Sports Talk with MC

by MC

First off all, let me just say that it feels good to be back on the writing beat. I felt a distinct sense of comfort when I write. Thank goodness I’ve managed to find some time to conjure up something special with pen and ink (or, in this case, a keyboard, and, err, pixels?).

I was IM-ed by a colleague earlier today. He excitedly informed me that WWE Diva Ashley Mazzaro had been included as a castaway on the latest installment of the popular “Survivor” TV show. The latest season of the program, its 15th, will emanate from China, this fall.

It’s amazing how the WWE has managed to not only rule the small screen amongst sports entertainment afficionados, but the big screen, with viewers of all types as well. Vince McMahon has created true media synergy before our very eyes, the sort of well-placed magic which comes as a result of careful planning, and yes, often cutthroat business savvy.

Vinnie Mac has peddled everything from sex, soap opera-ish drama, to morbid attempts at parodying things like death and the siring of illegitimate children. He may not be the most moral upright of people, but hey, in terms of catching people’s attention, for better or worse, he is the king.

Realistically speaking, Ashley probably will not win the coveted plum of sole survivor simply because her status as an international celebrity would necessitate stamping on a bullseye on her back even before she sets foot in the Far East, but her mere participation should garner just enough publicity in order to gain yet another long-lasting financial triumph for the WWE.

John Cena started as your typical white chocolate rapper. Look at where a little marketing wizardry has brought the current WWE Champion who, for all intents and purposes, will never be as skilled in the squared circle as, say, Kurt Angle, Bret Hart, or Shawn Michaels.

Controversy does created cash. Controversy is a coalescence of flair/showmanship, catering to/knowing all about the sensitivities of your audience, much time devoted to advanced planning, and, yes, a little bit of luck.

The winner of the Survivor game show nabs a nice purse of $1M USD, a car, and, a truckload of opportunities at even more gold even after the sand’s been washed off one’s feet and the spotlights are hauled out of the jungle, or, uhem, beach.

Like I alluded to earlier, though- we need not wait for season 15 of Survivor to end to become privy to who will come out as the big winner. The real winner in this case is a man who has one heck of a toned physique for a 60 year old, and chooses to look dignified in an Armani suit, but isn’t ashamed to moon audiences (much to our chagrin), from time to time.

Will Bill Goldberg do a cameo on “America’s Next Top Model”? Not likely, but hey, stranger things have happened.

So there you go.

~0~