View From the Phlipside - NBCUNIVERSAL logo

My name is Jay Phillippi and I've spent my life in and around the media.  TV, radio, the movies and more.  I love them, and I hate them and I always have an opinion.  Call this the View from the Phlipside.

I'll be honest and tell you this next story is probably NOT the most important media story of the year.  It's not earth shattering and it probably won't change how you view the people involved.  At the same time it's still a dumb decision.
Don't know if you've heard but one of the first results of the merger of NBC Universal and Comcast is that the symbol of the network and the movie studio are being exiled from the new corporate symbol.  That's right you will no longer see NBC's peacock nor Universal's globe in the corporate logo any more.  What's replacing them?  Ummm, nothing?  The old logo read NBC, then the peacock as a kind of spacer then Universal with the Universal's stylized globe sort of ringing it.  To be honest it wasn't a particularly brilliant logo but it was obvious and straight forward.  It came into existence back in 2004 when NBC then owned by General Electric merged with Vivendi Universal Entertainment owned by French media giant Vivendi.  It was a marriage of convenience and the logo kind of reflects it.

So then along comes Comcast and gobbles up NBC Universal.  As I've noted

before the reality is that of all the assets of the company the NBC network is probably the least desirable for Comcast.  It's a bad network and creates potential other problems along the way.  But in this case to get Cinderella you have to marry the ugly sisters too.

Let me point out quickly that the new, incredibly boring, monochromatic logo, which is to eliminate the graphics and then just shove the NBC and Universal together to create one long word, is said to be only for the corporate entity.  Which means we'll still see the peacock on NBC and MSNBC and CNBC and all the other places we see it.  Ditto for Universal.  I'm not sure what it's supposed to SAY about the new corporate entity.  We're really boring.  We're a really boring media company.  We're a really boring media company and we don't mind everyone knowing it.  The old logo was average.  This is one is awful.

And messing with logos can have an effect.  The Gap stores found that out last year when they left an iconic image of the blue square with the single word Gap in white for something that looks like a Microsoft clipart logo.  That lasted about a week.  It just makes me wonder that Comcast thought this was the best use of their energies as they take over the company.  Makes you wonder what might be next.

Call that the View From the Phlipside.

"The View From the Phlipside" airs on WRFA-LP Jamestown NY.  You can listen to WRFA online HERE
Copyright - Jay Phillippi 2011

View From the Phlipside - Super Bowl ads

My name is Jay Phillippi and I've spent my life in and around the media.  TV, radio, the movies and more.  I love them, and I hate them and I always have an opinion.  Call this the View from the Phlipside.
You know I just looked up going into last weekend and realized that it was Super Bowl weekend.  And I hadn't given it a thought.  Not the Super Bowl.  As a born and raised Pittsburgh boy the football game has been center stage in my thoughts for weeks now.  As one friend put it, we are climbing a stairway to seven.  At least I hope so as I write this just prior to the game.

No what I'd not given a thought to was the question of Super Bowl advertising.  Let's face it some years the ads are better than the game.  If you're a dyed in the wool media junkie like me the Super Bowl is every bit as big an event as it is if you're a football junkie.  This is the, well, Super Bowl of advertising.

And I'm really underwhelmed.  Not underwhelmed with the early word on the ads.  Underwhelmed by the whole concept.  Then it occurred to me that I may not be the only one because I didn't hear the kinds of chatter about the ads that I have in the past.  Surfing around on the web I do find some coverage but again I don't detect the kind of breathless anticipation that used to come with the Super Bowl ads.

I can tell you that you are about to watch at least 45 minutes of ads and promos during the game broadcast.  The record is from last year at just shy of 48 minutes.  I can tell you that ad time has risen from only 40 minutes back in 2001.  A 30 second spot?  This year's price was right around 3 million dollars.

And I just don't care.  Looking at the list of sponsors it's largely the usual suspects with a tilt this year towards car ads.  I anticipate the Star Wars VW ads will score pretty well with the fans.  The HomeAway ad where the test baby is thrown into a window will get its share of criticism.  Bud Light, GoDaddy, Pepsi, Doritos...

Yawn.

Once upon a time this was something I got up for, researched, prepped for and looked forward to the breaks in the action.  These were ads that were going to enter the popular culture zeitgeist.  We'd be talking about them, comparing notes on what we liked and hated.  Now it's just the launch of the newest ad campaign.  I find myself confronted with a rather astounding situation headed into Super Bowl 45.

I may actually want the ads to get out of the way...of the football game.



Call that the View From the Phlipside.

"The View From the Phlipside" airs on WRFA-LP Jamestown NY.  You can listen to WRFA online HERE
Copyright - Jay Phillippi 2011

Thoughts at 53

A moment, as the odometer of my life rolls over one more time, on what I think I've learned about myself over the years.

• I've spent too much of my life being afraid.  Afraid of failure, of coming up short, of not being what I need to be, want to be, ought to be.  I'm not sure where that came from.  It's robbed my life of a lot I've come to realize.  Joy in victories, useless worry in advance.  I'm working very hard to eliminate it from my life.
• Some people just don't like me and there's not a lot I can do about it appears.  I've been called arrogant and conceited and pompous.  I've been told I expect too much and I'm too demanding.  In the first category I just don't buy it.  People like that think too highly of themselves, they see themselves as better than everyone else.  I don't.  Too often I don't think I'm good enough.  As for the second I'm not sure why I should apologize for that.  I expect other people to work as hard as I do.  And generally I work hard.  If that bothers you so be it.  If you can out work me I'll lead the cheers for you.  But don't expect me to slow down to make you look good.
• I am and probably always will be socially awkward.  The teen aged boy in me is still intimidated by girls.  Women I respect intimidate me.  I feel unsure and awkward and embarrassed and desperately want to impress them in return.  The same goes for men I respect.  I like people and really want to feel like I fit in and am liked.  It takes a while for me to feel comfortable so I tend to hang out along the fringes and feel left out.  I've gotten better but I'll never be as smooth as I wish.
• My greatest gift is also my greatest shortcoming.  I love to talk and tell stories and manipulate words.  There have been many times in my life when what I really needed to do was shut the hell up.  I'm still a very good story teller but I've become a much better listener.
• I have a "glass half empty" approach to life.  I swear I must be the happiest most optimistic glass half empty person on the planet but there it is.  The only advantage to pessimism is how often you are pleasantly surprised.
• That I am blessed with people who truly care about me.  I need to say that this surprises me every time I'm reminded of this FACT.  I have no idea why anyone pays me any mind whatsoever, why anyone should spend a single second thinking about me.  I have an incredible wife, a glorious daughter and family and friends who are so wonderful that it is beyond my capacity to describe.  I don't deserve you but I glory in my good fortune.  Thank you.  I love you all.

I'm hoping this next year will be a little less exciting than last year.  I hope that you will all bear with me when I'm awkward or pushy or focused too much on myself.  I promise to be less afraid, to listen more, to enjoy more, to expect better and to revel in you all.

That would be the greatest birthday present of all.

Peace

View From the Phlipside - Sing the Song!

My name is Jay Phillippi and I've spent my life in and around the media. TV, radio, the movies and more. I love them, and I hate them and I always have an opinion. Call this the View from the Phlipside.

I was really kind of stumped for a third show this week. There was just NOTHING out there that seemed to be calling my name. Then the Super Bowl broadcast got started and I was set. The game hadn't even started and I had a topic. It was when fellow Pittsburgh native Christina Aguillera sang the national anthem and screwed it up.

Now before all the Christina fans climb down my throat let me note I have the greatest respect for her. She's a wonderful performer and arguably has one of the finest voices in popular music today. But she screwed up the national anthem. In front of the largest audience she will probably ever perform for she forgot the lyrics while trying perform the song.

So here's my advice for performers everywhere when it comes to the National Anthem.

Just sing the damn song.

My apologies if you feel that language is a bit rough but I am sick unto death with folks who try and make the song their own. Here's a news flash - it isn't your song. It's ours. The National Anthem is a collective possession of the nation so trying to "make it your own" is simply grossly inappropriate. This isn't a pop song, a standard or a classic. There is no place for individual interpretations of the National Anthem any more than there is room for a personal interpretation of the flag. If you absolutely can not live without sharing "your interpretation" please feel free to include it as a cut on your next album. But it keep away from performances at public events. The invitation to sing the National Anthem is an honor because you are singing for all of us. So doing some personal version is thumbing your nose at the country.

Besides haven't you noticed that NOBODY likes it when people start messing around with the Anthem. We didn't like it when Roseann made it a joke and we don't like people turning it into some kind of jazz scat monstrosity. Just stop. And sing the song.

The song isn't all that easy to sing in the first place. The average person mumbles along because it's hard. Right at the end especially it gets really high. So anyone who can just come in and sing it straight is going to be pretty impressive under any circumstances. Why do you think people are so kind and caring when someone tries to sing it straight and struggles. We know how they feel so we work with them.

So my advice to Christina and everybody else is simple.

Just sing the song.

Call that the View From the Phlipside.

"The View From the Phlipside" airs on WRFA-LP Jamestown NY.  You can listen to WRFA online HERE
Copyright - Jay Phillippi 2011

Tidbits from my travels

Just got back from my first ever trip to Charlotte NC.  A few thoughts:

Perhaps it was just enjoying the Spring like conditions as compared to what I knew awaited me at home but Charlotte strikes me as a lovely city.  Cities with dedication to civic green space, fountains and public statuary always appeal to me.  Charlotte also has an incredible array of eating establishments.  Special notice goes to Mert's Heart and Soul Restaurant which is right next to the hotel where our meeting was being held.  Didn't get a chance to try any of the soul food other than the banana pudding but loved the decor, loved the pudding, the service was great and everyone ELSE who did get the chance to try the Low Country and Gullah foods loved them.  Everyone in Charlotte was pleasant and helpful and wonderful.  Really enjoyed what little I experienced of the city.

Continental Airlines -  We were 26 minutes EARLY getting into Charlotte and 50 minutes EARLY getting into Newark on the way back.  What can I say?  Wish all my air travel was this efficient.

It is great to be back working with the Provincial Youth Ministry Coordinators of The Episcopal Church.  I only knew 2 of them at all well when I walked in the door but they were wonderful.  Good folks and I'm looking forward to working with them.

Likewise I enjoyed meeting and hanging out with folks from ECCE (Episcopal Council of Church Educators), Campus Ministry and Ministry for Young Adults.  We had a GREAT time bowling at Strike City   Given how Buffalo LOVES to bowl someone explain why we don't have someplace like this.  Think Sports Bar meets upscale bowling alley.  It was a blast!  The fact that I rolled a 182 with a beat up house ball probably colors my memory.  That and the $2/pint beer special (relax I had only 2 over the course of the entire evening)

I come back with some very interesting ideas about bringing the spirit of cooperation of this meeting back home to the Province and the Diocese too.  More on that later.

View From the Phlipside - Kevin Smith

My name is Jay Phillippi and I've spent my life in and around the media.  TV, radio, the movies and more.  I love them, and I hate them and I always have an opinion.  Call this the View from the Phlipside.
Last week at the Sundance Film Festival movie director Kevin Smith was interviewed about his next film
 "Hit Somebody".  During the interview he dropped in that the movie would be his last.  For some that sent tremors through movie news.  At the end of the day I'm not sure why.

If Kevin Smith never makes another movie (which is unlikely for a variety of reasons) what would be his cinematic legacy?  To be honest it's a very mixed bag.  Probably at the top of his list you would find the movies "Dogma" and "Clerks" without a doubt.  "Chasing Amy" was also generally critically enjoyed and made a lot of money.  But then Kevin's movies usually make a lot of money (although not always, see the 10 million dollar loss on "Jersey Girls") but that's because he makes them for so little money it's almost impossible not to make a profit.  "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" also made a lot of money but I don't know that it deserves to be included at the Dogma/Clerks level.  14 movies in roughly 10 years.  Clerks won a couple of major festival awards but that's it on the big time movie award front. 

So what does that really leave us with?  Clerks is an interesting, rather bizarre little movie that Smith made on a budget that might buy you a decent mid-sized car.  It took Cannes and Sundance by storm.  He would return to the characters and locale four times.  His slacker icons of Jay and Silent Bob have their place in pop culture but I don't see them as the kind of archetypes that you hang your reputation as a great director on.  Dogma is a brilliant and controversial movie is on a whole different level from pretty much anything else he's done (he got three death threats based on the film).  But once you get beyond the fans of what is referred to his Askewniverse movies what else is there?  There's a bit of a cult, some promise that doesn't seem to have been fully realized, and a couple stand out movies.  Smith really seems to struggle when he wanders away from his Silent Bob cast and locale, and he seems to have mined that vein to extinction.

So again where does that leave us?  Smith says that he'll help other people make movies.  That could mean doing some writing or maybe producing.  To be honest perhaps Kevin Smith's most impressive professional credit might be his ability to create movies on controllable budgets.  So if the time has come for Kevin to give up making his own movies so be it.  As with so many his star burned brightly but only for a little while in the Hollywood sky.


Call that the View From the Phlipside.

"The View From the Phlipside" airs on WRFA-LP Jamestown NY.  You can listen to WRFA online HERE
Copyright - Jay Phillippi 2010

View From the Phlipside - Skins

My name is Jay Phillippi and I've spent my life in and around the media.  TV, radio, the movies and more.  I love them, and I hate them and I always have an opinion.  Call this the View from the Phlipside.
The folks over at MTV find themselves in the midst of yet another flap over a controversial program on the network again.  Now that's hardly a new place for the former Music Television network but this one has an interesting twist because it calls into question not just the actions of the network but of anyone who watches the program as well.

The show in question is "Skins".  This is an American version of a hugely popular British series.  It is a drama about teenagers and the things that go on in their lives.  In that it is hardly unique we've had shows on the networks, PBS and cable channels that deal with the issues in one manner or another for decades.  Skins is different because it is much more graphic.

Now I've never watched the show so I jumped over the MTV web site to check out some streamed episodes.   Here's what I discovered watching the most current episode available that day.

It opens with illicit drug use, the use of a fake ID, picking up someone at a club, having sex with them all before a single word of dialogue is spoken.  The first dialogue is the same character lying to her father.  That was the first four minutes of the program.  From there it wasn't until we hit the 10 minute mark before we got something that was not related to sex somehow.  That followed with more of the same plus the addition of drinking in school.  The adults were predictably all idiots.  MTV claims that the show "confronts" all these issues but I don't see it.  They are certainly a part of the lives of too many of our teens but no solution is shown unless you count drinking MORE and having more sex as solutions.  I don't.

I have no idea why any adult would watch this and the interesting problem is that these are real teens playing the roles, one of them is only 15 years old.  Which means you are watching underage people in sexual situations.  Which in many jurisdictions is called child pornography.  MTV is trying to figure out what do about that particular problem.  The ratings for the debut of the second season were incredible but they fell off significantly for the second week.  Rumors say they still out performed network expectations.

Helping our teenagers figure out how to deal with all the pressures of life is one of the most important gifts we can give them.  MTV could be a huge influence in helping them.  Instead they're peddling something very close to pornography.  They and we would be better off if they focused a little more on the confrontation and a little less on the skin.

Call that the View From the Phlipside.

"The View From the Phlipside" airs on WRFA-LP Jamestown NY.  You can listen to WRFA online HERE
Copyright - Jay Phillippi 2010