Fame

Two famous quotes, each relating to the meaning of fame, are of course:

1. "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes" attributed to Andy Warhol in 1968 [today, shortened to his/her 15 minutes of fame].
2. "Glory [updated to fame] is fleeting, obscurity is forever" attributed to Napoleon Boanaparte in the early 19th century.

These 2 maxims have never been more relevant than currently, when in part due to the information explosion (Internet, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) and the so-called 24/7 news cycle, it is far easier to get famous [maybe for slightly longer than 15 minutes] as well as also to lapse quickly into often well-deserved obscurity.

Take for example one Eric Massa, recently resigned (in disgrace) New York congressman. Massa embarrassed moronic right-wing commentator Glenn Beck on a live program by admitting that Massa's well-documented groping of five single male aides he lived with (!) had nothing to do with his disillusionment with President Obama's health care program, which Beck thought he was exposing (pun intended). Massa has been mercilessly and steadily lampooned by every comedian but does anyone believe that by the end of 2010 his 15 minutes of fame won't have turned into obscurity?

For that matter, whatever happened to the Salahis? Only 4 short months ago, this faux-society couple certainly had their 15 minutes when they crashed the White House State dinner honoring the Prime Minister of India. So far, they haven't been charged with any crime, but if they're "lucky" enough to have this happen, they could get another 15 minutes (or 15 months in jail?). Otherwise, it's obscurity and in the apt words of another old maxim, they will become (perhaps) a footnote to history.

So the next time someone new bursts on the scene, likely for some sort of notorious behavior, TNB advises you to write their name(s) down and keep them in a safe place so that you can remember them if you care to (???).

Oscar Night

The first ever Normal Blog appeared almost exactly two years ago (March 12, 2008) and was entitled "Movie Musings" reflecting TNB's life-long movie passion. It's no coincidence that a long ago Chicago movie theatre, the Normal, is prominently displayed. So on the eve of this year's Oscars some updated Movie Musings (and predictions) appear to be in order.

Will the hugely successful "Avatar" beat out the modest but gripping "Hurt Locker" for Best Picture? Since these 2 are directed, respectively, by ex-spouses James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow, will Academy voters split their votes so one award goes to each? There is precedent with an occasional Best Director (e.g., the notorious Roman Polanski for "The Pianist") coming from a picture that did not win the top prize. A purist would argue that Best Picture automatically means Best Director, but as we all know, emotion plays a large part in the voting, so TNB predicts that Bigelow will get a very nice consolation prize, but "Avatar" will win the big one.

Speaking of emotion, long-time Hollywood insiders Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock are heavily favored to each win their first Oscars for "Crazy Heart" and "The Blind Side", two very average movies. Honestly, isn't it time that we stop taking Meryl Streep and her 16 nominations for granted and finally give her a 3rd Oscar for her scintillating turn as Julia Child in "Julie and Julia"? If she doesn't deserve Best Actress, TNB will eat 3 helpings of Child's very rich beef bourgignon.

Likewise, whatever happened to the Best Actor chances of George Clooney whose perfect depiction of a modern day corporate assassin in "Up in the Air" caused, among other things, a spike in the sale of wheeled, carry on suitcases? Also, in that movie, Anna Kendrick's wonderful performance as a smarmy technogeek has been overwhelmed by Mo'Nique, who has Best Supporting Actress sewed up for "Precious".

Finally, there's nothing like playing a Nazi to give an edge for any acting award--see Christof Waltz for Best Supporting Actor in "Inglourious Basterds", Quentin Tarantino's outrageous reimagining of an alternative (and satisfying) end to World War II.

By next week, this will all be a distant memory, but at least for TNB, Oscar Night is great fun. As an aside, venerable Chicago Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert (who is basically unable to eat, drink or speak) supposedly will be attending, which is a greater achievement than any of the foregoing examples of make believe.

Anybody Else Believe This ?

Besides TNB, does anybody else believe that:

• Sarah Palin and her Tea Party devotees (who recently paid her $100,000 to talk "hopey" and "changey" to them) are not strictly a fringe movement, to be easily dismissed? Apparently, between 25% and one-third of Americans really think she makes sense and therefore she and her movement are dangerous, not laughable. History says that she'll self-destruct by 2012, but don't count on it. The best antidote would of course be for President Obama to really turn this country around.
• Two months from now, less than 1% of Americans will not remember who won the moguls, biathlon, Nordic combined or snowboard cross at the Olympics? NBC has done a great job in making these rarely seen sports exciting but our attention span (never long) will inevitably turn to March Madness (college basketball and the Oscars!), American Idol, Opening Day and other rites of Spring.
• Speaking of NBC, Jay Leno's post-Olympics return to the Tonight Show will be a colossal flop (as will his replacements in prime time)? Viewing habits have changed so radically with fragmentation of options (including the Internet, I- Phones, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) that it is hard to imagine that the old TV paradigms will return (or should).
• The U.S. Senate is an ineffective, unresponsive legislative body? Between the campaign financing issues, pork, scandals, poor behavior and inertia (not to mention the archaic rules) how can anyone admire the savagely partisan members of this group. Too bad they're not all up for re-election this year. Of course, the entire House is and they're not much better.
• Toyota will never return to its position in the automobile market? The only way to repair the severely battered image is for Toyota to change its name to disassociate from the poor quality syndrome. TNB suggests say Edsel or CMW (China Motor Works) to bring back consumer confidence. No need to give thanks--just providing a public service.

The Blind Side

Many of the people who fancy themselves experts on the movie business, both within and outside of Hollywood, have been stunned by the huge financial success of The Blind Side which although receiving lukewarm reviews, has to date grossed $238 million vs. a modest cost of $35 million and even more surprisingly has garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Picture and a Best Actress nomination for Sandra Bullock, who is the early favorite to win. The reaction of "mainstream" America to a reasonably well made feel good movie, based on a compelling true story and containing a heavy dose of Southern high school football (with cameos from real college coaches) as well as a do gooder attitude should not be surprising. There even is an honest (and factual) recognition of the sleazy side of college recruiting.

Of course the term Blind Side as used here refers to the fact that quarterbacks are much more vulnerable to being hurt by onrushing defensive linemen from the side opposite the one they're usually facing when attempting to pass, which for right handed QB's is the left (or "blind") side. Thus, their major protectors, charged with covering such "blind side" are behemoths playing left tackle, a very important position and one in which of course the real life protagonist, Michael Oher, has excelled to the point where he starred in 2009 as an NFL rookie with the Baltimore Ravens, after an All American career at Ole Miss.

On the eve of that uniquely American cultural institution, Super Bowl Sunday, TNB can only think of how instructive the theme of this film should be to the very sports aware President Obama. Who is covering his Blind Side from the Tea Party rabble (biggest hero of which is Sarah Palin), the birthers, Fox News and others who are hell bent on wrecking his presidency no matter what the cost to the country? Of course, since he's left handed his biggest protection must come from the right side, which is pretty ironic.

Despite the overwhelming Democratic control of Congress, there doesn't seem to be much offensive football being played there with the majority always appearing to be on the defensive. Has there ever been a more ineffectual Senate Majority leader than Harry Reid? LBJ, where are you now that we need you? If the character played in the movie by Sandra Bullock wasn't an avowed Republican, TNB would call on her in a minute to kick some butt. Come to think of it she might anyway.

State of the Union

The reaction to President Obama's State of the Union speech was based on such predictable partisan attitudes that TNB wonders-- why bother? Does anyone feel the slightest bit differently about the President, the economy, Afghanistan, Jay and Conan, Tiger Woods, John and Elizabeth Edwards, Lady GaGa or for that matter any pressing issue than before the so called SOTU talk? The only minor blip resulted from Obama's long overdue announcement that he feels it's time to end the absurd "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding gays serving in the military.

Not in TNB's memory (a long one!) has this country ever been so polarized politically. After Joe Wilson's "you lie" outburst in Congress last year we've now been "treated" to a Supreme Court Justice (Sam Alito) mouthing "it's not true" when Obama criticized last week's ruling giving corporations (and unions) the right to make unlimited political contributions as a matter of free speech. Why are the Justices even at SOTU, dressed in their robes no less? Antonin Scalia and his lackey Clarence (the Mute) Thomas never bother to show up anyway.

In order to keep their "filibuster proof" (now that's really majority rule democracy at work) previous Senate majority of 60 together the Democrats had to suck up to turncoat Arlen Specter and even worse to Traitor Joe (no, not Trader Joe) Lieberman. But with the election of charismatic new Mass. Senator Scott Brown, 60 is now down to 59. So why not drop to 57 by disassociating the party (led in the Senate by the incredibly uncharismatic Harry Reid) from these two?

Speaking of Scott Brown, he has obviously energized the GOP not only because of his populist message but also his good looks (see the old Cosmo centerfold). Sort of like a male Sarah Palin who, let's admit it, is basically as popular as she is not only because of her populist message but her undeniably good looks. TNB's unscientific poll has revealed that 87% of her supporters are horny rednecks. A race in 2012 between these two for the Republican nomination (don't laugh) could be something to see. The tabloids are waiting. The country deserves no less.

Principles

It is often difficult these days to tell which principles people are following in their daily lives. For example, some individuals appear to be disciples of The Peter Principle, first expounded by Dr. Laurence Peter in 1969. This axiom of course states that sooner or later people are promoted to their level of incompetence. After over 50 years in the business world, TNB can certainly attest to the validity of this proposition.

Lately we have seen some very public examples of The Peter Principle at work, perhaps best exemplified by Jeff Zucker who rose from NBC Wunderkind at the Today Show to president of the network, where he has presided over the demise of NBC prime time including the jaw dropping Leno/O'Brien mess. For this classic adherence to The Peter Principle, Zucker was rewarded with a new 3 year comtract by Comcast, which is acquiring NBC Universal from GE. A perfect manifestation of what has been aptly dubbed "upward failure".

At a slightly different level is The Dilbert Principle, first enunciated in 1995 by cartoonist Scott Adams and which states that companies tend to intentionally promote their least competent employees to middle management as "nature's way of removing morons from the productive flow". Sadly, this satirical observation was written before the current syndrome (see the movie "Up in the Air") of just terminating employees-- competent or otherwise.

Now in 2010, we have The TNB Principle, which asserts that people totally without any principles can shockingly be an influential voice in society. Just last week we witnessed both Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson make statements about the earthquake in Haiti that dispel any lingering doubts about their characters. If only there was some way to remove these morons from the productive flow (see Dilbert) before they do any more damage to what remains of our principles.

Prime Time

The year 2010 is less than two weeks old but already there's a lot of news, such as:
1. Rod Blagojevich A/K/A Mr. Scum, told Esquire Magazine than he's "blacker than Obama" (in addition to using the "C" word to describe Ill. Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan). Actually TNB has learned that as an infant Rod was found in the weeds by Alabama sharecroppers who gave him up to a Serbian family after raising him with black values.
2. Mark McGwire finally confessed to steroid use absolutely shocking the baseball world. Actually TNB has learned that Sammy Sosa will confess that his skin whitening cream caused his enormous bulging muscles as well as his loss of any use of the English language.
3. Rudy Giuliani, who became "America's Mayor" in the aftermath of 9/11, stated that under Bush there were NO domestic terror attacks as compared of course to Obama who has had Ft. Hood, Detroit, etc. Actually, TNB has learned that Rudy is just the latest victim of "selective Republican amnesia" whereby no one can (or wants to) recall anything that occurred during W.'s 8 years.

All these stories pale, however, compared to the ongoing brouhaha about relocating Jay Leno's failed prime time show and the effect on Conan, Jimmy et al. The biggest problem seems to be what will be shown 5 nights a week in the spot being vacated by Leno. Actually TNB has confidentially learned that NBC is considering the following:

(MON) THE DENTIST Shy but horny young Dr. Jon Filler only can get up the nerve to ask a female patient for a date when her mouth is stuffed with cotton or while she is in a twilight sleep from anesthesia.
(TUE) THE SUPERMARKET Veteran meat department manager Butch Butcher is demoted to the produce department when he announces that he's become a vegan.
(WED) THE AUDITORS Handsome but nerdy beginning auditor Clark Credit is totally intimidated by his superior, gorgeous but smug Debbie Debit. However after the pair uncover a major Ponzi scheme they begin a torrid romance to the shock and awe of their CPA colleagues.
(THU) THE ENGINEER Studious structural engineer Bob Billder is so stressed by the demands of his job that he spends the nighttime hours secretly examining bridge supports.
(FRI) THE RABBI Progressive Rabbi Jenny Maven reaches out to Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Jews by holding group therapy sessions on alternate Shabbats.

With this potential lineup who needs Jay (or Conan or Jimmy or for that matter Dave)?