Weekly Analysis 5-Assignment 5-1

So lately it has been all over the news that cell phones can somehow be linked to cancer because of the radiation that they give off. Cell phone use has been put in the same “carcinogenic hazard” as engine exhaust, chloroform, and lead. The radiation that is coming off cell phones is like that of a microwave oven. No health issues have been linked to this yet, considering it is too early and takes a long time to find that type of thing out. Some phones, such as the iPhone and Blackberry, give a warning in the user’s manual to keep the phone at least 15 millimeters away from the body. In my opinion, I don’t think that, even though cell phones are labeled as possible carcinogens, people will stop using them. They are the fastest was to communicate with people. I feel that people should be aware, but it won’t stop them from using a cell phone.

Assignment 1-3 Article Summary

            One of my favorite shows as a kid was Spongebob Squarepants. This show is aimed at kids age two to eleven and it is the most popular kids show on network television. Although this show is aimed at a younger age group, it seems that adults ages eighteen to forty-nine are also interested. The show often plays late at night, which obviously is for an older viewing group. Not only is Spongebob a show, but it is a market of products. Toys, dolls, bedding, clothing, party décor, and many other products all have the Spongebob face. There are also computer games made of the show. The question, though, is how can this show targeted at younger children have such a broad audience? This could be because of the influence children shows have on kids while they are growing up and that can shape their interest in television when they are older.

            This show is something that everyone can laugh at and doesn’t use everyday pop culture like many other shows. This show is one where people can laugh at the characters just acting silly. Everyone can laugh at how Sandy is a squirrel that lives under the sea. Even though the characters are all different creatures, they are all relateable to everyone. That is why the show is broadcast in over ten different languages. Spongebob relates to humans. He goes through hard times and insecurities, just like everyone else. When people watch this show, they think about the carefree world that Spongebob lives in, and not the scary world that we live in. That may be why the show appeals to all ages, not just kids age two to eleven. This article made me see Spongebob Squarepants in a different light. I still enjoy watching the show when I just want to get away from my worries and insecurities for a half hour.

Weekly Analysis 4-Assignment 4-1

So everyone knows that texting is obviously dangerous while driving. But driving isn't the only time when texting can be a problem. Whenever you go to a movie, there is always something that comes up on the screen asking people to turn off their cellphones. Most people ignore this message and just turn their phone on silent so that it doesn't make any noise and normally that is fine, as long as you aren't actually using it. Movie theaters threaten to kick people out for using their cellphones, but they rarely ever do. But recently, a movie theater in Texas followed through on their threat. A woman was given two warnings before she was kicked out of the Alamo Drafthouse theater. Instead of accepting that what she did was wrong and leaving the issue alone, the woman called the theater and left and angry voicemail, which I have posted below for all of you to listen to. Texting in the theater can be very annoying, not just because of the sound, but because of the glow that the cell phone gives off. If you are a texter in the movies, maybe next time when you are at a theater you will follow the "turn off all cellphones" rule.

*WARNING* This video is uncensored and uses explicit language.

 

The theater will be showing this video before every showing of an R-rated movie this week.

The Evolution of MTV-TRL-Weekly Analysis 3

TRL, or Total Request Live, was a show on MTV that started back in 1997. The show featured a daily countdown of the most requested music videos of the day. The videos were picked by viewers by going online and voting for their favorite video. The video that made number one the most amount of times was "Baby, One More Time" by Britney Spears. The show was hosted by Carson Daly all the way up to 2002, when he decided to step down and a rotation of other VJs hosted the show. It was shown every Monday through Thursday. TRL is that longest running live show on MTV, and the third longest running show of all time on MTV. This show kept music on the air, after reality shows had started taking over a bit. In November 2008, TRL aired its last episode, which lasted 3 hours. Throughout the episode, the set was being torn down. The very last video shown on the show was Britney Spears' "Baby, One More Time" and at the end of the show, the VJs, Damien and Lindsey, shut down the lights. This was a very iconic moment in MTV history, and I remember watching the final show. It was sad for me, after watching it everyday after school for years.

The Evolution of MTV-Breaking the Color Barrier-Weekly Analysis 2

When MTV started out, it played mostly just rock songs and videos. There was rarely any black artists that had their songs played on MTV. Tina Turner, Eddy Grant, and Donna Summer were the only black artists featured on MTV. "Super Freak" by Rick James was one video that was not played on the channel because it didn't go along with MTV's genre. James wasn't happy about this and wanted the station to play more videos by black artists. Even Michael Jackson wasn't being played on the channel before 1983. In 1983, Walter Yetnikoff, CBS Records' president at the time, threatened to not allow MTV to play any music videos on the record label. "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson was then played, and this video was said to "break the color barrier" on MTV. After airing this video in regular rotation, MTV's popularity rose. More and more black artists were having their videos played on MTV, and the channel switched from playing just rock to also playing pop and R&B.

Pop Icons

A pop icon is something in pop culture that is recognized by most people, such as a celebrity, TV show character, or an object. The three icons I chose are Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and Mario. I feel that all three have played a major roll in pop culture today and years ago.

The first icon, Britney Spears, I chose because when she first became really famous in the the late 90s, everyone wanted to be like her. She defined pop music. Spears has had a rough time in the spotlight lately with the media seeing her in a negative way, but she has been able to overcome that and she is still making records and her new songs are being played all over the radio. After all she has been through, she has been able to overcome the struggles and negativity and make a great comeback.

The next icon I chose is Lady Gaga. She has become a star in the eyes of the media basically overnight. Recently, she beat out Oprah Winfrey on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list of the most powerful people. Everyone knows her songs, and they have even been featured on shows such as Glee and Gossip Girl. Be it her outrageous outfits, he controversial songs, or rumors of her being a hermaphrodite, Lady Gaga is redefining pop icon. She has hit the ground running and she isn't about to stop any time soon.

The last icon I chose is one that all will recognize: Mario! Mario first made his debut in 1981 in the video game Donkey Kong. In 1983 Mario Bros. came out, and that was the start of his fame. Mario is an iconic video game character and is still around today. My parents grew up playing Mario, and even today I still enjoy the occasional game of Mario Kart. Anyone who has played a video game has most likely at one point played a video game with Mario in it. He is a pop icon, and probably one of the most recognized video game characters in the world.

I have grown up with these icons and that is why I have chosen them. I can remember dressing up and dancing to Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time" when I was younger, trying to learn the dance moves to some of Lady Gaga's videos, and smoking my sister in Mario Kart. All three of these icons are important to me, and I feel that they will continue to be important to those younger than me.

The Evolution of MTV-The Launch-Weekly Analysis 1

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Rock and Roll." These words were said by John Lack when MTV first launched at 12:01am on August 1, 1981. This was one of the most iconic dates of the 1980s. As MTV launched, photos of the moon landing of Apollo 11. The flag displayed the MTV logo changing designs and colors. MTV producers used these images because they felt the launch of MTV was one of the most famous and historical moments in television history. The launch could only be seen by a few thousand people in New Jersey at first. The very first music video every played on MTV was The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star.” The second was Pat Benatar’s “You Better Run.” When videos were being changed in the VCR, the screen would go black. When MTV first started out, its sole purpose was to play music videos all day, every day. The launch was uploaded to YouTube in 2009, which is posted below.

Popular Culture

Each week for the next six weeks, I will be talking about the evolution of MTV and the impact it has had on our culture and society. This blog will better help you understand how society and pop culture has changed through the eyes of just one television station. MTV started out as a channel dedicated to just music, but in today's culture, that is not the case.

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What is popular culture? Also known as pop culture, this is what society sees as being "in" at a certain time. Things such as ideas, attitudes, music, movies, the internet, television, and anything in the media are considered pop culture. To me, pop culture is what is popular at a certain moment and place in time. Pop culture is around us everyday and has a big influence on our lives.

Pop culture is relevant to the business environment because it is constantly changing. People are constantly needing to learn how to use the newest technology. It is also important in some businesses to stay undated on what is happening in the world, and newspapers are becoming irrelevant. The internet is where people go to read up on the latest news and what is happening all around us.

I would consider the MTV logo to be an example of a pop culture artifact. Although there are many different designs and colors fo the logo, it is recognized by probably everyone. Whenever this logo is seen, one thing comes to mind: Music. Music is a huge part of pop culture, and MTV is where music videos can be seen. The logo is a simple three letters, but it is a huge part of pop culture.