msockol 2.0

You could make a case that “reality-based” entertainment dates back to the Roman gladiators, but the pending mayoral campaign of Levi Johnston steps over the line.

Building a reality TV show around Johnston’s nascent foray into politics isn’t the second coming of Robert Drew, whose groundbreaking documentary of the 1960 Wisconsin presidential primary introduced this form of political cinema verite.  Of course, Drew’s motivation was to add to the historical record.  Johnston and his producer Scott Stone just want money.

Reuters says that Hollywood’s reaction so far to the idea is “lukewarm,” but for all the wrong reasons.
“I’m just incredibly … Continue Reading

I first watched football on a 19-inch black and white Zenith, the same set that broadcast Neil Armstrong walking on the moon.   The CBS affiliate faithfully broadcast the New York Giants games every Sunday, and I would watch Fran Tarkenton scramble for his life when I wasn’t watching Jim Plunkett scrambling for his life on the NBC affiliate.

I learned over time that the practice of adjusting the “rabbit ears” sometimes required zen-like qualities of patience and perseverance.  Be one with the antenna, and be ready to assume odd standing positions simply because they magically kept the TV signal from turning … Continue Reading

The debut of Mad Men’s latest season makes one nostalgic for old ads.  I had completely forgotten that Sugar Pops embraced an early western theme, but then again, it was the primary sponsor of the radio show, The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickock, when the cereal debuted in 1951.

Back in 1972, when this commercial ran on TV, Sugar Pops and every other sugar laced cereal was unceremoniously banned from the Sockol household by my mother in response to my truly frightening dental bill.  It seems that our pediatric dentist, Dr. Casper, detected more than a half a dozen cavities, and … Continue Reading