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01 Dec 2009 10:19

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U.S.: Daily poll: Should the White House gate crashers go to jail?


Posted by Ernie Smith • 4 Comments • Permalink

28 Oct 2009 22:25

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Politics: Visual aid: The end effect of Reality TV and the hunt for fame

wemadeitbabay It's all a fight to get on TV. Even Kate Gosselin, who looks like the saint in the Jon & Kate situation, is trying to extend her fifteen seconds to half an hour. But considering the end effect, is it really worth it? (Illustration by Shawn Vulliez)
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Oct 2009 01:30

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Culture: Sounds about right: The mom squealed in the “Balloon Boy” case

  • Both parents told their kids to lie. Good job. The Balloon Boy story now has even more hot air to feed itself, thanks to the acquisition of a search warrant by the Fort Collins Coloradan which straight-up broke open the case. The warrant claims that Mayumi Heene admitted that she and her husband lied about what happened, and that they told their kids to lie. And even further, they did it to further their 15 seconds of fame. All obvious points, but now we know who the whistleblower was. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

15 Oct 2009 21:03

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U.S.: We bestow a blue ribbon on the Balloon Boy story. A modern classic.

Faux news
Simply put, you had it all. Between the incredibly random nature of your occurrence, the wall-to-wall media coverage, the likelihood of danger, the kid angle (must be emphasized), the reality TV angle, the waste of public resources, the rapt attention you gathered from the public, and the painless resolution that followed hours of panic, Balloon Boy story, you may be the best non-story in the history of news. Way to go, 24-hour news cycle, for giving us hilarity at the cost of actual news. You should be proud. SOURCE
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

15 Oct 2009 10:33

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Culture: The voice of reason on Jon & Kate: Danny freaking Bonaduce?

  • It has nothing to with the camera. Blaming it on the show is not right. This is going to sound mean, but if the media is so concerned about the kids, then stop covering them. Then the kids won’t read it and nobody will know about it.
  • Former “Partridge Family” member/reality TV star Danny Bonaduce • Talking about the “Jon & Kate Plus 8” saga. Bonaduce says it’s not the reality TV cameras at fault with the relationship – it’s the cheating and general douchebaggery. With Jon blocking access to the family home from TLC cameras (because he’s a douchebag), it’s quite possible the show may not come back. We can only hope. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 Oct 2009 21:29

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Culture: Reality show killer Ryan Jenkins left a “suicide note,” guys

  • The lack of acknowledging that he’d just lost his wife speaks volumes.
  • Buena Park Police Sgt. William Kohanek • Discussing the note that the police found on Jenkins’ computer. While not a suicide note, per ce, the “Megan Wants a Millionaire” star did leave a will and discuss the frustration he felt towards the love of his life, Jasmine Fiore, who was divorcing him when she was found dead. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

06 Sep 2009 14:02

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Culture: Instant Twitter trending topic: Did Shawne Merriman choke Tila Tequila?

Football star Merriman was arrested for battery for allegedly choking and restraining the reality icon. Yuck. This screams tabloid. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink
 

23 Aug 2009 21:58

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Culture: How did a dude like Ryan Jenkins get on reality TV, anyway?

  • Part of the problem is there’s such a huge machine needing people to go on TV. . . . But the problem is: If you need so many contestants, you’re probably not going to do the best job of screening them.
  • University of Southern California communication professor Jon Taplin • Discussing the nature of the Ryan Jenkins case. In Jenkins’ situation, VH1’s production company, 51 Minds blamed “an error by a Canadian court clerk” for allowing Jenkins’ criminal past to slip through the cracks. Whatever the case may be, it’s clearly not a common situation, but it is a climate made worse by the needs of reality television. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Aug 2009 21:48

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Culture: Ryan Jenkins’ death has Twitter abuzz with chatter tonight

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Aug 2009 10:51

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Culture: This Ryan Jenkins case is looking like a real mess for VH1

  • Previous charges Despite the fact that the network’s production company for reality shows supposedly performs background checks on its contestants, they didn’t pull up a conviction for assault which led to probation. He got arrested in April, too. And he went to counseling for sex addiction. Not the kinda guy you want on a VH1 show. source
  • Previous charges Despite the fact that the network’s production company for reality shows supposedly performs background checks on its contestants, they didn’t pull up a conviction for assault which led to probation. He got arrested in April, too. And he went to counseling for sex addiction. Not the kinda guy you want on a VH1 show.
  • Another show Even worse for the network, Jenkins had recently shot a second still-unaired show called “I Love Money 3,” which features reality contestants from other VH1 shows. It may never see the light of day. Now isn’t looking like a bad time for the network to return to 60-hour Behind the Music marathons. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 3 Comments • Permalink
 
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