I know you’re all watching the Super Bowl, but this is Commentarama, and that should be your first priority. So I’m expecting 100 comments. . . or Al Gore will shoot this panda. Today’s topic, what's wrong with the media, Super Bowl style.
Do you remember my article on Newsvertising? Super Bowl time is huge for this. Almost everything written is fluff and usually involves discussions of meeting corporate mascots. Did you know the "real" Captain Morgan mascot is in Dallas? Oh my! I should include that in my next AP article! And of course, we get hard hitting news like reviews of Super Bowl ads, like stories on the Super Bowl ads that were rejected, and like stories on the Super Bowl ads that "somehow" leaked onto the web. . . directly from the marketing firms that made them. In films, this is called "product placement." In the hands of journalists, this is called "news."
Well, now we have a journalist who has inadvertently spilled the beans on this corrupt relationship when he started whining about the weather. See, all season, these "journalists" have carefully avoided the damaging stories about the NFL and their reward is a week's paid vacation where they can bask in the light of celebrities who are looking for free publicity. But the bad weather is interfering with that. So we get this rant from Les Carpenter:
Pity the poor opportunists! Strip away the garbage about guaranteeing good weather for the game because (1) it’s crap and (2) all of the cities about which Carpenter complains (Dallas, Indianapolis, Detroit and Atlanta) have domes, and what you have left is the real way these "journalists" see the Super Bowl -- as a golf junket for corporate big shots. And don’t think for a minute the same isn’t true in every other aspect of the “news” business. This is why journalism is dying.And the question keeps rising again and again: why, why, why does the NFL insist on playing its biggest game in cities that can not guarantee good weather? . . .
Dallas is unfit to host a Super Bowl. Indianapolis, Detroit, Atlanta and all the other cold or fringe weather cities that have hosted or been given Super Bowls present similar problems. The game is not meant to be hosted in cold places. . . . The success of the Super Bowl always came with balmy afternoons where fans and sponsors could enjoy golf junkets and the game was certain to be played in conditions no worse than rain. Super Bowl weeks become a convention of sorts where players and sponsors and opportunists all meet to celebrate the nearly completed season. It was not an event where people were meant to be trapped inside. . . .
[Play another game in cold weather] and the game will get farther away from what it was meant to be.
Now save the panda. . . trust me, Al Gore will do it!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Americans, The Media, The Super Bowl
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Culture,
Journalism,
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55 comments:
I pretty much stopped watching the super bowl after John Elway retired, so I'll do my part to save the panda. One reason I think dear Les gets away with pitying the opportunists who don't get to go on their golf junkets in balmy Dallas is that nobody read what he wrote.
I was going to include this all in one comment, but I MUST SAVE THE PANDA!
Did you hear they used warming technology to melt the ice in the stadium in Dallas? I guess they didn't hear that WARMING CAUSES FREEZING! Algore said so.
Tam, Nice work, I'm sure the panda appreciates your efforts! ;-)
I heard the bit by Al Gore about warming causing freezing and I just laughed. That totally sounds like desperation to me. It reminds me of somebody whose theory has completely fallen apart and is now grasping for any straw they can find. "Wait, if nothing happens, that still something!!!"
As for Les, he's not alone. Almost all of the sportswriters I've seen are already complaining about the upcoming New York Super Bowl (2014) because it's going to be cold. They argument they keep hiding behind is that it will be bad for the fans who want to see the game. But true fans happily sit in freezing cold stadiums, they do it all year long in places like Buffalo and Green Bay.
All they're really upset about is that they won't get their junkets, and they're trying to turn their own anger into a news story that the rest of us should be upset about. It's pathetic, and it runs directly contrary to the idea that journalists are supposed to report what is really happening..... not to mention the obvious lack of independence.
The problem is that they have too many pandas doing the color commentary. Shoot 'em all. See if I care.
You're right about cold weather fields. I suggest moving the permanent Super Bowl spot to my beloved Caliente (it even means "warm" in Spanish).
Lawhawk, Personally, I say move the Super Bowl to Siberia and require all sportswriters to attend the whole week! Maybe then they'll stop whining about a little bad weather. ;-)
comment #1: Should not the word journalists in the last sentence of the second paragraph been placed in "Quotations?"
comment #2 Guaranteed warm weather? Damn it, didn't you listen to Gore? He TOLD us that global warming is causing all the snow. Only Honolulu or Buenes Aires, or possibly Papaete could guarantee what you are asking.
Jed,
Response 1: I'm not even sure putting the word in quotes makes much sense. I've come to the conclusion that "journalist" no longer means what we think it means. In the modern vernacular is seems to mean "person who is paid to whine about what happens to them on trips, see e.g. Anderson Cooper. . . ouch, I've been punched by some people in Egypt!"
Response 2: So true. If Al Gore is to be believed, and I'm sure he would never lie. . . except to gain the trust of pandas. . . global warming will soon do away with snow entirely, except when it causes blizzards and freezing temperatures. And those could happen anywhere, so there is nowhere safe anymore! :-(
no comments translates to: mmmm, panda on a stick. who am i kidding, anything on a stick = mmmm.
Patti, Yeah, anything on a stick is probably a pretty good idea. Although I suspect panda would taste a bit gamey. I guess we'll have to ask Al Gore! LOL!
Okay, did anyone see Michael Douglas' monologue? Wasn' that little over the top with comparing our greatest moments to the Superbowl?
One for the Panda...
Andrew: Can someone tell me why they sent Katie Couric to Egypt? Pleeaaasssse. Being a war correspondent is not her forte...
Okay I'm gonna say it. I'm glad he's okay, but I can relate...I've wanted to punch Anderson Cooper in the head too. I know, I know...not civil.
Bev, being a condescending, know-it-all be-atch is Couric's forte. In which case, any assignment fits.
Bev, I saw the Michael Douglas bit and I thought it was typically obnoxious for liberals. Did you notice too how all of those moments were interspersed with shots of Kennedy, FDR and Obama? I'm thinking there's an ideological pattern there, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Hmmm. What could it be?
As for Anderson Cooper, I agree. I feel a lot closer to the Egyptian people today now that they've punched Anderson Cooper! LOL! We're all Egyptians now! :-)
I can't imagine why you would send Katie Couric to any real news story. But then, this is the same network that used to let Dan Rather hide under the desk whenever anything happened.
P.S. Bev, You must be thrilled to hear that both Dallas and New York are "unfit" to host Super Bowls.
I remember in 2001 when Bush took his first vacation to Crawford. Those poor journalists didn't know what to do with themselves. They were used to Kennebunkport, Hawaii, and fancy-schmansy places. Crawford is very close to Hell in the summertime with temps about 110 degrees in August. Motels were about 20 miles from his ranch. Crawford had pop. of 700 and one coffee shop. I remember on sweet young journalist almost in tears explaining that it was "hot and sticky and there are big, big bugs...". I thought it was a hoot!
Tam and Bev, One of the things that I found so typical and so distasteful is how quickly the story of 80 million people trying to change their government (possibly for the better, possibly not) and thereby throwing a whole region into chaos, so easily turned into a story about a handful of reporters getting punched and going into hiding.
What does that say about our press that they had to make this story about themselves?
I'm thrilled Jerry Jones may lose money. He will never be forgiven for firing Tom Landry...ever.
Bev, Journalists are an amazingly spoiled group. When I think about the way they were in the past, where the dirty assignments were cherished because they led to the most interesting news, to the whining today about the lack of a five star hotel, it's stunning.
As for Jerry Jones, yeah, that is kind of the sweetest part of this whole thing. The "journalists" are all upset. . . Jerry Jones loses money. . . the Patriots are sitting at home. :-)
Well, Andrew, it tells us they are a bunch of self important, condescending, know it all be-atches.
Tam, Yep, that about sums it up perfectly. And I wish people would keep that in mind when these "journalists" start spewing out their politics under the guise of just reporting the facts.
The Pandas will die! we need more comments!
Hey Hawk, what happens if we only get 50? Will the panda just be injured?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja69mTbL388&feature=related
Oh My Gosh! Did you see that move? I've never seen a more gutsy, determined quarterback, EVER!
Bev, I don't know, Algore doesn't seem to be a very forgiving man. . . of course, he's probably not a great shot either. So I'd say the panda has a 50/50 chance?
I see the NFL has the Black Eye Peas performing. Aren't they the first act in like ten years that isn't collecting Social Security?
Tam, Elway was one of a kind. I didn't like him when he first came to Denver, because I didn't like the way he refused to play for Indianapolis. But he was always classy after that and nobody's ever been better at the position. Sure, Montana won more Super Bowls, but Elway WAS the Denver Broncos -- without him, they were a sub .500 team. Plus, it was great to find out he's a conservative!
Here's your link: Elway
He was controversial at the start, but he soon became not just the Broncos, but the city as well. I'm reliving the glory days today...John Elway's and Ronald Reagan's greatest moments. (and doing my part to save the panda)
Yes, Andrew, but the B.E.P.'s aren't far from SS either.
Okay, who told Fergie she could sing...Love the light suits and box heads...
What always amazes me is how quickly they can clear the field after the Half-time show...
Tam, This is definitely a good day to think back on Reagan and Elway -- two greats.
On Reagan, it's driving me crazy to see all these articles trying to compare Reagan and Obama. Other than the fact they were both elected President, there are no similarities. Reagan was a leader, Obama is a fool.
On Elway, I agree. He became the face of Denver and was easily the most popular man in the state. I'm glad to see the Broncos hired him to turn the team around. That was a great move!
On the panda, I'm sure the panda appreciates that! :-)
just like renaming Obamacare and calling for "new civility," nobody's buying these comparisons between Dear Leader and Reagan. Nice try though.
Bev, I have no idea how they clear the field so quickly. I always thought these stages took a few hours to put together and take apart, but they must be doing it a couple minutes.
As for the BEP, yep, they're getting up there too. But I would rather have them than Justin Bieber.
Tam, I agree. I don't see anyone buying it, other than journalists.
I see that Christina Aguilera is already on the front page of several news sites (including in the UK) for not knowing the words to the Star Spangled Banner. Whoops.
They think that they can compare Obama to Reagan because they are both superior speakers. But Obama is looking only at the mechanics of what Reagan did. He is missing the key element that made Reagan a great speaker and a great President. Reagan believed every word he said. You could see it in his eyes when he spoke. That is why he connected. And he LOVED this country warts and all.
I was watching the O'Reilly interview with Obama and it was disturbing. O'Reilly asked what he was most surprised about being President and Obama's response after using many other words that the longer he is in the job "...the more optimistic [he is] about the American people and the more optimistic [he is] about the country." He speaks like an outsider...
When I heard that Couric was running from the crowds in Egypt and Anderson Cooper having been beaten, I think the Egyptians have the right attitude. :-)
Oh, and I stopped listening to O'Reilly after he supported Global Warming alarmists. I can't trust him now.
YEY!!! THE PACKERS WIN THE SUPERBOWL!!!
Bev, I think you're right about Obama -- he does speak like an outsider. Every time I hear him talk about America and Americans, it sounds like he's observing us from the outside or like he doesn't consider himself one of us.
Joel, In truth, I've never liked O'Reilly. I always get the feeling he's just saying things to make people angry so people will watch, rather than saying things he truly believes.
pew pew pew! panda down!
Well, we can't have AlGore shooting pandas...
So I guess I'd better keep posting...
Crispy, Nice try! LOL!
But I fear Patti may be right. Algore has an itchy trigger finger. . . believing in global warming makes you itch! :-(
Hurray for the Packers!
I'm shocked! Shocked I say, that moderate Muslims would rough up Anderson Cooper and a bunch of other reporters. Snort!
I guess they just didn't feel their pain. This doesn't happen to Al Jazeera propagandasts...I mean reporters.
Maybe next time they'll remember to bring their prayer rugs and say "death to Israel!".
I fully expect more fluff pieces on the Muslim Brotherhood to follow.
Patti: LOL! I'll pay to watch that. :^)
Andrew:
I concur re: O'Reilly. I think he tries to appear moderate (or as he says "Independent").
I like it when Neil Cavuto hands his a$$ to him whenever O'Reilly pretends to know anything about the economy.
IRT football games, I would love to see more games played in the snow and mud, and no, don't clean the field at halftime neither.
The way it's going they'll have a full conversion to flag football played in a dome at room temperature from May to Sept..
And sacking the QB will only be virtual.
Ben, It certainly feels that way, like they're headed toward flag football. What amazes me about the weather issue is that sportswriters can seriously claim that people don't like "weather games." All of the most memorable games were weather games!
Yeah, it's hard to get worked up about a few lefto reporters getting roughed up. Maybe now they'll start to see why the rest of us have a problem with Islam?
On O'Reilly, economics is another one of those areas that always turned me off with him. His understanding is so shallow and so weak that most of what he says turns out to be very wrong, and he tries to cover that up by just being more obnoxious about it. How does that help people to have someone forcefully give an opinion about something they know nothing about?
FYI, I've just heard that Algore lost interest in shooting the panda when he couldn't find any way to profit from it. So he shot an endangered snipe instead!
The panda lives! :-)
If Al Gore had a mental evaluation he wouldn't be allowed to have guns and the snipe would escape the panda-monium of another fallen leftie profit. :^)
USS Ben, Are you suggesting we should require Democratic politicians to undergo mental health exams before we let them buy weapons?
Now that is a great idea! LOL!
Crap, I didn't know a panda was going to die because I wasn't around! Oh well. I was watching the game with some other grad students, which was fun except they made a bunch of snarky liberal comments I had to tune out. Okay, so first off, yay Packers. Second, the Black-Eyed Peas sucked, even for being the Black-Eyed Peas. Third, I didn't think there were many good commercials--the one where people got hit by soda/beer cans was good, and the "House" spoof of that Coke one from the '80s, but that's about it. And finally, I really don't care if the journalists don't like going somewhere cold or snowy for the Super Bowl. Two words for you, reporters: Ice Bowl. Look it up.
T_Rav, Yep. If you don't check in at Commentarama constantly, pandas die. It's very sad. :(
I didn't think much of the ads one way or the other this year. I think, as usual, many of them aren't great ads no matter how creative they are because they aren't really memorable for the product so much as for the ad itself.
In terms of the weather, so many of the greatest games were weather games in way or another. Battling the elements is part of the very essence of football. Spending the week golfing with celebrities has nothing to do with football -- and actually violates journalistic ethics. But what do modern journalists care?
You didn't make it to 100 - so did Gore shoot the panda?
LL, Nope, there was no profit to be had in shooting the panda or trying to get others to save it.... so he went on a snipe hunt. He heard they have valuable furs.
Gore decided he could do more damage by hiring Olbermann...
Bev, Yep, that seems right! I wonder if he's worked out Olbermann's carbon mouthprint?
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