I watch TNN, but only because they've got lots of Star Trek: TNG on, which is good for watching or for background noise when you're doing something else. The news that they've been positioning themselves as The First Network For Men didn't concern me, because ST:TNG is the only thing I watch on TNN. I'd watch CSI re-runs, but their Mondays at 11:05PM timeslot is rather stupidly inconvenient for those of us with, you know, jobs. I must not be the sort of man that the First Network For Men caters to.
Or, as they want to be called, Spike TV. You know: spikes, men. Spiky masculinity. Manly pokey things. Get it?
Spike Lee doesn't, apparently. He's suing Viacom because he believes that the public "associates Spike with Lee."
Actually, Shelton, I associate "Spike" with excellently-cheekboned vampires. I associate you with mediocrity, ego-centrism, and chip-on-the-shoulder racism.
Shelton is armed with affidavits from Ed Norton (who has "almost forgotten what it's like" to be proud of his government), Ossie Davis (who? Oh, right--the voice of "Yar" in Disney's Dinosaur!) and Bill Bradley (didn't he play basketball for the Senators?), all of whom thought that he had somehow become affiliated with TNN.
Gosh, if Ed, Ossie and Bill were fooled...the public must surely be wallowing in confusion! TNN is clearly trying to lure in the countless legions of progressive Spike Lee fans, who will no doubt be even further confused by the fact that the only black characters routinely shown on the network are Warrick in CSI, Tubbs in Miami Vice, and Mr. T. (Worf doesn't count. He's a Klingon.)
Parent company Viacom has been "directed by the judge to explain why it should not be barred from using the name." Apparently the fact that Shelton is a dingbat has-been director wasn't sufficient.
I, for one, am appalled that Shelton thinks that he has the moral right to tell other people what to do. To say that Viacom has to fall in line is you-know-what. I hope more people will rise up.
As one of what I am certain are many females who also watch TNN primarily for Star Trek (and are very thankful that it shows TNG), I have to say, I'm a little put off by the whole men's network positioning. Not because I can honestly say that men don't deserve their own Lifetime if they want it, but perhaps because of what TNN considers guy stuff - the new name included.
Yeah, I've always associated Spike with the sexy vampire on Buffy, too. Now I'm going to have to grapple with having my formerly pleasant daydreams of toothy blond chaps mixed up with WWE Wrestling, promos for an "edgy" cartoon featuring Kelsey Grammar (yup, he's my idea of edgy, fer sure), and a misguided attempt to corner the -er, lucrative market for guy stuff. (Like what? Motor oil? Hey, wait, I buy that, too. Shaving cream? Got that. Boxer shorts? Got them too.)
Anyway, Spike Lee's tantrum about their use of his name is pretty amusing. Did he copyright it when he went to the local court to file the name change? It's not as if we think of him as just Spike, in the sense of Cher or Madonna (or even Britney).
What's really funny, or perhaps sad, is that I'm certain both TNN and Shelton thought calling themselves Spike would make them sound really macho. Hasn't worked for Mr. Lee. Doubt if it'll work for TNN. And I'm sure all us girls watching won't help either. Sorry, GUYS.
Posted by: Valencia | June 4, 2003 05:18 PM
PS. You don't see (Buffy creator) Joss Whedon suing TNN over taking the name of one of his most recognizable characters, do you?
Posted by: Valencia | June 4, 2003 05:23 PM
Ah, TNG. For me, it's not just background noise, it's a religion. I'm also glad to see someone else thinks Spike Lee is a bore.
Posted by: Terry | June 5, 2003 06:12 AM
Don't forget about Geordi.
I think Webster's needs to sue Spike Lee for copyright infringement. After all, "spike" has been in the dictionary a lot longer than it has been one man's name. And what about railroad spikes. I would think of those before I would think of Spike Lee. Shouldn't the railroads sue Mr. Lee for taking as his name the name of an object that has been associated with railroads for more than a century and half? And what about "spiking" drinks. Isn't there a bartender's association that could get him for that?
Posted by: Lynn S | June 5, 2003 10:18 AM
D'oh! Too focused on the bridge crew.
Posted by: --iaw | June 5, 2003 10:33 AM
..." It's not as if we think of him as just Spike, in the sense of Cher or Madonna (or even Britney)."
Valencia hits the nail, um...spike On the head?
Of course, this very *excellent* point (er...)is probably not nearly enough to stop the debate.
Posted by: Deb | June 5, 2003 11:00 AM
It's a beautiful example, isn't it, of what happens when a public figure (using that term very loosely) makes the mistake of taking themselves far too seriously. Spike Lee is practically making fun of himself with this whole lawsuit business. I mean, all it does (to my mind) is point out how unsuitable the name Spike is for him. Just look at him! He looks exactly like a SHELTON.
Posted by: Valencia | June 5, 2003 11:08 AM
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