It's madness!

It's madness!  No, no--not that basketball tournament which takes place this month but the wacky world of pop culture, language, naming and assorted other goings-on.

- I've written in this space before about my head shaking over the brand name Kum N Go--a chain of convenience stores primarily located in Iowa but in 10 other states as well.  Well, add to that the name Bone-Us Bag, a bag filled with treats for dogs.  "Bone Us"...really!?

- What exactly is a widget, anyway, and why is it so frequently used in business conversations?

- Kim Kardashian, fresh off her verbal dust-up with Jon Hamm, is ticked at a doctor in Mexico who is using her likeness to advertise plastic surgery.  Kardashian said, "Estoy enojada y voy a demander," which, translated, means "I'm pissed and I'm suing."  Muy bueno.

- No member of the Rolling Stones made the trip to Carnegie Hall, New York, last night for a charity tribute show to the band.  The bill included Jackson Browne, the Black Crowes, Ronnie Spector, Steve Earle and Marianne Faithful.  It was Faithful who, at 17, first sang "As Tears Go By"--the first song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

- The latest tour from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band kicks off Sunday at the Philips Arena in Atlanta.  The rockers previewed the show last Friday at the Apollo Theater in New York with the most pleasant surprise being the presence of Jake Clemons.  Clemons is the nephew of the late Clarence Clemons and took the spotlight for "Badlands," "Thunder Road," and "The Promised Land."  The tour will also feature a full horn section playing with the E Streeters.

- Here's the latest on the Stones' 50th anniversary tour--it's not happening in 2012.  In separate interviews with Jagger and Richards, by Rolling Stone magazine, both said that the band isn't ready and that a tour is likely more realistic in 2013.

- Who came up with words like "whatchamadoodle," "thingee," "thingamabob", and "whatchamacallit?" Just curious...

Rainy Sunday afternoon

- Talk about a lesson in listening to your mother!  Ryan Kitching, a teen in Penicuik, Scotland, was ordered by his Mom to clean up his room after nagging him for several weeks about the mess.  Discovered in the mess was a winning lottery ticket worth $83,000.  Kitching promises to use the winnings to take his mother on a trip.  Oh, and he promises to keep his room clean too.

- Which workers are the happiest?  A recent survey of 43,000 workers found that government employees are the happiest.  The least happiest work in agriculture, mining, for Internet firms, and in media.

- In the category of "you just can't get away with anything, anymore" are the following.  In France, a man took Google to court for posting on its Street View service a picture of him urinating in his yard.  The man says that he has become the laughingstock of  his village, even though his mug was blurred out in the video.  In Germany, video footage surfaced recently showing Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble secretly doing a sodoku puzzle on his iPad during the debate on the 130-billion-euro bailout of Greece.

- The Western, which hasn't been seen on a major network in years, is returning to CBS.  Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis will star in an untitled Western pilot.

- Saudi Arabia is refusing to send a women's team to the Olympic Games this summer in London.  In 2009, the government shut down 153 women's gyms as officials in this conservative Islamic nation consider women who exercise in public "shameless."

- Watch out for this name--AnnaSophia Robb.  Robb, 18, was in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and has landed the plum assignment of playing Carrie Bradshaw in the 1980s-set CW prequel, The Carrie Diaries.

- And, finally, did you know that 40% of current Fortune 500 companies were founded by an immigrant or a child of an immigrant?

The homeless...and stealing a TV in your pants

- Homeless citizens in South Florida got a treat recently when the South Beach Wine & Food Festival donated almost 30,000 pounds of food to local soup kitchens.  The area's poor and needy had the opportunity to dine on Kobe burgers, braised short ribs and slow-cooked pork.

- Lost in the hubbub of Mad Men's return on March 25 on AMC is the return of The Killing on the same network.  The Killing's second season begins on April 1.

- Speaking of Mad Men, today is Jon Hamm's (Don Draper on the show) 41st birthday.

- A Cincinnati man complained on Facebook that his estranged wife was an "evil, vindictive woman."  A judge then ordered the man to post daily apologies or a month or risk going to jail.

- Up Wisconsin way, 36 parked cars fell through the thin ice on Lake Winnebago.  The cars were parked there for an annual fishing competition.

- In the "you can't make this 'stuff' up category," a man in Minnesota was arrested after he tried to steal a 19" flat screen TV--in his pants.  A policeman noticed Eric Lee King hobbling out of the store and stopped him in the parking lot, only to discover the "large rectangular shape" in the perpetrator's pants.  The cop also found that King was carrying a remote control, power cords, and a bottle of brake fluid.

- Consumers seem to be getting more cautious about social media.  A Pew Research Center study found that 63% say they've deleted people from their "friends" list, 44% have deleted comments from their profile, and 37% have untagged photos of themselves.

- And, finally, more women are getting inked than men.  The percentage of Americans with tattoos rose from 14% in 2008 to 21% in 2011, with more women than men getting the body "art."  Of those women with tattoos, 30% say their ink makes them feel sexier and 25% say it makes them feel rebellious.  (Source:  Harris Interactive)

Retail hits and misses: Of Mad Men and Ellen

Misses:

I continue to watch the new J.C. Penney campaign, starring Ellen DeGeneres, and feel that it's failing to fully optimize the investment in their spokesperson.  The spots are expensively produced but fall flat, failing to tap into DeGeneres' comedic appeal in a way which works.  I'm not sure that setting the spots in ancient Rome or a western town help convey the desired messages.  DeGeneres tries to salvage the work, and elicits a smile just by playing herself, but this campaign feels over-thought and over-produced.

Another retailer which is missing the mark is Banana Republic.  I applaud the tie-in with Mad Men, the hugely successful, buzz-generating series on AMC.  However, the male model used in the advertising and point-of-sale force fits a 2012 "pretty boy" look into a 1960's era, slim lapeled and trousered suit.  The facial hair and overall look just don't work in trying to bring to life a modern-day Don Draper.  This is a case where casting is absolutely critical--and it fails.

Hit:

Trader Joe's isn't everywhere.  The stores are not big.  And, the selection is pretty minimal.  Yet, TJ's knocks it out of the park every time I visit.  The retail environment is clean, the associates are amazingly helpful, and the product is first-rate and different from "normal Joe" grocers.  The brand stands for quality and convenience with a strong nod to fresh and eco-friendly.  This is a case study of a brand who knows what it wants to be and does it right--every time.

Language, beer pong and Apple stock

- Who says language has to be a barrier? In Charlotte, N.C., Larry Bushnell, 85, met Columba Rosaly, 97, in a retirement home. He wooed her with notes translated into Rosaly's Spanish by using the internet. They now are learning each other's language, with the help of translator Iris Newton, and are set to exchange wedding vows this weekend.

- NBC has ordered 13 episodes of Hannibal, based on Thomas Harris' Silence of the Lambs prequel book.

- For fans of The Good Wife, look for Matthew Perry (Friends) who has joined the show in a recurring role as an attorney with possible shady motives.

- In the always fun category of "You can't make this 'stuff' up," a New Jersey man who was hit by a car after playing beer pong for three hours has lost his bid to sue the bar where he was drinking. The judge ruled that Alan Berger had voluntarily engaged in the drinking game at Wicked Willy's bar and had "consumed alcohol to the point of diminished capacity."

- Down Florida way, a judge ordered a man to take his wife out to a romantic dinner--at Red Lobster. Joseph Bray was charged with domestic assault after he forgot his wife's birthday, leading to an argument where he shoved her onto a couch. The judge determined that Sonja Bray did not fear her husband, thus sentencing him to buy her a card, some flowers, then take her to dinner at the popular seafood chain. The judge said, "And, after dinner, they're going to go bowling." Sounds like a fun time.

- Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio may be collaborating again. Scorsese is considering a real-life based crime story, The Wolf of Wall Street, with Leo both starring and producing.

- Here's good news--the number of pets euthanized in the U.S. has dropped from approximately 20 million in 1970 to about three million last year, even though the number of American pets has more than doubled in that period. The biggest reason for the change is the widespread acceptance of neutering. (Source: CSMonitor.com)

- Men's Health has this advice on how to request a raise. The publication suggests: Make peace--get along with your boss; Schedule a sit-down--request a meeting when business is going well; Rehearse--prepare as you would for any presentation; and, Overreach--put a big number on the table early.

- And, finally, one more amazing statistic for you--a share of Apple stock is now worth more than that of Microsoft and Google combined. (Source: Time.com)

Happy Anniversary - The Godfather

Forty years ago this week, a film debuted which would ultimately become recognized as perhaps the best American film ever--and certainly the most impactful movie series ever.

The Godfather, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo, was released in 1972 and featured a cast which included Marlon Brando, James Caan, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton and John Cazale. The film was directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

Paramount Pictures, and Robert Evans--then head of the studio--wanted an Italian American to direct the film which chronicled the life of the Corleone family. Sergio Leone turned down the director's role as did Peter Bogdanovich. Coppola initially didn't want to direct the film given fears that it would glorify violence and reflect poorly on his Sicilian and Italian heritage. He ultimately was convinced to do so and later claimed that the studio wanted him because he was young and could be "pushed around."

Coppola and Paramount clashed throughout the making of the film. Making matters worse, the studio was in financial trouble and desperately needed a big hit, thus making the pressure on Coppola even more intense.

Even though the film features some of the most lauded actors of our time, the casting decisions made by Coppola were unpopular at the time. Paramount initially refused to cast Brando in the lead part but relented once Coppola got the star to appear for less salary than his previous films. The studio also wanted either Robert Redford or Ryan O'Neal to play the role of Michael Corleone but Coppola wanted an unknown who looked the part. He found that actor in Al Pacino even though the studio also auditioned stars like Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen and Warren Beatty.

Duvall eventually got the role of Tom Hagen, with names like Steve McQueen and Paul Newman considered for that character. Others who unsuccessfully auditioned were Sylvester Stallone (Carlo Rizzi), Anthony Perkins (Sonny Corleone) and Mia Farrow (Kay.)

The Godfather won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Writing (Screenplay) and Best Actor (Brando); the film was also nominated for eight other Academy Awards. And, the American Film Institute has ranked it second only to Citizen Kane among their list of greatest American motion pictures ever.

Many films were made, prior to The Godfather, about gangsters but Coppola's magnum opus paved the way for future films like Goodfellas and the TV series, The Sopranos. While the trilogy has a crime family as its core characters, it is at its foundation a study on familial relationships with an ensemble cast which will never be replicated again.

The Oscars: Hits and misses

What did you make of last night's Oscars telecast? Sure, it was better than last year's debacle co-hosted by James Franco and Anne Hathaway. But, seriously, is it just me or is the self-congratulatory tone of this event escalating each and every year?

Let's take a look at last night's hits and misses:

Hit: Tom Hanks looked great. His tuxedo offered up a unique look which suited him and the goatee made Hanks look younger.

Miss: Let's start with Angelina Jolie. Seriously, the leg looked great but the rest of the body--not so much. Eat a meal, Angie! I mean, those arms look like toothpicks.

Hit: Penelope Cruz had the dress of the night.

Miss: What was with so many women wearing pale-toned dresses?

Hit: Sadly, the montage of stills and film of those who passed away in 2011 was a highlight.

Miss: Sacha Baron Cohen successfully found a way to get on the red carpet as The Dictator and then found a way to spill the fake ashes of Kim Jong Il on Ryan Seacrest. No matter what you think of Seacrest, it was a bush league moment.

Hit: Billy Crystal.

Miss: Viola Davis. Not only did Davis look totally different given the new 'do and makeup job but she also missed out in the Best Actress category.

Hit: Cameron Diaz.

Miss: The "nip slip." Jennifer Lopez's "down to there" gown offered up what appeared to be a peek of "that" area on her left breast.

Hit: Emma Stone was fun as a presenter along with Ben Stiller who tried to act the part of experienced, veteran Oscar-goer.

Miss: Sean Young, who got busted outside of the Governor's Ball for allegedly duking it out with a security guard.

Hit: George Clooney. Does anyone look more "old Hollywood," in a good way, than Clooney?

Sons of Anarchy returning for at least two more seasons

Sons of Anarchy, a ratings leader for FX, is going to return for at least two more seasons.

Kurt Sutter, the creator of the smash series, has signed an overall three-year deal with 20th Century Fox TV and FX Productions, which jointly produce this highest-rated series in the network's history. As part of the deal, SOA was renewed through a sixth season and those close to Sutter, and the show, feel that a seventh--and likely final--season will occur as well.

(Source: The Hollywood Reporter)

Prepping for a big weekend

Greetings from the left coast where Los Angeles and the film community here prepares for the 84th annual pat-ourselves-on-the-back festival known as the Academy Awards. Let's throw it around, shall we?

- Hotel rates for premium lodging in this town are doubling come tomorrow, given the influx of visitors for the Oscars. As an example, the Miramar Fairmont, in Santa Monica, is bumping its nightly room rate from $350 up to $700 plus.

- Under this year's balloting rules, Academy members will rank all nine Best Picture nominees. The combined score will then determine the winner, meaning that a film needs to be near the top of many ballots to be named Best Picture.

- Is it just me or does anyone else find it sick that Chris Brown and Rihanna are collaborating on two tracks? Their collaboration comes three years after he assaulted her. I understand Rihanna's desire to be provocative but domestic violence is a huge issue in this country. As for Chris Brown, it's a crime that he's been given the air time of late. Both singers have, in the past, asked the public to allow them space--to move beyond their public unsettled relationship. Yet, here they are flaunting the domestic abuse incident for commercial reasons. It's wrong and very, very sad.

- The Sonic guys are back! After a hiatus of a few years, a social media campaign has brought the two back with TV spots airing over the next few weeks. The pre-launch campaign began on February 9 with a concept that Peter Grosz and T.J. Jagodowski, the two spokesmen, wanted to get their jobs back with Sonic. The campaign included direct elements--a Twitter feed, YouTube channel and Facebook page, plus a website where visitors could view commercials made by the pair in an attempt to convince Sonic to take them back. The campaign was created by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco.

- Who appear to be the Oscar favorites in the primary categories? Best Picture: The Artist; Best Actor: George Clooney, The Descendants; Best Actress: Viola Davis, The Help; Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, Beginners; Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, The Help; and Best Director: Michael Hazanavicius, The Artist.

- Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) has signed on as executive producer for a new comedy, on FX, about a rising rock band seeking therapy in order to keep the group from breaking up. The show will star comedian Dana Gould.

- What will all of the stars and industry folk chow down on at the Governors Ball on Sunday night? The appetizer and small bites menu, served up by master chef Wolfgang Puck, will include Chinois lamb with cilantro-mint vinaigrette, beet tortellini with goat cheese and toasted hazelnuts, spicy tuna tartare in sesame miso cones with masago, and Fuji apple salad with crumbled blue cheese, arugula, shaved red onion and apple cider vinaigrette.

- And, finally, guitar hero Carlos Santana is taking up a two-year residency at the House of Blues in Las Vegas. Beginning May 2, Santana will do 80 nights a year at the club with a show he's titled "Greatest Hits Live: Santana--Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."

What's the fastest growing social website?

You're already on Facebook. You have a Twitter account. You check in on Foursquare. Maybe you do Instagram or Google Plus too. Who has time for yet another social website?

Well, apparently millions do as Pinterest.com is now the next free site to become intensely popular--it's the fastest website in history to eclipse the 10 million-visitors-a-month mark.

Pinterest is an online scrapbook/bulletin board which allows you to customize your board based upon interests, e.g., "favorite Italian recipes," "cool craft ideas" or "home remodeling ideas." The site is easy to use--as you surf the web and see something of interest, you can click the "Pin It" button on your bookmarks bar. The whole process is like making a virtual scrapbook.

It's also easy to repin items that you see on a friend's board, or to find people to "follow"--those who have tastes like yours.

The appeal of Pinterest not only is due to its simplicity, but also that it's uncluttered. There are no ads and nothing pops up like on other social media sites. And, unlike Facebook and Twitter, you're not broadcasting out--you're creating boards for your own use based upon your own interests and inspiration.

While not a user, my experience with the site is that it also is far less self-absorbed than Facebook or Twitter. As a Huffington Post columnist wrote, "Facebook and Twitter posts tend to come with the silent subtext, 'Here's how great I am.' On Pinterest, the tone seems to be 'Wouldn't this be great?'"

Is there room for yet another successful social media site? Apparently, with Pinterest, the answer is "yes."

(Source: New York Times)