Posted on 12/03/2011 5:09:35 AM PST by Kaslin
A few months ago in this space, I wrote a column about the cultural phenom Lady Gaga that ended with my politely telling her to save her money. That's because the treacherous world of popular culture is not usually a long-term proposition. Entertainment idols often pass through the fame obstacle course very quickly.
In show biz, "jumping the shark" is a term used to describe a project in decline. It is derived from the hit sitcom "Happy Days," which, sorely lacking for material after years on the air, featured a show whereby The Fonz went waterskiing in a leather jacket and encountered a shark. You guessed it: The Fonz jumped over the shark on his skis. After that, the days were not so happy on that program.
Now we have Lady Gaga, the ultimate edgy, anti-establishment pop star, swimming in dubious waters. Recently, she fronted a Thanksgiving special. The New York Times described it this way: "Lady Gaga performs before family and friends and offers a glimpse of her personal life in an interview with Katie Couric... She also whips up a feast of deep-fried turkey and waffles with the chef Art Smith."
Somewhere Janis Joplin is weeping. By the way, Gaga's special was trounced in the ratings by the 237th airing of "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving."
And that's not all. The Associated Press reports that "Gaga's Workshop" is now open at the Barneys clothing store in Manhattan. Apparently, Gaga designed a special holiday shop featuring "a gigantic cartoon statue of the superstar herself in a pinup pose surrounded by jagged mirrors and sitting atop thousands of back plastic discs."
Forget the Rockefeller Center tree, the Gaga shop represents the true holiday spirit, does it not?
Some of you may think I am making this up, but it's all true. What I can't figure out is why Gaga's (Stefani Germanotta) management team seems to know nothing about history. Elvis Presley, the biggest pop icon ever, sabotaged his own career by starring in a series of movies like "Kissin' Cousins" and "Clambake." I mean, there was the once culturally dangerous Elvis doing a dance called the "Clam" on a beach wearing black shoes and white pants. It took the King years to get back on track after those dopey flicks.
Last year, Gaga made $90 million from her songs and shows. Does she really need the Thanksgiving special? Or the Barneys exposure? Really?
The answer, of course, is no. Gaga has now gone middle-class mainstream and, at this rate, will be co-hosting with Kelly Ripa any day now. The lady may be trying not to be a tramp, but she certainly has met the shark -- and jumped it.
Not much else going on in the world, eh?
At the time, the Rolling Stones had been together for roughly 15 years. Now, here we are 35 years later, and the Stones are still together, and are considering a possible tour. Perhaps The Band could have stuck it out longer. (In fact, there have been reunions of different sorts over the years.)
Today's musical people? Lady Gaga? Justin Beiber? Their half life is measured in months.
This is funny. Who’s writing for Bill these days?
“Lady Gaga, the ultimate edgy, anti-establishment pop star”
Bill O’Reilly wrote that? Bill O’Reilly must be clueless.
Lady Gaga is the creation of Jimmy Iovine. Jimmy Iovine likes to hype, hype, hype, hype, hype, hype and hype marginally talented acts, spending millions and millions of dollars.
None of that is edgy or anti-establishment.
Crap!!
I totally missed the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special.
is “getting Gaga-ed” synonymous with “jumped the shark”?
” at this rate, will be co-hosting with Kelly Ripa any day now”
Nah, but I’ll bet Barbara Walters & the producers for The View have their eye on her.
“I totally missed the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special.”
Me 2, but I think the Charlie Brown Christmas is airing this Monday night. (check your tv listings)
Bill O’Reilly should stick to politics.
Yeah, me too.
Coincidentally, I was just sitting here wondering what was going on with this Gaga person. Glad he/she cleared that up for me.
That said, I was impressed that the author takes this stuff so seriously.
Oh well, back to writing about something that really matters, my hard hitting expose’ on what *I* think Justin Beiber should or should not do with *his* career.
>> Bill O’Reilly should stick to politics. >>
Really? Have you heard Ted Baxter on politics lately?
Maybe weather? Traffic reports?
Dear BoRass, stick to what little you know, like phone sex, and drop the pop history lesson ... The Colonel forced Elvis into bad movies before and after the '68 Comeback Special. In fact, the Colonel approved the Special solely to re-boost Elvis' movie salary demands. And Clambake was only a year earlier!
Wow, Billy O wrote, ahem, put his name on this!?
I just automatically assumed it was some homo twit from the Village. Hunh?..surprised me...wonder why?
Myself, I’ve been wondering what’s up with JLo and all of these commercials, cars, hair products, and her clothing line at Kohls...has her other revenue streams dried up that much or is she just trying to capitalize before it’s too late? Did calling Sarah Palin a Bi*** have an impact on her career? I know I emailed Kohl’s when they brought her clothing line in and asked if she had apologized to Sarah...didn’t get an answer.
*rme*
Seriously!
Watch this space
GAGA ain't got nothin'.
BOR is sickly obsessed with Lady Gaga!
See Weird Al Yankovic’s grammy nominated video “Perform This Way”. It says it all about Lady Gaga.
I gave up on pop culture YEARS ago, once I realized that any famous person would soon be the topic of a Where Are They Now question!
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