Archive for January, 2011

“You’ll always be young, you’ll always be beautiful”

January 31, 2011
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“You’ll always be young, you’ll always be beautiful”

Returning to the subject of failed adaptations--and those we might fear will fail--I suggest that we not only look at place but also time as a central category whose uniqueness impacts a show's success.
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Posted in Perspectives, TV | 2 Comments »

From Veronica Mars to Pretty Little Liars

January 29, 2011
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From Veronica Mars to Pretty Little Liars

This post explores social power and millennial television. Where have we come from Veronica Mars’ Lily to Pretty Little Liars’ Alison? What do we make of this fascinatingly repeated trope of the dead, sexually-promiscuous girl who haunts the narrative in potent flashback?
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Posted in Current Events, TV | 8 Comments »

Reflections on the Challenger Disaster 25 Years Later

January 28, 2011
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Reflections on the Challenger Disaster 25 Years Later

25 years ago today, one of the most significant tragedy-induced media events of the twentieth century took place: the Challenger Disaster.
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Posted in Perspectives, Politics, TV | 3 Comments »

The State of Reality TV: Kidding Around with Reality

January 26, 2011
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The State of Reality TV: Kidding Around with Reality

Though not the most popular or influential entry in the genre, Kid Nation appropriately offers an elementary school primer both on the conventions of reality competitions and their negotiation of social structures taken for granted in the "real" world.
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Posted in Columns, Perspectives, State of Reality TV, TV | Comments Off on The State of Reality TV: Kidding Around with Reality

Late to the Party: Dirty Dancing

January 25, 2011
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Late to the Party: Dirty Dancing

With a title like that, it was bound to either be more dirty or less dirty than I expected.
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Posted in Columns, Late to the Party | 1 Comment »

Harry Potter Takes Fans from Apathy to Activism

January 24, 2011
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Harry Potter Takes Fans from Apathy to Activism

Ulaby’s story of how Harry Potter fans were becoming activists demonstrates how surprising it is for most people that fans are not loners, hiding away from the world, but rather are productive and rational- and can create real political change.
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Posted in Current Events, Politics | 1 Comment »

MTV Gets Some Skin in the Game

January 21, 2011
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MTV Gets Some Skin in the Game

MTV’s adaptation of the British TV teen Drama Skins just may be one of those rare shows where what happens on screen is second in precedence to the responses surrounding the show.
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Posted in Current Events, Perspectives, TV | 2 Comments »

Late to the Party: Let’s Get Small and A Wild and Crazy Guy

January 20, 2011
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Late to the Party: <i>Let’s Get Small</i> and <i>A Wild and Crazy Guy</i>

In the latest installment of Late to the Party, I familiarize myself with Steve Martin's classic stand-up comedy albums.
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Posted in Celebrity/Stardom, Columns, Late to the Party, Music, Perspectives | Comments Off on Late to the Party: Let’s Get Small and A Wild and Crazy Guy

Steve Wiebe: Donkey Kong Master, Rock Star

January 18, 2011
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Steve Wiebe: Donkey Kong Master, Rock Star

On the spectacle of watching King of Kong hero Steve Wiebe play Donkey Kong at Logan's Hardware, January 15, 2011.
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Posted in Current Events, Games | 2 Comments »

The Gilded Globes: Legitimacy Amidst Controversy

January 17, 2011
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The Gilded Globes: Legitimacy Amidst Controversy

While some may have found Ricky Gervais' pointed remarks as host of this year's Golden Globes tough to swallow, it's hard to argue with his attack on the awards' legitimacy in light of recent controversy.
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Posted in Film, Industry, TV | 2 Comments »

Charlie Chan and Contemporary B-Movie Fandom

January 15, 2011
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Charlie Chan and Contemporary B-Movie Fandom

A controversial new book argues that it’s okay to enjoy Charlie Chan movies.
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Posted in Film, Perspectives, Print | Comments Off on Charlie Chan and Contemporary B-Movie Fandom

Misfits, very British Teen TV

January 13, 2011
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Misfits, very British Teen TV

In a week when discussions of US and UK televisual differences and distinctions, particularly around class, accompanies the broadcast of US remakes of Shameless (Showtime) and Skins (MTV), its great to get a chance to talk about a British show that owes a debt to both, but in my view is arguably superior.
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Posted in Perspectives | 3 Comments »

Deracinated TV: Watching Misfits in America

January 12, 2011
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Deracinated TV: Watching <em>Misfits</em> in America

Last month, I was in need of a new show. Upon the recommendation of Lainey Gossip and my Twitter feed, I decided on Misfits, a show about which I knew very little, save the following: 1.) It is British. 2.) It is about teenagers. 3.) I couldn't obtain it through strictly legal means.
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Posted in Perspectives, TV | 19 Comments »