The Ad Bowl
Friday February 04, 2005 6:00PM PT
Super Bowl Ads
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The Super Bowl is often (OK, always) overshadowed by what transpires off the field. The game's halftime entertainment has become an event in and of itself in recent years, and that ill-received evolution from marching bands to strip shows is having an effect on which commercials make it on the air. Indeed, Janet and Justin's forbidden dance in '04 inspired so much "moral outrage" advertisers (namely Budweiser and Ford) are engaging in self-censorship, voluntarily pulling their own randy ads before they have a chance to offend anyone. Of course, these attempts to keep doe-eyed Americans away from impure thoughts have only served to increase interest in the too hot for TV commercials -- searches on "Budweiser commercial" are up 1,640% this week. Goodness gracious, it's like prohibition all over again! Interest in Ford's defunct ad featuring a defrocked priest is soaring as well. Just like the game itself, we'll have to wait to see which surviving ads come out as winners, but from the looks of search, most armchair critics are running out of patience. Searches on "2005 Super Bowl commercials" have already surged 123%, and we're still days away from kickoff.
Mad For MTV
Friday February 04, 2005 1:00PM PT
Nick and Jessica
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MTV's dominance as a force in pop culture is undeniable. The network consistently ranks among our top 50 search terms and its influence ripples throughout the Buzz. Searches on the leading cable network are split 60/40, with gals searching more than guys. And for a network that courts the teen demographic, the age breakdown shows a surprising amount of interest by 20-something searchers. While the under-17 crowd accounts for 38% of searches, one-quarter of queries come from the 21-29 age bracket. Which proves once a teen is weaned on a steady diet of inane reality shows and blingin' videos, it's hard to conquer the addiction.
We launched a further investigation into MTV-related searches. Most of the top spots were taken by the network's shows including Laguna Beach, Total Request Live, and Newlyweds. Rap sites are also very hot among MTV searchers. The top 20 search terms for folks searching on "MTV" were heavy with hip-hop including "rapdirt.com," "sohh.com," "hiphopdx.com," and "allhiphop.com." With the music channel set to re-launch MTV2 with a new focus on guys 12-24, the all-powerful network will extend its brand. Attention spans be damned!
Love is on the Way
Friday February 04, 2005 4:00AM PT
Valentine's Day
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With less than two weeks to go until the most romantic day on the calendar, searches on Valentine's Day are warming up. In an arc inspired by Cupid's arrow, queries on the love-laden day are up 69% over the last week, pushing it into our top 20 search terms. Two-thirds of Valentine searches are from females, proving that men just aren't really into advance prep for the high holiday of amour.
Instead of a box of chocolates, we offer up a list of some Valentine's Day spikes from the past week:
For those of you looking for the top Valentine's searches, we didn't forget. All we ask is that you don't forget your sweetheart on February 14...
All Your Festivals Belong To Us
Thursday February 03, 2005 6:00PM PT
Coldplay
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The music festival season is still a ways away, but that hasn't slowed searches on Coachella (+699%). The two-day explosion of bumpin' beats and hippie dances just announced its lineup. Not surprisingly, the news inspired those who enjoy sitting on wet grass for hours at a time to track down the scheduled list of performers. Headliners Coldplay (+13%) and Nine Inch Nails (+11%) each saw moderate jumps, while second-tier performers New Order (+47%) and Cocteau Twins (+64%) experienced slightly bigger surges in the Search box. Of course, Coachella ain't the only so-called festival making waves on the Buzz -- there are a slew of "experiences" coming to a fairgrounds near you. While the availability and cleanliness of the port-a-potties may vary, each encourages folks to come together in celebration of something or other, be it jazz, strawberries, or the perpetually confused Ozzy Osbourne. Rock on.
Pack up the VW van and take a trip to the Buzz's most searched festivals.
- Coachella Festival -- bring the ear plugs - over 90 acts are scheduled to perform. April 30 and May 1.
- New Orleans Jazz Fest -- when in N'awlins, do as the locals do. April 22 to May 1.
- Ozzfest -- it's BYOB (Bring Your Own Bat). Dates TBD.
- Santa Barbara International Film Festival -- an indie fan's dream come true. January 28 to February 6.
- Bob Marley Day Festival -- no T-shirt, no cry. February 19 to February 26.
- Dubai Shopping Festival -- for those who find the Mall of America too constricting. January 12 to February 12.
- Cannes Film Festival -- last year it was all about Michael Moore. This year, who knows? May 11 to May 22.
- Florida Strawberry Festival -- woe to the man who dares ask for blueberries. March 3 to March 13.
- Bonnaroo Music Festival -- three days of modern rock in the heart of Tennessee. June 10 to June 12.
- Ultra Music Festival -- attention all hipsters, the party starts in Miami on March 26.
You're Hired!
Thursday February 03, 2005 1:00PM PT
Martha Stewart
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There's a new boss stepping into the boardroom and buzz is sure to follow. Current inmate and former media mogul Martha Stewart will be starring in her own Apprentice series. Details are still sketchy, and we're sure to know more once Martha leaves prison life behind, but searches jumped following the announcement. Queries on Stewart tripled yesterday on the news, and while it will be tough to follow in the well-heeled footsteps of Donald Trump, we're sure Martha's got the mettle. For the Apprentice franchise, it adds a buzz boost to ward off the buzz blahs that eventually befall many reality concepts. With season three in full swing, the show's novel "book smarts" vs. "street smarts" battle has reignited interest and searches are up 24% over the last week.
While we can't promise you a generous severance package, we can offer a parting gift of some of the most popular Apprentice searches from the last week...
So Fresh, So Clean
Thursday February 03, 2005 4:00AM PT
Nelly
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Once upon a rhyme, a rapper was simply a rapper, and hip-hop artists performed hip hop. Run DMC first realized the marketing potential of rap with their famous ode to their beloved Adidas in the mid-'80s. While sporting the freshest in footwear is still a signature of the rap game, many hip-hop artists branched out into other business ventures. This diversification and branding of artist-as-lifestyle has caught on, spawning rappers who become mini-moguls of their own signature brand. With rap artists dominating the flavor of all our music searches -- think Nelly, 50 Cent, Eminem, etc. -- it's no surprise that searches on each artist's clothing line zip up a fair amount of queries. Here are the top hip-hop couture searches over the last week:
- Baby Phat -- by Kimora Lee Simmons, wife of music mogul Russell Simmons, lends credence to the saying, "It's not what you know..."
- Rocawear -- this line of designer duds is no dud at #2 with Jay-Z as its frontman, but expect his girlfriend Beyonc� to compete for the top spot with her new line.
- Sean John -- when his name is attached to your shirt, it's Sean John. You may also know him as P. Diddy, Puff, or Puff Daddy.
- Apple Bottoms -- these Nelly-backed threads are named in honor of a woman's natural curves.
- G-Unit Clothing -- with a ripped 50 Cent and equally buff cronies behind these threads, muscle tanks figure largely in the line's offerings.
- J. Lo Clothing - you can listen to J. Lo perform a song while watching a movie starring J. Lo while looking and even smelling like J. Lo. Now that's what we call sensory overload.
- House of Dereon - named for her maternal grandmother, Beyonc�'s designer deal was just announced, and mama Tina Knowles will be pitching in.
- Snoop Dogg Clothing - no wonder Snoop's texting everyone from Paris Hilton to Wayne Newton about his fabric softener.
- Shady Ltd. Clothing - top-selling rap albums might get you (and by you, we mean Eminem) a clothing label, but it won't place you much higher than the nine spot in search.
- Wu Wear - recall the glory days of the Brooklyn Zoo with affection. Pour a little out for your man ODB.
Celebrating Black History Month
Wednesday February 02, 2005 6:00PM PT
Arthur Ashe
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Searches on Black History Month are up 172% as searchers seek to commemorate the accomplishments and contributions of African-Americans throughout our history. Prominent African-Americans become popular search terms during February as students study the significance of the Black experience in a world where race is still a pernicious issue. As a result, many of the men and women who helped shape American history and culture, often overlooked during the rest of the year, appear among the top movers. From the first casualty of the American Revolution to the first woman of color in space, our top 10 African-American movers are a diverse group.
- Arthur Ashe (+381%)
- Angela Davis (+368%)
- Nat King Cole (+364%)
- Elijah McCoy (+338%)
- James Baldwin (+237%)
- Marian Anderson (+193%)
- Crispus Attucks (+180%)
- Dr. Mae Jemison (+173%)
- Bessie Smith (+159%)
- Scott Joplin (+151%)
And for further study, here are our top 10 "Black History" searches:
- Black History Poems
- Black History Facts
- Black History Plays
- Black History Skits
- Black History Month 2005
- Black History Pictures
- Black History Month Activities
- Black History People
- Black History Programs
- Black History Trivia
Blanket Coverage of the Jackson Trial
Wednesday February 02, 2005 1:00PM PT
Michael Jackson
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While we're far from testimony -- much less a verdict -- in the Michael Jackson trial, searchers have already demonstrated their interest in all things Jacko. Searches on the self-proclaimed "King of Pop" are up 82% over the last week as curious onlookers can't avert their eyes from the train wreck taking place in Southern California. Interestingly, searches on the nattily attired accused are split almost evenly, with men holding a slight edge. The Peter Pan devotee has somehow even managed to salvage some search interest among teens -- 27% of his searches come from the under-17 crowd. Yikes!
In other celeb trial news, searches on Robert Blake were up 61% yesterday following a few days of damning testimony against the former Baretta star. While the Blake case was once one of the most popular search topics, delays in the proceedings have allowed the Jackson trial to shove it out of the limelight. We're sure there will be plenty of interesting search strands to emerge from the Neverland case as the trial lurches forward.
Who's Your Favorite Leo?
Wednesday February 02, 2005 4:00AM PT
Leonardo DiCaprio
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Hey, future parents, have a baby boy on the way? Forget the usual hodge-podge of trendy names -- their short shelf life isn't worth the bother. No moniker says "we expect great things from you so don't you dare disappoint your mother" like Leonardo. Two very famous gents whose lives have made it an illustrious name are burning up the Buzz -- but as the saying goes, there's always room for one more.
This recent renaissance of all things Leo began when Leonardo DiCaprio (+15%) received his lifetime achievement award at the ripe old age of 30. Yep, 30. His recent Oscar nomination for his work in The Aviator must have blotted out the memory of his work on Growing Pains.
The other Leonardo seeing a healthy surge in the Search box is, of course, Leonardo da Vinci (+41%). The genius, whose alleged code has earned him a new legion of fans, set fire to the Search box when news broke of the discovery of his "secret lab." Interest in the finding gave those who've already plowed through "The Da Vinci Code" another puzzle to mull over.
We took a look at the top "Leonardo" searches over the past month to see if we could come up with a code of our own. What we discovered is that when it comes to the buzz on Leos, DiCaprio and da Vinci don't have a lot of competition. Here are the top 10 Leonardo searches:
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper
- Leonardo da Vinci Paintings
- Leonardo da Vinci's Madonna of the Rocks
- Leonardo, New Jersey
- Leonardo in The Aviator
- Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man
- Leonardo in Titanic
- Leonardo da Vinci Code
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Tuesday February 01, 2005 6:00PM PT
Jen Schefft
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While the Bachelorette's rose has wilted in the ratings, searches show the reality veteran is still betrothed to a fervent fanbase. Searches on the show regularly spike after its airing and flirty woman-in-waiting Jen Schefft has infused the tired format with some life. Up 287% yesterday, the marriage fantasy continues to draw most of its audience from 35- to -54-year-old women. Not exactly a key demographic for advertisers, but these ladies speak loud with their searches. Jen also draws a fair amount of buzz, and she's up another 26% for the week. In a season rife with signature "amazing" twists, bachelor Fabrice walked off the show after deciding he didn't want to exchange rings with Jen. Rampant Internet rumor-mongering about Fabrice's bedroom proclivities played no role in his decision, but they did make for a more sordid storyline than anything ABC has delivered.
The success rate of Bachelorette romances just dropped by half after Meredith Phillips and Ian McKee of season two announced their split. Let's hope Jen can find a love akin to the pink-tinted romance of season one's Trista and Ryan. We decided to throw our bouquet into the air and see what the top "bachelorette" searches were over the past week.
Sundance Shines On
Tuesday February 01, 2005 1:00PM PT
Michelle Trachtenberg
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Take a stroll through any town in the world and odds are you'll stumble upon some sort of film festival. They're everywhere -- just like mini-malls and Wal-Mart. One of the most-followed of these cinematic celebrations is Sundance (+60%). The festival that Redford built just wrapped its 2005 incarnation, and we took the opportunity to take a look at which films snagged some buzz.
Most filmmakers go into the festival as complete unknowns hoping to score a deal with a studio. Those who succeed get the big bucks, and the buzz that comes with it. Those who don't -- well, it's not that your movie stinks, it's just that nobody in the world would ever want to see it. After all, you could be the greatest filmmaker of all time -- but if you can't drum up some interest in your opus at a film festival, you might want to consider a career in the insurance world. Sorry. With that said, let's take a look at the tally from Park City.
- Forty Shades of Blue -- the festival's big winner.
- The Jacket -- reviews are glowing for the "surreal" time-traveling flick.
- Why We Fight -- took home the prize for best documentary.
- Hustle & Flow -- Paramount/MTV bought the film for a cool $9 million.
- Inside Deep Throat -- a look at the legacy of the mother of all blue films.
- Pretty Persuasion -- high school girls get litigious on their hapless teacher.
- Chumscrubber -- worst...title...ever.
- Mysterious Skin -- starring Michelle Trachtenberg of Ice Princess fame.
- The Squid and the Whale -- from the director of cult classic Kicking and Screaming.
- Murderball -- feel-good documentary could get a theatrical release.
Hold the Anchovies
Tuesday February 01, 2005 4:00AM PT
Pizza
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On a day when oblong balls will fly around Jacksonville at the Super Bowl, the most important shape at big game gatherings will be a circle. Scrumptious circles of pizza will play an integral role as fans gather together to feast along with football. Searches on the term "pizza" peaked on January 23 as fans flocked to the search box for some cheesy goodness. We're sure pizza queries will blow past the high water mark set on Championship Sunday as they prep their palates for some Bowl-worthy consumption.
Which chain are you searching on to deliver your piping hot pie? Over the last week, here's how the pizza places rank:
- Pizza Hut
- Domino's Pizza
- Papa John's
Pizza searches are as diverse as the toppings that make it one of America's favorite foods. We took a look at the top queries to assemble this list of hand-tossed searches:
Pausing to Remember
Monday January 31, 2005 6:00PM PT
Auschwitz
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The year 2005 brings a variety of 60th anniversaries related to World War II. Commemoration ceremonies, remembrances, and school reports have brought the events into the minds of searchers. If January searches are any indication, controversies surrounding those observances show that the wounds of WWII are still not healed for some.
Britain's Prince Harry was the subject of numerous searches after photos of the young royal dressed in Nazi garb were splashed across tabloid pages. He remained a hot search topic while newspapers and pundits debated the meaning of Harry's thoughtless gesture. Related searches spiking in the wake of the Prince's gaffe included "Prince Harry Nazi," "Prince Harry Pictures," and "Queen Elizabeth II." Even Harry's aunt, Sarah Ferguson, caught the interest of searchers when she weighed in and asked the press to lay off Harry following the Prince's public apology.
Harry was encouraged to attend the commemoration of the liberation of the notorious death camp at Auschwitz, but did not make the ceremony. As the 60th anniversary loomed, searches including "Auschwitz Pictures," "Nazi Death Camps," "Auschwitz Liberation," and "Holocaust Museum" spiked. Queries on other concentration camps -- including Birkenau, Dachau, and Treblinka -- also surged as people worldwide paused to recognize the historical significance of the anniversary.
One attendee at the Auschwitz memorial service, however, did cause a stir in searches. Vice President Dick Cheney found himself at the center of a controversy over his attire at the somber affair. Photographers captured him in a green parka and hiking boots in stark contrast to other world leaders draped in dark wool coats over business suits.
Battle of the Network Stars
Monday January 31, 2005 1:00PM PT
In the never-ending battle for viewer attention, the major networks are in the middle of a tidal change. Reality on the way out? Scripted dramas back in? Conventional wisdom predicted that NBC would have a down year following the departure of some very dear Friends. But are searchers following viewers and turning away from the Peacock network in droves? Turns out, the network of must-see-TV has lost some ground to ABC, finishing second in queries over the last week. Riding high on the success of Lost and Desperate Housewives, the alphabet net has whittled away at NBC's lead and now faces a challenge from Idol-licious Fox. The graph below illustrates searches on the four major networks over the past month:
As for WB and UPN, it would have taken a mighty large graph to include the search stats for the two netlets. Considering both grab a mere fraction of searches that the top four enjoy, the race for the bottom would have skewed our vertical hold. As we head into sweeps, it'll be interesting to see whether ABC can hold its search lead or be done in by the Trumpian excess of NBC or the teen-fueled fury of Idol watchers.
January's Searches
Monday January 31, 2005 4:00AM PT
Tsunami
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The first month of 2005 was another busy month for the Buzz. As we brace ourselves for a frantic February, we pause to look back at search highlights from the past 30 days.
Top Searches Overall:
- Tsunami
- Cartoon Network
- Paris Hilton
Top Sports Searches:
- NBA
- Super Bowl
- Australian Open
Top Music Artists:
- Britney Spears
- Jessica Simpson
- Eminem
Top TV Shows:
- American Idol
- Days of Our Lives
- Smallville
Top Movies:
- Revenge of the Sith
- Lord of the Rings
- Catwoman
Top Increases:
- Johnny Carson
- Teri Polo
- Detroit Auto Show
Laughing Past Curfew
Saturday January 29, 2005 9:00PM PT
College Humor
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Academia has long been home to some of the best procrastinators on Earth. By the time they graduate, college students will have mastered putting off papers and problem sets with aplomb. But what to do when all that avoidance gets too stressful? Forget studying -- these future leaders are turning to a site that speaks their language, College Humor (+16%). Surging interest in the site has boosted it into our illustrious top 500 terms with the vast majority of searches coming from, you guessed it, 18-to 24-year-old guys. But don't judge a keg by its tap -- the site's not all low-brow war stories of road trips past. Heck, when The New Yorker gives you ink, you know you're doing something right. Of course, plenty of other sites tackle the joys and pratfalls of college life, and at the risk of sounding like a 35-year-old undergrad, online collegiate humor used to be different. Back in the day, an email column called Ruminations was the height of college humor cool. These days, there's a range of entertaining sites geared at the graduating set -- from fake universities to online fraternities. If only professors understood the benefits of taking it easy...
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