CBS

CBS has been broadcasting a limited run reality show called "Undercover Boss". The premise of the show is that a C-level executive of a company goes undercover to work with "low-level" employees and learn more about how their company really operates. As of this writing, two companies have been featured, the Hooters restaurant franchise, and Waste Management.

The first episode with Waste Management, really struck a chord with me. The COO, Larry O'Donnell, seems a nice enough guy. His heart is in the right place, and in keeping with the premise of the show, he tries to right some "wrongs" that he notices as he works undercover. Larry takes on five jobs. He works as a garbage sorter, a garbage truck weigh station operator, an outdoor trash collector, a porta-potty cleaner and finally an everyday garbage man. He discovers that all these jobs are hard work. (Go figure.) He discovers that back-breaking work is being done by people with far worse circumstances than his, including one man who bags garbage outdoors while maintaining a steady schedule of dialysis treatments.

Sunday is the Super Bowl, and a big part of the Super Bowl-viewing experience is the commercials. This year, CBS will air an ad paid for by the Christian group Focus on the Family, that features Tim Tebow, and his mother, Pam. It is expected that this ad will recount the story of how she ignored doctor’s advice to have an abortion, and chose to give birth to her Heisman Trophy-winning son. The prospect of this commercial airing during the Super Bowl has led to much controversy, and objection from groups such as Planned Parenthood and the National Organization of Women. If it’s controversial, and it is somehow connected to the NFL, you can be sure that it will be subject of a Friday Face-Off here at Jaguars Journal, and this is no exception. So let’s get to it.

What are your thoughts concerning the controversy surrounding Tim Tebow’s upcoming Super Bowl commercial?

(Steve) I think the controversy is completely warranted. No one wants to see political ads during the Super Bowl. It’s just that simple. I love Tim Tebow. I love what he stands for. I support him as a fellow Christian, and pray to God that more athletes will follow his example. But there is a time and a place for everything and this is neither the time nor the place.

A vast majority of the content on Hulu comes either from the web or from broadcast networks ABC, NBC and Fox.  That’s what made me laugh when I read earlier in the week about the company wanting to start charging for access.  How do you get away with charging people to watch free content or crappy movies?

Ok, Hulu was one of the first sites to put a bunch of content together and stream it to people.  You do get first run shows (for a little while) and some other classic gems but can they really be serious about charging people money to watch ALF reruns and the Police Academy movies?  At some point even network executives must laugh at themselves.  Not only that but the first run stuff is for the most part from networks that people can get for free over the air.  Not only that but Hulu has done everything they can to keep people from actually watching the content ON THEIR TVs!

If Hulu wants to charge for content that I can get free (and commercial skip) somewhere else, fine.  But how about adding some quality content at the same time.  I use Hulu for shows I miss and for the occasional classic movie.  I guarantee I’m not going to pay for that.

Today's Short Chat with Brother Yemi focuses on the History of the Festival and of course Brotherman and his creators.

12noonBROTHERMAN: DICTATOR OF DISCIPLINEDirected by Dawud Anyabwile A profile of the Black comics hero. Created by Dawud Anyabwile and his brother Guy A. Sims. With independent sales of 750,000 books, "Brotherman" is shattering stereotypes of Black people and inspiring a generation of young Black artists and entreprenuers to pursue their dreams in comics and animation. Comics Showcase - 30 mins