Product placement in music videos is nothing new, and brand names are casually dropped in pop all the time (I can’t wait for R. Kelly’s 32-part anthology about his new iPhone). But Black-Eyed-Pea-turned-Gwen-Stefani-tribute-act Fergie has taken it to a whole ’nother level: She’s the first major singing star to contract in advance to shill in her music, and it only took $4 million from teen-skank clothiers Candie’s. “With record sales in decline, you must find novel ways to make money out of the music. The trick is to make the brand part of the song, so that it slips down easily rather than chokes the fan,” a record weasel from Fergie’s label told London’s Sunday Times. “Candie’s will reach teens, but it has no say over exactly what Fergie will sing, or when. Fans might think she’s just singing about candy. But it’s got to work in the song. Fergie does not sing jingles.” Sidebar: If you would like to see Fergie die a horrible death'at least on film'please rent Poseidon (drowned) and Grindhouse (ripped apart by zombies).
The End of Days, Part 2: Last week, Nebraska’s Shilling Bridge Winery & Microbrewery introduced Git-R-Done Beer in honor of home-state hero/comedian/trucker-hat enthusiast Larry the Cable Guy. Brewery owner Mike Shilling said the light beer has more “flavor and body” than standard corporate suds, because “rednecks love quality, too.” Reached for comment, Mark Alston of Salt Lake City beer emporium The Bayou said he’ll be “rushing right out to get some'but a light beer? That’s annoying.” As far as mind-altering substances go, Git-R-Done Beer is probably better than Carlos Mencia’s Beaner Brau or David Crosstops.
They’re not supposed to be officially announced until July 19, but this year’s potential Emmy Awards nominees were leaked over the weekend'yes, it is that slow of a news week. According to TheEnvelope.com, the Drama finalists are Boston Legal, Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, Friday Night Lights, Heroes, House, 24, Dexter, Rome and The Sopranos; in Comedy, it’s down to Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, My Name Is Earl, The Office, Scrubs, 30 Rock, Two & a Half Men, Entourage, Extras and Weeds. Looks like no love for polygamy drama Big Love'HBO really should have submitted it as a comedy.
As irregular bloggers ourselves here at City Weekly, we’re always on the lookout for even less active local media blogs than our own at CityWeekly.blogspot.com (if only we posted as often as we plug it, eh?). We have a winner/loser: The Salt Lake Tribune’s Plato’s Cave, wherein “Tribune editorial writers weigh in on the issues of the day.” The last day that happened was Monday, Jan. 1'over six months ago. We don’t really feel so badly about ours now. And that Name the City Weekly Blog contest is still open, FYI. Way open
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