- Posted 5/5/08 at 11:49 AM
- branding, entertainment
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What we are watching
Yesterday, I attended the “What we watch” segment of the New York Times third annual “Sunday with the Magazine.” It was hosted by the magazines quirky media columnist, Virginia Heffernan, and featured Bravo TV’s President Lauren Zalaznick, “Project Runway” fashion guru Tim Gunn and “Top Chefs” judge Gail Simmons.
Needless to say it was a delightful hour as Bravo is having a banner year (for some it’s the new HBO), having captured a niche for “rags to riches” reality programming; focusing on folks’s passion for success (both cynics and optimists). According to Zalaznick — the network’s current flavor encapsulates what the fab five, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”, initially represented — beauty, food, design, fashion, pop culture and all with a nonjudgmental view. How ironic that Queer Eye, once seen as a death wish for the channel (having one show define a network is a huge NO NO despite how popular it might be) becomes its signature brand print. And much credit is due Ms. Zalaznick for the networks perseverance, for it was she –– armed with tons of instinct, research and power –– who force fed her audience, “Project Runway” until they screamed for mercy. In this case, begged for more. She’s like a relentless mom feeding her kids their veggies. She knows its good for you and damn it — eventually — you will too!
It seems they have a winning formulae, devoted following, and a home for Kathy Griffin too. And although I have yet to catch any of the buzz generating “Real Housewifes of New York City“, I’m guessing it’s just a matter of time. After all, I like my veggies… especially home grown…
I am 
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I totally agree. And nothing wrong about being patriotic.
Great insights…I don’t think the audience cares who wins the awards, they just want to see the “show” so they have something to talk about the next day…and BTW- the Chrysler commercial was my favorite! Anything that promotes America building something again is ok with me…I guess I’m just a sucker for patriotism…
Nice article! It makes a great deal of sense. These companies spend so much to attain new clients but rarely put forth the effort to keep their existing ones happy. Everything is an argument or an angle. I guess they think we will forget.
I ask this lovingly Steve: by any chance, are you wearing a tie and nursing a martini?
Looking at Obama’s overall rising star these past years (and especially thinking back to who even knew his name prior to 2004), he is a media genius indeed. Yet at the same time, just as he’s not a Muslim (although 24% of the public still thinks he is), he’s also not the political Messiah his campaign painted him to be. In offering an opinion about this widening disparity between the myth and the man, which any Brand Girl is entitled to do, I simply pointed out some of his media missteps since taking office. Speculating that Obama might be a one-term prez unless he gets his media act and his policy act together—and playing nice with one another—is no more a diss than thinking Derek Jeter was playing kinda dirty when he faked getting hit by a pitch to get on base. That’s not dissing, and it’s not even playing party politics. It’s just stating the obvious.
And ’cause I can’t resist: when out with a girl, especially a bipartisan one, allow her a chance to take a full swing when at bat in a pennant battle of the minds. I’ll bet the house that she’ll get beyond first. And she won’t have to fake a thing either.
Funny piece but a faulty premise.
Obama is still a media genius. He’s controlling the debate and has accomplished more in his first two years than any President since FDR. Sure his approval numbers are down but we are in a the middle of a severe recession. Regan’s numbers were similar in 1982.
He has tried to be bipartisan but what does he get for it? The GOP even filibustered small business tax cuts (until two GOP senators who are retiring broke off yesterday). The public knows this. While they are anti-incumbent, they trust the GOP less than the Dems. And despite the GOP’s concerted efforts to block efforts to stimulate the economy (so they can hope to pick up more seats), the economy will turn around and the the POTUS’s appoval ratings wil improve with the rise in GDP.
And when out with boys, especially thoughtful ones, it’s probably not a good idea to diss Obama; not if you want to get to first base.