Feb
7
2011
The Best and Worst Ads of Super Bowl XLV
The Best:
5.
Jan
25
2011
Special Comment: Olbermann Where Art Thou?
Tonight is the State of the Union address. As is the tradition, I will sit and watch it along with the rest of informed, educated America. However, this year I’m likely going with Brian Williams and the fine folks over at NBC. That’s right – no cable punditry this go around. Why’s that? Well, other than the fact that the particular partisan tone of “analysts” can become headache-inducing after about an hour, my favorite indignant commenter will be absent from the proceedings. I’m talking of course about Keith Olbermann, probably the most popular liberal in the country right now (with Bill Maher, who still claims libertarianism, though no one’s buying it, at a close second).
If you follow the news media at all, you already know about Keith’s decision to split with MSNBC on Friday – the announcement was abrupt, but, according to insiders, no one should be surprised. Olbermann, who has been described as difficult to work with, had been butting heads with his superiors at the network for some time now. Many speculate it all came to a head when Olbermann was suspended in November for two days for violating NBC News policy by donating to two Democratic election campaigns.
It has also been reported, in good ol’ NBC fashion, Olbermann’s exit clause has strict stipulations on when he can do interviews and appear on television again – several months for both. In a twist of irony, the deal was completed exactly one year to the day Conan O’Brien exited the company in a similar scenario, even though Keith is definitely not the A-lister Conan is. O’Brien even made a joke about it on his show last night, claiming the new industry term for this kind of move is called giving someone “the Conan.” And it looks like the “I’m With Olbo” campaign is already underway.
Whether MSNBC likes it or not, Keith made their network what it is today, even if that is a second-place channel with under half of the viewers of Fox News. Olbermann, with his Countdown program, slowly built the progressive voice the network is engulfed in today, and he did it in the nick of time, too; the vitriolic rhetoric of Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly had no clear counterweight on television until Keith came around to set things straight in his own fact-based, mocking, and intelligent way.
Countdown was probably the best written show on cable news, and Olbermann’s delivery, whether you agreed with him or not, gave the act of irascibility a certain charm his conservative rivals couldn’t match. There’s no doubt Olbermann, with his now-dedicated following, will be back in some form, hopefully television where he belongs (I’m looking at you, third-place CNN….get to stepping!). There have been talks, however, of a move to Hollywood or maybe a run for the Senate; I hope neither are true. But in the meantime, while we wait and refresh Keith’s Twitter page constantly, here are a few of my favorite Countdown-related moments.
Jan
19
2011
Coachella 2011: Yeah, Have Fun With That
Is this worth $300 and a trip across the country?
No.
Dec
28
2010
Recommended Reading 12/28/10
Oct
21
2010
Recommended Reading 10/21/10 – Election Fever
Oct
13
2010
At a Glance: Journalism In the Age of Data
Journalism in the Age of Data from Geoff McGhee on Vimeo.
It’s about an hour long, but I encourage you, especially those of you interested in the future of news, media, and journalism, to take a look at this fascinating short doc on data visualization as the world moves forward from print to digital.
The film, produced during a journalism fellowship at Stanford University, covers a broad range of topics about graphics design for news sources, including a showcase of some of the finest (and most confusing) graphs and charts produced recently. The main focus is the innovative work the New York Times has done, and some of the world’s brightest minds in this burgeoning medium. Indeed, as software and data programs become more common and accessible, the art of translating a ton of data into something the average newspaper reader can understand is challenging, intriguing, and creative.
Sep
29
2010
Thrift Store Cowboys – Kickstarter Project
All of my close friends know I am a very frugal, selfish, non-charitable individual. If you owe me money/beer/meals, I do not forget. If you borrow something from me, I will eventually hound you for its return. If you need admission to an event or out of jail, call someone else. I am too busy being awesome to be gracious.
I suppose there are exceptions, however. My dear friends, the Thrift Store Cowboys, are currently promoting, marketing, and touring in support of their fourth disc, the remarkable Light Fighter, an album that is certainly a contender for my coveted Top Albums of 2010 list (if it can beat out Weezer and MIA….kidding). As you most likely know – and even if you don’t I’ll tell you – these things cost a LOT of money. The crew has been doing it DIY-style for years now, cruising around in a broken-down van and scraping together their savings for studio time and merchandise.
Thus far (that’s a decade, for those counting) they’ve done pretty well by themselves, touring stateside numerous times, gaining a dedicated following, and churning out four incredible albums that reveal the Lubbock group’s immense talent and trademark cinematic country-rock sound. But alas, hard times have fallen on the group: a fire caused irreparable damage to a slew of merchandise and almost took the life of frontman Daniel Fluitt a few months ago, and TSC are asking for your help.
And so am I. Even if you’ve never heard of this band, never heard a note of their music, never seen them play live, but have a passion for independent, do-it-yourself, honest-to-goodness music, take some time and make a pledge. If you actually HAVE heard this band, then you know your investment is worthwhile. Pick your dollar amount and choose your prize – the guys aren’t asking for money without incentive – always true to the fans, they have a slew of one-of-a-kind rewards for pledgers, including an exclusive, intimate, in-home performance for the top-dollar givers.
Time is running out on Kickstarter, so take 2 minutes of your time today and help out a band well on their way – when you see them in a bigger venue, know that they’ll remember you helped get them there.
Sep
27
2010
Recommended Reading: Random Articles 9/27/10
Sep
4
2010
Kevin Greenspon/Cloud Nothings – New Split Album
Earlier this week, I gave accolades to Cleveland rocker Cloud Nothings. Turns out the fine folks at Bridgetown Records are releasing a split album with him and another up-and-coming solo artist, California’s Kevin Greenspon.
The two go hand in hand – Greenspon is a punchier, youthful accompaniment to Cloud Nothings’ sharp sing-along garage rock, though the latter tackles a poppier approach on this release. Bridgetown had this to say about the disc:
“The long-awaited split album between these 2 rising young solo artists opens with 5 new songs by Kevin Greenspon: California weirdo heartthrob pop punk about looking back on teenage years and losing it all. Cloud Nothings rounds out the disc with 5 more exclusive new songs: the Cleveland teenager takes his catchy brand of raw and distorted-beyond-the-red bedroom pop in a direction not seen in his “Turning On” album or subsequent tape/vinyl releases.”
The release is limited to 250 discs with full-color inserts and lyric sheets. They go on sale TODAY over at the label’s site, so get one while they’re still around. Sample a track from both artists below.
Aug
15
2010
Random Web Findings: Double Rainbow, Andre 3000, Oxford English Dictionary
25 Songs About Outdated Technology
Nine Things Arcade Fire Has Done Lately
Thirteen Paste Best of What’s Next Artists on Tour This Fall
Doom and Gloom: Pop Culture’s 13 Unluckiest Characters
We’ll Do It Live: The 10 Most Ridiculous News Clips
Four Songs Inspired by Double Rainbow
A Dozen of Literature’s Greatest Jerks
7 Most Outrageous Hotel Amenities
8 Food Words Rejected (For Now) By The Oxford English Dictionary
Think Before You Ink: A Gallery of Truly Awful Band Tattoos
The Most Unintentionally Homoerotic Vintage Ads
Share This Blog
