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.
BOR fixates on lots of stuff to the point that he doesn’t notice he’s a BORe.
Did Ga lose her eyebrows from illness? Physical illness, i mean.
>>>.....He’s a BORe.<<<
A bore...is a boor...is a boar!
You beat me to it. "Jumped the shark" really is one of the most annoying phrases to come along in decades.
In other words, the phrase "jumped the shark", has jumped the shark...
“Did Ga lose her eyebrows from illness?”
I don’t know but I’ll bet a dollar to a doughnut that she can lick her own eyebrows.
The Colonel never forced Elvis...the profit margin was incredible for his movies cause Elvis’ name sold it...Hollywood never believed in Elvis’ acting but the money sure flowed....Elvis hated doing most of those shows but the shooting schedule was only about 6 weeks per picture( did a little over 30 of them) and he enjoyed himself the rest of the time.
I'll take 'Both' for $400, Alex.
If you can't appreciate the pure beauty of the violin after hearing this, something's wrong with your ears.
Or you can get raw with these strings. Either way, the violin is sweet yet lethal.
Do it!
Okay, I just picked my favorite Quote of the Day.
Lady GaGa is “trying not to be a tramp”? O’Reilly has strange standards.
>>>Lady Gaga and Bill OReilly? Who are they and why should I care? Both have egos bigger than the Bronx and are dumber than a bag of hammers. <<<
It looks like you know them too well! LOL
If Gaga can maintain her desire to be on the stage and has good health she will be around for decades. Like it or not she is not a flash in the pan.
***Today’s musical people? Lady Gaga? Justin Beiber? Their half life is measured in months. *****
Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s i noticed that the average time on the cover of a teen magazine was three months. Then you were gone.
And I never could figure out why teen girls liked teen boys who looked like girls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCKN7XqSQw8
Found it on YouTube.
Crisis averted. :)
Star Wars Holiday Special update featuring the cast of Episode I II III!
Ratings blockbuster!
Is BOR still on and Lady who?
Love that. This one is pretty good too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9qYF9DZPdw
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