The first video on MTV wasn't a Hip-Hop one...duh, right?!?

So, it was a late brunch, and of course, MTV always comes up if you work there. My new friend and I got into a discussion about the first video to play on MTV.

Now, I wasn't there or anything, but I remember in my Making Sense of Popular Culture (COM 101 for you officials) there was a brief paragragh in one of the many packets of reading (Perouka did a lot of copies, because nobody really talked about COM 101 in a full textbook "back then") about MTV, and I never forgot one sentence: MTV debuted on air August 1, 1981.


And the first video they played was Video Killed the Radio Star. Go on, watch it:

...and the paragragh ended for me there. I wasn't around when they started the channel. What I mean by that is, I wasn't around when the concept was fostered. Something about music videos...they were cheap marketing tools to sell albums. Remember, it didn't cost the millions of dollars that somehow, it began to cost.

In fact, Wikipedia (my guide to the world) states that "several noted directors got their start creating music videos." The likes of these people will include Spike Jonze, F. Gary Gray, Hype Williams and Michel Gondry to name a few. This post isn't about directors, but I thought I should mention that, kinda like a footnote. Thanks Wikipedia. Readers, keep that one in your back pocket.

I was curious about the first rap video to play on MTV, and of course, how could it not have been Run DMC (the debate was LL Cool J, which I rejected immediately with no bias, as I am from Queens by way of Brooklyn). You can't watch it, unless you click here. Sorry, it's the labels and their whole "disabling" shit. More on that another day.

On the left is Diggy, Sheesh! Your genes are strong Rev...Love this picture tho.

However, I was intrigued at the fact that although the station launched as a mostly rock channel, plays from Michael Jackson are noted as saving the channel from utter failure. Boy, what Daria could do to turn this all around.

Sorry.

Run DMC sold gold the year that video played on MTV. It was 1984; probably around the same time Bill Cosby was sitting in a room debating on whether Rudy would be a boy or a girl (I think they made the right decision.)

Ms. Rudith Lillian Huxtable/Keisha Knight Pulliam

...And then a new twitter thread began later the same night of the conversation at Brunch, #iremember. Someone wrote that they "remembered when they played videos on MTV and BET."

I always get annoyed, as soon as I read that. I've seen it before, heard it before and debated it, too.

Please. #iremember when...you really didn't need a million dollars to do a video, could sell brands and no one was looking for a cosign from you in the record/lyrics to go buy a pair of Guess Jeans (what, didn't everybody want to be specifically the "Pleasure Principle" Janet Jackson for Halloween?):



#iremember when you could have girls in bathing suits in videos, but the song were appropriate to the actual reason why the girls were in bathing suits (RIP Tupac the Magnificent...go shorty, it's ya birfday):

I still cringe at the girl who over gyrates tho, as well as the girl with the pink tassle bathing suit...gross.


#iremember when an actress could get a break doing a video, because she knew there was more to accomplish than popping extacy pills in the back of SUVs for a "Principal" role:

There are a lot of things #iremember...I'd simply like to be inspired again.

P.S. If you guess who that actress is, I don't have any t-shirts, but I promise to print one up as soon as I get my new website done. Pinky swear, I remember everything.

Kanye's 2nd Interview with Whitney: A Black Daria Film

From time to time, I find myself either debating or explaining why I am on Twitter. I don't always get to catch the juicy stuff, although one day I found myself staring at a Twit written by UncleRUSH that he later removed. I knew some blogger would get to it eventually, cool.

Fast forward to a recent twit by UncleRUSH again, but this one is too good to ignore. Taken from the pages of RWS, go ahead and read the twit below:

Now, now, I know what you are thinking. That whole Pretty Woman thing is being taken out of context, and he didn't really mean it like that...so...

That's how I came up with this one. Until I figure out what's really worth writing about, sit back and relax. Watch Whitney get up in that ass...you can also refer back to this post I wrote in February for the picture she references in the clip below. Wear sunglasses, it's pretty bright.

I just wish he would stop trying to play us all for fools:

xoxo,

Black Daria

The Facebook Status Update: A Black Daria Perspective

***Taken from the walls of my notes on Facebook...to know me is to add me as a friend...Hint: I like a message before just adding me. I originally posted this on Facebook back on May 7th, 2009, but I thought my 14 followers to date, and 5 or 6 other readers of my blog would enjoy this. Feel free to share this story with friends. OK, done with my sales pitch.***

A while back, I remember writing something about my Facebook status updates and got an enormous (hey, it was like 18 comments directed entirely about it, felt super cool that day) about how funny they were...how they get people through their day, etc.

I was happy to know that, because I know I personally re-read some of them and am like "Wow, you are too hot for TV right now," (phrase I've used since the late '90s via Jerry Springer) but I just say "eh," and keep it moving. I read others...some make me laugh equally...I thought everybody was doing "it." You know, writing a "good update" even when it was bad."

"So why this post, BD?" Well, for some reason, a conversation I had today keeps repeating itself, so I felt the need to indulge for a minute on this subject of your status update, and what it could (or not) say about you.

Scenario #1:

MAY 5

"Just came from the bar..." - 12 hrs ago

"@insertcoolpersonnamehere just bought me another drink...can't dissapoint him...was leaving the bar, he caught me" - 12 hrs ago

"sdtgsie" - 11 hrs ago

"Can't belivve I mad it hom okayee" - 10 hrs ago

TODAY

"Getting on a plane to go meet with the next (insert client name here)" - 2 secs ago

- fin/Scenario 1-

Thoughts? Could say this is an alcoholic. You could also say this person is on their business (sdtgsie is code for my phone is in my pocket right now, and I was looking on Facebook to see if anyone had commented on the @insertcoolpersonnamehere but didn't, so I threw the phone back in my bag, forgot to minimize to my home screen, etc.) and is merely on their night on the town...or this person is your average industry person...You can talk amongst yourselves about the definition of the "industry person" because frankly, I work amongst them, they are my colleagues, but frankly, save the bullshit for the pitch with Russell and Diddy and other people you like to name drop. Shet ep. But keep writing, because like a train wreck, I wanna see how it all turns out...will you tell us the REAL ("I slept with him"; by the way, I don't advise one goes there, I don't think I need to know all that) or are you just giving us your bullshit to impress your "friends." Next.

Here's another situation:

Scenario 2

"Getting ready to get out of bed and get started with my day" - on Saturday

"Feeling frisky, still in bed...wanna join me?" - on Satuday

TODAY

"Sorry facebook, that day got even crazier, LOL...now I want a kiss...any takers?" - 50 min ago (posted at 6:08 PM)

-fin/Scenario 2-

OK, so you might be saying "Who the eff are your friends?" Like myself, I am sure from time to time, there's a random person you add, because you feel like "hey, this is someone I should know...they agreed with my debate on (insert topic) and I notice they seem to be on their shit...they work at (insert name of great company here)," so you add them...and then you start seeing updates like these, and are trying to figure out just when this site turned into some myspace/craigslist/assforsale site...please note though that FB is my first "social networking vice" of choice, followed by Twitter. Basically, this person gets deleted at some point, just looking for the right opportunity for them not to notice.

My last scenario may identify with others you know (Scenario 3):

"Just ate dinner. It was good." - 14 hrs ago

"Took a shower...very refreshing..." - 10 hours ago

"Going to the gym" - 9 hours ago

"Got out the gym...could have waited to shower since I ended up taking another." - 8 hours ago

-fin/Scenario 3-

Ummm...OK. You're just boring and there's no way around it. Why, you ask? Well, if I've been your friend (or I've known you, also a big difference) since freaking almost diapers or even college, and we don't talk everyday, what kind of info is this? Take this bullshit to Twitter, amongst a community (search for #lamers) and get with them...don't torture me and the other 40 people who are on your friends list with this mess. Just keep the damn account open and put pictures up...those speak more to me than these lame-ass updates...and if I choose to comment on those pics, well super-dee-duper.

Anyone that's known me (I've tagged those that know me from the playground of PS 221, to the grassy noles of Goucher College) knows that I say what I feel...of course I am sensitive to others (yet still brutally honest) and don't just SAY IT, but please believe that I say what I feel, take no reservations and could give 5 shits about what you think about me after I say it...some of my co-workers are actually my friends on here...now in a different business or different type of world (I dunno, I will go with Police Officer), maybe not...but if I add you, as a coworker, even if we don't talk everyday, my page still reflects me, but isn't all of me.

You (coworker) now may have the answer you need to why I looked pissed today (i.e. the restless FB status updates when I can't sleep = cranky Nicole at work the next day...proceed with caution, however, I am a professional ;) ) Don't utilize it as an opportunity to "blow someone up" when your dumb ass may end up looking stupid in the end...if you were smart, you'd know why I am on my facebook page, and not get so caught up into my "activities" and do your damn job...sorry, I needed to get that one off my chest, still mad about those snitches.

In summary...

There's not one association I have that will be ruined by any of my updates, no matter how gangster I get...because one should always be smart about what they write, but remember that there's this whole first amendment thing, and I am kinda down for it...no uppity shit with the kid. In other words, I am human...and one day, I will get into the status update today that made me take a minute to write this, but some days, it just needs to be said.

By me?

Always.

xoxo,

Black Daria

#RIP The Game

Twitter people know what that means...if not, here are the pics from the sources:





AND it says: Finally got official word from producers and cast of the show the The Game that it has been cancelled. Was great while it lasted.



Tia Mowry confirmed the BET pick-up was also a wrap:








SMH. All the hard work on this post back in April. Gone. And then, I said I went to this talk with Debra Lee a few months prior...but...never mind.


xoxo,
Black Daria ;/

An email to Xtranormal, because I could really care less about...

The following is an e-mail I sent to Xtranormal, the site where I get to make all those fabulous movies as I live out my career as a writer/director (HA!) but there's been some issues.

It started on May 11...I took my complaints to the forums (hey, why not...got PLENTY of time on my hands...)

As opposed to going off in the forums (it is a free site, but still) I wrote them on Twitter:

and dude actually finds me again and writes me (how loved am I, or lame that I am hype over a personal e-mail to black daria) so here's what I wrote back...black daria style, of course (below my email is his response to my twitter post):

from: nic price <blackdaria78@gmail.com>

to: support xtranormal <support@xtranormal.com>

date: Wed, May 20, 2009 at 9:12 PM

subject: Re: Xtranormal Support to Blackdaria - Youtube publishing

Well, basically I was trying to finish a movie I did the other day, and as I went to save last night:

1. Didn't save all the way through, so I had to start over (Remix feature as suggested in the forums).

2. Added some text, camera changes...hit the Save button...

3. Gets to stage 3 or 4, then gives me a sad FYI, your movie didn't save stuff...now I am sad.

4.Did it again...it worked...but now Youtube doesn't work...says my credentials are incorrect, but I changed them after changing my password. I like safety :)

5. Tried "taking 5" (button you hit when you need the break from all that writing/directing) because I clearly was taking this all too seriously...

6. Came back to my remixed movie, tried immediately saving again...no dice, says that it's just not gonna happen.

7. 2 AM = late to work.

Can't lose my job in this recession unless you are going to hire me to do something for you...so help me please (smile).

No but seriously, that's what's happening. Thanks for your email.
~NP

On Wed, May 20, 2009 at 1:50 PM, support xtranormal <support@xtranormal.com> wrote:

Ooof. Still not working for you, Nic? I saw your Twitter post ;)

The credentials are still messed up? Mind if I go in and check again?

Let me know.

Thanks.

xtranormal.supportsupport@xtranormal.com
"If you can type, you can make movies!"

-fin-

They really need to fix this issue on their site for a number of reasons:

1. I could careless that Aubrey Graham/Drake is dating Rihanna. I highly advise you to think about what this can do to your career...like I'm not taking Chris Brown's calls...when he calls me. (Saw this on MTO, yeah yeah, shet ep)

2. I also don't really care that Suge Knight is getting sued by Mi'chele. Like duh, I've known that since the choco blogs broke that before there was a Mediatakeout...next. (Wall Street Journal blog is where I saw that one...right, even the WSJ doesn't have a damn thing to talk about)

3. Ciara's fashion choices have left me to believe that creativity is lacking in fashion (pick up the In Touch magazine dated 5/25/09) or her budget got smaller. Rihanna, while I still am not a fan of, should consider becoming a socialite. I am actually feeling her shit, because she's representing for the short people. Like moi. Also in the same In Touch issue mentioned above.

4. I really don't feel like addressing Julie's issues (Russell's current "Special Friend" because we, the public, are 5 year olds) with black women, or black people in general. That's just taking me back to the 50's, and Obama is in office, so I try not to address such mess, however I advise her to find a real black girl and be friends with her. Someone like me, coupled with a lunch with my mother could do wonders for Uncle Rush's camp right now. You can catch that on Gossip Jacker or Global Grind. Don't ask me her last name, because I didn't know she was a model before Uncle Rush and I don't care now either.

5. And basically, I don't care about Rihanna or Cassie's titties/breasts (keep the PC for the kids). And no, I won't post what's already been seen. You've seen it all at this point damn it. So please.

So, until there is something to really discuss, or rather that I CARE to discuss...I will be talking to these xtranormal people.

A result of Chuck leaving me for Blair. Oh well.

xoxo,

Black Daria

Black Daria Case Study...on Beyonce: Entry #1

Sitting here catching up on my favorites, I couldn't help but notice a commercial, and it caught the corner of my eye, because I realized that this could not be...nope, it's not...

Beyonce?

NINTENDO DS - BEYONCE



So, I say to myself out loud, "Really? Same girl who said Twitter? She reserves that to her sister, she doesn't know about all of that twitter mess. OK, not like that, but if you scroll down to Monday, April 20 on RWS this is what she said.

So that was Tuesday, and I kept it moving, you know me, couple of facebook status updates...and they brought me to a revelation: Black Daria should do a case study on Beyonce.

Think about it...Emporio Armani one day, then Loreal...list goes on...this woman is very serious. Bitches (yes, one of yous) are mad about this...but you know, so far, I've thought of the strategy of the reversal of Beyonce (I mean, let's face it, we are facing a slippery slope with some of our Black entertainers right now I'd list names but that's not the point here).

Wednesday...now watching the back up episode of Real Housewives of NYC; I wasn't really paying attention to (so tired from work) so I was doing some work when surprise: Beyonce, but now with...Daniel, son of Solange (hey, I kinda like that).

Back on Youtube and what do you know...there's this interesting clip...all about how they came up with this commercial:

BEYONCE FOR NINTENDO DS WITH JUELZ - MAKING THE COMMERCIAL

Points on this one:

1:00 - She's trying to get the rhythm on the game, but she can't swing it, so in comes someone to try to help her but hey, I would probably need help on this kiddie contraption...gosh TWO screens? She already doesn't like Twitter.

At 2:30, she goes into signing campaign mode on a bunch of Nintendo DS's which I assume will end up on some exec's desk at Nintendo, as some assistant opens the box, wishing they could give something like that to their kid...not in NYC, of course. You know not one kid would survive in NYC with Bey's signature...what kid wouldn't brag about it, then get jumped 2.5 secs later?

2:45: Enter cute kid, Juelz...awww. He is cute :)

5:55: Liked doing the gig because she liked not having to "think too much." She said that, you ask yourself what context that was supposed to be taken.

"Time out," I said under my breath"...who's doing the PR for this...and is it about the game?" Beyonce and her relationship with her nephew...feels forced...like I am sure she does spend time with him...but the words feel contrived...she had to remember to say the word "stylus" and seemed proud when she did remember the word.

Answers revealed at the end of the video if you watched the whole thing. You go do your own Googling on the company name that appears on the end...oh, maybe those two dudes will even send you one of those Nintendo DS systems she signed.

Up next: Beyonce at the movies...yeah, maybe I will catch Obsession this weekend.

xoxo,
Black Daria

Dirty Little Secret #1: Facebook...when to add...and when to ignore...

I guess I am just not the daily girl, but honestly, I get writer’s block. Black Daria knows her flaws…so as she fixes them…

One of my readers got the memo late regarding my requests for dirty secrets, but who am I to say when I should get these types of e-mails when shucks, it was the only email I got besides “Welcome to Twitter” and what not.

Dear Black Daria,

When I was in high school, I met who I thought was the man of my dreams. Since you love Miguel Perdomo so much, we will call him Miguel.

So Miguel and I were dating, and he had this friend…let’s call her…Michelle. He always said that he and Michelle were “very good friends,” and Michelle, in the few times I met her, began to also claim that it “wasn’t like that,” and “they are just really good friends,” but I wasn’t buying it…nope.

So one night, I called him and couldn’t seem to get him on the phone. I thought he’d be home…he didn’t mention any plans. So the young baby stalker in me went over to his house, and at 1 AM, a car pulled up, and he and Michelle were dressed in formal attire…obviously, you know what happened next…

I flipped out…I basically wilded out…and I ended up in a psych ward. Years later, I still think about this man. I’ve moved on in my life…MBA, baby (father and I are no longer together) and have a great job and live in a wonderful condo outside the city.

Well, since the facebook craze began, and through the encouragement of a friend, I joined the world where I’d get to reconnect with people I haven’t seen since I was young…including Miguel.

He was the first search I performed, before even checking my yahoo contacts. And then, to my shock, Michelle, the “very good friend,” actually FRIENDS ME on Facebook. My first feeling was violation…after all that I’d been through, and since we were never friends before or after my relationship with Miguel, why would she be requesting me?

Should I accept her as a friend? Will she know if I ignore her?

Signed,
MissMBAP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear MissMBAP,

Hmmm..sounds like there’s a few problems here that you may want to consider seeking a therapist to sort out. How could you possibly be thinking about a man who put you into such a low, that mentally, you weren’t stable. I honestly don’t know what is worse, and I don’t know why you are still so wrapped up in this man, but it makes me quite nervous.

Furthermore, there’s the issue that he’s now so deep in your life, a connection as close to him as his Michelle has caused you to go back to the lawn where you confronted these two, where you ended up wilding and doing anything else to make yourself feel “better.”

Please get over him. He’s not only over you, but there’s so much more life has to offer than a distant high school memory that can never revisit. I broke up with my high school sweetheart Tom after we reconnected after not seeing each other for several years.

After we broke up on our second go-around, I realized that I will never have the same feelings for him that I thought I did in front of Mr. Ealey’s math class on the 4th floor. And now, looking back, that stare he gave me then that I thought meant he was into me, was the exact stare that I realized that dude was nuts, so he had to leave.

Do yourself a favor. Get a therapist, and sort that out. Oh, and delete that bitch.

xoxo,
Black Daria :/

P.S. I read this article the other day via Twitter that gave me some great tips on how to make sure your Facebook experience is a pleasant one…I think you should read it, and oh, don’t forget to delete that bitch, please.