Althouse: Republicans advertise on "Big Bang Theory," Democrats on Hollywood gossip shows.

September 29, 2014

Republicans advertise on "Big Bang Theory," Democrats on Hollywood gossip shows.

Etc. etc. etc.

67 comments:

madAsHell said...: Those that can do math, and those that can't.; 9/29/14, 12:42 PM
traditionalguy said...: The author's POV must be from the left of 1938 USSR Stalinism Mind Control to have rate any of those shows as GOP supporters. His test must actually be that any acknowledgement of real life and free thought is a GOP aberration.; 9/29/14, 12:46 PM
Original Mike said...: Democrats miss the jokes on BBT.; 9/29/14, 1:09 PM
JRoberts said...: Hmmm...

Daytime television, personal injury attorney ads, state lottery ads, democratic candidate ads.

Sounds about right.; 9/29/14, 1:15 PM
JRoberts said...: Oh, I forgot to include car title loan ads...; 9/29/14, 1:17 PM
The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...: Parasites are home during the day, Republicans are working.; 9/29/14, 1:28 PM
Johanna Lapp said...: Two types of people in the world: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data; 9/29/14, 1:43 PM
Brando said...: So both parties think the election will be decided by morons. Sadly they're probably right.; 9/29/14, 1:48 PM
Chance said...: Why would a party that constantly demeans science advertise on a show centered around science?; 9/29/14, 1:55 PM
Original Mike said...: "Why would a party that constantly demeans science advertise on a show centered around science?"

I don't accept your premise.; 9/29/14, 1:57 PM
Alex said...: I find it hilarious that GOP advertises on a pro-evolution show.; 9/29/14, 1:59 PM
Drago said...: Chance said...
Why would a party that constantly demeans science advertise on a show centered around science?

Examples of your assertion would be totally swell.

Feel free to elaborate.

Do show your work and original sources, not Neil Tyson DeGrasse-type "sources".....(which tend to be imaginary).

Start with nuclear power, fracking, genetically modified food and vaccinations.

Thanks for playing.; 9/29/14, 1:59 PM
Drago said...: Alex: "I find it hilarious that GOP advertises on a pro-evolution show."

Marketing and demographics are what they are.; 9/29/14, 2:01 PM
Chance said...: Evolution, global warming, abortion (values trumping medical science), drug policy; 9/29/14, 2:02 PM
Alex said...: Evolution - proven

Global warming - proven

Abortion rights - obvious and moral

legalized drugs - obvious, practical and moral

GOPers have a problem with being 'reality based'.; 9/29/14, 2:03 PM
damikesc said...: Evolution - proven

I don't think you know what "proven" means.

It is, far and away, the most likely and logical explanation, but until it is replicated, it isn't "proven"

Global warming - proven

...to be a fraud? Yeah. Proven clearly.; 9/29/14, 2:09 PM
Original Mike said...: Evolution,
I'll grant you that

global warming,
just for starters

abortion (values trumping medical science),
What the hell does this mean?

drug policy
You mean like the FDA standing athwart life saving treatments and yelling "Stop!". Or do you mean like the self serving war on drugs that politicians of both parties wage?; 9/29/14, 2:10 PM
n.n said...: Alex:

It's a sitcom. The show is entertaining. It captures a large market. Separation of faith and profit.

Other than its opening theme, it is not fanatical in promoting a perspective. Has that changed?; 9/29/14, 2:12 PM
Chance said...: I guess the real question is who does Sheldon vote for?; 9/29/14, 2:14 PM
JRoberts said...: Johanna Lapp said...
"Two types of people in the world: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data"

And those who can complete sentences.; 9/29/14, 2:18 PM
carrie said...: How about Valerie Jarrett appearing on the Good Wife last night. What purpose does that serve? I thought it was an actress playing Valerie Jarrett and then I discovered today that it really was Valerie Jarrett playing herself.; 9/29/14, 2:23 PM
n.n said...: evolutionary creation - proven in a universal frame (i.e. faith-based). the logic is supported through circumstantial evidence and induction. the event(s) will never be replicated, but may one day be reproduced. it's telling that adherents to evolutionary creation, are most likely to reject or selectively adopt evolutionary principles.

global warming or anthropogenic global warming... cooling/change? neither is proven. the system is governed by a semi-stable chaotic process, which ensures irregular cooling/warming/change states. a human signal can be observed at local, and perhaps regional levels. while a global statistic only has meaning and significance with an overwhelming forcing.

abortion rights - legal but immoral. human life evolves from conception to a natural, accidental, or premeditated (e.g. abortion) death. the myth of spontaneous conception is self-evidently false, other than through an act of divine intervention. it is a myth retold by advocates and activists who profit from keeping women in taxable activities and degrading evolutionary fitness of a couple, community, society, and civilization.

legalized [psychotropic] drugs - ambiguous, practical, immoral

I would say it is just Democrats, who on principle selectively acknowledge reality, but there are more than a few Republicans with overlapping and convergent interests.; 9/29/14, 2:32 PM
Johanna Lapp said...: jRoberts @2:18
"Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data" and "those who can complete sentences" are the same group.; 9/29/14, 2:33 PM
Birkel said...: JRoberts steps on the joke.; 9/29/14, 2:35 PM
Shanna said...: How about Valerie Jarrett appearing on the Good Wife last night. What purpose does that serve?

What about 'madam secretary' which seems designed entirely to get hilary elected...; 9/29/14, 2:38 PM
richard mcenroe said...: Democrats miss the jokes on BBT.

The only constant Plancks they recognize are More Money for Our Base and Free Abortion.; 9/29/14, 2:54 PM
Brando said...: Who advertises during reruns of Mama's Family? Because that's the demographic that will decide our future.; 9/29/14, 3:20 PM
JRoberts said...: Birkel said...
"JRoberts steps on the joke"

Bummer. I guess I'm a Democrat after all...; 9/29/14, 3:28 PM
Birches said...: I love BBT, but not as much as I love Brooklyn 99.

I am only seeing ads during football or baseball games. Like most of my demographic, I wouldn't watch the news if you paid me (ok, maybe then).; 9/29/14, 4:18 PM
Birches said...: The Wapo comments are hilarious, because some commenters have convinced themselves the only reason GOP ad buys are so large for BBT is because they're trying to "convert" voters.; 9/29/14, 4:22 PM
Chance said...: BBT is one of the few shows that doesn't stream (legally), short of buying it on iTunes or something.; 9/29/14, 4:26 PM
Jaq said...: "I find it hilarious that GOP advertises on a pro-evolution show."

As P.J. O'Rourke famously said, life is full of ironies for stupid people.; 9/29/14, 5:08 PM
William said...: I always thought that Letterman's monologue was an infomercial for the Democratic Party. Is that the most effective advertising buy for a Republican. Sort of like advertising for women's basketball during an NFL game. The show you're watching subverts the product you're advertising.; 9/29/14, 5:28 PM
Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...: Shanna said...
What about 'madam secretary'

Any show with Tea Leoni in it is OK with me.; 9/29/14, 6:12 PM
Titus said...: I rarely watch tele.

I have becum almost exclusively netflix. I get a bigger choice in what I watch.

tits.; 9/29/14, 6:53 PM
Renee said...: When I get a push poll, I get asked if I watch and what I watch.

I also get question on a favorability of the Koch Brothers.; 9/30/14, 1:11 AM
Renee said...: The actual Big Bang Theory was discovered by a catholic priest....

Also the Big Bang Theory isn't a science show, I think it is a comedy about socially inept persons. Like Three Stooges.

Never watched it.; 9/30/14, 1:13 AM
Jaq said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 9/30/14, 5:21 AM
Jaq said...: It may not be a "science show" but every once in a while they get off a science ripper. One time Penny told this joke:

A physicist goes to an ice cream bar every week and buys two ice cream sundaes, sits at a table for two alone, and places one across from him at the empty chair which he does not eat.

Finally a girl at the counter asks him why he does it, He says he is hoping that a beautiful girl will materialize in the chair.

She says "why don't you just get a date?"

He says "What are the odds of that happening?"

If you follow any physics blogs, like this one, you spit your drink at that joke.; 9/30/14, 5:33 AM
Renee said...: I got the jokje, but it sounds like one I would roll my eyes at.; 9/30/14, 7:04 AM
Renee said...: You know who likes puns & cheesy jokes? My socially conservative friends. Makes sense, now.; 9/30/14, 7:05 AM
Jaq said...: Tell you what Renee, why not explain it then?; 9/30/14, 7:24 AM
Brando said...: I can't say I'm a big fan of BBT--I think in recent years I've been spoiled by watching so many non-laugh track, single camera style comedies that now when I see a "traditional" comedy the laugh track seems out of place. It's one of the most popular comedies on TV though, so clearly I'm in the minority.

The other thing that seems weird now is watching a show when it first airs--sitting through the commercials and having to be home in time to catch the broadcast. A decade ago that seemed like such a regular thing, and now that I catch everything (except sports) with online streaming at my own schedule, the only time I really watch broadcast shows when they air is when I'm visiting my parents.

My assumption is that in their demographic "Shark Tank" is a big hit.; 9/30/14, 7:30 AM
Jaq said...: Explain it without Google and account for a couple of facts. The joke has to do with an idea that is sometimes discussed by physicists today, taken seriously by some, ridiculed by others.

It was submitted by a Nobel Prize winner in Physics, not "Peace."; 9/30/14, 7:32 AM
Jaq said...: "My assumption is that in their demographic "Shark Tank" is a big hit" - Brando

Always easier to use assumptions than gather facts, especially about people you don't like, but its not bigotry, don't worry, because it makes you feel good when you do it and bigots never feel superior when being bigots, right?

Renee's "assumption" was that she got a joke she clearly didn't, based on her prejudices and bigotry, your assumption is no different.; 9/30/14, 8:04 AM
Renee said...: Tim, It's a comedy. Your taking a pun way too seriously.

The social odds of getting a date and physical odds of a woman appearing.

I questioning if you understood the joke???; 9/30/14, 8:07 AM
Renee said...: Whoa... How am I bigot?

BTW my favorite show is Person of Interest, favored by liberals. But the actor who plays one of the main character would be described as conservative.; 9/30/14, 8:11 AM
Brando said...: "Always easier to use assumptions than gather facts, especially about people you don't like, but its not bigotry, don't worry, because it makes you feel good when you do it and bigots never feel superior when being bigots, right?"

I'm bigoted towards my parents' demographic now? When did this comment thread go all Mother Jones?

Ok, admittedly that was a little bigoted towards Mother Jones.; 9/30/14, 8:14 AM
Jaq said...: Renee,

"You know who likes puns & cheesy jokes? My socially conservative friends. Makes sense, now."

Umm, how is it a pun? It is a joke about "Boltzman Brains"

But of course you knew that, right? Or because you didn't understand it, and you, in your bigotry assume that conservatives couldn't understand a joke that you don't about, you know, science, you rationalize that it is a stupid joke to go with your idea of what stupid conservatives are. That is bigotry.

Brando, you refer to your "assumptions" when judging others and making pejorative public pronouncements about them.; 9/30/14, 8:27 AM
Renee said...: It's a joke.

The 'odds' in the joke has a double meaning, making it a pun.

But you did prove nerds are socially inept....; 9/30/14, 8:35 AM
Brando said...: We all have assumptions--that's not the same as bigotry, which entails negative biases. Pointing out that I don't normally watch shows like "Shark Tank" (which is an entertaining show) is only "bigotry" in a world where oversensitive types consider everything "bigotry". It's what I'd expect on hand-wringing leftist blogs, not here (though commenters tend to cross the sprectrum here quite a bit).

I did earlier make a comment about the demographic for BBT and gossip shows being "idiots". That was a bit bigoted towards idiots, I'll admit. But the rest wasn't.; 9/30/14, 8:35 AM
Shanna said...: Any show with Tea Leoni in it is OK with me.

I have never liked Tea Leoni, going back to some show she was on in the 90's. She just bugs me.

I am going to check out the new show with Maggie Q from Nikita because I like that actress. I think it's called Stalker.; 9/30/14, 9:10 AM
Shanna said...: I was surprised the Blacklist was mostly liberals, though.; 9/30/14, 9:15 AM
Brando said...: "Stalker" got some bad reviews--though lately Dylan McDermott hasn't been getting good hits lately.

There do seem to be a flurry of new "woman in charge of government agency and only smart person in the room" shows coming out. I don't know whether the networks are trying to ready the public for a Hillary candidacy or just anticipating what they think is a trend--ultimately ratings and money mean more to these people than anything.

I think a neat show would be a drama about a terror cell embedded in the U.S. and the government agents trying to infiltrate them. Sort of a "The Departed" but with terrorists instead of gangsters.; 9/30/14, 9:20 AM
Birches said...: Brando that show sounds interesting, but it will never happen because of PC sensibilities. Have you seen Traitor? Lots of suspense.; 9/30/14, 9:32 AM
Birches said...: It took me a long time to watch BBT after numerous people told me how hilarious it was, partly because of the laugh track. But we finally gave it a try and it is hilarious. I think it's the only show I watch with a laugh track.; 9/30/14, 9:36 AM
Birches said...: If a show is good, the laugh track disappears from your consciousness. When's the last time you noticed the laugh track on Seinfeld(aside from those annoying Kramer entrances?; 9/30/14, 9:39 AM
Brando said...: Was "Traitor" the Don Cheedle movie from a few years back? I enjoyed that one pretty well (though thought it a bit odd any mole would have only one person who could exonerate them, it being convenient that the person dies and along with it goes the mole's chance of staying out of prison).

I think the PC sensibilities could be a plus--think of the free press and controversy! Some channel would carry it if it were a quality show.

A bit of "PC insurance" would be having some of the good guys also be Arabs and Muslims so the portrayals of those groups aren't all negative; also humanize the bad guys enough to make it compelling (a la Sopranos). If well executed, it could be a gripping show.

Of course, they'd have to avoid the major networks--by the time those namby pampies got through with it, the terrorists would all be right wing neo-Nazis, the good guys would be led by a liberal academic, and they'd throw in a precocious kid who "knows computers" and the show would be a mess.; 9/30/14, 9:41 AM
Brando said...: Yeah, I enjoyed Seinfeld (and a number of other laugh track shows) a great deal back in the day. I think it's just a matter of getting used to the track, as the less often you hear it the more you notice it.

One of my favorite Seinfeld exchanges was when Kramer tried to get Jerry to rip off the post office by claiming his package was damaged:

Kramer: Jerry, don't worry, they'll write it off!

Jerry: Write it off? Do you even know what that means?

Kramer: Do you?

Jerry: No.

Kramer: Well, I don't either. But they do, and they're the ones that write it off.; 9/30/14, 9:43 AM
Shanna said...: "Stalker" got some bad reviews--though lately Dylan McDermott hasn't been getting good hits lately.

Too bad, but I'll give it a shot for a few episodes. I don't think you can really tell until you get a bit into it. An actress/actor I like (although I'm pretty meh on Dylan he doesn't actively bug me and as mentioned I adore maggie Q) will let me overlook somethings...

But mostly the slate of new TV shows this year seems terribly uninteresting and I dropped a few last year. I'm still undecided about watching Blacklist again, because the stuff I liked didn't always make up for the stuff I didn't like.; 9/30/14, 9:46 AM
Jaq said...: "The 'odds' in the joke has a double meaning, making it a pun.

But you did prove nerds are socially inept...."

Keep rationalizing. I am sure that you can manage to feel superior in any situation, whatever the facts. I have to admit it is quite a skill.

You didn't get the joke. You have tried to make some kind of tortured explanation for it, but you didn't get it.

Your self esteem depends on you being right, despite all evidence to the contrary. The joke was on a show called "The Big Bang Theory" about a theoretical physicist, you can't understand the joke, you have a need to feel superior to people, who, oddly enough, can get the joke.

Because there are people in this world you don't like who know about things that you don't, you resort to social bullying by calling such people "socially inept."

It is funny how completely lacking in self awareness you are. I know you can't see it due to your own lack of self awareness, it is kind of a Catch-22, but it is funny nonetheless.; 9/30/14, 9:54 AM
Brando said...: Yeah, I usually like to give a show a few episodes so I can get the characters before giving up on it. Some will have a slow start.

I've noticed a lot of shows (mostly sitcoms) tend to be far better in their second and third seasons than their first--sometimes the writers and actors need to get their rhythm. Then fourth and fifth season they're coasting on success, getting a bit lazy, then each season after that is shark jumping.

There are exceptions of course, but as a general rule it applies pretty broadly. By the end of the Office I was ready to strangle Michael Scott.; 9/30/14, 9:55 AM
Jaq said...: Brando,

Think about your own motivations much? No, I am pretty sure you don't on account of you are so pure in your morality and acumen, there is no need.; 9/30/14, 9:55 AM
Shanna said...: sometimes the writers and actors need to get their rhythm.

Exactly. Pilots are usually filled with set up's, so it is really hard to judge a show on a pilot for that reason as well.; 9/30/14, 10:20 AM
Fen said...: Ha! Alex thinkgs saying "Global Warming - Proven" is "reality-based"

For his next trick, Alex will impale himself with his own sword.

Thanks for the laugh Alex. Idiot.; 9/30/14, 12:47 PM
Jaq said...: Fen,
If science makes one uncomfortable, like it does, for example, Renee, the easiest way out of the discomfort is to repeat stuff one hears people say that one judges, based on one's limited scientific education, sounds smart. You can't blame him really, it is a difficult topic and there is so much misinformation in the press, which comes from journalism majors, drawn from the bottom rung academically, not to mention political appointees, who have cronies to enrich to stay in power.; 9/30/14, 2:44 PM
Birches said...: Of course, they'd have to avoid the major networks--by the time those namby pampies got through with it, the terrorists would all be right wing neo-Nazis, the good guys would be led by a liberal academic, and they'd throw in a precocious kid who "knows computers" and the show would be a mess.

Ugh. You're absolutely right.; 9/30/14, 10:49 PM