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Chasing Mummies: Archeology as Reality TV

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Dr. Zahi Hawass at the British Museum - Speech

Image by vintagedept via Flickr

Dr Zahi Hawass the Egyptian archaeologist is well known to those who enjoy historical documentaries.  He is highly respected in his field and is the current Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities.  I have always found his manner rather abrasive and have tended to avoid his offerings.  However, his new TV show program on the History Channel: 'Chasing Mummies' is quite a different affair; this is actually riveting and addictive television.  The producers of 'Chasing Mummies' seem to have recognised the potential of Dr Hawass' explosive temper and have harnessed it to great effect.

In one incident, Dr Hawass' assistant Casey Fitchner gets completely blasted by the good doctor for being late to work.  Later, while exploring inside the Stepped Pyramid, Fitchner asks if there is somewhere she can go to the bathroom.  Dr Hawass informs her in no uncertain terms that the pyramid is a holy place and of course she can't go.  Later, she can no longer resist the call of nature and wets herself on camera.  Dr Hawass' outbursts make Gordon Ramsey look kindly and avuncular.

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 January 2011 15:13 Read more...
 

Heckler exposes 'celebrities' thin skins

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Time 100 2006 gala, George Lucas.

Image via Wikipedia

 

I recently watched a documentary on SBS TV called "Heckler". In this program, a series of well known entertainers and comedians recount their reactions to hecklers and also, that most loathsome of all television denizons: critics. Celebrities such as George Lucas, Bill Maher, Mike Ditka, Rob Zombie, Howie Mandel are interviewed.

Heckler is initially interesting as an account of how entertainers deal with the disruptions of hard core hecklers. Some deal with audience antagonists with skill, firing back one liners and making the disruption an amusing part of the act. Others become overwhelmed with rage and descend to exchanging obscenities; allowing the heckler to win in doing so. As the program progresses the focus is more and more on critics and how they are the lowest form of life.

 

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 August 2010 23:06 Read more...
 

Vodafone's folding girlfriend

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vodafone foldup girlfriendIn a recent Vodafone ad shown on Australian TV, a guy going on a trip decides he wants to take his wall map with him so he neatly folds it and puts it in his pocket. He then decides to take his computer, his TV and then his CD collection (including a large cabinet). He neatly folds them up one by one and puts them in his pocket. Just as he's almost out the door he looks at his sleeping girlfriend, then comes back, folds her up and puts her in his pocket too. Vodafone uses the slogan 'Take your world with you' for this ad.

Is this commercial not just the slightest bit insulting to women? Firstly, he takes his girlfriend last, almost as an after thought. She is perhaps the least important of his essential accessories? Secondly, is that all she is? An accessory? The intended implication is that he is taking everything he loves with him but this seems to relegate her to the status of an object on a par with a computer or a TV.

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Last Updated on Sunday, 26 April 2009 16:17 Read more...
 

Miss Naked Beauty: Judgement of Gok

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judgement of paris

Miss Naked Beauty purports to promote the cause of ‘real women’. It’s contestants are supposedly vying for the opportunity of being ambassadors for ‘natural beauty’ and the idea that a woman doesn’t have to be young and thin to be beautiful; in the winner’s immortal words (in fact, I think all the girls said it) everyone is beautiful. We are invited to believe that the winners of this reality TV contest will form the grass roots of a movement in defiance of the odious fashion industry, which incessantly promotes impossible ideals of feminine beauty. Add a comment
Last Updated on Sunday, 19 April 2009 22:35 Read more...
 



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Source: http://feeds.digg.com/~r/digg/topic/tech_news/popular/~3/pxa4HkAtoO8/Is_the_Internet_the_Secret_to_Happiness