Twerking is not the answer

I just wanna start off by saying that I feel for Miley Cyrus. As someone who was engaged and subsequently publicly embarrassed at a very young age I can relate to wanting to feel anything but the sting of repeated "I told you sos". And as an avid follower of pop culture I can understand the pressure for a young singer/actress to distance themselves from their  Disney channel beginnings. If spring breakers taught us anything it's that there is no subtle way to chuck the duece to mickey and them. So when i saw the video of Miley trying her hardest to twerk on stage with Juicy J I got it. The combination of a public (and apparently messy) breakup and being placed in a creative box can be enough to make anybody lose their mind, let alone someone living under a microscope. However that is no excuse to become this week's running joke on  YouTube. Miley boo twerking is so NOT the answer! Take note of the mistakes of the Lindsays and Paris's before you when it comes to  the debauchery you're allowed as a member of the new and improved brat pack less is definitely more. Cameo in a video. Get wasted at Liv.Take another hit of that sticky stuff. Just please. Please! Do NOT get caught out there twerking for juicy J of all people. And if you absolutely must start dancing for some bands at least hit Ciara up for some dance lessons first. 

Why are you not watching......Downton Abbey?

The buzz from critics about United Kingdom import “Downton Abbey” is turned all the way up but it seems the mainstream has been slow to embrace a narrative centered on the inner workings of a private home and its servants. If you’re one of those who feel as if you wouldn’t be all that interested in this series because it’s set so far in the past you’re not alone. But don't let the setting of early twentieth century England deter you there is plenty of passion in this PBS series. It begins on the brink of significant social change in England. The old ways are giving way to a new world that is as exciting as it is unpredictable.

Ushered in with this era are sex, revenge, and scandal. The warring siblings, thieving servants and badly behaved debutantes are all somewhat expected but the biggest surprise about the show is the humor. The matriarch of the Crawley family has more jokes than K. Michelle from Love and Hip Hop Atlanta! No one and nothing is safe from her criticism and her sharpened tongue provides the perfect amount levity in between the more dramatic scenes.

Along with being full of suspense “Downton Abbey” is visually stimulating. Emmy winning costume designer Susanna Buxton assembles a number of remarkable frocks in each and every episode. It is a credit to her talent that there is less flourish in the wardrobe here than in other shows. The beauty is subtle charmer adding to instead of obscuring the vivid plot lines.

The show is set in the past but the storylines could compete placed any time period which is what makes it so impressive. The writers don’t hide behind historical events and corseted dresses they force themselves to construct a legitimate story.

Downton Abbey is available both on Netflix and the PBS website. Give it a chance you won’t be disappointed.

Why Are You Not Watching....Scandal?

 Unless you’re still in that bunker you built awaiting the Mayan apocalypse you’ve heard the overwhelming reaction of “Scandal” fans to the show’s last episode. A network publicist’s dream come true this show is one of the most talked and tweeted about on the air. You can’t escape the trending topics (#whatthehuck) and watercooler chat. It’s everywhere. But if you’ve never watched it before you might be asking yourself if the hype is really warranted. I’m here to tell you it is!  Creator ShondaRhimes  of “Greys Anatomy” and “Private Practice” fame has outdone herself with this show. The characters are addictive the dialogue is delicious and the actors really give it their all. Lead actress Kerry Washington plays the role of a Washington “fixer” like her life depends on it and the supporting cast shine just as bright. With plot lines that are both complex and addictive “Scandal” makes you thankful for the day that some network executive finally woke up and realized that smart people watch T.V.! So if you’re wondering if you’ve been missing out run, don’t walk to your tablet, laptop or smart phone to catch up on before the next episode airs on ABC on January 10^th  at 10p.m. and you log into your twitter account to find you’ve been left out…again.

The Devil Deserves To Be A Diplomat

Wintour accompanied by Vogue editor at large Andre Leon Talley

Recently a video has been circulating depicting members of the White House press corps mocking Vogue magazine editor in chief Anna Wintour. Wintour, whom some refer to as the high priestess of fashion, was heavily involved in President Obama’s reelection efforts. She raised the fourth most amount of money for the campaign and lent her face and prestige to countless events supporting the reelection of the President.  She even spearheaded “Runway to Win” an effort by twenty three designers including Tracy Reese, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Marc Jacobs, to support by designing patriotic themed attire to be sold to fund the campaign.

She has maintained her post at Vogue for longer than I have been alive and in that time period she has brought vision and revolution to the American fashion world. She is known for her pursuit of excellence and lack of tolerance for excuses. She is widely considered to be graceful, refined and competent.

Marc Jacob's contribution to Runway to Win

And yet when the question arose of Wintour being possibly appointed to an ambassadorship to either France or the United Kingdom (she already has a fantastic public image in her own right in both) the room erupted with laughter. In fact a reporter was so brazen as question whether Miss Wintour was a diplomatic human being asking pointedly whether our President had ever seen “The Devil Wears Prada”.



Tom Coughlin reprimanding a player

But before you have a laugh at Miss Wintour’s expense ask yourself if the question of a possible ambassadorship would be a comical if the subject were Tom Coughlin. A man who has become an intimidating figure in both the sports world and pop culture Coughlin has a reputation for seeking distinction and   excellence from his players. As a multiple super bowl winning coach for the New York Giants Coughlin has achieved greatness through his tenacity and foresight-much like Miss Wintour.  Yet despite the similar traits needed to complete their vastly different job only one has received public jabs about their career.

The reaction of the press corps to the rumor that Anna Wintour might be named an ambassador is a reflection of our country’s attitude towards the fashion industry as a whole and it is grossly offensive. There is no reason that men like Coughlin should be lauded as leaders and women like Anna should be painted as nothing more than overpaid mean girls.

It can be argued that both fashion and football are frivolous. But what cannot be argued is that to succeed in either billion dollar industry requires a skillset that includes leadership, vision, and even a certain level of diplomacy.  

Evelyn Lozada presents a harmless glance into "The Inner Circle"

When reality star Evelyn Lozada announced that she would be releasing a book there was an overwhelming negative response. When she went on to disclose that the book wouldn’t be a straightforward tell all but instead a novelized version of her experiences as one of the women behind the men of professional sports that sentiment seemed to triple. People just couldn’t seem to believe that Lozada was capable or worthy of entering the publishing industry. But with other reality stars hawking everything from lip gloss to low calorie tequila the idea of her writing a book didn’t really shocks me. Because whether you’re a friend or foe of Lozada’s  you’ve got to admit the Basketball Wives cast member knows how to reach her audience.

Band of Belibers...Where's the line between fan and fanatic ?

Comments from an angry Belieber

Okay I'm going to tell you something that you're possibly going to find a little hard to believe. Not everyone under the legal drinking age has Beiber fever. While it’s true that hundreds of thousands are impressed by the swagger of the teenage heartthrob some find him a little hard to stomach. To the average person this development would seem perfectly reasonable. But the average person is not a diehard belieber (a label Bieber’s fans have given themselves). Rolling stone subscriber Randy Clarke found this out when he as well as friends and family were subjected to personal attacks by instagram and Facebook users after posting his adjustments to the latest cover of the magazine which featured beiber now wearing sporting a mullet and sunglasses courtesy of Clarke’s black sharpie. Even amongst a his requests for peace the fans criticized him vehemently for no other reason than his dislike of the Canadian bred pop sensation.

Are fans in our superstar crazed culture too narrow minded and obsessive or is the prominent defense of their beloved idols all in good fun? You can decide by reading Tyler's recount of his experience here.

Onward and Upward....

I will now be posting book reviews at www.terrymcfly.com check out his site for all your fashion and entertainment needs!