28 stycznia 2009
Why Pop Culture Continues to Confound Me
Everyone likes to whine about the pop cultural wasteland that the 1970's were. Yeah, it was pretty bad, but there were moments here and there (punk rock, Barney Miller). With all of this whining about the embarassing kitschiness of that era, it makes me wonder why the two most embarassing and dated pieces of kitsch, Grease and Abba, keep getting brought out for a re-airing every couple of years.
Is this done to prove the point, or is it unintended irony?
I bring this up because all over town there have been posters for a Grease revival here in town. I think it's part of that Broadway in Tucson thing. I dislike Grease for several reasons: one is that it is supposedly about the music and culture of the 1950's, but features songs that sound nothing like actual music from the 50's. Second: every one of these revivals feature actors who are just not plausible teenagers, like Rosie O'Donnell playing Rizzo at age 32. Another case in point: this one advertises that it features Taylor Hicks. Yep, that guy. The one that is famous for being prematurely gray.
I'll have lots of friends, no doubt, who will go to this thing and rave about it. They will have nostalgic twinkles in their eyes despite the fact that none remember the 50's (and few are old enough to even remember the 50's revival that the movie brought on. 50's Day at Lineweaver!). I'll have to either hold my tongue or engage in one of my rants. Dear Lord, grant me strength.
Do zobaczenia. Hasta la proxima.
Is this done to prove the point, or is it unintended irony?
I bring this up because all over town there have been posters for a Grease revival here in town. I think it's part of that Broadway in Tucson thing. I dislike Grease for several reasons: one is that it is supposedly about the music and culture of the 1950's, but features songs that sound nothing like actual music from the 50's. Second: every one of these revivals feature actors who are just not plausible teenagers, like Rosie O'Donnell playing Rizzo at age 32. Another case in point: this one advertises that it features Taylor Hicks. Yep, that guy. The one that is famous for being prematurely gray.
I'll have lots of friends, no doubt, who will go to this thing and rave about it. They will have nostalgic twinkles in their eyes despite the fact that none remember the 50's (and few are old enough to even remember the 50's revival that the movie brought on. 50's Day at Lineweaver!). I'll have to either hold my tongue or engage in one of my rants. Dear Lord, grant me strength.
Do zobaczenia. Hasta la proxima.
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It's not pop culture as a whole that is confounding. It is individual bad choices made by people who should have known better. For example, thinking that a loser like Taylor Hicks is going to be a good addition to an already class-challenged production of a cheesy outdated musical. Don't waste your money -- it's a bad show and he makes it worse.
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: środa, stycznia 28, 2009 3:34:00 PM
: środa, stycznia 28, 2009 3:34:00 PM << Home
