The Light Side of the White House

Images by Haraz N. Ghanba

I usually try to stay away from politics and I realize that technically it’s probably not part of the entertainment industry, but it definitely provides its share of entertainment on numerous occasions.  

I recently saw excerpts of the 98^th White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner with President Obama and Jimmy Kimmel.  It was quite funny.  It’s amazing how they can put aside their positions and different issues and make light of things that otherwise would be very serious topics.

This happened right after the Secret Services’ sex scandal, the now infamous Summit of the Americas.  The President took a jab by saying, “Four years ago, I was locked in a primary battle with Hillary Clinton, four years later, she won’t stop drunk-texting me from Cartenga.”

Meanwhile Jimmy Kimmel took a jab at the Kardashians joking about how last year on the eve of the dinner was Osama bin Laden’s killing.  “Who will it be this year?”  Stating that the Navy Seals should focus on them.

President Obama didn’t stop there.   He took a jab at his opponent.  “It’s great to be her in the vast, magnificent Hilton ballroom, or what Mitt Romney would call a ‘little fixer upper.” 

He also made light of himself. The first term I san Al Green.  In his next term he’s going with Young Jeezy. 

Kimmel joked about the Secret Service scandal.  “If this would have happened on President Clinton’s watch, those Secret Service agents would’ve been disciplined with a very serious high-five.  Palms would be beet red.”  He also poked at Governor Chris Christie’s weight.  “Gov. Christie, you may be misunderstanding the New Jersey slogan.  It’s not the ‘Olive Garden state.’”

President Obama also showed a picture of him when he was first elected and he had black hair.  He then showed a picture now with a lot of gray hair, and then he showed a picture of how he would look in the next term and it was a picture of Morgan Freeman.

Politics will be heating up over the next couple of months with the election coming up in November, but it was certainly a nice break from dealing with all of the issues surrounding the election and just enjoying some humor.

                                                                                       

Two Iconic Deaths of the Disco Era

images by CNN

The deaths this week of disco legends Robin Gibbs, of the Bee Gees, and Donna Summers, marks an end to two important icons in the disco-era.  Personally it carries me back to a carefree time in my life, when I lived the carefree state of California in the city of San Diego.  A time before the modern day conveniences of simple downloads and easy access videos.  The days, in which we waited for signature shows that provided our entertainment exposure, shows like Dick Clark and Soul Train.  This was a time before 106 and park and Friday night videos.

Robin Gibbs was one of the singers and brothers that made up the iconic group the Bee Gees and created the signature “Saturday Night Fever” sound, as well as other 70’s sounds.  They brought us songs like “Stayin Alive,” and “Jive Talkin.”   Their 1979 album, “Spirits Having Flown” had six no. 1 hits, the only group in pop history to write, produce and record that many consecutive chart-topping singles, according to the Hall of Fame.

Donna Summers was the Queen of Disco.  She gave us dancing tunes that will forever be etched in our minds when we see a disco light.  She defined the disco era.  Her sultry voice coupled with strings, synthesizers and a fluid dance beat created the movement.  Her tunes were a bit too racy for some with her heavy breathing.  Her music really introduced machines as a part of music.  Her influence can still be heard today, just listen to Lady Gaga's "Born this Way."  She gave us tunes like “Bad Girl,” “Love to Love you Baby,” and “She Works Hard for the Money.”  She had a sexiness in her music that went right along with the carefree era that existed during that time.

It was time when we had to listen to music on the record player with vinyl records.  My older sister, six years my senior was my exposure to music.  She kept the records safely tucked away in her room and I would wait for her to come home so that I could listen to them.  She was my link to the “big-girl” world and would teach me dances like “The Hustle.”

I can still see the big bright flower Donna would wear in her hair, and hear the smooth harmonic voices of the Bee Gees.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/20/showbiz/robin-gibb-dies/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/17/opinion/coleman-summer/index.html