I don't know how to put the effect of my chronic insomnia into words, but my pharmacist (hereinafter referred to as, "Kind Pharmacist") tried to do it for me today. She changed the words to the Emily Dickinson poem "Success is counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed," to "Sleep is counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed."
She articulated how I felt when I found out that I had finally been referred for a sleep study and learned I would be treated with medication that I had been unable to afford. My doctor gave me hope. I was so happy, and ridiculously tearful, that my husband cried, too.
(more later)
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Welcome to the McDonalds of Health Care!
Today I realized that my HMO (or at least the "Physician's Group" who approves my referrals, and the health care group I have to go through to get referrals ...) has less in common with McDonalds than I had previously believed possible. My health care system, after all, is so "fast-food," it's unbelievable that they don't offer a drive-through ... yet; however, it turns out that I was wrong. It turns out that there are glaring differences.
1) Most of the time, major fast food chains at least attempt - to appear - to provide service with a smile. Although my health care group may hire a few rare employees who dare to be different, it seems that as a whole, they provide service with a can't-miss motto of, "You need health care. We don't need you. You bought the HMO plan --- now suck it. Suck it hard!* Service with a smile? There's a McDonalds down the street. Now get going!" I get all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it.
2) Fast food only appears to take forever at the least convenient times. My health group has "forever" down pat. 24/7 they never seem to fail to find the longest possible connection between you and your solution.
3) Fast food doesn't pretend that it's good for your health.
On the other hand, neither fast food nor my health care system always gives you what you paid for. On occasion, they do, but other times you're like, "I would never do that to my body!"
This can be as simple as unintentionally receiving the new Angus burger, or as complicated as my phone message requesting a referral to a sleep disorder clinic - returned days later - as "You got off the sleeping pills, but you'd like a refill now, right?" ("What!?!") And I'm thinking, "'Ref' probably means referral - not refill. Hey! Wait a minute - don't you work at the burger place down the street?"
Finally, if I was mad at McDonald's, I wouldn't be afraid to mention them in my blog - truncating my writing, and cowering as I go - for fear that my sleep clinic referral will be rejected, and my dermatology referral lost. Not so with the Greater (bleep) Group ; )
They scare me. As such, they are being discussed, in broad stokes --- as just one more sad failure of the HMO system.
~Mo-joy
* Chelsea Handler could probably trademark this phrase. ; )
1) Most of the time, major fast food chains at least attempt - to appear - to provide service with a smile. Although my health care group may hire a few rare employees who dare to be different, it seems that as a whole, they provide service with a can't-miss motto of, "You need health care. We don't need you. You bought the HMO plan --- now suck it. Suck it hard!* Service with a smile? There's a McDonalds down the street. Now get going!" I get all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it.
2) Fast food only appears to take forever at the least convenient times. My health group has "forever" down pat. 24/7 they never seem to fail to find the longest possible connection between you and your solution.
3) Fast food doesn't pretend that it's good for your health.
On the other hand, neither fast food nor my health care system always gives you what you paid for. On occasion, they do, but other times you're like, "I would never do that to my body!"
This can be as simple as unintentionally receiving the new Angus burger, or as complicated as my phone message requesting a referral to a sleep disorder clinic - returned days later - as "You got off the sleeping pills, but you'd like a refill now, right?" ("What!?!") And I'm thinking, "'Ref' probably means referral - not refill. Hey! Wait a minute - don't you work at the burger place down the street?"
Finally, if I was mad at McDonald's, I wouldn't be afraid to mention them in my blog - truncating my writing, and cowering as I go - for fear that my sleep clinic referral will be rejected, and my dermatology referral lost. Not so with the Greater (bleep) Group ; )
They scare me. As such, they are being discussed, in broad stokes --- as just one more sad failure of the HMO system.
~Mo-joy
* Chelsea Handler could probably trademark this phrase. ; )
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Privacy? Ha! My Space Stats / Tracking Code
I wanted some vague sense of privacy on MySpace (possibly Facebook) - to know who was visiting my page, etc... So I Googled "track MySpace visitors" and signed up for some appropriate software --- only to find out that it might cost me a decent amount of the privacy I had left.
Right Now, I am trying to sign up for some MySpace stats / tracking code --- for the third time. I've still had no success, but I am pretty sure that the privacy I was trying to protect will likely be violated because I gave out personal information to these three companies.
I didn't expect miracles (I knew these companies made money ... somehow), but I did expect something in exchange for my information, and didn't even get that.
The current company from whom I am trying to obtain tracking code is http://www.whosonmyspace.com/
This is the third company I tried. I was following what appeared to be the list on http://www.tracemyspace.com/profile-track.htm for recommendations. It didn't go so well.
The first company (http://www.myspacetops.com/) offers a "Real Free Myspace Tracker" in their title, but, um ... doesn't appear to do that in reality. I gave them all of my information, on a page that says, "Trust us!" then, ignored the red flags, waited for my password, and logged in to find out the whole story.
In order to "Get a WORKING Myspace Tracker!" I had two options: I could make a "One time donation" of $10 (perhaps they don't understand that "donations" aren't required ... particularly when a product is "free") or enter a promotion code. Now they have a lot of information, and I have ... nada.
After I checked out some of the other tracemyspace.com sites, I realized that this list wasn't probably a great guide for me (obviously!), and went to http://www.trackerlicious.com (I found it independently - but it is on the more questionable part of the tracemyspace.com list).
I input my data at http://www.trackerlicious.com over and over, and, basically, nothing happened (except ... they collected my data).
Finally - in this exercise in profound stupidity - I found Whosonmyspace.com. At this point, I gave up on scrutinizing the Terms of Service (although it was so short that the "red flags" were flying high) and couldn't find any kind of link to a privacy policy (which is probably illegal for a company that caters to residents of CA) ...
I signed up, then even "activated" my "free" account (big joke).
In order to activate a free account with whosonmyspace.com, you appear to be required to pre-register on peeps.com. But apparently, it's okay they never mentioned this in advance 'cuz it, "takes less than 10 seconds!"
(http://mo-joy.blogspot.com/2008/06/privacy-ha-my-space-stats-tracking.html)
So, I click on the peeps.com link, and...How nice of them! All of my personal information is transferred over (name, date of birth, email, country, zip and gender --- they got that wrong, great ; ) I can't wait for the Viagra ads. Ugh!).
Apparently, this is a great opportunity for me, though... because, Peeps is "Hittin the web SUMMER 2008!" and I don't have to "Miss Out!" because I will be on "the Pre-Launch VIP Guestlist ...VIP Spots remaining: 496,453." So I register... anyway...
I go back to http://www.whosonmyspace.com to get my code (this is actually the second try on this site) ... but nothing has happened. I have no code, and essentially no Privacy or dignity left.
I click on "Contact / Need Help?" and find out that I would, apparently, have to give this awful company even more information to get what I thought I had - now - "purchased" (with the information I just gave them).
It says "Can't get the code to work? Having problems getting it up? Have another bug to report or have comments or feedback? Feel free to message one of us on AIM with your Whos on Myspace username and your Myspace url and I'll get back to you!" There are four AOL-related links, and a broken link to an "online detector."
I would have a minuscule amount of hope that I could (at least) ask for compliance with laws and/or ISP regulations, but then I look up the domain registrant information. In case you, too, have had problems with this company, here is the domain contact information for whosonmyspace.com:
If anyone finds a great MySpace Stats company, please let me know...
; )
Right Now, I am trying to sign up for some MySpace stats / tracking code --- for the third time. I've still had no success, but I am pretty sure that the privacy I was trying to protect will likely be violated because I gave out personal information to these three companies.
I didn't expect miracles (I knew these companies made money ... somehow), but I did expect something in exchange for my information, and didn't even get that.
The current company from whom I am trying to obtain tracking code is http://www.whosonmyspace.com/
This is the third company I tried. I was following what appeared to be the list on http://www.tracemyspace.com/profile-track.htm for recommendations. It didn't go so well.
The first company (http://www.myspacetops.com/) offers a "Real Free Myspace Tracker" in their title, but, um ... doesn't appear to do that in reality. I gave them all of my information, on a page that says, "Trust us!" then, ignored the red flags, waited for my password, and logged in to find out the whole story.
In order to "Get a WORKING Myspace Tracker!" I had two options: I could make a "One time donation" of $10 (perhaps they don't understand that "donations" aren't required ... particularly when a product is "free") or enter a promotion code. Now they have a lot of information, and I have ... nada.
After I checked out some of the other tracemyspace.com sites, I realized that this list wasn't probably a great guide for me (obviously!), and went to http://www.trackerlicious.com (I found it independently - but it is on the more questionable part of the tracemyspace.com list).
I input my data at http://www.trackerlicious.com over and over, and, basically, nothing happened (except ... they collected my data).
Finally - in this exercise in profound stupidity - I found Whosonmyspace.com. At this point, I gave up on scrutinizing the Terms of Service (although it was so short that the "red flags" were flying high) and couldn't find any kind of link to a privacy policy (which is probably illegal for a company that caters to residents of CA) ...
I signed up, then even "activated" my "free" account (big joke).
In order to activate a free account with whosonmyspace.com, you appear to be required to pre-register on peeps.com. But apparently, it's okay they never mentioned this in advance 'cuz it, "takes less than 10 seconds!"
(http://mo-joy.blogspot.com/2008/06/privacy-ha-my-space-stats-tracking.html)
So, I click on the peeps.com link, and...How nice of them! All of my personal information is transferred over (name, date of birth, email, country, zip and gender --- they got that wrong, great ; ) I can't wait for the Viagra ads. Ugh!).
Apparently, this is a great opportunity for me, though... because, Peeps is "Hittin the web SUMMER 2008!" and I don't have to "Miss Out!" because I will be on "the Pre-Launch VIP Guestlist ...VIP Spots remaining: 496,453." So I register... anyway...
I go back to http://www.whosonmyspace.com to get my code (this is actually the second try on this site) ... but nothing has happened. I have no code, and essentially no Privacy or dignity left.
I click on "Contact / Need Help?" and find out that I would, apparently, have to give this awful company even more information to get what I thought I had - now - "purchased" (with the information I just gave them).
It says "Can't get the code to work? Having problems getting it up? Have another bug to report or have comments or feedback? Feel free to message one of us on AIM with your Whos on Myspace username and your Myspace url and I'll get back to you!" There are four AOL-related links, and a broken link to an "online detector."
I would have a minuscule amount of hope that I could (at least) ask for compliance with laws and/or ISP regulations, but then I look up the domain registrant information. In case you, too, have had problems with this company, here is the domain contact information for whosonmyspace.com:
If anyone finds a great MySpace Stats company, please let me know...
; )
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Confessions of My iPod ... or, The Reason I Still Vote for Jason Castro (American Idol)
Granted: Jason Castro may not be the best performer on American Idol - at least, not for a while. At his worst, he may even conjure up memories of Sanjaya in his seeming apathy to feedback. And, finally, at times, he does appear to be more well lit than a spring break field trip to a Grateful Dead concert in Berkeley.
That said: My iPod is filled with songs by Jason Castro. It seems rather impervious to his foibles, and just knows what I want to hear. I've downloaded songs by other contestants, but Castro's songs seem to out-number and out-last most of them.
According to my iPod: Castro is coming in at number one; David Cook is in second place; Archuleta is in third (along with some contestants who have been voted off), and Syesha Mercado's music is nowhere to be found.
Certainly, that line-up has less to do with the talent of the contestants, their performances, or even their popularity (as I see it - although he brings a lot of humor to the show), than it does with music choices that I like. It has nothing to do with who "deserves" (whatever that means) to win a contest like American Idol. It simply has to do with the CD I'm most likely to go out and buy...and, therefore, the CD that I want to assure will be made.
I'd rather listen to Jack Johnson than Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey. I'd take Bob Dylan over anything that sounds like N'SYNC or The Backstreet Boys; and, although I love Daughtry's music (and voted for him a ton of times), I still find more Ani DiFranco on my iPod.
I have no idea if an artist like Jack Johnson (or Colbie Caillat - another favorite), would have fared better than Jason Castro when tasked with singing the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber on American Idol ("[Mum and dad's wedding]..." I know; "Old glamorpuss..." I know; "[Totally inappropriate song choice]"...I know!) and I couldn't care less (besides, I love the song). I'm just glad these artists make CDs / have songs on iTunes, so that I can buy them!
Truly --- Would Taylor Hicks have won, if all the people who voted for him had to swear to buy all of his upcoming CDs? Would he have beat Daughtry if the voters really cared about which music they might actually purchase after the "Soul Patrol" stopped dominating T/W night TV?
What is entertaining on American Idol isn't always representative of the music people actually purchase after the season ends...and I want Jason Castro (and David Cook) to put out CDs! ... which leads me to the other contestants...
Syesha Mercado:
I totally empathized with her last night. She appeared so genuinely affected by the music (and comments) that it allayed my temporary skepticism (Is she taking a cue from Clinton?), and my heart went out to her. She may be - finally "coming into her own" as an artist; and she has certainly grown as a contestant. I just don't think I'd buy her CD...not yet.
She still seems like one more talented person who wants to be Whitney or Mariah, but hasn't really distinguished her voice as a recording artist. She may do really well in musical theater, or find her voice as an artist, but I'm just not compelled to listen to her --- at this point. Most of the time, I really don't hear anything new.
David Cook:
In total contrast --- David Cook is all about new ...
to the point that I thought it may have undermined his performance of "Baba O'Riley" last night...
to the point that he actually made me understand the lyrics to "Billie Jean" (ugh) ...
to the point that I thought, "Hey! Now that you've helped us to understand lyrics we never wanted to know --- and given meaning to a song by an artist we try to forget (Of course she's not his lover! And I don't care whose kid it is, as long as you keep him/her away from Michael Jackson!) --- Why not go "super-cutting edge" and slow down "She Bop," or "The Reflex," or "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,"or any number of 80s song with lyrics we were, generally, not intended to contemplate on deeper levels?
I get it ... "New"... "Cutting-Edge" ... "Shake it up!" ... which was really interesting back in the day when it seemed inspired. I think Cook was one of the first artists (at least this season) to really add his own take to songs. Lots of people loved "Hello" --- because it seemed like he actually did "update it" and "make it his own."
What happened? Of course, it's obvious --- "New...blah, blah, blah..." is the expectation...and it makes it all seem formulaic and contrived (at times). It doesn't always seem like "his voice" anymore, and I really like his voice!
Thankfully, it looks like we'll probably get to hear it when this contest is over ... no matter which David wins.
David Archuleta:
If I was still a wedding DJ, I'd probably buy every album he put out. I have no doubt he will release a CD (or many), and no doubt they'll be bought.
And, I admit: I cried right along with Paula to his rendition of "Imagine" (It's still on my iPod). I thought it was brilliant and sincere...and very hopeful for the future.
Then came another sincere, motivational song...a brief break for the Beatles mishap...and on to fame sincerely selling whatever America's buying (with a beautiful voice to boot).
Perhaps it's because I had just finished watching the Democratic primaries before American Idol last night, but I thought, "Hey! He'd be really great opening for Obama on tour!" ; )
They're both selling the same intense (and sometimes heart-breaking) sincerity, and they're both doing a great job. My only question (in both cases) is: How much is selling, and how much is sincere? Maybe all...Maybe none, but sincerity (and talent) seem to be key ingredients to both of their successes.
I remember the week Archuleta sang "You're the Voice," and Simon expressed disbelief in the thought that Archuleta had selected that song. I immediately expressed my own disbelief that Simon got it SO wrong that time (I'm not a fan of Simon's, but he's seemed to be pretty right this season...too hard on Carly, but, generally, right).
It was so clear that Archuleta was continuing the message that he either cares about, or found successful, with "Imagine," --- the same message he tried to continue with "Another Day in Paradise." More often than not lyrics seem relevant to his song choice (and are, in fact, pretty on point for most political rallies - at least those that espouse love and peace).
I really like the lyrics. I'm not sold on the thought that he does (I think he would be capable of the same sincerity if he was singing about Purina Cat Chow), but it's a nice thought, and he may. Brilliant marketing - either way - and he has such a beautiful voice. He may win. I think one of the David's probably deserves to win (they've both fought for it - consistently)...
...but I'm still unlikely to buy more than a few Archuleta singles, and I doubt I'll own an Archuleta CD for a very long time.
That said: I have all the faith in the world that teenagers and grandparents (as speculated on the web) and Natasha Bedingfield will be more than happy to fill the void.
...so... back to the "old Glamorpuss" ; )
Jason Castro:
Even though - at times - his song choices have been bizarre (Why? Memory? You're like 20 ... the only "stale cold smell of morning" is probably from your dorm room pizza! --- But it is a great song. I liked it at 20, also ...).
In fact, I've liked almost every song he picked.
I love the musicians who seem to influence him, and I liked his take on "Hallelujah" better than Buckley's version or Cohen's original. I've downloaded almost all of his performances, and they actually stay on my iPod.
Certainly, there is an argument to be made that he may not "deserve" to win, or even to stick around for another week (results tonight) --- because he doesn't really appear, at times, to care...
But I don't care, and my iPod doesn't care. All we care about is that Jason Castro sticks around long enough to secure a "record deal" of some kind.
My sense of fairness, and competition, may be saying, "Vote for Archuleta or Cook," but my iPod keeps urging, "Vote for Castro. I really want that CD."
That said: My iPod is filled with songs by Jason Castro. It seems rather impervious to his foibles, and just knows what I want to hear. I've downloaded songs by other contestants, but Castro's songs seem to out-number and out-last most of them.
According to my iPod: Castro is coming in at number one; David Cook is in second place; Archuleta is in third (along with some contestants who have been voted off), and Syesha Mercado's music is nowhere to be found.
Certainly, that line-up has less to do with the talent of the contestants, their performances, or even their popularity (as I see it - although he brings a lot of humor to the show), than it does with music choices that I like. It has nothing to do with who "deserves" (whatever that means) to win a contest like American Idol. It simply has to do with the CD I'm most likely to go out and buy...and, therefore, the CD that I want to assure will be made.
I'd rather listen to Jack Johnson than Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey. I'd take Bob Dylan over anything that sounds like N'SYNC or The Backstreet Boys; and, although I love Daughtry's music (and voted for him a ton of times), I still find more Ani DiFranco on my iPod.
I have no idea if an artist like Jack Johnson (or Colbie Caillat - another favorite), would have fared better than Jason Castro when tasked with singing the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber on American Idol ("[Mum and dad's wedding]..." I know; "Old glamorpuss..." I know; "[Totally inappropriate song choice]"...I know!) and I couldn't care less (besides, I love the song). I'm just glad these artists make CDs / have songs on iTunes, so that I can buy them!
Truly --- Would Taylor Hicks have won, if all the people who voted for him had to swear to buy all of his upcoming CDs? Would he have beat Daughtry if the voters really cared about which music they might actually purchase after the "Soul Patrol" stopped dominating T/W night TV?
What is entertaining on American Idol isn't always representative of the music people actually purchase after the season ends...and I want Jason Castro (and David Cook) to put out CDs! ... which leads me to the other contestants...
Syesha Mercado:
I totally empathized with her last night. She appeared so genuinely affected by the music (and comments) that it allayed my temporary skepticism (Is she taking a cue from Clinton?), and my heart went out to her. She may be - finally "coming into her own" as an artist; and she has certainly grown as a contestant. I just don't think I'd buy her CD...not yet.
She still seems like one more talented person who wants to be Whitney or Mariah, but hasn't really distinguished her voice as a recording artist. She may do really well in musical theater, or find her voice as an artist, but I'm just not compelled to listen to her --- at this point. Most of the time, I really don't hear anything new.
David Cook:
In total contrast --- David Cook is all about new ...
to the point that I thought it may have undermined his performance of "Baba O'Riley" last night...
to the point that he actually made me understand the lyrics to "Billie Jean" (ugh) ...
to the point that I thought, "Hey! Now that you've helped us to understand lyrics we never wanted to know --- and given meaning to a song by an artist we try to forget (Of course she's not his lover! And I don't care whose kid it is, as long as you keep him/her away from Michael Jackson!) --- Why not go "super-cutting edge" and slow down "She Bop," or "The Reflex," or "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,"or any number of 80s song with lyrics we were, generally, not intended to contemplate on deeper levels?
I get it ... "New"... "Cutting-Edge" ... "Shake it up!" ... which was really interesting back in the day when it seemed inspired. I think Cook was one of the first artists (at least this season) to really add his own take to songs. Lots of people loved "Hello" --- because it seemed like he actually did "update it" and "make it his own."
What happened? Of course, it's obvious --- "New...blah, blah, blah..." is the expectation...and it makes it all seem formulaic and contrived (at times). It doesn't always seem like "his voice" anymore, and I really like his voice!
Thankfully, it looks like we'll probably get to hear it when this contest is over ... no matter which David wins.
David Archuleta:
If I was still a wedding DJ, I'd probably buy every album he put out. I have no doubt he will release a CD (or many), and no doubt they'll be bought.
And, I admit: I cried right along with Paula to his rendition of "Imagine" (It's still on my iPod). I thought it was brilliant and sincere...and very hopeful for the future.
Then came another sincere, motivational song...a brief break for the Beatles mishap...and on to fame sincerely selling whatever America's buying (with a beautiful voice to boot).
Perhaps it's because I had just finished watching the Democratic primaries before American Idol last night, but I thought, "Hey! He'd be really great opening for Obama on tour!" ; )
They're both selling the same intense (and sometimes heart-breaking) sincerity, and they're both doing a great job. My only question (in both cases) is: How much is selling, and how much is sincere? Maybe all...Maybe none, but sincerity (and talent) seem to be key ingredients to both of their successes.
I remember the week Archuleta sang "You're the Voice," and Simon expressed disbelief in the thought that Archuleta had selected that song. I immediately expressed my own disbelief that Simon got it SO wrong that time (I'm not a fan of Simon's, but he's seemed to be pretty right this season...too hard on Carly, but, generally, right).
It was so clear that Archuleta was continuing the message that he either cares about, or found successful, with "Imagine," --- the same message he tried to continue with "Another Day in Paradise." More often than not lyrics seem relevant to his song choice (and are, in fact, pretty on point for most political rallies - at least those that espouse love and peace).
I really like the lyrics. I'm not sold on the thought that he does (I think he would be capable of the same sincerity if he was singing about Purina Cat Chow), but it's a nice thought, and he may. Brilliant marketing - either way - and he has such a beautiful voice. He may win. I think one of the David's probably deserves to win (they've both fought for it - consistently)...
...but I'm still unlikely to buy more than a few Archuleta singles, and I doubt I'll own an Archuleta CD for a very long time.
That said: I have all the faith in the world that teenagers and grandparents (as speculated on the web) and Natasha Bedingfield will be more than happy to fill the void.
...so... back to the "old Glamorpuss" ; )
Jason Castro:
Even though - at times - his song choices have been bizarre (Why? Memory? You're like 20 ... the only "stale cold smell of morning" is probably from your dorm room pizza! --- But it is a great song. I liked it at 20, also ...).
In fact, I've liked almost every song he picked.
I love the musicians who seem to influence him, and I liked his take on "Hallelujah" better than Buckley's version or Cohen's original. I've downloaded almost all of his performances, and they actually stay on my iPod.
Certainly, there is an argument to be made that he may not "deserve" to win, or even to stick around for another week (results tonight) --- because he doesn't really appear, at times, to care...
But I don't care, and my iPod doesn't care. All we care about is that Jason Castro sticks around long enough to secure a "record deal" of some kind.
My sense of fairness, and competition, may be saying, "Vote for Archuleta or Cook," but my iPod keeps urging, "Vote for Castro. I really want that CD."
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Fox News Demographic: Some Diseased, Crazy, Old Prostitute.
Alright, to be fair - a prostitute may not be Fox's overall target demographic; however, "some diseased, crazy, old prostitute, who lives in tenement housing with 10 Hell’s Angels, who pass her around like an hors d'oeuvre tray," is the March 26, 2008 host-stated demographic of Fox's attempt at politically incorrect, late-night programming: "Red Eye."
In response to viewer mail, tonight, the host, Greg Gutfeld, blathered,
"Joe, you asked who the other 11 viewers are who watch the show, and that’s an excellent question. I actually did some research --- turns out it’s some diseased, crazy, old prostitute, who lives in tenement housing with 10 Hell’s Angels, who pass her around like an hors doeuvre tray. Anyway, Mother’s Day is only a few months away, so send her a card.”
This was moments before telling another, seemingly unhappy, viewer that three people from the show were planning to visit the viewer’s state and “…bang [his] wife.”
Posted at: http://www.youtube.com/MoJoy08
If you look for Red Eye clips on YouTube (the demographic of which Fox is apparently trying to befriend), you'll find middle-America-friendly titles like, "...'Ma and Pa Reacha*,'""...Dirty Introductions,""... 'But* Burglary,'""... 'I'd kill a b*!'" and so on...
Surely a News network like Fox must be familiar with phrases like, "alienating your base," right? Or, perhaps this one sick show is their attempt to become "fair and balanced" --- not politically balanced, to be sure...religiously balanced.
Cater to the religious right on one hand - totally offend them, mindlessly, on the other? Why isn't it the new great thing (the host seems to think he is...)?
I'm just thinking that the majority of Fox viewers – like my parents – are, maybe, unaware that Fox is no more adverse to pandering to the lowest common denominator than Eliot Spitzer is to prostitution...with about as much integrity.
It's not that Fox viewers aren't accustomed to being misled by now...I mean: they watch Fox (complete with the "No Spin Zone") need I say more? It's just that they usually do a better job of pretending.
Personally, I'm more offended by the network than the show. The show is just crass, and without much real value.
While the host and guests make the occasionally interesting, news-related observation, it's just not the Republican version of Politically Incorrect (or Real Time w/ Bill Maher) to which it seems to aspire. It is certainly as politically incorrect, but no where near as funny, or intelligent.
The bottom line: If I want my news delivered with (bad) prostitute jokes and orgasm puns, I'll tune in to Real Time (better jokes), or Saturday Night Live (far better jokes). If I want to be offended by someone conservative, Anne Coulter has books, and a website; and, well, she speaks ... a lot (and - if you're not all that easily offended, it is far easier to see her intellect).
Red Eye is just not interesting enough to make it worth the 12 year-old, self-aggrandizing, bawdy humor ... and the man behind the curtain at Fox might want to start to "[Not] Spin" his way out of this.
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