Test Pattern

Tough economic times reflected in ads

2009-07-06T13:00:00Z

Times are tough all over, and even TV commercials reflect that. I'm seeing fewer ads for diamond baubles (annoying "he went to JARED" couples, you are not missed) and more that try to subtly present the message: Hey, we know your wallet is lighter these days, and our product can help....(read more)

TV commercials that should be adults-only

2009-06-29T13:00:00Z

Sure, almost anything goes these days on television, but should viewers have to cringe during the commercials, too? Let's discuss the ads that really should get an R-rating. And if this blog post lasts more than four hours, see a doctor....(read more)

Song lyrics that make you go hmm...

2009-06-25T14:00:00Z

We've discussed misheard lyrics before, but how come so many lyrics just don't make sense, even when they're heard correctly? Let's take them to task....(read more)

Farrah was more than a beauty

2009-06-24T13:00:00Z

You didn't have to have a hit television show or a world-famous hairdo or a zillion-selling poster to relate to Farrah's struggle. In her life she entertained us, and in her death, she reminded us of what's really important....(read more)

Where have all the movie men gone?

2009-06-24T13:00:00Z

So let me get this straight. In 2009, People’s Hottest Bachelor is 23-year-old Chace Crawford. And the actor most likely to star in this year’s biggest box office hit is either 19-year-old Daniel Radcliffe, in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” or 23-year-old Shia LaBeouf in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.” ...(read more)

I hate that commercial you love

2009-06-22T13:00:00Z

Our commercial contest continues, with discussion of those ads that split the audience. Some people love 'em, but others can't lunge for the remote fast enough. ...(read more)

By George, the old O'Malley will be missed

2009-06-18T09:00:00Z

I'd say I'll miss Dr. George O'Malley on "Grey's Anatomy," but everything that made the character charming vanished long ago....(read more)

Time to end the actor bailout plan

2009-06-17T10:00:00Z

In these trying economic times, it’s tough to see mediocrity rewarded with piles of money. Whether the benefactor is a banking CEO or, well, an actor, there’s a certain amount of headshaking. Which is why I was struck by Forbes list of Hollywood’s top-earning actors for 2008. ...(read more)

Commercial contest: Liberty Mutual's raw ads

2009-06-15T13:00:00Z

It's that time again: As summer kicks in, I'm starting up my annual TV commercial contest. There aren't really many, if any, rules. We hash out the good, the bad and the ugly of recent commercials in posts and comments here, and when we're done, I choose the best and the worst TV commercial of recent months. (Your comments greatly inform the decision, but the final choice ends up being mine alone ... there's just no other way to do it.) We try to stick to ads that debuted in...(read more)

'NCIS,' I'm sorry I doubted you

2009-06-11T10:00:00Z

I’m not going to lie. I watch a lot of television. But even with cable and my DVR, it’s simply impossible to watch everything. But this being summer, I decided to give four shows that I never normally watch a chance to impress me....(read more)