American Idol Jumps the Shark

The announcement of Lee Dewyze as the American Idol rang as loudly and true as Fonzie on a pair of skis. A travesty of a decision, it culminated a season of of truly awful moments. When Lilly, among others, were left at the starting gate, failing to make the top 12, the sniff of doom lurked about. In every case, except for perhaps Crystal and Siobhan, the American people chose the blander of the competitors.

Simon slept walked through the season, Randy was dawged out, Kara was uninspiring, and Ellen seemed mostly lost. Unique and clever song choices were few and far between. Product placement dominated and made me feel like I was watching one long commercial.

So why fight or care about this tired, old program? Because there are damn few things that Americans hold in common enough to talk about any more. Our moments of social symmetry are becoming fewer and fewer. It sounds trite, but it's a water cooler show that brings diverse people together to share commentary and common experience. In this day of multi-hundred channel televisions, an Internet with millions of choices, cell phones that in my opinion are actually driving us apart instead of together, it is refreshing to have something that everybody can talk about.

So rather than abandon it altogether, I would like to discuss some possible solutions. If it is at all technologically possible, they need to do what they can to enforce limited voting. It is ridiculous to try to have a fair contest when tweeners are sending their phones into robo-call overdrive. Let's use technology to limit each phone to only a small number of calls. With repeat voting eliminated, we might get a fairer representation of an Idol.

Secondly, let's increase judge input, as they do in Dancing with the Stars. Include mentor(s) each week who specialize in the area of music being highlighted that week. Have the judges and mentors rank each of the contestants, average the ranks, and then blend it in with the public vote.

Thirdly, have only two regular judges, and then rotate in one to three judges. The panel and opinion will look fresh and different every time.

Fourth, cut the product placement crap - you're already making enough money. cut the inside jokes - I don't care what Kara and Ryan might be smirking about.

Fifth, improve the song selection. I don't know if the problem is the list of songs they have to choose from, or if the contestants are trying too much to play it safe. Some songs should be retired, virtually anything by Whitney Houston, for example. I so wished that Shioban would have tooken on Roy Orbison, or done Live and Let die in McCartney week.

So help with other suggestions here. If you have other ideas to help other shows become water cooler shows, let me know those too.

Thanks America, for rewarding Captain Pitchy. May we do better in the future.

Oil's Not Well in the Gulf

How devastating is the oil spill in the Gulf? Will it "magically dissipate" in the vast ocean per Rushy Limbaugh? Will it permanently end the Gulf as we know it, destroying coral reefs, fishing industries and coastlines? I imagine it will end up somewhere in between, although the longer the leak continues, the more it will confirm the worries of the second question.

I'm not an environmental scientist (although my son is). I know there have been other serious spills, in addition to the Exxon Valdez. But this seems particularly onerous to me. I think we'll be seeing effects of this for many years to come. I'm concerned not just for the coastline, but what it is doing to the ecology of the Gulf as a whole, not to mention the compounding effect of the chemical dispersants being used.

Whatever the impact, I think all political sides can agree that this is not a good thing. This is a particularly difficult conundrum for conservatives. You either have to advocate we stop drilling in these spots where such devastation can take place when something goes wrong, or you have to support increased government regulation and oversight to prevent this from ever occurring again. Watching the cartoon style avoidance of responsibility at the recent Congressional hearing should convince even the most stalwart corporatist that regulation is indispensable.

The government has it's share of blame, but that's because of it's inability to regulate, it's caving to corporate donors, it's deferral in the simplest fundamentals of oversight. But make no mistake where the vast majority of responsibility lies. This country was run by two oil executives for eight years. Congress has been rendered ineffective by a combination of Republican extremists and Blue Dog Democrats willing to sell their soul to the highest corporate bidder. Anybody who thinks progressives control our government paid absolutely no attention to the health care debate.

All this fuss for a fungible fuel source that will not help us domestically, goes into a big global pot, increasing the oil supply by the tiniest of fractions. We need to concentrate on the technologies of the future, to help make America independent, proud, and leading the world once again to a brighter tomorrow.

On What to Do About President Lieberman

There is a great deal of anger amongst progressives today. And rightfully so. We have seen the most important political initiative in the last several decades be shanghaied by a petulant, spoiled brat. All the bad things they are saying about him are absolutely true. He was against the misuse of the filibuster until recently. He favored universal coverage, or so he said in his 2006 campaign. He was THE advocate for a medicare buy-in, and endorsed it as recently as September. And he told the New York Times today that when he realized that liberals actually liked the medicare buy-in, he decided to turn against it. Unbelievable. This so far exceeds any decent politics, even in today's hyper-partisan era (at least from the Republicans), that it borders into the realm of evil. And I do not say that lightly.

So what do we do about Traitor Joe? It is so tempting to strip him of his chairmanship. It would mean so much to expel him from the caucus. But none of that gets us health care.

Whatever we do or don't do to our pseudo-President, we cannot lose sight of so many in need of better health care. I say pass whatever's left of the bill, concentrating on reforms such as pre-existing conditions and improving access. Then pass a medicare buy-in and/or truly robust public option as a reconciliation bill. Does anyone think that the Republicans wouldn't have the stones to do it if it what they wanted to? IT WOULD ALREADY BE DONE.

We also need to reform the Senate rules so that a tiny group of industry protectionists can NEVER do this again. The simplest way to do it would be for Harry Reid to effect a change in filibuster rules, which can be done by a simple majority vote. Set it at 55. Or make all filibusters true filibusters - get your frickin' dictionary and hold the floor as long as you can. Again if it were the Republicans, and they had been filibustered a record number of times, IT WOULD ALREADY BE DONE.

The best way to deal with A--hole-In-Chief Lieberman is to mute his power through reconciliation and changes in the filibuster. Reduce his irritating yapping to background noise. And by the way, Connecticut citizens - think about a anti-spoiled brat rule in your state and federal elections - if you lose your primary, you can't turn around and run as an independent.

He makes me sick to my stomach, but let's keep our eye on the prize. There must be true reform and true choice. Do not give up the fight.

Pallin' with Palin Update: The Independent Run Looms

Since stating several months ago that she would run Third Party/Independent for President in 2012, around the time of her resignation as Governor of Alaska, I think subsequent events only continue to bear this out. She endorsed a third party choice in NY-23, causing a huge uproar in the Republican Party. Her candidate succeeded in sidelining the Republican, but also created an opening for a narrow victory by the Democrat (first win in that district in over a century).

Her book has been unkind towards her Republican handlers, showing she is completely willing to burn bridges (including those that seem to go nowhere). Her book tour shows no inclination towards any conventional wisdom in her conduct. It does show she's mostly interested in Sarah, with $16 photos, controlled media and SarahPac promotions. Her remarks have shown no sensitivity to pragmatic politics, and often created more media frenzy than they warranted.

As I stated in the original Pallin' with Palin article, she has no desire to run the gauntlet of Republican debates and primaries. She can run from day one her own way by becoming an Independent. She will probably do this by grasping the controls of emerging and/or existing parties, including the growing Tea Party movement, and perhaps the Constitution and Reform parties, It would also be a major coup to secure the Libertarian Party nomination, which Bob Barr has shown can be shanghaied by an outsider.

Depending on circumstances, she could garner anywhere from five to twenty per cent of the vote. She could possibly win a handful of extremely conservative states. I doubt that this in itself would be enough to jeopardize the election of a mainstream candidate, but politics is full of surprises. If unemployment remains or soars, do not expect the reaction of the American people to be rational. The 1930s were a rocky time in World history, with the Depression bringing out extreme virulent forms of fascism and communism. Thank God we had FDR and his confident pragmatism to steer us through. We can only pray that Obama has the same ability to see us through, and that as a nation our political maturity has not deteriorated. If not, then the minor threat of Palin may turn into the biggest disaster this nation has ever faced.

Sci Fi on TV - What the Hell do you Want?

I have noticed this phenomenon for many years, but it seems particularly pronounced right now. A science fiction program will open with great and/or spectacular ratings, and then those ratings will rapidly deteriorate over subsequent episodes. This has been most pronounced recently with the premieres of Flash Forward and V. Both opened up to great ratings, both had sharp audience declines in subsequent weeks. The ratings are also dropping for returning series Fringe and Heroes. If they continue to go down, we may be left awash in a sea of reality shows, doctor soaps and crime procedurals.

If science fiction was unpopular, it wouldn't get the initial ratings that it does. So my question out there to all my loyal followers, and the proud few who blindly stumble across this blog is WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT? What is it in the science fiction series that come on that make you sample but not stick? What is it that you're looking for but not finding?

Although some science fiction programs have had some success in the ratings, few have been consistent top ten programs. The X-Files had the most success in that regard. I think it worked because it was a crime procedural in scifi clothing. It also had a heavy case of the week feel. There were continuing elements, but they were almost secondary (at least for most of it's run). Lost flirted with top ten status initially, but now is more of a cult/DVR/demographic hit. It's emphasis on character and de-emphasis on scifi elements probably helped it early on. Burt as the story grew more complex and clearly scifi, it's fan base shrank some (although vocal and hard core).

Another trend I worry about is the USAfication of scifi shows. USA Network specializes in shows that are light, airy, built on amusing interplay between quirky but likable leads, with a de-emphasis on continuing elements. SyFy is gravitating to these kinds of shows, with Eureka and Warehouse 13. These aren't horrible shows, but they're nowhere near as filling as such greats as Battlestar Galactica, Buffy, Pushing Daisies, Firefly and hell, even Dollhouse.

Well, that's just some thoughts I have on a genre that I haven't blogged about until now, but it is a big part of my life. I really would appreciate some feedback from others as to what they may be looking for in science fiction television.

And then, later, maybe we can talk about comic books!

The Magnificent Effect of Gamma Rays on a High School One Act

This is the cast of Pierce County High School's One Act Competition play, The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, which Alison and I had the recent pleasure of attending a special showing. It was a sharp. well-edited 55 minute version of the Broadway play that was first performed some forty years ago. It won it's region here in the Southeast part of Georgia, and will soon be going to the State Tournament where I wish them all the best in the world. I have seen many productions in my life, but have rarely seen one with a such a brilliant ensemble cast. Kudos to the crew who helped this production run flawlessly.

Georgia one-act productions allows many bells and whistles. They could be competing against musicals, elaborate sets, larger casts, productions from much larger and better-financed programs. But I don't think that's going to matter. Because ultimately the theatre is about acting. Can the cast draw you into their world? Are they believable in the way they interact with each other? Does the story reach out to you and grab you in a way that moves you and makes you think? This play does that, as the small cast of five have learned one of the greatest secrets of theatre - that it's about not just actions but REACTIONS. It's seen in the moments when one young daughter reaches out to connect to her mother, and slowly fades away as she realizes the connection will not be made. It's seen in the mother's realization that she's trapped, going from complete despair to manic decision to do whatever it takes to break out. Or in a rebuffed daughter's desire to hurt her mother with the sharpest words she can muster.

I must also point out that none of this is possible without a superior drama teacher, Angela Manders. She has led them to four consecutive Regional wins. In my forty-plus years of theatre experience I have seen few who can draw so much of the potential out of students. Pierce County is truly blessed to have her, and she has made an indelible difference in the lives of the students who have come through her program.

It is strange. When I go to the movie theatre, I want to see splash and big effects and exciting, snappy stories. I love Star Wars and Indian Jones and Lord of the rings and all the melodramatic sturm und drang that the cinema can muster. Straight dramas with little flair bore me. I wonder why they're not on TV instead of the big screen.

Theatre, however, strikes me as the opposite. The flash and pyrotechnics leave me kinda cold and disinterested. But when an intimate drama is well-acted and I can see the characters react and grow, that to me is the epitome of the dramatic experience.

The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-moon Marigolds, as performed by the Pierce County Drama Group, represents that epitome.
To the State...and beyond!

UPDATE: This outstanding production did indeed win the state competition Saturday! It won against larger, more elaborate and expensive productions. In the end, however, talent will out. They blinded them with Science! And outstanding characterizations! Kudos to all involved!

Messin' With TaxSquatch

With unemployment now at 10.2%, it is imperative that job creation be number one on the President's agenda. That doesn't mean the health care needs to be set aside, as it is one of the most important things to set right if we are to move forward. And I do believe from listening to the President earlier today that he understands this and will be doing everything he can to improve the situation. Infrastructure spending, greening the economy, extending unemployment compensation and job training, increasing the flow of credit to small businesses and community banks - these are all tremendously important, positive steps. But I was also discouraged to hear him mention tax cuts to businesses as another solution.

I am sick to death of politicians, on the right, left, and everywhere in between trying to solve our problems by dicking with the tax code. They see it as a way to influence and shape American life, and all they're doing are making things more and more complicated and unfair. As a CPA, I see the illogic and stupidity every day. All we've succeeded in doing is making the tax code so convoluted that nobody can really follow it. Anybody with more than a W2 has to seek out help. Great for my profession, but not so hot for the American people.

Although campaign finance reform and more competitive elections (more parties, instant runoffs, etc) would go the longest way towards improving our political system, our tax code is another major culprit. Lobbyists swarm Capitol Hill in large part to get the tax code to favor the groups they represent. And more often than not, Congress is happy to oblige.

Does messing with the tax code actually accomplish anything beneficial? Sometimes, maybe. The First Time Homebuyer's Credit may have temporarily stimulated the housing market. But it has done nothing to address the underlying problem - there is a growing mismatch between what people make and how much a home costs. A larger and larger share of income has to go into the purchase of a decent home.

Any tax change that relieves one group may wind up costing another group more money. Unless you're willing to run up large deficits (uhh, well, maybe they are), somebody has to make up for the credit/deduction you've given to someone else. Relieving property tax for a certain class of taxpayer may just raise the rates for another group.

So yes, let's solve the job crisis! But don't waste money on ineffective tax gimmicks. Let's rebuild this country for the future!