Y’know what’s really irking me; hearing songs from Sesame Street in television commercials. The first time I was aware of this was when I saw VH1 using the song “Sing” to hype how diverse their video selection is. I’m sure everyone’s seen this commercial by now. It’s the one where disparate video clips are synced or manipulated to match the lyrics of “Sing.”
When I first saw this I was way pissed. I was hurt on multiple levels. On one hand I was pissed that Sesame Street had completely sold out. I didn’t have a problem with the endless merchandising the show does, because that’s really supplying a demand. But to allow this classic song to be used for a commercial really hurt me.
On another hand I was heated that VH1 was trying to exploit my childhood memories to endear me to their brand. That really disgusted me.
Just this week I had the television on, and a Dr. Pepper commercial came on. I honestly don’t know what was going on in the commercial, but I know that I was astounded to hear “Mah Na Mah Na” close it out.
At that point I realized that it was a full on attempt to use pure childhood memories to increase sales. Now I’m sure that the persons who dreamed up these campaigns purchased Songs from the Street: 35 Years of Music just as I did. They probably also found it to be a remarkable trip down memory lane. But apparently what they then decided to do was to pillage the collection in an attempt to further tap into a demographic.
Utilizing songs from Sesame Street isn’t irreverent, witty, clever or an act of reverence. It’s exploitative, and I’m sure Jim Henson is rolling in his grave right now.
What I Watched Last Week
Carnivale – Ben has a family reunion. A creepy weird family reunion. The most disturbing image was Brother Justin’s “help” after he did what he did to her. Disturbing doesn’t do it justice.
Unscripted – Why is this show still on? I feel bad for Clooney & Soderbergh. Wait, they sleep on beds full of money and shag beautiful women. I rescind that initial statement.
24 – Tony Almeida is back! I was way pumped to see him save the day. Oddly enough I was actually surprised to see him, even though I knew he was going to make an appearance this season.
What’s really great about Tony appearing is that it completely takes your mind away from the fact that very little happened this episode. It was pretty slow, and full of filler. But still Tony’s back!
Tilt – I finally caught last week’s episode, it was decent. The death shocked me. I’m really surprised that the Matador took the shagging of his daughter so well. Dude, he took it way well. Next week’s episode looks promising.
Oz (edited for Joe Reid Somebody) – I felt so bad for ________, I mean he opted to actually ________ in the _________. But the way that he wigged out on ________ I guess he feels its his penance. Poor _______ he lost his temper defending _________ and now it looks like he’s either going to ________ or __________, and neither looks promising. The love triangle between _________, ___________, and _________ is very intriguing. And watching _________ get carved up by ________ was brutal, but not as tragic as watching _______ fall off the wagon.
The Simpsons
Arrested Development
Scrubs
I taped all three shows and watched them back-to-back. It was without a doubt the most hilarious hour and eight minutes I’ve spend in awhile. I’m a huge Moe fan so you know I was digging The Simpsons. Arrested Development is pure oddball fun. The idea of a hot tub in the attic, to be used partially for cooking is comedy gold. And Scrubs is the only show that consistently features a “message” that I actually enjoy watching. And I have so seen that white guy at the club.
Now ordinarily I’d give that power packed threesome the coveted Greatest”¦ nod, but this week I actually discovered”¦
The Greatest Show on Television”¦this week – Que Locura
This is without a doubt the best show on television. How do I know? Because I don’t speak a lick of Spanish, and I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
The basic premise is that it’s a hidden camera show. It’s kind of like Punk’d only it makes Punk’d look like a punk. Que Locura sees the line that most hidden camera shows refuse to cross and does a long jump over it.
For instance in one set up some fake cops pull a guy over and another guy hops out of his trunk. Now since I don’t understand much Spanish I missed what the problem was, but clearly the guy wasn’t supposed to be in the trunk and the driver was being set up.
Anyway the driver, a large heavyset man, keeps lunging for the guy from the trunk, and the fake cops can barely hold him back. In fact he slaps the guy a couple times. But then the guy from the trunk takes one of the cops guns, and starts chasing the driver! I swear the driver looked like he was about to have a heart attack, he was even clutching his chest!
Any show that endangers the lives of the people that it’s mocking gets a huge thumbs up from me.
Another segment featured a Latino Krusty the Clown. He comes to the studio, where he tapes his kids show, late and with a half naked floozy. Meanwhile his special guest (the victim) is kept waiting.
When the show finally does start, the kids begin asking questions of the, apparently, famous female guest. The thing is, the clown critiques the questions, and mocks the kids for asking stupid questions. The guest is outraged. The clown even goes as far as to shoo a kid away when he asks for an autograph. It was comedy.
I’m so not one for national pride, so I’m glad that I can finally outsource my entertainment needs.
Black History Month
Yep, it’s that time of year again, when the networks trot out Black faces for special events in an attempt to honor “heritage.” As a Black guy, sometimes I find this time of year pretty offensive. Especially how it’s conveyed on television.
First off I find the commercials of how “(Insert Company Name Here) Proudly Supports Black History Month” to be very condescending. To me I feel like that the money used to produce that ad (an very self congratulatory “pat on the back”) would probably be better used to fund a program to help recruit Blacks to the corporate workforce.
I also don’t think that the ads which feature little known Black History Facts, like the ones that McDonald’s seems to run every year, do very little and don’t really adhere to the spirit of the event. There is a huge difference between “trivia” and “history.”
And while there are some genuinely insightful programs like PBS’ Slaves and the Making of America and to a lesser extent VH1’s Black In The 80s, I find it highly doubtful that many whites will tune in, even though for all intents and purposes the shows are actually geared for them to learn something. Whites avoid the topic of slavery like it was a toothless beggar, who hasn’t bathed in weeks and reeks of urine. And let’s face it, many think that the past belongs in the past.
Y’see that’s the misconception about Black History Month; it’s not just for Blacks to celebrate their accomplishments, it’s also for whites to learn how much we’ve contributed to this culture, society and abroad.
A Riddle: If Body Drops in Baltimore, Does Anyone Respond To It?
The answer is a resounding “no.”
Last week I posed the following scenario;
Good news; you’re on vacation. Bad news; it’s in Baltimore. Good News; it’s all expense paid. Bad news; you get murdered. Maybe you were killed in a hostage situation. Maybe it was a botched robbery. Perhaps you’re even a innocent victim. Or maybe it’s drug deal gone wrong. The point is you’re dead.
Which Baltimore cop do you want to investigate your murder; Jim McNulty or Frank Pembleton?
Michealangelo gave me my sole reply;
McNulty all the way. Don’t get me wrong, Pembleton was a helluva cop. But McNulty won’t rest until he’s solved the case, even if he gets too close to a city coverup and they ship his ass back to the Harbor Patrol.
(So I was clearly on a Baltimore kick last week and this week’s column suffers for it. I know realize that while these two characters may be some of the most compelling characters on television, they are obscure.)
My answer is Frank Pembleton. He’s the consummate detective. He’s professional, sure of himself, and he’s pretty relentless himself. He’s doesn’t get blinded by loyalty, as I seem to recall him bringing in his former partner Bayliss. He just works the case. And heaven forbid he gets as suspect in “The Box,” it’s curtains.
Of course this leads us to this week’s edition of”¦
Good News/Bad News/Question of the Week
Good news; your alive this week. Bad news; you’re up for adoption. Maybe your parent’s don’t love you. Maybe your single mother couldn’t afford to keep you. Maybe your parents were killed in an alley just after you finished watching “The Mark of Zorro.” The point is you’re up for adoption. The great news is that a couple of folks want to adopt you.
Would you rather live with Phillip Drummond from Diff’rent Strokes or The Papadapolis’ from Webster?
Send me an email with your rationale for picking the home that you picked.
Links
Romo gives you a rundown on what he’s watching.
Coogan & Mark talk about Tilt.
J.A.M.
Cam took this week off. But last weeks column was really good, read it again.
Joe Reid on the other hand has news on Tupac’s chances on winning an Oscar. Seriously.
Greatest Video Ever”¦this week
Luther Vandross – Give Me The Reason
This video is great for many reasons. Firstly, it features Judge Reinhold, who I consider to be the most underrated actor not getting work right now. Secondly this video features Luther who has the magical ability to appear in and interact with seemingly any scene from the movie Ruthless People. Sure the special effects look primitive by today’s standard, but Luther took a gun from Helen Shaver! Lastly this video is the great because it gives away every aspect of the aforementioned movie. I’m talking everything; plot points, climax, and resolution. This video is one great big spoiler, emphasis on great.
