Beauty fades, but stupid is forever

[First, I want to get this out of the way: I’m pissed that I and the rest of the internets are even talking about The Miss American Pageant and even that this archaic, sexist tradition hasn’t yet faded into obscurity—but that’s a whole ‘nother can of worms.]
Carrie Prejean’s (Miss California) isn’t a “dumb bitch” because [...]

Never Judge a Memoirist by his Cover

One February evening, my Spring ‘06 digital journalism class had a guest speaker, as we did about every other week or so. Since our other speakers had included such cyberspace pseudo-celebrities as Amanda Congdon, then of Rocketboom, Jessica Coen, then of Gawker, and Joan Walsh, then and still of Salon, I admit I was less [...]

Vacate or Staycate

In the modern tradition of ugly word smashing (see also: vlog, Brangelina), a nasty little neologism has woven itself into our economically depressed 2008 lives: staycation. A staycation is when you take some time off of work, but you don’t actually go anywhere, since airline rates and gas prices are through the roof, and you [...]

Memo to VH1: Gloria Steinem and Maxim Do Not Mix

I read the other day that marketers are starting to get smarter about when and where they advertise on TV. I think it’s a stretch to say that The Godfather will make you want to run out and buy olive oil, but I think it’s true that the inverse could be even more effective—or ineffective, [...]

The History Channel is Cheeky, Drugs are Scary

Yesterday was 4/20, although I didn’t even realize this until after watching a few episodes of Hooked: Illegal Drugs on the History Channel.
Oh, History Channel. Your quiet nod to drug culture by airing documentaries about the history, and inevitably the dangers, of these addictive drugs left me tickled with smug glee.
And the program was interesting [...]

Unleashing my Hatred for Laguna Beach

You know Heidi, you’re right. I don’t care that you’re voting for John McCain. And it’s not because I’ve never seen a full episode of Laguna Beach or The Hills. It’s because just by reading the rag mags and gossip websites, I can tell you’re an airhead and do not deserve the second rate fame [...]

Bitch is the New Black…Bitch!

Could I love Tina Fey anymore? SNL returned this weekend hosted by the lady head-writer herself. Although I didn’t catch the whole show (who knew I’d so easily forget about television once all the good stuff had been off the air for months and months?), I thought her monologue on Weekend Update was brilliantly delivered:
http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/index.shtml#mea=221773
I [...]

I know this will just make me sound like a bitter feminist…

…but this makes me SO happy.
Watch the Puppy Bowl during commercials instead! Wholesome, adorable entertainment for the whole family. With guacamole. What more could you ask for?

I wish Tina Fey, Ellen Page Lived Next Door

As I was huffing and puffing on the stair stepper at the gym the other night, I caught a bit of the 2008 SAG awards. I saw a noticeable similiarity between the adorable Ellen Page, from my new favorite movie Juno, and the ever-inspiring and hilarious Tina Fey, from one of my favorite TV shows:

(WireImage)
Both [...]

Don’t Cry for America—We’re already Braindead.

Last night I saw what was probably the most embarrassing display of American culture (or lack thereof) and stupidity in my life. Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? aired with an episode featuring a 20-something former Med school student who previously incorrectly answered a 1st grade level health question (I guess I missed the [...]