Yash Raj films confidence in a new director who proved himself as a good writer with 'Dhoom' and 'Dhoom 2' and a star cast with the likes of Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor can be understood.
The old production house gave a great promotion to 'Tashaan'. They were quite successful in building an aura of mystery surrounding their new film by not letting out the content of the film and adding a lot of style and attitude in the looks of the stars.
The news that the real life couple Saif and Kareena got hooked with each other during the film's shooting also made the film a much talked and anticipated one before its release.
The old and experienced production house's belief in 'Tashaan' was such that they even were ready to rewrite the rules of sharing with the exhibitors that was followed till this day in the B-Town. The multiplex owners didn't accept the condition of the sharing only 45% of the total collections in the first week put forth by Yash Raj. No changes were made as Yash Raj stuck to their decisions.
As a result the film got released only in single screen theatres and going by the not that good reviews that the film is getting from the critics and the audience, the collections picking up in the subsequent weeks is a distant dream.
If Yash Raj films had without introducing any new sharing figures released the movie in multiplexes after coming into a mutual understanding with the theatre owners, leave the question of satisfying the critics and the general public, at least the majority percentage of the film's production cost would have got covered with a good number of people able to see the movie in the first week itself.
If the film had good stuff inside to catapult itself into a super duper hit, the Yashraj films could have now hosted a party to celebrate not only the victory of the film but also the triumph of their confidence and calculations.
But now see who is having the last laugh.
Monday, April 28, 2008
'Bhool Bhulaiyaa', no signs of getting weary
Every time Akshay Kumat and Director Priyadarshan teams up, the one roller coaster jolly ride that they takes the audience for often is recalled by the viewers days after seeing the movie.
The hit actor-director pair was able to repeat the same magic through 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa'. The film's strong story with the ample doses of quality humour presented by the director's favourite hero Akshay Kumar, experienced Paresh Rawal,Asrani, Rajpal Yadav etc. made the film a safe bet for the producer Music Mogul Bhushan Kumar of T-Series after the viewers got more exiting moments than what they had expected
The film is one of the biggest blockbusters in 2007 and is probably is in its way to create a record as it completes 200 days of success on April 28.
The story of 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' set in the backdrop of an village with a right blend of elements such as suspense, thrilling movements and a with a spine in the core subject of psychology, which has always been a very attractive material for the film makers as well as the cine-goers, the film turned out to be an entertainment for the whole family.
Priyadarshan is busy wrapping up his next movie, let's hope this one from the talented director takes us for a never before experienced journey just like "Bhool Bhulaiyaa' did.
The hit actor-director pair was able to repeat the same magic through 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa'. The film's strong story with the ample doses of quality humour presented by the director's favourite hero Akshay Kumar, experienced Paresh Rawal,Asrani, Rajpal Yadav etc. made the film a safe bet for the producer Music Mogul Bhushan Kumar of T-Series after the viewers got more exiting moments than what they had expected
The film is one of the biggest blockbusters in 2007 and is probably is in its way to create a record as it completes 200 days of success on April 28.
The story of 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' set in the backdrop of an village with a right blend of elements such as suspense, thrilling movements and a with a spine in the core subject of psychology, which has always been a very attractive material for the film makers as well as the cine-goers, the film turned out to be an entertainment for the whole family.
Priyadarshan is busy wrapping up his next movie, let's hope this one from the talented director takes us for a never before experienced journey just like "Bhool Bhulaiyaa' did.
Rajshri Production's 52nd film
No other production house in Bollywood have been as successful as Rajshri Productions when it comes to portraying the family life in films.
The production company started by Late Shri Tarachand Barjatya is getting ready to roll out yet another family drama titled 'Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi' which will the company's 52nd film till date. he film has Eesha Koppikhar, Sonu Sood and Aloknath in important roles.
The shooting of the new film which tells the story of a strong and beautiful bonding between relationships is being completed fast. month's shooting has already been completed in Bhopal and one of the main schedules of a 55 days shoot is being completed in a set of an Indian small town.
The set has been built up in such a realistic way by Art director Sanjay Dhabade that the narrow gullies, temples, the small details like banners on poles etc, all look so real and gives out a feeling of having existed there for a long time giving out a feeling that the set has now transformed itself as an important character in the film and not just a physical property.
Rajshri Productions have always encouraged new comers by giving them good chances to prove their talent. eeping alive this tradition, this time the production company has given the charge of directing of 'Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi' to Kaushik Ghatak, the director of the famous serials like "Kunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, 'Sanjeevani' and 'Who Rehnewali Mahlon Ki'.
The story idea of the film is by Asha Purna Devi and is developed by the famous director Sooraj .R.Barjatya. he music and lyrics of the film is by the veteran music composer Ravindra Jain.
Rajshri productions has an excellent record in churning out good entertaining family films with soulful music and has a unique style in presenting family stories which has been followed by several other film makers after seeing the impact of Rajshri's films.
So if we say 'Ek Production house Aisa Bhi', there is nothing wrong in that.
The production company started by Late Shri Tarachand Barjatya is getting ready to roll out yet another family drama titled 'Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi' which will the company's 52nd film till date. he film has Eesha Koppikhar, Sonu Sood and Aloknath in important roles.
The shooting of the new film which tells the story of a strong and beautiful bonding between relationships is being completed fast. month's shooting has already been completed in Bhopal and one of the main schedules of a 55 days shoot is being completed in a set of an Indian small town.
The set has been built up in such a realistic way by Art director Sanjay Dhabade that the narrow gullies, temples, the small details like banners on poles etc, all look so real and gives out a feeling of having existed there for a long time giving out a feeling that the set has now transformed itself as an important character in the film and not just a physical property.
Rajshri Productions have always encouraged new comers by giving them good chances to prove their talent. eeping alive this tradition, this time the production company has given the charge of directing of 'Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi' to Kaushik Ghatak, the director of the famous serials like "Kunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, 'Sanjeevani' and 'Who Rehnewali Mahlon Ki'.
The story idea of the film is by Asha Purna Devi and is developed by the famous director Sooraj .R.Barjatya. he music and lyrics of the film is by the veteran music composer Ravindra Jain.
Rajshri productions has an excellent record in churning out good entertaining family films with soulful music and has a unique style in presenting family stories which has been followed by several other film makers after seeing the impact of Rajshri's films.
So if we say 'Ek Production house Aisa Bhi', there is nothing wrong in that.
Rakhi Sawant fails to impress Telgi
Even thought he hit the news headlines for the wrong reasons, at a time with the memories of his prosperous days for company at Yerawada Jail in Pune, Abdul Karim Telgi, was fortunate enough to watch a partial flash back on his life through a film.
Telgi's advocate later on being interviewed said that Telgi liked the item song visualized on Sambhawna Seth than the song in which the hot Rakhi Sawant is making the moves.
The film was screened as Telgi and his advocate felt that the release of the film might affect the cases that are pending against him in the court.
The Advocate also told that Telgi once had a plan to make a film on the same subject and that he felt this movie to be a very small budget film.
So Telgi had even ideas to get into the film business. That's a pretty new information.
Telgi's advocate later on being interviewed said that Telgi liked the item song visualized on Sambhawna Seth than the song in which the hot Rakhi Sawant is making the moves.
The film was screened as Telgi and his advocate felt that the release of the film might affect the cases that are pending against him in the court.
The Advocate also told that Telgi once had a plan to make a film on the same subject and that he felt this movie to be a very small budget film.
So Telgi had even ideas to get into the film business. That's a pretty new information.
Chiranjeevi's Daughter's Engagement DVD
Chiranjeevi's elder daughter Sushmitha's engagement ceremony was naturally a close family affair. That was indeed a very old scene and was about 2 years old. Many big stars from the industry however attended the ceremony and danced merrily. The media was not allowed to cover the event.
But now the clippings from this event are being aired prominently on TV9. The clippings show hero Balakrishna dancing away merrily to the song 'Kodithe Kottalira …' Other clipping shows Allu Aravind dancing to another popular number.
Chiranjeevi is seen dancing with the sexy Shriya for the number 'Manmadha… Manmadha…' It is however not clear as to how this private video landed in the media's hand and whether they have permission from Chiranjeevi's family to air it?
But now the clippings from this event are being aired prominently on TV9. The clippings show hero Balakrishna dancing away merrily to the song 'Kodithe Kottalira …' Other clipping shows Allu Aravind dancing to another popular number.
Chiranjeevi is seen dancing with the sexy Shriya for the number 'Manmadha… Manmadha…' It is however not clear as to how this private video landed in the media's hand and whether they have permission from Chiranjeevi's family to air it?
Pacino and De Niro: How the mighty have fallen
The two icons of '70s New Hollywood, heroes to a generation of young actors and filmmakers, have become parodies of themselves, making payday movies and turning in performances that are hollow echoes of the electrically charged work they did...
Buzz: Big New Craze For Tamil Actresses
It is the fresh grapevine from Kollywood. Actress Nayantara was first considered to be the brand ambassador for Chennai Super Kings but later dropped out.
The reason is attributed to Shriya now. It was said that Shriya called on the committee people through one of her friends and conveyed that she is willing to stand as brand ambassador. As the committee felt that Shriya exercises more popularity than Nayantara, the buck was passed on to the former.
And fresh news is that Soundarya, the daughter of Rajni Kanth is also showing her interest to be the brand ambassador in near future. That proves to be a big new craze now among Tamil stars to endorse their teams. We have to see how many more will join this bandwagon.
The reason is attributed to Shriya now. It was said that Shriya called on the committee people through one of her friends and conveyed that she is willing to stand as brand ambassador. As the committee felt that Shriya exercises more popularity than Nayantara, the buck was passed on to the former.
And fresh news is that Soundarya, the daughter of Rajni Kanth is also showing her interest to be the brand ambassador in near future. That proves to be a big new craze now among Tamil stars to endorse their teams. We have to see how many more will join this bandwagon.
Megan Fox crowned sexiest woman in the world
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actress Megan Fox was named the world's sexiest woman on Wednesday by an annual online poll, while the world's most Googled woman, Britney Spears, barely scraped in at No. 100 after a shocker of a year. Fox, 21, who starred...
Stephane Ortelli Walks Away From Spectacular Crash At Monza
Stephane Ortelli was lucky to walk away, or perhaps we should say "limp away," from this horrific crash in Le Mans series racing at Monza today.
Screen Talk: Food That Keeps Spicy Babes In Shape
Kareena Kapoor is the girl who turned ultra slim now. Many of the Indian eyes are not relishing her new shape. She got that body with liposuctions and other related surgeries. She says that she eats Aloo Parathas everyday and hardly watches the diet. She proves to be an exception.
But freshly, Hansika Mothwani, who reduced 10 kilos for her new film 'Kantri' said that she restricts herself to good food and keeps a watch on her shape as she is into 'show' business. She also said that she confines to liquid diet and salads as this is summer. "I keep my food in tune with season", she adds.
And Ileana is another girl who is watchful of her food. She says that she adds more proteins in her diet than fat. And juices and fruits are her favorite past time foods instead of junks.
Film actresses always stand as examples and source of inspiration for many youngsters. If youngsters take inspiration from them in food habits that would really sound sensible.
But freshly, Hansika Mothwani, who reduced 10 kilos for her new film 'Kantri' said that she restricts herself to good food and keeps a watch on her shape as she is into 'show' business. She also said that she confines to liquid diet and salads as this is summer. "I keep my food in tune with season", she adds.
And Ileana is another girl who is watchful of her food. She says that she adds more proteins in her diet than fat. And juices and fruits are her favorite past time foods instead of junks.
Film actresses always stand as examples and source of inspiration for many youngsters. If youngsters take inspiration from them in food habits that would really sound sensible.
The Cozy Suite - Building a Better Airplane Seat
Some refer to it as economy class syndrome. To others it's know as a coach class clot. But whatever you call it, sitting squeezed into an airplane seat until you develop deep vein thrombosis is no way to die. And that's why this strange new seat is worth checking out.
The revolution will not be pasteurized
The very thing that makes raw milk dangerous, its dirtiness, may make people healthier, and pasteurization could be cleansing beneficial bacteria from milk. Milk as it emerges from the teat, it seems, is both panacea and poison.
Miracle Fruit Makes (Almost) Everything Delicious
Miracle fruit, a berry from Africa, has a strange effect: After eating it, everything sour suddenly tastes sweet.
Many Comments, Jokes and Fake Interviews On Chiru
Chiranjeevi is one of the most respected and loved actors of all time. His fame and popularity cut across all classes and creed. People from all castes and religions loved him equally for his acting skills. But all this could soon be a thing of the past.
Chiranjeevi has now given indications that he is entering politics and is launching his own political party soon. So he has now become a public figure and is being subjected to close scrutiny by everyone – politicians, media, both print and electronic as well as the aam admi.
Every little action of his, both past and present will now come under a microscope. He is also being made a butt of jokes and many speculative stories. Chiranjeevi is known to be a very sensitive person by nature. He managed all these days as he was much loved and respected as the megastar.
But in his new role as a politician, he will have a lot of mud thrown at him by all and sundry. Is he ready to take all this in his stride? Or will he take everything to his heart and feel hurt and insulted?
Chiranjeevi has now given indications that he is entering politics and is launching his own political party soon. So he has now become a public figure and is being subjected to close scrutiny by everyone – politicians, media, both print and electronic as well as the aam admi.
Every little action of his, both past and present will now come under a microscope. He is also being made a butt of jokes and many speculative stories. Chiranjeevi is known to be a very sensitive person by nature. He managed all these days as he was much loved and respected as the megastar.
But in his new role as a politician, he will have a lot of mud thrown at him by all and sundry. Is he ready to take all this in his stride? Or will he take everything to his heart and feel hurt and insulted?
Buzz: Mahesh Babu To Save That Rs 200 Cr
With the political elections arriving next year, the parties are leaving no stone unturned to attract maximum votes and they are taking the aid of the film stars too to get power. And now it looks like even 'Prince' Mahesh Babu cannot stay away from it and he has his own reasons for that.
Mahesh is actually known to be a private person and keeps the media at a mile but then the story goes that his father was awarded a land by the government many years ago which gave rise to the Padmalaya Studios. Later, they applied for an extension wherein they got an additional 5 acres for a throw away price with the condition that it should never be disposed.
However, the real estate boom and the greed of making money got the better of the Gattamaneni family and it is heard that they sold the five acres to an organization for a whopping 200 crores. This is a gross violation of the rules and now the Congress is said to be using this as the pawn to rope in Mahesh for their canvassing else face the consequences. Reports say that Mahesh has already given his primary nod to save the Rs 200 Cr and it is only a matter of right time before the announcement would be made. That is the essence of grapevine that is in circulation now.
Mahesh is actually known to be a private person and keeps the media at a mile but then the story goes that his father was awarded a land by the government many years ago which gave rise to the Padmalaya Studios. Later, they applied for an extension wherein they got an additional 5 acres for a throw away price with the condition that it should never be disposed.
However, the real estate boom and the greed of making money got the better of the Gattamaneni family and it is heard that they sold the five acres to an organization for a whopping 200 crores. This is a gross violation of the rules and now the Congress is said to be using this as the pawn to rope in Mahesh for their canvassing else face the consequences. Reports say that Mahesh has already given his primary nod to save the Rs 200 Cr and it is only a matter of right time before the announcement would be made. That is the essence of grapevine that is in circulation now.
Kapus Anger As Chiranjeevi Going With Kammas
The issue of politics is one dicey and dirty game and one has to be either immune or thick skinned to dwell in such an environment where casteism forms a major role. A similar test of fire is being faced by Megastar Chiranjeevi with his intent of entering into politics getting clearer by the day.
Being a Kapu, Chiru has always made a mark for himself in the predominantly Kamma infested film industry. Now, with his political moves, many heads in the Kapu community wanted to stand up and prove their caste supremacy but to their disappointment, it is heard that Chiru has been forming links with Kamma dominated elements in the political circles, especially from Communists.
This is said to have flared up many Kapu biggies but come to look at it, what can they expect him to do since most of the political parties like the TDP, CPI comprise Kammas in a big way. The only exception is Congress which has more of Reddys. This would come as yet another challenge for the Megastar facing resistance from his own sect and out-beating the other communities to prove himself as a leader.
Being a Kapu, Chiru has always made a mark for himself in the predominantly Kamma infested film industry. Now, with his political moves, many heads in the Kapu community wanted to stand up and prove their caste supremacy but to their disappointment, it is heard that Chiru has been forming links with Kamma dominated elements in the political circles, especially from Communists.
This is said to have flared up many Kapu biggies but come to look at it, what can they expect him to do since most of the political parties like the TDP, CPI comprise Kammas in a big way. The only exception is Congress which has more of Reddys. This would come as yet another challenge for the Megastar facing resistance from his own sect and out-beating the other communities to prove himself as a leader.
Badly Injured Man Not Done Partying Yet
BATON ROUGE, LA—Veteran partier Adam Girard announced his intentions to continue partying late Saturday evening, assuring onlookers that the multiple injuries he had sustained over the previous six hours did not require medical attention, and were not severe enough to prematurely end the festivities.
Despite the fact that Girard, who was attending a house party near the Louisiana State Univeristy campus, had twice fallen more than eight feet onto his shoulder while attempting to walk along the front-porch banister, the 24-year-old bookstore clerk appeared resolute in his commitment to continue consuming alcohol, singing, dancing, and hitting empty beer cans like baseballs with the tube of an old vacuum cleaner.
"Whoo! Party!" Girard said. "Someone get—turn on Rock Band. I'll be all like, 'Bwah. Bwah-bwah.'"
According to witnesses, the recent college graduate arrived at the party sometime during the mid-afternoon barbecue without any visible bruises, abrasions, or long scratch marks down the left side of his face. As the afternoon progressed, Girard enjoyed an estimated 12 Miller Lites before moving on to rum and Cokes, shots of tequila, boxed wine, and Miller Lite again. By 10:30 p.m., onlookers said, Girard had played more than a dozen games of beer pong and badly scraped the insides of both arms attempting to climb a nearby oak tree on what he misinterpreted as a dare.
"I really just wanted to keep my distance," said party attendee Eric McGill, 22, who added that he did not know how Girard had irritated his eye, but guessed it had something to do with an earlier incident involving a can of hairspray. "He was scaring the shit out of me. I have no idea how he managed that keg stand with his elbow bent back like that."
A number of acquaintances said they were unable to dissuade Girard from completing his partying agenda, which apparently included riding a mattress down a flight of stairs and "boxing" a number of lawn ornaments.
"I tried to tell him sprains don't heal themselves, but he kept calling me a pussy and telling me to chug," said Girard's roommate, 23-year-old Darren Iverson. "I wasn't even holding a beer at the time. I'm pretty sure he has a concussion."
Added Iverson, "And I know you can't use Jäger to clean a wound."
At several points throughout the evening, those in attendance assumed Girard had ceased partying and gone home. Though everyone thought Girard had left, a small group arriving at the party shortly after midnight discovered him lying behind a shrub in the front of the house. When they woke him, Girard reportedly jumped up "like a fucking leopard or something" and ran into the house. A few hours later, Girard was seen taking a bicycle from a neighbor's garage and pedaling down the street, yelling out that he was going to go for a swim and that his collarbone was fine.
"When he came back, his hair had some blood in it and there were grass stains all over his shirt," said Jenny Bergman, 21, who added that she did not realize the figure stumbling across the front lawn was Girard until she saw that he was drinking beer from a Crock Pot. "He was holding a license plate for some reason, which he threw onto the roof."
"I offered to bandage his arm but he said his biceps would just break it," Bergman continued.
This was reportedly not the first time Girard has persevered through significant obstacles. In May 2007, he overcame a dislocated shoulder to attend the minor-league baseball game he had spent the morning tailgating for; later that summer, Girard won a poker tournament even after burning his hands attempting to light shots of vodka on fire; and, on his 21st birthday, he partied all night despite having spinal meningitis.
Host Brian Warren, 23, finally asked Girard to leave and check in to the hospital at 4:15 a.m., just after Girard broke Warren's plastic lawn furniture attempting to climb onto the roof for the third time that evening.
"I need my license plate," Girard said. "Fucking."
Though Girard had not returned home as of press time, a limping hitchhiker fitting his description was recently seen across town wearing a shower curtain and asking for a ride "back to the party."
Despite the fact that Girard, who was attending a house party near the Louisiana State Univeristy campus, had twice fallen more than eight feet onto his shoulder while attempting to walk along the front-porch banister, the 24-year-old bookstore clerk appeared resolute in his commitment to continue consuming alcohol, singing, dancing, and hitting empty beer cans like baseballs with the tube of an old vacuum cleaner.
"Whoo! Party!" Girard said. "Someone get—turn on Rock Band. I'll be all like, 'Bwah. Bwah-bwah.'"
According to witnesses, the recent college graduate arrived at the party sometime during the mid-afternoon barbecue without any visible bruises, abrasions, or long scratch marks down the left side of his face. As the afternoon progressed, Girard enjoyed an estimated 12 Miller Lites before moving on to rum and Cokes, shots of tequila, boxed wine, and Miller Lite again. By 10:30 p.m., onlookers said, Girard had played more than a dozen games of beer pong and badly scraped the insides of both arms attempting to climb a nearby oak tree on what he misinterpreted as a dare.
"I really just wanted to keep my distance," said party attendee Eric McGill, 22, who added that he did not know how Girard had irritated his eye, but guessed it had something to do with an earlier incident involving a can of hairspray. "He was scaring the shit out of me. I have no idea how he managed that keg stand with his elbow bent back like that."
A number of acquaintances said they were unable to dissuade Girard from completing his partying agenda, which apparently included riding a mattress down a flight of stairs and "boxing" a number of lawn ornaments.
"I tried to tell him sprains don't heal themselves, but he kept calling me a pussy and telling me to chug," said Girard's roommate, 23-year-old Darren Iverson. "I wasn't even holding a beer at the time. I'm pretty sure he has a concussion."
Added Iverson, "And I know you can't use Jäger to clean a wound."
At several points throughout the evening, those in attendance assumed Girard had ceased partying and gone home. Though everyone thought Girard had left, a small group arriving at the party shortly after midnight discovered him lying behind a shrub in the front of the house. When they woke him, Girard reportedly jumped up "like a fucking leopard or something" and ran into the house. A few hours later, Girard was seen taking a bicycle from a neighbor's garage and pedaling down the street, yelling out that he was going to go for a swim and that his collarbone was fine.
"When he came back, his hair had some blood in it and there were grass stains all over his shirt," said Jenny Bergman, 21, who added that she did not realize the figure stumbling across the front lawn was Girard until she saw that he was drinking beer from a Crock Pot. "He was holding a license plate for some reason, which he threw onto the roof."
"I offered to bandage his arm but he said his biceps would just break it," Bergman continued.
This was reportedly not the first time Girard has persevered through significant obstacles. In May 2007, he overcame a dislocated shoulder to attend the minor-league baseball game he had spent the morning tailgating for; later that summer, Girard won a poker tournament even after burning his hands attempting to light shots of vodka on fire; and, on his 21st birthday, he partied all night despite having spinal meningitis.
Host Brian Warren, 23, finally asked Girard to leave and check in to the hospital at 4:15 a.m., just after Girard broke Warren's plastic lawn furniture attempting to climb onto the roof for the third time that evening.
"I need my license plate," Girard said. "Fucking."
Though Girard had not returned home as of press time, a limping hitchhiker fitting his description was recently seen across town wearing a shower curtain and asking for a ride "back to the party."
Bill Vs. Barack
n the Thursday before the Pennsylvania primary, Bill Clinton spoke to a crowd of college students at a gymnasium in Lock Haven. The event was typical of the stops—forty-seven of them—that the former President had made in the state during the seven weeks leading up to the vote. Lock Haven is a small town (pop. 9,000), hours away from Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, and the crowd was modest (half the gym’s floor space was empty). Within the campaign, Clinton’s enthusiasm for rustling votes in these remote corners was a source of amusement. When I asked what he was doing on Election Day, a Clinton campaign adviser said, “I think he’s leading a caravan of Wal-Mart greeters to the polls.”
On the stump, the former President dispensed idiosyncratic political analysis. “One of the reasons that she won Ohio that nobody wrote about,” he said, without explanation, “is that Ohio has a plant that produces the largest number of solar reflectors in America.” He offered commentary about his wife’s earlier limitations as a candidate: “I think Hillary’s become a much better speaker.” But, most of all, Bill Clinton talked about Bill Clinton:
The headquarters of my foundation is in Harlem. . . . My Presidential library and school of public service are in Arkansas. . . . I try to save this generation of children from the epidemic of childhood obesity. . . . I am working on rebuilding the Katrina area in New Orleans. . . . I have major global-warming projects in cities all around America. . . . Most of the time I am out in America on the streets. . . . I once gave a speech to a million people in Ghana.
When Hillary Clinton’s Presidential campaign was launched, in January, 2007, her supporters feared that Bill would overshadow her, as he had when they both spoke at the funeral of Coretta Scott King, a year earlier. Now the constant fear is that he will embarrass her. When he makes news, it is rarely a good day for his spouse. Whether he was publicly comparing Barack Obama’s primary victory in South Carolina to Jesse Jackson’s campaigns in the eighties or privately, and apoplectically, complaining that Bill Richardson broke his word by endorsing Obama, every story has seemed to reinforce an image of Clinton as a sort of ill-tempered coot driven a little mad by Obama’s success. “I think this campaign has enraged him,” the adviser told me. “He doesn’t like Obama.” In private conversations, he has been dismissive of his wife’s rival. James Clyburn, an African-American congressman from South Carolina, told me that Clinton called him in the middle of the night after Obama won that state’s primary and raged at him for fifty minutes. “It’s pretty widespread now that African-Americans have lost a whole lot of respect for Bill Clinton,” Clyburn said.
But, as Clinton campaigned in Pennsylvania, he was rarely the cartoon politician portrayed in the press. He still connects better with voters than his wife or Obama. “Hillary is in this race today because of people like you,” he told one white working-class audience. “She’s in it for you and she’s in it because of you. People like you have voted for her in every single state in the country.” People like you. The phrase hung in the air and the room quieted. Clinton didn’t say what the people who voted for Obama were like, but the suggestion was that they were somehow different.
While Obama downplays wonkiness and Hillary presents her plans as tedious laundry lists, Bill makes connections and translates abstractions into folksy humor. To underscore the relationship between America’s budget deficit, paid for by loans from countries like China, and lax enforcement of the trade violations of those countries, he asked voters to imagine barging into the local bank president’s office and smacking him. “Say, ‘I can’t take it anymore!’ Bam!” he told the Lock Haven audience as he pantomimed a punch and then paused for comic effect. “Do you think you could get a loan tomorrow afternoon?” People laughed and shook their heads.
Clinton is angry that this side of him has been nearly absent from the coverage. “You don’t ever read about this stuff! This is never part of the political debate!” he said at one event. “But this is what matters.” Adjusting to the modern, gaffe-centric media environment has been wrenching. At most of his Pennsylvania stops, the national press was represented mainly by a pair of young TV-network “embeds,” whom Clinton regards not as reporters but as media jackals who record his every utterance yet broadcast only his outbursts, a phenomenon that has helped transform him into a YouTube curiosity and diminished him—perhaps permanently. “It’s like he’s been plucked out of time and thrown into the middle of this entirely new kind of campaign,” the adviser told me. Jay Carson, a senior Clinton campaign official and Bill’s former spokesman, said, “Because of the way he is covered, the only thing anyone ever sees is fifteen seconds that is deemed by the pundits to be off message.”
The focus on Clintonian error has obscured a serious debate that Obama and the former President tried to have. Obama has been arguing that the country’s economic troubles are as much Clinton’s fault as Bush’s—he blames Clinton-era deregulation of the telecommunications and banking industries—and he implicitly accuses Bill Clinton of surrendering to special interests. “The problems we face go beyond any single Administration,” Obama told one labor audience. “For far too long, through both Democratic and Republican Administrations, the system has been rigged against everyday Americans by the lobbyists that Wall Street uses to get its way.” In much quoted remarks to a private group in San Francisco, Obama said that some Pennsylvanians were “bitter” and would “cling” to guns and religion, because jobs “fell through the Clinton Administration and the Bush Administration.”
That is what offended Bill Clinton. “Hillary’s opponent, in his entire campaign, every two or three weeks has said for months and months and months, beginning in Nevada, that really there wasn’t much difference in how America did when I was President and how America’s done under President Bush,” he said in Lock Haven. “Now, if you believe that, you should probably vote for him, but you get a very bad grade in history.” In the closing days of the campaign, Obama gave at least three speeches criticizing the former President, who, ever vigilant of his legacy, defended himself at every stop. Few paid attention; Barack and Bill were like two boxers trying to have a fight but both getting pelted by a mysterious third force—the saturation gaffe coverage.
The day before the primary, Bill Clinton lost his temper with a radio host who asked about the Jesse Jackson comments. Clinton went on a three-minute rant in which he posited the mysterious theory that Obama had played the race card against him. Then, not realizing that he was still on the air, he could be heard saying, “I don’t think I should take any shit from anybody on that, do you?” The clip was an Internet sensation. You can hear the whole thing in the Bill Clinton archive at YouTube. It’s already been listened to about three hundred thousand times.
On the stump, the former President dispensed idiosyncratic political analysis. “One of the reasons that she won Ohio that nobody wrote about,” he said, without explanation, “is that Ohio has a plant that produces the largest number of solar reflectors in America.” He offered commentary about his wife’s earlier limitations as a candidate: “I think Hillary’s become a much better speaker.” But, most of all, Bill Clinton talked about Bill Clinton:
The headquarters of my foundation is in Harlem. . . . My Presidential library and school of public service are in Arkansas. . . . I try to save this generation of children from the epidemic of childhood obesity. . . . I am working on rebuilding the Katrina area in New Orleans. . . . I have major global-warming projects in cities all around America. . . . Most of the time I am out in America on the streets. . . . I once gave a speech to a million people in Ghana.
When Hillary Clinton’s Presidential campaign was launched, in January, 2007, her supporters feared that Bill would overshadow her, as he had when they both spoke at the funeral of Coretta Scott King, a year earlier. Now the constant fear is that he will embarrass her. When he makes news, it is rarely a good day for his spouse. Whether he was publicly comparing Barack Obama’s primary victory in South Carolina to Jesse Jackson’s campaigns in the eighties or privately, and apoplectically, complaining that Bill Richardson broke his word by endorsing Obama, every story has seemed to reinforce an image of Clinton as a sort of ill-tempered coot driven a little mad by Obama’s success. “I think this campaign has enraged him,” the adviser told me. “He doesn’t like Obama.” In private conversations, he has been dismissive of his wife’s rival. James Clyburn, an African-American congressman from South Carolina, told me that Clinton called him in the middle of the night after Obama won that state’s primary and raged at him for fifty minutes. “It’s pretty widespread now that African-Americans have lost a whole lot of respect for Bill Clinton,” Clyburn said.
But, as Clinton campaigned in Pennsylvania, he was rarely the cartoon politician portrayed in the press. He still connects better with voters than his wife or Obama. “Hillary is in this race today because of people like you,” he told one white working-class audience. “She’s in it for you and she’s in it because of you. People like you have voted for her in every single state in the country.” People like you. The phrase hung in the air and the room quieted. Clinton didn’t say what the people who voted for Obama were like, but the suggestion was that they were somehow different.
While Obama downplays wonkiness and Hillary presents her plans as tedious laundry lists, Bill makes connections and translates abstractions into folksy humor. To underscore the relationship between America’s budget deficit, paid for by loans from countries like China, and lax enforcement of the trade violations of those countries, he asked voters to imagine barging into the local bank president’s office and smacking him. “Say, ‘I can’t take it anymore!’ Bam!” he told the Lock Haven audience as he pantomimed a punch and then paused for comic effect. “Do you think you could get a loan tomorrow afternoon?” People laughed and shook their heads.
Clinton is angry that this side of him has been nearly absent from the coverage. “You don’t ever read about this stuff! This is never part of the political debate!” he said at one event. “But this is what matters.” Adjusting to the modern, gaffe-centric media environment has been wrenching. At most of his Pennsylvania stops, the national press was represented mainly by a pair of young TV-network “embeds,” whom Clinton regards not as reporters but as media jackals who record his every utterance yet broadcast only his outbursts, a phenomenon that has helped transform him into a YouTube curiosity and diminished him—perhaps permanently. “It’s like he’s been plucked out of time and thrown into the middle of this entirely new kind of campaign,” the adviser told me. Jay Carson, a senior Clinton campaign official and Bill’s former spokesman, said, “Because of the way he is covered, the only thing anyone ever sees is fifteen seconds that is deemed by the pundits to be off message.”
The focus on Clintonian error has obscured a serious debate that Obama and the former President tried to have. Obama has been arguing that the country’s economic troubles are as much Clinton’s fault as Bush’s—he blames Clinton-era deregulation of the telecommunications and banking industries—and he implicitly accuses Bill Clinton of surrendering to special interests. “The problems we face go beyond any single Administration,” Obama told one labor audience. “For far too long, through both Democratic and Republican Administrations, the system has been rigged against everyday Americans by the lobbyists that Wall Street uses to get its way.” In much quoted remarks to a private group in San Francisco, Obama said that some Pennsylvanians were “bitter” and would “cling” to guns and religion, because jobs “fell through the Clinton Administration and the Bush Administration.”
That is what offended Bill Clinton. “Hillary’s opponent, in his entire campaign, every two or three weeks has said for months and months and months, beginning in Nevada, that really there wasn’t much difference in how America did when I was President and how America’s done under President Bush,” he said in Lock Haven. “Now, if you believe that, you should probably vote for him, but you get a very bad grade in history.” In the closing days of the campaign, Obama gave at least three speeches criticizing the former President, who, ever vigilant of his legacy, defended himself at every stop. Few paid attention; Barack and Bill were like two boxers trying to have a fight but both getting pelted by a mysterious third force—the saturation gaffe coverage.
The day before the primary, Bill Clinton lost his temper with a radio host who asked about the Jesse Jackson comments. Clinton went on a three-minute rant in which he posited the mysterious theory that Obama had played the race card against him. Then, not realizing that he was still on the air, he could be heard saying, “I don’t think I should take any shit from anybody on that, do you?” The clip was an Internet sensation. You can hear the whole thing in the Bill Clinton archive at YouTube. It’s already been listened to about three hundred thousand times.
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