Archive for the ‘Media Humor’ Category
Sunday, February 6th, 2011
Once again, it’s Limerick-Off time. And that means I write a limerick, and you write your own, using the same first line. Then you post your limerick here and, if you’re a Facebook user, on Facebook too.
So I hope you’ll join me in writing a limerick with this first line:
A man who reported the news…
Here’s mine:
Newsy Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A man who reported the news
Had some very odd habits and views.
He’d rant and he’d rave
And refuse to behave.
And when caught in a lie, he blamed booze.
Please feel free to write your own limerick using the same first line and post it in my comments. And if you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll join my friends in that same activity in my Facebook Limerick-Off post.
To receive an email alert whenever I post a new Limerick-Off, please send me an email requesting the alerts. You’ll find my email address on the upper right sidebar, in the “Author” section just below my Limerick-Offs button. Thanks!
Tags: Bad Behavior, Bad Habits Humor, Booze Humor, Media Limerick, News Limerick, Personality Verse, Poetry & Prompts, Reporters Humor, TV Humor, Writing Prompts
Posted in Behavior & Personality, Communication Humor, Limerick & Haiku Prompts, Limerick-Offs, Limericks, Media Humor, Poetry & Prompts, Television (TV) Humor | 27 Comments »
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011
This week Big Tent Poetry provides a bunch of word prompts, urging us to use one or more in our poems. I used three of them in my haiku (remote, function, handle) and one in a limerick (remote.)
First, my limerick:
I’m tempted to hide the remote
From my spouse in a closet or coat,
Cuz he flicks ev’ry station
In rapid rotation.
Missing show after show gets my goat.
*****
And now my haiku:
Dysfunctional spouse
Wields remote ADD-style.
Wife can’t handle it.
Tags: ADD Haiku, ADD Humor, Battle of the Sexes, Husband Wife Limerick, Marriage Verse, Television Limerick, TV Humor, TV Remote
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Battle of the Sexes, Behavior & Personality, Entertainment Humor, Family & Relatives Humor, Haiku & Senryu, Leisure Time Humor, Limericks, Marriage Humor, Media Humor, Obsessions Humor, Television (TV) Humor | 21 Comments »
Monday, January 3rd, 2011
This question will probably make me sound ageist and grumpy. In my preemptive defense, let me say:
1) I’ve been tossing AARP’s annoying magazine for years; and
2) I am grumpy.
So here’s my question: Have you ever noticed that Andy Rooney isn’t funny anymore?
I used to be a fan and would never turn 60 Minutes off until Rooney’s monologue was over. I even owned one of his humor collections. But I can’t remember the last time Andy Rooney made me laugh … or even giggle. These days his commentaries make me cringe.
Now to those who may argue that I’m not funny either, I say:
CBS doesn’t pay me a gazillion bucks a year to not be funny!
And no, this limerick isn’t funny either:
Have You Ever Noticed…
By Madeleine Begun Kane
At the risk of incurring some ire:
Andy Rooney should really retire.
It’s not that he’s old,
And I don’t mean to scold,
But he’s funny no more, and it’s dire.
Tags: 60 Minutes, AARP, Andy Rooney, CBS, Celebrities, Humorists, TV Humor
Posted in Celebrity Humor, Entertainment Humor, Limericks, Media Humor, Public Figures, Television (TV) Humor | 5 Comments »
Thursday, October 14th, 2010
Hubby Mark and I watched 30 Rock Live tonight, and I sure hope the West Coast version was better than the East Coast version. What a train wreck! And I say this as a huge fan of Alec Baldwin (who, like me, hails from the Massapequas) and of Tina Fey.
30 Rock Live — Limerick Review
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Disappointed in 30 Rock Live.
I kept waiting for jokes to arrive.
The cast looked uptight.
(And I’m being polite.)
If the critics applaud it’s just jive.
Tags: 30 Rock Live, Alec Baldwin, Massapequa, NBC, Sitcom Review, Television Review, Tina Fey, TV Humor
Posted in Entertaining New Yorkers, Limericks, Media Humor, Television (TV) Humor | 4 Comments »
Thursday, October 7th, 2010
Tasty Books (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Please don’t tell me you’re “moved” by a book,
Cuz I surely won’t give it a look.
I love thrillers and wit,
But abstain from chick lit
And spurn texts that explain how to cook.
****
September 6 is “National Read A Book Day.”
Tags: Book Review Limerick, Books Humor, Chick Lit, Cook Books, Leisure Time Humor, Literary Taste, Media Limerick, Odd Holidays, Read A Book Day, Reading Humor, September Holidays, Thrillers
Posted in Books, Food & Drink Humor, Leisure Time Humor, Limericks, Media Humor, Odd Holidays | 3 Comments »
Monday, September 27th, 2010
Once again, it’s Limerick-Off time. I hope you’ll join me in writing a limerick with this first line:
A woman who yearned for great fame…
Here’s mine. (It’s a two-verse limerick, but a standard one-verse limerick is fine, of course.)
Infamous Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A woman who yearned for great fame
Had no talent that people could name.
But reality’s odd:
Her voluptuous bod
Led to stints on American Dame.
The series showed gals well endowed,
As scantily clad as allowed.
Then losers were kicked,
As front-runners were picked.
You don’t like that idea? Join the crowd.
Please feel free to write your own limerick using the same first line and post it in my comments. And if you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll join my friends in that same activity in my Facebook Limerick-Off post.
To receive an email alert whenever I post a new Limerick-Off, please send me an email requesting the alerts. You’ll find my email address on the upper right sidebar, right above my photo. Thanks!
Tags: Appearance Humor, Fame Limerick, Media Limerick, Poetry & Prompts, Reality Shows, TV Humor, Writing Prompts
Posted in Behavior & Personality, Entertainment Humor, Limerick & Haiku Prompts, Limerick-Offs, Limericks, Media Humor, Physical Appearance, Poetry & Prompts, Social Satire, Television (TV) Humor | 20 Comments »
Monday, August 16th, 2010
I hope you’ll join me in writing a limerick with this first line:
A diva was slammed in the news…
Here’s mine:
Bad News Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A diva was slammed in the news.
The column was chock full of boos.
It lambasted her voice
And her musical choice.
Now that woman is singing the blues.
Please feel free to write your own limerick using the same first line and post it in my comments. And if you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll join my friends in that same activity in my Limerick-Offs.
Tags: Bad News Humor, Blues Limerick, Diva Humor, Media Limerick, Music Limerick, Musical Verse, Poetry & Prompts, Prima Donnas, Reviews, Singers, Writing Prompts
Posted in Limerick & Haiku Prompts, Limerick-Offs, Limericks, Media Humor, Music Humor & Verse, Poetry & Prompts, Publicity Humor | 20 Comments »
Friday, May 28th, 2010
Another American Idol season has come to a close and, once again, the wrong contestant won. Yes, the nervous guy, Lee DeWyze is the new American Idol, besting beating out the far superior singer, Crystal Bowersox. I’m disappointed, but not surprised. Why am I not surprised? I explain in my latest two-verse limerick:
American Idol’s Problem … Crystallized
By Madeleine Begun Kane
American Idol is done,
And sadly, the weaker guy won.
The Bowersox voice
Was a far better choice.
Crystal’s vocals sure hit a home run.
And here’s what has made me quite vexed:
It’s the power of youngsters who text.
They have time on their hands
To be diligent fans
And decide who will win the crown next.
Tags: American Idol, Contestants, Crystal Bowersox, Fans, Fox TV Humor, Lee DeWyze, Music Humor & Verse, Music Limerick, Simon Cowell, Singing Voice, Talent Contests, Television Review, Texting, Youngsters
Posted in Celebrity Humor, Entertainment Humor, Limericks, Media Humor, Music Humor & Verse, Television (TV) Humor | Comments Off on American Idol’s Problem … Crystallized
Sunday, May 9th, 2010
Limerick Ode To Betty White
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The comedy legend named White
Hosted SNL Saturday night.
She managed to sell
Ev’ry line oh so well,
Even those that lacked humor and bite.
Betty’s sassy and charming — a pro.
How she does what she does, I don’t know.
Her timing is great.
She’s a young eighty-eight,
Who’d enhance any movie or show.
Tags: Actresses, Betty White, Comedy Limerick, Entertainers, Funny Performers, NBC, Saturday Night Live, SNL, Television Humor
Posted in Aging Humor & Verse, Celebrity Humor, Entertainment Humor, Media Humor, Public Figures, Television (TV) Humor | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
From time to time, I review a television show, movie, or play via limerick. I wrote this verse after renting True Blood’s first season via Blockbuster and learning that we have to wait a couple of months before the second one becomes available.
Not only do I love this HBO show, I even adore its theme song: Bad Things, by Jace Everett.
Hooked On True Blood (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
My latest addiction’s True Blood.
Not the drink, but the cable show, bud.
I watched the first season
And well beyond reason
Need more. Not released yet? Oh, crud!
Tags: Cable-TV Humor, HBO, Jace Everett, Television Limerick, True Blood
Posted in Addiction Humor, Entertainment Humor, Leisure Time Humor, Media Humor, Television (TV) Humor | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
Dear Press: Clean Up Your Own Damn Mess! (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
We get headlines each March from the press:
“It’s Spring — Time To Clean Up Your Mess.”
Seems they’re too dumb to know
That we’re still getting snow.
Dear journos, stop giving me stress!
Related Post: Guilt Springs Eternal
Tags: House & Home, Household Chores, March Holidays, Media Limerick, Seasonal Verse, Spring Cleaning, Stress Humor, Weather Poem
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Chores Humor, House & Home Humor, Limericks, Media Humor, Seasons Humor, Weather Humor | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
I’m on Team CoCo, as you can tell from my Conan-Leno talk show wars limerick.
But unlike many Team CoCo members, I put most of the blame on NBC … and not on Jay Leno. NBC, after all, has been treating both O’Brien and Leno like two very pricey pawns. And doing it incompetently, to boot.
Jay’s been taking quite the beating in the press. So I watched Jay’s Monday night attempt to repair his image and set the record straight with interest. Unfortunately, I found his humble, nice guy shtick overdone and just a wee bit nauseating. Methinks Leno has gotten some really bad public relations advice.
And speaking of advice, here’s some advice for Jay Leno in limerick form:
Dear Jay
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Jay, you sure poured it on thick.
You’re a poor, lowly country-boy hick?
You just do what your told?
Merely one of the fold?
Give your PR adviser a kick.
Tags: Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Late Night TV, Media, NBC, Team Co-Co, Team Conan, Television Humor, Tonight Show
Posted in Advice Humor & Poems, Business Humor, Celebrity Humor, Conan O'Brien Verse, Entertainment Humor, Jay Leno Humor, Limericks, Media Humor, Television (TV) Humor | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
A limerick in honor of Conan O’Brien’s Solomon-like decision about the Tonight Show — not to “seriously damage what [he considers] to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting,” (I wrote it both as a fan and as a recovering lawyer.)
Go, Conan!
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Conan, I’m glad you refused.
By your Network, you’ve sure been abused.
You’re right to be teed.
You’re a class act, indeed.
NBC’s breach can not be excused.
Update: I haven’t seen Conan’s contract. But here’s NBC’s argument, as I understand it: NBC can legally air The Tonight Show with Conan at 12:05 a.m. after a new half-hour Leno show, because O’Brien’s contract doesn’t specify a time. I don’t buy it.
Following NBC’s argument to its logical conclusion, NBC could air The Tonight Show at 4:00 a.m., or even at noon. In fact, by NBC’s reasoning, Conan could have stayed at his old 12:35 a.m. slot and Jay could have kept his original 11:35 p.m. Tonight Show slot. All NBC would have had to do would be to change the names of the shows: Conan’s to the Tonight Show, and Jay’s to the Jay Leno Show. Sorry, NBC, this doesn’t pass the straight-faced test.
One more point: Rumor has it that Jay’s contract specifies a 10 p.m. time, and that (the argument goes) this weakens Conan’s position. I disagree. Conan O’Brien was being promoted to a show that already existed in a specific time slot, whereas Jay’s show was being created from scratch. So they are not analogous situations.
Update 2: Is this a slam dunk for Conan? No. But as a “recovering lawyer” who litigated my share of contract disputes, I’d rather take Conan’s case to a jury.
Tags: Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Late Night TV, Law Humor, Media, NBC, Team CoCo, Team Conan, Television Humor, Tonight Show
Posted in Business Humor, Celebrity Humor, Conan O'Brien Verse, Entertainment Humor, Jay Leno Humor, Legal & Lawyer Humor, Limericks, Media Humor, Television (TV) Humor | 4 Comments »
Thursday, November 12th, 2009
I can’t imagine that too many guests have stormed off a Larry King interview. But “author,” sex tape star, and former Miss California Carrie Prejean tried to … and failed.
Donald Trump must be so proud! (You can find my Carrie Prejean limerick and a link to the Larry King video here.)
Tags: Beauty Pageants, Carrie Prejean, Interview Humor, Larry King Live, Miss America
Posted in Authors & Playwrights, Celebrity Humor, Donald Trump, Entertainment Humor, Feminist Satire, Interviews, Media Humor, Public Figures, Television (TV) Humor | 3 Comments »
Sunday, July 19th, 2009
It sounds like something out of George Orwell: E-book editions of 1984 and Animal Farm have been vanishing from people’s personal Kindles. I might add that these e-books have been purchased and fully paid for.
Amazon, at the request of an Orwellian publisher, has been repossessing these e-books without permission and refunding the purchase price. (More commentary here, plus my three verse limerick about this outrageous invasion of privacy, plus an update about Amazon’s welcome Kindle policy change.)
Update: If you would like to read this general humor blog on your Kindle reader you can subscribe right here.
If you would like to read my other political satire blog on your Kindle device, you can subscribe right here.
And my limerick about Kindle blogs is here.
Tags: E-Books, Kindles, Orwellian, Privacy
Posted in Business Humor, Computer Humor, Crime & Punishment Humor, Internet Humor, Kindle Humor, Legal & Lawyer Humor, Limericks, Media Humor, Money & Finance Humor, Privacy Satire, Technology Humor, Writing & Publishing Humor | 5 Comments »
Sunday, March 29th, 2009
Guilt Springs Eternal
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Spring has arrived. Do you feel guilty yet? If not, you apparently don’t read women’s magazines. Every March and April they’re packed with “clean up and organize your life” articles. Stories with catchy titles like Spring Into Action — Tidy Up Your House. Or Wash Away Winter Blues. Or Banish Clutter Now; Otherwise We’ll Keep Torturing You With Articles Meant to Make you Feel Like A Slothful Bum. Personally, I’d rather read Why Clean? It Will Only Get Dirty Again Tomorrow.
Why do magazines publish these pieces? Because every spring millions of women have the same Pavlovian response: Guilt. Guilt quickly followed by a spending spree on periodicals and cleaning supplies. They grab every magazine in sight and, in a fit of post-New Year’s resolution fervor, vow to Martha Stewartize their homes.
Do these articles help? Do they unlock the sacred secret of “eat off your basement floor” womanhood? Hahahahahahaha. Pardon me — I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were serious. (Guilt Springs Eternal continues here.)
Tags: Chores, Essays, Feminism, Guilt, House, Magazines, March Holidays, Martha Stewart, Media, Men, Parody, Seasons, Spring Cleaning, Women
Posted in Battle of the Sexes, Chores Humor, Feminist Satire, House & Home Humor, Humor Columns & Humorous Essays, Media Humor, Seasons Humor | 11 Comments »
Friday, March 7th, 2008
Rising-star raves,
Hype, sticks and stones, has-been whispers:
Celebrity press.
(This haiku was prompted by sticks and stones and rising. And speaking of prompts, I just posted a new limerick and haiku prompt. Its theme is age and/or life stages.)
Tags: Celebrities, Media, Press Humor, Writing Prompts
Posted in Celebrity Humor, Haiku & Senryu, Media Humor, Poetry & Prompts | 7 Comments »
Thursday, September 27th, 2007
Do you want to lose weight? Then I recommend that you watch Gordon Ramsay’s new Fox show Kitchen Nightmares during dinner. As the good Gordon might (and often does) say, “Oh my God!”
Now my husband Mark and I are fans of Ramsay’s other show Hell’s Kitchen. But other than the presence of Ramsay himself, everything that makes Hell’s Kitchen so much fun — the competition among chefs whom you get to know and root for throughout the season — is missing from Kitchen Nightmares. What’s left (at least in episode 1) is numerous nausea-inducing scenes featuring rancid food and roughly gazillion roaches and flies.
Of course, by the end of the show Ramsay and his team of miracle workers turn the dive-of-the-week into a restaurant you wouldn’t be afraid to dine in.
What I can’t figure out is what the Manhattan restaurant featured in week 1 (Indian restaurant Dillons, reborn as Purnima) was doing in business before the makeover. Doesn’t New York City have restaurant inspectors? I sure hope so, because that’s where I live.
And now it’s time for a limerick:
Restaurant Nightmare
By Madeleine Begun Kane
I must flee this buffet. Please, let’s go.
A mouse just ran by and … oh no!
I spotted a roach
As it tried to encroach
On my sole. What’s that thing on your toe?
(You can find more of my food humor here and more of my media humor here.)
Tags: Dining Out Humor, Flies, Fox Television, Gordon Ramsay, Hell's Kitchen, Insects, Kitchen Nightmares, Media Humor, New York City Restaurant, Restaurant Inspection, Roaches, TV Humor, Weight Loss Humor
Posted in Food & Drink Humor, Insect Humor, Limericks, Media Humor, New York Limericks & Haiku, Television (TV) Humor | 5 Comments »
Monday, July 30th, 2007
Reviewing The Reviewers
By Madeleine Begun Kane
I just saw a play I abhorred
That reviewers quite simply adored.
‘Twas pretentious, third-rate,
But the dailies raved, “Great!”
Could it be that they like being bored?
Tags: Bad Productions, Newspaper Reviewers, Play Humor, Plays, Reviews, Theater Humor
Posted in Entertainment Humor, Leisure Time Humor, Limericks, Media Humor, Movie & Play Humor, Polls | Comments Off on Reviewing The Reviewers (Limerick)
