US – Tuesday, February 9
The Grid
The week's releases
Metro staff reviews the latest CDs, DVDs and books for your reading pleasure.
 
The Word
Stern: I’d do ‘Idol’ for $100M
Howard Stern took to his radio show yesterday to address the rumors that he’s a possible replacement for Simon Cowell for the next season of “American Idol.” To sum it up? He’s not going for it.
 
New York Arts
Dancing while the skinny lady sings
You’ve heard of the jukebox musical? David Parsons and singers AnnMarie Milazzo and Tyley Ross of the East Village Opera Co. offer a jukebox opera, playing nightly at the Joyce. Eleven Parsons dancers share the stage with Milazzo and Ross, who clutch microphones cranked to 11 and stroll through the action. On the recorded soundtrack, three drummers create a wall of sound so loud you — well, I — want to hide under the seat. Digital video of abstract patterns, natural landscapes and stunning architecture change for each song.
 
My Books
The facets of Anne Frank and her diary
Generations of schoolchildren have read and recognized their own experiences in the words of Anne Frank, finding surprising commonalities with this young girl despite the passage of generations and the unique horror of  her situation. But according to Francine Prose’s fascinating new account of the writing of Frank’s diary, our veneration of her outpourings has eclipsed a proper assessment of Anne Frank — conscientious author.

 
Movies
Channing Tatum on love and war
Channing Tatum has worked in his fair share of genres, from indie films (“A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints”) to dance flicks (“Step Up”) to blockbusters (“G.I. Joe”). In his latest, “Dear John,” the Alabama native takes on a heavy Nicholas Sparks love story about a soldier in love while at war. He talks with us about true love and blowing stuff up.
 
Published 21:04, March the 25th, 2009
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She’s still ‘Got a crush on Obama’

Enough time has passed since the primary election that it’s officially OK to admit that the first time you heard the name Barack Obama was when you were on YouTube at work and your buddy sent you a link to the video “I’ve got a Crush on Obama” with the note: “LOL.”

Back in 2007 when Ben Relles came up with the idea of “Obama Girl,” he had no idea how much media attention the images of a lip-synching girl in a bikini would bring to the Obama campaign.

“Several pundits have commented that our video will be more memorable five years from now than any of Barack Obama’s TV ads,” says Relles. Relles now makes political satire videos full time for his Web site, www.barelypolitical.com.

The videos have been accused of both hurting and helping the Obama campaign, and while the point is moot now, the fun of superimposing a pretty girl next to our President has not lost its charm.

“Our video is, more than anything, one example of how a lot of the support and advocacy he garnered as a candidate came at a grassroots level,” says Relles.

Lucky for Relles, he found Amber Lee Ettinger to play Obama Girl. Unlike the rest of the unenlightened YouTube dwellers, Ettinger had discovered Obama on another popular, all-American news outlet.

“I had seen him on Oprah,” says Ettinger. “I liked what he had to say.”

She may have been diplomatic back then, never revealing whom she was voting for, but now that the man who made her famous is president, she’s a die-hard fan.


“He’s always being superimposed next to me in my videos, so I feel like I know him!” says Ettinger. “I guess the craziest thing is I’m not just Amber Lee Ettinger, I’m Obama Girl.”
Her self-awareness makes us envious. Keep the videos coming, Obama Girl. Let’s laugh/ogle at you for the next four years. 

Sarah Shanfield/Metro

 
 
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Music
MMMpod
The February MMMpod features conversation from Ozzy Osbourne. Michael Emerson from "Lost" tells us about his days enjoying punk rock in Boston. We also dig up an old interview from the late great Howard Zinn. We have a song from Delta Spirit and The Soft Pack, who tell us where they got their name.

 
 
 
Metro Life Panel
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