Maybe its time Kirk Gibson bailed us out of this one too. Even so, fist pumping and all probably wouldn't send bankruptcy woes out of the park like game winning home run balls.
Last Thursday, July 7, the Los Angeles Dodgers were denied access from gathering information from MLB Commissioner Bud Selig in U.S. Bankruptcy Court by Judge Kevin Gross. U.S. Trustee Roberta DeAngelis argued that the Dodgers request to borrow upwards of $150 million from JPMorgan & Chase Co. should be dismissed. "The debtors did not properly disclose a significant fee that is both material and essential," she said.
The Dodgers exhausting pickle is all thanks to the McCourt divorce that wedged a wooden stake in the heart of Chavez Ravine. The split, more damaging than the 1994 Northridge earthquake, took out half of Los Angeles and left the Dodgers filing for bankruptcy protection on June 27.
Center fielder Matt Kemp seems unshaken from the aftershocks as he hit his 23rd home run and 71 RBI last night. Kemp and crew maintain a five-game winning streak spanning through the Midsummer Night Classic into the second half of the season.
As the dust settles, Manager Don Mattingly picks up pieces of rubble with high hopes of seeing the October sky. Like firework shows after games, hopefully this season won't blow up in Mattingly's face. Because even Dodger Dogs sometimes get overcooked.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Who you gonna call?
The haunting past found in Rupert Murdoch's closets would even scare the Ghostbusters.
In light of the scandal mess over in News Corp., Edelman PR firm was hired earlier this week to clean out the cobwebs and clean up their image. Edelman had been doing ad hoc advice since June, but officially contracted the firm on Tuesday, July 12.
Edelman, the largest global PR firm was founded in 1952 by Daniel J. Edelman, but is run today by his son, President and CEO Richard Edelman. The firm specializes in consumer, finance, healthcare, technology, and industrial practices with 51 offices global wide.
Prior to hiring the Edelman firm, News Corp's UK division refused to appear before a parliament. Two days later, Murdoch's first interview was in print since the scandal went mainstream. One day later, Les Hinton, CEO of Dow Jones & Co. and Wall Street Journal publisher, and Rebekah Brooks, CEO of News International both stepped down and resigned from their positions. "Edelman often talks about operating in a trust company," said a former Edelman PR rep. "Richard Edelman talks about how businesses need a license to operate, and to do that, need to have trust of a various number of stakeholders that are around them."
While there's something strange in Murdoch's neighborhood, Edelman's endo-plasmic PR guns control the situation.
In light of the scandal mess over in News Corp., Edelman PR firm was hired earlier this week to clean out the cobwebs and clean up their image. Edelman had been doing ad hoc advice since June, but officially contracted the firm on Tuesday, July 12.
Edelman, the largest global PR firm was founded in 1952 by Daniel J. Edelman, but is run today by his son, President and CEO Richard Edelman. The firm specializes in consumer, finance, healthcare, technology, and industrial practices with 51 offices global wide.
Prior to hiring the Edelman firm, News Corp's UK division refused to appear before a parliament. Two days later, Murdoch's first interview was in print since the scandal went mainstream. One day later, Les Hinton, CEO of Dow Jones & Co. and Wall Street Journal publisher, and Rebekah Brooks, CEO of News International both stepped down and resigned from their positions. "Edelman often talks about operating in a trust company," said a former Edelman PR rep. "Richard Edelman talks about how businesses need a license to operate, and to do that, need to have trust of a various number of stakeholders that are around them."
While there's something strange in Murdoch's neighborhood, Edelman's endo-plasmic PR guns control the situation.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Cowell's crazy coop
What's bigger, Prince Fielder's All-Star game home run, or Simon Cowell's Pepsi juiced ego? Baseball stars weren't the only talent present during the All-Star game Tuesday night as Fox unveiled the promo for it's new show The X Factor.
The X Factor, a reality singing competition show led by main judge Simon Cowell, will premiere later in the fall lineup on Sept. 21 and 22. Does this tune sound familiar? What if we drop in Paula Abdul to the mix? Add a soda sponsor and a Chevy car, and you make music to every network executive's ears. How sly of Fox to fill the missing gaps between American Idol seasons with a sister show harboring alter-ego characteristics.
The promo video portrays Cowell in a soft pink sweater sitting through awful singing auditions while fellow judges applaud competitors' efforts. Cowell finally awakes from this nightmare and goes back to doing what he does best, demoralize contestants.
Between American Idol and The X Factor, looks like Fox plans to snatch up TV ratings year round. American Idol has dominated TV ratings for the last several years, and whether The X Factor steals fans from it's sister show matters not. Fox has created another monster that even Cowell can't coop.
The X Factor, a reality singing competition show led by main judge Simon Cowell, will premiere later in the fall lineup on Sept. 21 and 22. Does this tune sound familiar? What if we drop in Paula Abdul to the mix? Add a soda sponsor and a Chevy car, and you make music to every network executive's ears. How sly of Fox to fill the missing gaps between American Idol seasons with a sister show harboring alter-ego characteristics.
The promo video portrays Cowell in a soft pink sweater sitting through awful singing auditions while fellow judges applaud competitors' efforts. Cowell finally awakes from this nightmare and goes back to doing what he does best, demoralize contestants.
Between American Idol and The X Factor, looks like Fox plans to snatch up TV ratings year round. American Idol has dominated TV ratings for the last several years, and whether The X Factor steals fans from it's sister show matters not. Fox has created another monster that even Cowell can't coop.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Dollar
Even David Blaine can't keep a nation spellbound for an entire decade.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part two opened earlier this morning to theaters nationwide. Anticipated moviegoers and Potter fanatics alike waited outside in dimly lit street corners. The hysteria even seemed to reach my early morning classes where more empty seats were present today than theaters showing Dungeons & Dragons back in 2000.
This last movie installment of a seven book series closes it's final chapter of a decade long experience. What questions me, is how does a kids novel series turned epic movies, last 10 years? For instance, the eight movies have captivated audiences for the last decade dating back to the same year as 9/11. I would be interested to find out what major events people would recall from the last decade, hoping that 9/11 would be higher on the list than the Potter series. However, I would not be surprised to find the opposite since American culture as well as American cinema, must live happily ever after.
In the end both movie executives and movie lovers akin receive what treasures they seek. For Harry Potter fans a decade to remember, and for big wig execs, a pot of gold worth over $6 billion and counting.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part two opened earlier this morning to theaters nationwide. Anticipated moviegoers and Potter fanatics alike waited outside in dimly lit street corners. The hysteria even seemed to reach my early morning classes where more empty seats were present today than theaters showing Dungeons & Dragons back in 2000.
This last movie installment of a seven book series closes it's final chapter of a decade long experience. What questions me, is how does a kids novel series turned epic movies, last 10 years? For instance, the eight movies have captivated audiences for the last decade dating back to the same year as 9/11. I would be interested to find out what major events people would recall from the last decade, hoping that 9/11 would be higher on the list than the Potter series. However, I would not be surprised to find the opposite since American culture as well as American cinema, must live happily ever after.
In the end both movie executives and movie lovers akin receive what treasures they seek. For Harry Potter fans a decade to remember, and for big wig execs, a pot of gold worth over $6 billion and counting.
Hand it to Hanes
The latest line of T-shirts added to Hanes hopes to be their biggest yet, but not in size. Hanesbrands Inc. expands their business market to fashionable T-shirts, and plans to do it without the middle man.
Hanes recently opened new creative offices in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York to lead the design process and catch up with today's latest fashion. Not an easy venture for a company who is known for their plain white undershirts and underwear, however Jim Phelan, vice president of Hanes Ink, is hopeful for their new business endeavors.
"That's the challenge here," he said. "One's a replenishment, ongoing business. The other one is very much being on trend."
With three new plants in China, the Dominican Republic and El Salvador, Hanes will be able to make more shirts for a cheaper cost. By designing and manufacturing T-shirts themselves, Hanes hopes to cut back costs, but also to have finished products on shelves faster than other typical clothing companies.
Reports show that Americans purchased 4.1% more T-shirts from the previous year totaling 3.2 billion T-shirts last year. These numbers are expected to increase in upcoming years and propel Hanes into new markets. Hopefully Hanes' businessmen aren't caught wearing nothing but their whitey-tighties.
Hanes recently opened new creative offices in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York to lead the design process and catch up with today's latest fashion. Not an easy venture for a company who is known for their plain white undershirts and underwear, however Jim Phelan, vice president of Hanes Ink, is hopeful for their new business endeavors.
"That's the challenge here," he said. "One's a replenishment, ongoing business. The other one is very much being on trend."
With three new plants in China, the Dominican Republic and El Salvador, Hanes will be able to make more shirts for a cheaper cost. By designing and manufacturing T-shirts themselves, Hanes hopes to cut back costs, but also to have finished products on shelves faster than other typical clothing companies.
Reports show that Americans purchased 4.1% more T-shirts from the previous year totaling 3.2 billion T-shirts last year. These numbers are expected to increase in upcoming years and propel Hanes into new markets. Hopefully Hanes' businessmen aren't caught wearing nothing but their whitey-tighties.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Oprah gets OWNed
What's easier, convincing Oprah Winfrey to be CEO of her OWN self-titled network, or tricking O.J. Simpson into confession?
Yesterday morning Oprah Winfrey was named CEO of OWN, after Christina Norman was let go as chief executive in May due to falling ratings. Peter Liguori had been acting president since May until Winfrey was announced CEO.
OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, debuted at the start of the year offering a mix of original programs, specials, documentaries, and movies. "I am ready to dedicate my full creative energy and focus as the full-time CEO of OWN," Winfrey said. Along with Winfrey comes her colleagues from Harpo Studios, a Chicago production company. Joining her will be Erik Logan and Sheri Salata, who will be co-presidents under Winfrey.
The transition is set in order to allow Winfrey to be more involved with the network by playing an active role on a daily basis. "I need to be there. I need to be engaged and involved," she said last month. "I need to do the same thing I did on my show every day."
OWN is hopeful that the move will help boost network ratings and draw the same crowd her old show did. If Winfrey were to convince Simpson to confess, maybe she would be worth watching, again.
Yesterday morning Oprah Winfrey was named CEO of OWN, after Christina Norman was let go as chief executive in May due to falling ratings. Peter Liguori had been acting president since May until Winfrey was announced CEO.
OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, debuted at the start of the year offering a mix of original programs, specials, documentaries, and movies. "I am ready to dedicate my full creative energy and focus as the full-time CEO of OWN," Winfrey said. Along with Winfrey comes her colleagues from Harpo Studios, a Chicago production company. Joining her will be Erik Logan and Sheri Salata, who will be co-presidents under Winfrey.
The transition is set in order to allow Winfrey to be more involved with the network by playing an active role on a daily basis. "I need to be there. I need to be engaged and involved," she said last month. "I need to do the same thing I did on my show every day."
OWN is hopeful that the move will help boost network ratings and draw the same crowd her old show did. If Winfrey were to convince Simpson to confess, maybe she would be worth watching, again.
Brewers go bilingual
Rapper Pitbull has got a big bite for Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch InBev's Bud Light decided they will sponsor Cuban-American rapper Pitbull's concert tour later this fall.
MillerCoors is introducing Spanish packaging to both Coors Light and Miller Lite cartons. They also are sponsoring Mexico's Primera Division soccer league. Both Heineken and Crown Imports are creating more campaigns targeted to a more selective, Hispanic audience.
U.S. beer industry faces slumping sales for the third straight year, prompting beer makers to change their approach. Reports show that by 2030, Hispanics will represent 23% of legal-drinking-age consumers across the nation.
The new focus on Hispanic consumers has already led Anheuser-Busch InBev to spend approximately $60 million last year alone in Hispanic media ads. This year they plan to invest their largest amount on Hispanic advertising said Dave Peacock, president of the company's U.S. division.
Whether Hispanics save the beer market or not, one thing is certain, if dog's can rap, they can drink too.
MillerCoors is introducing Spanish packaging to both Coors Light and Miller Lite cartons. They also are sponsoring Mexico's Primera Division soccer league. Both Heineken and Crown Imports are creating more campaigns targeted to a more selective, Hispanic audience.
U.S. beer industry faces slumping sales for the third straight year, prompting beer makers to change their approach. Reports show that by 2030, Hispanics will represent 23% of legal-drinking-age consumers across the nation.
The new focus on Hispanic consumers has already led Anheuser-Busch InBev to spend approximately $60 million last year alone in Hispanic media ads. This year they plan to invest their largest amount on Hispanic advertising said Dave Peacock, president of the company's U.S. division.
Whether Hispanics save the beer market or not, one thing is certain, if dog's can rap, they can drink too.
Who can? Kazaam can!
He's no Walter Cronkite, but guaranteed his size 23 feet can fill big shoes. Retired NBA star Shaquille O'Neal hangs up his Nike's and laces up his Wingtip's as he joins the TNT show Inside the NBA.
O'Neal will be joining hosts, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith. Barkley and Smith, both former NBA stars, equally contribute unique basketball insights as well as bringing the antics to the program. O'Neal, who is also an iconic face to media, is expected to help add to the already colorful environment.
"I know it will work out very well," O'Neal said. "The good thing about this show is that everybody has his own opinion. Kenny's a guard, so he has the guard's opinion; Charles is a forward, he has the forward's opinion. My opinion comes from the center's point of view."
O'Neal offers his 19 years of NBA service and four-time NBA Championships as the basis of his resume. Not to mention his acting work for the leading role of Kazaam, a genie who comes out of a boombox and grants a kid three wishes.
As each of these achievements add another notch to his utility belt, this self-proclaimed Superman is still leaps and bounds above the competition.
O'Neal will be joining hosts, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith. Barkley and Smith, both former NBA stars, equally contribute unique basketball insights as well as bringing the antics to the program. O'Neal, who is also an iconic face to media, is expected to help add to the already colorful environment.
"I know it will work out very well," O'Neal said. "The good thing about this show is that everybody has his own opinion. Kenny's a guard, so he has the guard's opinion; Charles is a forward, he has the forward's opinion. My opinion comes from the center's point of view."
O'Neal offers his 19 years of NBA service and four-time NBA Championships as the basis of his resume. Not to mention his acting work for the leading role of Kazaam, a genie who comes out of a boombox and grants a kid three wishes.
As each of these achievements add another notch to his utility belt, this self-proclaimed Superman is still leaps and bounds above the competition.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
It's the end of the world, as California knows it
Only one prophecy strikes more fear into the hearts of Californians than the end of the world. Had St. John the Divine, author of the book of Revelation, foreseen this calamity many lives would be saved.
"It will be an absolute nightmare," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Unfortunately, the masses must suffer the eternal weekend damnation better known as Carmageddon. Fifty-three straight hours from hell start Friday night as the 405 freeway will be shut down for Caltrans workers to demolish a bridge in preparation to construct a new lane. The 405 will be blocked off for 10-miles that reaches from the Sepulveda Pass from the western side of Los Angeles.
Many have prepared themselves for the Carpocalypse and plan to stay inside and away from the weekend disaster. However, local businesses such as hotels, bars, florists, and jewelers are taking advantage of the drastic situation and are offering special weekend deals to customers.
Even so, the people of Southern California look to a higher source to deliver them from this intolerable torment. Like an answer to prayer, manna comes down from the friendly skies in the form of a steel blue dove. JetBlue airlines is offering $4 flights from Burbank to Long Beach on Saturday to avoid Judgment Day.
"It will be an absolute nightmare," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Unfortunately, the masses must suffer the eternal weekend damnation better known as Carmageddon. Fifty-three straight hours from hell start Friday night as the 405 freeway will be shut down for Caltrans workers to demolish a bridge in preparation to construct a new lane. The 405 will be blocked off for 10-miles that reaches from the Sepulveda Pass from the western side of Los Angeles.
Many have prepared themselves for the Carpocalypse and plan to stay inside and away from the weekend disaster. However, local businesses such as hotels, bars, florists, and jewelers are taking advantage of the drastic situation and are offering special weekend deals to customers.
Even so, the people of Southern California look to a higher source to deliver them from this intolerable torment. Like an answer to prayer, manna comes down from the friendly skies in the form of a steel blue dove. JetBlue airlines is offering $4 flights from Burbank to Long Beach on Saturday to avoid Judgment Day.
Google adds social to the equation
Your favorite search engine just beefed up its motor by adding more people power. On June 28 Google introduced its new social networking site, Google+.
The new site focuses on making the online social experience more realistic. The official Google blog said, "We'd like to bring the nuance and richness of real-life sharing to software. We want to make Google better by including you, your relationships, and your interests."
Google+ offers features such as Circles, Sparks, Hangouts, and Huddle. Circles, for example, is a unique way to organize your friends and relationships into different groups. Unlike other social networking sites, with Circles you can connect with specific people at specific times and not have to filter through your entire friends list to interact with only those you wish to connect with. Sparks lets you share interests through conversations while searching topics through the Internet without interrupting your conversations. Huddle is a group messaging system that contacts everyone in your Circle and lets them know what is happening.
Thanks to Google+ for creating more reasons why your laptop is and always will be your true best friend.
The new site focuses on making the online social experience more realistic. The official Google blog said, "We'd like to bring the nuance and richness of real-life sharing to software. We want to make Google better by including you, your relationships, and your interests."
Google+ offers features such as Circles, Sparks, Hangouts, and Huddle. Circles, for example, is a unique way to organize your friends and relationships into different groups. Unlike other social networking sites, with Circles you can connect with specific people at specific times and not have to filter through your entire friends list to interact with only those you wish to connect with. Sparks lets you share interests through conversations while searching topics through the Internet without interrupting your conversations. Huddle is a group messaging system that contacts everyone in your Circle and lets them know what is happening.
Thanks to Google+ for creating more reasons why your laptop is and always will be your true best friend.
"F" stands for Flunx.
Some deals are just too good to be true. Among this list are used car lots, shopping mall rack sales, and now Netflix. On Tuesday Netflix announced price and plan changes to their basic DVD and Internet services.
Previously both DVD and online streaming were offered in the same package for the small monthly fee of $9.99. This package included one DVD mailed to your house at a time, as well as unlimited online streaming of movies, TV shows, and videos.
With the new planned changes both continuing and new customers will have to pay $15.98 for the same package monthly. The other options include paying only for one mailed DVD at a time for $7.99, or two DVDs at a time for $11.99 a month, or paying for strictly unlimited streaming videos for $7.99 a month.
The Netflix blog that announced the price changes said, "By offering our lowest prices ever, we hope to provide great value to our current and future DVDs by mail members."
How did loyal Netflix patrons take this bit of news you might ask? The New York Post reports that enthralled members lashed out at Netflix CEO Reed Hastings on social networking sites labeling him "Greed Hastings". Don't forget to notch up the 30,000 negative comments left on the Netflix Facebook page.
If "Greed Hastings" deserves an "F" for his lastest work, then "Netflunx" does also.
Previously both DVD and online streaming were offered in the same package for the small monthly fee of $9.99. This package included one DVD mailed to your house at a time, as well as unlimited online streaming of movies, TV shows, and videos.
With the new planned changes both continuing and new customers will have to pay $15.98 for the same package monthly. The other options include paying only for one mailed DVD at a time for $7.99, or two DVDs at a time for $11.99 a month, or paying for strictly unlimited streaming videos for $7.99 a month.
The Netflix blog that announced the price changes said, "By offering our lowest prices ever, we hope to provide great value to our current and future DVDs by mail members."
How did loyal Netflix patrons take this bit of news you might ask? The New York Post reports that enthralled members lashed out at Netflix CEO Reed Hastings on social networking sites labeling him "Greed Hastings". Don't forget to notch up the 30,000 negative comments left on the Netflix Facebook page.
If "Greed Hastings" deserves an "F" for his lastest work, then "Netflunx" does also.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
$20 B for A/C
The price tag placed on air conditioning would upset both Bob Barker and NASA. The U.S. military spends a cool $20 billion every year on air conditioning for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan NPR reports. The cost of cool is more than NASA’s budget, and even more than BP’s cost of cleanup in the Gulf. When considering the factors what makes the price of air conditioning more astronomical than NASA? Each air conditioning unit requires a gallon of fuel to be shipped to each remote outpost, then driven 800 miles in 18 days to reach its final destination. NPR reports that at the end of next year $30 billion will be spent for the 33,000 troops returning home. This numbers equate to nearly $1 million a soldier. The military reports that they started treating the tents with polyurethane foam which reduced the energy use by 92%. With these new techniques can the military go green be more efficient with their energy use? At the end of war’s Showcase Showdown, who can really say the price is right?
Friday, June 17, 2011
Google juggles $400 million for Admeld
Only TV spots during the Super Bowl cost more than advertising by Admeld as Google signs $400 million deal to purchase Admeld advertising company. The deal is the sixth-largest purchase made by Google as it looks to improve their overall ad quality. Admeld specializes in simplifying the display ad buying process. With the addition of Admeld Google hopes that "by combing Admeld's services, expertise, and technology with Google's offerings, we're investing in what we hope will be an improved era of flexible ad management tools for major publishers," said Neal Mohan, head of Google's display advertising in a company blog post. Michael Barrett, CEO for Admeld added in his own company blog and said, "we imagine our combined offerings can help publishers make more informed, efficient, and profitable decsions across all tiers of their inventory."
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Pandora's box opened
If Pandora's box has something to share with the whole world its music. The popular Internet radio site Pandora announced that it will go public this year. Backed by Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan it is expected to generate as much as $100 million. The company is based out of Oakland, California where it got its start and has since grown to 80 million users with 800,000 songs. Pandora is part of what creator Tim Westergren calls the music genome. He explains that the genome is like musical DNA that has form, harmony, and rhythm. They have branched music into these types of attributes, helping create the website used by many. Pandora creates personalized stations according to the different genres that you choose, introducing many artists and musicians within each station. Pandora is a great way to get exposed to more artists in a specific genre that you may not be able to hear on a typical radio station.
Friday, June 10, 2011
John sells jerky
The Duke brings a new arsenal to his latest gunfight: beef jerky. Ethan Wanye, son of legendary actor John Wayne and president of John Wayne Enterprises announces his plan to offer new products under his father's branded name such as beef jerky and coffee mugs. The plan includes a list of items that are intended to be a line of products that consumers can use. Wayne's main goal is to represent his father's spirit in the marketplace by selling items like knifes, horse saddles, and leather jackets; all things his father used. John Wayne Enterprises was established in 1979 before his passing giving his family rights to his name, image and likeness. Ethan Wayne took over as president back in 2003 and now has the plans to see more growth than from previous president and brother Michael Wayne. Now John Wayne's legacy will fill your pantry and your coffee cup every time you watch True Grit.
More Mormons in the media
Mitt Romney better use his largest glove this year if he wants to catch a seat in the oval office. After dropping out of the president race back in 2008, Romney announced his campaign to run for the upcoming 2012 presidential elections on June 2 in New Hampshire. The former governor and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hopes to take the Republican nomination that will potentially lead him to the White House. However during his last campaign many feel he received enough religious retaliation to cause him to bow out of the race. This year he will have to face the criticism head-on and address his faith to get into office. Romney served as the 70th governor of Massachusetts and helped erase a $3 billion spending deficit without borrowing money or even raising taxes. Sounds like the government could use some Romney to clean out some of the country's financial spider webs.
Headshot!
Now you can practice your sniping skills inside without leaving bullet holes in your family's living room. This year's E3 video gaming convention aims its sights at action and military gamers this year in downtown Los Angeles. The more niched target placed on consumers supplies what these types of players look for: bigger budget, epic and cinematic games rather than simpler games for a casual gamer. Previous years conventions screened games that tried to attract a wider variety of players such as women and younger children with motion sensor systems like Nintendo's Wii and Kinect for X-box. This year Kinect unveiled new games with armed with knifes, guns and lightsabers. Some of the new games include Electronic Arts Inc's Mass Effect 3, Activision Blizzard Inc's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and THQ Inc's Saints Row: The Third.
King of the Operating Jungle
A new king of the jungle will take the computer operating systems throne this summer as Mac unveils its OS X Lion system. The new interface will include Launchpad, a full-screen home for controlling apps very similar to the format of an iPad. Other new features are Resume, Mission Control and Auto-Save. Mission Control allows users to get an overall view of everything on their system such as apps, Dashboard, Expose, and Spaces. Resume remembers the last thing you were working on and saves your place even after you close the app. When you restart your computer all your information will be in the last spot you left it. Lion is expected to come out this July and can be downloaded and installed to your computer without having to your room.
Heaven on Earth?
Trey Parker's set of scriptures sing and dance they're way to stardom in The Book of Mormon the Musical. The musical written by Southpark co-creator Trey Parker premiered on Broadway March 24 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. The show has been well received by most critics and is rumored to clean up this years Tony awards. The reminiscent music of Mel Brooks is praised by The Los Angeles Times: "the songs, often inspired lampoons of contemporary Broadway styles, are as catchy as they are clever."However its profane lyrics and religious satire has others questioning the content. The Wall Street Journal called the show "slick and smutty: The Book of Mormon is the first musical to open Broadway since La Cage aux Folles that has the smell of a send-in-the-tourists hit." While both positive or negative reviews are given, you can be sure that this one will cause a major ruckus equally seen in episodes of Southpark.
$8,500,000,000
Microsoft purchased Skype last week for $8.5 billion as the Internet phone service collected its largest phone bill in company history. Seeking for new advances in technology, the purchase of Skype hopes to bring a larger market and larger dollar signs to the even larger corporation. Microsoft intends to introduce the video calling services to its smartphones, X-box gaming consoles, and Office email and document software according to the Los Angeles Times. The acquisition has many analysts scratching their heads much like in 2005, when Ebay payed $3.1 billion for control of the company and never saw much of a profit. Microsoft is expected to have the same type of trouble and like Ebay, lose more than a dropped call, money.
This Hangover won't go away for a while.
This particular Memorial Day will be remembered as the one that killed the box office as Hangover Part 2 pulled in $117 million in its debut weekend. The second rendition of the popular movie now takes the spotlight as the most profitable comedy film ever produced. Many believe that the success of the film is solely based on the weekend it hit theatres. In previous years Memorial weekend has done wonders for other films such as Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian or Sex and the City 2. A trend of sequels mixed with the first glimpse of summer creates the perfection equation for movie debut success.
The surreal Reality
Every channel has them, and every channel needs them. Their successes and failures are on display for all to see. Now we are going to see even more of them whether we want to or not. Kim Kardashian and other reality show stars have been filling prime-time TV slots for the past decade, and according to adweek.com, will take up 1/3 of fall programming. Reality shows portray people in everyday life and all that which it entails, as if we couldn’t look out the window and observe the same things happening. However, most reality shows incorporate a loosely based script to help make everyday life seem a little more exciting. If only we all used a script everyday to make our jokes a little bit funnier and our heartaches to hurt a little bit more.
Seen enough?
Every year NBC, ABC, FOX and CBS TV networks receive about 500 pitches, about 70 scripts, about 20 pilots and about 4-8 new series’ all resulting in 1 or 2 TV shows according to The Wall Street Journal. These big 4 TV networks are feeling added pressure trying to keep up with companies like Netflix, Hulu and DVR devices with their number of audiences increasing. The ease of use and control from services warranted by Netflix for example, draw many consumers away from prime-time television. Top TV network executives are constantly monitoring the success of shows and their ratings, determining whether keeping these shows afloat is profitable. Unfortunately for many writers and their scripts, many shows are cancelled and lost never to return from a 3-hour tour.
New Videos on the Block
Michael Jackson’s Thriller set the stage and raised the bar for music videos back in ’83 costing an unheard of $500,000 to produce. In past years most artists continued to use this template to create their own elaborate videos costing upwards of $2,000,000. However due to the high rise of digital music sales and a drop in CD sales, music video budgets have also plummeted. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, directors and producers of these music videos are finding new ways to stick to their measly $100,000 budgets.
New ideas and features for the first time in music videos allow viewers to control the camera, with 360-degree shots of scenes or even director options where loyal fans can place their favorite singer in different scenarios.
Bin Laden has been laid down
On Sunday, May 1st 2011, the media announced the death of Osama Bin Laden. After over nearly a decade of searching for the infamous terrorist linked to the 9/11 attacks, the nation and world breathes a temporary sigh of relief with word of his demise. However important this event to the world may seem, there are a couple things that in my opinion would deem fishy.
First, why was there a perfect space between important news stories allowing a nicely timed slot for the breaking news of Bin Laden’s death? I was still trying to find out more about the tornadoes in the South between calling friends in that area and following the news stories when they conveniently ended just in time for Bin Laden’s last 15 minutes of fame.
Second, I find it very opportune that news of Bin Laden has come to us shortly prior to the 2012 presidential elections. All I am hinting at is the great extremes and methods the media uses to portray someone or something.
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