The animators at JibJab -- who first made national names for themselves with their satire of the 2004 presidential election -- have released their take on 2008's news events.
Earlier this year, they created a sharp video spoofing the presidential election and I've been a huge JibJab fan for years. But the 2008 wrap-up just didn't do it for me this time around, maybe it was the different style. Wish they'd done more with Sarah Palin and mentioned Joe the Plumber, Tina Fey, Joe the Gaffe Machine and other pop culture nuggets from 2008 besides Miley Cyrus in Vanity Fair and Daniel Radcliffe nude on stage.
The video (link here) is NOT work-safe and is inappropriate for the kiddos.
Showing posts with label Joe the Plumber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe the Plumber. Show all posts
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
NYT's 2008 Buzzwords
When 2008 is but a mere memory, what buzzwords will it have yielded that actually last? The New York Times ran a lengthy piece this past weekend offering a list of 38 buzzwords and phrases the authors say were made popular this year, including many politically-oriented terms, given that we just experienced a historic presidential election season.
Among the political terms:
-- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin spawned three on the list: Caribou Barbie, "hockey mom" and "lipstick on a pig." "Maverick" was also on the list, but mostly because John McCain used it liberally about himself and then applied it to Palin.
-- Barack Obama was credited with spawning a whole host of derivations of his name -- both positive and negative -- ranging from "Obamanation" to "Obamacize and "Obamafy." His playful gesture with his wife Michelle was called a potential "terrorist fist jab" by a Fox News Channel anchor, not in jest.
-- "Joe" was there for a multitude of reasons, from Joe the Plumber, to "Joe Six-Pack" and "Amtrak Joe" (as in Joe Biden who took Amtrak to and from work).
Apolitical buzzwords included:
-- "Phelpsian" as in something having to do with Olympic gold be-dazzled swimmer Michael Phelps, or his insanely calorie-ific diet of a bazillion calories.
-- "Sister Wife," first heard by many on HBO's Big Love, but mentioned on this list because of the news stories spawned by this year's raid on a Texas polygamous compound.
-- Any form of the word Twitter (tweet, Twittering), of which I'd never heard until this year, unless it had to do with a bird.
Any words or phrases you think should've been on their list but wasn't? I'd toss into the mix: "Bailout" (self-explanatory), "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuits" (Hillary Clinton's nickname for her followers) and "bleep" in honor of the embattled Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich.
Image credit: New York Times.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Confirmed: I'm a Shep Smith Fan
Fox News Channel's Shep Smith, who hosts The Fox Report, first gained my respect for his coverage of Hurricane Katrina when he witnessed, first-hand, the failure of the government's response on every level (local, state, federal) and called them all on it. Didn't play politics or file a "this person said this" and "this person said that" kind of report.
I cheered when he tried to hold Joe the Plumber accountable for an odious statement made during the presidential campaign.
I became even more enamored of the anchorman after reading this new Esquire piece, where he was provided the beginning of several sentences and asked to complete them.
For example, when given the words, "I didn't decide," Smith told Esquire:
"I didn't decide Joe the Plumber was going to go out on a tour for John McCain. They decided it. And once they made that decision, then it is my belief as a journalist that he deserves, now, more scrutiny. And one of my senior writers came over to where I sit and said, 'Joe the Plumber just agreed with a guy that a vote for Barack Obama is a vote for the death of Israel.' Okay, he needs to be asked why believes this. Well, he came on and he said it was up to our viewers to find out why it was that he would say such a thing. When a man representing the GOP says what he said and doesn't know why he said it, or, if he does, won't let us know, and then tells our audience to go troll the Internet for reasons he might think that, I don't think it's the job of a journalist to further that line of thinking."
My favorite answer? The one he offered following the words, "The way." "The way we elect a president is -- it's like nothing in the world, it's spectacular," Smith said. "But I hate the hate. I can't take it."
Sure, his news show may be, at times, dizzyingly jam-packed with flying graphics, a pounding bass and a recitation of news at such a fast clip that you might've thought that Smith just downed a case of Red Bull. But at least you get the feeling that he's trying to be fair and politely calling people out when it's necessary.
I cheered when he tried to hold Joe the Plumber accountable for an odious statement made during the presidential campaign.
I became even more enamored of the anchorman after reading this new Esquire piece, where he was provided the beginning of several sentences and asked to complete them.
For example, when given the words, "I didn't decide," Smith told Esquire:
"I didn't decide Joe the Plumber was going to go out on a tour for John McCain. They decided it. And once they made that decision, then it is my belief as a journalist that he deserves, now, more scrutiny. And one of my senior writers came over to where I sit and said, 'Joe the Plumber just agreed with a guy that a vote for Barack Obama is a vote for the death of Israel.' Okay, he needs to be asked why believes this. Well, he came on and he said it was up to our viewers to find out why it was that he would say such a thing. When a man representing the GOP says what he said and doesn't know why he said it, or, if he does, won't let us know, and then tells our audience to go troll the Internet for reasons he might think that, I don't think it's the job of a journalist to further that line of thinking."
My favorite answer? The one he offered following the words, "The way." "The way we elect a president is -- it's like nothing in the world, it's spectacular," Smith said. "But I hate the hate. I can't take it."
Sure, his news show may be, at times, dizzyingly jam-packed with flying graphics, a pounding bass and a recitation of news at such a fast clip that you might've thought that Smith just downed a case of Red Bull. But at least you get the feeling that he's trying to be fair and politely calling people out when it's necessary.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Suburban Mom's Political Fix: Joe the Plumber Feels Hosed, All I Want for Christmas is a Senate Seat
Report: Joe the Plumber Feels Hosed by Presidential Campaign
The famous plumber who has a book (!) coming out this month, told a radio talk show host that after campaigning with Arizona Senator John McCain he felt "appalled" by some things he heard from the senator and that being on the campaign trail left him feeling "dirty." Say it ain't so Joe!
According to Glenn Beck's radio show's web site, here's what Joe the Plumber (the star of a pivotal presidential debate even though he wasn't on stage or running for office) said:
"When I was on the bus with [McCain], I asked him a lot of questions about the bailout because most Americans did not want that to happen. Yet he voted for it . . . And I asked him some pretty direct questions. Some of the answers you guys are gonna receive; they appalled me, absolutely. I was angry. In fact, I wanted to get off the bus after I talked to him."
He added: "I honestly felt even more dirty after I had been on the campaign trail and seen some things that take place. It was scary, man."
But Joe maintained that the prospect of a McCain administration scared him less than an Obama administration.
All I Want for Christmas is a Senate Seat
Just in time for Christmas, Senate seats seem to be cropping up on a lot of Christmas wish lists.
In New York, there's strong lobbying going on to promote Caroline Kennedy -- the last living legacy of Camelot -- to fill incoming Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's post. Some folks are saying she's untested in the public arena and shouldn't ride in on the Kennedy name alone, as if she were entitled to the spot just because she wants it. Others point to her quiet grace, intellect and electability as a plus. As for me, I think that the Kennedy men have long profited from the Kennedy name, and if folks were willing to give those guys a pass regardless of their qualifications, the classiest of all the Kennedys should get a shot too. (PunditMom has an interesting take on the prospect of another Kennedy senator.)
Then, I'm not sure if you've heard, but there's a little dust-up going on over in the state of Illinois regarding the filling of President-Elect Barack Obama's Senate seat . . . something about the governor trying to sell it to the highest bidder, that is, when the gov wasn't extorting local news organizations.
When someone writes a definitive history of American politics, 2008, it will sound like something that emerged from Hollywood on the likes of The West Wing. The things that have happened this year are utterly unbelievable.
The famous plumber who has a book (!) coming out this month, told a radio talk show host that after campaigning with Arizona Senator John McCain he felt "appalled" by some things he heard from the senator and that being on the campaign trail left him feeling "dirty." Say it ain't so Joe!
According to Glenn Beck's radio show's web site, here's what Joe the Plumber (the star of a pivotal presidential debate even though he wasn't on stage or running for office) said:
"When I was on the bus with [McCain], I asked him a lot of questions about the bailout because most Americans did not want that to happen. Yet he voted for it . . . And I asked him some pretty direct questions. Some of the answers you guys are gonna receive; they appalled me, absolutely. I was angry. In fact, I wanted to get off the bus after I talked to him."
He added: "I honestly felt even more dirty after I had been on the campaign trail and seen some things that take place. It was scary, man."
But Joe maintained that the prospect of a McCain administration scared him less than an Obama administration.
All I Want for Christmas is a Senate Seat
Just in time for Christmas, Senate seats seem to be cropping up on a lot of Christmas wish lists.
In New York, there's strong lobbying going on to promote Caroline Kennedy -- the last living legacy of Camelot -- to fill incoming Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's post. Some folks are saying she's untested in the public arena and shouldn't ride in on the Kennedy name alone, as if she were entitled to the spot just because she wants it. Others point to her quiet grace, intellect and electability as a plus. As for me, I think that the Kennedy men have long profited from the Kennedy name, and if folks were willing to give those guys a pass regardless of their qualifications, the classiest of all the Kennedys should get a shot too. (PunditMom has an interesting take on the prospect of another Kennedy senator.)
Then, I'm not sure if you've heard, but there's a little dust-up going on over in the state of Illinois regarding the filling of President-Elect Barack Obama's Senate seat . . . something about the governor trying to sell it to the highest bidder, that is, when the gov wasn't extorting local news organizations.
When someone writes a definitive history of American politics, 2008, it will sound like something that emerged from Hollywood on the likes of The West Wing. The things that have happened this year are utterly unbelievable.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Suburban Mom's Political Fix: 'West Wing' Similarities, Political Fashion and Joe the Plumber as Joe the Crooner
Election Uncannily Similar to 'West Wing'
My gal pal Gayle and I both adored The West Wing, particularly its rejuvenated final season which focused on the fictional presidential campaign between Jimmy Smits, as an eloquent, young Democratic congressman with two young children, and Alan Alda, an older, bipartisan-esque Republican with an independent streak. During our conversations throughout the past year, we've often been thunderstruck at how that final season contained so many similarities with the real life campaign unfolding this year.
The New York Times has also noticed those similarities and has a piece today comparing the show with the current campaign:
"Certainly some of the parallels are coincidental. It is unlikely, for example, that the writers knew Mr. [Barack] Obama had an affection for Bob Dylan when they made [Smits' character] a Dylan fan. But it is the unintentional similarities that make the DVDs of the sixth and seventh seasons . . . so rewarding to watch now. In both The West Wing and in real life, for example, the Phillies played in the World Series during the election campaign."
Political Fashion . . . Continued
Today's Boston Globe has a top 10 list of political fashion moments from this never-ending presidential election including the flap over flag lapel pins, Hillary Clinton's pantsuits, who'll inherit the mantle of Jackie O's iconic fashion status and the post-Democratic primary season beard sported by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. (Doesn't it seem like he ran for president a lifetime ago?)
Joe the Plumber . . . to Become Joe the Crooner?
I kid you not.
Joe the Plumber, otherwise known as Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, has an agent and plans to become a "show business personality," might record some country music, according to today's NYT.
What the hell am I doing wrong?
Image credit: Mitchell Haddad/NBC via NYT.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Suburban Mom's Political Fix: I Feel Sorry for Joe the Plumber & Candidates Get Funny
I Feel Sorry for Joe the Plumber
Really.
This single dad -- who most of America is already sick of -- didn't ask to be propelled into the national spotlight, didn't ask for folks to dig through his personal affairs. It's horribly unfortunate that he first entered the public domain when he questioned Barack Obama about how his tax plan would affect his plumbing business' growth, and has now come to the media digging up info about how Joe owes back taxes, has a lean on his holdings, isn't a registered plumber and whose first name is Samuel.
Maybe Joe the Plumber could use a little help from Joe Six-Pack about now. Poor guy.
Yesterday morning -- before any real info about Joe Wurzelbacher hit the internet -- my kids asked me if I wished I'd been the one about whom the presidential candidates discussed (25 mentions!) during a debate. I said, "No. No way." I would never want that kind of scrutiny, with folks using me for political gain.
Candidates Get Funny
The last presidential debate was feistier than the previous two. The candidates were asked tough questions and addressed hot button topics. Most pundits are giving John McCain the edge on content, Obama on style. How the debate may or may not have affected the decisions of undecided voters in swing states is an open question.
When it comes to the public opinion polls on who's leading, just 19 days before the election, it's still too early to tell. If last night's stunning Red Sox come-from-behind win against the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series (the Sox were down 7-0 in the the 7th then staged the biggest playoff comeback since 1929) is any indication, you can't assume you know who's going to win. Obama may be ahead in the polls at this moment in time, but he only has a narrow lead. Anything can happen. Last week we didn't know about Joe the Plumber. Around Labor Day, we didn't know we were headed for a stock market crash. Remember, Obama was expected to crush Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary. And lost.
What was refreshing, though, was last night's Al Smith dinner in New York where McCain and Obama let loose their sarcasm and their wit. And were sharply entertaining. If only the debates could be like this.
Really.
This single dad -- who most of America is already sick of -- didn't ask to be propelled into the national spotlight, didn't ask for folks to dig through his personal affairs. It's horribly unfortunate that he first entered the public domain when he questioned Barack Obama about how his tax plan would affect his plumbing business' growth, and has now come to the media digging up info about how Joe owes back taxes, has a lean on his holdings, isn't a registered plumber and whose first name is Samuel.
Maybe Joe the Plumber could use a little help from Joe Six-Pack about now. Poor guy.
Yesterday morning -- before any real info about Joe Wurzelbacher hit the internet -- my kids asked me if I wished I'd been the one about whom the presidential candidates discussed (25 mentions!) during a debate. I said, "No. No way." I would never want that kind of scrutiny, with folks using me for political gain.
Candidates Get Funny
The last presidential debate was feistier than the previous two. The candidates were asked tough questions and addressed hot button topics. Most pundits are giving John McCain the edge on content, Obama on style. How the debate may or may not have affected the decisions of undecided voters in swing states is an open question.
When it comes to the public opinion polls on who's leading, just 19 days before the election, it's still too early to tell. If last night's stunning Red Sox come-from-behind win against the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series (the Sox were down 7-0 in the the 7th then staged the biggest playoff comeback since 1929) is any indication, you can't assume you know who's going to win. Obama may be ahead in the polls at this moment in time, but he only has a narrow lead. Anything can happen. Last week we didn't know about Joe the Plumber. Around Labor Day, we didn't know we were headed for a stock market crash. Remember, Obama was expected to crush Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary. And lost.
What was refreshing, though, was last night's Al Smith dinner in New York where McCain and Obama let loose their sarcasm and their wit. And were sharply entertaining. If only the debates could be like this.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Suburban Mom's Political Fix: Joe the Plumber, I'm Already Tired of His Name
The last presidential debate of the 2008 election season just ended and already, I'm sick of the phrase, "Joe the Plumber." If the debate had been a drinking game and "Joe the Plumber" was the cue to take a sip, I would've been smashed a long time ago.
Immediately after the debate, Matt Drudge dubbed this, "Joe the Plumber's Election."
What about Joe makes him the centerpiece? He went up to Barack Obama at an event telling him that Obama's tax plan would cost him more money. The exchange was captured by the media.
Joe the Plumber (Joe Wurzelbacher) -- from Toledo, Ohio -- was later quoted by the Associated Press as saying that while he wouldn't disclose for whom he's planning to vote, that John McCain's " got it right as far as I go."
See the exchange that started a "Joe the Plumber" revolution:
Immediately after the debate, Matt Drudge dubbed this, "Joe the Plumber's Election."
What about Joe makes him the centerpiece? He went up to Barack Obama at an event telling him that Obama's tax plan would cost him more money. The exchange was captured by the media.
Joe the Plumber (Joe Wurzelbacher) -- from Toledo, Ohio -- was later quoted by the Associated Press as saying that while he wouldn't disclose for whom he's planning to vote, that John McCain's " got it right as far as I go."
See the exchange that started a "Joe the Plumber" revolution:
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