Sasha Baron Cohen: Genuis or Joke?

Today MSN.com has an article titled, "Is Sasha Baron Cohen Genuis or Gimmick?" that was pretty interesting to read.

Two MSN.com movie reporters debate back and forth the merits of SBC's comedy in general and his new film, Bruno, specifically. The debate was actually surprisingly good.

I've never been an SBC fan--I don't really go for shock jock/gross out/guerilla-style on-the-street comedy. I've never seen the point of the "man on the street" interview-style comedy where they find some stupid mope with underlying issues (racism, homophobia, xenophobia, or some other type of inbred ignorance) and then set them up so the rest of us can laugh at them. What does this accomplish? Those who know that those attitudes and actions are wrong could laugh at (and show disdain and/or contempt) for these people without them being in a movie (and we probably do). And the people who don't know it, won't get the joke. He isn't hightening the collective consciousness of the people (which one of the guys on MSN.com was arguing for). He's going for cheap laughs, very cheap laughs, and I don't find that to be genius. I find it stupid.

My favorite quote from the article was this:

"And frankly, I don't think Cohen's humor is as outrageous as he thinks it is. Sticking a toy car in your anus just to see the X-ray like they did in the "Jackass" movie is outrageous. Divine eating dog poop at the end of "Pink Flamingos" is outrageous. Getting sideswiped by a naked Asian gangster with a crowbar who jumps out of your trunk like in "The Hangover" is outrageous. Setting up a bunch of pompous celebrities or below-average-intelligence people in a controlled environment in which they're almost guaranteed to have a certain anticipated reaction is simply stacking the deck."

Interrupting Our Regularly-Scheduled Programming

I was going to post a blog today about composting, but that will have to wait until tomorrow.


The blog is taking a moment of silence for the undisputed King of Pop. His music, his moves, and his videos are iconic. He will remain infamous, long after his death.


We're also taking a brief break to honor the quintissential "Girl Next Door" who inspired many a young lady to experiment with hair wings. Farrah, you were a classic beauty.

Depressing week on the blog, huh?

Tales of the Absurd

MSN.com posted this content today:

"'I am placing you under citizen's arrest,' a spike-heeled Nicky Hilton announced to the 50 year-old homeless man who allegedly pushed the heiress to the ground at 5 a.m. Saturday morning outside a West Hollywood IHOP.

TMZ first broke the story about the celebutante-turned-fashion-maven's run-in with the law. "One of our deputies was at the IHOP, having a coffee break, and noticed a waitress run outside because there was a commotion," Los Angeles County Police spokesman Steve Whitmore later told Us Magazine.

The magazine went on to report that it took both Hilton and the officer to restrain the man, whose name is Michael Broadhurst.

Hilton was not injured but Broadhurst was arrested for battery and is set to appear in court April 21."

Best Line of the Story?

"Exactly what the rail-thin billionaire was doing at IHOP remains unclear." That's exactly what I was thinking.

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia

Who would have ever thought that Marcia Brady (that picture-perfect representation of future teen models and Davey Jones fans the whole world over) would have traded sex for drugs.

Maureen McCormick released her tell-all book, and it's been setting off some interesting revelations about the life and times of a 70's television icon. Although, the people over at this blog think the book came out about 30 years too late, and the people at Best Week Ever think the book should have been titled Okay, Here’s The Deal: I Was A Child Star, and It Totally Screwed Up My Life, And Now I’m Going To Try And Make One Last Buck Off It, Okay?

How about you... do you think the world needs another "Brady Bunch" expose?

Things Keep Growing

K and/or K, the funniest little blogger this side of the recently re-erected bridge in Minnesota had a fabulous suggestion. She and/or he commented that I should expand my blog empire with another blog, "What Were They Wearing?"

I think that's a great idea... I'll set it up for pictures of celebrity fashion gone wrong (or candid snapshots of silly dressed people on the streets), and the occasional "Doesn't she look amazing/isn't he lick-able in that?" photographs.

I decided to set this up as a group blog, seeing as how I've been a super lame-o lately about posting. (If anyone would like the back-story about me taking the day off of work today to adopt my two dogs out because I've got a heinous neighbor, let me know.)

Check it out by clicking here: "What Were They Wearing?".

Also, you can check out today's Quote of the Day over at "What Was I Watching?"

Re-Post: What Is Better Than Oprah?

This post was originally put on the now defunct "What Was I Thinking?" blog on September 22, 2008. Reposted here for your enjoyment.

For a while I've not been a fan of Oprah Winfrey--the reasons are far too myriad to catalog on this here little blog.

However, far be it from me to tell the fans of the blog-o-sphere that Oprah is not great... that would be stepping over the line. That being said, I'd like to provide you with this little video that demonstrates that Oprah is not the greatest thing in the world (or on the World Wide Information Super-Net):



How do you like them apples, Harpo? Does it sting that you've been out done by a bunch of nerds?

Re-Post: Does This Seriously Count as Sports News?

This post was originally put on the now defunct "What Was I Thinking?" blog on August 20, 2008. Reposted here for your enjoyment.


With all the hullabaloo that is the Olympics, why has FOX Sports denigrated to writing about whether Jessica Simpson or Giselle is the first lady of football? Beyond that, why has MSN chosen to feature this story as the sports clip on their home page? Is there nothing better going on in the world of sports?