(You'll have to bear with me; I've never done any sort of blogging before (and, in truth, have never had the slightest desire to).)
The artifact of pop culture I have chosen as the focus of my papers this semester is World Wrestling Entertainment. The WWE (formerly known as WWF) has been around since the early 1950s, and has become an unmistakable icon of pop culture. The company has moved beyond its two weekly broadcasts and now also regularly produces (somewhat less than blockbuster) movies, monthly pay-per-views, and mounds of merchandise. Over the past year, the "superstars" and "divas" of the WWE have also been heavily promoted through Twitter and Facebook. The last time I checked, WWE programs were being broadcast in nearly 150 countries around the world.
I chose this artifact for two main reasons. The first is simply that I have been watching WWE programming for the past thirteen years. (This statement has warranted me more snickers and mockery than I'd like, but I find no shame in it.) I find the entire institution fascinating; and one of the major goals of my life is to work in the company's Creative Writing department. The second reason I chose this artifact is because I think it will be interesting to look at the WWE from all of the different perspectives described in our class textbook. I think it will be very enlightening to explore how consistently engaging in the "WWE Universe" affects one's views, opinions, and actions. (I am certain that it does, else I never would have gotten in trouble for walking around my fourth grade classroom telling other students to "suck it".)
Well, now, how do you like this? As I typed that last sentence (while watching WWE Monday Night RAW (which I can now claim as the best homework I've ever done, thank you Herndon)), a commercial aired informing the general public that beginning next year, the WWE will have its very own television network. All wrestling, all the time (and, effectively, all I've ever wanted). That's a turn of events I did not expect.
Well, I suppose that's all I've got for now. I look forward to the revelations and lessons that this semester is sure to bring.
