Emmy Predictions

Tonight Jimmy Fallon hosts the 62nd Primetime Emmys which for the first time in decades will be aired live for people on the west coast. It’s amazing that NBC is finally treating viewers out here as adults and not delaying the telecast that is filmed right here in our LA backyards. So who’s gonna win?

Outstanding drama series: “Breaking Bad,” “Mad Men” (AMC), “Lost” (ABC), “The Good Wife” (CBS), “Dexter,” (Showtime) and “True Blood” (HBO)
Prediction: “Breaking Bad”
My Pick: “Lost”

Outstanding comedy series: “The Office,” “30 Rock” (NBC), “Glee” (Fox), “Modern Family” (ABC), “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO) and “Nurse Jackie” (Showtime)
Prediction: “Modern Family”
My Pick: “Modern Family”

Lead actor in a drama series: Bryan Cranston ”Breaking Bad”; Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”; Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”; Kyle Chandler, “Friday Night Lights”; Hugh Laurie, “House”; and Matthew Fox, “Lost.”
Prediction: Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
My Pick: Matthew Fox, “Lost”

Outstanding lead actress in a drama series: Mariska Hargitay, “Law & Order: SVU“; Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”; Connie Britton, “Friday Night Lights”; Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”; Glenn Close, “Damages”; and January Jones, “Mad Men.”
Prediction: Connie Britton “Friday Night Lights”
My Pick: N/A I only watch “Mad Men” but don’t think January Jones should win

Lead actor in a comedy series: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”; Steve Carell, “The Office”; Jim Parsons, “Big Bang Theory”; Matthew Morrison, “Glee”; Tony Shalhoub, “Monk”; and Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
Prediction: Jim Parsons, “Big Bang Theory”
My Pick: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”

Lead actress in a comedy series: Amy Poehler, “Parks and Recreation”; Tina Fey, “30 Rock”; Lea Michele, “Glee”; Julia-Louis Dreyfus,” The New Adventures of Old Christine“; Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”; and Toni Collette, “United States of Tara”
Prediction: Tina Fey, “30 Rock”
My Pick: Tina Fey, “30 Rock”

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series: Aaron Paul, “Breaking Bad”; Martin Short, “Damages”; Terry O’Quinn, “Lost”; Michael Emerson, “Lost”; John Slattery, “Mad Men”; Andre Braugher, “Men Of A Certain Age”
Prediction: Aaron Paul, “Breaking Bad”
My Pick: Michael Emerson, “Lost”

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series: Sharon Gless, “Burn Notice”; Rose Byrne, “Damages”;  Archie Panjabi, “The Good Wife”; Christine Baranski, “The Good Wife”; Christina Hendricks, “Mad Men”; Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men”
Prediction: Rose Byrne, “Damages”
My Pick: Christina Hendricks, “Mad Men”

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series: Chris Colfer, “Glee”; Neil Patrick Harris, “How I Met Your Mother”; Jesse Tyler Ferguson, “Modern Family”; Eric Stonestreet, “Modern Family”; Ty Burrell, “Modern Family”; Jon Cryer, “Two And A Half Men”
Prediction: Neil Patrick Harris, “How I Met Your Mother”
My Pick: Ty Burrell, “Modern Family”

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series: Jane Lynch, “Glee”; Julie Bowen, “Modern Family”; Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family”; Kristen Wiig, “Saturday Night Live”; Jane Krakowski, “30 Rock”; Holland Taylor, “Two And A Half Men”
Prediction: Jane Lynch, “Glee”
My Pick: Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family” because she’ll give a crazy acceptance speech

Faux Ghostbusters: Annoying or Cool?

I can’t decide if this is annoying or cool?

A key scene from Ghostbusters was reenacted at the 42nd Street NYC Public Library by Improv Everywhere. Watch as unsuspecting patrons (or were they in on it?) are haunted by a first grader’s version of a ghost and then the Ghostbuster Geek Squad and Glee club dances to the rescue.

If I was there, I’d be done at the 2:00 mark. But I’d definitely take pics and talk about it with friends all week. With all the camera setups this was obviously approved by the library. Why not? It would make a good PSA on the excitement of the library. You can also spot a few ringers in the crowd, like the comb-over guy, but that’s okay for improv/street art.

I don’t want to see your calves

Dudes in summer, I beg you to stop rolling up jeans to show off your calves.

In some situations it’s acceptable to display ankle with “high waters.” Like if you win Lindsay Lohan in a Baccarat bet on a boat in Cannes.

That’s okay, doubly so if you’re French. But not this.

Guys you are not chicks. You shouldn’t buy Capri pants, so why are you turning your skinny jeans into them? You can’t all be bike messengers either.

Cut Your Hair

Stevie Wonder and The Cure’s Robert Smith are among many stars who looked 1000x better in the past. But it was shorter hair, not youth, that was on their side.

Here’s Stevie in 2009 (don’t worry he looks the same in 2010):

And micro-fro Stevie from Soul Train 1975. Who looks more current and hip?

Here’s poor Robert Smith (who at least still sounds great)

And in the mid-80s with a less mopey mop of hair

Not only would his cut fit in today’s world but so would the skinny jeans and high tops

Someone get them an image consultant stat! It’s time to let the long crazy locks go.

I thought artists liked to reinvent themselves and change styles. Robert and Stevie certainly did when they were young. But at some point in the 80s they just stopped trying. Maybe they picked uniforms to remind us of their glory days and to cement their caricatures.

How to Dress at Coachella

Katy Perry is a goddess who seems really fun. I just wish her music was better. But that’s not the point today as she stands as an example for how all girls should dress at Coachella.

Way better than the faux-hippies or bandanna girls that haunt the festival circuit. Katy went with an elegant slave girl look, like something from the days of Rome.

Or maybe to match the Indio sun she’s better described as “desert-chic.” Like Tina Turner in Thunderdome.

(More Katy pics at WWTDD)

Tribute to my Dog

April 17th marks the date my family’s first dog was laid to rest. It was a very long time ago, 18 years to be exact. Enough time to fit many dog’s lifetimes and a huge chunk of my own. His name was Sam, or Sambo most of the time. He was a German Shephard/Husky mix who led an easy, lazy life and got what he wanted. Ah the dog’s life.

Looking through photos of him gave me an idea to make a photo slideshow with music, something I’ve been wanting to learn. Obviously I’m still learning!

It turned out pretty dumb and cheesy but that was my plan going in.

(Why is it so hard to upload videos to WordPress blogs? I had to go through YouTube to embed.)

I Wish He Didn’t Say That

President Obama shoved a foot into his usually guarded mouth when discussing the Tea Parties on tax day. It appears arrogant to be upset that no one thanks you for lower taxes. (Even if it’s true as it was for me.)

“So I’ve been amused in recent days by these people having rallies,” he said to laughter. “I think they should be saying thank you.”

Believe me I’m not down with the Tea Partiers but I am amused how many liberals find them dangerous and/or insane. These are the same people who love anti-war, anti-fur, anti-religion protests. But on the flip side how about conservatives who usually loathe protest movements but are bandwagoning the Tea Parties? Just shows politics in 2010 depends on which team you’re on.

Team Obama Calculates my (Lower) Taxes

I am so glad I opened this email from Team Obama’s “Organizing for America” before I filed my taxes.

It linked to a simple web tool where I answered questions and discovered a $400 credit that most people were eligible to get. I really almost missed it!

PS – Not my real income level. I’m just showing that even high levels of income could have qualified.

I realize that Team Obama wanted to publicize their stimulus bill and have taxpayers think better of his policies. It is politics. Yet before the email I was going file and pay $340 but now I’m getting $60 back. The IRS certainly never would create a tool to realize more savings. Yes the 1040 booklets had info about the $400 credit but worded so dense and confusing that I assumed it didn’t apply to me. I wonder who else could have saved?

More Boot Tucking

Usher on American Idol is another example of guys tucking pants into their boots. Just like the chicks have been doing for years.

A close call but Usher is flirting with the #1 threat to guys who want to tuck in their boots–looking like a chick.

Far be it from me to call Usher feminine. He could kick my ass in seconds! But it’s his choice of tight pants and loose lacing that boot up the estrogen effect.

I know there must be a right way to pull off the look. Outside of being in a militia of course. So I will keep a lookout.

Hollywood Loves Mad Mercenaries

Before Clash of the Titans (2-1/2 stars) I sat through three trailers with identical plots: A crew of misfit mercenaries get shafted by the man and team up for explosive revenge and zippy one-liners.

Deja Vu coming soon! See for yourself in previews and IMDB synopses for The A-Team, The Expendables and The Losers

The A-TEAM – A group of Iraq War veterans looks to clear their name with the U.S. military, who suspect the four men of committing a crime for which they were framed.

THE EXPENDABLES – A group of mercenaries are hired to infiltrate a South American country and overthrow its ruthless dictator. Once the mission begins, the men realize things arent quite as they appear, finding themselves caught in a dangerous web of deceit and betrayal.

THE LOSERS A tale of double cross and revenge, centered upon the members of an elite U.S. Special Forces unit sent into the Bolivian jungle on a search and destroy mission.

Can the box office support all three? I say yes for The A-Team and Expendables but Losers seems like the right title. Derivative film trends like this remind me of how Hollywood went spy crazy in the 60s, mad for slashers in 80s and filled the 00s with reboots, remakes and re-imaginings.

Trends/Pop Culture Presentations

Back in 2006 I carved out a niche for myself within my ad agency and began a series of presentations on trends and pop culture. In this first one I am defending Pop Culture, which often gets a bad rap. Topics include the early days of YouTube, SNL Digital Shorts and MySpace, because Facebook was college only back then. How time flies!

Also from 2006 (so obviously the topics are way dated!) where I took on the moniker of “Pop Culture Bastard” in discussing Video Mash-Ups, celebrity babies, Britney Spears, TV and World Cup 2006 ratings.

This one from May 2006 brings on the “Pop Culture Investigator” side of me in trying to figure out what the 00′s were going to be about. Looking back now maybe it was “the decade of irony” or something like that. I’ll certainly keep investigating.

Oscar Tweets

Someone tweeted that Twitter has killed the live blog. I agree completely since I was Twittering away on Oscar night upchucking my instant reactions. (By the way my Twitter feed is @Chipross) Here’s a pasted collection of tweets from the 82nd Academy Awards. Events occur in backward time.

Between “Point Break” & “Hurt Locker” Kathyrn Bigelow was, you could say, in sort of a dry spell http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000941/ 8:58 PM Mar 7th via web

Of course it’s Bigelow b/c they picked Babs, a director, to present the award 8:55 PM Mar 7th via web

Oscars frontloaded & backloaded good awards with boring middle and too little Martin/Baldwin. Compliments that we want more vs. less of them 8:42 PM Mar 7th via web

Nominee Jeremy Renner played Dahmer, who knew? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285728/ 8:35 PM Mar 7th via web

As if the Oscars weren’t sanctimonious & self-serving enough let’s have celebs tell kiss-ass tales about the nominees. Barfing in my mouth 8:30 PM Mar 7th via web

Michelle Pfeiffer at 50+ makes trolls out of Vera Farminga and Julianne Moore 8:27 PM Mar 7th via web

All of Cameron’s former wives should have introduced “Avatar” instead of Kathy Bates. Good TV & with alimony they have stakes in the game 8:21 PM Mar 7th via web

Fisher Stevens= “Lost’s” George Minkowski who I saw in Oscar audience b/c he produced best documentary winner “The Cove” 8:04 PM Mar 7th via web

Sam Worthington with Jennifer Lopez. Because he’s not paired with odd creatures and makeup enhancements enough! 7:51 PM Mar 7th via web

James Taylor would get dissed by the Idol judges for being pitchy, dog 7:40 PM Mar 7th via web

I snickered last year when Donald Trump told Jesse James that his wife, Sandra Bullock, was one of the top stars. Guess I was wrong 7:39 PM Mar 7th via web

I keep forgetting: Elizabeth Banks is not Rachel McAdams 7:29 PM Mar 7th via web

Explaining the tech behind boring awards only makes it worse 7:24 PM Mar 7th via web

Tribute to horror films will only encourage more bad remakes and reboots 7:23 PM Mar 7th via web

Is Taylor Lautner the secret son of Matt Damon? only in the soaps 7:19 PM Mar 7th via web

RT@DamonLindelof Okay, Cablevision. You win. We’ll tell you what the island is. NOW GIVE THE PEOPLE THEIR ABC!!!!! 2:11 PM Mar 7th via TwitBird iPhone Retweeted by you and 15+ others

Bored now?…just wait for Sound Editing and Sound Mixing awards to come! 7:11 PM Mar 7th via web

Toyota dissed by Steve Martin early on and since then nothing but Hyundai ads 7:05 PM Mar 7th via web

It’s about time! >>First African American writer to ever win an Oscar, Geoffery Fletcher for Precious. Congrats! RT @director_Cherry 7:01 PM Mar 7th via web

Praying that Robin Williams doesnt go into his “black voice” when Mo’nique wins this 6:56 PM Mar 7th via web

Queen Latifah must school all larger women how to dress stat 6:53 PM Mar 7th via web

We need more Martin & Baldwin 6:50 PM Mar 7th via web

Stiller should have tried to hit on (or plug into) Zoe Saldana who was just onstage 6:40 PM Mar 7th via web

@mygeektime But I hate Tony Stark’s goatee. RDJ gets props for wearing Vans but negs for that blue tie 6:35 PM Mar 7th via web in reply to mygeektime

Everyone forgets the Oscars have a really boring middle 2 hours. But maybe they’ll spice it up with some big awards in unusual places 6:11 PM Mar 7th via web

BASTERDS….should win Best Pic but has no chance 12:57 PM Mar 7th via web

More tweets @Chipross

Chris Matthews is Not Racist

I hope this has a short shelf life. Some are calling Chris Matthews’ comments following President Obama’s State of the Union address racist and insensitive.

Referring to the president he said: “I forgot he was black tonight for an hour.”

I don’t spot any obvious racism. Matthews admits not once thinking about the color of the man giving this incredibly long speech. He was colorblind. I thought that was the goal, The Dream of MLK. Only after the speech did Matthews register race. But in a positive way like “Wow we have really evolved since I was a kid.” The problem can’t be the stating of facts, right?–Obama is black and he’s our president?

I’ve read comments like “Matthews said that he has a different expectation of blacks.” Not true. He didn’t say nor imply “great speech…for a black guy”! I believe people who find it racist might be bringing their own issues to the fight or are just oversensitive.

My favorite thread is “If Rush or Hannity said it they’d be crucified.” Not this time. Coming from them it would be a surprising endorsement of Obama. Some of their haters might even applaud them.

Chris Matthews Sets Internet Ablaze Mashable

Obama’s Lucky Tie (Again)

I wasn’t surprised that the president wore a red and white diagonal striped tie for his big speech. It’s his lucky look. I’ve written about it before here and here

This one might be new. I’m pretty sure I haven’t seen it during another big speech. But the hue is the same.

Obama’s Red & White Fashion Show
DNC Acceptance speech
Election Night
Inauguration Day
First Address to Congress Feb 2009
Health Care speech to Congress Sept 2009
State of the Union 2010

Apple Launches the iPad

Steve Jobs (still skinny but we guess healthy?) announced his company’s latest innovation — The iPad. All jokes aside about Maxi Pads I like “iPad” way better than iSlate or many other rumored names.

Everyone refers to it as the “Apple Tablet”–that’s what I really like. I’m kind of sick of the “i–” nomenclature and “tablet” is much better than “pad.”

But I digress, here’s the key info:

Pricing was a surprise in it being relatively low vs. expectations. Though adding 3G costs some. If  like me you have an iPhone in your pocket do you really need it? What about 4G?

- DIMENSIONS: 9.5 inches x 7.5 inches x 0.5 inches

- WEIGHT: 1.5 pounds (1.6 pounds for 3G)

- MEMORY: Three models with 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB solid state hard drives.
- INCLUDES: Accelerometer, Microphone, 30-pin connector, Compass, full capacitive multi-touch, Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11n Wi-Fi, 3G access on higher-end models

I’m into it. But my expectations are in check. It’s not a computer so much as a large iPhone or web surfing device. At this point it couldn’t replace my MacBook on a long day away from home or weekend trip. It helps to have Apps for iWork’s Keynote, Numbers and Pages. But since most workplaces are MS Office there enters the imitations.

In any case it’s a kick ass product that will spawn competitors and new businesses economies. Apple’s hopes are that it changes the way we live and consume media. It certainly is “future cool,” like something we dreamed in the 1990s to have in the far-off 2010′s. I can’t wait for iPad gen 2, 3, etc when its perfected.