If you live in Los Angeles, you’ve probably seen the provocative billboard for The Americans multiple times somewhere along your route to school or work. The pilot episode of FOX’s new drama aired last week, taking viewers back to the Cold War era to explore the question of what it means to be American. This dialogue inevitably included an examination of the complexities of … [Read more...] about TV Culture: Who Are “The Americans”?
Featured Blogs
Brain Fodder: Slow down, smile, and say thank you.
Three simple reminders. 1. Slow down. I watched two fighters I train with grapple on the mat the other week, each with very different fighting styles. One relied on strength to muscle his way towards a submission while the other relied on patience and technique. While the first fighter flailed his arms and legs trying to take his opponent’s back, the second fighter … [Read more...] about Brain Fodder: Slow down, smile, and say thank you.
New Slang: Another Snapshot of the 40s
In the last post, I mentioned the 40s slang term for being boy crazy: “khaki wacky.” As it turns out, that is not the only teenager-prompted phrase that comes up throughout the decade. Much like the 20s and 30s, there is an intense amount of lively, dance-oriented, and flirtatious language that arose, giving us a very bright and seemingly happy snapshot of the time. “Doll … [Read more...] about New Slang: Another Snapshot of the 40s
TV Culture: “Deception” and the Rise of Black Actresses
NBC’s highly anticipated new drama debuted early this year on January 7, 2013. Meagan Good plays Joanna Locasto, a detective who is sent on an extended undercover mission into a wealthy household to identify and incriminate her best friend’s murderer. Though the show doesn’t base Joanna’s identity in her Blackness, there are subtle references to the reality of her race, … [Read more...] about TV Culture: “Deception” and the Rise of Black Actresses
New Slang: Funnies in the Forties
One would not necessarily expect the 1940s to have a string of seemingly strange rhyming slang terms, and yet expressions like “fuddy-duddy” and “gobbledygook” became increasingly popular at the time. Why the ludicrous-like phrases? Perhaps a look into their origins can provide an answer. “Fuddy-duddy,” referring to a foolishly old-fashioned or stuffy person, is not … [Read more...] about New Slang: Funnies in the Forties