Monday, December 7, 2009

The WIRE: Week In REview, #1

Because the world of pop culture won't slow down to accommodate my hectic schedule, I haven't been able to blog about many of the stories that have unfolded recently. As a result, I decided that doing weekly summaries would give me a chance to touch on stories from the previous week that I didn't get around to covering. Here are a few of them:

CTFD: The Sun-Maid Girl Controversy

Welcome to "Not So Extreme Makeover: Advertising Mascot Edition". Over the years, the Sun-Maid Girl has undergone occasional updates to keep up with the changing times. From 1970-2006, she looked like this:


But the digital makeover she received (see below) has recently generated controversy. I say "recently" because the makeover took place in 2006! Some feel the new Sun-Maid Girl is a bit too "enhanced".

Come on, what's the big deal? It's not like those responsible for the makeover put the Sun-Maid Girl in a thong and have her hawking raisins as she works the stripper pole. Now if they did, Chester Cheetah would be down; he'd make it rain like it was Seattle, WA!

Although one blogger commented that the makeover looks "as if Julia Roberts decided to don a red bonnet and start picking grapes," I think the new Sun-Maid Girl looks more like Bianca Kajlich from the sitcom Rules of Engagement.


For more details, click the link below:

Sun-Maid Girl Controversy


Don't just do something, stand there!

It's bad enough to get your ass whupped on your home court, but at least put forth some effort. In Saturday's home game against the Toronto Raptors, the Chicago Bulls got spanked 110-78. Not only that, but during the game, Raptors guard Jarrett Jack had the ball at the top of the key when he stopped... to tie his shoe! All the while, the Bulls stood around and did nothing! Sportsmanship is one thing, but if a player is going to hold the ball and stop to tie his shoe, I'm going for the steal! Personally, this Bulls' lull couldn't happen to a better franchise. As a longtime Detroit Pistons fan, I can hardly stand the Bulls!




SNL: Showing No Levelheadedness?

On the December 5th episode of Saturday Night Live, they did a skit that spoofed Tiger Woods' infidelities. The skit made light of domestic abuse by having Tiger (played by Kenan Thompson) suffer a variety of injuries at the hands of his wife Elin (played by guest host Blake Lively). I'll admit that I did find this skit funny. However, the timing of it was suspect... the musical guest on SNL that night was R&B singer Rihanna, who was the victim of a highly-publicized domestic abuse incident involving then-boyfriend Chris Brown. Tune in next week as SNL does a gut-busting sketch on incest in an episode hosted by MacKenzie Phillips!




Note to the SNL producers: A little more diversity in the cast would be a good thing. I'm tired of seeing Kenan Thompson nearly every time a skit calls for a black celebrity (male or female)!

Bridget Loves Bridget

During a December 2nd interview with Matt Lauer on Today, actress Meredith Baxter publicly announced that she is a lesbian. Speculation about Baxter's sexuality came about after she was spotted on a lesbian cruise with a female friend. Some are debating whether or not Baxter is a lesbian or bisexual, but I trust she knows who she is. I think this is a cool story because so many people go through life not knowing or being comfortable enough to admit who they are. By the way, click here if you are curious about the "Bridget Loves Bridget" reference.




5 comments:

Penny said...

I liked the SNL skit. Thought it was hilarious. They rehearse all week so I would think if Rhianna had issue she could have said something. Also, I don't think that just because she got hit in the face once makes her the poster child for domestic abuse.
I don't know. I am sick of hearing about it. It's almost like she is using this to gain and that bothers me. I watched but I fast forwarded her.

Gah..

Richard said...

Surely the real problem with the new Sun Maid girl is that it's poorly designed and soulless. It's also going to date veeeeeeery quickly, unlike the olde one!

Malcolm said...

Penny: Although the actual dress rehearsal doesn't happen until Saturday afternoon, one would think that Rihanna knew about the skit before the show went live. Who knows, maybe she didn't care. As far as I know, Rihanna hasn't made a public statement about the skit.

I will say that the timing of her interview a few weeks ago in which she talked about the abuse was suspect. It would have seemed more genuine if she had spoke out sooner or not at all instead of waiting until she had a new CD coming out.

Richard: The new Sun-Maid girl does have a Sims-like quality about her that will likely date it. Although I like the updated look, I doubt it will have the 36 year run like the previous version.

pjazzypar said...

Kudos to Meredith Baxter! She accomplished the interview with grace. Take that National Enquirer, she beat you to the punch.

Malcolm said...

Pjazzy: I like how Meredith handled this. The National Enquirer would likely have tried to turn her personal life into some sordid scandal.

 
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