Entertainment
Bob Newhart was more than an actor or comedian – he was a literary master
Bob Newhart, initially a stand-up comic, used literary techniques in his routines, earning the Mark Twain Prize. His one-sided conversations engaged and entertained audiences.
Mark Canada, Indiana University Kokomo
If you knew Bob Newhart only as an actor – most notably as the star of the legendary “Bob Newhart Show” but also in a minor though memorable role in the movie “Elf” – you may not have thought of him as a literary figure.
However, Newhart, who died on July 18, 2024, at the age of 94, began his rise to stardom as a stand-up comic, crafting and delivering such brilliant monologues as “Driving Instructor” and “Bus Drivers School.” In those bits, he demonstrated a mastery of diction, dialect, character and dialogue worthy of the title “literary master.”
In my view, there is perhaps no more fitting recipient of the Mark Twain Prize than Newhart, who received it in 2002.
As a literary scholar, I typically study traditional poetry and fiction by canonical authors such as Twain and Edgar Allan Poe. But the mastery of language and character is not the sole possession of poets and novelists. Newhart demonstrated that stand-up comedy could also be an art form. https://www.youtube.com/embed/8KSUSk2-JXc?wmode=transparent&start=0 Bob Newhart accepts the Mark Twain Prize in 2002.
‘The old humble bit’
One of his masterpieces is his “Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Avenue” stand-up routine, built around a quirky but timely premise.
Having witnessed the rise of advertising and public relations in the 1950s and 1960s, Newhart imagined a scenario from an earlier age. What if, he asked, there had been no real man with the mind and stature of Abraham Lincoln during America’s Civil War?
The advertising industry, he goes on to say, “would have had to create a Lincoln.” He then performs a one-sided imaginary telephone conversation between a press agent and someone employed to play the part of this manufactured Lincoln – introducing it with a line that would become iconic for Newhart, saying the conversation would have gone “something like this.”
The “something” that ensues is a tightly crafted, six-minute routine worthy of the term “poem.” Indeed, Newhart deployed some of the same literary devices wielded by previous masters such as Twain and Alexander Pope.
Like Twain, Newhart had a marvelous ear for dialect and seasoned his monologue with little bits of slang and jargon to capture the breezy speech of a stereotypical press agent.
“Hi, Abe, sweetheart, how are you, kid?” he begins. “How’s Gettysburg?”
Delivered quickly and offhandedly, the lines, like so much of Newhart’s stand-up work, are subtle, but effective – dead on without being too on the nose. Throughout the bit, he deploys similar little touches of diction – as when the agent refers to “Four score and seven,” the famous first words of the Gettysburg Address, as a “grabber.”
Herein lies another, even more effective, source of humor. Lincoln’s opening is famously lyrical and formal, the epitome of elocutionary eloquence, and the agent has reduced it to a “grabber.” This kind of deflation echoes an old satirical genre known as the “mock-epic.” As practiced by the Enlightment-era English poet, translator and satirist Alexander Pope and others, it draws its humor from the contrast between the sublime and the mundane or even ridiculous.
Newhart returns to the device when he has the agent try to explain to the made-up Abe the logic behind the line “The world will little note, nor long remember.”
Lincoln’s original line is graceful, alliterative and nearly perfectly iambic – an oratory gem if there ever was one – but, for the agent, it’s simply “the old humble bit.” https://www.youtube.com/embed/HTG3glnwoKE?wmode=transparent&start=0 Bob Newhart performs ‘Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Avenue.’
Character is key
Master writers of humor or, for that matter, fiction in general, will tell you that character is key. Get the characters right, and humor – or drama – will follow.
With more of his delightfully subtle touches, Newhart paints a hilarious picture of the naive bumbler the agency has to craft into a Lincoln. Again, as is often the case with humor, irony helps to achieve the desired effect – in this case, humor.
Lincoln was an eloquent, noble figure. He was larger than life – and certainly larger than this dimwit, who doesn’t even get the joke when one of the agency’s “gag writers” supposedly dashes off a line on Gen. Ulysses S. Grant.
The agent shares it with the fake Abe, saying, “They got a beautiful squelch on Grant. The next time they bug ya about Grant’s drinkin’ … you tell ’em you’re gonna find out what brand he drinks and send a case of it to all your other generals.”
After a short pause, the agent says, with Newhart’s famous stammer, “Uh, no, no, it’s, it’s like, like the brand, uh, was the reason he won.” Finally, after another short pause, the exasperated agent snaps, “… use it, it’s funny.” https://www.youtube.com/embed/XaUYQZR-y7I?wmode=transparent&start=0 Bob Newhart performs ‘Driving Instructor.’
Give the audience credit
This last “exchange” demonstrates the most ingenious aspect of Newhart’s humor: his signature one-sided conversation, which he also used to hilarious effect in “Driving Instructor” and other routines.
Now you know why the opening sequence of “The Bob Newhart Show” has Newhart answering a phone – an homage to his then-famous stand-up gag.
We never hear the voice of “Abe” but rather hear only the agent’s side of the conversation. It might seem like a minor detail, but this artifice means that we as the audience have to play an active role in the comedy. We hear the agent’s side and have to imagine what he is hearing. Sometimes the agent repeats what he supposedly hears, but, in this instance, when the agent is trying to explain the punchline of the Grant joke, the burden is on us.
Here again Newhart was employing an old device. In a dramatic monologue such as Robert Browning’s serious poem “My Last Duchess,” the poet leaves out key details, forcing us to detect them and complete the only partially told story.
The device is especially effective in comedy because, as Newhart knew on some level, we all like to feel smart. By putting us in the position of filling in the blanks in the conversation, Newhart gives us the opportunity to feel a little extra satisfaction and to create some of the humor ourselves by crafting our own sense of the rube on the other side of the conversation.
It was the master stroke for a master craftsman. With this brilliant touch, Newhart turned us all into comedians.
Mark Canada, Chancellor and Professor of English, Indiana University Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Beverages
SHUT UP! Ocean Spray® Introduces Mean Girls x Zero Sugar Collaboration in Celebration of the Film’s 20th Anniversary
Teams up with Rajiv Surendra to Just Add Cran™ to Kevin G’s memorable rap and releases limited-edition pink packaging
BOSTON /PRNewswire/ — Today, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., is announcing an exciting collaboration with Paramount Consumer Products to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic film and pop-culture phenomenon Mean Girls with the launch of Mean Girls x Ocean Spray® Ocean Spray® Zero Sugar Cranberry and Mixed Berry Juice Drinks. Cranberry juice cocktail had a cameo in the original film – and it did have sugar, despite what Regina thought. But now 20 years later, just like the stars of the movie have evolved, Ocean Spray has too, with the introduction of Ocean Spray® Zero Sugar Juice Drinks to its product line up. It has zero sugar and no artificial sweeteners – just fierce flavor.
To celebrate, Ocean Spray teamed up with Rajiv Surendra, known for his iconic role as Kevin G and his infamous rap in Mean Girls, to reimagine it with zero sugars given. You can check out Rajiv’s bold, refreshed and a touch tart, Zero Sugars Given rap here.
“I’m grateful for fans’ continued love of the movie 20 years later and partnering with Ocean Spray to recreate the talent show rap was such a blast from the past,” said Rajiv Surendra. “Happy Mean Girls Day, everybody, and remember don’t ever let the haters stop you from doing your thang!”
Mean Girls x Ocean Spray Zero Sugar Juice Drink Cranberry and Mixed Berry flavors are available for a limited-time in-store and online nationwide at most major retailers including Walmart, Kroger and Publix for $3.65. Made with bold flavor from real fruit juice, 0 grams of sugar, and naturally sweetened with stevia, it serves as an excellent source of Vitamin C, with flavor as fresh as Surendra’s lyrics.
“Working with Rajiv and Paramount to launch our new limited-edition Mean Girls x Zero Sugar bottle has been an exciting experience,” said Trinh Le, VP of Next Generation Beverages and Omni-Channel Marketing at Ocean Spray®. “We pride ourselves in offering consumers a portfolio of choice and this partnership has been a fun and inventive way of not only spotlighting our Zero Sugar line but reminding consumers how far we’ve come in twenty years.”
Mean Girls x Ocean Spray® Ocean Spray® Zero Sugar Cranberry and Mixed Berry Juice Drinks
On October 3rd, Mean Girls Day, Ocean Spray will be providing free samples of Ocean Spray Zero Sugar Juice Drink with the limited-edition packaging around New York’s Union Square.
To learn more, visit us at OceanSpray.com and check out our socials on Instagram, X, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube and Facebook.
ABOUT OCEAN SPRAY
In 1930, Ocean Spray was founded by three maverick farmers – bonded by bold cranberry love. Since then, we’ve grown into a vibrant global agricultural cooperative, built on the strength of roughly 700 family farmers in the United States, Canada, and Chile. Together, we’ve worked to preserve the family farming way of life for nearly 100 years, and for generations to come. Today, our cranberries show up in more than a thousand deliciously nourishing products in over 100 countries worldwide. United by passion and purpose, Ocean Spray is committed to trailblazing the power of the mighty cranberry through its offbeat taste and uncanny nutrition to feed better, happier lives for all. Born Tart. Raised Bold. ™
About Paramount Consumer Products
Paramount Consumer Products oversees all licensing and merchandising for Paramount (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by a diverse slate of consumer brands, Paramount Consumer Products’ portfolio is based on content from platforms including Paramount+, CBS (including CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution), cable networks (including MTV, Nickelodeon and Showtime), and Paramount Pictures. Additionally, the division operates Paramount Game Studios. With properties spanning animation, live-action, preschool, youth and adult, Paramount Consumer Products is committed to creating the highest quality product for some of the world’s most beloved, iconic franchises. To view our range of consumer products and Paramount branded apparel, visit ParamountShop.com.
SOURCE Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
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Entertainment
Exploring the Impact of Black Women in Politics: “Dear America, A Letter From Black Women” Documentary
“Dear America, A Letter From Black Women” is a documentary highlighting Black women’s role in U.S. politics, aiming to mobilize 100,000 Black women to vote.
I want to bring to your attention an important upcoming documentary that focuses on a significant yet often underrepresented aspect of American politics: the role of Black women. The film, titled “Dear America, A Letter From Black Women,” is part of The Dear America Project and aims to highlight the contributions of Black women in shaping political landscapes throughout U.S. history.
Project Ready, the nonprofit organization behind this initiative, is embarking on a national tour featuring short film pre-screenings accompanied by panel discussions and special guests. The goal of this campaign is ambitious—securing pledges from 100,000 Black women to commit to voting in what is shaping up to be a historic election.
The timing of this documentary could not be more relevant. As we navigate a pivotal moment in our political history, especially with a Black woman running for president, the film’s exploration of Black women’s narratives is crucial. Shennell Barnes-McCloud, the CEO of Project Ready, states, “This film not only amplifies silenced voices but also serves as a call to action to mobilize our community.” This gives the project a sense of urgency in encouraging civic engagement.
“Dear America” promises to be a crucial commentary on the experiences of Black women, featuring voices from various scholars, activists, and changemakers such as Hill Harper, Dr. Martin Luther King III, and LaTosha Brown. The documentary aims to bring to light the untold stories that often define the struggles for rights and justice faced by Black women throughout history.
The tour will make stops in cities including Chappaqua, Durham, Newark, Atlanta, and New Orleans, creating opportunities for community engagement and discussion. For those interested in exploring the pivotal roles of Black women in America’s political narrative, the screenings will offer a platform for reflection and conversation.
As a film enthusiast, I am looking forward to the insights this documentary will provide regarding the historical and contemporary significance of Black women in politics. It’s an important topic that deserves more attention, especially during this historic election season.
If you are interested in attending a screening, you may want to keep an eye on Project Ready’s website for RSVP details as more locations are announced.
“Dear America: A Letter From Black Women” is an insightful project that holds the potential to both inform and inspire action. For those of you looking for ways to engage with important civic initiatives this election season, this documentary represents a noteworthy opportunity.
To RSVP for a showing, please click here.
About Project Ready
Project Ready works to close the opportunity gaps and improve life outcomes by powering communities through civic engagement. First started in 2018 as a grassroots advocacy organization to increase voter turnout, Project Ready has since expanded its focus to include issues related to social justice, public health, and educational inequities. Visit https://www.projectreadynj.org/.
About Dear America, A Letter from Black Women
In a world where the voices of Black women have often been marginalized and silenced, “Dear America, A Letter from Black Women” is a powerful call to action and a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of Black women. This documentary film and social impact campaign shines a light on the untold stories of Black women, from their centuries-long battle for democracy to their continued fight against the rising threats to the future of our nation. The “Dear America” project is about more than just a film – it’s a movement. It’s about Black women rising up, claiming their rightful place at the forefront of the struggle for justice and equality, and demanding a future that reflects their values, their strength, and their unwavering determination. This election season, the “Dear America” project is mobilizing Black women and allies across the nation to not just vote, but to take a stand.
The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.
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gaming
A Cautionary Tale: California’s New Digital Ownership Law and the Future of Gaming
California’s new law (AB 2426) aims to clarify digital ownership by prohibiting terms like “buy” for digital goods without clear warnings, emphasizing that we license rather than own them. Gaming Community
Today, I want to dive into a topic that’s been buzzing around the gaming community since PC Gamer dropped the news about California’s new law (AB 2426) concerning digital ownership. As a lifelong gamer and someone who has always been a bit skeptical about the concept of “buying” digital games, this new legislation hits home for me.
Cautionary Tale for the Gaming Community
First, let’s break down what this law entails. Starting in 2025, retailers in California will be prohibited from using terms like “buy” or “purchase” when it comes to digital goods—think video games, movies, and e-books—unless they issue a clear warning that these products can be taken away at any moment. The law aims to clarify that “ownership” of digital items is not the same as owning a physical product.
Honestly, my first reaction to this was a mix of relief and frustration. Relief because, finally, someone is calling out the elephant in the room: when we buy digital games, we’re not truly buying them, are we? We’re essentially licensing them. Frustration, on the other hand, stems from the fact that it took this long for lawmakers to recognize this issue, especially after high-profile incidents involving companies like Sony and Ubisoft.
Let’s talk about the impetus for this law. It all started when Sony announced the removal of certain content from the PlayStation Store due to expiring licenses. Players who had “bought” these digital shows suddenly found themselves locked out of content they thought they owned. Sony eventually reversed its decision, but the damage was done, and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin decided it was time to step in.
Then came Ubisoft’s decision to pull the plug on The Crew, a racing game that became unplayable when its online servers were taken offline. Imagine investing your time and money into a game only to find out that you can’t even play the single-player mode anymore. It’s a stark reminder of how fragile our digital ownership really is.
The law itself might be dense and legalistic, but the implications are clear. It’s about time we start viewing digital purchases with a more critical lens. Sure, you can still play your games as long as the servers are up, but once those go down, what happens? You’re left with a beautiful box art in your library, but it’s just an empty shell.
The requirement for sellers to provide a warning or seek an “affirmative acknowledgment” from buyers seems like a step in the right direction. Yet, it feels more like a band-aid solution rather than a comprehensive fix. The real kicker for me is the provision that allows for a “permanent offline download” option. That’s what we need! A way to ensure that even if the digital landscape shifts, our ability to play isn’t stripped away overnight.
As gamers, we’ve been conditioned to accept the “always-online” model, but should we? This law is a wake-up call that reminds us to demand more from the companies we support. If I’m paying for a game, I want the assurance that I can keep playing it, regardless of server availability.
In conclusion, while California’s new law is a significant step forward in recognizing the nuances of digital ownership, it also highlights the ongoing battle between consumers and corporations. As we move toward an increasingly digital future, it’s crucial that we stay informed and advocate for our rights as gamers. After all, we deserve to know what we’re really “buying” when we hit that purchase button.
What are your thoughts on this new law? Do you feel more empowered as a consumer, or are you still worried about the future of digital gaming? Let’s chat in the comments!
Happy gaming, and remember to always read the fine print!
PC Gamer Article: New California law inspired by Ubisoft and Sony requires retailers to warn consumers that the digital games they buy can be taken away at any time
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