Blood Not the Only Thing that Now Leads

One quote from class has resonated as I’ve watched the nightly news reports. As it  was mentioned numerous times, “if it bleeds, it leads.” This was remarkably true in my opinion for a while. For example, there was the fan violence at a Dodger game earlier in the year. There always the local assaults in families that they frequently show. These are the top of the lineup, but in the more diverse areas, these crimes often go unnoticed. Now, the media has begun to shift its attention from blood leading news to altercations and court cases dealing with celebrities and other prominent figures.

The Michael Jackson Trial that was so widely discussed in class is at the forefront of this argument. The case went on for months until Conrad Murray was proven guilty. For some of us, it became a reality show that far out matched that of Judge Judy. Michael meant a lot to practically every race, community, and class. His music may have supported the fan base of the trial, but the use of this doctor’s ethics and all of his mistresses were indeed in question. Society became obsessed with this trial. I’m sure the coverage on any of the local channels would compare to American Idol, Survivor, etc. Since its conclusion, there have been even more beefs with “once popular” people.

I can’t totally remember, but it seemed like the Jerry Sandusky coverage occurred after Murray was acquitted, but the weeks seem to be totally mixed. Of course, I’m sure if I was watching Court TV or whatever the channel was that I could tell you exactly what episode of the current season it was! Any way, people were irate at the actions of Joe Paterno and the AD of Penn State. The outrage stemmed to the firing of the head coach. Finally, Sandusky was jailed for not being able to make the $250,00 bail. I’m sure society will tune into see what this white male former linebackers coach will actually receive for his jail time. It always seems like quote on quote celebrities get special treatment. Just ask Lindsay Lohan. I mean she’ll tell you otherwise, but basically everyone else will agree with my point. Sandusky committed numerous inhumane acts on young kids and the media has only strengthened its attack on him and against his actions. Some people want to observe his case day in and day out until justice is bestowed on him. Viewers will continue to tune in.

Then, Alec Baldwin kicks himself off an American Airlines flight not for being too fat such as a previous actor, but for not turning off his hand-held device because he was playing Words with Friends. Now, he wasn’t on the phone story boarding with Tina Fey about 30 Rock or talking to Capital One associates. Some individuals have really become self-obsessed if you will. Some people are now obsessed with the misconduct people commit and the unjust punishment they receive because of their prestige. Baldwin won’t ride American again but he’ll have to face Americans for his meaningless tantrum.

News no longer has to bleed to lead. It has to entertain the mind by catching it off guard. Specifically, the media gets idols or “demigods” like Joe Paterno that people hold of incredibly high esteem to suddenly become more human. Crime has become reality TV and celebrity court has been cast the prime show. The audience just wants to see that these people on TV are just like them or at least close to it.

Winning!

No, this blog isn’t about the former star of Two and a Half Men. It actually regards society’s obsession of being #1 and having the best through the media’s methods of advertising and entertainment, etc. This concept happens everywhere from sports to politics and everything in-between. All those who have the early versions of the iPhone want the brand new version that seems to come out every few months. Most of us conformed with the special holiday sale of Black Friday. The need was to catch up with the Johnsons or whoever they are while they tried to do reup with those of a higher class. We’ll stop leasing a 2010 Toyota Camry only to get the 2012 version. Drivers on the road boast with their monster-like truck with massive wheels, Ferraris, or anything with special rims. Now to the sports world we go. Last year’s Super Bowl champions, the Green Bay Packers, are having an undefeated season thus far and are dominating practically all their games. Of course, everyone’s looking at the high scoring and high flying offense as a powerhouse and best in the league. Of course, no one’s looking at a defense that’s routinely kept the opponent in the game at least through the 3rd quarter. This past week, USC crushed UCLA. Check the score. Need I say more? A few days later, Neuheisel was let go because they were looked upon as the second best college football team in Los Angeles. In every championship, there’s an hour plus of celebratory coverage and only like 5 minutes of the loser. Why is our society obsessed with winning? Well, it’s not liked it’s part of the American Dream, but it often assisting achieving those visions. A lady pepper sprayed a few customers just to get an XBOX 360. Temporarily winning didn’t work there because the press uncovered her story. As long people win in the right way, they won’t be stopped, and the losers won’t hardly be seen. Winners write history, and the true victor is that of the media. They help hand pick the winners in society and that shapes our goals for success and material possessions.

#1 Commercial Holiday

Last Thursday is known in my opinion as a thin man’s Christmas. We all sit down with family and/or friends to enjoy a meal filled with turkey and a seemingly endless plethora of sides. This of course is the classic Thanksgiving meal. It all varies by tradition and culture. After the meal, people sometimes sleep. It’s true, turkey can cause you to take a nap. It’s good, too, that some people rest because as some shoppers can attest there’s nothing like the unrest of Black Friday. Now, I wasn’t able to go this year because I have a very bad and deathly cough so joyously opted to sleep in. Some of my family members went out at 3 am but 12 midnight or earlier. They thought it would be too crazy. and they were only going to one store and a few stops along the way so it wouldn’t be an issue. Black Friday has become the one of the greatest commercialistic and capitalistic scam. Think about it, after day watching the Macy’s Parade and perhaps talking about how fortunate we are in our lives, we have numerous retail stores breathing down our necks to go out save by spending on this day only. $ and % signs fill our eyes. We can save big only on Black Friday! Not so fast! The store has sales. You just be too lazy to pickup a newspaper and read the ads each week. 30% so what? Well, they specials on really special stuff that isn’t normally on sale so count me in. Black Friday is fake and it undoubtedly starts the Christmas season and I don’t mean anything close to those happy holidays. People are ruthless. They steal items out of carts while others nearby aren’t looking. The worst part of all is that the media is all at fault. Now, I know why Ad agencies can get paid so big. Kohl’s came out with that atrocious song that hopefully won’t come back. I actually enjoyed the Target ad with the lady. She made it look like Black friday shopping was a sport of competition. Well, looks like next year, I’m taking the field.

NL Cy Young Winner: A Dodger???

It was announced today that the National League Cy Young winner was none other Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers.  It was reported that he received 27 of the 32 votes for first place. His season and stats were phenomenonal. Kershaw pitched for a team 3 games above .500 and had a league high 21-5 record. His ERA was extraordinary at 2.28 and his strikes amounted for 248.   I’m proud to say that I’m a Dodger fan regardless of the state of the organization.  Amid the McCourt divorce and the violence on a Giants fan at a game from the beginning of the season, there remains hope for the Dodgertown. Matt Kemp was recently resigned to a large multiyear contract. Pieces are gradually putting put in place without an actual owner. Selig controls most of the transactions and what not, but realistically the organization is trying to get a new vibe. The media has portrayed the Dodgers very negatively within the last year. They started out fairly well and then struggled as the allegations of owners and fan violence arose. Still, near the end of the season they had a remarkable turnaround. I believed that they finished strong. The front office has done a nice job. The organization can’t afford any more negative attention. I look forward to the Dodgers starting the season witha  fresh slate. Not only new ownership but recognition that they have a NL Cy Young winner in Kershaw and one of the best pitchers in MLB. I think he’ll continue his dominance, and hopefully so will MVP hopeful Matt Kemp.  Go Dodgers!!!

Paterno State

Everywhere in the media, reporters seem to have Joe Pa on the brain. At the beginning of 45th season, one could easily assume that he would continue in 2012 as head coach as long as he wasn’t taken out by a player on the sidelines or suffered some sort of injury or sickness. Unfortunately, that won’t be the case. It was nothing more than a scandal involving the former defensive coordinator of a university that one point was considered a Linebacker factory. It’s horrible for any parent, athlete, and kid to hear. The legendary icon, the second half of the 20th century’s John Wooden if you will without all those trophys has been removed from the sidelines by his own Board of Trustees. It shows how important the line of communication truly is. He was aware that the defensive coordinator assaulted numerous  victims and told the president, but no further action was taken.  Some say that the icon would have had to be removed. The scandal would have hurt the university more than a decade earlier and one could attest that they could be rebounding from bad PR. That wasn’t the case and the information was disclosed this week. An assistant coach who witnessed it is now being safeguarded at the university. He’s the scapegoat for causing the end of the era. The media has covered a mother of the victim’s story and a few of the scandal’s witnesses, but the suspect almost seems to be on the loose and hidden from the media’s attention. Hopefully, they take him in to custody for his wrongful and inhumane actions. Penn State will play Saturday, and it’s fans will be blacked out.

The Game of the Century

No, it wasn’t this past year’s Super Bowl between the Steelers and Packers. Nor is it (though it could very well be) Game 6 of the World Series where the Cardinals came back to tie it it and put into extra innings to get the win in the 11th. The Game of the Century doesn’t involve the Lakers and Celtics or Heat and Mavericks. It’s just a college football game between the top 2 schools in the coutry. They’re both SEC West juggernauts and have each won the National Championship in the 2000s. The rivalry between LSU and Alabam heats up.

 

Above are Nick Saban and Les Miles. They’re both great coaches with gifted programs and highly touted defenses. I admired how ESPN, CBS, Sports Illustrated and the like talk up this game like it really is the Super Bowl or World Cup. In my opinion, it will easily be a shutout, but I wouldn’t mind seeing the sports programs being completely wrong. Alabama has the line by 4 over LSU. I’m rooting for Alabama. LSU has the “Honey Badger,” cornerback Tyrann Mathieu and Alabama has halfback Trent Richardson. What if the media’s way off and fans in Vegas lose? I could also see LSU pull a big defensive effort and win by 20. My question is why does the media and reporters alike have to use absolutes all the time? Of course, calling this game the best game of the season would undermine the National Championship. Anyway, this game has BCS implications, but if it’s not a nail biter and simply a roasting of tiger or tide.

Halloween on TV

For almost every major holiday, there’s a tv show that embraces its seasonal theme. Then there’s Halloween. I truly believe that costumes add mystery and help Halloween be the most popular holiday that tv shows and programs emulate. Well maybe it’s tied with Christmas but there are lot more variables for this October holiday. Characters can wear masks and end up with the wrong person. Here’s a recap of some of the themes from this year’s episodes. As seen on The Middle, a mom can take a group of kids trick or treating. As seen on The Last Man Standing, a grandpa can mistake his grandkid for another kid in a skeleton outfit. On Thursday during the comedy power hours, Community mocked a few of the Halloween films by having scenes with a vampire, werewolf, and mad scientist. On Big Bang Theory, Sheldon gets pranked and scared by all of his friends. When he tries to scare them it backfires. He puts a snake in Raj’s office drawer but he doesn’t mind it at all and picks it up to hold it. Then Sheldon devises a plot to shock Howard’s hand, but he ends up falling to the ground as if he had a stroke. His fiance asks Sheldon to push a needle through his chest but it’s all just another prank as the needle is fake. Sheldon does manage to get the best of Leonard by jumping out from the couch cushions. The Office had several costumes.  Erin was Wendy from the hamburger company, Darryl, Kevin, and Jim were the Miami Heat trio, 3 characters were skeletons, and Dwight was some female warrior from some show with wings as weapons that had to be removed before he entered the building. All these shows truly did a remarkable job with their plots instead of using costumes as their benefit. How I Met Your Mother among other shows will premiere it’s episode on Halloween.

The program that relates Halloween the most to me beside scary movies is the Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin classic. It’s just funny to me. Apparently there’s supposed to be big ol’ pumpkin, jack o’lantern I don’t know, that comes around to gives presents like Santa Claus. The worst part was when it doesn’t show. It represents how much a holiday means for a kid and reminds the parents to either go out and get their kid a costume if they haven’t already done so but also to remember what it was like to have fun and be a kid.

On Demand

I just watched a movie on demand. I was upset that the Thursday block of comedy wasn’t brand new. It’s America’s new Blockbuster. TimeWarner has taken that company out of business. So has Netflix. Movies can be purchased within the price limit of $2 to $5. It’s also available on the PS3 or XBOX 360. It’s a way of life for some. Others it’s their night out right on their couch. The film I watched was Funny People. It’s a 2009, but seemed like it was released a year ago. If I was really frugal, I would have waited this long to see this movie on purpose. I like how ad companies play these films to death. As a busy college student, I can’t see every film I want so I wait and only see the ones I really need to see like Dark Knight, Inception, Harry Potter, etc. Everything else is obsolete. I do like how the media plays the commercials/trailers nonstop. Then, when I’m going to see it On Demand, it’s like the film just came out 6 months ago when it really was a year. It’s all a mirage, and I fall for it. At least Funny People was only $1.99. Looks like I saved on my movie ticket and hardly missed out on adding onto any discussions and conversations about the film.

Thursday Night on TV is the New TGIF

Pictured above is the show Big Bang Theory, which airs on CBS at 8 pm. It’s one of the reasons that I believe the night of comedy has replaced ABC’s TGIF from a decade ago or so. Of course, this is my lineup of comedy between two power corporate networks, CBS and NBC.  It begins with Big Bang. Then I switch over to channel 4. You know, the one with the peacock in the lower right hand corner. At 8:30, it’s Parks and Recreation, then The Office at 9. I’m not the biggest fan of the show, Whitney, but I’ll watch it if it’s reasonbable. Let’s just say I want 30 Rock to fill its spot ASAP. These shows allow the American viewer to escape the wear and tear of the four days of the week so far. For me, it’s my final class day. If I made it through Thursday, I’m home free. Now, these comedies aren’t Fridays because the young population goes out to watch movies at the theater, have parties, etc. That TV night is pretty loose. Fringe and Chuck may be the best shows for that night in my opinion. Corporate media has made Thursday the new Friday. There are so many comedies out there on TV, but I believe Thursday highlights them all. It’s the one day you won’t want to have an evening class. What we the TV audience forgets is that corporate media has made us the product. They sell to our needs of laughter and our wallets when they display commercials for their company’s products (those under the GE banner) among others. Without comedy, all we’d have would be murder mystery crime shows and well sports of course.

Thanks Mr. Jobs

The life of Steve Jobs could very well be portrayed in film. He was a man of extraordinary talent as Jobs started Macintosh in his garage around 20 years old or so. The technology age was formed by him. iPods, iTunes, iPads, and iMacs are all held under the Apple name. Don’t forget the soon-to-be iCloud. Millions of teens and even their parents carry the Apple’s white earphones as they scroll through their smart phones. What could easily be a PC fits in the palm of your hand! And you can talk to other people, do face time, etc. At this point, the possibilities are endless. Although he had such great foresight through the technological devices he and his company created, his life didn’t begin as well as he once flourished. His mother gave him for adoption, hoping his parents would be college grads from the finest institutions. Steve’s parents weren’t so biological mother refused to sign the papers at first but eventually she did. Fast forward to his role with Apple. He eventually got the axe when the board favored his confidant. During a graduation address at Stanford, he stated that his firing was the best thing that every happened to him. Sounds like a media shock? No. He created Pixar and NeXT. Ironically, NeXT was picked up by Apple and Steve was in the fold again. Then came all those creations that have a great cultural following. The media over his death has plagued him as a hero. An icon for business, technology, and creativity. Of course, they fail to mention the time that he yelled at managers who had failed to make a product work correctly during a meeting and fired them on the spot. News outlets want to remember this man’s life for all the positives. His company doesn’t want the bad. They probably try not to mention that they once fired him, even though the entire world was made publicly aware. Steve Jobs was remarkable. That’s why the world should thank him for all that he has done, whether they own the product or not, know what influenced, and aware of his life story. He’s the innovator for the greater use of technology down the road. Thanks for my phone, Mr. Jobs!