Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Endeavor to Persevere

It's one of many great quotes from the cult classic "The Outlaw Josey Wales." And it perfectly describes the Boise CVB.

Stripped of their funding last summer, they limped along with state grants and volunteer help. Many (including me) thought it was over for the Bureau. But they doggedly persevered until a May election changed the make-up of the Board controlling Room Tax revenues. Shortly after that election, a small amount of revenue was re-dedicated to the CVB.

And, with that glimmer of hope, the Idaho Travel Council has just awarded the Boise CVB with a $620,000 grant.

Bobbie and the BCVB: they endeavored to persevere. And they have.

I Want Love

There was a time that almost everybody was watching MTV. Thus, almost everybody saw the videos that went with the songs of the day.

I'm not exactly sure when that changed...but, I have this strange feeling that many haven't seen the video of Elton John's "I Want Love."

Which didn't star Elton John. Instead, it featured Robert Downey, Jr. in his first post-rehab appearance.

And...it's hauntingly powerful.

Heavy for a Music Friday? Yes...but I love it.

Atlas Shrugged Arrives

Those that know my taste in literature know that two books top my "best ever" list. One is Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged"...and the other is Stephen King's "The Stand."

Both are beasts to read, clocking in at over 1000 pages each. Thus, both are beasts to translate to the screen. There was a lame TV mini-series attempt with "The Stand" back in the '90s...but the constraints of the medium neutered the story.

That can't be said about the simply amazing adaptation of Rand's "Atlas Shrugged," which opened at select theatres across the country yesterday. For years, we've encouraged friends and acquaintances to read this 1950s classic again, because what once seemed like science fiction is, today, closer than any of us care care to admit.

The producers have done a magnificent job of setting a '50s novel into the second decade of a new century while designing a movie that will still appeal to those who have yet read the book.

If tonight is date night and a movie is a possibility, you have a number of opening weekend choices. Trust me, none will compare with "Atlas Shrugged." The parallels with current events and the two compellingly bold protagonists will keep you riveted.

But...beware. This is only Part One. There is no neat and tidy ending.

If you've read "Atlas Shrugged," you'll be dying for Part Two.

If you haven't yet read the book, I'm betting you'll go out and buy it...because the suspense will be killing you.

And, you'll need to know...Who is John Galt?

The Hideaway Trilogy

Now that Wisconsin's Runaway Senators heve returned home, the air under Rockford's viral video campaign will start to disappate.

But, not before the funniest of the trilogy completes one of the most successful Destination Marketing Viral plays in history. In the third installment, Rockford's Mayor appears once again (and may have a career on the silver screen), along with a few other past characters in the series...and a surprise appearance from, well, we don't want to play spoiler.

Congratulations to John Groh, the gang at the Rockford Area CVB and their whip smart agency Graham-Spencer. So well played.

The 100 Best Movie Insults

As we embark upon one of those great 4-day holiday weekends, we're throwing caution to the wind with our Funny Friday suggestion...'cause this is SOOO NSFW.

But, it's pretty funny (and waaay blue). The 100 best movie insults of all time.

And, yes, "Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries" is high on the list.

Hyatt Teams with Funny Or Die

You know Funny Or Die...Will Ferrell's comedy website that has produced such internet classics as "The Landlord" (viewed over 70 million times)?

In a smooth marketing move, Hyatt has teamed with the site to promote their hotels as meeting sites where bad meetings just don't happen. So far, five very funny FOD videos show what could go wrong at other hotels...but won't at Hyatt.

Cost: just $300,000. And, placement not only on Hyatt's site...but through a banner ad on the Funny Or Die site.

As I said...smooth move.

The Downside of Being a Movie Star Governor

The California media lunched on a delectable faux-story last week that Governor Arnold Schwarzennegger and his wife were paid over $200,000 for appearing in the State's Tourism commercials. The spots, one with the obligatory (but still funny) "you'll be back" line, have run since 2005.

Big scandal, right? Not really. The Governator insisted up-front that his appearances in the TV spots would be pro bono. After all, that's what a governor should do. Oh wait...no other governor should appear in a tourism spot because, ummm, nobody cares. But Arnold...that's different.

However, his membership in the Screen Actors Guild requires a "minimum" payment. It's a union rule...and there's just no way around it.

But, that gets us back to whether celebrity endorsements work...and whether they are worth the pain of the media wetting their pants over the spin of a completely fabricated story.

When You're Stranded at an Airport

There's a lot about flying these days that makes most want to avoid the whole gauntlet. But, being stranded overnight? That's got to be the worst.

Unless you have a video camera and are as creative as Ashley Klinger, who spent her night at PIT a few weeks ago and turned it into her own personal playhouse.

Too funny...as over half a million people have already seen.

Best Damn Snowball Fight

With roughly 15 inches of snow falling in Madison over the past 24 hours...why wouldn't students at the University of Wisconsin set out to break the world record for biggest snowball fight in history.

While these types of attempts are de rigueur at UW, video and YouTube now chronicle the attempts like never before.

I love the first video here, where fate, luck and whimsy come together to nail the videographer...who said, just moments before, "I am the target."

The Shat is da Bomb

Taking a few days off for the Thanksgiving holiday (though, I'm sure I'll show up on other platforms from time to time)...so, I'm shifting my "Funny Friday" post to today.

Jetpacks bemoans that he was late to the party on this one, as over 500,000 people have already viewed this great video mash-up of William Shatner (aka "the Shat"). Well, I was too...but laughed my ass off when I saw it last week.

And, dig those rad shoes he's wearing as he proclaims his lust.

Have a great weekend!