Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

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?

20 Million Things

Robert Palmer was the ultimate interpreter. He could take almost any song and, as the Beatles once sang, "make it better." Or, at least make it his.

In the case of Lowell George, I do believe it was the latter. Lowell played on Robert's first album...and his songs always suited Robert perfectly. "Spanish Moon," "Sailin' Shoes,"...and one that I just discovered on an out-of-print CD called "Ryhthm & Blues."

Besides a smoking rendition of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get it On," Robert simply nails "20 Million Things," originally found on Lowell's sadly ignored solo album, "Thanks, I'll Eat it Here."

Here's a live version of Robert doing "20 Million Things" on the Jools Holland show.

Enjoy.

Bill Geist to Receive a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

And I couldn't be more excited. Not that I ever dreamed I'd have my own Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I mean, sure, I was in a couple High School and Community Theatre plays, spent ten years in radio and another ten years in TV. But, to get a Hollywood Star with my name on it?

Thank goodness there's another guy out there named Bill Geist that did all the heavy lifting. And, as you might have guessed...it's really his Star.

But, it still has my name on it.

The ceremony is tomorrow at 11:30 in front of the El Capitan Theatre. If you go, please say "hi" and offer my congratulations to him.

Will We Continue to Believe?

TripAdvisor's slogan used to be "Get the Truth...Then Go."

Now it's “The World’s Most Trusted Travel Advice."

In reality...can we believe any of the review sites?

E-Mail was once believable...today, the spammers have taken over. Are review sites next?

Pretty much, if you believe this expose by MSNBC.

But, then again, can we believe MSNBC?

Can we believe anyone?

OK...I Guess it's not Just Tourism

Those of us in the Destination Marketing industry often scratch our heads at the boneheadedness of politicians that don't understand that investing in tourism promotion generates more tax revenue than it consumes. Thus, Tourism Promotion is an answer to government deficits...not a cost.

But, it's not just us. My friend Bill Baker forwarded me an article about the rat problem in New York City. Apparently, the City is cutting the enforcement budget for rats, even though the personnel that levy the fines generate 4 times the cost of the program.

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer says "Why would you make cuts to a program that actually makes money for the city?"

Yeah...what he said.

Breaking Through the Clutter

As backhanded compliments go, this one is pretty snarky. But parts of it are also painfully true.

Over the weekend, the Star-Tribune's James Lileks gave kudos to Explore Minnesota Tourism for its innovative new TV campaign...while bashing last year's effort, making fun of tourism ads in general and making up new State slogans.

And here's the line that hurts...because it is so true: "Doesn't matter what the state is, they're all (the TV ads) the same: Sweeping music, Golden Nature Shot, a couple in a hip, urban restaurant laughing over a hip, urban glass of wine, a jazz musician playing a trumpet, a roller coaster, someone fishing and something "retro" to remind you of your childhood vacations, even though your brother threw up when the car passed the sugar beet plant."

Yeah...pretty much.

Except for Michigan (oh, it has many of those visual elements...but it also has sensationaly evocative writing and Tim Allen).

And now, Minnesota.

Congratulations to John Edman and the gang at EMT. Nice job.

Getting it Wrong on Tape

For this week's Music Friday, we take a trip down memory lane for the first performance on American TV for The Rolling Stones.

Dean Martin was hosting The Hollywood Palace in June of 1964 when the Stones (with buzz but no hit record) played the Willie Dixon classic "I Just Wanna Make Love to You." The performance was fairly typical for an era in which stage persona had not yet become important. Yet, check Keith's manic guitar playing...

What is probably most amazing in this video is Dean's dismissiveness. One of the clearest examples of how the old tigers hadn't a clue of how their world was about to change.

While members of the Stones were reportedly bitter about the experience...it didn't stop them from burning the same song down in London 39 years later.

Yeah...But

Addressing the annual Massachusetts Governor's Conference on Tourism, Governor Deval Patrick recognized the power of the industry. $14 Billion in spending. Pretty cool.

And then...yeah, you know.

He did the politically expedient thing. He announced that he would take the once $9 million Tourism budget (which fell to $2.5 million last year) to $1.8 million. This, as neighboring Connecticut is increasing their Tourism budget to $15 million.

In doing so, he said that the State was “committed to supporting and advancing this huge sector of our economy, just as we are focused on securing Massachusetts’ leadership in the innovation industries, in health care and in education.”

Yeah. Whatever...

At least it should be interesting to watch the Visitor Spending numbers over the next year for these two States.

It's Not Over til it's Over

But, when it's time to switch to the network for late night programming, why do local TV stations abdicate to the mothership?

While the hotly contested Madison Mayor race was over by 11pm, the battle for an all-important judgeship was still razor thin. And the TV talking heads headed for home. Radio too.

I remember staying on the air til 6am covering a close race when I was in radio. For those that cared, we were fulfilling a huge need. For those of us that care, it's a service that media should provide.

Why not today?

The Change That Can Be

Madison Mayoral candidate Paul Soglin makes an interesting point in the beginning of this music video from Anthony Lamarr, Rob Dz and E-Sweez.

"Our cities are in danger. Some people would say they're in danger from Governor Walker...Actually, they're in danger from us. They're in danger from those of us who don't vote."

If you're in Madison today (or any community where the polls are open), you know how high the stakes are.

And you know what you must do...or you can just STFU next time you want to complain about your town.

Vote.