Tuesday, May 4 2004
Can the Subaltern Sing? Or Who’s Ashamed of William Hung?
No one expected that William Hung would now boast a CD out on Koch Records, an accompanying music video, and appearances on Ellen, the Tonight Show, and the Today Show. In other words, Hung is huge
Model Minority
The phenomenon of William Hung recalls such stereotypes: an infantilized, incompetent, and feminized (impotent) Asian male, he will never be 'the same'.
Monday, April 19 2004
Distraction TV
With the little matter of the Super Bowl Halftime Show to get over, Janet Jackson did what she had to do. She returned to TV.
Monday, March 1 2004
Going Negative
Even if we never cease to be captivated by dirt, we need also to focus on substantive matters.
AIDS on TV
Oprah's appearance on Primetime Live did put faces and stories behind the devastating realities of the African AIDS crisis.
Thursday, December 11 2003
Better Times: Remembering Jonathan Brandis
It's unclear how comfortable Brandis was with the 'former teen idol' label, and to what degree that label affected his choice to take his own life.
Tuesday, September 16 2003
We’ve a Lovable Space that Needs Your Face: A Tribute to John Ritter
When John Ritter died, in my grief, I felt like a very special oddball.
Monday, August 4 2003
Bottom Feed
Imagining The Jerry Springer Show as the radical vanguard is unspeakably ludicrous. What politics does it address or challenge?
Mocking Pretension: Buddy Ebsen
'People would lay down their money and laugh and you'd see them walk out happy.'
Monday, July 14 2003
Business As Usual
While Spike TV's philosophy may seem abrasive to some viewers, its content hardly deviates from standard television fare.
Monday, May 19 2003
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Lord of the Nerds
Buffy is often mentioned specifically as a "female empowerment" show, but one of its most inviting aspects is the way its cast has always been uncommonly split between guys and girls.
Monday, May 12 2003
How Come Elmo Isn’t a Girl?
We expect more from PBS. The competition is too stiff now, with four other networks showing commercial-free preschool programming. PBS Kids: It's time for really new ideas.
Monday, March 31 2003
Monday, March 3 2003
Not My Neighborhood
I didn't live in Mister Rogers' neighborhood. In fact the South Bronx was far removed from the white-bred and sanitized world where Rogers existed.
2003
I remember as a toddler being damn near being reduced to tears of relief and exhilaration when Mr. Rogers looked me in the eye and recognized my own inner dramas. Through the course of an episode he gently untied all the psychic knots that get twisted in the mind of a troubled childhood.
Monday, February 10 2003
Same Old, Same Old
Martin Bashir's effort to catch Jackson out, to expose even the slightest craziness, was evident from the outset.
Covering Columbia
When it comes to major events, the dedicated news channels have become increasingly reliant on centering their broadcasts on provocative imagery.
And Now He’s Got the Stubble
When Michael Jackson calls Tony Mottola 'devilish' or dangles his baby, the media grind into high gear for weeks.
Tuesday, February 4 2003
Bulls on Parade
The Super Bowl exemplified the star-spangled ethos of a nation, glossed over and wrapped up in a monumental production.
