News briefs
A quick recap of some interesting stories.
Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: News/Features
Colbert lemmings mobilize again
NEW YORK CITY - Comedian and faux pundit Stephen Colbert made headlines recently when he hijacked a NASA contest to name a module of the International Space Station. Legions of fans in the Colbert Nation helped make the contest winner “Colbert,” much to NASA’s chagrin. The funny man’s already persuaded his legion of fans to vandalize Wikipedia articles, take over a Hungarian bridge-naming contest, and even write him in as a presidential candidate. When will the U.S. government wise up and start using this man’s powers for good? Start a contest to fix global warming, the economy, or the health care system and put him in charge. Two weeks later, voila, problem solved, thanks to the Colbert Nation.
Obama’s gift a diplomatic dud?
LONDON- Britain’s love affair with President Obama hit a sour note last month as the new Commander in Chief’s gifts to both Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Queen Elizabeth fell flat. Obama received a lot of flak from the media for his gaffe gifts, including American DVDs for Brown (which don’t even play in Britain) and an iPod for the Queen (which would have been nice, if she didn’t already have one). Although the gifts could be considered a hip, nontraditional sign of Obama’s new diplomatic style, they ended up looking rather crass in contrast to the Brits’ thoughtful trinkets. So much for improving America’s reputation abroad. All of this negative attention must have Obama worried; he’s risking losing his invitation to NATO’s annual Secret Santa gift exchange.
Twitter disseminates deep celeb thoughts
SAN FRANCISCO- The newest online sensation to hit the celebrity world is Twitter, that microblogging service that everyone talks about and which seems completely useless. (Tweeting about you and your friends’ lives is about as exciting as watching paint dry.) But now, eager fans and stalkers alike have access to their favorite celebs’ deepest thoughts. All the big stars have their own Twitter streams, which may or may not be updated by personal assistants. Out of all of them though, our favorite Twitterer is probably the great philosopher Shaquille O’Neal, who unleashes gems like “Its freezn n portland, schwlbbbbb schlwbbbb dats da lip shiver sound” and “Should I go see elvis, I’m in memphis, you aint nuttin but a hound dog, ridin around town Dun nun daa” to his 600,000 followers on an almost hourly basis.
NEW YORK CITY - Comedian and faux pundit Stephen Colbert made headlines recently when he hijacked a NASA contest to name a module of the International Space Station. Legions of fans in the Colbert Nation helped make the contest winner “Colbert,” much to NASA’s chagrin. The funny man’s already persuaded his legion of fans to vandalize Wikipedia articles, take over a Hungarian bridge-naming contest, and even write him in as a presidential candidate. When will the U.S. government wise up and start using this man’s powers for good? Start a contest to fix global warming, the economy, or the health care system and put him in charge. Two weeks later, voila, problem solved, thanks to the Colbert Nation.
Obama’s gift a diplomatic dud?
LONDON- Britain’s love affair with President Obama hit a sour note last month as the new Commander in Chief’s gifts to both Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Queen Elizabeth fell flat. Obama received a lot of flak from the media for his gaffe gifts, including American DVDs for Brown (which don’t even play in Britain) and an iPod for the Queen (which would have been nice, if she didn’t already have one). Although the gifts could be considered a hip, nontraditional sign of Obama’s new diplomatic style, they ended up looking rather crass in contrast to the Brits’ thoughtful trinkets. So much for improving America’s reputation abroad. All of this negative attention must have Obama worried; he’s risking losing his invitation to NATO’s annual Secret Santa gift exchange.
Twitter disseminates deep celeb thoughts
SAN FRANCISCO- The newest online sensation to hit the celebrity world is Twitter, that microblogging service that everyone talks about and which seems completely useless. (Tweeting about you and your friends’ lives is about as exciting as watching paint dry.) But now, eager fans and stalkers alike have access to their favorite celebs’ deepest thoughts. All the big stars have their own Twitter streams, which may or may not be updated by personal assistants. Out of all of them though, our favorite Twitterer is probably the great philosopher Shaquille O’Neal, who unleashes gems like “Its freezn n portland, schwlbbbbb schlwbbbb dats da lip shiver sound” and “Should I go see elvis, I’m in memphis, you aint nuttin but a hound dog, ridin around town Dun nun daa” to his 600,000 followers on an almost hourly basis.
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