There Goes the Neighborhood

Fri 28 Feb 200308:48 PM

At the age of 74, Fred Rogers passed away on Thursday from stomach cancer. No matter how cynical, sarcastic or snobbish I might come across in my other posts, I intend none of that when I say that I find his death to be indescribably sad. With the late, great Jim Henson gone as well, losing Mr. Rogers makes childhood seem that much more irretrievable.

Mob Mentality

Mon 16 Sep 200201:46 AM

Family Valueless

Wed 17 Jul 200207:38 PM

Sesame Street intends to add an HIV-positive puppet character to its South African broadcast, in an attempt to help spread understanding in this AIDS-ravaged country. Like a pack of ignorant, reactionary panderers, five Republicans from the House Commerce Committee have threatened to cut funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in the face of this small-scale humanitarian gesture — I guess because it offends their narrow-minded and stereotypical view of AIDS relief of any kind as an endorsement of homosexuality. These people are fanatical right-wingers and are effectively working to undermine basic human compassion. Though the Republicans have apparently been placated, it’s discouraging the way that their brand of reckless idiocy can gain attention — and that the world doesn’t bristle with disgust at it. Those who are offended should write polite but strongly-worded letters of protest to your Congressperson or directly to Committe Chairman Rep. W.J. Tauzin (R-LA).

The Real Slim Scooby

Fri 14 Jun 200207:36 PM

Fight for Yer Right to Time-Shift

Sat 8 Jun 200212:14 PM

This is encouraging: “ReplayTV customers represented by the [Electronic Frontier Foundation] have filed a lawsuit against the entertainment industry to protect their rights to skip over commercials and record television programs for later viewing using digital video recorders.” I’d like to see a series of publicity-damaging consumer lawsuits against the entertainment industry on all manner of digital fair use issues.

Reality Bites

Tue 14 May 200203:40 PM

“The Real Reality Show” is an idea I’ve got for the ultimate reality television show. Six teams of producers, writers and directors are sequestered on a Hollywood backlot. Their goal: develop and pitch a unique reality television show idea. “The Real Reality Show” follows them through twelve weeks as they develop and produce their concept. At the end, the network selects one show that will appear on the following fall’s programming schedule. After that, I would outlaw all reality shows.

Jail House Rock

Mon 15 Apr 200207:09 PM

New York’s Channel 13 has started showing old episodes of Patrick McGoohan’s semi-legendary television show “The Prisoner” late on Sunday nights. It’s been years since I’ve seen it. While the cheesey 60s themes and metaphors are a hoot, the series nevertheless remains absurdly cool, and as worthy as any pop-culture artifact of cult devotion.

Top Cop Goes Pop

Wed 10 Apr 200210:42 PM

Late night television hit a new low yesterday when David Letterman had Attorney General John Ashcroft as a guest. (The Late Show’s Web site has a video clip of the segment, though it probably won’t be up there too long). The AG was a good enough sport and I’ll bet that he’s even a charming fellow if one can get past his far-right politics. But his clumsy attempts at playfulness were just maddening and disturbing given his office’s egregious abuses of power earlier that very same day.

Holy Land

Fri 5 Apr 200206:41 PM

Every time I watch PBS’s “Frontline,” I’m completely impressed. But last night I watched an episode called “Battle for the Holy Land” which includes some amazing behind-the-scenes footage (shot by the BBC) with both Palestinian freedom fighters and Israeli security forces. It was powerful and chilling and probably the most revealing documentation of the conflict that I’ve ever seen.