Tuesday, September 13, 2005
SPOILED ROTTEN, BUT STILL HUNGRY
So all summer I've been checking the Gilmore Girls board at SpoilerFix. (don't click if you don't want to be spoiled!).
Only to have my heart twisted into a thousand tiny pieces.
And now the premier is finally here. Tonight. Will I stomp around the house seething "I hate Rory!" afterwards? Probably.
But check out Lauren Graham's hair! I am so getting my hair just like that for my birthday this year. H-O-T.
Monday, September 12, 2005
IF Her Dogs Are On The Show, Then We're Def. Gonna Watch
First of all, the important stuff: Martha Stewart has a Chow-Chow named Paw Paw and a French Bulldog named Francesca.
Also, her new show premiers Sept. 21.
Trump has the hair, Stewart has the pups.
Friday, September 09, 2005
PussyCat Scratch Fever
They're like the Spice Girls, only... not. They're basically the saucy girl group of the Bush era. So why don't I like 'em?First of all, the Pussycat Dolls have a My Space. Second of all, they performed at the Teen Choice awards (it makes sense; you got teach those kids how to dress bad and lick their lips when they're young). Third of all, according to (gag) Maxim: The Pussycat Dolls are "the best thing to happen to dawgs since fire hydrants." Fourth of all, they were founded by Jonathan Antin's sister, Robin Antin (Jonathan Antin appears to be the most narcissistic and annoying man of the hair scene universe). But I can't hold who her brother is against her! (although, sometimes evilness does run in families, i.e. the aforementioned Bush family and the Simpsons). So let's take a look at what R.A. has to say about the PCD:
"“Inside every woman is a Pussycat Doll,"” says Robin Antin, the innovator behind the singing-and-dancing ensemble that has risen from underground cool to major label hot. "“It'’s about female empowerment, about being confident with who you are. It'’s about singing and dancing in front of a mirror by yourself and having fun. "
Sounds good, right? Pussycat Dolls. Hmmm . . .I'm thinking the concept is sorta like Carmen Electra meets My Scene meets The Girls Next Door meets Bust meets CAKE. Burlesque, after all, has made a big comeback (thanks to post-femnism and thanks also to the reminder that bodies other than those plumped up with silicon and sculpted by personal trainers are also sexy). And I'm all for women being encouraged to enjoy and feel empowered by their sexuality. So... why don't I like The Pussycat Dolls?
I guess I'm not crazy about their lyrics (even though they stick in my head like glue):
Dont cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me
Dont cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me
Dont cha, dont cha
Dont cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me
Dont cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me
Dont cha, dont cha ( the lyrics in full here )
I think I'm missing the empowering part. What's up with addressing some other girl's boyfriend? I mean, I know it's just a fantasy, but why this triangulation? Over and over? I'm not saying that the triangulation isn't titillating (Cruel Intentions anyone?). But I'd rather dance in front of the mirror to "Like a Virgin" or "Work It" or "Nasty" or "Push It" or "She Bop" or ...I could make a list songs and songs long.
"To me, a Pussycat Doll is fearless but also vulnerable,"” says lead singer Nicole Scherzinger. "We're strong but we like to play too. The line in "‘Don't Cha'--"‘don'’t cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me"’--is meant to be empowering. The Pussycat Dolls are not about just being hot but also about saying something with real feeling."”
I guess I'd buy the girl-power shtick if the lyrics were directed toward women, but the lines are clearly directed to a male listener. And perhaps the empowering part would be more convincing if I didn't think women were just as likely to identify with the girlfriend as they were with the singer. But I bet at least half of the women who hear this song think, what is that bitch doing singing to my boyfriend?
And, btw, what is the lead singer getting at when she says "vulnerable" and "saying something with real feeling"? What does that even mean? Why is everyone always talking in these empty platitudes?
In The Newlyweds, Jessica Simpson pops out of a cake and joins The Pussycat Dolls for a raunchy rendition of "Happy Birthday" as a gift to Nick (and of course Pa Simpson was there too, watching. Um, ew! And I'm sure that car wash scene in her "These Boots Were Made For Walkin'" video was his idea too. And did you know J's mom, Tina, was one of Pa Simp's first "youths"? Yup. She was in his first youth group. icky.).
In a nutshell, it isn't so much that I don't like The Pussycat Dolls as it is that I'm wary of them. It's the whole set of trends, really -- Gossip Girl, The Girls Next Door, My Scene, and the worst.fashion.ever-- in which women are depicted as either sex kittens or shoppers, that have me worried. There seems to be a whole category of products that have been packaged as "pro-girl" even though the politics of said products suggest the opposite. At the very least, it's a troubling version of girl power, and one that seems to be enjoying a renaissance of popularity thanks to Bush-era capitalism. So popular, in fact, that it may even be influencing the cover art of... literary magazines?
Behold the new cover of lit mag Fence. As Rebecca Wolff makes clear in her editorial, tits sell. And who doesn't, RW asks (noting that she is in her eighth month of breast feeding), like tits? I've always liked Fence, regardless of what is on the cover, and despite the fact that they've always rejected my poems. (Though it's hard not to be cynical when it seems that you'll be guaranteed publication if you just write a sesitina about a blow job. So edgy!! So risque!! So McSweeney's!! Stick that in your propriety New Yorker.)
But its a fine line, really -- the one between pushing the envelope and pulling it shut. Thanks to similar packaging, it's harder than ever to figure out what's what. Especially when there's so much money to be made (and spent). Especially when what's more economically viable, regardless of its politics, is often passed off as the most "normal" or the most "correct." After all, if people -- men, women, parents, children -- buy it, it means they like it, and if they like it, it's gotta be okay -- right?
And, btw, what is the lead singer getting at when she says "vulnerable" and "saying something with real feeling"? What does that even mean? Why is everyone always talking in these empty platitudes?
In The Newlyweds, Jessica Simpson pops out of a cake and joins The Pussycat Dolls for a raunchy rendition of "Happy Birthday" as a gift to Nick (and of course Pa Simpson was there too, watching. Um, ew! And I'm sure that car wash scene in her "These Boots Were Made For Walkin'" video was his idea too. And did you know J's mom, Tina, was one of Pa Simp's first "youths"? Yup. She was in his first youth group. icky.).
In a nutshell, it isn't so much that I don't like The Pussycat Dolls as it is that I'm wary of them. It's the whole set of trends, really -- Gossip Girl, The Girls Next Door, My Scene, and the worst.fashion.ever-- in which women are depicted as either sex kittens or shoppers, that have me worried. There seems to be a whole category of products that have been packaged as "pro-girl" even though the politics of said products suggest the opposite. At the very least, it's a troubling version of girl power, and one that seems to be enjoying a renaissance of popularity thanks to Bush-era capitalism. So popular, in fact, that it may even be influencing the cover art of... literary magazines?
Behold the new cover of lit mag Fence. As Rebecca Wolff makes clear in her editorial, tits sell. And who doesn't, RW asks (noting that she is in her eighth month of breast feeding), like tits? I've always liked Fence, regardless of what is on the cover, and despite the fact that they've always rejected my poems. (Though it's hard not to be cynical when it seems that you'll be guaranteed publication if you just write a sesitina about a blow job. So edgy!! So risque!! So McSweeney's!! Stick that in your propriety New Yorker.)
But its a fine line, really -- the one between pushing the envelope and pulling it shut. Thanks to similar packaging, it's harder than ever to figure out what's what. Especially when there's so much money to be made (and spent). Especially when what's more economically viable, regardless of its politics, is often passed off as the most "normal" or the most "correct." After all, if people -- men, women, parents, children -- buy it, it means they like it, and if they like it, it's gotta be okay -- right?
Today, there is a Pussycat Dolls line of makeup from Stila and The Pussycat Dolls Lounge opened in April 2005 inside Caesar'’s Palace in Las Vegas, featuring a different roster of performers. The future may hold a line of clothing, lingerie, perfume, videogames, TV and movie projects, and other lounges.
Wiil people buy it? Will women? You bet your bottom dollar. My question is, why do women still have less to spend?
Thursday, September 08, 2005
More Diversions for Your Yum: Dream Kitty
Upon first arrival, you may ask yourself: is this heaven?
Dream Kitty is going to wreak havoc on our finances. I mean, I'm now convinced that I absolutely need this 30 lb Totoro Cushion.
And you can even watch a video clip of Totoro!!!!
Oh, and that graphic of all the little dogs with fun hair? -- that's Afro Ken's family tree. Word.
all images are from the dream kitty website. Makes you wanna go there, huh?
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
What's Up With MTV and the Armed Forces?
Has anyone else noticed all the ads for the Army and Navy on MTV and on MTV.com ?
It Comes in a Pretty Box
Love triangles, elaborate prom invites that seem to require a set designer, stretch hummers, the insipid repetition of the phrase "what happens in Cabo, stays in Cabo," and a very very bad Broadway audition are among the highlights of Season One of Laguna Beach. Others include malapropisms and wacky-tobacky teenage logic (i.e. Girl 1: "If you and Stephen got married, your babies would be so cute." Girl 2: "I know, 'cause Stephen's all tan"), a totally non-sensical "non-profit" called AYA (active young america) that is little more than a puffed-up booking agency focused on giving "exposure" to friends who play at open mic nights or model in fashion shows ( where believe it or not, one of the organizers of AYA announces to an audience of all white and wealthy southern california types that "this is a movement like women's liberation and civil rights." We're still trying to figure out what "this" is.), and parents who are not only ineffectual, but content to encourage their children's mediocrity (a dad who encourages his daughter to "shoot for all C's"). Really, it is a strange and fascinating world, devoid of any real content or details, where any human interaction that involves emotion is termed "drama," and where the slack and hackneyed story lines are nimbly threaded together by beautiful shots of sunsets over the pacific and elegant palm trees gently swaying in the ocean breeze. It's hard to say how much of Laguna Beach (and the current crop of other shows about rich people, i.e. My Super Sweet Sixteen, Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive) is meant to be critique. Part of what makes these shows compelling is the fact that they elicit such surprise and disgust that people could behave so atrociously. Really, it's hard to believe that some people are so un-self conscious that they would demand a laundry service in the midst of the Wyoming wilds, or bully classmates, or simply wallow in a "so-pleased with myself" glee. And it's hard not to wonder how these people feel when they see the shows, and -- in the case of LB -- it's hard not to wonder what their parents think when they see their kids pole dancing and doing shots and treating one another with so little respect (the gender relations are especially troubling).
There are moments in LB that certainly seem to approach critique. For example, the juxtaposing of two girls receiving their graduation gifts -- one receives a car and the other receives a bible. You'd think that such a juxtaposition would be effective because of the contrast between the two, and yet the gifts seem eerily similar. The girl who receives the Bible -- a preacher's daughter -- is narcissistic and disconnected from reality, perhaps because she considers herself "saved" or "blessed," or perhaps because her father's church -- the crystal cathedral -- appears to be one of missing buildings from OZ.
Despite rampant skepticism re: the description of the mysteriously addictive Laguna Beach as a "reality show," a little dip into the "bonus footage" on the Season One DVD reveals that these kids are all too real and all too awful. Trust us: the show makes them look much better and much more interesting than they actually are. We could barely get through the candid interviews without wanting to eat our shoes. Just as a skillful photographer can make even the least photogenic person look vaguely attractive in a photograph, so can MTV render a group of painfully boring and offensive kids with "character" and "personality." And that ain't saying much. In fact, it's probably safe to say that the most interesting thing about these kids is that they are very well groomed. The show is all surfaces. Fascinating -- right?
There are moments in LB that certainly seem to approach critique. For example, the juxtaposing of two girls receiving their graduation gifts -- one receives a car and the other receives a bible. You'd think that such a juxtaposition would be effective because of the contrast between the two, and yet the gifts seem eerily similar. The girl who receives the Bible -- a preacher's daughter -- is narcissistic and disconnected from reality, perhaps because she considers herself "saved" or "blessed," or perhaps because her father's church -- the crystal cathedral -- appears to be one of missing buildings from OZ.
Despite rampant skepticism re: the description of the mysteriously addictive Laguna Beach as a "reality show," a little dip into the "bonus footage" on the Season One DVD reveals that these kids are all too real and all too awful. Trust us: the show makes them look much better and much more interesting than they actually are. We could barely get through the candid interviews without wanting to eat our shoes. Just as a skillful photographer can make even the least photogenic person look vaguely attractive in a photograph, so can MTV render a group of painfully boring and offensive kids with "character" and "personality." And that ain't saying much. In fact, it's probably safe to say that the most interesting thing about these kids is that they are very well groomed. The show is all surfaces. Fascinating -- right?
Televizzle Sizzle . . .sorta
First of all, let's get one thing straight: we still have two weeks of Summer. Two weeks. That whole autumnal equinox thing doesn't happen until September 22. And even though school started two weeks ago -- complete with students who answer their cell phones in class -- we still like to come home and bum around in tank tops and flip-flops and go swimming on the weekend. So let's not rush needlessly into Fall.
Of course when it comes to Fall tv, however, we can't stand the wait. The OC, if anyone still cares about that show, starts on Thursday. And the Gilmore Girls premiers on Tuesday (though truth be told, part of me is sort of dreading the premier b/c I really think Daniel Palladino really messed up the character of Rory; we can barely watch the last few episodes of season 5 without feeling completely betrayed. How could Amy let him do that? And what's up with giving unctuous characters like Colin -- known in these parts as "colon" -- and Finn more screen time? Are they trying to make us sick?). Unfortunately, the second season of Veronica Mars doesn't premier until the 28th.
But since the fall TV season is just around the corner, it occurs to us that we better mention some of the shows that caught our attention this past summer before they become no more than dusty electrons of seasons past. Unlike the rest of the world, we did not fall in love with Being Bobby Brown. We did, however, watch Kathy Griffin's My Life on the D-List (season finale is tonight), and that was pretty good. It's sort of a one-trick pony, but if you like KG, you probably liked this show. And there's a sort of bouquet of silly reality shows -- Filthy Rich Cattle Drive (produced by none other than Joe Simpson! Tagline: cows don't care who your daddy is), Hogan Knows Best, and The 70's House -- that are about as close as you can get to the TV equivalent of junk food. By that I mean we routinely consumed said shows (along with frozen pizza and beer). And yeah, we watched the final season of Six Feet Under. We wouldn't mind seeing a spin-off about Claire, but thank God we never have to see Nate's face again. Rest in peace indeed!
Of course when it comes to Fall tv, however, we can't stand the wait. The OC, if anyone still cares about that show, starts on Thursday. And the Gilmore Girls premiers on Tuesday (though truth be told, part of me is sort of dreading the premier b/c I really think Daniel Palladino really messed up the character of Rory; we can barely watch the last few episodes of season 5 without feeling completely betrayed. How could Amy let him do that? And what's up with giving unctuous characters like Colin -- known in these parts as "colon" -- and Finn more screen time? Are they trying to make us sick?). Unfortunately, the second season of Veronica Mars doesn't premier until the 28th.
But since the fall TV season is just around the corner, it occurs to us that we better mention some of the shows that caught our attention this past summer before they become no more than dusty electrons of seasons past. Unlike the rest of the world, we did not fall in love with Being Bobby Brown. We did, however, watch Kathy Griffin's My Life on the D-List (season finale is tonight), and that was pretty good. It's sort of a one-trick pony, but if you like KG, you probably liked this show. And there's a sort of bouquet of silly reality shows -- Filthy Rich Cattle Drive (produced by none other than Joe Simpson! Tagline: cows don't care who your daddy is), Hogan Knows Best, and The 70's House -- that are about as close as you can get to the TV equivalent of junk food. By that I mean we routinely consumed said shows (along with frozen pizza and beer). And yeah, we watched the final season of Six Feet Under. We wouldn't mind seeing a spin-off about Claire, but thank God we never have to see Nate's face again. Rest in peace indeed!
S.E. Hinton and Rock and Roll
The NYT offers a rare glimpse of the author of The Outsiders.
And Bookslut has an interesting write-up on "rock and roll" novels. The list doesn't include teen fiction, but Francesca Lia Block's Cherokee Bat and the Goat Guys would be at the top of the list if it did.
And Bookslut has an interesting write-up on "rock and roll" novels. The list doesn't include teen fiction, but Francesca Lia Block's Cherokee Bat and the Goat Guys would be at the top of the list if it did.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Black Star
In an episode from Season One of the brilliant Chapelle's Show, Black Star (Mos Def and Talib Kweli) made an appearance as the musical guests (april, 2003). We saw it on repeat the other day and we were just blown away. They are A-MA-ZING. Check it.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Wow
This exhibit at the Met looks awesome.
There's also an article about it in the NYT.
Eugène Thiébault (French, b. 1825). Henri Robin and a Specter, 1863. Albumen silver print; 22.9 x 17.4 cm. Collection Gérard Lévy, Paris.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Friday, September 02, 2005
File Under WTF?
Language in the captions of several yahoo news images of Katrina's fallout has done more than raise a few eyebrows. (click to link)
(via Metafilter)
and from the BBC:
(via Metafilter)
and from the BBC:
Some 300 "battle-tested" National Guardsmen have arrived in New Orleans from Iraq with orders to restore civic order and using a shoot-to-kill policy.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
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