Classic Music Video of the Week

Okay, kiddies. I only have a minute, but here's this week's CMVW.

Remember it, learn from it, love it.

Have a great end to your week!

Nielsen Loves Me...But Not Really

So a few weeks ago I received a call which I thought was a telemarketer, but it was not. Instead it was the people at Nielsen TV Ratings, asking how many televisions I had so they could send me TV Viewing Diaries.

So my diaries arrived last Thursday. Apparently you write down every minute the TV is on, whether anyone is watching it or not. Any persons watching must be listed, including their gender, age and hours they work a week. Of course that means just me, except for one other person (who also writes on this blog) who was a visitor one night, so she got included too.

While this is not an informative nor necessarily intelligent post for my first non-CMVofW posting in months, it's something I find amusing. I'm not sure how or why the Nielsen people picked me, but I don't think I'm helping their cause.

Here is the television I have listed as watching so far:

• The Soup (on E!)
• SpongeBob SquarePants (on Nick)
• Everybody Hates Chris (on the CW)
• My Name is Earl (on NBC)
• The Office (on NBC)
• Scrubs (on NBC)
• Grey's Anatomy (on ABC)
• Best Week Ever (on VH1)
• Sex & The City (on TBS)
• The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (on Nick. Twice.)
• SpongeBob SquarePants (yes, again)
• The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (okay, three times)
• Full House (on Family)
• The Philadelphia Story (on TCM)
• How I Met Your Mother (on CBS)
• 50 Greatest TV Icons (on TV Land)
• Heroes (on NBC)

If they were expecting According To Jim or Dancing With The Stars, they are sorely mistaken. Needless to say I doubt I'll skew their results, they'll probably just throw them away. It's almost encouraging me to watch weird things on TV, just so I can write it down.

There's also a small section for me to write in my "comments" on Television in general... Maybe I should just write down this blog's URL...and leave it at that.

Classic Music Video of the Week

Good morning, Pop-Pop-ers.

Sorry I've fallen off the face of the earth lately, I just went through a move! But now that the dust and items are settling, I hope to get back in the swing of things full force.

But for now I have limited time, so I'll go with an easy one for this week's Classic Music Video...

I don't know about you, but I can't hold still whenever I hear this number one hit from 1983. But what else makes this a classic? Let's see, the moonwalk, the lit-up tiles and the fact that its heavy rotation music video on MTV made him the first black artist to find stardom on the channel.

So friends, just remember, be careful of what you do, 'cause the lie becomes the truth.

Happy Friday.

Classic Music Video of the Week

Well, shoot.

I've been trying to keep up with the CMVWs, but it looks like I let a week get away from me. So, to make up for it, I will be posting two videos this week.

The first video is in honor of Conan O'Brien. With the writers' strike going on, late night television will be in reruns (as James pointed out in the previous post). That means no new Conesy for a little bit. To fill that void, please enjoy a video that is a little out there, but features my glorious late night talk show host of choice. (I enjoy this song too.) Check out Denial Twist by The White Stripes.



I realize that I am stuck in the 80s and early 90s. I can't help it. The songs within that time are my pop culture love children. I was too young to fully appreciate them at the time, but now that the years have passed, I have nothing but good feelings about the times we shared. I can appreciate what they have become. One of my favorite examples of this is this week's second CMVW. I liked this song when it came out, but now that I'm older I appreciate the beats, the irony, and the overall catchiness of this song. This may be a big flashback for some, and hopefully it brings you to a happy place. Put on your Sunday best and enjoy Your Woman by White Town.



Have a great and classic week!

A Scary Halloween Indeed

As I type this one can only hope that the disastrous events that have been set into motion can be averted before midnight strikes tomorrow night. What is taking place is a monumental struggle to keep the life force of pop culture alive. The battle between the major film and television studios and the Writers Guild of America has been widely publicized within publications that those of us here are likely to read. As we try to once again find our footing here at Pop-Pop, it is essential that the source of our admiration continue unabated. The results of these negotiations could play a significant role in the fate in the near future of our happy little blog.

Due to the magnitude of this event I felt it was worthy of our pop cents. First, it is important to realize what is at stake here. If negotiations between the two sides fail, then the Screenwriters Guild will call for a strike. This will result in major disruptions to television and film schedules and thereby disrupting our pop-culture intake. Television will be affected the worst due to the short production period. Late night shows will suffer immediately. Granted, the world is certainly a better place if Jay Leno can no longer spin new material. However, losing original airings of Late Night With Conan O'Brien will be a blow felt around the universe. Eventually sitcoms and finally dramas will suffer the blow of striking screenwriters. All that will be left would be the cultural void of reality programming. While I occasionally view a reality program from time to time, I would surely enjoy the television landscape purged of that scourge. However, in this dark future that a strike presents, the studios would warmly embrace the low-cost alternative of reality television. The infamous "Slut Wars" from The TV Set could actually become a reality. Yikes! If the strike were to proceed for a decent length of time, movies would certainly take a hit.

Personally the thought of getting cut off from the pop-culture we hold dear is a disturbing one. It is a thought that can keep fanatics, such as ourselves, awake at night. Who the hell do these screenwriters think they are anyways? If they have to make sacrifices so that we can continue to receive our daily dose of pop culture, then so be it. What's the big deal anyways? Sure the entire landscape in which consumers view television is changing. And, yes, the new distribution methods almost completely ignore the rights of those writing the material.

But how much money do these greedy writers need? Even George and Jerry received at least 8 grand for their script about nothing. I would take that in a heartbeat. What's that you say? The basic television set as a portal for television shows is dying? Television ratings and total viewership has been in decline for years? Alright, so what? They are still making money hand over fist. Right now they are doing fantastic. Yeah maybe unions are supposed to look out for the future interests of its members. But the needs of the future are so far off. Wait... you say that television shows are the fastest growing sector of DVD sales? And viewership of shows online and through programs such as ITunes is increasing constantly? Hmmmm.

All kidding aside, it seems pretty clear to me that the studios are realizing that in the future standard television viewing as we know it will be obsolete. They are trying to set themselves up in the new system without having to pay due diligence. Did they really feel they could sneak past the writers the new profits from DVDs and the internet? Screenwriters deserve much more credit than they currently receive. While directors and actors get all of the credit, the writers are often times, the true geniuses at work. They deserve a fair percentage of the new innovations in television and film viewing. Hopefully the federal mediator that arrived today will see that and make the right decision. Otherwise, we could be in for a long winter.

Classic Music Video of the Week

P.S. In case the 20 videos below aren't enough for you, before the week ends, let me present this Classic Music Video of the Week.

This video is dedicated to one of our lurking readers, who checks in often enough to know what's going on in the blog, but who may be a bit shy to leave a comment. This person and I used to rock out to this song in high school because we thought it was cheesy and awesome. My friends, I had no idea how cheesy until I just watched this video. I think you'll agree it is "classic" in its own sort of special way.

So, friend of mine, this video goes out to you. Next time we hang out we can hairspray our hair, pull our shirts off one shoulder, and if we feel extra classy, add a bit of glitter. (Now you know I'm definitely talking about you!)

Readers, please enjoy this CMVW:

Runaway by Bon Jovi



P.S. Look for some wicked keyboard skills around the two and a half minute mark.

Pop Culture Showdown

It’s Friday night. I have some sort of weird bug that’s going around, so I figured I should use this time to embrace my pop culture nerd. Am I dedicated? Do I deserve a medal? Yes, of course. But I do this for you, the readers. So, I hope you enjoy this.

POP CULTURE SHOWDOWN: BAND VS. SOLO CAREER

It’s not a new concept in music: A group hits it big, reaps the benefits of fame and success, something happens to make the band break up (or at least “temporarily” disband). While the rest of the band members struggle, one person comes out on top as a successful solo artist. This week I ask that you, the readers, provide a little input. I’m going to give you ten examples of successful bands that produced (relatively, at least) successful solo acts. I ask that you place a vote for whoever you think was/is better: the band or the solo artist. I will provide a few videos, but these are simply to jog memories. (They are by no means my ultimate song choices for each artist...honestly, sometimes it just comes down to the best quality YouTube clip.) Use any songs, videos, anecdotes, etc. you would like to back up your choice, if you’d prefer. Remember that we do allow anonymous blog comments, so no need to be embarrassed by your choice.

So, let’s do this…No right or wrong answers, just straight up pop culture snobbery.

ROUND ONE: FOREIGNER VS. LOU GRAMM

As a native of Rochester, NY, Lou Gramm’s hometown, I must ask…


“Cold As Ice” by Foreigner

OR


“Midnight Blue” by Lou Gramm

ROUND TWO: THE GO-GOS VS. BELINDA CARLISLE

Blonde or redhead? Your call.


“Our Lips Are Sealed” by The Go-Gos

OR


“I Get Weak” by Belinda Carlisle

ROUND THREE: *NSYNC VS. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

Five teen idols or just one?


“I Drive Myself Crazy” by *NSYNC

OR


“Cry Me a River” by Justin Timberlake

ROUND FOUR: NEW EDITION VS. BOBBY BROWN

There are so many ways you could go with this one.


“Cool it Now” by New Edition

OR


“On Our Own” by Bobby Brown

ROUND FIVE: CHICAGO VS. PETER CETERA

Can you go wrong with either, really?


“If You Leave Me Now” by Chicago

OR


“The Glory of Love” by Peter Cetera

ROUND SIX: THE FUGEES VS. LAURYN HILL

Would you like a whole refugee camp or just one tough lady?


“Killing Me Softly” by The Fugees

OR


“Everything is Everything” by Lauryn Hill

ROUND SEVEN: THE POLICE VS. STING

Did Sting even age between the two?


“Roxanne” by The Police

OR


“Desert Rose” by Sting (featuring Cheb Mami)

ROUND EIGHT: COMMODORES VS. LIONEL RICHIE

You’ll be dancing on the ceiling of your brick house.


“Easy” by the Commodores

OR


“All Night Long (All Night)” by Lionel Richie

ROUND NINE: THE SMITHS VS. MORRISSEY

Neither are exactly “uppers.”

“There is a Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths

OR


“Suedehead” by Morrissey


And finally…


ROUND TEN (THE KNOCKOUT): THE BEATLES VS. JOHN LENNON

I’m thinking there are some pretty strong opinions on this one.


“And I Love Her” by The Beatles

OR


“Instant Karma” by John Lennon