The problem with people who think they need to get offended about anything and everything is that somehow they end up getting into positions where they can verbally regurgitate their sentiments to the world. Here are two stories of glorified soapbox abusers. Enjoy.
First off, we have the woman that came pretty close to becoming the vice president of theses United States (shudder), Mrs. Sarah Palin. She just seems to LOVE controversy and getting bent out of shape at the drop of the hat as can be seen by her reaction to the latest episode of Family Guy. In the episode, Chris Griffin goes on a date with a girl who has downs syndrome. When he asks her about what her parents do, she says her mother is the former governor of Alaska. Yeah, that's it. No names mentioned, nothing past that.
But stop the presses and hold all my calls! Family guy makes a crack on a person that uses her family for her own personally gain all the time? HOW DARE THEY! She even uses one of her kids to make a rebuttal. Apparently Bristol (Palin's daughter, you know, the one that got pregnant when she was 17) said. "If the writers of a particularly pathetic cartoon show thought they were being clever in mocking my brother and my family yesterday, they failed". If the Palins are going to complain, why don't they actually complain about the fact that Family Guy had a song about going on a date with a down syndrome girl in that same episode or any other minority/disadvantaged/everyone in the world that they go after on a week to week basis. Two seconds of dialogue where they mention "the former Governor of Alaska" doesn't mean you have to make yourself out to be a martyr.
And our second tale comes to us from this years Winter Olympics. Nate Holland of the US Snowboard team has a problem that he needs to share. The Canadian snowboard team had the gull to show up to the winter games with, dare we say, tighter then usual snowboard pants! “It’s the integrity of the sport. I’m a snowboarder through and through, and boardercross is a freestyle snowboarder’s race. I think it should stay that way.” says Holland about this mockery of snowboard fashion. "I think the problem we have now is the emo look," he told the New York Times, "and people trying to use that as an excuse for wearing tight clothing." He went on to say that the trim pants betray the anti-establishment culture that birthed snowboard cross.
Come on Nate. You are snowboarding for the Olympics. Nations against nations, teams against teams. It's as establishment as you can get. Plus the fact that you have Nike, Microsoft, and Visa endorsements totally kills any kind "anti-establishment" line you can spin. Who gives a crap if another country is wearing slightly tighter pants! Pay attention to your riding and maybe you can actually win a medal this year. And who the hell are you to talk anyway when you are wearing a uniform that is supposed to look like worn out jeans and flannels!
This is Josh Price saying, "Keep your mouth shut you overpaid hacks."
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
I'm full. No need for seconds...
"We might be persuaded. We'll have to see how much money the movie makes first." These are the words of one James Cameron discussing a SEQUEL(!) and possibly a third installment to Avatar. All I can say is ARE YOU KIDDING ME!
Don't get me wrong, I liked Avatar. But first off, I feel that the add campaign lied to me when it said that it would change the way that I watch movies. It had an OK story and yes the effects were really good. But it was still a full of lame one liners and political overtones, not to mention the 3 hours it filled that could have been done in less then two.
But does the success that this movie has seen mean that we need to bleed this monster dry? I thought it ended on a good point. Nothing was really left open, everything was answered. It was done. So why possibly butcher the first movie by making a second or third addition? Why is it that when something makes some money, they have to run it into the ground.
And as for the quote that I put at the outset of this post, is it just me or does that sound incredibly condescending? I can't tell what he's trying to say. I am sure that Mr. Cameron knows full well that this movie has already made more then 2 BILLION dollars. "Persuaded"? "Makes enough money"? What do you want James? And he is also "meetings with technology whizzes to see how they can push the boundaries of film making even further". Maybe spend a little more time polishing your script BEFORE you rely on the spectacle of your visual effects.
This is Josh Price for Let's Just Be Friends
Don't get me wrong, I liked Avatar. But first off, I feel that the add campaign lied to me when it said that it would change the way that I watch movies. It had an OK story and yes the effects were really good. But it was still a full of lame one liners and political overtones, not to mention the 3 hours it filled that could have been done in less then two.
But does the success that this movie has seen mean that we need to bleed this monster dry? I thought it ended on a good point. Nothing was really left open, everything was answered. It was done. So why possibly butcher the first movie by making a second or third addition? Why is it that when something makes some money, they have to run it into the ground.
And as for the quote that I put at the outset of this post, is it just me or does that sound incredibly condescending? I can't tell what he's trying to say. I am sure that Mr. Cameron knows full well that this movie has already made more then 2 BILLION dollars. "Persuaded"? "Makes enough money"? What do you want James? And he is also "meetings with technology whizzes to see how they can push the boundaries of film making even further". Maybe spend a little more time polishing your script BEFORE you rely on the spectacle of your visual effects.
This is Josh Price for Let's Just Be Friends
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Is That A Tumor Or Did You Always Have A 10 lb. Chin?
First off, a bit of housekeeping...
Josh and I apologize for the absence of any activity both on the blog and on and podcast. The holiday season was quite busy for both of us, and as we have said in previous episodes, we think that it’s important for us to not force an episode or a blog post. Let’s Just Be Friends is absolutely a source of stress relief and fun for us, and we never want it to be work. That being said, we have some great ideas for features on the shows for the near future. Once Josh returns from his glorious trip from the Pacific Northwest, we will immediately begin the planning process of implementing these ideas into some podcast delight.
Now, for the main point of this blog post: The Leno V. O’Brien debacle.
Being a huge fan of Conan, I am outraged at NBC. This network has made truly bad decisions before, and this will be remembered as one of the biggest. After only seven months, they have decided to move him to a later time, giving Leno the 11:35 time slot.
For those who do not know, the ‘Tonight Show’ has always aired immediately after the local news. As Conan rightfully stated in his open letter, moving it to a later time would destroy the show and it would not be the same ‘Tonight Show’ that has existed for 60 years. Additionally, Conan refuses to move the show because it would knock the ‘Late Night’ show back out of it’s long held time slot, thereby screwing over Jimmy Fallon. As a result, Conan is going to give up the show, and let NBC murder the ‘Tonight Show’ on their own.
Why is it that the executives at NBC are incapable of realizing that they should not mess with what has been a solid franchise in the network’s history? Also, why is it that T.V. executives (not just NBC) never want to develop any shows anymore?
Conan was given seven months. That is not ample time to turn Leno fans into O’Brien fans. Also, Conan had to deal with the ratings vacuum that the ‘Jay Leno Show’ was creating. Harmelin Media did a research study that revealed Jay Leno’s horrible show was causing local NBC stations have an average of 25 percent drop in their newscasts. In major markets, the drop was even bigger: 48 percent in New York, 43 percent in Los Angeles, and 47 percent in Philadelphia. That audience drop surely had a huge affect on the ‘Tonight Show’ ratings.
So, a logical solution would be to rid the airwaves of the tumor that is Jay Leno, would it not? Apparently not. They think that moving Leno back to his original time would be better. Maybe NBC wants to corner the market on comedic abortions that is Jay Leno’s jokes and writing.
As of January 19th, it is reported that Conan is close to signing an exit deal with NBC worth $40 million. The deal would also give his employees a decent severance pay (which maybe they can use to once again relocate their families, since all of them moved out to L.A. to do a show for seven months...).
Leno talked about “his point of view” on his show the other day. If you haven’t read this, don’t. It’s utter crap, considering that Leno was the one who said he would give up the show in 2009 when he really did not have to. Leno said he wanted to retire and not do the ‘Tonight Show’ into his 60’s and blah blah blah whatever. Instead of having the decency to say no to the NBC jerks that want to move Conan, and just retiring with his millions upon millions of dollars, he goes along with it as if he doesn’t have a choice.
This is what bothers me the most. Our generation was so close to having “our guy” in a show that has become a staple of late night. Finally, a show that reflected the comedic style of our generation, with jokes that are actually funny and bits that are entertaining.
We are seeing what has become a pattern in American television: the suppression of the fresh, bright, and cunning for the tired, hackneyed, and stale. Right before our eyes, we are seeing the truly better man fall to the wayside.
I hope Conan ends up in a position where he can create a show he can be proud of and have the success that he truly deserves.
And I hope NBC is not around to see it.
- the guy who hates everything about NBC except for 30 Rock - Ryan
Josh and I apologize for the absence of any activity both on the blog and on and podcast. The holiday season was quite busy for both of us, and as we have said in previous episodes, we think that it’s important for us to not force an episode or a blog post. Let’s Just Be Friends is absolutely a source of stress relief and fun for us, and we never want it to be work. That being said, we have some great ideas for features on the shows for the near future. Once Josh returns from his glorious trip from the Pacific Northwest, we will immediately begin the planning process of implementing these ideas into some podcast delight.
Now, for the main point of this blog post: The Leno V. O’Brien debacle.
Being a huge fan of Conan, I am outraged at NBC. This network has made truly bad decisions before, and this will be remembered as one of the biggest. After only seven months, they have decided to move him to a later time, giving Leno the 11:35 time slot.
For those who do not know, the ‘Tonight Show’ has always aired immediately after the local news. As Conan rightfully stated in his open letter, moving it to a later time would destroy the show and it would not be the same ‘Tonight Show’ that has existed for 60 years. Additionally, Conan refuses to move the show because it would knock the ‘Late Night’ show back out of it’s long held time slot, thereby screwing over Jimmy Fallon. As a result, Conan is going to give up the show, and let NBC murder the ‘Tonight Show’ on their own.
Why is it that the executives at NBC are incapable of realizing that they should not mess with what has been a solid franchise in the network’s history? Also, why is it that T.V. executives (not just NBC) never want to develop any shows anymore?
Conan was given seven months. That is not ample time to turn Leno fans into O’Brien fans. Also, Conan had to deal with the ratings vacuum that the ‘Jay Leno Show’ was creating. Harmelin Media did a research study that revealed Jay Leno’s horrible show was causing local NBC stations have an average of 25 percent drop in their newscasts. In major markets, the drop was even bigger: 48 percent in New York, 43 percent in Los Angeles, and 47 percent in Philadelphia. That audience drop surely had a huge affect on the ‘Tonight Show’ ratings.
So, a logical solution would be to rid the airwaves of the tumor that is Jay Leno, would it not? Apparently not. They think that moving Leno back to his original time would be better. Maybe NBC wants to corner the market on comedic abortions that is Jay Leno’s jokes and writing.
As of January 19th, it is reported that Conan is close to signing an exit deal with NBC worth $40 million. The deal would also give his employees a decent severance pay (which maybe they can use to once again relocate their families, since all of them moved out to L.A. to do a show for seven months...).
Leno talked about “his point of view” on his show the other day. If you haven’t read this, don’t. It’s utter crap, considering that Leno was the one who said he would give up the show in 2009 when he really did not have to. Leno said he wanted to retire and not do the ‘Tonight Show’ into his 60’s and blah blah blah whatever. Instead of having the decency to say no to the NBC jerks that want to move Conan, and just retiring with his millions upon millions of dollars, he goes along with it as if he doesn’t have a choice.
This is what bothers me the most. Our generation was so close to having “our guy” in a show that has become a staple of late night. Finally, a show that reflected the comedic style of our generation, with jokes that are actually funny and bits that are entertaining.
We are seeing what has become a pattern in American television: the suppression of the fresh, bright, and cunning for the tired, hackneyed, and stale. Right before our eyes, we are seeing the truly better man fall to the wayside.
I hope Conan ends up in a position where he can create a show he can be proud of and have the success that he truly deserves.
And I hope NBC is not around to see it.
- the guy who hates everything about NBC except for 30 Rock - Ryan
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Customer needs assistance at check out 3...
While waiting in line at the Ikea self checkout aisle, I couldn't help feel my life ticking away at an alarming pace. All I wanted to do was to buy some curtains for my mother (called "Wilmas") and a lint roller, but I had to wait in line for 20 minutes. The reason for the delay was because a little old couple were standing at the kiosk with no idea what was happening. They tried talking to it. They tried scanning their items with the key pad. At one point I'm pretty sure I saw them show old family photos to the screen and tell a few anecdotes. An associate finally came over and helped the couple how to use the machine and got the line moving again. But looking around I noticed that every line had at least 4 patrons that were going to have a problem with the self check out option. It made me feel a little sad that all this new technology (simple as it may seem to some of us) has been sprung upon those that are just used to doing it the old fashioned way. But it's like they say, if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. If you can't use those self check out things, DON'T USE THEM. Or take a class or something. The point of the self check out line is supposed to speed up your buying experience, not to enjoy the scenery of the front of the store. Now, I have to say that I partly blame Ikea in this instance because the only check out lanes that were open were self check out. But Grandma and Grandpa, you know I love you but if you can't program your VCR, you may want to stick to having the cashiers ring up your candles, decorative trinkets and Metamucil.
This has been another installment of "You Betta Check Yo-self, Before You B-b-b-break Yo-self". Josh Price
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Hippocratic Oath For Patients
The issue of health care has incessantly pounded the air waves recently. Many wonder how many people will be insured, how much will it cost, and how it will effect the general health of America. This is an issue that touches everyone living within the borders of the United States, and it is an issue that was in need of greater discussion far earlier. The United States is the only “developed” or “industrialized” nation that does not have any form of a universal health care system established. Our neighbors to the North established a system in 1999. In the South, the Mexican government had health care reforms in 2006 and 2009.
Here are some other interesting things you may not have known: The average cost of health care has more than doubled from 2000 to 2007. At the current rate of growth, in 2018, a family of four can expect to pay nearly $38,000 in health care costs per year. Half of a family’s income will be spent on health care.
Surely these rising prices are worth paying if it keeps us healthy, right? Well here are some more fun facts: The United States is ranked 45th in infant mortality rate. That’s worse than Cuba. In life expectancy, the United States is ranked 50th, lower than Bosnia and Herzegovina.
So who is to blame? The short answer: everyone. The system is in need of drastic change. Even the insurance companies know that. But I feel that much of the blame can be put squarely on our shoulders.
American society is built on the notion that bigger is better and the more you get, the better off you are. Greed has driven us to feel that in any situation the greater number of goods or services that someone receives is always better than less. Now, take that mentality and apply it to the medical industry. More examinations, more lab tests, more medicines, more this, more that: Good right? Not always.
Studies have shown that 1/3 of the medical procedures done in this country are unnecessary. 1/3! That equates to a horrible waste of time and money. That means more doctors are being occupied doing procedures that their patients do not need and are wasting exorbitant amounts of money that will ultimately not translate into a healthier patient. Why would a doctor do such a thing? Because they are forced into doing it.
Every person that goes to a doctor and is not happy with their visit screams malpractice. With the threat of lawsuits afoot, doctors are forced to put their patients through superfluous tests and procedures just to make sure that they cover all their bases. Failing to do this may result in a lawsuit. Ironically, the more procedures a doctor performs, the higher the chance of the doctor making a mistake. Often, a doctor is forced to perform a procedure that may cause complications and other unwanted side effects. Additionally, patients tend to think that going to the doctor and enduring numerous procedures and ingesting various drugs will fix all their problems. However, there is a lot more involved than that. A doctor cannot just give their patient a magic pill to make all their problems go away. Patients have to make a conscious effort to establish what their medical situation is and make lifestyle changes in order to correct that problem. Relying on prescribed drugs and reoccurring medical procedures will not help the situation in the long run. Nor will it help the problem that this country is facing as far as costs of health care.
As previously stated, this problem is far greater than just the patients’ responsibilities to themselves and to society as a whole. That being said, many problems could be reduced if we can put aside our American culture of more is better and realize that health care is something that should aid us in to moving towards leading a healthier lifestyle, not replace the responsibility that all of us have of caring for ourselves. By realizing that our health ultimately falls in our own hands rather than the doctors’ hands, we will take more responsibility for our actions, and we will not be hasty to take legal action against a doctor that was merely trying to help us.
Our health is OUR RESPONSIBILITY. Do research. Get second opinions. Eat better. Exercise frequently. Do not blame a doctor for your health problems when you honestly know that your poor health is based on poor decisions you made.
Just a side note: please do not email me with stories about negligent doctors screwing up someone’s life. That is not the situation I’m referring to. I am referring to the guy who is 5’ 8” and weighs 400 pounds and blames the doctor for his liver problems because the doctor had to prescribe medicine to keep him from having a heart attack.
- scathing social commentary provided by Ryan
***The information and statistics I used in this post was taken from the podcast “This American Life” episode 391 entitled “More is Less”. Please, please, please listen to it. It is extremely fascinating. It can be found on iTunes. But you have to download our podcast too!***
Here are some other interesting things you may not have known: The average cost of health care has more than doubled from 2000 to 2007. At the current rate of growth, in 2018, a family of four can expect to pay nearly $38,000 in health care costs per year. Half of a family’s income will be spent on health care.
Surely these rising prices are worth paying if it keeps us healthy, right? Well here are some more fun facts: The United States is ranked 45th in infant mortality rate. That’s worse than Cuba. In life expectancy, the United States is ranked 50th, lower than Bosnia and Herzegovina.
So who is to blame? The short answer: everyone. The system is in need of drastic change. Even the insurance companies know that. But I feel that much of the blame can be put squarely on our shoulders.
American society is built on the notion that bigger is better and the more you get, the better off you are. Greed has driven us to feel that in any situation the greater number of goods or services that someone receives is always better than less. Now, take that mentality and apply it to the medical industry. More examinations, more lab tests, more medicines, more this, more that: Good right? Not always.
Studies have shown that 1/3 of the medical procedures done in this country are unnecessary. 1/3! That equates to a horrible waste of time and money. That means more doctors are being occupied doing procedures that their patients do not need and are wasting exorbitant amounts of money that will ultimately not translate into a healthier patient. Why would a doctor do such a thing? Because they are forced into doing it.
Every person that goes to a doctor and is not happy with their visit screams malpractice. With the threat of lawsuits afoot, doctors are forced to put their patients through superfluous tests and procedures just to make sure that they cover all their bases. Failing to do this may result in a lawsuit. Ironically, the more procedures a doctor performs, the higher the chance of the doctor making a mistake. Often, a doctor is forced to perform a procedure that may cause complications and other unwanted side effects. Additionally, patients tend to think that going to the doctor and enduring numerous procedures and ingesting various drugs will fix all their problems. However, there is a lot more involved than that. A doctor cannot just give their patient a magic pill to make all their problems go away. Patients have to make a conscious effort to establish what their medical situation is and make lifestyle changes in order to correct that problem. Relying on prescribed drugs and reoccurring medical procedures will not help the situation in the long run. Nor will it help the problem that this country is facing as far as costs of health care.
As previously stated, this problem is far greater than just the patients’ responsibilities to themselves and to society as a whole. That being said, many problems could be reduced if we can put aside our American culture of more is better and realize that health care is something that should aid us in to moving towards leading a healthier lifestyle, not replace the responsibility that all of us have of caring for ourselves. By realizing that our health ultimately falls in our own hands rather than the doctors’ hands, we will take more responsibility for our actions, and we will not be hasty to take legal action against a doctor that was merely trying to help us.
Our health is OUR RESPONSIBILITY. Do research. Get second opinions. Eat better. Exercise frequently. Do not blame a doctor for your health problems when you honestly know that your poor health is based on poor decisions you made.
Just a side note: please do not email me with stories about negligent doctors screwing up someone’s life. That is not the situation I’m referring to. I am referring to the guy who is 5’ 8” and weighs 400 pounds and blames the doctor for his liver problems because the doctor had to prescribe medicine to keep him from having a heart attack.
- scathing social commentary provided by Ryan
***The information and statistics I used in this post was taken from the podcast “This American Life” episode 391 entitled “More is Less”. Please, please, please listen to it. It is extremely fascinating. It can be found on iTunes. But you have to download our podcast too!***
Sunday, October 11, 2009
More odd food items...
A few weeks ago on the podcast, we brought you the audio of KFC's Double Down sandwich, well if that didn't clog your arteries enough just thinking about then check out this video.
Side note: I love the disgust that the reporter has in his voice. It's like someone is frying up a baby or something. It's the worst thing he has ever seen. He compares it to a sign of the Apocalypse! Great.
Side note: I love the disgust that the reporter has in his voice. It's like someone is frying up a baby or something. It's the worst thing he has ever seen. He compares it to a sign of the Apocalypse! Great.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Oh yeah, well I hate U2...
I don't really HATE U2, I just think that their work here on Earth is done. To me they have gone from making good music to just making whatever they can to get a paycheck.
But I digress, this isn't the rant I was planning on making although it does apply. If you live in the greater Tampa Bay area, you probably know that U2 came and played at the Raymond James Stadium the other night. It was expected that 70,000 people would attend. Is it just me, or does that figure make you want to throw up a little in your mouth. The biggest shows I've been to were Weezer and Deftones at the USF Sundome which at full capacity is only 11,4oo and even those events I felt so disconnected from the bands that it took away from the show. My philosophy on large concerts is that if they have to put the concert up on a gigantic movie screen above the stage, then I'll just watch it at home where I don't have to deal with 69,999 sweaty, drunk kids that paid way to much to be that far away from the band.
But don't get me wrong, if you want to go see your favorite band from a mile away and are content with that, more power to ya. Like I said, it just seems like if I pay the 30-150 bucks to see a band, I want to be able to see them at least somewhat clearly without the aid of a 15 foot monitor looming above me like the Eye of Sauron.
So thanks U2 for the clogging up traffic and entertaining the masses. Enjoy the US.
This is has been another installment of "Too Much for Too Little". Josh Price
But I digress, this isn't the rant I was planning on making although it does apply. If you live in the greater Tampa Bay area, you probably know that U2 came and played at the Raymond James Stadium the other night. It was expected that 70,000 people would attend. Is it just me, or does that figure make you want to throw up a little in your mouth. The biggest shows I've been to were Weezer and Deftones at the USF Sundome which at full capacity is only 11,4oo and even those events I felt so disconnected from the bands that it took away from the show. My philosophy on large concerts is that if they have to put the concert up on a gigantic movie screen above the stage, then I'll just watch it at home where I don't have to deal with 69,999 sweaty, drunk kids that paid way to much to be that far away from the band.
But don't get me wrong, if you want to go see your favorite band from a mile away and are content with that, more power to ya. Like I said, it just seems like if I pay the 30-150 bucks to see a band, I want to be able to see them at least somewhat clearly without the aid of a 15 foot monitor looming above me like the Eye of Sauron.
So thanks U2 for the clogging up traffic and entertaining the masses. Enjoy the US.
This is has been another installment of "Too Much for Too Little". Josh Price
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)