Monday, May 11, 2009

Reality Unreal?...

Alright, my bad…I still have one more blog to go for this class so here it is.
I decided to go back to my first topic for this blog, Reality TV. So, how real is this new and popular form of television?
According to this article, there are more than 70 different reality shows that have been produced. And just about every channel on television airs at least one reality show. These shows were originally produced to portray real people in their real lives, however, when put in front of a camera these real people begin to act real strange!
“Take the case of the hated apprentice contender Omarosa for example. According to a Time magazine article, she may have been the victim of reality TV editors. Some reality TV shows are edited to be dramatic and some quotes may actually be manufactured. Clashes and ugly feuds between the reality stars may be constructed and some parts of the shows may also be completely edited and cut out so they don't make the final show that people see on TV. Some critics actually charge that reality TV is not so real and that these shows may be far more manipulative than we think.
According to a poll by CNN, 57% of 1016 adults believe that Reality TV shows provide a distorted picture of events while another 23% say the shows are "totally phoney". The amount of pressure for TV ratings pushes people to make the show more interesting.”
And the worst part about these reality TV shows is that once these people make complete asses of themselves, they try to take it back by saying that they unfairly represented. However the networks of these different shows are smart, participants are given warnings and they have to sign extensive and detailed legal waivers that protect the network from any liability if someone gets hurt on the show. It’s like the network knows that there is going to be trouble! I hope this blog has given you a little insight into the wild and ever-growing world of reality TV(and some other media aspects).

Friday, May 8, 2009

Sexual Imagery in Advertising

For my final blog for this Comm 112 class, I have decided to write on the topic of my final project: Sexual Imagery in Advertising.
As a class we have watched online videos entitled Killing Us Softly and Dream Worlds. I found these particular videos extremely fitting for my project topic. They talk about how sex is such an overpowering part of advertising and everyday life, today more than ever. The following links provide segments from each of the movies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDMo5cIJN3A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FpyGwP3yzE&feature=PlayList&p=0FB656A37B7E6DC5&index=0
It is really amazing to me what these videos had to say about advertising. I always knew that sex played a role in all sorts of the media, but I never realized it played this much of a role. In Killing Us Softly it says that advertising had a $120 billion revenue, as of 1999. Now that it is ten years later I can only imagine what that number must be at now.
Killing us softly also stated that the average American is exposed to about 3000 advertisements every day. Again, that is an amazing statistic to me, however now that I think on it it’s probably close accurate for me. It’s crazy to think that advertisements of all shapes, sizes, and forms come in contact with our lives so much every day!
The movie Dream Worlds, is more about the music video industry, but it also ties right along in with the idea that women are suppose to be something that they are not. Both videos showed how these forms of media are making women seem more like objects than actual beings. The camera will focus on a woman’s breasts, butt or skinny body, in order to objectify that that is what makes her a woman.
These “perfected” images that have been placed in both men’s and women’s head’s are almost unachievable. And the worst part is that women of all sizes, shapes, and ages are giving into these false images, and trying to become the beautiful women they see in the advertisements or videos. I admit that I too, have dieted to “look better” many times, but some women starve themselves to become the pretty faces and perfected bodies they see in the magazines.
So the question here is, when will women be seen as beautiful just as they are, without dieting or surgeries? Will that day ever come, or has society tattooed these images into every human beings mind?

Monday, April 27, 2009

Tough Love

I have recently gotten into a show called Tough Love on VH1. This show is about 8 girls who have a lot of trouble in the dating world, and have now been enrolled in a sort of boot camp in order to fix their dating faux pas. This show is created and hosted by a mother son team JoAnn and Steven Ward, Master Matchmakers, who are naturals at pairing their clientele with their ideal mates. The company's foundation rests on her passion for uniting desirable singles in rewarding, long-term relationships. JoAnn takes time to learn about her clients' backgrounds, personalities and relationship goals, thus eliminating many of the obstacles they face when searching for a partner on their own.
Steven guarantees that if they follow his rules then by the end of the eight weeks they will be ready for love. But there's a method to Steven's madness. Steven's methodology consists of his rules of dating. Steven's rules are bold, insightful, and often hilarious. But most of all they offer an unapologetic glance into the male mind. The core of the series is Steven revealing the truth about what men really think when it comes to dating and women. “Steven Ward is America's maestro of love. His brutally honest approach to matchmaking is what has made him and his mother Joann Ward one of the most successful matchmaking teams in the country. Steven has the balls to tell women not what they want to hear, but what they need to hear to find love. The women in this boot camp are desperate and single, but can't figure out why. The cast is composed of classic archetypes of the single woman: the 'too much too soon' romantic, the 'gold digger', the 'fixing the wrong guys' victim, the late 30's "Lone Ranger'. To call the women out on their issues, Steven labels each woman with a moniker that correlates to her main problem. From "Miss Picky," the woman who is too caught up in a list of impossible expectations, to "Miss Wedding-Obsessed," the girl that tells guys on their first date she's looking to be married within a year.”
Personally, I think this is a great reality show, because it is actually dealing with real life problems. It’s not another dating show, but rather real people dealing with real problems. I personally, know a lot of women with these sorts of problem when dating, and think that this show can maybe help show other women just what might be going on in their own relationships.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Top 50 Children's Movies of All Time

A while back, in class we discussed what we thought to be our top 10 kid’s movies. And since these shows play such a huge role in our lives when we are young, I thought that it would be interesting to take a look at just what the top 50 list of all time holds.
1.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

2.
Anand (1971)
3.
WALL·E (2008)

4.
Vuk (1981)

5.
Safety Last! (1923)

6.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)

7.
Ivan Vasilevich menyaet professiyu (1973)

8.
The Cameraman (1928)

9.
The Gold Rush (1925)

10.
The Kid (1921)

11.
Ratatouille (2007)

12.
Finding Nemo (2003)

13.
I Remember Mama (1948)

14.
The Lion King (1994)

15.
Toy Story (1995)

16.
The Incredibles (2004)

17.
Coraline (2009)

18.
Chak De! India (2007)

19.
Our Hospitality (1923)

20.
Tonari no Totoro (1988)

21.
Kavkazskaya plennitsa, ili Novye priklyucheniya Shurika (1966)

22.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

23.
Seven Chances (1925)

24.
Tenkû no shiro Rapyuta (1986)

25.
The Kid Brother (1927)

26.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

27.
A Christmas Story (1983)

28.
Toy Story 2 (1999)
29.
Monsters, Inc. (2001)

30.
Gake no ue no Ponyo (2008)
31.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)

32.
Shrek (2001)

33.
Brilliantovaya ruka (1968)

34.

Finding Neverland (2004)

35.
Karpuz kabugundan gemiler yapmak (2004)

36.
Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)

37.
How Green Was My Valley (1941)
38.
The Circus (1928)
39.
Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

40.
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

41.
My Fair Lady (1964)

42.
The Iron Giant (1999)
43.
Majo no takkyûbin (1989)

44.
Fantasia (1940)

45.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
46.
Tri orísky pro Popelku (1973)

47.
The Thief of Bagdad (1940)

48.
The Sound of Music (1965)

49.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
50.
The Thief of Bagdad (1924)

Though there are many of these movies that I have not had the pleasure of seeing or enjoying(some I think were more popular outside of America), I found that many of these movies were found in my top 10 kid’s films., Such as The Sound of Music, E.T., Shrek, Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Story, The Wizard of Oz, and many many more! These movies have found their way into millions of children’s hearts, and left them laughing and learning with the character’s that were portrayed. It’s so interesting to see the old compared with the new, to see how movies have changed over the years, and to take a look at what I watched vs. my parents vs. my grandparents! I can’t even begin to imagine how this list is going to change in years to come, what will be added and what will be replaced. It so amazing to look back at all these famous titles, some old some new, but all a part of many people’s lives!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Top 10 Best Actresses

We all know that a lot of our favorite movies would be nothing without their very important leading ladies, so for this week’s blog I decided to find the Top Ten Best actresses of all time.

In the 10th spot we have Laura Linney, best known for her roles in Mystic River, You Can Count on Me, and The Truman Show, Laura has been nominated and/or won over 30 Acting awards from 1998-2007.

In 9th place we have the one and only, Cameron Diaz. She has appeared in Shrek, The Mask, There’s Something about Mary, and many more. She has also been nominated and/or taken over 30 Acting Awards from 1997-2004.

8th place brings in Sigourney Weaver, who has graced our movie screens since the 70’s. Weaver is best known for her roles in Alien, Working Girl, and Imaginary Heroes.

In the 7th position, Julia Roberts graces us with her presence, and let’s face it no surprise here for this “pretty woman.” Julia is best remembered for her roles in Pretty Woman, Erin Brochovich, My Best Friends wedding and countless other films. Erin Brochovich alone earned her a whopping 15 awards, which I find amazing for a single actress.

In 6th place we have the famous Katherine Hepburn, who has been gracing the movie scene since the 30’s. She is found in movies such as The Philadelphia Story, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, and The African Queen. She has won 10 Best Actress awards in her movie lifetime, and has left and unbelievable impression on us all.

The 5th place goes to Nicole Kidman, a flawless actress that has starred in movies such as Happy Feet, Moulin Rouge, The Hours, and many many more. Her movie count exceeds 42 films and countless more awards for most of them. She definitely deserves a spot here on the Top 10.

In 4th place we have Julianne Moore, known best for her roles in Children of Men, Far from Heaven, and Boogie Nights. She too, has won many prestigious acting awards in her lifetime.

Kate Winslet, takes the 3rd spot of the Top 10, known for her famous roles in Titanic, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Sense and Sensability. Many of her movie roles have earned her numerous awards throughout the years.

Taking 2nd place is Cate Blanchett, Known best for her roles in Lord of the Rings, Notes on a Scandal, and the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Many of her roles have earned her Best Actress Awards, which may be why this leading lady has scored a top spot on the Top 10.

And at the Very top of the list we have, Meryl Streep, who has graced the movie screen in many films such as Manhattan, Adaptation, The Hours, The River Wild, and more recently Doubt. And let’s face it, theres no “doubt” about it, that this leading lady has well paid her due to earn the top spot of our Top 10!

Well there they are, the Top 10 Leading ladies of all time. Our movie’s would definitely not be the same without them!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Past Idol Winners

For this week’s blog I decided to follow up my precious one of the Top Five, which ended with American Idol at the top. I decided to find out about all the previous winners of American Idol.

In the first season the winner was Kelly Clarkson. She walked her way to glory and became America’s first American Idol as she won 58% votes, on 4th September 2002. Millions of people sat glued to their television sets waiting nervously to find out who would win the title of America’s best singer, Justin Guarini or Kelly Clarkson. In my opinion Kelly is perhaps one of the most successful Idol winners, and ironically the very first one.

Christopher Ruben Studdard became the next winner of the series. The records, till June 2007, say that Studdard is the fifth-best selling American Idol performer with more than 2.4 million albums sold in the U.S.

The third season of American Idol in 2004 gave us, Fantasia Monique Barrino. She released her debut single I Believe which was at number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100. And she also won the 2007 Theater World Award owing to her marvelous stage debut performance.

The most popular and most successful American Idol winner Carrie Underwood was crowned as the 4th season’s winner of American Idol in May 2005. After winning the American Idol title, Carrie has become a multi-platinum selling recording artist. Her debut album Some Hearts was certified 6x platinum and is known as the fastest selling debut country album in Nielsen SoundScan history. Underwood is also the first American Idol winner to win all three major music awards in the same awards show season , including four American Music Awards, thirteen Billboard Music Awards, and two Grammy Awards, including the award for the Best New Artist.

Taylor Reuben Hicks, on May 24, 2006, won American Idol’s 5th season title. Hicks, started as an underdog on the show however, he ended up winning the American Idol title. Thereafter he was signed by Arista Records.

The 6th American Idol winner, Jordin Brianna Sparks, is the youngest Idol winner at age 17. In August 2007, Jordin has signed up with 19 Recordings/Jive Records /Zomba Label group which made her the first Idol winner to join the label group.

And the latest winner of American Idol, is Texas native David Cook. He won the American Idol contest on May 21, 2008. After a week after his victory, Cook broke several Billboard chart records and had as many as eleven songs debut on the Hot 100 list.

Well, there they are, all the previous winners of American Idol.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Top 5 Most Popular Reality TV

Since reality TV seems as if it is not going anywhere for some time yet, I Felt the need to see what the most popular TV show is. Well here are the top 5 on tv.com’s list of the 100 most popular TV shows.
In the fifth spot of the most popular is The Girls Next Door. This show airs on E, featuring Hugh Hefner and his three most recent girlfriends: Holly, Bridget, and Kendra. Unfortunately more recently, these relationships have fallen apart for Hef, Holly was caught cheating on him with Chris Angel. Kendra also has found a new life with Eagles receiver Hank Baskett III, and they are now engaged to be married shortly. And as for Bridget, she now has her own TV series on the Travel Channel, Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches.
The forth spot on the list brings us Survivor, which again is in its 18th season on CBS.
In spot number three is America’s Next Top Model, brought to you by Tyra Banks herself. Currently this series is on its’ 12th cycle, airing on the CW Wednesday’s at 7.
In second place we have Hell’s Kitchen. This FOX show features world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay in his fifth course of the sizzling unscripted series HELL'S KITCHEN. The show follows wannabe chefs as they slice and dice their way through each episode, vying for Ramsay's attention in hopes of winning a life-changing culinary prize.
And finally at the top of the list we find none other than, American Idol, which is truly what this show has become for many Americans, an idol. Currently in its 8th season on Fox, this No. 1 hit series empowers contestants and viewers to share their voice in deciding who will be America's next singing superstar.
Well, there they are the top five most popular reality TV shows on tv.com’s top 100 list.