Category Archives: television

Ke$ha’s Crazy Kids

Ke$ha with fanOne could argue that fanatics are the modern day version of tribes. They are part of different groups with different beliefs and different attitudes, but when looking at Ke$ha‘s fans, AKA Animals, it’s easy to perceive them as a tribe of their own. Adorned in neon face paint, glitter and torn clothes, they follow their pop-rock infused leader and her catchy tunes to the ends of the Earth.

In her MTV mini documentary “My Crazy Beautiful Life”, which was filmed by her brother and airs episode/part 5 tonight, a large part of her focus is on her intense fan base. In episode three, we meet Dante, a fan in his 30′s (a “Dinosaur”, a nickname from a Ke$ha song about older guys), who is pulled up on stage after Ke$ha sneaks a peak at an interview he did on camera before the concert. In episode one, a memorable fan speaks out, and makes Ke$ha choke up a bit, about how he is bullied in school and how her music gives him a place to escape.

The MTV mini doc is honest, gritty, and you are sure to walk away feeling a little more Animal-istic. Visit Ke$ha’s site and if you feel so inclined as to want to join her party in a more intimate way, become a “convert” or “missionary” on in her fan club, Ke$ha’s Family! She is touring America this summer, so be sure to catch her!

 

Team Jack

photo credit TeamJack.com

photo credit TeamJack.com

In the vast landscape of podcasting available to internet users, there is no doubt many of the these feeds are devoted to aspects and opinions on the many channels of pop culture. Standing high above all of them when it comes to the point of view of what it means to be a fanatic is Team Jack, part of the Smodco  Broadcasting family brought to you by Kevin Smith. 

Jack Morrissey, the namesake of Team Jack, was approached by film maker Smith to podcast due not only to his knowledge of pop culture, but for his radio voice, as he dubs it. Instead of focusing directly on the mediums of film or otherwise that Jack and his co-hosts Matt Cohen and Greg Yolen are interested in, his podcast became focused on the voice of, the analyzation of, and the sense of community in being a fanatic. 

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No More Rumors

IMG_4571It has to be one of the most talked about moments via a Syfy show this year. Grant Wilson, the cofounder of TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society), walks away from the wildly popular TV show “Ghost Hunters”. Immediately, the rumor mill started. Was he divorcing? Was he dying? Could he not stand the attention and fans anymore?!  Anything people could think of became discussed.

The truth? Grant talks about it directly to the fans and inquiring minds  in this mini film, a Fan-Culture.org production featuring lush pieces of live music from CarpetShark, with a no-frills bonus video HERE with full interviews. Transcripts of videos can be made upon request.

The Walking Dead Soundtrack

Walking Dead Press Pass“The Walking Dead” on AMC is without a doubt an amazing show with monster ratings. One major element which makes the plot so compelling, other than the gut-wrenchingly realistic gore, is the fact that we rarely hear commercial music with singing laid over any of the scenes, but rather instrumental arrangements, adding to the tension levels for each scene. I mean, let’s face it: these poor characters can’t even find a place to settle too long without attracting walkers by just talking and doing day to day tasks, let alone blaring music in this zombie-laden world (*SPOILER* save for the gladiator scene in Woodbury, Season 3). If musical arrangements were to play for certain scenes, or to be incorporated in some sort of soundtrack for “The Walking Dead”, here are a few with an analysis by this journalist and fellow “TWD” fan (yes, more SPOILERS to follow):

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Going Gets Tough: Groff Gets Going

Nick Groff at Nashua NH Barnes & Noble There are probably a lot of celebrities and public figures who would not be up for a book signing and discussion following the morning of a family member’s funeral, but Nick Groff of “Ghost Adventures” was not about to let his fans down at a Nashua New Hampshire Barnes and Noble on Saturday, November 17th. Very nice of you to do, Nick! Check out the full video of the event HERE and a video where Nick does some fan shout outs HERE. You can send Nick condolensces on his loss via Twitter HERE, or to just follow him and become a fan, too!

The Arnold Fans

Arnold's Army What is best in life? An open mind, a butt-comfy seat and a copy of “Arnold’s Army” by Randy Jennings, a novel about the fan community of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Whether you are a fan of Arnold, a skeptic of the actor due to his controversies, or just into anything fan culture related, there is something for anyone in reading this piece. As much as one would think that this is all about Arnold, it is more so about the cult following from his contributions to pop culture, fitness, philanthropy, and most of his fans would agree in politics. From tattoos to collections to stories of encounters with the iconic actor, this book has it all!

Randy's sonA personal recommendation for highlights in this book lie in Chapters Thirteen and Fourteen -  terrific views into Randy’s life, as he gracefully shares some of his encounters with The Oak (or Austrian Oak, which are just some of Arnold’s nicknames). He also shares that his mother visited Arnold’s homeland, giving her vivid written description as a fellow fan on the overseas trip complete with photos. Randy is also encouraging his son to follow in his Arnold admiring footsteps, as seen in the above photo.

Randy dressed up as TurboMan, an Arnold characterThe well-deserved spokesperson and head of the Arnold fan community through his terrific and long standing site The Arnold Fans, Randy is open in the book about the fact that his fan community, as well as his idol, are not perfect. Yet through all the adversity, he helps to rally up the troops through many measures such as this video “Forever Arnold” after the Governator’s adultery saga unfolded, including cameos from Danny Devito and other show business staples. He also gives a lot of credit to those in the past and present who help him run TAF, as well as displaying the stories of many fellow “Army” members.

Before received a copy of his book, I spoke with Randy on BlogTalkRadio about being an Arnold fan and about “Arnold’s Army” as well as other projects, which you can listen to HERE. Visit Randy’s namesake website The Arnold Fans HERE, as well as to purchase a copy of his novel HERE. You can also see a video of Arnold at San Diego Comic Con 2012 thanking fans, as well as Randy asking a Q of the actor HERE at the 4 minute mark.

Great Scott! Christopher Lloyd fans at NYCC 2012

Christopher Lloyd, who is probably best remembered as Doc Brown from the “Back to the Future” trilogy, or Uncle Fester in “The Addams Family” films, or from “The PageMaster”, or “Taxi” (the list goes on and on), signed autographs for many fans at New York City Comic Con 2012. In this short video, BTTF super fan Kreg is filmed meeting one of his heroes as he gets his Flux Capacitor signed. Oh yeah, and the Capacitor came right out of his Delorean (aka the brand of the BTTF time machine car). LOVE IT.

BOOM! The Story of a Flula Fan

Flula BorgI rarely want to post blogs that come off as a bias point of view on something, but the only way it is appropriate to write this article is as a fan. It seems to have been the best way to get people’s attention on this awesome guy.

Meet Flula (pronounced “Floo-lah” and commonly misspelled by Starbucks baristas, as exampled by his hilarious Twitter photos). His last name is Borg, and much like the Borg race of “Star Trek”, resistance of this German YouTube personality is futile.

I first became a fan of his when an ex of mine showed me his video “Rock Paper Scissors, Your Logik is Not Right”. As you can tell by the title, it’s going to be quite silly, but it’s Flula as a fairly new American citizen trying to break down an American idiom with somewhat broken English. This was it for me. I have gone through nearly all of his YouTube videos in about six months time and I cry with laughter each time I watch them.  That relationship ended, but in return I learned about Flula, so the glass is half full “on ziss one”, as Flula would say.

The best part about this DJ, beat-boxer and comedy extraordinaire is his relationship with his fans, or Flans, as he calls them. I was new to his fan community, yet when I posted asking for a radio interview, he was EXTREMELY quick to get back to me. I had a bit of an emergency and was stranded the night of our show, but instead of being mad or blowing me off deciding I was unprofessional for missing it, Flula had emailed making sure I was okay and gladly rescheduled (you can listen to the amazing interview where he chats with me and other “Flans” HERE).

Flula BorgAs many of my followers know, I finished my documentary “fanATOMY” and the process of finishing it unfortunately put aspects of my life on hold the last few months, including following Flula’s career. I have however come back with a BOOM. I made a YouTube video, which was a spoof of a marriage proposal by Boogie2988 and a means to promote Flula called “Marry Me, Flula?” Boogie saw the video, shared it, and it has gained nearly four thousand views within a week’s time. Even Flula saw it and responded with a yes (looks like I need to buy another Ring Pop?)

Anyway, I hope you guys check out Flula, who does a live webcam chat every Tuesday, or “Fluesday” night, and that you’ll check out my Thursday, or “Flursday” night, Flula’s funniest moments videos (courtesy of not being able to make “Destination Truth” ones anymore due to copyright issues). Flula is on Twitter HERE, so make with the follow!

fanATOMY: the film

fanATOMY: the film.

Nailed It! Living Your Dreams

Katie Cazorla signing autographsKatie Cazorla has had a few brief brushes with fame. In 2002, she was in a sports-based competition reality show on ESPN called Beg Borrow & Deal. Though a charismatic personality on the show, her team sadly did not win the grand prize. Then she was part of a pilot project called The Weekly Real with Josh Gates of the Syfy series Destination Truth. Again, an awesome concept, but never picked up as a series. After years of trying to cultivate her interests into a career, it’s clear she’s finally found her niche in the worlds of professional business and show business.

Katie came to Los Angeles and created a successful business called The Painted Nail, which is an established oasis of comfort and beauty for not only celebrities, but every day clients who enjoy the affordable yet lavish services with custom TPN brand polishes. As if this accomplishment was not enough, Katie was approached by the TV Guide Network in early 2011 to create her own reality show centered around her business and her fast-pace life.

Her series Nail Files was quickly a fan favorite and is currently airing Season Two on Sunday nights. There is no doubt that fans not only enjoy her antics and the drama around her workplace, but the featured celebrity visitors also draw in some interest.

Katie Cazorla poses with a young fanKatie herself comes through as a lover of pop culture and during on-camera interviews after the celebrity encounters expresses her excitement when certain celebrities pop into her business. During Season One, she seemed most excited when singer Debbie Gibson came in (“Hello?! I was a child of the 80′s…Debbie Gibson looks hot!” Katie stated in the episode) and often took the opportunity to have her VIP clients name her animal cruelty-free custom polishes, with Debbie naming one of her products “Electric Blue”.

It is clear Katie‘s career has finally hit a comfortable stride at her rise to the top, and the very creative PR behind her TV show is helping to include fans. She has toured the country multiple times in the past year in her Nail Files van giving free manicures to viewers of the show. My opinion? If you want to watch a show about a strong woman with a big personality who has truly obtained her dreams through her love of pop culture and mani/pedis, make an “appointment” with Nail Files ASAP. Check your local listings.