Well the holiday is over and it seems a few people had a few too many in the time off, I think Let’s start with one thought I find laughable. I will admit that I could be surprised, but as yet there has been no hint of talent in anything that Paris Hilton has done. This it is no surprise that I look forward to the new record album by Paris Hilton with about as much anticipation as her role in the horrendous remake of House of Wax generated. But I will give her this (or the family accountants, which I would think is more likely) she is targeting the right crowd, hip hop and reggae. Not to say that fans of either form of music do not have taste, I just think she will be bought in the same way that Vanilla Ice was but white kids in the mid-west, who had no idea he was a fake or that his song was a direct rip off of a Black fraternity. But hopefully the wanna-be-ganstas in the nation will recognize this as another in the seemingly never ending attempt for attention by this billion dollar heiress. I wonder what would have happened to her if her parents spent more time with her, as opposed to her nannies raising her. I don’t know that they didn’t but her actions give me that impression. And ladies, having money will not make your actions less skank-like (if that is how you wish to act) as can me seen with this example, I think.
On another move that seems motivated solely for income, There is now going to be a sequel to The Graduate. Why? Because Mr. Charles Webb needs the $56,000. Or so it seems is the driving force here. Sadly I’d expect that Hollywood will jump on this bandwagon and no matter how good (or bad) the story and make a movie of it. I wouldn’t be surprised that a remake (or heaven forbid a revisioning) comes out first, with younger stars so the youth will think its original, pops up first though. I really can’t see why we need to know what happens next in that story, I think those with imagination will be able to think up a better story than what we will be given. Sometimes not being told what happens next is a great thing. But it doesn’t justify the salaries of some of the publishing and movie studio execs, thus we get movies like the above mentioned House of Wax.
And since the unfairness of what we get to read and see is matched by actions in life as well. If you recall I recently spoke about Ms. Michelle Rodriguez. I like her acting and yes she is cute too. But of course that has nothing to do with drunk driving. Unless you are in L.A. In Hawaii Ms. Rodriguez served 4 days in jail, which was an eternity compared to the 4 HOURS she spent in L.A. County jail. Now I realize that jails across the nation are crowded (disproportionately with Black African Americans and Hispanics serving longer sentences than white for the same or lesser crimes) but 4 hours of a 60 sentence is ridiculous. Especially considering that everyone would agree, including Ms. Rodriguez I think, that were she not a moderately famous actress she would have seen severely more time. And she deserves to spend the time. Drunk driving has more than enough advocates, I’m surprised none of them feel the need to discuss this slap on the wrists.
Of course what would a holiday be without something from a famous rapper. To be fair I mean Ice Cube - who was the driving force behind the FX show Black. White. - as he came to the defense of other rappers in their complaint about Ms. Oprah Winfrey. I’ve talked about how this is massive sour grapes on the various rappers parts in my post Breaking the law entertainer-style. Perhaps the focus is not that rappers are a rag-to-riches story, but that they have a negative influence on the Black community and have helped make Black culture a commodity, as I see it. Maybe Oprah shares my views, perhaps not. But it is HER show, and she is no less a rag-to-riches story without the negative influence. I may not find most of her shows of interest, but that does not mean she should change it. In that same manner the rap community should shut up because it’s not like she is there only access to the media and public. Maybe the argument should be why is there not more shows that will have them on, or that target the black audience more directly.
If they find Oprah to harsh in her choice of television airtime guests, why don’t they spend the time and effort to create their own program and host? I’m sure at least a couple of them have enough real money (not loans or advances form their record companies) or influence (like Ice Cube) to get something done. And if any one of them is afraid to go out on a limb several could work together to get something done. Why whine like spoiled children, this is America. Effort combined with money and a solid plan can make things happen. Don’t react, be proactive. In my mind, if half the rap music artists out there were as wealthy or powerful as they portray themselves they wouldn’t need to pander to public opinion to change one television talk show hosts’ choices, they would be able to either make a new option or have others seeking them out to reap the benefits. While the compliment to Oprah may be nice its unrealistic, she isn’t the only program on television, nor the only one they can access.
This is what I think, what do you think?
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