Clear Channel & Spike
Sounds like the name of a buddy movie, doesnít it? Read on, and it will make sense as the headline for today's blog entry.
A few days ago I wrote about John Rook [1]. His reputation as a solid and extremely capable, talented radio professional is a well known fact. But who knew John was also a source for biting social satire? Read the following lead from an item John posted, then go see the whole item [2] on his site [2].
Clear Channelized
WASHINGTON (RNN)--The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced today that it has agreed to be acquired by Clear Channel Communications (CCU) of San Antonio, Texas.
In announcing the deal, FCC Chairman Michael Powell said "This transaction will greatly expedite the demise of the antiquated concept of local ownership of media outlets. Critics of deals such as this need to understand that Clear Channel embodies all that is good and decent in the broadcast industry, and anyone that believes otherwise clearly isn't listening to the news."
See it in its entirety here [2].
John also points to this article [3], Dishonest Communications Reform, from The Chicago Tribune about this weekís FCC decision.
The cause for alarm over this FCC move is the potential end result of too few voices, all of which express one very common view, in their reportage and their editorial slant. Never again might one hear the newsroom phrase, ìSpike that story!î in an environment where only the news they want you to hear would be considered for air.
Spike This!
Overblown Ego has a new name: SPIKE! Yesterdayís news carried this story [4] of major, worldwide, planetary import: director/writer (and sometime actor) Spike Lee is suing Viacom to prevent them from ìinfringing on the trademark of his name.î You see, Viacom wants to rename TNN [5], one of its cable channels. The new moniker would be Spike TV. Furthermore, TNN now refers to itself in network promos as the ìfirst network for men.î
Gee, whatís next? Will the estate of Spike Jones sue Spike Lee for ìuse of hip name we used first?î Will the Golden Spike National Historic Site [6] in Brigham City, UT have to pay Spike Jones a royalty for the right to continue to exist with that name? When one ìspikesî a drink, will Jones be somehow culpable?
Maybe the auteur will go after the producers of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, to garner some of the syndication royalties . . . after all, one of the characters [7] in that show is named Spike. Surely this, too, infringes on his personal and uniquely held trademark and ownership of this nickname. Oops, I mean this valuable persona which he holds so dear.
It does seem a little peculiar that Mr. Lee has let the spice company off the hook. Theyíve been using the name for years. Speaking of spiceÖ. Odd how he didnít choose to go after Spikeís Naked Planet [8], An International Directory of Gay Nudist Clubs for Men. Doesnít that give a great deal of exposure to the name to which he claims property rights?
We know Lee to be a sports fan, what with his courtside seats at Knick games, and his chatter with some of the players on opposing teams. TV viewers are accustomed to seeing Spike do those Nike spots, chasing after Michael Jordan. Does he know he has a namesake (who even has his own page on the net [9]!) with minor league baseball team The Orlando Rays? Probably not, given the fact that he hasnít sued them for using his precious appellation. Then again, maybe he has Field Level box seats at the O-Raysí stadium, and thereby grants them use of this precious sobriquet. I can imagine him cheering on the team from his luxurious seats there at Disney's Wide World of SportsÆ Complex Or is it that when the name Spike is used for a mascot, or an animal, but not a cable network, then he chooses not to pursue legal action?
Washington Post [10] writer Lisa Moraes [11] takes Spike to task, and comes up with a few more memorable Spikes in this column [12]. She also points out that Leeís real name is Shelton Jackson Lee.
Who owns the rights to the Our Gang comedies? They had a Spike, too. Will they be the next target of an injunction from Spike ìI own the nameî Lee?
Next time you play Volleyball, make sure not to hit the net if you are in the front row, and are about to attempt to ìSheltonî the ball. When the game is over, ask your teammates and friends about how they thought your form was when you ìSheltonedî the other guys. Remember, in Volleyball you cannot wear the same footwear as when you play Baseball. Sneakers are ok for Volleyball. But no cleats, since many people refer to those things on the bottom of cleats as ìSheltons.î And when you pour someone a drink, if they asked for something non-alcoholic, whatever you do, don't "Shelton" it!
There was a significant increase in traffic to this site recently. I wonder what caused that "Shelton" in readership hits?
"Do The Right Thing: Call Me Shelton"