Comments on: The Immaculate Half-Century http://www.overthinkingit.com/2008/08/16/the-immaculate-half-century/ Overthinking It subjects the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:53:58 +0000 hourly 1 By: mlawski http://www.overthinkingit.com/2008/08/16/the-immaculate-half-century/#comment-1190 mlawski Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:18:42 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=1152#comment-1190 Well, isn't that the way a lot of pop culture is moving these days? What about Sean Combs (or whatever he's calling himself now)? First, he started with music; now he's got a fashion line and his own TV show. He's also a film actor and producer. This is what EVERYONE is doing now. You don't sell the music; you use music/movies/magazines/clothing lines to sell yourself. Everyone is his/her own brand. I'm not sure if Madonna started that trend or was a symptom of it. Well, isn’t that the way a lot of pop culture is moving these days? What about Sean Combs (or whatever he’s calling himself now)? First, he started with music; now he’s got a fashion line and his own TV show. He’s also a film actor and producer. This is what EVERYONE is doing now. You don’t sell the music; you use music/movies/magazines/clothing lines to sell yourself. Everyone is his/her own brand. I’m not sure if Madonna started that trend or was a symptom of it.

]]> By: wrather http://www.overthinkingit.com/2008/08/16/the-immaculate-half-century/#comment-1184 wrather Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:24:43 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=1152#comment-1184 I can't believe I forgot to mention that. I was meaning to make a point along the lines of what Gab says above. What I wrote in the post -- that Madonna's medium is the popular culture itself -- I would reiterate here: It's not surprising that she manages to retain her own distinct identity that transcends TV commercials (and movies, etc.) because that's where she's in her element. She's not a singer -- music is just one of the tools she uses to develop her art, which is herself. The only other person I can think of that has a similar relationship to the culture is Oprah. (Maybe Martha Stewart also.) Interesting that they're all women? I can’t believe I forgot to mention that. I was meaning to make a point along the lines of what Gab says above.

What I wrote in the post — that Madonna’s medium is the popular culture itself — I would reiterate here: It’s not surprising that she manages to retain her own distinct identity that transcends TV commercials (and movies, etc.) because that’s where she’s in her element. She’s not a singer — music is just one of the tools she uses to develop her art, which is herself.

The only other person I can think of that has a similar relationship to the culture is Oprah. (Maybe Martha Stewart also.) Interesting that they’re all women?

]]> By: Gab http://www.overthinkingit.com/2008/08/16/the-immaculate-half-century/#comment-1174 Gab Sat, 16 Aug 2008 16:59:24 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=1152#comment-1174 The Pepsi thing is one of myriad instances that prove how she is so iconic and definitive that while she does get sponsors, she is not defined by them like so many of the other pop stars out there. All they do is pay for things- SHE decides what image she presents, not them. And she's SO much a permanent part of the pop culture structure that she's able to give everyone, including those sponsors, the (not necessarily metaphorical) finger in the images she presents, and instead of being shunned, we and they come crawling back for more. She's awesome. The Pepsi thing is one of myriad instances that prove how she is so iconic and definitive that while she does get sponsors, she is not defined by them like so many of the other pop stars out there. All they do is pay for things- SHE decides what image she presents, not them. And she’s SO much a permanent part of the pop culture structure that she’s able to give everyone, including those sponsors, the (not necessarily metaphorical) finger in the images she presents, and instead of being shunned, we and they come crawling back for more. She’s awesome.

]]> By: Shechner http://www.overthinkingit.com/2008/08/16/the-immaculate-half-century/#comment-1173 Shechner Sat, 16 Aug 2008 16:18:50 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=1152#comment-1173 I think it's also interesting to note that the "Like A Prayer" video - though it premiered on MTV - was witnessed by most Americans for the first time when it was prominently featured in a nation-wide ad campaign by a major consumer corporation. The fact that Madonna was able to strongarm her racially, socially, sexually, religiously charged imagery into the eyeballs of Joe Everyman, and that she got *Pepsi* to sponsor it, demonstrates not only her unparalleled acumen at manipulating the American media machine, but also a key moment in her on-again/off-again relationship with Irony. 'Cause yeah, Pepsi - the official soft drink of the American Mid-West - is *totally* into Black Jesus. I think it’s also interesting to note that the “Like A Prayer” video – though it premiered on MTV – was witnessed by most Americans for the first time when it was prominently featured in a nation-wide ad campaign by a major consumer corporation. The fact that Madonna was able to strongarm her racially, socially, sexually, religiously charged imagery into the eyeballs of Joe Everyman, and that she got *Pepsi* to sponsor it, demonstrates not only her unparalleled acumen at manipulating the American media machine, but also a key moment in her on-again/off-again relationship with Irony.

‘Cause yeah, Pepsi – the official soft drink of the American Mid-West – is *totally* into Black Jesus.

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