Grid Effect

For the second week in a row, we’re most likely going to forgo our promise to (re)write a Thursday night preview that 451 Press swallowed whole two Thursdays ago. At least for now. We might come back with it this afternoon, but no one puts any stock in us actually writing two posts in one day, so why bother? Instead, there is an abundance of deserving news items today, so we’ll opt for that instead. It’s rare we are happy to do these posts.

Alright, this isn’t technically one of them, but Russell Brand is apparently not allowed to use the words “Scientology” or “cunt” when hosting the MTV awards. It would seem Brand’s reality TV and journalism addled mind have either abandoned or were never introduced to the concept of discretion. It’s this crazy notion that when something is said behind closed doors, it is somewhat of an unspoken agreement that it will stay that way. Not that I’m defending MTV, I hope Brand brings them down like Enron. But I doubt we have the same aspirations for his performance.

Is this guy constantly in character, or is he really like this?

NBC now resenting his inexperience and poor performance, is apparently going all Don Draper on Ben Silverman. And now his ass is on the line. See, I told you they would collude to get rid of him. We might have to do an epilogue. But I find it amazing that NBC is under the impression, or at least looking for a scapegoat, and feel it is best to pin it on Silverman. Does anyone who follows this noise really feel he is responsible for their shortcomings?

Some old curmudgeon over at the Huffington Post who has no idea what teenagers want, is telling us what teenagers want. But most importantly, she seems to believe they do not want Gossip Girl, or at least are incapable of relating to it. First of all, who gives a fuck? Appealing to teens is the business of corporations and progressive, negligent parents. Secondly, doesn’t this series with ITunes and everything else draw an enormous audience? I can just about assure our HuffPo correspondent that it isn’t geriatric men tuning into see Blake Lively’s latest escapades.

It seems Miss Wells wants to give teenagers more credit for their intelligence than they deserve. I, however, prefer to look at the numbers. And while this series might not appeal to every single teenager on the face of the planet, it obviously fits a frighteningly large niche that warrants the show’s existence.

Tons of as of now unreported (on this site) Mad Men news to go around as always. Namely, the constant promotion actually worked, as they registered about two million viewers for the season two premiere on Sunday. Well done, people! If you were one of the respectable two million or just considerably old and want to watch the Jackie Kennedy White House tour, here it is, in all its nostalgic glory. Last but not least, here is Charlie Rose interviewing Jon Hamm (Don/Dick), John Slattery (Roger Sterling) and Mathew Weiner (creator). Its not exactly a barrel of laughs, but interesting none the less.

And finally, HBO has greenlit a(nother) series from Mark Wahlberg entitled, How To Make It In America. If his answer goes beyond “have rock hard abs” then we’re not going to be able to take it seriously. Because if we recall correctly, Wahlberg got his start as a poor man’s Vanilla Ice who danced around in his underwear to the enjoyment of millions of teenage girls. He’s basically the male equivalent of Britney Spears with a little less initial success, and a little more determination and focus.*

*= It’s a fictional series, but I find it ironic all the same.

Maybe back with a preview later.