Hateful bigotry? Condoning Obesity? Grossed out?

In case you haven’t heard, there’s a stir brewing on the Marie Claire blog and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

Over 1700 comments (at last count).

It started because a blogger took up the issue of whether it was a good idea to show obese people on TV in intimate situations.

I am not even going to begin to debate this one, it’s fascinating.

Just go read it.

Hat tip to Dani Klein for posting this on his Facebook feed.

The Sensitizing of America?

While flipping through the channels last night, I came across a new show on Fox called “More to Love.”

Kind of like the Bachelor in its “search for romance” theme, all of the contestants, however, were “plus-sized women.”

I have to say that I got kind of emotional as I heard their stories of being judged based on their weight. Never having gone on a date or had a boyfriend.

It was really moving.

I was kind of glad to see that a show was focused on helping give these woman a human side and that dating isn’t all about supermodels.

Interestingly enough, the next show I saw was called “Dating in the Dark.”

I only watched for 3 minutes, but the whole idea was that “love could be blind” and that people would interact without actually seeing each other.

Or maybe all of the other reality shows are tired and old by now?

TV Watching...

Image via Wikipedia

It used to be that we all watched the same shows, pretty much. They were a part of the fabric of Americana.

Remember organizing your schedule to be home for Seinfeld of the Cosby Show?

The other day I was at a presentation where the speaker referenced "Lost."

I've heard of it, but never seen it.

You can't assume that anyone is having the same media and entertainment experience that you are having anymore.

Here's my current mix of shows (some just finished):

• Burn Notice
• Trust Me
• Law & Order (CI/SVU), but not religiously
• Top Chef
• Leverage
• Saving Grace
• Modern Marvels
• How Its Made

What's your mix?

Three Rings of Death…

You know the infamous Microsoft “Blue Screen of Death,” right?

Well, the Xbox 360 adds to that lexicon with the ignominious 3 rings of death.

I had heard of the unusually high defect rates for the Xbox 360 console, but, like anyone said: ‘that’s the kind of thing that only happens to other people.”

Wrong!

We got hit.

And, of course, I was out of warranty…or was I?

To Microsoft’s credit, they are extending warranty for 3 years from date of purchase and fixing/shipping free of charge.

No wonder they took a 1 billion dollar hit. Oops, I mean, we (I am a shareholder, full disclosure).

Worse news than not having my Xbox 360 (which doubles as my DVR) for 3 weeks.

An irritated NFO who won’t get to watch (whenever she wants) “So you think you can dance?!”

Not good for me.

Digital TV: PSA

Just in case you haven’t seen it, here is the link to the official government site that hands out the coupons for the set-top converter boxes. https://www.dtv2009.gov/

As you know, all broadcasts go digital next Feb.

What's Your Style?

Was finishing up a workout and came across a show on HGTV called Find Your Style.

With my efforts to become more right-brained, I took the "What's Your Design Style" Quiz.

Good news: My style is Hip.

What's yours?

Would be curious how varied/similar the blog readers are in design style?

Future newscasters...

One of the exhibits at the Minnesota Science Museum allows you to play the role of newscaster.

My two co-anchors hosted the 6 o'clock broadcast last week.

Watching TV...

Interesting conversation today at lunch when somebody made a reference to "My Name Is Earl."

Only thing is...no one else had seen the show.

When I counsel people on presentations, I advise them not to make reference to TV Shows or commercials. You know why? These days, it's not a safe bet that other people have seen it.

The days of "Cheers," "Cosby Show," "Archie Bunker" or whatever (Seinfeld) are gone. That part of common experience just doesn't exist.

So, what are your top 3 TV shows (if you watch at all)?

Mine are

1. Law and Order Criminal Intent (but only the ones with D'Onofrio-I love his Jedi mind warp)
2. ER (yes, still)
3. pretty much anything on the History Channel
4. do sports count? ;-)

New Show...produced by a friend

Called our friend, Marc Guggenheim today (it's his bday!). He's got a new show starting mid-season. Here's the trailer. Thoughts?

Interesting promo. Not sure I'm in the target audience, however :-)