Don’t Be Al Bundy
Posted on January 23, 2011 | By Patty Pino | No Comments
Way back in the 80’s, television metamorphosized from 12 free broadcast stations plus that weird UHF band into pay television, lovingly known as Cable. Along with more TV options came the bid for another major network, and the badboy of television, the FOX network, was born. FOX was like an unbridled teenager, free to experiment with their programming without being burdened by the trappings, traditions, and history of previous major three networks. In the sitcome space, they lauched “Married…with Children,” one of the most culturally defining television programs of that era.
That was then...
At that time, Al Bundy and his misfit, unmotivated family ruled the airwaves and, I suppose , there was something empowering about this klan. They were sarcastic, selfish, and non-trendy – a huge counterpoint to the buttoned-up, Izod clad yuppies that were so prevalent in those post-Disco, Regan “Just Say No” days. Al, Peg, Kelly, and Bud, in their slovenly simplicity, were harbingers and ambassadors for the soon-to-come Seattle grunge and slacker movement of the early 90’s. They were the original couch potatoes.
But, as ground-breaking as they were in the late 80’s, I’m here to tell you don’t be like Al Bundy. Read more
TSF21: Expressive Textplexing – NOW ONLINE
Posted on January 12, 2011 | By Robert LaFrance | No Comments
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The Slacker Factor Podcast, Episode 21: Expressive Textplexing
Episode 21: This expansive episode of the podcast welcomes guest Rantologist and fellow slacker Steve Angiolino, explores our Constitution and Julian Assange, and vibes with the beats of Maceo Plex. Oh, and Patty surprises Christian and Rob, once again, with a real story of our modern world.
Meandering Rant: “Textification of American Language” by Steve Angiolino
Book Report: The First Amendment and Freedom of Expression
Music Segment: “Vibe your Love” by Maceo Plex. Here’s the sexy video!
Also mentioned:
Rebel Rave TV - High quality videos of underground dance music culture
Nighty night…
Posted on January 5, 2011 | By Christian | No Comments
Lullaby Renditions of Pink Floyd
If you’re like me you probably remember the good ole college days of drinking excessively and listening to Pink Floyd. Well now you can pass that on to your children! Well, maybe not the excessive drinking… but you get the point.
Check out Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Pink Floyd and you too can send your kids to the Dark Side of the Moon!
Reality is Overrated
Posted on January 3, 2011 | By Patty Pino | No Comments
Are you old enough to remember when home video cameras first started to become popular and people started bringing them to parties or family things and somehow, whenever a video camera entered the situation, people changed. You could be having a good meal or conversation and everyone would be relaxed and then some uncle would come through with the say-hi-to-the-camera bit and nervous people got more nervous, and outgoing people turned on the charm, and those in-between just kinda stiffened up and waved “hi” because they didn’t know what else to do?
Then, TV hit the air with a show called “The Real World” where they tried to capture that same social thing where everyone is hanging out together but there just happens to be cameras present? What happened on that show in 1992 was sort of the same thing that occurred with your technical uncle – people became slightly warped, awkward versions of themselves for the MTV nation, and other people found that entertaining.
What was true in your family setting was true for those 20-somethings in that New York apartment – the camera changes things. Read more
Happy Festivus! Celebration for Everyone on December 23
Posted on December 19, 2010 | By Patty Pino | No Comments
Happy Festivus, You $#&$@ers!
I love it when television becomes our reality. In my opinion, when it comes to injecting TV reality into pop culture, no other show can hold a holiday candle to Seinfeld. Recently, an inmate in LA prison embraced the made-up holiday Festivus, from Seinfeld’s 1997 season, to enhance his dining experiences in the clink. Good for him and Happy Festivus to the free and the less-than-free. Air your grievances, everyone, because it is a holiday for the rest of us.
- Prison Inmate Tricks Jail into Festivus Perks (Run Time 1:43)
- Seinfeld Montage: Wishing you a Happy Festivus (Run Time 1:54)
- George & Frank Costanza: The Full Story and Experience of Festivus (Run Time 3:09)
