Anniversaries of one sort or another are a constant thing, but giving another nod to something good never hurts: 2012 marks twenty-five years since the release of Broadcast News, James L. Brooks's deadly takedown of big television media. If you haven't see it, you must; you'll never miss the subtleties of a news show again.
Especially now with the Web playing the role it does, the idea of credibility in the media remains a standing concern. Beyond increasingly pointless gripes between "old" and "new" media (see reaction to the Huffington Post's Pulitzer win) or the uncontrollable urge to throw something at the screen when "Fox and Friends" is on, there's any number of subtle issues to recognize and process. Bias claims may be a too-routine weapon of parties that feel slighted, but it's also human nature to have opinions which lie under the surface show up.
Even the most restrained and impartial faces can betray emotion. Or, as Ghetto SpiegelStar knows, they can try to slip things in between the lines when they're busily trying to say something completely earnest:
And now a public apology from Acura as read by Mr. Subliminal
Good morning (not really).
We apologize to anyone (NAACP) offended by the language on the casting sheet used in the selection of actors for one of our commercials (we're lying).
We sought to cast (profile) an African-American in a prominent role (3 seconds screen time) in the commercial, and we made our selection based on the fact that he was the most talented (non threatening black guy) actor.
The casting sheet was only now brought to our attention (had it since the start). We are taking appropriate measures (no we're not) to ensure that such language is not used again (don't sue us Al Sharpton) in association with any work performed on behalf of our brand (we'll get a white guy next time).
Thank you (get AIDS)
And good night (and die.)