Deanna Zandt » television

Talking Iranian elections and social media on WRHU

deanna zandt — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:14:29 +0000

Here’s the interview I did this morning with the Morning News Hour crew at Hofstra University — great conversation and lots of fun, too. We cover Iran, other countries with repressive Internet policies, Net Neutrality, the big picture of social media and so much more! A jam-packed 17 minutes of goodness:

Deanna Zandt on WRHU: Iranian elections, social media and more

TechGrrl Tips: #IranElection on GRITtv

deanna zandt — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:03:11 +0000

Television tells me

deanna zandt — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:56:00 +0000

I’m watching CNN this morning as we gear up for Democratic Decider Day, and there was just a commercial on the absolute unwavering virtues of… coal. In the background, “Celebration” (wah-hoo!) played. America’s power! (wah-hoo!) It’s what runs 70% of our energy systems! (wah-hoo!) Heyyyyyyy… wait a second.

But the “I Like to Watch” column in Salon yesterday had world view that was a little more akin to my own — on the economy:

The talking heads want us to think that it’s all our fault for charging a 52-inch plasma flat-screen TV on our credit cards, but we’re not buying that song and dance anymore. A pound of chicken breast is $7 at my grocery store. I live in a working-class neighborhood. What the hell are people eating out there? The federal minimum wage is $5.85 an hour! Can you imagine working over an hour for a f***ing chicken sandwich? What is this, Zimbabwe?

In troubled times like these, I like to tune in to “The Suze Orman Show” (9 p.m. EST on CNBC) so Suze and her befuddled crowds and I can sigh heavily together over the sorry state of the U.S. economy. I love how Suze talks about good things to do with money I don’t have. I like putting imaginary money into IRAs and then saving some more imaginary money for a 529 college fund. It feels reassuring, somehow, to know that if I stumbled on $10,000 or $15,000, I’d know lots of things to do with it that wouldn’t involve Cabo San Lucas or high-grade cocaine at all.

Amen, sister. I do however, really like the Holiday Inn Express breakfast bar commercials.

Using up my 15 minutes bit by bit

deanna zandt — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 23:04:41 +0000

It was such an exciting week! First, I was on CNN for about 5 seconds:

Then, I met Jason Alexander!

And then, he mentioned having my business card in his pocket at the beginning of the speech he gave at the gala we were all attending!

Tee hee. All thanks to Take Back America.

Celebrity etiquette: standing in line with Phil Donahue

deanna zandt — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:46:43 +0000

Last night, I went to go see the Nader film (I wrote a review for AlterNet this morning, too)… before the film started, I went to get some popcorn and all that. The guy behind the counter said, “Who’s next?” Just as I was starting to place my order, somebody next to me leaned in and ordered two Cokes.

I was about to get all righteous and indignant, but then I saw it was Phil Donahue. I grew up watching Phil Donahue on days I stayed home sick from school, watching him bound up those stairs with that microphone, and here he was, cutting me in the popcorn line. What does one do about this? Me, I stood there with my mouth agape, confused. Do you elbow Phil Donahue? Do you tell Phil Donahue that he cut you? Do you care that much about getting your popcorn in a timely fashion?

Me being me, I just started laughing. Luckily, another guy was behind the counter and took my order pretty much right after that.

Toxic Pop TV launched

deanna zandt — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 15:18:15 +0000

I’m so very excited and pleased to announce that the first episode of Toxic Pop TV has been launched! It’s a weekly TV straight outta the heart of the downtown NYC artsy-fartsy scene, and I’m participating as a sometimes-segment host and working on the techie backend for the site.

Without further adieu, episode 1!

Late-nite TV commercials

deanna zandt — Sat, 03 Jun 2006 05:15:40 +0000

My barely-cable affords me some interesting late-nite TV, especially weekends. I just saw an ad for a new KY massage line (following in the footsteps of Elexa, are we, KY?). They zoomed up to show how the lube pours out, and it’s performed neatly by a guy with a huge, gi-nor-mous, glaringly-bright wedding ring. This really obvious moment of, “THIS IS FOR MARRIED HETERO COUPLES! WE SWEAR!” Hilarity ensues.

In other news, I’ve just discovered Eric Bana. Why have you people kept him from me for so, so long?