Mars Cancels Mr. T Ad Over Nutty Allegation
In another example of special interest group meddling of the PC kind, candy bar maker Mars has had to cancel a Snickers advertisement, which was running in the U.K. and featured Mr. T.
According to the gay advocacy group, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the candy company pulled the ad after some “communication between the HRC Workplace Project and Mars.”
The HRC Workplace Project issued a statement applauding Mars for taking “swift and appropriate action” in canceling the ad.
In the commercial, a man was engaged in speed walking, an activity that may sometimes appear to be deficient in the macho department.
Mr. T poked fun at the man, who was subsequently shot at by a Snickers cannon.
The last scene featured Mr. T proclaiming the Snickers slogan: “Get some nuts.”
James Hirsen is a media analyst, Trinity Law School professor, and teacher of mass media and entertainment law at Biola University.
Amanda Peet Apologizes for ‘Parasite’ Comment
Amanda Peet’s remarks about vaccinations for children have some Hollywood celebrities fuming.
The “Whole Nine Yards” actress recently told Cookie Magazine, a lifestyle and family publication, that “there are a lot of misconceptions about the dangers of vaccinations … Frankly, I feel that parents who don’t vaccinate their children are parasites.”
Lots of folks, including celebs Jenny McCarthy and Charlie Sheen, are concerned about the wide variety and frequency of vaccinations being given to infants and children.
Reactions to Peet’s “parasite” comment prompted her to issue an apology.
“I believe in my heart that my use of the word ‘parasites’ was mean and divisive,” Peet said in a statement.
McCarthy and others are advocating caution in the use of vaccinations for children because of claims based on some preliminary research, which may indicate that the vaccinations contribute to the onset of autism.
“I completely understand why it offended some parents, and in particular, parents of children with autism who feel that vaccines caused their illness,” Peet said. “For this I am truly sorry.”
In the words of Elton John, “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word,” but thankfully once uttered it goes a long way to heal the hurt.
James Hirsen is a media analyst, Trinity Law School professor, and teacher of mass media and entertainment law at Biola University.
Robert Redford: Obama ‘Not Tall On Experience’
Robert Redford recently journeyed to Dublin, Ireland to receive an honorary degree from Trinity College.
The actor-director expressed doubts about Barack Obama and the Dems’ chances of winning in the fall.
“I’m not confident of anything,” Redford told the Irish Times. “I’m hopeful.”
Redford acknowledged Obama’s resume deficit.
“I think Obama is not tall on experience . . . but I believe he’s a really good person,” Redford said, adding that the Dem presumptive nominee is “smart. And he does represent what the country needs most now, which is change.”
Redford sees the election of Obama to the presidency as a must win for the Democrats, or it will mean the end of Hollywood’s favorite political party.
“I hope he’ll win. I think he will. If he doesn’t, you can kiss the Democratic Party goodbye . . .,” Redford lamented.
According to the Sundance Kid, it’s all about “new blood.”
“I think we need new voices, new blood. We need to get a whole group out, get a new group in,” Redford said.
Angie and Brad Have a Boy and a Girl
Tabloid Extravaganza: A-Rod, C-Rod, Madge and Lenny
One bit of celebrity melodrama has virtually taken over the print, broadcast and Web media.
It’s simultaneously being reported as a news, entertainment and sports story and is crowding out coverage of the war, election and economy.
It involves baseball star Alex Rodriguez, a.k.a. A-Rod, Rodriguez’s wife, a.k.a. C-Rod, material girl Madonna, a.k.a Madge in the U.K., Madonna’s husband Guy Ritchie and rocker Lenny Kravitz.
Here’s the skinny: C-Rod found out A-Rod was involved with Madge, who was supposedly divorcing husband Ritchie. C-Rod fled to Paris to stay with Kravitz and reportedly blames Madge’s Kabbalah religion for luring husband A-Rod to her side. According to the New York Daily News’ sources, C-Rod found a note written to Madge from A-Rod that read: “You are my true soulmate.”
All of the parties involved are denying the romantic aspects of the reports.
The really amazing story, however, is the way the press has been going full court tabloid over the tale.
Here are a few of the headlines:
– “Lenny Kravitz: Cynthia Rodriguez’s Grand Slam?” (New York Magazine)
– “New adventures of old Madonna (co-starring A-Rod)” (The Boston Herald)
– “A-Rod and wife heading into foul territory” (The Miami Herald)
– “Wife: Madonna lured A-Rod with kabbalah” (United Press International)
– “Let’s play six degrees of Madonna” (The San Jose Mercury News)
– “Madonna and A-Rod and Lenny? (Oh My).” (Gary Post Tribune)
It’s enough to make you long for good old hard news.
James Hirsen is a media analyst, Trinity Law School professor, and teacher of mass media and entertainment law at Biola University.
George Clooney Plays Hollywood Peacemaker
It’s George Clooney to the rescue.
Stars are at each other throats over a Hollywood labor dispute.
Tom Hanks is aligning himself with one union while Jack Nicholson and Ben Stiller are backing another in a growing feud that threatens to shut down Tinseltown.
Hanks has signed an e-mail trying to convince members of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) to accept a deal, which was negotiated by union leaders with the studio bosses.
Meanwhile Nicholson and Stiller are appearing in ads that ask AFTRA actors to cast a “No” vote on the same deal. The two celebs are supporting AFTRA’s adversary, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). SAG leaders contend that the AFTRA deal is weak and damages SAG’s ability to obtain a better contract.
Enter stage left, Hollywood Diplomat George Clooney.
“What we can’t do is pit artist against artist,” Clooney writes in an open letter.
He points out that “the one thing you can be sure of is that stories about Jack Nicholson vs. Tom Hanks only strengthens the negotiating power of the AMPTP [the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the studios’ organization for bargaining with the unions].”
Clooney wisely advises, “Maybe we could find a way to get what both unions are looking for.”
A strike hurts everyone, especially small businesses and their employees, who are dependent on the show biz industry for their customers.
Sadly, the recent writers’ strike cost the local economy an estimated 37,000 jobs and $2.1 billion.
James Hirsen is a media analyst, Trinity Law School professor, and teacher of mass media and entertainment law at Biola University.
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