James Caan and Las Vegas Return to Television

Las Vegas is becomming a mecca for television. It's glitz and glamour has drawn "Alias", Crossing Jordan", and Jackass" to film episodes there. It has lured MTV's "The Real World". And now, it is luring James Caan back to television in a new series called "Las Vegas" [via MediaLife]
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Fame Returns to Television

Remember the show Fame? If you don't it's because it was on 20 years ago. It featured a group of talented artists, dancers and musicians including a pudgy little star named Janet Jackson.

Well, in the ongoing trend of remakes, it is returning to television. Debbie Allen who starred in and choreographed the original movie and television series, will be back to hold auditions for the new show as well as to help with choregraphing again. [via Zap2it]
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Jessica Lynch Story to Become Movie of the Week

"Like the rest of America, we shared in the collective thrill of witnessing the heroic and dramatic rescue of Pfc. Jessica Lynch. Her inspiring story is one that provides a message of hope despite great odds," the network said in a statement.

That puffery from an NBC executive on their plans to air a movie of the week about Lynch's POW ordeal. Can the networks leave anything alone? [via CNN]
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Advice L'Oreal Should Seriously Consider

Meg Hourihan of Megnut makes an ad campaign suggestion to L'Oreal based on her first-hand use of the product and its not so desireable outcome:

ATTN: L'Or�al Marketing Dept.
RE: Product names

Mesdames:

You recently launched a new hair coloring product with the name Couleur Experte. My understanding, based on your marketing campaign, was that I would couleur like a pro and achieve experte results from my home bathroom. I write today to suggest an alternative marketing campaign. While your intentions with the name experte may have been good, my results speak for themselves, and highlight (no pun intended) the need for an immediate rebranding of Couleur Experte.

May I recommend Couleur de D�butant -- novice color, as we say in English -- as an alternative? While it may not spark sales like the other title, it more aptly describes the couleur de cheetah result I have achieved with your product.

Experte? Pas moi,
Megnut
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L Magazine: A Guide to Manhattan Neighborhood Life

Found on Gawker, Aaron Bailey of 601am did some digging around on the yet to be launched 'The L Magazine'. From the magazine's minimalist web site:

"A city is meant to be strolled. To lose one�s way, to lose one�s purpose in New York City is to let the street names signify our communal history, our public space, and our shared urban experience. This spirit, the excitement of the flaneur, informs �The L Magazine� as we provide a simple guide to our life in New York City.

In �The L Magazine� you�ll find a comprehensive list of the events in the city, in addition to a select composite of each neighborhood. However, we leave the reviews to reviewers, society hijinks to the chattering classes. Our subject is the city itself�vignettes that try to capture the colorful history hidden within the living archive of each sidewalk. Our editorial features investigate New York City subjects in a variety of forums, and playfully explore our different urban routines. Each event that we list, each venue we describe, seeks to show one more element of this New York City. A city built, event by event, moment to moment, into the carnival we experience each day."

How's that for an editorial description?
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Radar Magazine is the New Talk

"When people talk about the general interest, I always ask, 'Of general interest to whom?' " Mr. Roshan said. "J. Lo is part of our readers' world, but then so is the war. I know that there are readers for a magazine like this because I am one of them. Most magazines are products, with no soul or spirit. I think many publishers forgot that making a magazine is supposed to be a creative pursuit."

That's Maer Roshan, the publisher and editor of Radar, a new magazine crossing several categories and topical areas. His magazine will launch April 22. Read the New York Times article for more details and the Gawker article for more dirt.
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In Defense of a Bad Marketing Strategy

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UK Thong Ad Causes Complaints

The UK has a body called the Advertising Standards Authority that accepts public comment on advertising and can enact directives on advertisers who, in the eyes of the public, cross certain lines of acceptability. This week it's an ad for Sloggi underwear that shows the rear view of three women in thongs.

The 18 complaints received to date appear to have the common theme that the ad is sexist. Since when is wearing a thong sexist? It's underwear. Granted it's highly attention getting underwear but it's still underwear that apparently many women like to wear. Not to mention the many men who like to see women wearing thong underwear. And women know this. Which is part of the reason women wear thongs in the first place.

So what's sexist about being sexy? [via Sky News]

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Some Optimism Seen for Advertising

"From everything we are seeing, advertising, despite the geopolitical aspects of the war, is very strong," Mr. Karmazin said. "Our belief is that there's a good amount of demand."

That's what Mel thinks and that's what he said in New Orleans at the 2003 Management Conference of the AAAA's.
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Entry Level Assistant Skewers Fashion Industry Editor

Lauren Weiberger has written a novel based on her year as assistant to Vogue editor Anna Wintour. It ain't pretty. But I'm sure it's a juicy read and it will also be a hit movie , of course. The New York Times' Kate Betts, herself a former Vogue employee, says, in a review of the book, Lauren is bitching a little too much and should have taken advantage of learning from the best.
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