Category Archives: Commentary

Intellectual Honesty in the Age of Unreason

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Tom Garrett

I hate to interrupt a string of lighthearted cultural observations, sports references, and stories about awkward moments in the annals of entertainment history with something more serious—but here goes. A fascinating journal article came to my attention a couple of … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Politics | Tagged Abortion, Alberto Giubilini, Best in the World, Civility, Commentary, Conservatism, Fox News, Francesca Minerva, Gawker, Hyperbole, Intellectual Honesty, Journal of Medical Ethics, Liberalism, MSNBC, Politics, Reasonableness, Rhetoric, Rush Limbaugh, Sandra Fluke, Ultrasound, Virginia, War on Women | 16 Comments

SitCombat: 3/15/12

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Tom Garrett

I’m skipping the first night of the NCAA tournament to write a review of three sitcoms, so I’m going to dispense with the preamble this week. It’s only fair. I’ll just point out that 30 Rock is riding a two-week … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Reviews, Television | Tagged 30 Rock, Archer, Colonizers of Malaar, Commentary, Reviews, SitCombat, Sitcoms, Television, The Office | Leave a comment

R.I.P., AOL IM

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Tom Garrett

Fifteen years ago: I had never heard of it. Ten years ago: It was ubiquitous. Now: It’s dead. I can’t imagine how much different my 20’s (especially my early 20’s) would have been without Instant Messenger. I used AOL’s IM … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, General Culture and News | Tagged AIM, AOL, AOLIM, Commentary, General Culture and News, Instant Messenger, Nost | 2 Comments

Cutting Through the Corporate Code

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Tom Garrett

The curious leadership style of the board of directors of World Wrestling Entertainment, Incorporated (NYSE/NASDAQ: WWE) has again perplexed the business community and financial experts around the globe. The company is currently in the midst of something of a power … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Pictures, Sports, Television | Tagged Boards of Directors, Business, Business Practices, Commentary, Corporations, John Laurinaitis, Pictures, Pro Wrestling, Sports, Television, Theodore Long, WrestleMania, WWE | Leave a comment

Site Reorganization / Slight Reorganization

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Tom Garrett

I’m overdue for some housecleaning. I originally began the Axis of Ego with the intention that I would be the primary contributor, but that others would generate content intermittently to supplement my work. The idea was for me to create … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Site Stuff | Tagged Commentary, Housecleaning, Site Stuff | 2 Comments

SitCombat: 3/8/12

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Tom Garrett

Last week’s compliment of shows was one of the strongest since I’ve been running this little recurring feature. The Office came in THIRD with a B-plus. Archer put together probably one of its two best episodes of the season, yet … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Reviews, Television | Tagged 30 Rock, Andromakennethamblesorton, Archer, Commentary, Gaylord Felcher, Reviews, SitCombat, Sitcoms, Television, The Office | Leave a comment

Awkward Moments in Entertainment History: Rock Me Tonite

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Tom Garrett

As our cultural integrity continues to buckle under the weight of exploitative “reality” programming and mindless pseudo-documentaries, it’s difficult to recall that MTV (f/k/a Music Television) was once the arbiter of success in the popular music industry. It isn’t merely … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Music, Videos | Tagged 1980's, Billy Squier, Commentary, MTV, Music, Rock Me Tonite, The 80's, The Stroke, Videos | 3 Comments

SitCombat 3/1/12

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Tom Garrett

The Office has hit an unexpected stride with a bifurcated workforce. The NBC demographic powerhouse has won two consecutive weeks despite the fact that half of the employees of the titular place of business have been in Tallahassee. The show … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Reviews, Television | Tagged 30 Rock, Adultophobes, Alexis Goodlooking, Archer, Commentary, Georgia Engel, Nikki Finke, Reviews, Richie Havens, SitCombat, Television, The Office, TV | Leave a comment

Time to Light the Fuse on this Rocket Ship

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Tom Garrett

Today marks the final day of voting for Style Weekly‘s annual “Best Of” awards. Style has introduced an award for Best Richmond-based Blog this year. Actually, I’m not sure if this is the first year of the award. But who … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Site Stuff | Tagged Commentary, RVA, Self-Promotion, Site Stuff, Style Weekly | 2 Comments

Something I Don’t Miss

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Tom Garrett

I’ve gotten a wonderful head start on becoming an old man who constantly reminisces about how much simpler, purer—and, in many cases, better—life used to be before the ubiquity of the internet made us all navel-gazing babies who expect everything … Continue reading →