her and her fiance. And then when he calls her up and demands an explanation, she comes right out and admits she's engaged.
I won't even go into the fact that she promises him a six-figure sum to make him go away. After he smacks her around. Girl needs to grow a pair. Also, she has the government's resources at her beck and call. She could make him "disappear" quite easily. So why doesn't she?
Hey, even Hugh Grant joked about doing just such a thing on Love Actually, and he was the prime minister.
So yeah, I am annoyed at Starbuck and all her secret past/criminal ex-boyfriend drama. I'm not sure how (or if) it'll connect to the larger terrorism plot, and frankly, I don't care. The 24 writers set us up to dislike her from the start--she's weak, she's condescending to Chloe, and she's Hastings' pet. Now all of a sudden we're supposed to care about her? As she grows progressively spineless and shirks her job to tend to her psycho boyfriend? Freddie Prinze, Jr., you deserve better.
And speaking of Freddie, where was he last night? I missed him. Hey, 24 writers: Less Starbuck and more Freddie, please!
Last point: How on earth did Chloe miss that other car leaving the parking lot after Jack? It's not like her to be so careless. Far as I'm concerned, Chloe has eyes on the back of her head and on the sides of her face. She can monitor six video screens at once while conferencing in Field Ops and uploading schematics to Jack and making a cup of coffee, cream and two sugars, please. So why are the 24 writers making Chloe look so sloppy and slow this season? Blah.
Okay. Enough ranting. For now, anyway.
I was yelling last night during Chuck when he got inside the coffin with the dead guy and closed the lid...and you could still see everything inside the coffin. I went ballistic.
Me: How can you still see everything? It should be pitch-black!
Fiance: Well, he has his cell phone out, so maybe it's lighting up--
Me: NO! IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!
Yeah.
I was yelling again during 24. I didn't mention this in my last 24 post, but Starbuck (it's a better name than Dana Walsh/Jenny Scott or whatever her character's real name is) drives me crazy with her hair over her left shoulder. In every single second of every episode so far (five hours and counting), she has had her blond hair over that same shoulder. It never leaves that position. Not when she turns her head, not when she gets up and walks around, and drives across town. Hair. Still. Over. Shoulder.
Speaking of driving across town, why is she still hanging around that Ricky Gervais-lookalike bad guy? First of all, when he found her cell number and called, she should've pretended it was a wrong number and hung up. Then she should've ignored every subsequent call from him. Then when he came to visit her, SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE DOWNSTAIRS. Now he knows a) she dyed her hair (which defeats the purpose of dyeing her hair) and b) she's still scared of him. Also, she should not have removed her engagement ring before seeing him. Because not five minutes later, she gives him the keys to her apartment (WHY???)...where she has tons of pictures everywhere of her and her fiance. And then when he calls her up and demands an explanation, she comes right out and admits she's engaged.
I won't even go into the fact that she promises him a six-figure sum to make him go away. After he smacks her around. Girl needs to grow a pair. Also, she has the government's resources at her beck and call. She could make him "disappear" quite easily. So why doesn't she?
Hey, even Hugh Grant joked about doing just such a thing on Love Actually, and he was the prime minister.
So yeah, I am annoyed at Starbuck and all her secret past/criminal ex-boyfriend drama. I'm not sure how (or if) it'll connect to the larger terrorism plot, and frankly, I don't care. The 24 writers set us up to dislike her from the start--she's weak, she's condescending to Chloe, and she's Hastings' pet. Now all of a sudden we're supposed to care about her? As she grows progressively spineless and shirks her job to tend to her psycho boyfriend? Freddie Prinze, Jr., you deserve better.
And speaking of Freddie, where was he last night? I missed him. Hey, 24 writers: Less Starbuck and more Freddie, please!
Last point: How on earth did Chloe miss that other car leaving the parking lot after Jack? It's not like her to be so careless. Far as I'm concerned, Chloe has eyes on the back of her head and on the sides of her face. She can monitor six video screens at once while conferencing in Field Ops and uploading schematics to Jack and making a cup of coffee, cream and two sugars, please. So why are the 24 writers making Chloe look so sloppy and slow this season? Blah.
Okay. Enough ranting. For now, anyway.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Goodbye, Coco.
Last night, I watched Conan O'Brien's final episode of The Tonight Show. And the whole time, I just felt very sad for him.
No, I'm not pitying him, because he's coming away with a boatload of money, and he'll probably end up on another network and continue having a nice career. What I felt sad about was this: that after working for 20 years, he finally got his dream job, only to have it taken from him seven months later because the morons at NBC don't know what they're doing.
This is just wrong. I'm no network head, but I know about honoring your commitments, and NBC screwed up so badly here. The network basically effed up the lives of not just Conan, but his 100+ staffers who moved their families and lives across the country to continue working on the show. NBC also shot itself in the foot--Jay's numbers will never be what they were, no matter what time slot he has. NBC also lost a great talent who gave them everything he had for two decades. Shame on you, NBC. Shame on you.
From what I understand, Conan's not allowed to work for another network until this fall. So we're not going to see him for six or seven months. But I hope he does eventually find another job, so we can once again see him doing what he loves most: making us laugh.
No, I'm not pitying him, because he's coming away with a boatload of money, and he'll probably end up on another network and continue having a nice career. What I felt sad about was this: that after working for 20 years, he finally got his dream job, only to have it taken from him seven months later because the morons at NBC don't know what they're doing.
This is just wrong. I'm no network head, but I know about honoring your commitments, and NBC screwed up so badly here. The network basically effed up the lives of not just Conan, but his 100+ staffers who moved their families and lives across the country to continue working on the show. NBC also shot itself in the foot--Jay's numbers will never be what they were, no matter what time slot he has. NBC also lost a great talent who gave them everything he had for two decades. Shame on you, NBC. Shame on you.
From what I understand, Conan's not allowed to work for another network until this fall. So we're not going to see him for six or seven months. But I hope he does eventually find another job, so we can once again see him doing what he loves most: making us laugh.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)