Category: Cibrian

The Country Superstar: Female

3/24/2016

Before Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Miranda Lambert. Women had a voice in country music. A genre that for a number of years has been excluding women from radio play, instead relying on “bro country” which is just as gross as it sounds.

Ever, since the nineties there has been a decline in a female presence on country radio. A similar phenomenon has occurred in hip hop as well. The nineties were the peak of music sales for an industry that has been desperately trying to cope to it's new surroundings.

The nineties had a highlight of influential women on the country music scene.

LeAnn Rimes was one of the powerhouses. Blonde and skinny. She has been referred to as the new Patsy Cline. Although, I've never found too much similarity between Patsy's husky tones and LeAnn's pleasant demonstrative voice. LeAnn is probably best known for her massive “How Do I Live” and Coyote Ugly “Can't Fight The Moonlight”. She's married to Eddie Cibrian. Therir marriage was swirled with a cheating scandal on both sides and it was glorious.

Reba has been a staple on the country scene since the eighties. She reached her commercial peak during the nineties. Sporting multiple multiplatinum albums and bearing the cross of a touring band that were all killed in a plane crash. She's more then just a hit TV show.

Martina McBride has experienced a decline in popularity that most of the rest of these women have. She never reached the peaks of Faith Hill and Shania Twain, but she's been a steady source of quailty country music. Her biggest success came in 1997 with three times platinum Evolution. My personal favorite song by her is “Wrong Baby Wrong” a cut off her uncertified Shine album.

Buy "Wrong Baby Wrong"

Faith Hill was always meant to be a contendor with Shania Twain. She never quite made it there. She's probably best known for “This Kiss” (a Taylor Swift favorite) and number two charting “Breathe”. She's married to country superstar Tim McGraw and despite their almost divorce they proved love is real. My mother and I personally lived for her second album It Matters To Me, but it was 1999 Breathe that would be her biggest success selling over eight millions copies in the United States.

Shania Twain and her husband, Robert Mutt Lange found a winning formula in the nineties and they ran with it. She is the only artist to have three consecutive diamond certified albums. 1997's Come On Over having being certified 2x Diamond in the United States. It's also the best selling country album. Ever. She had quirky hits and massive albums and she was the original Taylor Swift for basic white girls like me to cling to. Personal favorite album has always been Up! and underrated single “She's Not Just A Pretty Face”, although she's probably best known for karaoke staples like “Man! I Feel Like A Woman”.

Buy "She's Not Just A Pretty Face"

In recent times, women have not been given a voice or a platform. Kacey Musgraves is a critically acclaimed country artist with a single hit to her name. Brandy Clark, an established songwriter, has been having a hard time gaining traction. Although, her lesbianism may be a factor in conservative country radio. Jana Kramer (“Why Ya Wanna”, “I Got The Boy”) so far has only been able to produce one radio single an album. Maddie & Tae (“Girl In A Country Song) deserve better. Cam is capable of more then just “Burning House”. And, right now it seems like Kelsea Ballerini (“Dibs” “Love Me Like You Mean It”) is the only woman able to conquer country radio.

Buy

This is my way of saying support your female country singers. They're not getting enough respect and a music base full of women deserves to have their voice heard in it. All of them are amazing and talented and they deserve your recognition.It's time for this patriarchal reign of men to stop in country radio.

Feel free to comment with additional female singers, I didn't mention.

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The Cover Of A Playboy Magazine

11/5/2015

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I waited to publish this article. I heard the news. I was casually on twitter not paying attention to the third party contract my professor was discussing when I find out that Playboy is no longer participating in nudity. The magazine for men is giving up it's pornographic past.

Shock. It hit me. What is Playboy without it's centerfold unfurled with bunny ears and her breasts out? The concept of boys reading Playboy for the articles throws me.

I did some research for you. Founded in 1953 by the still CEO, Hugh Hefner, Playboy was America's premier trashy magazine. With enough of a glamourized past to inspire the short lived retro throwback The Playboy Club. Not even the gorgeous Amber Heard and Eddie Cibrian could save it

The fate of the centerfold is still in question. Reasons for the change have been noted as a decreased circulation. Currently, the magazine has a subscription of 700,000 compared to it's 70's 5.6 million. Hugh Hefner cited the easy access of pornographic images in any possible combination as the reason for the change. There will still be scantily clad women.

Playboy is archaic as a symbol of patriarchal society. However, without it we wouldn't have the nudes of all the famous women we do. Playboy has been quite successful in this endeavor. Marilyn Monroe, Farrah Fawcett, and Drew Barrymore. And, let's not forget Lindsay Lohan who said it was freeing “not to use a vaginal plug.”

I have a conflicted view of Playboy. Despite the obvious misgivings, they've done some upstanding things. They refused to publish the nudes of Vanessa Williams. Eventually, Penthouse went on to publish them forcing her to give back her crown.

Conversely, their Playgirl publication published the unsolicited nudes of Brad Pitt. The magazine sold out before it could be removed from stands.The 90's were the time to be alive. It was an intelligent business decision if not ethical.

Playboy has done some things to garner the argument that men “read it for the articles”. Stephen King got his start publishing short stories in Playboy. They've also included works by notable writers such as Ian Fleming and Margaret Atwood. Famed Japanese writer Haruki Murakami is included on their list of contributors. I wrote an article on him entitled “Translation Please” (read here).

Even, Shel Silverstein has some of his cartoon renderings included in the pages of a Playboy magazine. Apparently, Playboy was a showcase for cartoonists.

The argument that Playboy is an intellectual pursuit is slim. Even, with it's political commentary, that does tend to run liberal. A point in it's favor is that Playboy has been printed in braille. The question is do they put erotic descriptions of the centerfold in place of the picture for the blind. Or is it truly just an intellectual pursuit like it's proponents claim.

It seems like an end to an era. A new generation of children will no longer be able to find sexually explicit magazines in their father's sock drawer. Could there ever be another House Bunny movie? Is the objectification of blonde shell bombs over? And, more importantly will we ever see another Kendra Wilkinson. A girl who's fame is based solely on her large breasts and perky personality and who's husband still cheated on her. Only magazine subscriptions will tell.

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The Art Of Sex

11/8/2014

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There are so many good reasons to hate someone. Their sexuality shouldn't be one of those reasons. This applies everything. Their skin tone, their gender, their religion. These are not good reasons to hate anyone.

I have been considering doing an over arching throwback on a subject for a while. When I was writing for another blog, I did one on marijuana. That was fun. I did another on abuse. This didn't even start out as a throwback. I wanted to write about Pussy Riot for a Media Monday. It just didn't happen.

If you haven't heard of them, you should look them up. Basically, they are these group of Russian women who are fighting for rights in Russia. The media focuses most of their attention on the feminist and LGBT side of the group, however they protest for other basic human rights as well. They are very interesting and inspirational women.

Madonna with two members of Pussy Riot

This article really got started due to Hozier and his song “Take Me To Church”. The song is beautiful and well written. It's definitely worth a listen if you haven't yet. However, it really was the music video that moved me. It told the story of a closeted gay couple in Russia, and the physical violence that results when its discovered that one of them is gay.

I don't know how this did not garner some form of attention. It's a stunning, relevant video. I love Iggy and her Clueless themed “Fancy”. But, “Take Me To Church” is art. It is what pop culture is for to get a conversation started.

I found the video to be so moving I was going to do a whole throwback on Hozier. His influences alone would have made for an interesting article on. Van Morrison, Jackie Wilson, Jeff Buckley. Even, Bon Iver, although he is a little too current for a throwback.

Buy "Take Me To Church"

Before the 90's there was very little gay support in media. Gloria Gaynor's “I Will Survive” may be considered a gay anthem, but it wasn't directed towards that purpose. Gay rights came to head when everything else was coming up. Women's rights, black rights. All these rights movements and it was put on the back burner.

This is not a criticism of how it was handled, because it is certainly not. There was a lot happening and you have to pick what you can focus on. The 90's, though was when it became more talked about. I don't want to say accepted.

Although, you did see the emergence of RuPaul. A black drag queen into social media. He became the face of MAC cosmetics, had a stint as talk show host on VH1, and his signature song “Supermodel (You Better Work)” that thrust him into the spotlight. It says something about he 90's that this was allowed to happen. Still, he never did have that top ten hit. He never truly became an A-List star.

Madonna was also influential in the 90's. As she is today. Something I feel like people do not realize about Madonna, or at least people my age. Is what she's done for us. Madonna has always supported gay rights, she has pushed feminism forward. Madonna has changed the world and we sometimes get too lost up in the controversy to realize that. More then once in the nineties, Madonna opened up the conversation to the public. Her hit song “Deeper and Deeper” is about a boy who comes to terms with his homosexuality, and even the broader all encompassing “Secret” dealt with these kind of issues.

These were mainstream hit songs, in the times when MTV still ruled the world. She was forcing America to look at it.

Buy "Secret"

Buy "Deeper and Deeper"

No matter how much I like Lady Gaga or any of the other pop stars who support LGBT rights. Now its almost popular to support gay rights. Madonna did it when it wasn't in vogue. She did it because she thought it was the right thing to do. She thought it would make a difference and it did.

One of the many things I hold against Katy Perry despite her stated support of gay rights, is “I Kissed A Girl” and “Your So Gay”. In one album. It presented the concept of: lesbians are hot, gay boys disgusting. She used this for her own fame. She may not have meant it that way, but its how it comes across. It honestly would not surprise if born and raised Christian girl Katy Perry did not like gays. It really would not. It would not shock me or make me dislike her more then I already do. It was the same with Paula Deen. Was anyone really that surprised that good old southern Paula Deen was racist.

It shouldn't have.

Before the 90's there really weren't any mainstream movies about the gay 'agenda'. Don't you love how the agenda is that they want to be married. What a terrible thing the gays are trying to do. They will bring down America with all this marriage.

Now there was The Rocky Horror Picture Show, that movie is really rough. No plot. No point. Really. You could argue that the underlying point is to allow for sexual freedom, but who really knows what that movie is about.

During and after the 90's there were a string of movies made about gay culture: The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Saved!, Brokeback Mountain, But, I'm A Cheerleader, GBF.

You might not have heard of a few of these movies, but some are mainstream. The Adventures of Priscilla is a funny movie. Two drag queens and a transexual cross Australia in bus. You should need no more convincing.

Then, you have both Saved! and But, I'm a Cheerleader. The first tells the story of a girl who tries to save her gay boyfriend by having sex with him. Believing it is the Lord's will, she doesn't realize she will get pregnant, or that he's still gay. With supporting roles played by Mandy Moore and Macauley Caulkin it's surprisingly heartwarming if tempestuously dull.

Then, you have But, I'm a Cheerleader. The premise being about a girl who is sent away to gay camp in order to get back on the right path. They complete typical gender related tasks in order to get the gay away. Of course with RuPaul as one of the counselors and sexy Eddie Cibrian running around. No one is truly getting rid of the gay.

Of course you've heard of Brokeback Mountain. You know Heath Ledger is in it. It's a great movie. The thing about it that troubles me is that it is so often referred to as a 'gay' movie. When these men are bisexual, not gay. There is a difference.

This movie was watched in GBF (Gay Best Friend) when one of the mother's tries to convince her son that she is okay with him being gay. It is basically the 2010's attempts at a Clueless or Mean Girls. One of the boys is outed and the three leading prom queen contenders battle over him to gain the upper edge in the polls. All the obvious flaws you are seeing with this movie are supposed to be there. It's about realizing that just because someone's gay doesn't make them any less human with any less feelings.

And, there are other movies of course. These are just the ones I have seen. Milk I've been told is a great movie about gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk. You probably know I feel about Sean Penn, which is why I haven't made a point of seeing it. And, of course the documentary Paris Is Burning is a must see. People still quote all the time. Brooke Candy in “Opulence”, even RuPaul took his “Shantay, Sashay” from this movie. It's a classic.

TV of course. The first mainstream, mention of homosexuality on TV had to be Three's Company. The only reason Jack is allowed to live with Janet and Chrissy is the fact that he isn't attracted to them. Which we all know isn't true. Now TV has gay relations on it all the time. Modern Family, Glee, White Collar.

It certainly is better. It has gone past the point of being under the conscious level, but don't let anyone tell you that there isn't discrimination against homosexuality. The fact that not every state has legalized gay marriage is an obvious point. There is no critical thinking involved in that. GBF was rated R. Actually all the movies I listed were rated R. I guarantee when you watch them you'll wonder how that happened. Some of them you'll be like, yes that deserved that rated R, and others you will just not understand.

Take other countries into account. Russia, Pakistan, Egypt. You cannot tell me that homosexuality is not persecuted because it is. It is the same thing as telling me racism does not exist. Are you kidding me. The people who fought discriminatory laws are still alive. The same oppressors are still around. There may be less violent racism, but it still happens. It's just not the same thing.

Is it better. You can make your mind up about that. I do think the younger generation is going to be a lot more accepting. The YouTube community being a prime example of that. Young people watch YouTubers and the fan base of Tyler Oakley, Superfruit, Troye Sivan are obvious points to favor this.

Do not change who you are for anyone. Home is where you are. You do not need people who do not support you. If you're parents do not like gays. Fuck them. You don't need to tell them. Move out. Become your own person. You don't need parental permission.

It really upsets me that it would be impossible to tell my parents thatf I was gay. They would freak out. It would be a major issue. That's heartbreaking parents. They wouldn't love me anymore. I would be a disappointment. That's not sort of upsetting. It's horrific that this is how my parents would feel about it.

Me over here in my intro to pysch class has learned that trying to change your sexuality is not a good thing to do. It is very unhealthy. It causes depression. Don't change yourself. Accept who you are. And, realize that there are people on your side. Even, if you can't reach out to them, even if you can't verbally acknowledge something it is okay. It will get better.

We all have to be adults some day and you don't have to live anywhere near your parents.

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Good Christian Bitches

10/10/2014

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Thank God for GCB. This show saved my life. I miss it so much. There was only one season, and two years later I still want this show back.

The real problem this show had was that it was a mid-season replacement for Pan-Am. You remember that retro show about the stewardesses. That was just one of the many retro shows they tried to do that year. All the stations were trying to capitalize on the popularity of Mad Men. Every single one of those shows was canceled. I even liked the one NBC did, The Playboy Club. Amber Heard was in it and she is so sexy. Then, Eddie Cibrian was in it.

I guess middle America wasn't ready for all that sex. I was. I saw every single episode. Granted, that show didn't even make it to the mid-season mark. They canceled after three episodes? Tragedy.

This all happened the year that Desperate Housewives was in its final season. And, with the cancellation of Pan-Am they had to find a mid-season replacement. GCB originally titled “Good Christian Bitches” until it was deemed to inappropriate.

The issue came in that this show came in right after Desperate Housewives. It was originally meant to be a replacement for Desperate Housewives the following year, but after the cancellation of Pan-Am it got pushed forward.

The way the Sunday line up worked was, Desperate Housewives, then GCB. It was basically two hours of the same show. There are some undeniable similarities, and people did not have time for that. We were all broken up over this being the final season of Desperate Housewives to care about this new show.

Of course I watched. I wasn't supposed to. I also wasn't supposed to watch Desperate Housewives but that isn't the point. My parents didn't want me watching it because it slandered good christian people. Just like I wasn't supposed to watch The Playboy Club but I did anyway.

That was another problem, GCB had was that it offended the staunch christian conservatives. If they actually watched the show they would have realized it wasn't making fun of Christians and that it made some very good points. But, that is just my opinion.

The central premise of the show was that Amanda (Leslie Bibb) is moving back to Texas to live with her over bearing mother Gigi (Annie Potts) after her husband dies in a car crash biting off more then he can chew. Amanda was the mean girl in high school and all of the girls she picked on our out to ruin her life. This includes Carlene Cockburn (Kristen Chenoweth), Cricket Caruth-Reilly (Miriam Shor), and Sharon Peacham (Jennifer Aspen). There's also sweet darling Heather Cruz (Marisol Nichols) who can't find a man, but she's not really pitted against anyone.

For the record Cricket does not have herpes.

Amanda despite the fact that she is living with her mother refuses to let her pay for things, and ends up working at Boobylicious as a waitress. To the scandal of the entire church set- and her mother. This show was dirt. This show was high stakes drama and humor. It was great.

What ABC kept forgetting is that Sunday nights are a tough time slot. They cancellled the next two shows they put in the 10/9 central time slot, because they got worse ratings then GCB. Of course I shamelessly watched both of them. 666 Park Avenue was great. Vanessa Williams was in it. That's all you need to know. It's about a creepy apartment run by the devil and Vanessa Williams was in it. Need I say more.

The next show they replaced that with was Red Widow. To be honest I only saw the first episode, and not even the whole thing. The show was not that good. I would have been thoroughly irritated if they cancelled GCB for this show. Its been two years, but ABC needs to bring GCB back. The problem I feel now is that all of these women are not just sitting around waiting for roles.

These people have other jobs. We couldn't get the original cast back together and there would be no point, then. I want it back so badly. You need to watch it, even if it's just for Cricket's gay husband Blake. Mark Deklin embodies sex. Swooning right here.

The women of this show are attractive. But, Blake. Oh, dear god. I can't even. Also, I realize the show ended on a “cliff hanger”. Yes and no. Only one thing wasn't resolved. But, we have all watched TV enough to know what the end result was going to be. This is a spoiler I suppose, but the world saw it coming. Amanda kisses the very hot pastor while they're in Mexico. That is the one thing that is unresolved.

At the same time. If season two had happened they would have tried to hide their love, eventually dated, decided it was too complicated, and somewhere near the end of season 8 finally realized they loved each other all along and gotten married. That's what would have happened.

Netflix this bitch. Buy the first season on DVD, because those liars at ABC mislead us and labeled it as the complete first season even though they had no intention of renewing it for a second.

There is always the chance it will come back. This show received the largest online petition ever to save a show. Wendy Williams rallied around to get this show saved. It could happen. Remember how The Game was canceled for two years? If not you have ten wonderful episodes to watch. Embrace it and thank God for good christian bitches.

Side note: GCB was inspired by the similarly titled book by Kim Gaitlin. The show is a loose interpretation of the book and its not my favorite book by a long stretch, however it is a good fun quick little read. So, that's definitely something to check out if you like the show.

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The Country Superstar: Female

The Cover Of A Playboy Magazine

The Art Of Sex

Good Christian Bitches

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﻿The Country Superstar: Female

The Cover Of A Playboy Magazine

The Art Of Sex

Good Christian Bitches

About

Archives

Categories

The Country Superstar: Female