Showing posts with label pop culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pop culture. Show all posts
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
"Best Week Ever" coming back to VH1
"Best Week Ever" is making a comeback on VH1.After a three-year hiatus, the audience favorite -- which recounted the week's pop culture and celebrity happenings from 2004 to 2009 -- will return to anchor VH1's new Friday night Humor Block.
"This is exactly the right moment to bring back this iconic show," said Jeff Olde, VH1's executive vice president of original programming and production, at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour on Friday. "We'll update this series for today's social-media-charged world for a bester 'Best Week Ever.'"
"Best Week Ever" is coming back with a new look in January 2013, examining all that was good, bad and "so-bad-it-was-awesome" in the world of pop culture news and gossip. Funny talking heads (the show's first incarnation included Jessica St. Clair, Rachael Harris and Paul Scheer) will discuss celebrities' lives and the crazy "I-can't-believe-they-did-that" moments on the Internet. The series will also have include a new social media aspect.
The show will be coupled with additional series including the new pop culture nostalgia series "Miss You Much," hosted by Catherine Reitman.
Source
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Crazy pop culture theories that will make you think
1. The "Aladdin" Is Set In The Future Theory
There's a scene in "Aladdin" where Genie calls Aladdin's clothes "so 3rd century." However, as we all know, the Genie was locked inside a lamp for the past 10,000 years, meaning that there is no way he could have known what the 3rd century was like.
This means that "Aladdin" actually takes place in the FUTURE, in at least 10,300 AD. The movie itself is set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, one where only some Arabic culture has survived. The things called "magic" are actually just some of the technological marvels left behind by the previous civilization. These include flying carpets and genetically engineered parrots which can comprehend human speech instead of just mimicking it.
How else could the Genie do impressions of ancient, long-dead celebrities like Groucho Marx, Jack Nicholson, etc?
2. The "Rugrats" Never Happened Theory
None of the babies in "Rugrats" actually exist, but they are all instead figments of Angelica's imagination, as result of her parent's negligence.
Chuckie died with his mother, which explains how much of a nervous wreck his father is.
Tommy was a stillborn baby, which explains why his father, Stu, was always in the basement making toys for the son he never had.
Finally, the DeVilles had an abortion. To compensate for not knowing the sex of the baby, Angelica invented twins in her head, one boy, one girl.
3. The Codename: James Bond Theory
Bond is not just one person. "James Bond" is as much a codename as "007." This makes sense, and allows several actors to play the James Bond.
4. Rebecca Black's "Friday"-JFK Theory
"Friday" is about the JFK assassination. The man driving the car JFK was in was named Samuel Kickin (Kickin in the front seat, sittin in the back seat...). The assassination occurred on a Friday, and after JFK was shot the secret service told Jackie Kennedy to "get down" (got to get down on Friday). The cold war and the spread of Communism are referenced (everybody's Russian).
Finally, instead of eating a breakfast of eggs and sausage that morning, JFK opted for a bowl of Bran Flakes (got to have my bowl- got to have cereal). The following Monday, JFK was due to sign a law that provided bus transportation to all students (got to catch my bus...)
5. The Spongebob Mutant Theory
Spongebob and all his friends are the product radiation from atomic testing during the '40s and '50s on the Bikini Atoll. They live underneath the area, explaining the name "Bikini Bottom."
6. The Two Inspector Gadgets Theory
There are actually two Inspector Gadgets. The first was long thought to be dead, so a second was built, one with the same dog, niece, life. When the first returns from being presumably dead and sees he has been replaced, he snaps. He vows to destroy the man who took his place and assumes a new identity... Dr. Claw.
8. The "Samuari Jack"-"Powerpuff Girls" Shared Universe Theory
"Samurai Jack" takes place in a post-apocalyptic Townsville.
9. The All Of Quentin Tarantino's Films Take Place In The Same Universe Theory
It's well known that all of Tarantino's films take place in the same universe - this is established by the fact that Mr. Blonde and Vince Vega are brothers, everybody smokes Red Apple cigarettes, Mr. White worked with Alabama from True Romance, etc.
As it turns out, Donny Donowitz, 'The Bear Jew', is the father of movie producer Lee Donowitz from True Romance - which means that, in Tarantino's universe, everybody grew up learning about how a bunch of commando Jews machine gunned Hitler to death in a burning movie theater, as opposed to quietly killing himself in a bunker.
Because World War 2 ended in a movie theater, everybody lends greater significance to pop culture, hence why seemingly everybody has Abed-level knowledge of movies and TV. Likewise, because America won World War 2 in one concentrated act of hyperviolent slaughter, Americans as a whole are more desensitized to that sort of thing. Hence why Butch is unfazed by killing two people, Mr. White and Mr. Pink take a pragmatic approach to killing in their line of work, Esmerelda the cab driver is obsessed with death, etc.
You can extrapolate this further when you realize that Tarantino's movies are technically two universes - he's gone on record as saying that Kill Bill and From Dusk 'Til Dawn take place in a 'movie movie universe'; that is, they're movies that characters from the Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, True Romance, and Death Proof universe would go to see in theaters. (Kill Bill, after all, is basically Fox Force Five, right on down to Mia Wallace playing the title role.)
What immediately springs to mind about Kill Bill and From Dusk 'Til Dawn? That they're crazy violent, even by Tarantino standards. These are the movies produced in a world where America's crowning victory was locking a bunch of people in a movie theater and blowing it to bits - and keep in mind, Lee Donowitz, son of one of the people on the suicide mission to kill Hitler, is a very successful movie producer.
Basically, it turns every Tarantino movie into alternate reality sci fi.
10. The "Ferris Bueller"-"Fight Club" Theory
One day while he's lying sick in bed, Cameron lets "Ferris" steal his father's car and take the day off, and as Cameron wanders around the city, all of his interactions with Ferris and Sloane, and all the impossible hijinks, are all just played out in his head. This is part of the reason why the "three" characters can see so much of Chicago in less than one day -- Cameron is alone, just imagining it all.
Ferris Bueller, the person, is just a figment of Cameron’s imagination, like Tyler Durden, and Sloane is the girl Cameron secretly loves.
11. The "Forrest Gump" Gump Jr. Theory
Forrest never had a son. Jenny just took advantage after learning how rich he became from his shrimp business.
12. The "Captain Planet" And "Magic Schoolbus" Are Actually The Same Show Theory
13. The Super Mario Bros 3 Never Happened Theory
14. The "Back To The Future" Suicidal Doc Theory
Doc is suicidal during the scene where they test the time machine. Not only has he never tested the machine, but he says that most of his inventions have been failures.
Because of this he not only drives the Delorian towards himself, but grabs onto Marty so he cannot run away.
If his invention failed, they would have both died. Which is exactly what Doc wanted.
15. The "Fresh Prince" Will Is Dead Theory
Will actually died in the fight on the basketball court in West Philly.
The taxi driver is actually God, who drives a "rare" cab. He takes Will to heaven, where he works out all his issues with his wealthy Aunt and Uncle.
Will only sees his mother and father on special occasions, because that's when they come to visit his grave.
There's a scene in "Aladdin" where Genie calls Aladdin's clothes "so 3rd century." However, as we all know, the Genie was locked inside a lamp for the past 10,000 years, meaning that there is no way he could have known what the 3rd century was like.
This means that "Aladdin" actually takes place in the FUTURE, in at least 10,300 AD. The movie itself is set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, one where only some Arabic culture has survived. The things called "magic" are actually just some of the technological marvels left behind by the previous civilization. These include flying carpets and genetically engineered parrots which can comprehend human speech instead of just mimicking it.
How else could the Genie do impressions of ancient, long-dead celebrities like Groucho Marx, Jack Nicholson, etc?
2. The "Rugrats" Never Happened Theory
None of the babies in "Rugrats" actually exist, but they are all instead figments of Angelica's imagination, as result of her parent's negligence.
Chuckie died with his mother, which explains how much of a nervous wreck his father is.
Tommy was a stillborn baby, which explains why his father, Stu, was always in the basement making toys for the son he never had.
Finally, the DeVilles had an abortion. To compensate for not knowing the sex of the baby, Angelica invented twins in her head, one boy, one girl.
3. The Codename: James Bond Theory
Bond is not just one person. "James Bond" is as much a codename as "007." This makes sense, and allows several actors to play the James Bond.
4. Rebecca Black's "Friday"-JFK Theory
"Friday" is about the JFK assassination. The man driving the car JFK was in was named Samuel Kickin (Kickin in the front seat, sittin in the back seat...). The assassination occurred on a Friday, and after JFK was shot the secret service told Jackie Kennedy to "get down" (got to get down on Friday). The cold war and the spread of Communism are referenced (everybody's Russian).
Finally, instead of eating a breakfast of eggs and sausage that morning, JFK opted for a bowl of Bran Flakes (got to have my bowl- got to have cereal). The following Monday, JFK was due to sign a law that provided bus transportation to all students (got to catch my bus...)
5. The Spongebob Mutant Theory
Spongebob and all his friends are the product radiation from atomic testing during the '40s and '50s on the Bikini Atoll. They live underneath the area, explaining the name "Bikini Bottom."
6. The Two Inspector Gadgets Theory
There are actually two Inspector Gadgets. The first was long thought to be dead, so a second was built, one with the same dog, niece, life. When the first returns from being presumably dead and sees he has been replaced, he snaps. He vows to destroy the man who took his place and assumes a new identity... Dr. Claw.
8. The "Samuari Jack"-"Powerpuff Girls" Shared Universe Theory
9. The All Of Quentin Tarantino's Films Take Place In The Same Universe Theory
It's well known that all of Tarantino's films take place in the same universe - this is established by the fact that Mr. Blonde and Vince Vega are brothers, everybody smokes Red Apple cigarettes, Mr. White worked with Alabama from True Romance, etc.
As it turns out, Donny Donowitz, 'The Bear Jew', is the father of movie producer Lee Donowitz from True Romance - which means that, in Tarantino's universe, everybody grew up learning about how a bunch of commando Jews machine gunned Hitler to death in a burning movie theater, as opposed to quietly killing himself in a bunker.
Because World War 2 ended in a movie theater, everybody lends greater significance to pop culture, hence why seemingly everybody has Abed-level knowledge of movies and TV. Likewise, because America won World War 2 in one concentrated act of hyperviolent slaughter, Americans as a whole are more desensitized to that sort of thing. Hence why Butch is unfazed by killing two people, Mr. White and Mr. Pink take a pragmatic approach to killing in their line of work, Esmerelda the cab driver is obsessed with death, etc.
You can extrapolate this further when you realize that Tarantino's movies are technically two universes - he's gone on record as saying that Kill Bill and From Dusk 'Til Dawn take place in a 'movie movie universe'; that is, they're movies that characters from the Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, True Romance, and Death Proof universe would go to see in theaters. (Kill Bill, after all, is basically Fox Force Five, right on down to Mia Wallace playing the title role.)
What immediately springs to mind about Kill Bill and From Dusk 'Til Dawn? That they're crazy violent, even by Tarantino standards. These are the movies produced in a world where America's crowning victory was locking a bunch of people in a movie theater and blowing it to bits - and keep in mind, Lee Donowitz, son of one of the people on the suicide mission to kill Hitler, is a very successful movie producer.
Basically, it turns every Tarantino movie into alternate reality sci fi.
10. The "Ferris Bueller"-"Fight Club" Theory
One day while he's lying sick in bed, Cameron lets "Ferris" steal his father's car and take the day off, and as Cameron wanders around the city, all of his interactions with Ferris and Sloane, and all the impossible hijinks, are all just played out in his head. This is part of the reason why the "three" characters can see so much of Chicago in less than one day -- Cameron is alone, just imagining it all.
Ferris Bueller, the person, is just a figment of Cameron’s imagination, like Tyler Durden, and Sloane is the girl Cameron secretly loves.
11. The "Forrest Gump" Gump Jr. Theory
Forrest never had a son. Jenny just took advantage after learning how rich he became from his shrimp business.
12. The "Captain Planet" And "Magic Schoolbus" Are Actually The Same Show Theory
13. The Super Mario Bros 3 Never Happened Theory
14. The "Back To The Future" Suicidal Doc Theory
Doc is suicidal during the scene where they test the time machine. Not only has he never tested the machine, but he says that most of his inventions have been failures.
Because of this he not only drives the Delorian towards himself, but grabs onto Marty so he cannot run away.
If his invention failed, they would have both died. Which is exactly what Doc wanted.
15. The "Fresh Prince" Will Is Dead Theory
Will actually died in the fight on the basketball court in West Philly.
The taxi driver is actually God, who drives a "rare" cab. He takes Will to heaven, where he works out all his issues with his wealthy Aunt and Uncle.
Will only sees his mother and father on special occasions, because that's when they come to visit his grave.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentines from your childhood
Here is all 150. These are the ones I personally remember giving and/or getting.
And Game of Thrones Valentines:
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Some things that will make you feel old
I pulled out some of my favorites that really made me feel old. See the rest here.
The Pepsi girl is 19 years old.
TV Guide from 10 years ago
The age of the Spice Girls
Kurt Cobain has been dead for 17 years.
JFK would be 92 years old.
Top 5 songs from 15 years ago.
The Pepsi girl is 19 years old.
TV Guide from 10 years ago
The age of the Spice Girls
JFK would be 92 years old.
Top 5 songs from 15 years ago.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Has American pop culture become too dumb for Beavis and Butt-Head?
Oh, Butt-Head, if only you knew what was to come.
MTV — the network that first aired "Beavis and Butt-Head," a show many condemned as a celebration of stupidity — has now brought the awkward and offensive teens back with new episodes. Like most mature adult men, I tuned in with nostalgic excitement.
The crudely animated pair sounded the same as always — nasally, mildly profane, wildly immature. They poked fun at music videos and, in a new twist, some of the reality television shows that now dominate MTV's programming.
But it all seemed to fall flat. Gone was the edginess the show had when it first came along and bothered the daylights out of social conservatives who feared it would launch a generation of Satanists and pyromaniacs.
I thought about this for a few minutes. The original "Beavis and Butt-Head" show went off the air more than a decade ago. In the absence of those hormone-addled fools, we've devolved into an entertainment culture focused on Kardashians and Lohans and random people eating buckets of bugs for money.
And then it hit me: Has the world become too stupid for Beavis and Butt-Head?
"Poor Beavis and Butt-Head have been out-dumbed," said Elayne Rapping, a professor of American studies at the University at Buffalo and an expert on media and popular culture. "It just doesn't work anymore. It's not unusual."
And that, at the risk of sounding like a fud, is truly a sad state of affairs.
It's important to remember that, for all its immaturity, "Beavis and Butt-Head" offered up some rather sharp satire of 1990s popular culture. By being incredibly dumb and reckless, the inseparable teens were, in a sense, mocking the often mind-numbing essence of music videos and the whole MTV culture.
"It did have a strong element of social commentary," Rapping said. "Their whole education, such as it was, came from low-level popular culture. But now it's no longer just low-level pop culture that's silly or stupid. It's more and more mainstream culture and politics."
Along with reality television and 24-hour coverage of celebrity foibles, the political world does seem to be adding to our collective dumbing-down. Who can forget the summer of 2009, when disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich attempted to get the judge in his corruption trial to let him appear on a reality show called "I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!" (He was denied, so his wife, Patti, went on in his place.)
And at a September speech before students at Liberty University in Virginia, GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry joked about his high school academic performance: "I graduated in the top 10 of my graduating class — of 13." The audience applauded. (sigh)
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