Media Watch August 29, 2007

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

By PJH Staff

Return of the Penguin
Berkeley Breathed, creator of the beloved Reagan-era comic strip “Bloom County,” is back at it again, writing and drawing his loveable, often misguided characters who exist in a parodied socio-cultural-political mirror of the real world.

In “Opus,” distributed by the Washington Post Writers Group and featured on Salon.com, Berkeley’s recognizable title character, a large-nosed penguin, along with old favorites Steve Dallas, Lola Granola and, yes, catatonic Bill the Cat contend with a world at times mired in uncertainty and threat.

This Sunday’s “Opus” featured the historically fickle Lola Granola dabbling in fundamentalist Islam in the first part of a two-part series that some papers – including the Washington Post – have opted not to run.

A great thing about the strip being featured online is the reader comments feature, which can lead to some pretty insightful dialogue – often funny, occasionally heated – in a way a cartoonist working in the 1980s could never have imagined.

Though “Opus” has yet to plant a culturally relevant foothold the way “Bloom County” did into the early years of Bush I, now would seem to be a good time for those characters to help us understand ourselves and the world around us – or, at least make us laugh.
— Ben Cannon


Couch surfers need not apply
Scrolling through the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce’s newsletter page on their website, we came across this little nugget:

“The Casting Producer for the ABC Show ‘The Bachelor’ recently wrote the Chamber asking to forward the information on that they are on the search again to find their perfect guy. If you know of anyone in your area who might be perfect (in their late 20s-late 30s, dynamic, successful in any career, single, of course!), give them a call.”
With the number provided we called casting producer Bethany Pawlisch, who provided some insight on the matter.

“We hand-pick the bachelor, to be honest,” she said, noting that they contact CEOs, law firms and other businesses across the country to find a successful single; however, she noted, “If they guy is the best catch then it doesn’t matter what he does for a living.”
Pawlisch said they don’t do a casting call for the bachelors, only for the bachelor-ettes because once they find the perfect man, they need to find many women who would actually match, as the shows end goal is to marry a couple together.

The 11th season of “The Bachelor” will premiere on Sept. 24. Blue-eyed Brad Womack, 34, an oil field ruff-neck turned Austin, Texas, bar owner is the object of affection this season. Producers are now seeking a bachelor for season 12. After they find him they will have a large casting call for women across the country. If you think you’re the man, or maybe your friend is, give Bethany a call at (323) 297-7109.
— Sam Petri


Comp Plan website debuts
Jackson Hole residents interested in the upcoming Comprehensive Plan revisions can now go online to access the most current information for the expected yearlong process nearly underway.

On Monday, the town and county cooperatively launched www.jacksontetonplan.com. There, individuals can access a calendar of upcoming dates, a helpful guide to understanding the revision process, and a open blog to chime in as part of public participation.
— Ben Cannon
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Media Watch August 29, 2007 | Planet JH News Article: Media Watch

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