Whose Trilogy Is It Anyway?

It would be among history’s greatest understatements to say that Star Wars is a popular topic among web surfers and home theater enthusiasts. George Lucas’ sci-fi fantasy saga is without a doubt among a beloved and influential part of modern movie pop culture. Legions of fans are willing to wait in lineups to see the movies re-released in theaters, and wait even longer to see the new prequels, despite harsh critical reaction. Star Wars fans are among the most loyal, outspoken and dedicated members of both the online film community, and that growing aggressive segment of consumers known as movie-buffs. They follow their favorite film legacy with complete devotion, and have made their love of Star Wars and options on the films very clear. Why, then, does writer/director/producer/creator George Lucas seem to be ignoring those who have been most loyal to him? Is he not paying attention? Is he clueless as to what the fans really want? Something isn’t right. Some undesirable scenario is playing out that began a few years ago when suddenly, out of the blue, in a scene we thought we knew Greedo shoots first.

Read the rest at Test Pattern.

While you’re at it you probably would like to check out this Episode II DVD review.

Don’t watch, don’t listen

In other words, their employers knew exactly what they wanted from these guys. They got it, and only after it arrived with a bonus hailstorm of criticism, did they stop the show — but not the paychecks. The show was canceled because Infinity Broadcasting needed to protect its corporate butt; if local religious leaders and broadcasting critics had all been on vacation that week, the two idiots would still be making pooh-pooh jokes on the air as we speak.

Where is the reprimand against Infinity Broadcasting? (my emphasis) Or its mogul, Mel Karmazin? What’s his punishment? He hires “Opie & Anthony,” pays them to play with explosives, and when they blow things up, all he has to do is pay off the rest of their contract?

Read the rest of Keith Olbermann’s Salon piece. He nails it. That’s been my point. O&A are easy to point to and scream – “that’s wrong!”, but look behind the curtain folks. Look behind the curtain.

Welcome Opie and Anthony fans/detractors from Google

Pleased to meetyas. Anyway, feel free to look around the site or post comments in the O&A threads Clear Channel to Opie and Anthony – we have no interest or Opie and Anthony Canceled. For or against. You’re all welcome.

If you’d like to know about me, I’d like you to consider a beef and beer in support of the Sleeping Angels Fund. A non-profit that helps families in need memorialize their lost children.

Beyond that, two songs I wrote; Kensinton and The Future Knocks, tell you a lot. Yeah, they suck. But not too bad. Check out the stuff under “Main” for more. And check out the site’s in my sidebar. Some great ones there.

Recently I’ve gotten massive traffic from three things on the site (other then getting people pissed off); the funny and false divorce story tied to 9-11, the words “Kill Bon Jovi” (hey I’m a fan! Check out The Future Knocks. You can hear my influences. I was commenting on the scrawl on the back of James Hetfield’s guitar!), and O&A.

BTW – You can check out the first single from Bon Jovi’s upcoming album here. It rocks.

Speaking of music, hope you had a great time at the Bruce Springsteen show last night Bill.

Today’s O&A story is from CNN “Viacom should have known the risky-sex shock jocks would eventually go too far

It was obvious from their antics that Opie and Anthony would go too far someday. Heck, this is the third time they did this sort of contest.

Viacom, however, was oblivious to this inevitability. It was willing to take the money the show made, but not willing to look over its shoulder and look for trouble BEFORE it happened. At best, it was lazy and, at worst, negligent. Viacom wouldn’t comment beyond its official statement on the matter.

Sure, the station manager and producer are getting punished too. But the corporate chieftains, who ultimately made the firing decision, should be held accountable too. At the very least, the corporation should donate some part of the profits it made off the show to the church it offended.

That’s who people should be pissed at. Whether you are an O&A fan or a someone who’s been offended. Because ultimately… they put out the paychecks. I’m a little disappointed in William Donohue, head of the Catholic League, who said, “I’m satisfied.”, after hearing that they were canceled. Sounds like simple retribution to me. I’m with the article writer above – they should make a donation to the church. They should apologize. I guess you can say I’d rather them repent then be punished. Instead, by cancelling them, they’ve been recast as the victim. Read some more articles on the web, or my message thread. They will probably come back bigger then before. You’ll see.

Other then O&A though, it’s gotta be said, there are bigger things goin’ on in the world.

Opie and Anthony Canceled – On Google I’m Number One

Welcome Google users! For the discussion click here.

How’d it happen?!? For “Opie and Anthony Canceled” I’m number one on Google.

Here goes some more links:

DJs Opie and Anthony Canned

How Low Can They Go?

update: ‘nychick’ passes on that O&A were *not* fired. Their show was canceled. They’re still WNEW (NYC station) employees. Click for the discussion.

Clear Channel to Opie and Anthony – we have no interest

Update 2/26/2002: Things have gone too far!

Now Clear Channel is moving to shut down Howard Stern!

Please click this url to continue the discussion.

Following is a previous post on Opie and Anthony:

Opie and Anthony got the door slammed in their faces by Clear Channel yesterday, as the radio giant said it had absolutely no interest in hiring the just-fired shock jocks.
“They don’t fit in with the brands we have in New York. God bless ’em, but we have no interest in them at all,” said Andy Rosen, Clear Channel’s regional vice president.

Read the rest in the NYPost.

I can’t believe someone actually thinks this is a free speach issue. Common! That’s bullshit. I *listened* to the show regularly and I still realize that just makes no sense.

Normal people have gotten fired for much much less. We may not like it. But that’s the way it is. If the employeer felt strongly enough, they could have took it to court. But it looks like Infinity caved. Don’t get mad if some Catholic groups are upset. They have every right to be offended.

You an O&A supporter and you wanna get mad? Get mad because Infinity caved. They are the employers. They held the cards. Could have took the fines. Could have went to court. Could have done as they did for years with Howard Stern. O&A were doing what they were paid to do after all. They just got fired for doing what they were told to do.

Believe me – back in the day – Howard Stern was way more controversial then O&A. President Bush was recently joking around with Ozzy! Do you realize the relationship those in power had with the entertainment industry in the 80s? Remember – the 80s were the PMRC decade. It’s a whole new ballgame now.

Lileks sets the matter straight.

It looks like good ‘ol free market capitalism is going to do it’s work. No advertisers – no jobs. But that’s temporary. I’m sure someone somewhere will take a chance on them soon enough.

Opie and Anthony canceled

WNEW-FM has issued the following press release:

Based on recent events, The Opie and Anthony Show has been cancelled, and will be replaced by other programming beginning tomorrow.

Westwood One, Opie and Anthony’s syndicator has also cancelled the program. The program aired on 18 stations across the country.

Also on Thursday, the top U.S. communications regulator ordered an investigation into complaints that the shock jocks allegedly broadcast a live, eyewitness account of a couple having sex in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This report lead to today’s cancellation.

Read the rest at wcbs880. Maybe now we’ll get music back on what was once a great rock station – 94 WYSP.