Wisdom Lost...

It has been an interesting five months or so, my first semester as a regular contributor to the blogosphere. I have had a great time writing about movies, sports, books and the drama of late night television. I would like to thank everyone who has been reading along. Without you, I am just an idiot with an opinion. With you, I am an idiot with an opinion that people read. For that, I am grateful. I will still be blogging from time to time, but there will be some changes in the coming weeks.

First off, I work at a Boy Scout camp in the summer and I will have sporadic internet access for a couple months. I may still post some entries, but not as frequently as I did during the school year.

Also, "The Wise Fool" will undergo a name change in the near future. I thought the blog name was a little cliche (and I only chose it because "The Idiotic Genius" was taken) from the beginning. "Wise fool" is the literal translation of the word "sophomore" which worked while I was still a college sophomore, but continuing to use it would seem like I am trapped in the past. It is important (especially on the Internet, where the future is arriving faster than in the real world) to not get caught up in the "good ole days". I will also getting my wisdom teeth removed tomorrow, and it will be hard to be a wise fool without my wisdom.

The new name for the blog will be "The Ironic Munchkin". This name comes from a conversation I had a few days ago when I was talking about the possibility of remaking The Wizard of Oz. I was wearing a ridiculous pair of brightly colored socks at the time and I did my Lillipop Guild impression and expressed my interest in being a munchkin if that movie were ever remade. The person I was talking to brought up the fact that I am 5'10'' so playing a munchkin would not be practical. To that, I replied that I wanted to be the one ironic munckin who is the size of a normal person (like Buddy from the movie Elf). Who is society to say that I can or cannot do something? As an individual, I have the right to follow my dreams, be they realistic or ridiculous. "The Ironic Munchkin" will be a platform for me to do the very thing I set up a blog to do: put my ideas out there, and hope people read them and think about them. My ideas may not always be practical or useful, but at least I have ideas. Someday, I hope to put my creativity to a constructive use, but until then, I will keep on blogging.

So long for a little while, Internet. I will write to you when I have the time.

Facebook Strives for Internet Domination

This is an article I wrote for my journalism class about the growth of Facebook. I have also used Facebook to my advantage and I expect most of the people who read this post saw it on my profile.

When Mark Zuckerberg created his social networking website in his Harvard University dorm room, nobody had any idea that Facebook would become a life changing social movement in the coming years. First limited to Harvard students, then Boston area colleges, the other Ivy League schools, then Stanford University, Facebook is now available to anyone at least 13 years of age with a working email account. With over 400 million users around the globe, the Facebook phenomenon is one of the most staggering movements in the history of civilization, but how big will it get? And when will it end?

Every time a major event occurs, people’s Facebook statuses spread the word. Facebook has revolutionized the concept of social networking, for better or for worse. In addition to connecting with “friends”, people can connect with bands, athletes, politicians, statements, and other public figures that they “like”. Some celebrities update their own public profiles to connect with their supporters. One good example is President Obama. With over 8 million people publicly supporting, this page provides updates on the president’s plans and agenda to keep people in touch with their government. Although the page is not run by Obama himself, it is run by people who work directly with him.

Before Facebook, people behaved differently. The way people interact on Facebook has perhaps subconsciously had an effect on the way people interact face to face. “Since I joined Facebook, I have felt the need to tell people what my plans are as I get up and walk away. I might only be gone for a few minutes, but I feel like I have to post a status so people do not get worried.” Said high school senior Andrea Bray. With all it does, Facebook impacts more than just the way people act online.

Facebook has had an impact on other modes of mass communication. In February, Facebook users launched a campaign to get Betty White to host an episode of Saturday Night Live, which the 88 year old Golden Girls star had never done in her long career. White’s SNL appearance was a hit, and since then, there has been a new campaign to get Carol Burnett to host the show next season. Another was launched to get Mary Tyler Moore on the show.

A recent change to Facebook was to change the act of “becoming a fan” of a public profile to “liking” it. There was already a “Like” button so people could express their appreciation for someone else’s status without writing out a comment. Now in addition to liking Facebook pages, outside websites have enabled the ability to like articles, links, and videos from all over the internet. By liking it, that web page becomes linked to your personal profile. It appears that Facebook is attempting to become the central site on the internet—the place one goes to navigate through everything else that is going on.

Facebook really has come a long way since the days of a college student trying to connect with his classmates. With the millions and millions of users, confusing and changing privacy settings, and the ability to link almost any web page to a person’s private profile, Facebook is trying to join the hierarchy of powerful and innovative technology companies like General Electric, IBM, Texas Instruments, Microsoft, Apple, and, most recently, Google.

In spite of its continued growth, many people are starting to grow tired of Facebook. Every few months, when Facebook changes the layout of the “news feed”, there is public outcry to change it back, yet most people refuse to deactivate their accounts is they are unhappy with the site. A lot of young people feel that the thrill of social networking is gone once their parents joined Facebook. The applications and the time wasting that Facebook creates are starting to get old for many. “I am just about done with it. If it wasn’t such an easy way to keep in touch with people, I would quit.” said FSC senior Sarah Hovagimian. That is a sentiment shared by a lot of people these days. Facebook will continue to change, and the changes will continue to frustrate the people who think they had it figured out, but they will stay with it until a better product is made available.

New Club Aims to Improve Communication

This is yet another article I wrote for my journalism class. It is about the new Communications Club on the Fitchburg State campus.

One of the largest departments on the FSC campus is the Communications/Media department. Ironically enough, some students have been frustrated with the lack of communication within the Communications department. In an effort to improve this situation, students are starting a club that will try to get everyone on the same page.

The Fitchburg Communications Club is in the process of being a club recognized by the school administration. Led by president Amy Johnson, vice president Laura Bird, and faculty advisor Rob Carr, the club aims to help students connect and make the communications department more available. The plan is to have representatives from all the different concentrations in the department—communication studies, film/video, graphic design, interactive media, photography, and professional communication—and also to make connections with groups like the Film Society and the Falcon Players. Other ideas for the club’s mission include hosting workshops in specific areas of the program with people from outside the school and possibly taking trips. The club is also open to members of the student body who are not majoring in communications.

“We would like to plan year long projects that can get a lot of people involved and help better the school.” Laura Bird said. “One thing we would like to do is get people together to work on improving and updating the Communications department section of the school website.” She added. Making improvements to the site would not only improve the school’s image, but provide practical experience in communications that can be put on a resume. The communications section of the FSC website has not been updated in years and it is ironic that a department which includes interactive media (such as web page design) does not have an up to date website. Communication could be better.

Bird also said that she would like the club to have a “casual but serious” atmosphere where people are involved, but not in high pressure situations. They also want it to be a place where creative people who are not communications majors can still get involved on campus. English majors, for example, could bring their script ideas to the club to connect themselves with film/video students, but anyone with any interest in any of the communications concentrations is welcome to join. “Once again, this club is open to everyone. Tell all your friends.” She said. For more information on the club, there is a Facebook group called “Fitchburg Communications Club” that will be providing updates throughout the summer. The group should be able to give people more information about the club and their plans for next fall when it is made available.

Live from New York, It’s Still Funny after 35 Years!

This is an article I wrote for my journalism class. Enjoy!

Betty White and Jay-Z during the most recent episode of SNL.

This Saturday night, Alec Baldwin will be hosting Saturday Night Live with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performing as the musical guest. In its 35^th season, SNL is still staying fresh and relevant while setting new records for itself.

This season has been one of many milestones on SNL. Celebrating 35 years on the air, the show has changed a lot since the days of Chevy Chase, John Belushi, and Dan Aykroyd, and Al Franken has successfully made the transition from political satirist to U.S. Senator, but the current cast has kept up the tradition of edginess, political satire, absurd characters in zanier situations, and lack of readiness for primetime.

In recent years, the internet has become a medium that he people at SNL have really used to their advantage. Digital shorts like “I’m on a Boat” and “Lazy Sunday” became instant viral hits on the web, and Hulu.com has become a way for fans of the show to still catch up even if they go out on Saturday night or get tired and fall asleep. After a humorous Snicker commercial during the Super Bowl, a campaign on Facebook began to try and get former Golden Girls star Betty White to host the show. Knowing their fan base and understanding how to boost ratings, SNL listened to the internet and booked White to host.

In October, Drew Barrymore set the record for most hosting appearances by a woman with 6 (she still holds the record for youngest host for when she hosted at the age of 7 to promote E.T.). In January, Charles Barkley became the first NBA player to host more than once. The week after that, Sigourney Weaver set the record for the longest gap between hosting appearances when she hosted for the first time since 1986. Just last week, in her first-ever hosting appearance, Betty White became the oldest host in the history of the show at the age of 88. White, paired up with musical guest Jay-Z, hosted a very entertaining, very complete show that featured former SNL cast members Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, and Molly Shannon appearing in nearly every sketch to make it feel like it was 2001 again. They reprised several sketches from earlier in the decade, and the writers wrote so many good ones that several more sketches that were cut after the dress rehearsal were still posted on Hulu the next day, including Rachel Dratch’s famous “Debbie Downer” character.

With Alec Baldwin this week, the show is reaching yet another milestone this season. Baldwin will have hosted 15 times, tying Steve Martin for most hosting appearances by anyone in the history of the show. The 30 Rock star is just as much associated with the show as any famous cast member especially since 30 Rock is loosely based on Tina Fey’s experience as head writer for the show and he plays her NBC executive boss.

In the past, when Baldwin has come close to Martin’s hosting record, they have incorporated sketches involving Martin and Baldwin plotting against each other so one cannot surpass the other. More of the same should be expected. Just because they shared Oscar hosting duties in March, does not mean they will be as willing to share the same page in the SNL history books.

The impact of Saturday Night Live on America is profound. From Chevy Chase’s Gerald Ford impersonations in the 70s to Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin impression, the show has always been at the forefront of political humor. Numerous cast members have gone on to successful gigs in movies or their own TV shows. In the past decade alone, SNL created a bona fide movie star in Will Ferrell, a late night talk show host in Jimmy Fallon, an internet video superstar in Andy Samberg, and Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Amy Poehler, and Molly Shannon all went on to star in primetime sitcoms on NBC after leaving the show. Every couple years, when important cast members leave the show, people wonder how it can possibly go on, but executive producer Lorne Michaels and Co. always manage to keep it going.

Saturday Night Live airs at 11:30 PM ET on NBC.

Fallon Hits His Stride

This is a TV review I wrote for my journalism class. Enjoy!

In the midst of the biggest controversy in the world of late night television in nearly two decades, many jokes were made and many fingers were pointed. As Jay Leno left The Tonght Show, the Conan O’Brien took over, then Leno’s new prime time show bombed, then O’Brien was asked to delay the start of The Tonight Show until after midnight, then O’Brien quit, then Leno returned to his original time slot, then O’Brien left NBC and the network suffered bad public relations, talk show hosts from every other channel were providing some commentary of their own. Throughout all this changing of the networks and personalities of late night, one new guy has quietly gained confidence and respect within the community. And now, he is being rewarded for his recent success by getting the opportunity to host the biggest annual event in celebration of television.

Jimmy Fallon’s talk show career began last year when Conan O’Brien left his Late Night show to head west and take the reins at Tonight. Since then, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon has become a very entertaining hour of TV. The charming, humorous former Saturday Night Live cast member has a great ability to connect with the guests he interviews and the audience members that participate in his games and sketches. Late Night’s new in-house band, The Roots, are an exciting and energetic hip-hop act that is refreshing and completely different from any other late night TV band out there. Fallon keeps the show loose by playing games with contestants like “Battle of the Instant Bands”, where two teams of musicians who have never met have ten minutes back stage to create a band name, an album cover and then perform their new hit song. He also keeps things loose with his celebrity guests by playing games with them. On several occasions, he has challenged guests to a game of beer pong and he has played against people like Kelly Ripa, Sigourney Weaver, and Betty White.

Another quality of Fallon’s that is valuable as an entertainer is his extensive knowledge of TV shows, movies, and music. Whether he is imitating Kate Gosselin’s “Paparazzi” dance from Dancing with the Stars or filming a parody of Glee with rival glee clubs formed by the casts of the different shows at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, or giving a fascinating interview with iconic Pink Floyd singer, bass player, and songwriter Roger Waters, his perceptive view of pop-culture and the entertainment makes the show as interesting as it is hilarious.

After Conan O’Brien left Tonight, Fallon made it very clear that he understands his place in the late night hierarchy. He did not want to take sides in the Jay-Conan controversy or the Jay-Dave (Letterman) rivalry because all of them are comedians that he looks up to. He also said that O’Brien and Letterman, the two previous Late Night hosts, made him realize that hosting that show “is a one-way ticket to not hosting The Tonight Show.” Even if he never gets the 11:30 time slot, he is developing quite a legacy for himself as it is. He is already recognized as one of the great performers to come out of SNL in recent years and it was recently announced that he will be hosting the Primetime Emmy Awards this fall. In 2010, the biggest celebration of TV will be hosted by America’s newest talk show star.

Best Drummers of All Time

Keeping with my music list theme, I have decided to make a top ten list of my favorite drummers of all time. I think I did an okay job of being diverse and having a variety of musical styles included. In most cases, a drummer is only as good as the band in front of them, but some drummers do a great job of enhancing the sound as a whole. I am not sure The Who, for example, would have ever been as big as they were without Keith Moon. Please comment and tell me who I missed or where I messed up the order.

10. Meg White

As the drummer for The White Stripes, Meg has been keeping the steady beat for over a decade now. Their sound is simplistic by nature and her drumming suits the guitar/piano/marimba riffs that front man Jack White plays very well.

9. Max Weinberg

Max Weinberg is the drummer for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and also served as the band leader for The Max Weinberg 7 (briefly renamed Max Weinberg and the Tonight Show Band). When not touring with Springsteen, Weinberg had been seen backing up Conan O'Brien in his two NBC talk shows. Although his future with O'Brien is uncertain, he will always be remembered as the leader of one of the coolest bands in the history of late night television.

8. Ringo Starr

No matter what people say about how good of a drummer he was, Ringo makes this list because he was the drummer for the greatest band ever when they were the greatest band ever. Considered the best actor out of the four Beatles, I remember seeing him as the conductor on Thomas the Tank Engine back in the day.

7. Phil Collins

Singing and drumming at the same time is difficult to say the least, but Phil Collins made it work.

6. Dave Grohl

Before Grohl was the lead singer of The Foo Fighters, he was the drummer for Nirvana. He has been part of two of the most successful bands of the last two decades.

5. Mick Fleetwood

He is the namesake and only member of Fleetwood Mac to be a member for the band's entire existence. He has been the mainstay for decades as the dynamic band wnt through different phases and changes.

4. Questlove

With The Max Weinberg 7 currently off the air, this guy currently keeps the beat for the coolest band in late night television. The Roots have been around for since the 90s, but their gig as the in-house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon has given them a whole new level of exposure, performing on national television five nights a week. Questlove is funny and makes a worthy sidekick for Fallon and the music is tight and different from any other band on TV.

3. Neil Peart

The top three are the hardest. Neil Peart is absolutely amazing as the drummer for Rush. It was really tough trying to decide between these three, but I put him at three because I did not listen to Rush in middle school and the early part of high school as much as I listened to The Who and Led Zeppelin.

2. John Bonham

Bonzo was phenomenal. He was part of a band that was firing on all cylinders with Robert Plant on vocals, Jimmy Page on guitar and John Paul Jones on bass. Bonham's drumming was icing on the cake for Led Zeppelin, but he was awesome.

1. Keith Moon

Keith Moon was the best. Ever. The Who may still be doing concerts today, but it is not the same without him. The Super Bowl halftime show made me upset because they were one of my all time favorite bands, but that was painful to watch. He was replaced by Ringo's kid and it was just never the same.