TresSugar

Fox News' Megyn Kelly Is Obsessed With Her Hair

GiggleSugar — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 08:49:59 -0700

"News at 11: I can't do a thing with my hair!" You know, as much as I'm a hater of Fox News, from the perspective of a lady with hairanoia issues of my own, I can relate, Megyn. Who cares that serious news is going on around you at the Democratic National Convention? This cow lick needs tending to, and it needs tending to now! (You gotta love the guy in the background supplying thought bubbles - especially the one about getting more Dippity-Do! Wheeee!)

Morning News Anchors Drink McDonald's Coffee (For Cash)

LibertySugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:15:00 -0700

Each morning news anchors on Fox's Las Vegas affiliate sit in front of very visible McDonald's iced coffee cups, part of a product-placement deal. The fast-food chain sponsors the two-hour morning news-and-lifestyle segment, but instead of commercial breaks, the advertisement happens during the news.

Since advertisement dollars already influence networks, I think the product-placement deal raises some old conflict of interest concerns. The producers say they would pull the cups if they had to report a negative story about McDonald's, just as they would pull a regular commercial. Still, the covertness of the promotion could deceive some viewers not aware that McDonald's paid for the cups' placement.

To find out how political parties are incorporating product placement, and how the industry sees it, read more.

Product integration happens a ton in scripted television, so much so that the Writers Guild of America wants it blatantly disclosed. The WGA says: "the hope is that consumers, not expecting to find a commercial within their program, will fail to realize they are actually being advertised to. This practice exploits the emotional connection viewers have with shows." Perhaps this expectation of neutrality increases significantly when dealing with news, as opposed to entertainment.

Going the overt-sponsorship road, the Democrats will be handing out AT&T logo-plastered bags at the Democratic National Convention. It's almost impossible not to see a conflict of interest here (telecom cough cough immunity) but, the Democrats assure that sponsorship does not equal access to politicians.

How should news stations and political parties reconcile high costs with integrity?

Executive Producer Mark Squier Gives DNC a 9 Out of 10

LibertySugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0700

The Democratic National Convention, and the Obama-bump that followed, may seem far in the past, but the event will surely live on in history. I got a chance to ask a few questions to Mark Squier, an executive producer of the extremely successful (and fun) Democratic National Convention. When he's not coordinating massive political pageantry, Mark masters smaller-scale political messaging. He has produced ads for numerous members of Congress and governors, and acts as a strategic adviser to many more politicians. Now that the dust of both conventions has settled, take a behind-the-scenes look at the DNC with Mark!

On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you with how the DNC turned out?
10 being the highest - a 9. Nothing is ever perfect but this was close. When you consider we had a late primary so we didn't get guidance from a nominee until June - and we had two venues. We didn't have a major malfunction. You have to be happy with the way it turned out. And a shout out to everyone who worked at the Denver convention - the team that was put together was outstanding and it was easy to look good when you had such a committed and hardworking team in your corner. Oh - and not to mention Barack Obama - an incredible candidate to work with in every way.

How do you explain viewership that beat even the Olympics Opening Ceremony?
Americans are worried - it's human nature - they know things are on the wrong track; the wars, the economy, gas prices, health care costs, high unemployment, the national debt, the mortgage crisis. Voters feel these things every day and they know that this election is critically important to getting our nation back on track - so they watch.

To find out if Mark would have done something differently if Hillary Clinton would have won the nomination, how he kept the convention from looking like C-Span, what he thought of the RNC, and if there were any close calls with disaster, read more.

How do you keep the convention from looking like C-Span?
By using the best of all technologies. Television is a great amplifier of communications but it is not interactive. The Internet and all the new technology tools are great for making people feel connected - but it can't compete with the visual spectacle of Thursday night at Invesco field with 80,000 people on television. Using them both - TV to entice and the new technologies to connect - we think really helped get voters to be more involved and take a stake in electing their office holders and their democracy.

You began working on the convention before the Democrats chose Barack Obama. How did the message, or your approach, change once he became the presumptive nominee?
Not a lot. Change has been the message and theme really since Democrats were elected to the majorities in the House and Senate in 2006. In fact, you can see that McCain himself has now gone from arguing experience to trying to be an agent of change with his pick of Governor Palin for VP. Voters are angry - they think the country is off on the wrong track - they want change.

What was the closest call with disaster backstage that the viewers at home had no idea about?
Not telling - but there were a couple.

How do you think the RNC went?
Well. The Palin pick for VP created a lot of curiosity and that drives viewership.

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Not Superdelegates . . . Look Who's Starring at the Convention!

CitizenSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:00:37 -0700

While there will certainly be party luminaries in Denver next week for the Democratic National Convention, there's a whole army of stars slated to be there too, partying it up in their own way. Concerts, parties - it's easy to forget there's a real party agenda amid all the fun. While I'm most looking forward to all of the wonky goodness, every vote, speech, and balloon drop, check out who else will be there besides the usual (Nancy Pelosi, Caroline Kennedy, Al Gore, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and many more!) political suspects. It's a cavalcade of stars.

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The Last Day! Obama's Speech of a Lifetime at Invesco Field

CitizenSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:30:33 -0700

The moment we've been hearing about for months is here: Barack Obama will formally accept the nomination for president in front of thousands at Denver's Invesco Field. On the anniversary of King's "I Have a Dream" speech, though Obama was just 2 years old when it happened, comparisons between the two are rampant.

At 10 p.m. EST, Obama will have to live up to this: "I have a dream, that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed - 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'"

Liberty and I are lucky enough to go and see it live - with the thousands of people in attendance, we won't be able to get you our reactions to the speech immediately, but we will soon! In the meantime, tell us what you thought! Did the performance match the hype? Was it truly a speech of a lifetime?

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The Stars Came Out at the Democratic Convention Last Night

CitizenSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:01:28 -0700

Citizen: After the spectacular roll call vote (I'm a sucker for the real party business) and equally spectacular sunset, the celebrities and luminaries descended upon the convention arena. In a bizarre game of "animal, vegetable, or mineral," it was "celebrity, politician, or media type?"

It's harder than it looks! Let's just say last night you would have seen me shamelessly tailing Aisha Tyler, Jurnee Smollett (of The Great Debaters) Alan Cumming, Joe Scarborough, Al Sharpton, and Gayle King. I will say I'm singularly responsible for Aisha getting a seat last night. The usher asked me if it was her (after seeing my not-so-subtle camera) and then promptly let her in. Though Liberty may take the prize for celeb-hounding. . .

Liberty: There wasn't a seat in the house during President Clinton's speech, so I watched with a large group around one of the many flat screens throughout the place. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid just happened to watching at the same TV! After the speech I got a chance to break it down with SF Mayor Gavin Newsom and his wife Jennifer. We all agreed that nobody can talk economics like Bill Clinton. And after it ended, Obama surprise and all, I caught the Clintons leaving their seats, and giving hugs to Jesse Jackson! Check out the view from behind the scenes in the video below.

To see the rest of the pics and the video read more.

View 9 Photos ›

Day 3: The Big Vote, Clinton, Biden, and Big Obama Surprise!

CitizenSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:04:28 -0700

Want to know the most American I've ever felt? When Hillary released her votes and Nancy Pelosi moved for a vote to make Barack Obama the nominee, and the arena full of citizens erupted into applause and song, moving as one mass of humanity inspired by the sheer force of democracy. It doesn't matter who you're voting for at that point; when you're in the arena, it just matters that you're all voting, and you're proud as hell of that right.

The Pepsi Center tonight was filled with citizens, celebrities, and elected officials packed in together and who are all equal come election day. The deafening roar that greeted Bill Clinton's speech (I overheard this afterward: "Did you hear Bill speak?" "I sure did. He's one-a the best presidents we ever had." Priceless.), then the Spielberg-directed video, John Kerry, the surprisingly touching intro of Joe Biden by his son Beau, culminating in the the firm clear message from vice presidential candidate Biden. When he said, "John McCain is my friend. We've traveled the world together . . . but I profoundly disagree with the direction John wants to take this country, from Afghanistan to Iraq," finishing with, "This is America's time!" the air in the arena was an odd combination of festival and gravity. Excitement over what could be, and the importance and weight of that task. The speech climaxed strongly and left the crowd ready for tomorrow.

THEN! Obama came out onstage!!! What did you make of the surprise? The speeches?

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What Happened After Hillary's Speech? Awesomeness Ensued

CitizenSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700

I'm just going to say it: Nancy Pelosi is hipper than me. List of concerts I've been to in my lifetime? Amy Grant, MC Hammer, and Peter, Paul, and Mary. Nancy Pelosi on the other hand, hangs with Wyclef Jean.

Last night was an embarrassment of Democratic musical riches (if that's a thing.) After the business at the Pepsi Center concluded with Hillary's bang, Liberty and I saw Wyclef Jean perform (he played his guitar with his teeth or tongue, I couldn't tell but either way, uh wow) and got to meet Nancy Pelosi .

Then if that wasn't enough (and as the early bird around here I kept saying, "there's a 12 o'clock at night, too? What?!"), we played "What Would Nancy Do" and headed to the Grammys Rock the Vote after party. And they did - rock that is. To see what happened, read more.

In a church converted into a nightclub (I doubt there will be a repeat of this venue at the RNC, but stay tuned) we saw Everclear, and I discovered a passion for this Daughtry, who was awesome live - and who at one point asked the crowd if they were planning to vote in November. I think the crowd did a collective check of their "Delegate" ID-tags, and gave him the "duh." The pomp and presentation on the convention floor might still be the star of the show for my convention, but Wyclef, Everclear, and Daughtry could just be my new Peter, Paul, and Mary.

Kucinich: Corporations Have Erased Public Space - Agree?

LibertySugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:15:47 -0700

Before Kucinich's speech last night during the pre-primetime portion of the convention, I caught him discussing how America has sold its public sphere to corporations. In the video bellow he says:

Corporations have infiltrated our political process so seriously that they've put labels on all of us. There's not one on me. But I can say that when I go to my own Ohio delegation and I see Dominion on everything. I know that's a natural gas company that's jacking up everybody's rates and needs the support of the state administration to do it. . . . We're in the Pepsi arena. Obama is gong to give his acceptance in Invesco stadium. What's this about? It's like we're forgetting the public space.

Yesterday he drove home his take-back-America message at the DNC. I watched him practically jump over the podium, urging Americans to ditch apathy:

Wake up, America. The insurance companies took over health care. Wake up, America. The pharmaceutical companies took over drug pricing. Wake up, America. The speculators took over Wall Street. Wake up, America. They want to take your Social Security. Wake up, America. Multinational corporations took over our trade policies, factories are closing, good-paying jobs lost. . . . Wake up, America. This is not a call for you to take a new direction from right to left. This is a call for you to go from down to up.

Do you agree that corporate interests have taken over the United States?

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Day Two: The Democratic Party Unites With Hillary's Big Speech

CitizenSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:11:01 -0700

Dressed in radiant orange, Hillary Clinton, runner-up in the historic Democratic primary, owner of those 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling, brought down the house. The vibe in the air, in the city, and in the arena was one of unadulterated excitement.

Excitement that the candidate who made it so far in the race was here to lend her formidable prowess to the candidate to be, pride over what she accomplished, respect for how she did it, and a little bit of ownership over the memories. Regardless of who voted for whom, in Denver tonight, Democrats came together.

Hillary Clinton, long accused of splintering the party during the agonizing months of the campaign, successfully made the Democrats whole. With signs waving in the stands with "Unity" on one side, and "Obama" on the other, Hillary made even those who aren't Democrats proud to be part of the country that made her candidacy possible. The mood is ebullient and electric, weepy and thrilled. To some tonight, Hillary Clinton just became the new Bill. But that's just what I think - what about you?

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