Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Two words... Victoria's Secret, What a great and smart way for Victoria's Secret to put their product out there and brand it in a original and unique way. This show is every mans fantasy and every girls aspired image, these models are just unbelievably gorgeous! match that up with the sexiest lingerie and you get the Victoria's Secret brand. This airs every year, around Christmas time (coincidence? i think not) on CBS and gives the audience a look at the latest bras and lingerie on stage and also a look behind the scenes. I really think this is a great and extremely smart way to brand their product. They are not using a basic commercial instead it created a whole show that is all about their product which grabs people's attention the most without making them feel like they are just watching a commercial, instead they are just watching a really exciting show. I love watching this show every year, i usually get together with a few friends and we watch it together and discuss the different outfits, as Victoria's Secret, what more can you ask for? They are getting their brand across and also getting people to talk about it after all isn't that the whole point?

Grocery Wars

This video is pretty much the most outrageuous organic food commercial I have ever seen. However, since we discussed Star Wars, and Star Wars parodies in class this past week, I felt Grocey Wars was an appropriate thing to blog about.



This video is filled with tons on puns. Puns on names, and puns on the movie plot itself. The Force is now the "Farm." The main role is "Cuke" Skywalker played by a cucumber, Obi-wan-Canoli, Darth Tater, and Ham Solo to name a few. It seems very cheesy I know, but it was very clever.



The good side of the force was all organic foods, which led the organic rebellion. The dark side, was food filled with chemicals and pesticides. In this video Darth Tater was "more chemical than vegetable," playing on the fact that in the actual Star Wars movie, Darth Vader was more machine than human. I suppose to some people this is a better way to warn them about healthy or unsafe foods, rather than right some crazy PSA, especially most Star Wars fans. The stereotyped Star Wars fab weighs somewhere in the are of 300+ pounds. (joking of course.) Maybe after Grocery Wars we'll see some slimmer mor jedi worthy Star Wars fans out there.

Star Wars Kid

As we discussed in class about Star Wars and watched the clips from YouTube, I remembered in a different class we watched “Star Wars Kid.” The first time one of my teachers played it, I thought it was the strangest thing; it was also really funny. So many people have viewed Star Wars Kid on YouTube and I guess I never really understood it. After viewing the videos in class that were people’s own versions of Star Wars and other things mixed together it reminded me of Star Wars Kid. The whole time the guy is playing with what he pretends to be a lightsaber. It seems he is acting out Star Wars, but in a different way then the ways we saw in class. But again this is his own version and it’s rather different.

I have never been into Star Wars, so much of the trailers online I don’t quite understand, but Star Wars Kid is one I do understand because I know in Star Wars they use lightsabers and the whole video clip this guy is pretending to have one. Apparently this was taped over a basketball game, and students used it as a joke by sharing it on YouTube, or that’s what I read at least. Apparently a bunch of lawsuits and what not went into it, but it was the most popular video at one point. As I read the comments on YouTube just now many of them say this clip ruined his life and that he is no longer alive..it’s YouTube so anyone can post what they want, so I’m not really sure if this is true or not. I found it to be really disturbing after reading those comments though knowing that people still are watching it and making fun of this kid who didn’t even think the video would get out. I think it takes a lot for someone to post something like this on YouTube, but he got quite the audience viewing his clip. Here's the video if you haven't ever seen it. Does anyone actually know what happened to Star Wars Kid?

The Tiger Woods Saga

As I'm sure everyone on the planet already knows, the world's top professional golfer and advertising icon Tiger Woods was involved in a one-car accident outside of his home the day after Thanksgiving. The media has been having an absolute field day with this story ever since. I find it disturbing just how much coverage this thing is getting. My personal opinion on it by now can be summed up in the following two words, WHO CARES? I can't imagine myself devoting another second of time thinking about this event, and I'm a golf fan. It seems to me like the media has taken its typical over the top approach and styled a relatively minor incident as an epic Greek tragedy. Seriously, this is what we've come to? Just because someone is famous does not give you the right to maliciously speculate about their personal life. Some have even called for him to give a public apology. What Tiger Woods was doing to get involved in this minor accident has no bearing on anyone's life except that of him and his family. As a future member of the media, I worry about being involved in an industry where blowing erroneous things out of proportion is considered not just acceptable but necessary. I'm not a fan of Tiger's, actually I don't really like him at all. I have no respect for his childish behavior on the course i.e. cursing, throwing clubs, because he's the only pro golfer who does these things, let alone is allowed to get away with them without any commentator even attempting to detract from him. That being said, I still find the media's treatment of this whole situation utterly disgusting.

A New Way to Email: Google Wave

A couple close friends of mine started buzzing on Facebook about a new email program by Google. Its called Google Wave and is about to hit the online community very soon. Email was a communication media created over 40 years ago. What Google wants to do is re-create email and its functions. So Google asks, "What would email look like if it were created today?" So here we have it, email for the new age...Google Wave.

Google Wave, as I understand it, is communication tool that allows users to join a conversation, playback information in the order it was created, edit the information, and upload photos, text, and video to said conversation. This is all done in order to keep conversation clean and simple. Since Google Wave is in it's preview stage, this connections are still a little rocky and problems are still in the works for getting fixed. Also, Google Wave is by invite only. If you don't have an invitation from someone who currently has it, you cannot use it until the official launch.

The creation of Google Wave fits in perfectly with some of the material we are working on in class. The idea that creativity plays on the past is key. It all began with the Internet, which led to one to one communications via email. Google Wave is breaking the mold of the personal one to one email. Yes, you can still have a conversation with one person, but you may also have an interactive, playback conversation with multiple people at the same time. Since I am still a little hazy on the details, and in the process of understanding Google Wave, here is a YouTube video that explains Google Wave in very simple terms:

Happy Holidays -- From My Fetus to Yours!

There exists a place where one can get a 3D sonogram of their unborn child and have it made into Christmas cards all at a convenient one-stop shop within the cozy confines of a shopping mall. There are almost no words. What would this fetal X-Mas card say? Images of fetuses hanging from garlands and card trees alongside that nice little snow covered cottage card that Grandma sent come to mind.

What is this place where someone could obtain such a thing? Why, The Belly Factory, of course! I was introduced to their website just this morning in an especially informative Health and Media lecture. The Belly Factory appears to be the ultimate in consumerism by marketing to women their own fetuses. The store, located in a mall in Illinois, offers everything from expensive baby classes and pricey exclusive products to teddy bears that play a recording of your unborn child's heartbeat. This may sound like heaven on earth for some expectant moms to be, but to me it just sounds over the top (to say the least).

The Belly Factory offers a variety of picture packages as well, encouraging expectant moms to return multiple times throughout their pregnancy by offering a 10% discount on future purchases with each package. One can get a preview of the 3D and 4D images offered by visiting the ultrasound gallery. I cannot imagine anyone visiting this site and immediately wanting to order X-Mas cards of these images -- no matter how excited about their new addition they may be! These especially detailed sonograms look more like ectoplasmic visions from a sci-fi movie than visions of sugar plums or sleigh bells in the snow. To each their own... and to all a good night!

Twilight to TV?

Ok, I get that teenage girls (and not so teenage girls...including my 27-year-old sister) think this vampire character, Robert Pattinson is a good lookin fellow. The Twilight books have been a smash hit for a while now, basically becoming a Harry Potter-style replacement as the books appeal to roughly the same crowd, except carry more emotion.

The movies were so successful they garnered spinoff shows like True Blood and the Vampire Diaries. Do I get the obsession with the mysterious blood sucking type? No, but whatever. To each their own.

But then I came across this. Basically, Twilight might become a TV show, highlighted by Pattinson being the main character. Talk about milking a cow until it's dry. I'm sure females under the age of 35 will tune in for a while, but would it really survive, especially at the price of hiring the Brit to $1.5 million per episode. Call me crazy, but that sounds like a failure waiting to happen.

Vampire Intervention for Twilight fans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8GGp_bpsng

From the books to the big screen, Twilight has surely made a large impact on the media lately with its recent release of the second film, New Moon, and the developing romance between the characters both on screen and off. I will first admit that yes, I am a fan - I have read the books and have seen both films. With that being said, I do to a certain extent understand why people like them; however after seeing this video posted to youtube, you all most have to laugh at the absurdity of these fans.

This film was created by a small group of a few guys who find Twilight and the whole fascination with vampires to be completely ridiculous. They stage an “exclusive pre viewing” of the sequel New Moon to a select few, prior to the actual premiere. The video shows all the overly enthusiastic fans waiting to be let in. When Mike comes to the stage to begin the vampire intervention most think it is a joke, and continue to cheer in anticipation. When he finally gets the point across to them that they are not actually seeing New Moon there are mixed emotions from the crowd, some offended, some laugh, and some just leave probably still in confusion. He makes it a point to show their stupidity when pointing out that they came to a magic theater to view a movie.

I personally found this video hilarious, however part of me does feel for the people because all though everyone may not love Twilight or understand the appeal, to some it actually is a passion. Over all this video and “intervention” is a mockery to those passionate fans of Twilight, but at the end of the day you just about have to laugh because it was in fact a successful prank.

Guitar Center Wish List

Previous to Black Friday, I was searching for Guitar Center's extended holiday hours. I really should know, after all I do work there, however Guitar Center often waits a while before they finally let their employees in on some things, such as extended hours. While searching for this, I came across this press release from a hip hop related website. It discussed Guitar Center's new application to create a wish list in the form of a concert poster to let friends and family know that you want all this cool gear from Guitar Center. Now, I am an employee of Guitar Center, but I am also a strategic communication major, and I cannot say that I am as impressed about this application as I should be. It is a super creative idea. It connects to media outlets on Facebook and Twitter, enabling shoppers to share their wishes to other Facebook and Twitter members. It obviously got attention, because I found this press release on a website other than Guitar Center's. However, I know first hand that this application is not half as useful as the corporation hopes it would be. I can gaurentee much time, thought, and creative effort went into it, and it will not pay off as big as hoped. My grandma and the grandma of a twelve year old boy is going to walk into Guitar Center and say to me 'I need a black guitar for my grandson, looking to spend under 400 dollars'. He probably told her he wanetd a black guitar. Maybe she saw a picture. However, a poster jumbled with extra graphics and the own kids face probably is just going to confuse any grandma unless the child prints it out himself and makes damn sure that she hands it to an employee stating exactly what he wants. Luckily, especially around the holiday time, Guitar Center has a generous return policy. Customer service is number one at this store, I have seen things I never thought would happen just to please customers at this establishment. As cool as this idea may have sounded, and as rocker and appealing to the muscians this may seem, my grandma, and your's probably too, is better off with a simple check list that says 'American Fender Strat'.

Dear Jack

These days it seems like many celebrities are trying to cash in on different forms of media. Actors who start off in movies try their hands at releasing CDs and singers attempt to act on the big screen or in TV shows. This trend has worked for a select few. Thinking back, it is hard to remember, for example, if Jennifer Lopez started out as a singer or an actress, regardless of whether you like her music or movies. This trend has continued with the younger generation of stars, including Miley Cyrus, who seems to be just about everywhere these days.

One thing that I find very interesting and commendable is the way Jack's Mannequin singer Andrew McMahon has integrated himself into both forms of media. Rather than acting, he has released a documentary titled Dear Jack about his struggle with leukemia. It integrates music, film, and touching life experiences in one.

The documentary follows him as he writes and records music while battling leukemia in his personal life. The film has been shown in select theaters across the country and is also available for purchase on iTunes. Turning his experience with leukemia and the beginning of his music career with Jack's Mannequin into a documentary is a unique way for an already established artist to integrate different media into one, while at the same time showcasing a personal and heartfelt work.

Lackluster On Star

In the wake of Tiger Woods’ accident there are many speculations as to what happened, why it occurred and what will happen next. People wonder what caused the incident but all I could think of was how unlike his advertisement the entire event was.

A while back Tiger was in an ad which showed how helpful On Star could be in a crisis. He was locked out of his car and was about to take a golf club to the window when he finds that On Star is able to unlock his car without all the mess. Fast forward to now when he is trapped in his car after hitting a tree and hydrant, what is the solution for getting someone out of their car? Having one’s wife smash out the windows with his gold club.

Not to say that the event will promote the strength of the golf club but it does show the commitment of his model wife’s determination and handiness with a driver. And where was the trusty On Star during the debacle? Despite airbags deploying and traveling speeds over 30 mph, the company that is supposed to be there for you was less than helpful in Tiger’s incident. So despite all of the ads Buick uses to promote On Star, I think that I have a lack of faith in the product since they were not so quick with their response in Tiger’s time of need.

The Mixtape Weezy

The mixtape king is back at it again. Lil’ Wayne has dominated music charts and influenced pop culture more than any artist over the past 5 years. His deep raspy and raunchy voice combined with his wit and extensive vocabulary within his lyrics has propelled him into a Grammy award winning rap star. There is no subject off topic for the peculiar rapper with songs varying from politics to sex. The New Orleans native has become a house hold name. His fans are extremely diverse from old to young from white to black. Although, his fans might differ in appearance they all have one thing in common; they adore and praise his talent. Just like his hero Jay-Z Wayne also chooses not to write any of his lyrics down on paper but instead recites all off the top of his head. Besides selling millions upon millions of records Lil’ Wayne likes to occasionally distribute free music. Yes, I said “FREE MUSIC”. He has been doing this for quite sometime now and I must say some of the music he puts out for free is better than what is on his actual album. His latest mixtape is another classic titled, No Ceilings. If you want a copy just let me know. It’s FREE anyway and if you like rap and any of the current hip-hop songs on the radio than you will like this mixtape because Wayne kills the beat.

Woodson Giving Back

Charles Woodson, defensive back for the Green Bay Packers, is having one of the best seasons of his career this year.  However, he wants to be known for something other than football when he retires.  He did this by donating $2-million to the new University of Michigan Mott Children's Hospital and Women's Hospital.  The announcement came right before the Packers played the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, where Woodson had 2 interceptions, a forced fumble, and a sack.  Woodson's donation will go towards pediatric research for the new hospital that is scheduled to open in 2012.  Very little of the national budget goes towards this fund, so the donation will be very helpful.  It's good to see that there are still celebrities out there that still care about someone other than themselves. 

chelsea lately

Even though I love watching this show because of the improvised jokes, it's just unbelievable to try and avoid the many racial and stereotypical topics she brings up on the air. There was one episode where she had Lamar Odom and Kloe Kardashian to she show, who got married after one month of dating, and she kept pointing out how people say "when you go black you never go back" and she jokingly said "when you go black you go running back!" there are many more comments like and also about gay people that just got me thinking how no one is saying anything about it? I mean do African American people and gays think its funny? I guess that all makes good TV because last season was the highest season she had ever gotten. It's just like we read in our Media Society book, the media just portrays the norm to be white middle class American and everything else is just a comparison! I think it's sad that after all these years people still view this sensitive topic like that!

Straight Cash Homey

The post about the Wal-Mart shopper website reminded me of one of my brother’s favorite websites, Straight Cash Homey. This website is completely devoted to random jersey sightings. Users post pictures they have taken of people wearing funny/out-of-date sports jersey’s with funny captions. It has become my brother’s dream to one day get on this sight wearing his Detroit Lions Jason Hanson jersey. This website is definitely good for some laughs while you walk down memory lane seeing jersey’s of players you forgot played for particular teams or even played at all. It never ceases to amaze me how many people have time to devote to websites like this. One of my favorite parts of the website is the origin of the name. It comes from a great Randy Moss interview. When asked how he paid his bills and other expenses, after claiming he had never written a check in his life, Moss replied “straight cash, homey.”

Christian Side Hug

A friend from my high school posted the weirdest link, article and video I have ever seeen, on Facebook. I often go through the link section on Facebook because my friends usually have interesting things they find on Youtube, and I can even see what music my friends are into currently, and perhaps find my new favorite band. This is the link that my friend posetd. It is an article discussing the 'Christian Side Hug' and a actual hip-hop video about the Christian side hug. This side hug is to prevent any frontal touching, which this article makes seem like some sort of sin. Although everybody had their own beliefs, I personally believe this is quite hilarious, weird, but believable. The rap group is what really got me. To choose to talk about a Christian side hug through gangster hip-hop style music is like Disney producing the movie SAW. It makes NO SENSE. However, I bet that the creators and the group thought with the power and popularity of hip hop today, this would be a great way to spread the message about a side hug. I cannot imagine kids who like hip hop digging this. Isn't hip hop about the lyrics, raps and stories being told? I don't think the music genre is as much about the beats as it is about the lyrics. In my Race and Ethnicity JMC course we are currently studying the hip hop images. Many articles discuss how hip hop carries a tough urban image because that is the persona that the genre feels they need to potray to survive and not show weakness. Ultimatley this tells me hip hop is about not being vunerable, taking risks, and living life on the edge, tough and fearless. However, that is not what a side hug is about. Maybe kids like this sort of video. Maybe the side hug is a good thing. Maybe hugs are too sexual. Either way, I believe this shows how popular and powerful people see hip hop as, to make a rap video about a side hug.

:::Adam Lambert Steams Things Up:::

Adam Lambert's performance at last week's American Music Awards has stirred up quite the talk throughout the media and public. For those of you like me who have no idea who this guy is, he is yet another American Idol superstar. His performance of his hit single "For Your Entertainment" caused quite the controversy with his wild and "risque" dance routine. After simulating oral sex with one of the dancers onstage he then kissed a male keyboard player. Deja vu? Brittney Spears and Madonna shared their own bit of a little public tongue action at the Video Music Awards. Though the "lipstick lesbian act" as it has been referred to, did receive its share of public criticism, it was not removed from public television. Lambert's kiss was blurred out by CBS. I think this is discriminatory against the fact that Lambert is a gay male. Why should two infamous female pop singers share a moment of heat for the world to see, yet a man who does the same is viewed and inappropriate and unsuitable for public television? I'm not arguing one way or the other as to whether or not either one should have been aired, but the decision should be made with some consistency.

*Unfortunately, the videos have been removed from youtube.

"Black Friday"

As hard as it is to believe...Thanksgiving is all ready here. Personally, my family has a tradition of going up north for the week, getting away, and truly taking in the holiday spirit. Many other families traditions I have come to see include "Black Friday," the infamous day after thanksgiving when all major department stores have massive sales. My family and I have never taken part in this; which got me to thinking... why not? My usual stress on Thanksgiving was in regards to the food baby I would have, but this year, it is in regards to if I am properly prepared for the spending...the crowds...and the determined shoppers.

This is the first year when my mom, my aunt, and I are all preparing to go to the malls to join in with the crowds. Personally, I am not a fan of shopping; I could avoid a mall or major department store for years if I could. It is just funny to me to think of how crazy people go; waking up at 5 am to be there right as the store opens, front of the line, pined against the door. As hesitant as I am, I will be among the many crazed shoppers on Friday, wish me luck!

Wysteria Lane

I survived my first Sunday in three months without my favorite television show MadMen, which had its season finale two weeks ago. Fortunately there was an entertaining football game on NBC, concluding with a triumphant victory of the Indianapolis Colts over the New England Patriots.

Sunday’s the only day that I really watch TV, so I got back into watching ABC’s Desperate Housewives, a tongue in cheek, and wink of the eye look at suburban life on the fictional Wysteria Lane. MadMen it is not, but it makes up for quality with humor. It has one thing in common with MadMen, and that’s the popping up of an occasional Black actor, generally in the roll of a domestic at worse or some other service role at best. At least MadMen has an excuse – if you will – its time period. In a recent role, a Black character plays a motel maid who advises one of the shows characters, Bree, on the harm that her extramarital affair will cause. Wise? Maybe, but a domestic role nonetheless.

Oprah Winfrey says goodbye

After much consideration and prayer, Winfrey told fans today that her show would end in 2011. It’s been nearly a quarter-century since Oprah Winfrey’s debut. She is known for touching the hearts of her viewers, spectacular giveaways and a book club. She has an incredible fan base and is viewed by many as the queen of talk shows.

Winfrey didn’t go into detail about her decision but assured fans that she truly thought things through. She told fans that she loves the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” but knew when it was time to say goodbye.

“Twenty-five years feels right in my bones and feels right in my spirit," She said

As a journalism student, Winfrey’s decision is bitter sweet to me. I can remember watching Winfrey, always inspired by her energy, ever since I was a little girl. I understand that at 55, it is time for her to make decisions about her future and her career, but I pray that her plan includes an active role in network television.

Winfrey has always been a talk show favorite, but it was reported that in the last year her ratings slipped 7 percent. Maybe Winfrey’s decision is a wise one and that old saying is true.

It’s better to bow out gracefully on your own terms than to wait for your fans to tell you when you’re done.

Winfrey said she was excited for upcoming shows and promised that her final season would knock our socks off.

Best of luck to the talk show diva!