AWESOME!

We are actually ecstatic about it. Let me be the first to say that TSC is comprised of some very talented writers. They’re passion knows no bounds, and it is astounding how far they have taken this blog. Aside from writing quality posts, they end up dropping quotes on newspaper articles, continue the conversation in the comments, and they take the time to interview high profile movers and shakers in their respective fields. Speaking of interviews, what you see above is a screen grab of Tyrese Gibson retweeting Petite’s latest interview with Reggie Berry and Jackiem Wright. A big salute to Petite on that one.

It took me a minute to fathom the fact that some of our hits were coming in from Tyrese’s twitter account. For the sake of brevity, we’re talking about Tyrese: Baby Boy Tyrese, Waist Deep Tyrese, 2 Fast 2 Furious Tyrese, Transformers Tyrese, and finally, “Sweet Lady” Tyrese. I think he just upped this blog’s awesome factor to an exponent of 3. While we’re on the subject of awesome, if anyone’s been to Tyrese’s twitter account, his icon is literally FTW, which I have conveniently placed to the left of this paragraph. It’s him getting all types of intimate with a tenderoni. If you’re in between the sheets with Tyrese, you are automatically a tenderoni. No questions asked. You’re not even allowed to protest the label.

I’m gonna start listening to “What’chu Like” now.

As of Friday, February 5, 2010.

[First seen]

Look at the picture at the top of this post. Seriously, just her face. Now factor in the situation. Look at that vaguely interested, wan-model, expression: lips ever-so slightly parted, eyes glancing (not focused) at the task at hand. You could cut and paste that head onto the body of a girl in a little black dress, fixing the back-strap on her stiletto as her chihuahua looks on, and it would be an exquisite encapsulation of a contrived, off-handed moment. It’s Manolo Blahnik ad ready, but she’s not cutely reconfiguring herself. She’s taking a shit.

It’s been said that examining comedy is like dissecting a live frog. It dies, painfully and miserably, in the midst of and for the sake of the act, and if the preceding elucidation left you thinking, “Yeah, thanks, way ahead of you, not my first metaphor jackass,” then you’re probably inclined to embrace that statement, and sorry about the frog. I do agree that most comedy is “res ipsa loquitur,” but this isn’t really an examination of comedy. This is an examination and praise of technique, and when it comes to technique Sarah Silverman is second-to-none.

Whatever you may think of her jokes or sense of humor you cannot deny that she is one of the best comedians to ever throw caution to the wind and haul off with a joke in front of a crowd. Her timing, delivery, physicality, and (as evidenced by the aforementioned picture gracing the top of this post) facial expressions are absolutely flawless. I think she can be hilarious, but I am totally in awe of her as a performer. Lucille Ball was never this good. Carol Burnett was adept in her heyday, but (and there has to be allowances for comedic tastes shifting) can’t quite match Silverman for subtlety. She can play it as wide as any ham, and this is to be expected given that her public persona is childishly amoral and naïve, but that same character performance is born out so clearly and so well with so little that you hardly even notice, or remember, it when she comes in with a broad shift.

The best example of this happens during the opening scene of her movie “Jesus is Magic.” As her sister and friend are comparing gigs and deals they’ve just landed she sits there, perched on her chair, with a look that betrays both intimidation at their recent accomplishments and annoyance at having to wait to tell them what she’s got going. It may not make you burst out laughing, but I’d trade that moment for at least one of her songs (but definitely not the one with the sweaty, evangelist segment). How many hours must she spend honing and perfecting her routine? I have no idea, but there’s one instance in “Jesus is Magic” that sheds some light on where it all comes from. When she finds that voice towards the beginning of her set (it begins with “scary” and becomes “Can I steal you for a minute?”) she explores the idiosyncrasies of it, and it’s that acuteness and specificity that really sets her apart.

If you’ve never really paid attention before, or have already written her off, I encourage you to check out the clip below where she lays out her viable and selfless solution to end world hunger, and don’t forget to keep an eye on one of the most incredibly expressive faces to ever grace a stage or screen (which I know can be difficult because she has an AMAZING rack.)

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As someone who grapples with literature daily, I comprehend the need to be visually stimulated…by any means necessary. What better way to achieve this necessity then with a good smut film, aka PORN. But sadly porn has become more and more of a nuisance. Featuring “actors” that are barely attractive, cursed with chipmunk voices, and awkward dialogues, visual pornography has become anything but a turn on. Not to be branded “a women out to outlaw porn,” this article is merely to educate on the positive attributes reading about fornication has over watching it. While most individuals are turned on by viewing sexual actions performed by others, the visual stimulant brought on by Redtube, Megarotic, or any of the other countless means of adult material doesn’t always satisfy. WHY? Because you may be a brain (no pun indented.) Like most brains, you can’t be easily satisfied by mediocre plot lines and sloppy penetration. Instead, a one on one, step by step manual on positions, movement, and skill level dictates whether you explode. For example, take a 3 to 4 minute video featuring KristinaRosexxx. The time it takes for her to start her monologue, undress, and turn her self on, you’ve already started looking for your next video. Now take an excerpt from a hardback (no pun intended.)

“I need you,” she insisted recklessly sliding out her mini skirt and baby tee, 6inch heels still on.

She moved closer to him, gliding her hand over his bulge, manipulating it’s ever growing size as she breathed harder.

“Now,” she moaned, hair flung back, finally ready to take him in.


Eroticisms at its best, better yet, at your own pace. No voice overs or weird techno beats ruining the experience of a simple yet pleasurable read. Of course, weaning yourself off of crazydrunkensluts.com will be somewhat of a challenge. But finding just the right novel to remedy your salacious itch is graciously easier.

A few literary suggestions:

Story of the Eye by Georges Bataille

(Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure) also titled Fanny Hill by John Cleland

A Personal Matter by Kenzabur? ?e

1601 by Mark Twain

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

I wish I could make this stuff up. I mean, I wish I was the actual person who invented this meme because it’s too good. It’s Jesus doing what he does best: loving stuff. From chicken, to toxic barrels, to happy meals, to care bears, Jesus loves it all.

Click to see more pictures of Jesus Loving Stuff!

[Jesus Loves Stuff via Urlesque]

Got something that you want to sell? Got an idea that can be told in 30 seconds or less? An extra couple million lying around? Then the Super Bowl is the place for you! Whether you are shilling out Coco flavored fizzy water, or you are trying to tell women what to do with their bodies, if you want to sell your product, you do it at the Super Bowl.

I’ve never really been personally invested in the game itself (I enjoy the Chargers as a team but I am not a die hard fan of them) but as a pop culture aficionado I enjoy watching the commercials. I love how advertisements really just meant to make twenty and thirty-something’s buy things have turned into a major media event and an artistic art form. Ever since Ridley Scott’s infamous 1984 Apple television spot, every company has been striving to make something that sticks in the mind of people. Big name celebrities, top of the line CGI, hot woman, these companies will spare no expense. It is really the only time people will actually tell their friends to shut up and watch a freaking commercial.

But ever since I’ve turned into a fairly educated twenty-something, I’ve become conflicted. “Am I a fool loving these commercial? Am I willing to be bought by these giant companies?” On one hand, some of the best creative minds have worked into making these spots exciting, funny, and sometimes revolutionary. On the other hand, I’m being told to buy Supertreme Cheese Doritos if I want to be a hit with the ladies. It really is quite confusing.

Or maybe I should just settle down, have a beer and enjoy the ride? Whatever the case, Sunday shall be fun.

This year marks a turning point in my life. This year I will sit down with my father and my brother and I will watch the Superbowl. We will eat wings and drink beer and all will be well with the world. I will watch as my chosen city (who dat?!) crushes the Colts. I will see many commercials but I will not be seeing one for ManCrunch.com.

CBS denied the gay dating site a Superbowl slot saying that they believed the commercial would anger viewers. CBS was under the impression that the site was trying to generate a buzz around its name by creating an ad for the Superbowl that they knew would get rejected. A rep from the site has claimed that it took CBS two weeks to get back to them about the fate of their commercial. The channel also reportedly feared that ManCrunch.com, which is owned by Avid Life Media, would be unable to handle the fee for airing the commercial during peak Superbowl hours.

The main issue here seems to be a commercial that could potentially make viewers uncomfortable. The most infamous dating site, eHarmony, can put out commercials with a business-woman saying that she doesn’t have time to go out and date because she is too successful. I’m sure plenty of women might find that suggestion offensive. ManCrunch approaches finding love in a no pretense sort of way. In the age of the “Bromance,” their slogan, “Putting the man back in romance,” is the perfect thing to get men thinking about all of those ass slaps post game.

Imagine, male bonding over the biggest games of the year and after a few beers a commercial comes on for a same sex dating site. Two women in jerseys touch hands over a bowl of chips. Suddenly they pounce on each other, kissing passionately. That would have been picked up before you could say “touchdown.”

It looks like one of our own, Kdouble, is getting face time with one of Canada’s major newspapers, The Globe and Mail. For what, you ask? Of course, it’s for his views on The Super Bowl. Namely, it’s for his non-sexist attitude towards having females + small apartments + Super Bowl parties completely separate. And staying true to anonymous internet blogger form, he doesn’t give his name, leaving all of the internet to wonder who is to blame for parties that don’t allow women to comment on Reggie Bush’s hind parts. And fortunately for us, he decided to drop our name too…Grammy style, “First and foremost, I’d like to thank God for this wonderful opportunity. You the man, God! You the man. I’m going to Disneyland.”

Anyways, I’ve said too much. Check out the article here. Or you can just check this sweet screen grab below where I highlight all the important parts.

When I first heard about this weekly party littered with throngs of 5 star chicks, dime pieces and “bad jawns,” I knew I had to get in. Of course, there lies the problem. With the great A.I. and other pro athletic types attending this loft-size club appropriately called “StrongBox,” crashing was harder then breaking into the White House dinner party …actually… harder than that. Cue Jackiem Wright and Reggie Berry: two of the newest “it” boys in the Philadelphia party scene and the ones to blame for your girl’s girlfriends dragging her out every Tuesday night. These two gentlemen have parlayed their penchant for hanging out with A-list celebrities in Hollywood into one of the best parties, Center City, Philadelphia has seen. Being the serious news journalist that I am (cough, cough,) finding out exactly where this seemingly out of nowhere nightlife success story sprouted from was my main objective. Well…that and finally getting in.

After first seeing you guys, I’m pretty sure the ladies want to know if you’re single, and the guys need to know where you shop.

Jackiem: Ladies: Yes, I am single and ready to mingle…..haha….Where I shop?? I have to keep my stores a secret..as we like to say Yougetcho!… Lol.

Reggie: As far as the ladies go…yes indeedy, I am single (ooowwwwwwwww.) Lol… As far as the fellas being concerned about where I shop, I’m not to sure how I feel about that…Lol.

What is it that you do exactly, I see you with countless celebrities which isn’t the easiest task unless your last name is Rose.

Jackiem: Being with and or around celebrities/athletes is a part of the business that we’re in. Our company is called The 400 PTM (People That Matter, www.the400ptm.com). It is definitely hard to label what we do because it is so broad; generally, it’s on a case by case basis depending on the client. The most simplistic way of describing it would be “Business Management.” It can range from personal management and consulting to our “Cool Kids” Tuesday events at StrongBox Lounge.

Reggie: Well The 400 PTM is a traditionally constructed business management firm at its foundation. However, there are many other things we do within our business that make it much more than just a “traditional” business management firm. It is definitely hard say I do exactly “this” or exactly “that” because there is so much to do especially in building your own business. Generally, it’s on a case by case basis depending on the client; but within the core business, I’d say our roles in particular are personal relationship/management and consulting. Then again, it’s more to it than just that lol….. One thing is for certain: we are here to save our clients’ money, help make sound decisions, and most importantly, ADD VALUE.

As two black men working in the industry, do you feel that certain obstacles are still in place, or have the tides changed?

Jackiem: Thus far, in our young careers, we haven’t come across any prejudices or wrong doing because of our race, not to say that it doesn’t exist; but thankfully, we just haven’t come across it. In regards to the tides changing, I think the election of Obama was HUGE and it had a ripple effect on the world in regards to how black men are portrayed. Reggie and I have prided ourselves on having “cross-over” appeal, and everything we set out to do is for a broad demographic. We want to be seen as Jackiem Wright and Reggie Berry and not “the two black guys.”

Reggie: You know what? I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I definitely see and feel change in more than just  “the industry.” I’ve been black quite some time and it feels good to actually be a part of what, in my opinion, is considered a work in progress. There will certainly always be obstacles being young and black; however, I think as along as we are working towards something positive, everything will work itself out.

If you weren’t doing this, what other profession would you be in?

Jackiem: I’ve tried some other “jobs” and I can’t imagine going back to them. I’m 100% invested into what we’re doing; failure is not an option. But if I had to pick a profession. though, I’d for sure be a European Soccer Player….they’re AWESOME!!!

Reggie: I would probably doing what I used to do, which is playing basketball…preferably here, but more likely overseas somewhere. And if money was no issue in life, I’d definitely do something musically related. I have a true passion for music.

What’s the biggest turn off with working with celebrities or industry types?

Jackiem: Celebrity/industry people are normal people like everyone else, but one quality that turns me away is when some of them are pretentious. I’m not going to name names, but there are some celebs out here that have done a TV show or two and they walk around like they’re Bill Cosby. It’s utterly ridiculous.

Reggie: The false sense of entitlement…we have been really fortunate to not encounter that many “stereotypically”-portrayed celebrities. I personally think we are all equal and I think my approach to things conveys that. It seems to be the ones barely holding on to any celebrity status at all that have “issues.”  Also, breaking through some celebrities walls of comfort can be a hassle. Many times, people feel threatened that we are there to take from, rather than add value. They often keep people around them that do more harm than good. In most cases, we just want to get them to see that they can still keep that person around, but just make them an asset.

What was your biggest misconception about this industry when you started, has anything changed?

Jackiem: This one is easy….lol….my biggest misconception was that I believed people really knew what they’re doing. What I mean by that is, you have people in important positions and you would assume that they had been in that position before.

Reggie: I believed that the level or quality of celebrity/entertainer/athlete would also portray the type of people they surround themselves with. SMH boy oh boy was I off lol… It’s like the blind leading the blind in some cases.

If you could collaborate with one artist, who would it be, and why?

Jackiem: I don’t know if i could name anyone in particular, but my preference would be to work with someone who had the same vision as we do, and was also young (ex. NBA Rookie) as well as ambitious. Reason being, its a lot easier to work with like-minded people, and its a lot easier to work with a younger individual because they’re green to everything.

Reggie : Anybody young and intelligent, not that we are age discriminate, lol. It’s just tough sometimes because the older one gets, the more set in their ways they become. Basically, some one that “gets it.” That’s a phrase we like to use a lot and it describes a broad amount of things. To get “it” is a thing of beauty.

As always, I like to think of myself as the peaceful person. So are there any beefs, riffs, or thug wars you want to amend?

Jackiem: I’ve heard people say, “If you don’t have enemies/haters, then you’re not doing something right,” but I don’t have any beefs, wars, anything of that sort. I’m all about POSITIVITY.

Reggie: Not at all. We are all about positivity. Too busy chasing success to be involved in any negativity.

Follow Reggie and Jackie on Twitter, @JackiemW & @TheRealReggieB
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I have to admit I haven’t been able attend Strongbox on Tuesday’s. It’s almost impossible and even my countless attempts at flirting/flashing the bouncer and calling Reggie beforehand hasn’t helped. But alas, it’s worth a try if you’re ever in the Philadelphia area to crash this celeb-centric Tuesday night party.  Tell them The Steel Closet sent you.

That’s What She Said