Archive for October 28th, 2008
Stuff Journalists Like: Making Fun of the Media
After the incredible success of the blog Stuff White People Like (which continues to make me laugh out loud, #107 posts later), a host of imitators employing similarly designed topical blogs with numbered posts have been spawned.
But where is there left to go after reading about Stuff Educated Black People Like, Stuff Queer People Like, Stuff Asian People Like, and stuff nearly every other kind of people likes?
Well, why not go a bit meta and take a bite out of journalists themselves.
Cue the creation of the latest blog to claim a spot in this ever-evolving pantheon of web hilarity: Stuff Journalists Like
Mining similarly amusing territory, the recently launched blog takes on many of the pseudo-perks and perilous parts of working life that both MSM and indie media-makers seem to enjoy.
And, so far, they’re right on the money.
FREE FOOD
There is nothing more journalists like when attending a dull press junket, dinner, speech or conference then free food. It sooths the contempt of the journalist who has to be in the Mississippi ballroom of the local Hilton Raddison on a Thursday night missing “30 Rock,” to listen to a speaker of a local organization ramble on about “community engagement” or “stakeholders” or any other meaningless phrase.
TWITTERING
For journalists, it’s another attempt chance to be cool, hip and relate to non-newspaper reading readers. Twittering opens up an entire new world to journalists, a world where the conventional lede and inverted pyramid are thrown out the window for nut graphs and buzz words.
AP STYLEBOOKS
Is it doughnut or donut? Midnight or 12 a.m. and when is a storm a hurricane?
Thankfully, for journalists there is a book with all the answers (by the way, it’s doughnut, midnight and when winds hit 75 mph). From AAA all the way to ZIP codes, the reliable AP Stylebook has had the backs of journalists and editors since 1975.
INTERNS
That’s why journalists like interns. Interns are essentially used as mops to wipe up the day’s dullest news, allowing the professional paid journalists who get paid to focus on items that will wind up in frames and earn them the name recognition they so crave. Interns also allow journalists to pursue time worthy efforts such as griping about the death of newspapers or to write personal blogs.
AWARDS
Journalists just don’t love writing stories. Journalists love winning awards for they stories they write.
It’s the accreditation they need to prove to themselves that they made the right choice in picking journalism and not selling their souls (and filling their wallets) by going into PR.
NPR
32 percent of all story ideas generated in newsroom budget meetings come from National Public Radio. It’s a true fact. Go ahead, look it up.
Journalists love telling people they listen to NPR.
COFFEE
Coffee. It’s the Gatorade for journalists. Just a mention of of the brew can be enough to excite the loins of any journalist.
And…ahem…
THE WIRE
Whatever the appeal, and there are many, the show deals with some weighty issues that journalists like to think is going on in their own backyard.
Now let’s see…which of these I am not guilty of liking…
Damn, now our secrets are out!
Tags: Culture | Media | Journalism | NPR | The Wire | culturite | stuff journalists like | stuff white people like | stuff people like | blog journalists
Death of Jennifer Hudson’s Nephew Confirmed as Homicide
Authorities in Chicago confirmed on Tuesday that the death of Jennifer Hudson’s nephew Julian King has been ruled a homicide.
Police determined that Ms. Hudson’s 7-year-old nephew died of multiple gunshot wounds, however, it is not known how long the child had been dead before being discovered.
For previous coverage on this story please see our Jennifer Hudson feature page — and the following NowPublic reports:
- Police Confirm Body Is Jennifer Hudson’s Nephew
- Body of Jennifer Hudson’s nephew found
- William Balfour, person of interest in Hudson family murders, has previous convictions
Chicago authorities say the 7-year-old nephew of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Cook County spokesman Sean Howard tells The Associated Press that in Tuesday’s autopsy the county’s medical examiner ruled Julian King’s death a homicide.
Howard declined to say where the child suffered wounds or how long he had been dead, citing an ongoing Chicago police investigation.
Tags: Culture | Chicago | Celebrity | United States | Jennifer Hudson | Julian King | jennifer hudson nephew | jennifer hudson nephew death | julian king homicide
David Caruso Stalker Sought By International Police
It looks like Horatio’s stalker…(dramatic CSI pause)….took a little vacation…
An international arrest warrant has been issued for the Austrian woman charged with “stalking and threatening to kill” actor David Caruso, who portrays detective Horatio Caine on the hit tv show CSI:Miami.
Police have indicated that the woman could be on the lam — and “hiding out in Mexico”.
It looks like it’s time for Horatio to step aside and make way for some real detectives to do some real police work.
Then we can count on Caruso to walk into frame, crouch down close to the ground, turn his head to stare off in the distance, pause, put on his sunglasses, and then deliver a deadpan, not-so-witty one-liner, just as the case is about to be solved…
An Austrian woman accused of stalking “CSI: Miami” star David Caruso is being sought on an international arrest warrant, and officials said Tuesday she could be hiding in Mexico.
The woman allegedly sent more than 100 letters to the American actor, pursued him for an autograph and then sent death threats when he refused to give her one, according to prosecutors in the Austrian province of Tyrol.
Tags: Culture | Mexico | Celebrity | United States | austria | david caruso | david caruso stalker | david caruso csi | csi miami | csi tv | arrest warrant caruso stalker | horatio caine
‘In Bruges’, ‘Hunger’ Lead British Indie Film Award Nominations
Nominations for the 2008 British Independent Film Awards have been announced and the Colin Farrell-starring, Martin McDonagh film “In Bruges“, along with Steve McQueen’s “Hunger“, which portrays the 1981 IRA hunger strike of Bobby Sands, lead the pack with seven nomination each.
BIFA winners will be announced on November 30th.
Martin McDonagh’s Irish hitman drama “In Bruges” and “Hunger,” Brit visual-artist-turned-feature-helmer Steve McQueen’s arresting account of the Irish republican hunger strike, lead the field for the British Independent Film Awards with seven noms apiece.
The nominations for the 11th edition of the awards, which takes place Nov. 30, were announced Tuesday at a lunchtime press conference at industry hangout Soho House.
Next best with six nods is Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire.” Critically lauded Indian-set pic closes the Times BFI London Film Festival this Thursday.
Tags: Culture | Movies | London | Film | UK | hunger | Colin Farrell | bifa | British Independent Film Awards | in bruges | slumdog millionaire | martin mcdonagh | bifa nominations | bifa awards
‘Deep Throat’ Director Gerard Damiano Dies
Gerard Damiano, director of the infamous pornographic film Deep Throat has died at the age of 80, after suffering a stroke last month.
Gerard Damiano, director of infamous 1970s pornographic film Deep Throat, has died in Miami at the age of 80.
Made in 1972 for £25,000, it was the first “porno” widely seen in cinemas and made an estimated $600m (£382m).
In light of Damiano’s passing, it is worth mentioning that film producer Brian Grazer is currently planning to make a biopic about the life of Linda Lovelace entitled “Inferno” — and that Rose McGowan is being sought to play Lovelace.
Could Rose McGowan wind up getting deep?
The talented, beautiful star of “Planet Terror” from the Robert Rodriguez part of “Grindhouse” and TV’s “Charmed” is considering joining the cast of “Inferno,” producer Brian Grazer’s film about legendary “Deep Throat” star Linda Lovelace.
I’m told that already cast are Bill Pullman as Hugh Hefner and Josh Lucas as Linda’s husband, Chuck Traynor, the one who got her into porn. First time writer-director Matthew Wilder will direct from his own script.
Tags: Culture | rose mcgowan | deep throat director dies | gerard damiano | deep throat the movie | linda lovelace | brian grazer
Jonas Brothers to Make Film Debut with Farting Dog
Everyone’s favourite Rolling Stone cover boys and Disneyfied pop icons, the Jonas Brothers — all 4 of ‘em, in fact — are getting set to make their silver screen debut in a positively high-brow, art-house epic film entitled simply: Walter The Farting Dog.
Now that sounds like a wise career move.
Brace yourselves, Disney fans. The Jonas Brothers are about to get bigger than ever!
The teen pop stars have signed on to make their big screen debut in Walter The Farting Dog, the trade journal Variety reports.
Tags: Culture | Music | hollywood | Disney | Celebrity | United States | Jonas Brothers | Jonas Bros | jonas brothers movie debut | walter the farting dog
‘Fallout 3′ Gets Midnight Release
Last night at the stroke of midnight, Best Buy stores across the U.S. were open for business to launch the release of Bethesda’s hotly anticipated Fallout 3 game.
By early accounts, Fallout 3 is being hailed as “one of the year’s best gaming experiences”.
Have you played it yet? Let us know what you think by posting your reviews and comments below.
Bethesda’s Fallout 3 is the next game to get the midnight launch treatment–the game industry equivalent of a red carpet premiere. The game is buzz-heavy, to be sure, but lacks the clear mass-market appeal of Halo or GTA, and is the kind of talky, drawn-out, plot-driven role-playing game that usually appeals mostly to serious gamers, not the adrenaline-fueled, trigger-happy masses.
Best Buy stores will be opening at midnight on October 27 in Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Dallas, and Chicago. The New York event is being held at the same midtown Best Buy that hosted last year’s Halo 3 launch, which featured, massive TV coverage and a visit from a full squadron of costumed characters from the game.
Having spent the last week playing Fallout 3, we can safely say it’s one of the year’s best gaming experiences. Built around the same game engine as Bethesda’s 2006 hit Oblivion, Fallout 3 keeps the same wide-open world and morally gray decision-making, but trades the swords and sorcery for guns and high-tech gadgets in a post-nuke Washington, D.C.
Tags: New York | Culture | Los Angeles | Dallas | Chicago | Washington | United States | gaming | Best Buy | minneapolis | Videogame | Bethesda | Fallout 3 | fallout 3 midnight release | fallout game | fallout 3 game
Wu-Tang Clan Reunite for Nationwide Tour
Once again, hip-hop’s notorious Staten Island crew, the Wu-Tang Clan, are up from the 36 Chambers and ready to form like Voltron for a fall reunion tour.
The Clan will be on the move beginning with a November 29th concert in Portland and wrapping up in Atlanta on January 14th.
Wu-Tang Clan will once again reunite as the iconic Staten Island based hip-hop group have announced an upcoming nationwide tour, kicking off next month.
Consisting of rappers Ghostace Killah, RZA, Method Man, GZA, Raekwon, U-God, Masta Killah and Inspectah Deck, the crew will be supporting their 2007 release 8 Diagrams. The group will impact venues across the country performing at major cities including Portland, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, Norfolk, and Atlanta among other major cities.
Joining the group throughout the tour will be Wu affiliates Cappadonna, Streetlife and Mathematics.
Here is the full list of the 29 scheduled shows, as announced on the Wu-Tang site this week. More dates could be forthcoming.
November 2008
29 – Portland, OR – Roseland Ballroom
30 – Boise, ID – Knitting FactoryDecember 2008
1 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
3 – San Francisco, CA – The Grand Ballroom at the Regency Center
4 – West Hollywood, CA – House of Blues
5 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
6 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
7 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee
8 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
10 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
14 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
15 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
17 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
18 – Rochester, NY – Main Street Armory
19 – Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero
20 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place
21 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
23 – New York, NY – Hammerstein BallroomJanuary 2009
1 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
2 – Providence, RI – Lupo’s
4 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
7 – Norfolk, VA – The Norva
8 – Richmond, VA – Toad’s Place
9 – Greensboro, NC – N Club
10 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
11 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend
12 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
13 – Columbia, SC – LEVEL
14 – Atlanta, GA – venue to be announced
Tags: Culture | Music | Chicago | Philadelphia | Atlanta | Seattle | Portland | hip-hop | United States | Denver | NORFOLK | wu-tang clan | 8 Diagrams | wu-tang tour | wu-tang reunion | 8 diagrams tour
