And I thought the year was starting slowly. It would seem I am wrong. Mr. Michael J. Fox is back on the idiot box [I find that a more accurate name for television, as what it regularly provides will lower an IQ faster than anything except drugs, predominantly]. Its commendable that a solid actor as he is not only continues to provide television entertainment but also steadily continues his work for theMichael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. As I’ve stated in my post Tookie Williams and Hollywood, “I do appreciate that fact that many have strong convictions and stand by them, famous or not.” I will add that I find great respect in those who remind us that we are only ever as disabled as we allow ourselves to be. Individuals like Mr. Muhammad Ali, Mr. Stephen Hawkins, Mr. Stevie Wonder, Mr. Richard Pryor, Mr. Fox and others are shining beacon of that fact.
On a more mainstream note though is the possible return of Futurama to television. Much like the return of Family Guy [the Stewie and Brian characters are just brilliant] or the long run of the Simpsons, networks are finding that animation does not mean insipid prattle geared towards toddlers, pre-teens and drug-addled masses. While Futurama may never be a beacon for much more than a few laughs, though there have been episodes with more than just subtle hints at deep social meaning it may lead, I hope, to one day see a more serious and adult oriented anime style program. The expression via art can provide more than any CGI effect ever could, to a well thought out and targeted story. I’d suggest seeing Ghost in the Shell: Stand alone Complex to see what I mean.
Speaking of Bender, [best segue I could think of] the 23rd annual Adult Video News Awards have just taken place. Of course no one would ever want to go and see such awards (besides me one day, I just think it would be a fun experience. I’d love to go to the Oscar’s as well but I think this may be more attainable) other than the 5,000 people in attendance. I have to laugh since no one ever buys or sees pornography, yet the industry made 12 billion dollars last year (beating Hollywood by 3.7 billion dollars or 41.6% in 2005), was the first and is the most profitable industry on the internet to my knowledge.
Of course while Mr. Howard Stern has been called a pornographic entertainer and insulting by many, he need no longer fear the weight of the FCC on his back. Starting his first day at Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. [I will note that I was a broker in the past and this was a stock I recommended for years. It’s inclusion is not a recommendation nor a solicitation, and I do not work as a broker any longer. - I hate the legal stuff] Mr. Stern finally had the chance to tell his listeners exactly what he thought and they heard it exactly as he said it. One of the things I love about non-terrestrial radio is that it is a shining example of Freedom of Speech. If you don’t like what he has to say, change the channel. If the thought of this form of entertainment existing offends you, don’t buy it.
I love the way that so many protest and scream how something is wrong and shouldn’t be allowed. Yet those same people take the exact opposite view when discussing something they believe in. Bill O'Reilly is an example of that. Recently it was noted on the Daily show with John Stewart how O’Rielly on one hand was critical of the censorship he felt was happening with ‘Merry Christmas’ being removed from stores (yep, nothing says religion like shopping) as it was insulting to Christians [how as Christ was born in January anyway], but insists that even non-Christians must use the term instead of ‘Happy Holidays’. A bit 2-faced and illogical yes?
And lastly the week has started with Mr. Harry Belafonte calling sitting President Bush “the greatest terrorist in the world.” I’m sorry but that is just off-base. [My post Harry Belafonte and respect goes into the other ramifications of his comments.] Suffice I will say that I respect the convictions of Mr. Belafonte. I do not agree with him. To an extent I feel he is doing what Kayne West and to a lesser degree Mr. Ethan Hawke did, as stated in my post Rappers, Clemency, and Interactive Video gaming Entertainment. That is to say using his celebrity to express his personal feelings, which is fine, in a manner that is rude and disrespectful. Being a famous Black African American is no excuse to belittle the President of the USA. Entertainers are not excused of the ability to use tact, just because they disagree with policies or politicians.
Like I said, its getting interesting and the month has hardly started. So far most Black African American or Hispanic entertainers have been quiet. I’m sure that will change soon. Even so, while this site it predominantly interested in Black entertainers, and Hispanic or other minority entertainers, it is not the only thing I have to speak about.
This is what I think, what do you think?
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