In Case You Missed It: The "Big Bird" Obama Ad

Hmmm. Sesame Workshop didn't mind Big Bird on SNL!

I understand Sesame Workshop (the Children's Television Workshop in my day) not wanting their set of Muppets being used in political advertising. But if right-wingers are crowing over the ad pull, just knock it off right now. First: the ad is still available online, and will live on into eternity on the interwebs. And secondly, Mitt Romney brought up Big Bird, and continues to use him as a stand in for the (miniscule) federal funding they get via PBS. If Big Bird is frivolous or somehow "unpresidential" to use in a campaign, tell your candidate. Meanwhile, the ad is rather cheeky and fun. I grew up with Sesame Street and The Muppet Show (not to mention The Land of Gorch on Saturday Night Live), so I kind of have a soft spot.

In Case You Missed It: Mr. Rogers, Auto-Tuned

Yes, I know it has been a very long blogging break. I've posted two quickies since Thursday night, and I'm not ashamed or embarrassed! Every once in a while--and I've now been at this for over 5 years--you need a bit of a break from this blogging thing. Trust me. Anyway, I have another social obligation today, so won't be back for even a little while longer. I'll be back later this evening for my weekly Blast from the Past post, and have something else interesting to start the week with. In the mean time, here is a great clip that's been making the rounds.

"Secret" Breitbart Video of Obama Previously Aired on PBS in 2008

Young Obama, from source, Raw Story

Fail. The "secret" video was supposed to be so explosive that Breitbart was killed for it (ha!)? Not a secret. Not explosive. Kinda boring. Except that it shows that President Obama was a commanding speaker twenty years ago. FAIL.

[Excerpt]


PBS already aired Breitbart’s Obama footage

Breitbart.com editors Ben Shapiro and Joel Pollak said Wednesday on Sean Hannity’s radio show that they would release footage that proved President Barack Obama had “radical intellectual founders” — footage which was covered up by the mainstream media.  But before Breitbart.com released the footage, PBS Frontline published the full unedited video themselves, noting that they had previously included the footage in their election special The Choice 2008. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Friday Status Update: Mormons!

One of the many homoerotic Mormon paintings (maybe that's how they hook you?) from MormonMatters.org

I'm off work on Fridays these days, due to the economy. And before you blame President Obama, note that these mandatory three-day weekends began in August 2008. This after a business downturn for at least 8 months, probably more. On the bright side--hey!--three-day weekends! Which makes Thursday my "Friday", and sometimes leads to too much revelry on Thursday night.

Such it was last evening, and so I have little to show on the blog for Friday. Here it is, a little after noon, and I'm writing my first post. In fact, I'm still in my PJs, still drinking coffee, watching The Mormons, part 3 on PBS. Well, on my DVR actually. It's very interesting stuff. I'm an avid fan of history, especially the stuff that is borderline secretive. I'm still flabbergasted that a religion that to my eyes is absolutely false and bizarre could have grown to such a massive institution. How does such a crazy story catch on?

After watching a bunch of this story, I'm still not sure I understand that. I've read a portion of the Book of Mormon, and found it not only inscrutable, but also terrible writing. And why in the world was it written in the style of the King James version of the Holy Bible? Did Joseph Smith not know that the Bible was only written in that style because of the time and place it was translated? All religions are inherently ridiculous to the uninitiated, I know. But Mormonism is probably second only to Scientology in its obvious fraudulence. Just this heathen's opinion, I suppose.

Anyway, I'm fairly certain I won't be getting much of value or interest done today. We will see. Meanwhile, have a good start to your weekend!

How Auto-Tune Works

This video clip, from PBS' Nova shows you just how some of the "music" stars of the day can make beautiful music with little to no talent. Is it cheating? Uh, yeah. It's like PhotoShop for music.

At least when Cher and Madonna have used it, it was obvious, tweaking their voices into robotic pitches. Of course, they could have more subtly sweetened their voices with Auto-Tune on other songs without telling us.



Found at: Joe.My.God.

Great "Lost" Muppets Video!

Having just posted a classic "PBS Children's TV Shows from the 70s" post, when I happened upon this clip on AmericaBlog, I couldn't resist posting it. Enjoy. And forgive me. . .










Yes, yes, you've been "Rick Rolled."

Blast from the Past: PBS Children's Shows of the 70s

Well, it's the dawning of a new month, and as I scroll through my recent posts, I see political post after political post. . .McCain, Obama, Rove, Bush. . .It's all very important, and I find it fascinating, exasperating, frustrating and exciting. But enough is enough! It's time for another fun post.

As is usual when I hit my political breaking point, I dive into my 70s pop culture memories. This time, I was inspired by--what else--a political video that spoofed PBS's The Electric Company. It got me to thinking about how different things were for kids like me in the 70s, versus today. Nowadays, they've got Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel, The Cartoon Network, and hundreds of other channels to choose from. We had four. The major networks, and PBS. Eventually, we'd get (very) basic cable, but that only expanded our viewing to umpteen viewings of Speed Racer and Spider-Man. But til then, we had mostly PBS to keep us company.





#1 - Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood - I was never young enough for this show. I thought it was silly when I was four. But, hey, there was nothing else on! This is from the first episode.

#2 - Sesame Street - Like Mr. Rogers, I never felt young enough for this show either, though of course I enjoyed the Muppets. And a recurring skit about consequences sticks with me to this day.

#3 - The Electric Company - This was my show. I loved it. And it helped me get the jump on some of the other kids, because I actually tried to learn. And this is undoubtedly the coolest theme song of all the shows.

#4 - Mulligan Stew - I'm not positive this show was actually on PBS. But it fits with the general theme of this post. I tried to find Ville Alegre and Zoom, but YouTube ain't got 'em. Mulligan's taught kids about nutrition. I loved it at the time.

Electric Company Powers Back On

Graphic credit to PBS
For the editor of this site... & Stupid Electric Monkeys everywhere.

From Newsvine via the AP - In an updated blast from the past, PBS will air a new version of the 1970s children's series "The Electric Company."

Production on the 21st century model of the PBS show for 6- to 9-year-olds was set to begin Tuesday on the streets of New York City and in a New Jersey studio, according to producer Sesame Workshop.

More here...

Media Matters Protesting Choice of Frank Luntz

Photo from MediaMatters

And well they should. I received this email from MediaMatters.org moments ago, and am publishing it here, in its entirety.

In case you didn’t see, I wanted to pass along an ACTION ALERT from David Brock sent this morning. The alert is about PBS and their plans to have GOP pollster Frank Luntz provide analysis after PBS’s democratic presidential forum. As you will read in David’s letter, Frank Luntz cannot be trusted to provide objective analysis of the forum.

Any help you can give to get the word out would be appreciated. Here is the link to our action alert with the contact info: http://mediamatters.org/items/200706250001

Here is a link to a form that allows people to send the alert to their friends: http://mediamatters.org/items/email/200706250001

Here is the contact info we are urging people to use to contact PBS and the show:
PBSPBS/Public Broadcasting Service 2100 Crystal Drive Arlington, VA 22202 703-739-5000

Smiley ShowTavis Smiley Show 4401 Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90027 323-666-6500

Email the show

Thank you in advance for your help. Please let me know if you have any questions.

- Justin

Justin J. Cole

Online Outreach Coordinator

Media Matters for America

www.mediamatters.org

http://mediamatters.org/items/200706250001

ALERT: PBS Selects Luntz for Democratic forum analysis...
Email from David Brock, June 25, 2007.

Dear Friend:

I'm sure you've already heard that PBS will be hosting the next Democratic presidential forum on Thursday, June 28, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. What you may not know is that PBS has invited Frank Luntz, a longtime Republican pollster and strategist, to provide "immediate public feedback on the performances of the candidates" during post-forum coverage on the Tavis Smiley program.

Of course, when Luntz's appearance was announced, the press release made no mention of his Republican ties or long history of being criticized for his work.

If you don't know much about Frank Luntz, here are some important facts about this discredited Republican pollster:

In 1997, the American Association for Public Opinion Research formally reprimanded Luntz for refusing to release documentation in support of comments he made to the media regarding his polling work on the Republican Party's 1994 "Contract with America" campaign platform, according to a Salon.com article.

Washington Post polling director Richard Morin reported that the National Council on Public Polls censured Luntz "for allegedly mischaracterizing on MSNBC the results of focus groups he conducted during the [2000] Republican Convention."

In September 2004, MSNBC dropped Luntz from its planned coverage of that year's presidential debate coverage, following a letter from Media Matters that outlined Luntz's GOP ties and questionable polling methodology.

According to a January 29, 2007, article on The New Republic's website, Luntz "not only helped write Republican House member Newt Gingrich's Contract with America; he was also responsible for its presentation to the public." He also "advised Republicans trying to impeach Bill Clinton."
Luntz's 2002 memo "The Environment: A Cleaner, Safer, Healthier America" coached Republicans on new ways to talk about global warming and warned the party that the environment "is probably the single issue on which Republicans in general -- and President Bush in particular -- are most vulnerable."

A June 2004 memo by Luntz, "Communicating The Principles Of Prevention & Protection In The War On Terror," urged Republicans to use concepts such as "It is better to fight the War on Terror on the streets of Baghdad than on the streets of New York or Washington" and "9/11 changed everything," which have been staples of Republican rhetoric ever since.

With his well-documented Republican ties and history of being criticized and reprimanded by his peers, it's clear that Frank Luntz cannot be trusted to provide objective analysis of Thursday's forum.

Today, I'm asking you to contact PBS and let the organization know that it should reconsider its decision to use Luntz in light of his partisan Republican ties and history of questionable scientific methodology. If Luntz must be a part of PBS post-forum coverage, let it know you expect that its viewers will be informed of these facts on the air.

Sincerely,

David Brock,President & CEO

Media Matters for America