Sunday, May 11, 2008

Andy Warhol, My Pink Dress & MTV

Ever since Andy Warhol made his comment about 15 minutes of fame, people spend their lives grasping for that moment.

Me? Well, I run the other way. (OK so maybe I wouldn’t if Ed McMahon appeared at my front door and I probably wouldn’t skedaddle if Stacy and Clinton came waving that $5,000 Visa card to go shopping in the Big Apple—although I would hide my comfy clothes and that pink dress of mine.)

So you’re probably wondering what Andy Warhol and that dress have to do with anything. Well, a few months ago an email circulated from MTV producers offering newspaper staffs the thrill of applying for the second season of the music network’s new reality show aptly entitled, “The Paper.”

I made the mistake of wondering out loud about it. “Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, MTV, blah, blah, blah,” I said.

The word “MTV” sure got their attention.

The kids begged.

“No,” I said.

The kids cajoled.

“Absolutely not,” I said.

The kids whined.

I wavered not.

I envisioned my 15 minutes involving my pink dress and a bad hair day.

Picture this…

Here’s me on deadline asking, “Did you wake up this morning and say to yourself, ‘Ohhhh, I think I want to be mediocre today?’ Did ya? No? Well, ya better go rewrite that story then.”

Over there would be an editor yelling something about stupidheads–big fat ones at that.

And someone else in the room would definitely be out of dress code—a heinous crime for the nine gajillion viewers times one supervising appraiser to see. (My appraiser, of course.)

And, the room? Well, you probably can guess what that looks like. Jeez Louise.

So I put that email in my “Things That Will Get You Fired” folder located in my bottom right-hand drawer and wondered what’s next? –A reality show called “The Yearbook”?

Psssst… I won’t tell the yearbook staffers if you don’t.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG Richie - It's Zach. I'm agreeing with your students on this one. MTV following your paper around would be fantastic. This is what drama is made of: demeaning comments, hair on fire and crying children on deadline. YOU HAVE GOT TO APPLY! :)

Melissa B. said...

As you know, we applied for the second season of "The Paper," & we made the third cut. That only means, though, that MTV will spend a month reviewing 800 gazillion videos (although they complimented us on ours--but they probably complimented 799 gazillion others, too) and then will send us the slightly upscale "Dear John" letter. I have been having second thoughts, though. How much more CRAZY will the staff act with MTV in the room? How much WILDER will they be in their so-called "social interactions" with MTV chronicling their every move after school as well? I think the beer pong party on this season's "The Paper" is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. But HOW SWEET would it be to see your alma mater on MTV? :)

askthehomediva said...

Melissa,
I think it would be great if you guys made the final cut…

but I'm guessing you don't have a pink dress or a bad hair day…

;=)

Unknown said...

I wish you WOULD apply for the The Paper . . . it could use some substance!

Melissa B. said...

I don't have a pink dress--will a pink blouse do? And I'm in a perpetual "bad hair day"!

Jeanne said...

You must apply. That pink dress needs some publicity. Plus, think of all the wonderful things you could say about me on the air. I will even give you a huge 8x10 of me for your desk.