Monday, December 7, 2009

What Happens in Vegas...

...stays in Vegas!

Assignment 5-1: Weekly Written Analysis
December 7, 2009. 11:30 am.


Some come to gamble or shop, watch Cher sing, have a quickie wedding or one last fling, but they all come here because it's Vegas, baby!

Las Vegas, Nevada has always been a rebel. In 1931, gambling became legalized and by the 60's the "who's who" of everyone traveled to Vegas to be seen and heard. The city became bigger and bigger and now plays a recurring role in movies, television shows, the news and in our "off-screen" lives as well.

Known for the strip, their showgirls, and the sinfully good time one can have, fun seeking people of all ages put Vegas at the top of their list.

Their is a certain air in Vegas that when you breath it in, the slogan, "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" somehow consumes you. You gamble your money away, you do shots off of stripper's stomachs, maybe land a threesome or marry a stranger, but whatever you do, its ok because you are in Vegas.

Everyone has seen at least one movie set in Las Vegas, watched shows like CSI and Las Vegas or has been there themselves. People go because they are curious. Is it really that beautiful, that fun and exciting? People go to become someone else. People go to win or lose. People go because Vegas has been thrown in our faces and because we have been lead to believe Vegas is cooler than anywhere we are at. Unfortunately, that is probably true! The mobster and Hollywood history of Sin City paired with all of the glitter and lights it offers today have made Las Vegas a staple in pop culture.

Stay up all night, gamble, drink, dance, marry, divorce, and then next year, come back and do it again! Just remember, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!"

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Intervention

Assignment 4-1: Weekly Written Analysis
December 1, 2009. 6:00 am.

Whether on television, in movies or in real life, we have all seen someone do drugs, but we don't always see their lives after the drug use. Now we can.

Intervention. A documentary series about drug users who will soon face interventions. The cameras follow the addicts over a period of time, showcasing their use and the pain they inflict on those around them. By the end of the hour, each addict gets a choice to attend treatment or be cut out of their loved ones lives forever. The last few moments update whether the person has relapsed or has stayed clean.

That description does not do the show justice. I watch this show every week. Sometimes I cringe, sometimes I cry and sometimes I just want to be sick. These addicts are desperate and selfish. Watching them drink mouthwash for the alcohol or stick themselves repeatedly with needles makes me not only appreciate my life more but I never want to do drugs!
This show is an Emmy winner and has become very popular with people of all ages. I have had numerous conversations with friends and strangers about some of the best cases on Intervention. Alison, a huffer, has become a favorite mockery.

Today's society loves to see people at their worst and Intervention definitely delivers but by the end you can't help but to feel hope!




Monday, November 23, 2009

"We're going streaking..."

Assignment 3-1: Weekly Written Analysis
November 23, 2009. 5:30 am.

I would say that when it comes to a man, I definitely have a "type," but unfortunately one man broke that mold and stole my heart.

He is big, hairy, enjoys being naked, has an odd looking face, and is absolutely hilarious. He is Will Ferrell.



Will Ferrell has been making us laugh for many years. From Saturday Night Live to over 35 films, Will Ferrell is an outrageously funny person. He is an actor, a comedian, does voice-overs, writes and directs. His resume may be long, but that's not why Will Ferrell is a front man of popular culture. He gives his roles something extra, something memorable.

It could be the image burned in our minds of "Frank the Tank" running through town naked, his awesome impressions of George W. Bush and Harry Caray or one of the many lines from his films that we all repeat over and over but the point is, he's number one. Fitting, there's a quote for this:

"If you're not first, you're last!" -Ricky Bobby


Although Will Ferrell is loved by many, not everyone shares this feeling. Forbes named Will Ferrell the most overpaid actor of 2009. This was based on the blockbuster disaster “Land of the Lost” and the fact the actor demands a very high salary but the roles don’t always pay off.

Payoff or not, I love Will Ferrell. I have never been disappointed with anything he has done and I will to continue to look forward to his future projects!

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References:

  1. http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/17/hollywoods-most-overpaid-stars-business-entertainment-overpaid-stars.html
  2. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002071/

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Journal of Popular Culture

Assignment 1-2: Journal Article Analysis
November 22, 2009. 4:00 pm

After perusing articles in the Journal of Popular Culture, I discovered one that was perfect for me! The article title is "For the Love of Joe: The Language of Starbucks."

Reference:
Ruzich, C.M., (2008). For the love of Joe: The language of Starbucks.
[Electronic version]. Journal of Popular Culture, 41, 3, 428-442.

Monday, November 16, 2009

99 Bottles of Beer...

on the wall, 99 bottles of beer... take one down pass it around 98 bottles of beer on the wall!!

Assignment 2-1: Weekly Written Analysis Week 2
November 16, 2009. 4:15 pm

I work at a British pub and beer is our business. Throughout the years, the beer industry has grown into a billion dollar industry. The Glunz Beer website states, "there are nearly 13,000 brands of beer available in the U.S." With all of those choices, how do you know which one is your favorite?

Hmmm. You try them all!

No, not just to spend money and get drunk but to invite variety and adventure into one's life. Programs offered at bars have a pre-chosen list of beers that the "tourist" must drink. In return, once the list is completed, that establishment usually offers discounted beers for life, souvenirs and respect!


Within a five mile radius of my house there are three beer tours available:
The Pub- The "passport" looks like your average passport with a list of 55 beers inside. If all 55 beers are consumed at one location, the guest will receive $4.00 pints for life. If the guest consumes a beer at each Pub location, they will receive $3.50 pints for life. Cost- $10.00. Time-Unlimited.



Winking Lizard- The tour has 150 beers, but only 100 have to be consumed. At the 50 mark, a gift is given. Once 100 are consumed, the guest receives a tour jacket and an invite to the Finisher's Party. Cost- $10.00. Time- 1 year.



Bob's Bar- The "Bob's Bar World Tour" consists of two phases. (1) Drink 88 beers, receive a t-shirt (2) Once phase one is complete, 44 more beers down you get the lovely gift of an engraved mug and big beers for a little price! Cost- free. Time- Unlimited.


These three bars are just a few examples of beer tours. They are fun and they open up a whole new world of beers. I belong to Bob's tour and I have discovered beers I never knew I would love, beers I hate, beers that go great with whatever I am cooking and beers that make me throw up whatever I previously ate.


Bars would not go through all of the trouble of designing these tours if they were not popular. With beer continuously growing, these beer tours can only get bigger!


P.s. Please drink responsibly!!


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References:
  1. http://www.glunzbeers.com/Site/IndustryFacts.aspx?pagename=IndustryFacts&hd=4
  2. http://www.bobsbar.com/custom/wtour.asp
  3. http://winkinglizard.com/data/content/beer_tour.asp

Blondes, Bunnies & Beatles

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Monday, November 9, 2009

CelebReality!

Assignment 1-3: Weekly Analysis
November 9, 2009. 4:15 p.m.


I blame Vh1 for coining the word "celebreality." I also blame them for creating the dumbest shows that ever got my attention such as "Rock of Love" or "Megan Wants a Millionaire" and many, many more. And since we are placing blame, I also would like to blame them for my addiction to celebreality.

I visit two web pages everyday. Sometimes two, three or four times a day.


  1. http://www.foxnews.com/
  2. http://www.tmz.com/

The second is the problem.

What is TMZ? It is the devil. I honestly do not care about every little update on Gisele Bundchen's love child but somehow I feel obligated and pressured into knowing all the details of her and other Hollywood A-listers. But no matter what, I can gurantee I am not the only person that is tempted by this guilty pleasure.

Lyle Lipps agrees, "40 million Americans tune in each week to watch what judge Simon Cowell calls, "a singing competition."

Staying up to date with celebrities lives, copying their fashions, eating what they eat, its all part of an obsession. These are people we have come to respect, love and envy. America wants to feel connected to these people.

We can't help it. Ok, that is an excuse for my addiction. If you suffer from the same problem, then here is my contribution. Today is Monday, November 9, 2009 and this is your low calorie serving of POP! Culture: CelebReality (all thanks to TMZ!):

  1. Michael Jackson's doctors are at war! (still... ugh get over it, you are both in trouble)
  2. Jon Gosselin is being sued for breach of contract by TLC. (I still want him & Kate to reconcile)
  3. Jennifer Lopez is trying hard not to allow her ex-husband to make private home videos of the pair public. (this one, I actually don't care about)

That's it. A lot more drama, feuding, and lame appearances but you'll have to find out for yourself!

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References:

  1. http://www.thecra.org/Strange%20Club/Member%20Material/ReadMyLipps/AmericanIdolatry.htm
  2. http://www.tmz.com/