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To say the coverage of curling at these Olympics has been extensive would be an understatement in my opinion. Every day and seemingly everytime, curling has been on. And while it is a mesmerizing sport (admit it- when you turn it on you can't look away), it is also a very confusing and mysterious sport as far as we Americans go. my husband and I have just spent over ann hour watching the women's gold medal match and we have no idea a) how it is scored, b) any of the rules or c) what they are even trying to do with each stone.
And the network does nothing to enlighten us.
This sport is weird. It is not popular here, it is barely even played here. But it is still kind of fun to watch. I for one think the gliding back and forth on their shoes looks like great fun (even though that isn't a part of the actual game), and it is interesting how they strategize and position their stones. Or it would be if I could strategize along with them.
When you watch figure skating, a sport that is super popular, super mainstream and very well uderstood by most Americans at least in the basics, you still hear Scott Hamilton explaining every little thing. Why every jump or turn or toe pick was good or how it was flawed; why the judges may have taken deductions (what those deductions would be) and where difficulty might lend extra point value. Every aspect is broken down and explained to us like we are children who have never seen the sport before whether or not that is true.
Well, with curling, it is. With curling we are all basically children who have never seen this sport before. Drooling idiots with not even the basic understanding of the rules, strategies and score keeping. I never thought I would ask for a network to dumb anything down further, but c'mon NBC, give me an explanation. Give me commentary that is actually useful and give me one of those stupid, annoying interruptions where some out of shape former athlete explains the bare bones of the sport. PLEASE.
I have no explanation for why they would have chosen to air curling so extensively without making any effort whatsoever towards helping the greater audience understand what they were watching. In every other sport (and indeed all aspects of media and news coverage on any subject) we are talked at constantly. Given excessive, detailed analysis of even the most obvious action. Why not now? I find it hard to believe they couldn't find an expert to take five minutes to explain the game on camera. But they didn't.
Instead they found commentators who spoke to each other like they were the only two in the room, and millions of people weren't listening in. They spoke with foreknowledge of the game, the players, the teams histories and the strategies that would be employed. And because they both had all of that knowledge they FAILED TO SHARE ANYTHING OF VALUE to those watching at home. They might as well have been speaking french.
It was insulting, and it was disappointing, to watch something so captivating and not be offered even a glimpse of insight into what was truly happening.
I feel like an anthropologist.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Book Club- Book One(ish): The Girls From Ames
So, I joined a book club a month ago, and this week as I was procrastinating about reading this month's book I thought to myself: "if I'm going to go to all the trouble of reading a book and really holding it in my mind for discussion, then I should at least get some blog entires out of it." After all, it is clear that this poor neglected blog is not going to write itself.
Now, I'm going to say this is book one, because it is the first one I'm writing about and so that will make sense to you. It is actually the SECOND book we've read, but since that one will probably never show up here because I don't have a time machine and don't feel like goig back and revisiting a book I read like 10 books ago, it is just going to fade into oblivion in terms of my review. For the record the first book was The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, and it was good, not great, interesting, but not nearly as mind opening or life changing as I had hoped it would be. Still, super quick read so if you are so inclined take a gander - he was a remarkable guy.
Now, onto Book One as pertains to THIS blog (which of course is all that matters).
The Girls From Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow
This book chronicles the 40 year friendship of ten women from Ames, Iowa. I have to say, as someone without a single long term friendship, I was hesitant to start this book. I worried that it might be painful for me, or rub in all the things I don't have by not having girlfriends. and certianly there were spots where I wished I had more of what these women have, but in general the story was so compelling, and it was so specifically about THESE women, that I didn't feel that loneliness or sense of isolation.
The way it starts out, there is a chapter devoted to one woman at a time; offering important glimpses and anecdotes about their lives or childhoods so that we really deepen our understanding of each character on her own. However their stories are so intertwined (some of these women have literally known each ither since birth - having been born days apart in the same hospital) that as you are really getting to know each woman in each chapter youa re also seeing how they relate to one another. The only problem is this only continues for four chapters, so seven women (in case you are quesitoning my math 10-4=7 say what?- one died in her early twenties [not a spoiler!] so there were really 11 to start) get short changed. A few of the girls (they are called this by themselves and throughout the book) are so integral in everyone's lives that we get a really good sense of who they are anyway, but in the end I was left really not knowing who a few of these characters were at all. Maybe they didn't have as compelling anecdotes, maybe they couldn't participate as openly in the process of this book, who knows? I just wish each woman had gotten her own separate focus so that I could have gotten to know them all a little better. Further chapters seemed to focus more on themes - how they've dealt together with grief for example, and I just didn't feel these chapters hung together as well as the ones within the one woman per chapter framework.
Overall however, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing was conversational and easy to fly through, and despite the "plot" basically being teh life stories of regular women, it was engrossing. Each has had a vibrant and interesting life, and despite no classical heroics or epic adventure, this book holds your attention with the tragedies and triumphs of everday life, and these 10 women who have a bond that transcends time, distance, heartache and joy.
Next month: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Now, I'm going to say this is book one, because it is the first one I'm writing about and so that will make sense to you. It is actually the SECOND book we've read, but since that one will probably never show up here because I don't have a time machine and don't feel like goig back and revisiting a book I read like 10 books ago, it is just going to fade into oblivion in terms of my review. For the record the first book was The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, and it was good, not great, interesting, but not nearly as mind opening or life changing as I had hoped it would be. Still, super quick read so if you are so inclined take a gander - he was a remarkable guy.
Now, onto Book One as pertains to THIS blog (which of course is all that matters).
The Girls From Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow
This book chronicles the 40 year friendship of ten women from Ames, Iowa. I have to say, as someone without a single long term friendship, I was hesitant to start this book. I worried that it might be painful for me, or rub in all the things I don't have by not having girlfriends. and certianly there were spots where I wished I had more of what these women have, but in general the story was so compelling, and it was so specifically about THESE women, that I didn't feel that loneliness or sense of isolation.
The way it starts out, there is a chapter devoted to one woman at a time; offering important glimpses and anecdotes about their lives or childhoods so that we really deepen our understanding of each character on her own. However their stories are so intertwined (some of these women have literally known each ither since birth - having been born days apart in the same hospital) that as you are really getting to know each woman in each chapter youa re also seeing how they relate to one another. The only problem is this only continues for four chapters, so seven women (in case you are quesitoning my math 10-4=7 say what?- one died in her early twenties [not a spoiler!] so there were really 11 to start) get short changed. A few of the girls (they are called this by themselves and throughout the book) are so integral in everyone's lives that we get a really good sense of who they are anyway, but in the end I was left really not knowing who a few of these characters were at all. Maybe they didn't have as compelling anecdotes, maybe they couldn't participate as openly in the process of this book, who knows? I just wish each woman had gotten her own separate focus so that I could have gotten to know them all a little better. Further chapters seemed to focus more on themes - how they've dealt together with grief for example, and I just didn't feel these chapters hung together as well as the ones within the one woman per chapter framework.
Overall however, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing was conversational and easy to fly through, and despite the "plot" basically being teh life stories of regular women, it was engrossing. Each has had a vibrant and interesting life, and despite no classical heroics or epic adventure, this book holds your attention with the tragedies and triumphs of everday life, and these 10 women who have a bond that transcends time, distance, heartache and joy.
Next month: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Look Down, Look Up, I'm On A Horse
I really have nothing to say about this ad except that I freaking love it and have watched it about ten times already on youtube.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
American Idol - The Boys
Well, last night certainly wasn't very good - no clear winners and or truly stand out performances. I think any front runners are currently leading the pack based on personality, looks and or previous audition performances; last night was kind of a bust. So let's hope the boys do a little better, shall we? My run down:
Todrick Hall - I love that this guy was a dancer and just kind of thought "hey, I'll audition for American idol" and here he is. That's just raw talent right there. Plus, his gray eyes are SO super cool - lady killer for sure. That being said, his performance was meh. Kind of a neat bluesy/R&B arrangement of Since You Been Gone (which is not to say I really liked it since I HATE R&B), but his pitch was iffy and the arrangement really didn't do much to emphasize any vocal strengths. So that doesn't help.
Aaron Kelly - This little guy is just so cute - he's like some puppy you see at the shelter and just have to take home with you. He's so young but he can really sing. And he owned the stage much better tonight. There was no sign of the intense nerves that made him forget the lyrics Hollywood week. He seemed fully confident and in control of his voice. Imagine how good he'll get if he stays around a few weeks.
Jermaine Sellers - was he quiet on anyone else's tv? I could barely hear this guy, even when I jacked up the volume on my set (I could hear all the previous guys fine). So, with my volume issues I can't be sure, but he seemed super screechy to me. I also got a bad "I'm such hot shit" vibe off him which put me on edge, and of course, remember how I said I hate R&B? Yeah. So I didn't like that song AT ALL.
Tim Urban - I don't think I've ever seen this guy before tonight - which is usually the kiss of death in a vote driven show like this (oh, I see from Simon's comments that he was originally not out through - I missed his intro, so that explains that). However, he is probably dreamy enough to the teen audience to squeak through. And he had such an earnest look on his face whenever he looked right in the camera - it was actually kind of funny. Like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. And I didn't think he was nearly as bad as the judges seemed to, althought it certainly wasn't awesome.
Joe Munoz - Good performance, nice steady tone and consistently on pitch. And yet I had to rewind to watch it twice bceause the first time I totally wasn't paying attention. And the second time I got sucked back into the computer again. So not great in terms of focus grabbing. Bad sign for garnering votes.
Tyler Grady - This guy is oushing the whole 70's thing WAY too far. I get it. Stuff was cool then. I like Hazed and Confused too. But he better rejoin this century toot sweet or the whole one trick pony act is going to kill him. He looks like he's in perpetual period costume, and while fashion recycles with the best of them, right now we are in a revamp of the 80's. There is a lot to be said about coming across as current in terms of winning this contest, and he has none of that. If he figures out how to rework the 70's style and music in terms 2010, then he could be a really strong contender.
Lee Dewyze - Bad arrangement, bad vocals, boring performance. Honestly watching this the only thought through my head was "he's going home." Ouch. But yay that he's from Chicago! (wow, Simon loved it. Interesting)
John Park - From Northbrook, IL - practically my parent's backyard! This guy does NOT look like hs voice at all. Is that because he's Asian? I can't think of any Asian singers, so I think that could be what's weird. But he is really good - I think he did a great job tonight - really solid performance.
Michael Lynche - How can you not love this guy? He seems like a giant teddy bear, I just want to hug him. And the whole baby girl born during auditions thing is just too cute. I just really like how authentic and genuine he seems at all times - there is no perception of working the media machine at all and that's so refreshing. and of course, he sings pretty darn good too.
Alex Lambert - Mullet alert! And he definitely proves that no matter how cute you are otherwise, you will still look terrible in a mullet. Started out pretty rough - I though, oh, here I am criticizing this guy's hair when he's totally sucking on stage too. But he got a little better. on pitch at least, which is always nicer to listen to. But still not that good. Lacking in charisma onstage big time.
Casey James - I think short of throwing up onstage or leaping into a racist rant this guy is safe. He's just too good looking, his singing almost doesn't even matter. The fact that he sings well is just icing on the himbo. Although I do have to request that he go back to the ponytail - WAY better.
Andrew Garcia - Loved the dweeby bookworm vibe he had going with his thick glasses, and how he just accompanied himself on the guitar instead of having the full band cover whether or not he could really play. He sounded pretty good too I thought. Although I think he's going to have a hard time ever living up to his cover of Straight Up from Hollywood week (which totally rocked). But I still think he's safe this week.
Okay, that's it for this week. And maybe this whole season who knows? I tend to lose interest and drift away which affects how well I can write about any given subject. But only a little. HA!
Todrick Hall - I love that this guy was a dancer and just kind of thought "hey, I'll audition for American idol" and here he is. That's just raw talent right there. Plus, his gray eyes are SO super cool - lady killer for sure. That being said, his performance was meh. Kind of a neat bluesy/R&B arrangement of Since You Been Gone (which is not to say I really liked it since I HATE R&B), but his pitch was iffy and the arrangement really didn't do much to emphasize any vocal strengths. So that doesn't help.
Aaron Kelly - This little guy is just so cute - he's like some puppy you see at the shelter and just have to take home with you. He's so young but he can really sing. And he owned the stage much better tonight. There was no sign of the intense nerves that made him forget the lyrics Hollywood week. He seemed fully confident and in control of his voice. Imagine how good he'll get if he stays around a few weeks.
Jermaine Sellers - was he quiet on anyone else's tv? I could barely hear this guy, even when I jacked up the volume on my set (I could hear all the previous guys fine). So, with my volume issues I can't be sure, but he seemed super screechy to me. I also got a bad "I'm such hot shit" vibe off him which put me on edge, and of course, remember how I said I hate R&B? Yeah. So I didn't like that song AT ALL.
Tim Urban - I don't think I've ever seen this guy before tonight - which is usually the kiss of death in a vote driven show like this (oh, I see from Simon's comments that he was originally not out through - I missed his intro, so that explains that). However, he is probably dreamy enough to the teen audience to squeak through. And he had such an earnest look on his face whenever he looked right in the camera - it was actually kind of funny. Like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. And I didn't think he was nearly as bad as the judges seemed to, althought it certainly wasn't awesome.
Joe Munoz - Good performance, nice steady tone and consistently on pitch. And yet I had to rewind to watch it twice bceause the first time I totally wasn't paying attention. And the second time I got sucked back into the computer again. So not great in terms of focus grabbing. Bad sign for garnering votes.
Tyler Grady - This guy is oushing the whole 70's thing WAY too far. I get it. Stuff was cool then. I like Hazed and Confused too. But he better rejoin this century toot sweet or the whole one trick pony act is going to kill him. He looks like he's in perpetual period costume, and while fashion recycles with the best of them, right now we are in a revamp of the 80's. There is a lot to be said about coming across as current in terms of winning this contest, and he has none of that. If he figures out how to rework the 70's style and music in terms 2010, then he could be a really strong contender.
Lee Dewyze - Bad arrangement, bad vocals, boring performance. Honestly watching this the only thought through my head was "he's going home." Ouch. But yay that he's from Chicago! (wow, Simon loved it. Interesting)
John Park - From Northbrook, IL - practically my parent's backyard! This guy does NOT look like hs voice at all. Is that because he's Asian? I can't think of any Asian singers, so I think that could be what's weird. But he is really good - I think he did a great job tonight - really solid performance.
Michael Lynche - How can you not love this guy? He seems like a giant teddy bear, I just want to hug him. And the whole baby girl born during auditions thing is just too cute. I just really like how authentic and genuine he seems at all times - there is no perception of working the media machine at all and that's so refreshing. and of course, he sings pretty darn good too.
Alex Lambert - Mullet alert! And he definitely proves that no matter how cute you are otherwise, you will still look terrible in a mullet. Started out pretty rough - I though, oh, here I am criticizing this guy's hair when he's totally sucking on stage too. But he got a little better. on pitch at least, which is always nicer to listen to. But still not that good. Lacking in charisma onstage big time.
Casey James - I think short of throwing up onstage or leaping into a racist rant this guy is safe. He's just too good looking, his singing almost doesn't even matter. The fact that he sings well is just icing on the himbo. Although I do have to request that he go back to the ponytail - WAY better.
Andrew Garcia - Loved the dweeby bookworm vibe he had going with his thick glasses, and how he just accompanied himself on the guitar instead of having the full band cover whether or not he could really play. He sounded pretty good too I thought. Although I think he's going to have a hard time ever living up to his cover of Straight Up from Hollywood week (which totally rocked). But I still think he's safe this week.
Okay, that's it for this week. And maybe this whole season who knows? I tend to lose interest and drift away which affects how well I can write about any given subject. But only a little. HA!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
American Idol- The Girls
First thing I want to say about American Idol this season is that I don't even notice Paula is gone. I don't know if that means I never really liked her as much as I thought, or that she wasn't really an important part of the show, that they've just done a great job transistioning to new judges and increasing focus on Kara which I think works, or that the show is just an entity in itself and no one person's presence can change it. Whatever. I just know that I don't even notice it's been changed (and I expected to at least a little), which is a great sign that the right decision was made. And of course, I LOOOOOVE Ellen DeGeneres in all instances so that doesn't hurt.
Paige Miles - Didn't sound too good - especially after that video of her final performance in Hollywood week. She also has some really bad pale lipstick on, and her hair looks weird and flat and stringy. Meh. Also, if you're going to get sewn into an outfit, at least pick something flattering.
Ashley Rodriguez - Awful awful awful song. Awful, semi on-tune-ish rendition. Awful, too tight, too casual white t-shirt. Other than that I kind of like her. Which I guess says something about her "it" factor. Cause I really hated her performance.
Janell Wheeler - Had some iffy moments, but she did alright. And damn, were her pants tight! Some sort of weird, shiny, jeans/lycra combo thing that was just good (Although at least she had the legs to pull them off). But she definitely had a rough time - very inconsistent with pitch.
Lilly Scott - Quirky, in a really nice accessible way. And while I didn't totally love her song, at one point I got chills. And that is never a bad sign.
Katelyn Epperley - During her performance I was mainly thinking "why did they frizz out her pretty curly hair like it's the 80's and FrizzEase hasn't been invented yet?" So I don't know what that says about her singing. It seemed fine but was overshadowed by the poor styling.
Haeley Vaughn - This girl sufferes from some severe prejudice on my part because I don't like her teeth. Or the way her name is spelled. And yes, these are irrelevant, irrational, stupid things, but they totally bug me for some reason. That said, she can really sing, and I liked her red guitar, although her outfit was too juvenile - like a 5 year old.
Lacey Brown - Jeez, tonight is really sucking. I think this girl is cute (I love anyone in a short funky hairstyle) and has a neat, unique voice. But she was not veyr good tonight, just like the last six before her weren't very good. Where is the showstopping performance of the night?
Michelle Delamor - Oh. here it is. Okay, maybe not showstopping, but pretty darn good. Very pretty girl, normalish looking outfit, good song with a decent arrangement, and strong solid vocals without any off notes. Well done. Finally
Didi Benami - I love this girl. I loved the song by Kara that she sang at Hollywood week (wish someone would record THAT), and I love the song she sang tonight. It was a perfect song for her, she sang it beautifully, and her quirky macrame vest somehow managed to be a) and macrame vest, and b) flattering. Wicked good.
Siobhan Magnus - Can I just say that I totally love the name Siobhan? So exotic and pretty, but then you have the whole SYobHan pronounciation issue (sounds like Shavonne people) which is why none of my kids were given a moniker such as this. Ah, thoes tricky Celtic names. That being said, she sang beautifully, even though I don't really like that song at all. Her hairdo needed work though.
Crystal Bowersox - Oh how I wish this girl didn't have dreadlocks. So pretty, so talented, with such a cute little boy. but dreadlocks make me think of bugs crawling around on my scalp. Dirty dirty dirty, ick.
Katie Stevens - I can't believe she's only 16 (from her voice, the dancing and outfit was junior prom all the way). But she was great vocally.
Ok, that's my wrap up on the girls. Tune in tomorrow for the boys. And then I'll probably never say another thing about this season cause, gosh, this was a lot of work!
Paige Miles - Didn't sound too good - especially after that video of her final performance in Hollywood week. She also has some really bad pale lipstick on, and her hair looks weird and flat and stringy. Meh. Also, if you're going to get sewn into an outfit, at least pick something flattering.
Ashley Rodriguez - Awful awful awful song. Awful, semi on-tune-ish rendition. Awful, too tight, too casual white t-shirt. Other than that I kind of like her. Which I guess says something about her "it" factor. Cause I really hated her performance.
Janell Wheeler - Had some iffy moments, but she did alright. And damn, were her pants tight! Some sort of weird, shiny, jeans/lycra combo thing that was just good (Although at least she had the legs to pull them off). But she definitely had a rough time - very inconsistent with pitch.
Lilly Scott - Quirky, in a really nice accessible way. And while I didn't totally love her song, at one point I got chills. And that is never a bad sign.
Katelyn Epperley - During her performance I was mainly thinking "why did they frizz out her pretty curly hair like it's the 80's and FrizzEase hasn't been invented yet?" So I don't know what that says about her singing. It seemed fine but was overshadowed by the poor styling.
Haeley Vaughn - This girl sufferes from some severe prejudice on my part because I don't like her teeth. Or the way her name is spelled. And yes, these are irrelevant, irrational, stupid things, but they totally bug me for some reason. That said, she can really sing, and I liked her red guitar, although her outfit was too juvenile - like a 5 year old.
Lacey Brown - Jeez, tonight is really sucking. I think this girl is cute (I love anyone in a short funky hairstyle) and has a neat, unique voice. But she was not veyr good tonight, just like the last six before her weren't very good. Where is the showstopping performance of the night?
Michelle Delamor - Oh. here it is. Okay, maybe not showstopping, but pretty darn good. Very pretty girl, normalish looking outfit, good song with a decent arrangement, and strong solid vocals without any off notes. Well done. Finally
Didi Benami - I love this girl. I loved the song by Kara that she sang at Hollywood week (wish someone would record THAT), and I love the song she sang tonight. It was a perfect song for her, she sang it beautifully, and her quirky macrame vest somehow managed to be a) and macrame vest, and b) flattering. Wicked good.
Siobhan Magnus - Can I just say that I totally love the name Siobhan? So exotic and pretty, but then you have the whole SYobHan pronounciation issue (sounds like Shavonne people) which is why none of my kids were given a moniker such as this. Ah, thoes tricky Celtic names. That being said, she sang beautifully, even though I don't really like that song at all. Her hairdo needed work though.
Crystal Bowersox - Oh how I wish this girl didn't have dreadlocks. So pretty, so talented, with such a cute little boy. but dreadlocks make me think of bugs crawling around on my scalp. Dirty dirty dirty, ick.
Katie Stevens - I can't believe she's only 16 (from her voice, the dancing and outfit was junior prom all the way). But she was great vocally.
Ok, that's my wrap up on the girls. Tune in tomorrow for the boys. And then I'll probably never say another thing about this season cause, gosh, this was a lot of work!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Superbowl Ad Wrap Up
So, I had big plans this year. A full wrap up of all the best and worst Superbowl commercials, with video links for the top contenders. But then the day approached, and you know what? I just really didn't care. Nothing was awesome. Nothing was totally atrocious (actually not true, this was horrific). But basically, nothing at the end of the day was worth my precious attention and the effort it would take to write about it. So I'll just leave you with a few impressions*:
Bud light had the usual stupid laughs (and of course the obligatory Budweiser Clydesdales ad that made me tear up - I am a pathetic sap), although Doritos gave them a run for their money. Both companies did a decent job with their spots, but I don't think the entire first quarter had ads by anyone else and it got really annoying seeing the same two things over and over. Yeah. We get it, beer and chips. wheee. Also, Budlight? Your Lost spoof ad was funny - people choosing beer over rescue, haha - but shouldn't it have aired like, 5 years ago? Right after they crashed and everyone was all still into the plane crash scenario and not in the time travel, topsy turvy we've been rescued or not or whatever final season? Yeah. I thought so.
I did like the Bridgestone commerical where three guys rush towards the ocean with a killer whale in the car, and do some fancy manuevering to fling it off end of dock. but it was also so transparently "hey The Hangover was popular, let's do an ad like that" that it took away some of the funny. And of course, did nothing to sell tires, but that isn't really the point of Superbowl ads, is it?
The Dove men ad was amusing (although it ripped off Anita Renfro), and it got my husband to say "oooh, I may have to try that." So I call that good advertising.
The Man's Last Stand commercial was also greatness. I will watch your vampire tv shows with you - haha!
The CareerBuilder.com commercial about casual fridays = funny. The Dockers "I wear no pants" ad = not funny. Unless it was a comment on the infantilizing of the country and people who never want to "wear the pants" and take responsibility for themselves. in which case it was a very witty and biting social commentary. But still, not funny.
Loved the flotv commercial injury report about "Jason" and how his girlfriend removed his spine. Change out of that skirt Jason- very amusing. Also, a live mobile television doohicky? I want.
In the WTF category I definitely have to award Carmax and their dramatically smart animals. What was going on there? As runner up I nominate the fiddling Beaver for Monster.com . Why a beaver?
As for CBS- I think their commercials were actually pretty good. The one where the "NCIS head slap" is replacing the handshake was pretty amusing (love the bride slapping granny). But the one that got my attention the most (obviously) was the ad for The Late Show featuring Oprah, David Letterman and Jay Leno all sitting on a couch together. I'm sure the intent was to show no hard feelings or grudges or whatever, but I thought it was in very bad taste for Leno to participate in that ad. Here's a tip - when you've just gotten hundreds of people FIRED so your spoiled ass can have your old job back, advertising for the competitor is pretty tacky.
My only other comment about the night (because let's face it, I didn't really watch the game at all) was the halftime performance by The Who. Because I'm pretty sure Nigel Tufnel was playing the drums. And I find this surprising not only because he was a guitarist, but you’d expect with his band's history that he’d stay away from drums.
*no, I'm not touching the whole Tim Tebow commercial controversy. To be honest, the whole ad was like "that's it? Really. This is the super controversial pro-life ad? Huh." But I guess the intial discussion and attention and controversy was enough to serve their point and get their message out there. Whatever. I don't argue with people too close minded to listen.
Bud light had the usual stupid laughs (and of course the obligatory Budweiser Clydesdales ad that made me tear up - I am a pathetic sap), although Doritos gave them a run for their money. Both companies did a decent job with their spots, but I don't think the entire first quarter had ads by anyone else and it got really annoying seeing the same two things over and over. Yeah. We get it, beer and chips. wheee. Also, Budlight? Your Lost spoof ad was funny - people choosing beer over rescue, haha - but shouldn't it have aired like, 5 years ago? Right after they crashed and everyone was all still into the plane crash scenario and not in the time travel, topsy turvy we've been rescued or not or whatever final season? Yeah. I thought so.
I did like the Bridgestone commerical where three guys rush towards the ocean with a killer whale in the car, and do some fancy manuevering to fling it off end of dock. but it was also so transparently "hey The Hangover was popular, let's do an ad like that" that it took away some of the funny. And of course, did nothing to sell tires, but that isn't really the point of Superbowl ads, is it?
The Dove men ad was amusing (although it ripped off Anita Renfro), and it got my husband to say "oooh, I may have to try that." So I call that good advertising.
The Man's Last Stand commercial was also greatness. I will watch your vampire tv shows with you - haha!
The CareerBuilder.com commercial about casual fridays = funny. The Dockers "I wear no pants" ad = not funny. Unless it was a comment on the infantilizing of the country and people who never want to "wear the pants" and take responsibility for themselves. in which case it was a very witty and biting social commentary. But still, not funny.
Loved the flotv commercial injury report about "Jason" and how his girlfriend removed his spine. Change out of that skirt Jason- very amusing. Also, a live mobile television doohicky? I want.
In the WTF category I definitely have to award Carmax and their dramatically smart animals. What was going on there? As runner up I nominate the fiddling Beaver for Monster.com . Why a beaver?
As for CBS- I think their commercials were actually pretty good. The one where the "NCIS head slap" is replacing the handshake was pretty amusing (love the bride slapping granny). But the one that got my attention the most (obviously) was the ad for The Late Show featuring Oprah, David Letterman and Jay Leno all sitting on a couch together. I'm sure the intent was to show no hard feelings or grudges or whatever, but I thought it was in very bad taste for Leno to participate in that ad. Here's a tip - when you've just gotten hundreds of people FIRED so your spoiled ass can have your old job back, advertising for the competitor is pretty tacky.
My only other comment about the night (because let's face it, I didn't really watch the game at all) was the halftime performance by The Who. Because I'm pretty sure Nigel Tufnel was playing the drums. And I find this surprising not only because he was a guitarist, but you’d expect with his band's history that he’d stay away from drums.
*no, I'm not touching the whole Tim Tebow commercial controversy. To be honest, the whole ad was like "that's it? Really. This is the super controversial pro-life ad? Huh." But I guess the intial discussion and attention and controversy was enough to serve their point and get their message out there. Whatever. I don't argue with people too close minded to listen.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Modern Family
Because it was mentioned in the comments of this post, I wanted to talk about Modern Family. Do I think it is funny? Yes. Do I enjoy every episode and the cast of characters? Fo shizzle. Do I think it is the revolutionary, earth shattering revival of the sitcom? I don't know about that.
I have to say that I really don't get all the hoopla surrounding Modern Family. I keep seeing all of these reviews and articles and whatnot declaring it the best sitcom in ages and it is changing the face of television and on and on, and I can't help but think "really?" I mean, don't get me wrong - I really like the show. I think it is great, and funny and everyone on it is fantastic and I hope it succeeds and lasts a good long time. But is it really that dramatic a departure from other shows? Is it really singlehandedly reviving the sitcom?
I don't know. I don't watch that many sitcoms so I don't know if this one is drastically (little, yellow) different and better (hahaha I am such a dork). Maybe everything else that has come out recently has blown. Maybe NOTHING in the sitcom genre has come out recently. I jsut don't know.
I do know that comparing this to something like Cheers or Seinfeld or Friends, or any of the other few and might sitcoms that manage to retain their humor and heart and appeal years and decades later seems a bit premature. Even in the beginning those probably didn't seem like the yardsticks all future shows would be measured against.
But who knows?
I suppose the fact that it is the ONLY sitcom I watch (and my DVR tapes over 40 shows a week *cringe*) says enough. Time will tell.
I have to say that I really don't get all the hoopla surrounding Modern Family. I keep seeing all of these reviews and articles and whatnot declaring it the best sitcom in ages and it is changing the face of television and on and on, and I can't help but think "really?" I mean, don't get me wrong - I really like the show. I think it is great, and funny and everyone on it is fantastic and I hope it succeeds and lasts a good long time. But is it really that dramatic a departure from other shows? Is it really singlehandedly reviving the sitcom?
I don't know. I don't watch that many sitcoms so I don't know if this one is drastically (little, yellow) different and better (hahaha I am such a dork). Maybe everything else that has come out recently has blown. Maybe NOTHING in the sitcom genre has come out recently. I jsut don't know.
I do know that comparing this to something like Cheers or Seinfeld or Friends, or any of the other few and might sitcoms that manage to retain their humor and heart and appeal years and decades later seems a bit premature. Even in the beginning those probably didn't seem like the yardsticks all future shows would be measured against.
But who knows?
I suppose the fact that it is the ONLY sitcom I watch (and my DVR tapes over 40 shows a week *cringe*) says enough. Time will tell.
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