[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference 7.286::sports_90

Title:OURGNG::SPORTS - Digital's daily tabloid
Notice:Please review note 1.83 before writing anything.
Moderator:VAXWRK::NEEDLE
Created:Thu Dec 14 1989
Last Modified:Fri Dec 17 1993
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:438
Total number of notes:50420

189.0. "Spike Lee and Air Jordan" by SHALOT::HUNT (Walla Walla, Budapest, Sea Of Tranquility ...) Tue Mar 20 1990 11:41

I know, I know, another junk note but this one I feel is overdue.

I would like to publicly state my admiration and enjoyment of the Spike Lee
and Air Jordan commercials for Nike shoes.

I know these guys are making megabucks for these shots but I think they're
great.  Last year, of course, we had Spike Lee playing "Mars Blackman" telling
us that we could buy the shoes ("Yes!") but that we could not do the Air
Jordan 360 rock-the-baby, in-jo-face slam ("No!").

There are two new ones I've seen this year so far.  The first is Mars asking
Michael what his secret is.  Obviously, Nike would like us to believe it's the
shoes so Mars keeps perstering Air with the question "Is is the shoes, Mike?"
Jordan keeps responding with a deadpan "No, Mars. No, Mars." 

The second spot has Mars showing us his collection of photographs of Air in
places around the world.  Of course, the pictures are all of Jordan's shoes.
The photo run-through keeps going faster and faster until Mars closes with 
"Walla Walla, Budapest, Sea Of Tranquility ..."   (See personal name above.)

I don't know about you guys but I love 'em.  Sure beats the other boring 
drivel about floor waxes, toothpastes, life insurance and foreign cars.

Bob Hunt
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
189.1great stuffCNTROL::CHILDSI need a miracle everydayTue Mar 20 1990 11:499
    
    San-Ran-sis-co  ;^)
    
    hey shutup I'm makin a Nike Commercial here....
    
    
    low-altitude earth orbit...
    
    mike
189.2LUNER::BROOKSMust be a Bird's-eye view ...Tue Mar 20 1990 12:0611
    Do you know Do you know Do you know Do you know Do you know Do you know
    Do you know ....
    
    How 'bout it MOney !
    
    
    SPike is a genius .....
    
    Doc
    
    p.s. Bob, don't forget my p-name ...
189.3NAC::G_WAUGAMANTue Mar 20 1990 12:185
    
    Contrast with Reebok and that disgusting bungie-cord bridge jump...
    
    glenn
    
189.4HEURIS::METZGERI will not waste chalkTue Mar 20 1990 12:3217
   
>    Contrast with Reebok and that disgusting bungie-cord bridge jump...
    
>    glenn
    

    That several networks have refused to air because it is done in such bad 
taste.....

   
  BTW - I love the little disclaimer they put on the end of the Nike ad...


         The opinions of Mr. Jordan do not reflect those of the NIKE corp.


Metz
189.5CAM::WAYO God of BattlesTue Mar 20 1990 12:4113
I haven't seen any of the commercials you guys are talking about.

But one that I kind of like, with Air Jordan, is the Coke Classic
commercial.  The kids in the tree house forget their Coke, and
they call for Mike.

He sprints across the lawn, and "slam-dunks" the Coke into the
tree house.

Even though I'm a Celts fan, I could watch Jordan ALL DAY.  True
poetry in motion....

Chainsaw
189.6An opposite reaction..............SASE::SZABOChannel Z, all static, all day, forever!Tue Mar 20 1990 12:4311
    Well, for every "Tastes Great", there's a "Less Filling".......
    
    Personally, I can't stand Mars/Spike.  I find no entertainment value
    from his commercials.  To me, he's just another guy making money from
    dumb gimmics.  He's the only reason that I refuse to buy Nike- he 
    ain't getting a dime of my money.......
    
    JMHO.
    
    Hawk
189.7CAM::WAYO God of BattlesTue Mar 20 1990 12:5615
189.8PNO::HEISERin a 5 mile line to check for a crimeTue Mar 20 1990 12:581
    I thought the Reebok commercial was funny!
189.10Whatever's cleanest that day ...SHALOT::HUNTWalla Walla, Budapest, Sea Of Tranquility ...Tue Mar 20 1990 13:0410
Let's not go down a rathole here, guys.  Nowhere did I imply that I actually
got up off my duff and went out and bought a pair of Air Jordans just because
I liked Spike and Mike together.

I have no intention of buying and wearing Air Jordans.  Way overpriced and too
much flash for the cash.

I just like the ads.   Spike Lee is one of this country's *BEST* film makers.

Bob Hunt
189.11Similar ad last year9505::STUDENT09Go Cardinals!Tue Mar 20 1990 13:0425
    Re: Reebok commercial
    
    I'll just go a little way into this rathole...
    
    I'm surprised to hear so much hoo-hah over this spot.   Did anyone
    see the Penn tennis ball commercial last fall with the comparison
    between the bounce of Penn balls versus the competitor?
    
    It showed the "reporter," two Penn guys in white lab coats holding
    Penn tennis balls and smiling competitor in a suit holding "Brand X."
    
    They're all at the top of a skyscraper - the Penn guys drop two tennis
    balls from the roof and the camera shot shifts to the side of the
    building where a line has been painted to show that both balls bounce
    to the same height.
    
    "Now let's try this with the competitor" - with that, the lab guys
    grab the guy in the suit and pitch him off the roof.  The lab guys
    and the "reporter" look down for a bit and then shake their heads.
    
    I was seriously rollward the first time I saw this, but don't see
    it as any better than the Reebok ad that's caught all the flack.
    Where was all the righteous indignation over the Penn ad?
    
    -- FooBear
189.12Spike Lee - accomplished artistMURRI::ROBINSONgrace under pressureTue Mar 20 1990 13:097
    Bob,
    
    I agree, She's_Gotta_Have_It and Do_The_Right_Thing are 
    great flicks.  School_Daze was weak, but two outta three ain't
    bad...
    
    
189.139385::CRITZWho'll win the TdF in 1990?Tue Mar 20 1990 13:236
    	Could someone describe the Reebok commercial? I
    	don't think I've ever seen it. What was so
    	controversial about it?
    
    	Scott (Nike or New Balance - running)
              (Avenir - cycling)
189.14Black, high-top, canvas Converse rool!GENRAL::WADEThat midnight train is whinin' low..Tue Mar 20 1990 13:471
    
189.15HEURIS::METZGERI will not waste chalkTue Mar 20 1990 13:5725
the commercial goes as follows...

two guys are standing at the top of a bridge.
They cut to show the reebok guy pumping up his shoes.
Then they cut to both of them jumping off the bridge. One guy in Nikes one
guy in his reeboks. 

Then you see various shots of them both falling ( you can see that they
both have bungie cords attached to them now)

The bungie cords take up the slack..

You now see the guy in the reeboks suspended from his cord.
Then you see the pair of Nikes suspended from their cord. The guy who was
wearing them is missing. The rest is up to your imagination...They are
implying that the guy wearing the nikes came out of his shoes and plummeted to 
his death.....

Metz

BTw - I don't buy the shoes because of the commercials. I buy whatever is one
      sale at marshalls that fits me. It happend to be LA gear this time. Last
      time is was NIKE. If I need specialized shoes I buy the cheapest that 
      will do the job for me.
189.16I also had a kick like Dick Barnett.....SASE::SZABOChannel Z, all static, all day, forever!Tue Mar 20 1990 13:5714
    Speaking of black hi-top Converses, remember when they were "the"
    sneaker to have?  I mean, Cons were it.  You wore Cons, and you were
    cool.  Nike, Puma, etc. weren't even thought of then.  I can remember
    spending some time at my sisters in mid-town Manhattan when I about 13
    years old, and walking by an Army & Navy store that had hi-top Cons for
    only $12!  I had to have them, and I did get them- my first pair! 
    Nothing else mattered, I had my Cons!  And did I ever feel invincible
    on the court with my Cons!  Even Walt Frazier had a hard time keeping
    up with me!  Boy, those sure were the days........
    
    Canvas Cons are still one of my favorite sneaks, next to my suede Puma
    Baskets......
    
    Hawk
189.18ACC Chris turns film critic. ;^)RHETT::KNORRCarolina BlueTue Mar 20 1990 14:1612
    Me and the misses rented "Do the Right Thing" last weekend, mainly
    because several people in here had recommended it and I've always liked
    Mars and the Air Jordan commercials.
    
    This flick ain't for everybody.  It's got some funny spots but is
    actually a very serious film.  I enjoyed it - the wife hated it.
    
    FWIW,
    
    
    - ACC Chris
    
189.19not PG-13. But very poignant.MURRI::ROBINSONknowledge is goodTue Mar 20 1990 14:277
    ACC Chris,
    
       Your absolutely right.  Spike's movies are not exactly the
    kind that you break out at family hour or for dates (unless it's 
    a *very* hot one :-)
    
       But, in terms of artistic beauty, they are excellent.  
189.20PNO::HEISERin a 5 mile line to check for a crimeTue Mar 20 1990 14:471
    I prefer Converse.  Nikes and Reeboks seem to run small.
189.21Just a leeeeettle rathole, one thin leetle rathole?CAM::WAYO God of BattlesTue Mar 20 1990 14:5121
re shoes:

	When it comes to running shoes, I buy the very best that
	I can afford.  The closer to the top of the New Balance line
	the better.

	Because I'm on the solid side (~205-220 depending), shock absorption
	is critical.  If I buy cheap shoes, I feel it for days.  Plus,
	the top of their line lasts longer.  When I can't run in them
	anymore (my gauge is my right knee -- it tells me when to buy
	new shoes) I wear the old ones to work, or around..


	I must confess I've never seen a Spike Lee film.  I don't watch
	to many movies, since I try to split my leisure time between
	watching, reading and doing stuff.  I'll try to get one nexted
	time I'm at the store...

'Saw


189.22I wait for Xmas and ask for the sneaker I wantAXIS::ROBICHAUDDockers, pants for |CENSORED|sTue Mar 20 1990 16:041
    
189.24"K-Mart sucks." - Dustin Hoffman, "Rainman"SHALOT::MEDVIDSitting waiting anticipating nothingTue Mar 20 1990 16:2015
189.25No end to the hype ...SHALOT::HUNTWalla Walla, Budapest, Sea Of Tranquility ...Tue Mar 20 1990 16:368
I got a huge chuckle when the shoe companies started advertising a "cross 
training" shoe.  As in, one shoe for running, biking, weightlifting, you name
it.   As in "Bo Knows Cross-Training" ...

Man, I've been wearing "cross-trainers" since about the mid-1960s then.  One
pair of sneakers for everything.  Well, almost everything ...

Bob Hunt
189.269385::CRITZWho'll win the TdF in 1990?Tue Mar 20 1990 16:5010
    	Well, I know regular running shoes are not suited to
    	long-distance cycling.
    
    	If you use pedals, toeclips, and touring shoes (as
    	opposed to cleated shoes and pedals), you'll find
    	that a good pair of touring shoes with a solid sole
    	under the ball of your feet are much more comfortable.
    
    	The first time I rode 100 miles in running shoes I
    	thought the pedals were embedded in my feet.
189.27COOKIE::MJOHNSTONBetter Living Through Chemicals!Tue Mar 20 1990 17:0322
	I liked the Reebok commercials, too. (And thought the Penns were
hilarious last year).

	Awhile back, I mentioned something to the effect that all the huge
salaries being made possible by television contracts made me wonder what would
happen when advertisers finally realized that nobody watched, or if they did
watch, it didn't influence their buying. Since then I've tried to think of
something I purchased because I had seen it advertised, and I couldn't think of
a single thing. Anybody actually think ads really influence us that much?

	Evidently my kid got influenced big time, though. He decided he wanted
the Air Jordans. I looked at him very calmly and said       " Y O U   W A N T 
!!! * W * H * A * T * !!! "      (Then I grabbed my heart and staggered around
and `accidently' fell on my wife. Snort!) So I told him that was perfectly
acceptable. That I would chip in $30 bucks towards a new pair of stomps. And he
was free to buy any brand or style he wanted. After a marathon shopping and
comparing expedition, he bought some black running shoes (I forgot what brand)
with flourescent pink and green stripes on them, that were on sale for $32
something. I guess Air Jordans aren't that neat when you have to blow your own
bucks, huh?

Mike JN
189.28Canvas comes in neat colors and patterns too!SASE::SZABOChannel Z, all static, all day, forever!Tue Mar 20 1990 17:3612
    Not that I'm pushing Converse, but I've found that the traditional
    canvas Cons to be the best sneakers for my under_10_year_old kids, and
    the best deal for me, economically speaking.  It's the most
    indestructable sneaker you can buy, and God knows, that if it's going
    to be worn by kids, it is going to be destroyed!  And, another great
    thing about the canvas Cons is that they can be washed a zillion times! 
    
    The absolute worst kind of sneaker to buy kids is the running shoe
    style because the sole and toe/tip are already so thin, that it's only
    a matter of a week or 2 before it's worn through.......
    
    Hawk
189.29AUSTIN::MACNEALBig MacTue Mar 20 1990 17:3924
189.30COOKIE::MJOHNSTONBetter Living Through Chemicals!Tue Mar 20 1990 18:1624
H'awk,

	You're probably right. And I don't really think he has regular running
shoes, (I've  just gotten used to calling any kind of sneaker `running shoes').
Actually, what he has look very much like the Converse shoes.... I'll have to
check. No matter what he gets, he tears up the shoes, himself, and his clothes,
on skateboards. The little rascal has been building and selling them for over a
year now, so he makes some money, and I'm making him use part of his earnings
to replace clothes he tears up riding.

Mac
	
	To tell the truth, I probably buy lots of things I haven't seen
advertised, because I hardly ever watch anything on television except Sports
(ie. I've never seen Cheers, Taxi, or literally 100's and 100's of other
shows), and most of the advertising for sports seems to be beer (I buy what's
on sale), Sporting clothes (I buy what's on sale), Cars (I buy whatever 4wheel
drive American model I can get the best deal on)... and so on. That's the
reason I was wondering. I'm probably the weirdo, but it just didn't seem to me
that Advertisers were getting much bang for the buck when it came to
influencing me to buy their products.... and I was wondering how others felt
about it.

Mike JN
189.31Chuck Taylor Roolz!1RAVEN1::B_ADAMSCRASH in turn 4! It's him again!Tue Mar 20 1990 18:201
    
189.32RIPPLE::DEVLIN_JOYou find one in every car...Tue Mar 20 1990 21:4121
    Re Advertising and do people buy...
    
    I worked in a running/athletic shoe store for years while in college
    and right afterwards.  You could always tell the 'advertising' buyers,
    because as soon as a new shoe came out, they were in, and bought
    it no matter what you tried to tell them.  When Reeboks first got
    big, we couldn't keep 'em stock, even though Reebok makes a VERY
    inferior shoe.
    
    I'd try to help folks in my speciality (Long distance
    running/Track/etc..) - but there were some folks who INSISTED on
    buying a Nike or Reebok - even thought the shoe was not suited for
    there needs.  Why?  Because of advertising.  Some folks wouldn't
    buy ASICS Tigers or New Balance because "I've never seen 'em
    advertised"
    
    Don't underestimate the power of advertising.  Go to local hangout
    and see how the kiddies are dressed.  Fashion and 'style' are
    advertising in the flesh...
    
    JD
189.33CAM::WAYO God of BattlesWed Mar 21 1990 10:3023
My favorite shoe ad, was from Nike, with the British woman who
won the NY Marathon two years ago.  She had started running because
her husband was in the army and they were stationed in some God-forsaken
place.

When she first started should couldn't run hill, and she was quitting 
smoking...  To me she personified the meaning of "Just Do It".

Even still, I don't wear Nike shoes.  I've got New Balance on now, 
because they work for me.

I could do a New Balance ad.  I would just stand there and say
"New Balance...They're Good Shoes...and they work!"


I saw the Spike Lee ad last night.  Sorry, but I wasn't impressed.
I'm not a big fan of real radical scene shifting, cutting to different
screens and such.  I guess modern video/film technique is lost on me...

JMHO,
Chainsaw

PS  JD, help me out with that woman's name...Patty Welch???
189.34Peg BundySASE::SZABOChannel Z, all static, all day, forever!Wed Mar 21 1990 10:421
    
189.35RIP: Sweet Dick WillieSHALOT::MEDVIDSitting waiting anticipating nothingWed Mar 21 1990 10:528
    Sad note.  Actor Robin Harris who played Sweet Dick Willie in 'Do the
    Right Thing' died of an apparant heart attack over the weekend.  Of all
    the characters in the movie, I thought his was the best and funniest. 
    Especially the line: "Boycott Sal's!?!  You otta boycott the barber that
    f__ked up your hair."  I missed the next five minutes of dialogue I was
    laughin' so much.
    
    	--dan'l
189.36FSHQA2::JHENDRYJohn Hendry, DTN 292-2170Wed Mar 21 1990 11:077
    'Saw, I believe the British woman you're thinking of is Priscilla
    (mumble), because I've read her story too.  There is a woman from
    the Boston area whose story is somewhat similar, Patti Lyons, who
    quit smoking and became a top notch runner until some injuries did
    her in.  She was briefly married to her coach, Joe Catalano.
    
    John
189.37CAM::WAYO God of BattlesWed Mar 21 1990 11:369
Okay, John...I think her last name is Welch.  My memory circuits 
weren't hitting right because I couldn't think up the first name...

Quite a story actually, since this woman used to train in the dark
using a miner's headlamp.  I believe they were stationed up near
the Arctic Circle, thus half the year it was pretty dark.  Very impressive
story...

chainsaw
189.38Robin Harris - Recently on HBO ???SHALOT::HUNTWalla Walla, Budapest, Sea Of Tranquility ...Wed Mar 21 1990 12:197
Didn't Robin Harris just have an HBO half-hour comedy special on ???

"Small world !!!  We's Bay-Bay's kids.  We don't die.  We multiply."

That's a shame.

Bob Hunt
189.39RIPPLE::DEVLIN_JOYou find one in every car...Wed Mar 21 1990 12:303
    Pricilla Welch is the broads name.
    
    JD
189.40Robin Harris (1954-1990) - BET had a tribute to him Tue. nightFRSBEE::BROOKSMust be a Bird's-eye view ...Wed Mar 21 1990 13:2610
    re .38
    
    That's him Bob. 
    
    Bitter irony inthat this was his first time performing in his home
    town since making it big time. Comedy stardom isn't acheived overnight,
    and to see soembody cut down just as they reach that level is really
    cruel. :-(
    
    RIp Robin, you were great.
189.41COOKIE::MJOHNSTONBetter Living Through Chemicals!Wed Mar 21 1990 15:0516
I checked last night:

	The shoes he got are        V I S I O N
                                    STREET WEAR

To me, they resemble Converse. They were regularly $50+ , he got `em for $34

He's convinced they are totally rad and awesome. I'm convinced he's learned a
lesson from having to utilize his own bucks. (saved $76 over Air Jordans)

I think the clothes kids wear these days are wild. They look like they were
lying in the vicinity when a `DAY_GLO' factory blew up. If I had worn clothes
like that when I was a kid, I'd have been dragged into an alley and beaten to
death with tire chains long before I ever hit puberty.

Mike JN
189.42Reebok ad withdrawnRIPPLE::DEVLIN_JOYou find one in every car...Wed Mar 21 1990 15:4717
    The Reebok commercial:
    
    Reebok has withdrawn the ad after consumer complaints and problems
    wif the networks.  The ad, of course, is the one showing the 2
    bungee-jumping pros diving off the Deception Pass Bridge, 180 ft
    over Puget Sound out here in Washington.
    
    Consumers griped about the implied death to Reebok and the networks.
    The ad was aired on CBS and the FOX network only.  Fox will not
    air the ad again, while CBS says it wants to air it after 10:00
    pm only.
    
    Reebok will decide this week if it will run again.  Company spokeswoman
    Bernadette Mansur said the ad isn't a publicity stunt (yeah, right),
    and also said "We believe in the impact of this advertising."
    
    JD
189.43CAM::WAYAnd death shall have no dominionWed Mar 21 1990 16:0022
re Mike JN --

To quote George Carlin...  "Could you imagine if snots were day-glo?"

The kids clothes are Day-glo these days for one very important fact.
Child Molesters have a hard time hiding kids in Dayglo clothes.  

If your kid is in the back yard, and you look out, if he's in
dayglo you see him really quick.

SAFETY First!  


re Reebok:

To me, and my sick mind, the commercial sounds exquisite.  It's
better than that stupid commercial with the damn drum-beating rabbit.

Too many squeamish people around these days 8^)

'Saw

189.44Guaranteed this will get worse before it gets betterHOTSHT::SCHNEIDERGimme three steps, for the doorWed Mar 21 1990 16:1228
>I saw the Spike Lee ad last night.  Sorry, but I wasn't impressed.
>I'm not a big fan of real radical scene shifting, cutting to different
>screens and such.  I guess modern video/film technique is lost on me...
    
    Don't let Alfred Hitchcock hear you say that!
    
    Phil Mushnick, the NY Post sport media critic, and probably the first
    one in the industry and one of the best, wrote a recent scathing
    article really trying to bring the issue of youthful, urban, and
    usually poor blacks being the target market of all this advertisement.
    They are the ones killing and being killed for their latest Nike shoes
    or NBA Starter jacket.
    
    Are the athletes who are advertising these products indirectly
    responsible for the unfortunate bloodshed?  Ought they stop?  Remember,
    the stereotypical ghetto kid from a broken home, with no one to watch
    him for years after school, the days he went to school, and who has
    succumbed to much of the peer pressure and life in dangerous streets,
    he has the raging desire for the $150 Reebok Pump and he probably
    doesn't have the money for it.
    
    It's an issue the NBA, the players, the college coaches with sneaker
    contracts, etc. ought to start examining their role in.
    
    And one last thing, the sneaker companies aren't exempt either.  At
    least $100 of the pump price is probably just product marketing.
    
    Dan
189.45Not much prime-time for meHOTSHT::SCHNEIDERGimme three steps, for the doorWed Mar 21 1990 16:186
>To me, and my sick mind, the commercial sounds exquisite.  It's
>better than that stupid commercial with the damn drum-beating rabbit.
    
    Have you seen this rabbit on David Letterman?  Toooooo funny....
    
    Dan
189.46RIPPLE::DEVLIN_JOYou find one in every car...Wed Mar 21 1990 16:205
    Dan,
    
    Yeah, I saw Mr. Letterman take a golf club to that damn rabbit's
    haid - I was roolll11lll!!lllinnnggg...
    JD
189.47Do they still make KEDS?MCIS1::DHAMELIs Nothing Sacred?Wed Mar 21 1990 16:2613
    
    They oughtta take that damn rabbit and toss *him* off the Deception
    Pass Bridge!
    
    And send that Charmin toilet paper guy with him...you know, the
    one that says "It feels so good I want to rub it all over me."
    I'd like to rub it all over him...after I've used it!
    
    Oh, this note was about sneakers. I'll take a Milky Way bar over
    a Sneakers bar any day.
    
    -Dick
    
189.48I dunnoBOXTOP::ROBINSONknowledge is goodWed Mar 21 1990 17:5417
    .44 (Dan)
    
    If it's not the sneakers, it's the jacket.  If it's not those
    then it's the color of the shirt (red or blue).  If it's not that
    then it's the manner of walking etc...
    
    There's no way that gang violence is going to stop based on
    product marketing.  The problem goes a lot deeper than that.
    
    I have no idea how to stop it.  I don't even think that massive
    reforms in the educational system, although they are called for,
    would even stop the problems.  Cutting off the supply of drugs,
    the demand for drugs?  That might be a good start.  You are right
    though, the problems will more than likely get much worse before 
    they start to get 'better'.   
    
    Hmmn, SOAPBOX with the sportscrew... way too cool :-)  
189.49LEVERS::STROUTthe last day of our acquaintance...Wed Mar 21 1990 18:0012
> < Note 189.41 by COOKIE::MJOHNSTON "Better Living Through Chemicals!" >
>  
>	The shoes he got are        V I S I O N
>                                    STREET WEAR
 
    	Dude, visions are great skateboarding sneakers.  They grip good
    to the concave in the board when you're pulling airs.  Does your
    kid skate?  If he does then he made a good choice over
    the Jordan's.  Outside of good ankle support the things are way
    too heavy and awkward to carve any genuine air.  
    
    sean
189.50COOKIE::MJOHNSTONWON MAN ISS NO TOO BLAM! YUO AR!!Wed Mar 21 1990 18:2221
Yeah Sean, he's only been skating (as a real interest) about a year and a half.
When he first started, he had a project at school to build something, so I told
him he ought to build a skateboard. His old one was falling apart and he needed
one. He didn't think he could do it. I told him it was easy, and that if he
took his time and did a real good job, I'd chip in some Vision Blur wheels, and
some of them psychedelic trucks. He worked and worked, sawed plywood for the
board, sanded, put on the grip tape, painted his own designs, adapted the rails
and nose piece from his old board, really did a hell of a job. Everybody liked
it so well, other kids wanted him to make THEM one. He started off taking their
old boards and refurbishing them. Now he's found a place in California that
makes blanks, another place where he can get wheels and trucks, tape,
ballbearings at cost, another one where he can get decals and rails, tail
bones, etc. - So he's been building them from scratch and making some bucks. He
just saved up and got himself some Rector knee pads, and some gloves, because
when he goes to the half pipes, and tries to get air and move from one pipe to
the other, he always looks like somebody hit him with a 45-70 slug in mid-air.
Then it's the old ass-over-teakettle-land-on-your-head-in-the-corner trick
(which he does great). I'm making him rent a helmet until he has enough money
to buy one.

Mike JN
189.51EXCELLENT!PNO::HEISERsave a tree, go CDWed Mar 21 1990 18:494
    Way too cool Mike!  Vision has the raddest set of rags this side of
    Malibu.  
    
    The kid's board sounds pretty narly man.
189.52LUNER::BROOKSMust be a Bird's-eye view ...Wed Mar 21 1990 19:1412
    dan, get out of the fantasy world. JayRob is right, usually the
    COLORS of an outfit cause street violence, since different gangs
    wear different colors.
    
    And you obviously didn't read my earlier note - the Raiders probably
    save lives, because black is considered a neutral color.
    
    No, the violence in the streets is not goign to be solved by shoe
    manufacturers.
    
    Try doing something about this Surrender On Drugs, and we might
    see a change ...
189.53Didn't read exactly what I wroteHOTSHT::SCHNEIDERGimme three steps, for the doorWed Mar 21 1990 21:469
    Doc, and Jeff (?),
    
    I didn't mean to imply that the "sneakers problem" is restricted to
    gangs and colors.  Its more that they are now status, and objects to be
    desired, but not afforded.  I don't know if the street gangs we hear
    about are adopting certain sneakers as uniforms, but the violence in
    impoverished areas extends beyond the organized gangs.
    
    Dan
189.54JULIET::MAY_BRWimp football rules!Wed Mar 21 1990 22:1824
    
    
    re cross-training vs. specialized shoes:
    
    Until I was seriously involved in volleyball, I never saw the need
    for a specialized shoe.  Now, I won't play without my volleyball
    shoes.  There are several reasons why a running shoe doesn't work
    on a volleyball court, and the foremost is the injury risk.  stay
    away from people wearing running shoes, the severe angles on the
    side make it easy for anyone to easily come down on the side of
    their foot and take a fall, usually bringing someone else down with
    them.  I could name 10 people off the top off my head who I know
    who had their foot broken by people wearing running shoes who fell
    and their foot.
    
    Re Spike Lee:
    
    His films are as disturbing as any other film maker today.  I find
    myself thinking about his movies weeks after I've seen one.  He
    sets a mood as well as anyone since Hitchcock.  Oliver Stone is
    a Spike Lee wannabe.
    
    
    Bruce
189.55CONVERSE CONSJUPITR::DESROCHESDag nabit Deputy DawgThu Mar 22 1990 01:1315
    CONS-CONS-CONS!!!!
    
    To me, these are the best because I have the problem of the EEE width.
    The new Cons sell for about $45 and are the most comfortable pair of
    sneaks I've ever bought. Plus with my new found love of racquetball
    along with my rather large body (280+ lbs), comfort is a necessity.
    
    As for the commercials, Spike and Air rule. I saw the Reebok one and
    thought it was in poor taste.
    
    
    Just my 2 cents worth
    
    Phil
     
189.56CAM::WAYAnd death shall have no dominionThu Mar 22 1990 10:5346
Boy, it's a good thing I don't make commercials...I'd turn people
off big time 8^)

Re Dan and Hitchcock:

	Dan, I like Hitchcock.  The shower scene in Psycho was
	*exquisite*.  But to me, that was used for a very definite
	purpose, in the context of a longer time period.

	The Spike Lee commercial turns me off, since it happens in
	what, 30 seconds, with so much cutting that I can't get
	into it.

re Dick and Charmin':

	I haven't seen that one... Rubbing ones self all over wif
	toilet paper sounds very kinky to me.  What would the
	purpose be?  

	Personally, I think all these wussy-wimpies who wanna censor
	rock lyrics should be looking at the absurd sexual practices
	condoned and advertised in toilet paper commericials.....might
	kept their walnut sized brains busy for a while...

re Mike JN:

	Bullshit.  I think *YOU* are the won who has the board and you
	just don't wanna fess up....U R 2 BLAM!  8^)


re Colors and Gangs:

	There is a movie theatre in East Hartford (biggest one around)
	that used to be fairly safe to go to.  In recent times (last
	year or so) there have been A LOT of gang related violence in
	the parking lot/lobby.  I took my dad there a couple of weeks
	ago to see "Red October" and I was a little up tight.  When
	I went in I noticed most of the kids around there were wearing
	black, so I felt okay (It was not hard to pick out some of
	the gang members, believe me)...  Just goes to show you
	that SPORTS can enlighten people in other ways that just the
	latest RBI or GAA stats...


latered,
Chainsaw
189.58PNO::HEISERsave a tree, go CDThu Mar 22 1990 11:268
    Some of the LA gangs have opened up for business in South Phoenix
    (i.e., Crips).  I personally know 2 guys that work for DEC in Tempe
    that have been shot at within the last month for wearing red.
    
    One had a red baseball cap, the other drives a red car.  Shows the
    level this color business has degraded to.
    
    Mike
189.59REFINE::ASHEHere he comes... there he goesThu Mar 22 1990 11:458
    I like the Nike commercials.  Creative and doesn't take itself 
    seriously.  Bo, Mars and Spike...
    
    Yo Metz, those looked like expensive soccer shoes.  You get those
    at Marshall's?  I liked the velour velcro strap to keep them tied.
    You get them from Lefebvre? (insert smiley here)
    
    -Walt
189.60payback walt...HEURIS::METZGERZeese trophies are not for bowling...Thu Mar 22 1990 12:1310
$30....walt.....

read um and weep....

You should see the official volleyball shoes Walt wears when he plays....
Bright Neon colors and everything....


Metz
189.61COOKIE::MJOHNSTONWON MAN ISS NO TOO BLAM! YUO AR!!Thu Mar 22 1990 12:3220
I have to agree with the `Saw re: poor taste. The Reebok commercial made me
laugh. Mostly because I had no idea what was coming... and I like the absurd
and unexpected. If I was making commercials,  given some of the whacky moods I
get in, I'd have half the nation writing to their congressmen, and the other
half taking notes.

On rock music lyrics: I saw `This is Spinal Tap' last night. I hadn't seen that
before. Kinda weird off and on, but some occasional good lines, and some of the
song lyrics were great. I liked the one where he was singing about this woman
with the big bottom, and how he didn't want to leave her behind. *:-P

Okay Steven! The IRS shows up to harass my kid, I'll know who to BLAM! They
probably would like to take a cut, wouldn't they? The sluts! Damned governments
always have their sleazy paws in your pockets! Colo State government is now
trying figure out a way to control Garage Sales, `cause it finally dawned on
`em that they've been missing their `cut' of the action. I sometimes think we'd
get a much fairer shake from Organized Crime; and probably a lot more
efficiency to go along with it.

Mike JN
189.62He's little,he's back and he's pissedWMOIS::REARDON_SWrite when you find workThu Mar 22 1990 12:5312
>`em that they've been missing their `cut' of the action. I sometimes think we'd
>get a much fairer shake from Organized Crime; and probably a lot more
>efficiency to go along with it.

  If you're that anxious to find out what it's like to live in a state where
 organized crime runs the show, move to Mass. and watch Dukakis in action. The
 rest of the country should consider themselves blessed that this stooge self-
 destructed, or you could've personally experienced the "Massachusetts Miracle" 
 firsthanded. Can you say don't bend over while taking a shower? I thought so..

Scott

189.63gotta take the good with the bad, it all evens out......SASE::SZABOChannel Z, all static, all day, forever!Thu Mar 22 1990 13:2216
    My, what short memories some of us have........
    
    I vividly recall many prosperous years for me and my family with
    the Duke running the show.  And now, we simply go through a period of
    adjustment, so what?  But, I can see people's jealousies, the one's who
    missed the boat when the going was good.  Don't worry though, it's all
    cyclical, and the good time will be back......
    
    And as the saying goes here in SPORTS:  
    
    		WON MAN IS NOT TOO BLAM!!!!111
    
    Actually, we should leave politics out of SPORTS.  We've already had
    many LDUC's concerning politics in the past, and it just doesn't mix.
    
    Hawk  
189.65HEURIS::METZGERZeese trophies are not for bowling...Thu Mar 22 1990 13:287
my only $.02 on the duke hawk...

I still say the mass miracle happened in spite of the duke not because of him.


metz
189.66USRCV1::COLOTTIRLisa,get away from that jazzmanThu Mar 22 1990 13:354
    Hey Metz, great p-name!! "Zeese trophies are not for bowling,
    Zay are for looove-making"  Roooolllllwarrrrd!!!
    			Rich
    
189.67SASE::SZABOChannel Z, all static, all day, forever!Thu Mar 22 1990 14:006
    re: .....mass miracle happened in spite of the duke.....
    
    maybe so, but i sure as heck can't believe it happened because of
    ronnie!  :-)
    
    hawk
189.687983::RIEUIn search of...Mr Trout!Thu Mar 22 1990 14:122
       Ed King did it!!
                                    Denny
189.69SASE::SZABOChannel Z, all static, all day, forever!Thu Mar 22 1990 14:2314
    There ya go, Denny!
    
    HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!11  Every time I think of Ed King now, I have to laugh. 
    Lasted year, before I became a professional part-time bartender, I was
    a professional part-time limo driver, and I was hired to drive a bunch
    of graduating BU students to their graduation- you know, the one where
    Mitterand and Bush were honorary whatevers.  Anyway, during the
    ceremony, I was waiting near my limo on Comm Ave when I heard this
    man swearing away because he couldn't find his driver.  Turned out it
    was ex-Gov. King himself.  I was rooolllllin'!  He even saw me looking
    at him sorta_amazed, and still continued bad-mouthing his long lost
    driver!!!!!11(tm)
    
    H'awk
189.70COOKIE::MJOHNSTONWON MAN ISS NO TOO BLAM! YUO AR!!Thu Mar 22 1990 14:3614
	This Air Jordan note reminded me. If I get this project wrapped up this
afternoon, I was thinking of taking tomorrow off and playing some golf, then
taking my kid to the batting cages. I was going to take him last night, but he
wanted to show me his hoops prowess, so we ended up shooting baskets until
after dark.

	He was never much interested in round ball, but he's been practicing
lately. He surprised me. He's really a good shot (but he can't dribble for
beans). Then he shows me his famous Air Jordan impersonation. I almost laid an
egg! He looked like a wounded Woodchuck on Valium, and almost destroyed my
garage door! The kid's got a ways to go. He definitely inherited my vertical
leap, but I have no idea where he got that plate stackin' butt!

Mike JN
189.71COMET::MONTGOMERYThe OAKLAND RAIDERS!!!!Thu Mar 22 1990 14:4211
>He looked like a wounded Woodchuck on Valium, and almost destroyed my


 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA (tm)

Had to wipe the screen on that one!!!!!!  8^))))))))))))))))))))))))0





189.72CAM::WAYAnd death shall have no dominionThu Mar 22 1990 14:456
Get real dudes...Ed King was a guitarist with Lynyrd Skynyrd....

Mike JN....sounds to me like the only answer for his butt would
be liposuction!

Chainsaw
189.73:-)SHALOT::HUNTNo, Mars.Thu Mar 22 1990 15:0213
189.74JULIET::MAY_BRWimp football rules!Thu Mar 22 1990 15:167
>garage door! The kid's got a ways to go. He definitely inherited my vertical
>leap, but I have no idea where he got that plate stackin' butt!
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    
    From MrT, didn't your wife ever tell you?  8^)    
    
    
189.75CAM::WAYAnd death shall have no dominionThu Mar 22 1990 15:495
re .-1:


	Bruce May, with 2 seconds left....goes up for three...
	He HITS it....
189.76COOKIE::MJOHNSTONWON MAN ISS NO TOO BLAM! YUO AR!!Thu Mar 22 1990 16:378
	Now I'm gettin' worried.

	I think I'll casually bring up the topic of swoll headed, loaf
peenchin', plate stackers with a terminal case of the verbose.

	If she asks me if I'd like some Tea, I'll slap her bowlegged.

Mike `Hey Honee.. ahm hoooommme' JN
189.77CAM::WAYAnd death shall have no dominionThu Mar 22 1990 16:496
Rollward Big Time, Mike.

But, don't forget....WON MAN ISS NOT TWOO BLAM!!!!!111


'Saw
189.78Nice try metz.....REFINE::ASHEHere he comes... there he goesFri Mar 23 1990 13:372
    Neon colors?  You mean the night I played in bare feet?  Nah, those
    were ponys.... JC Penney outlet... $25 hightops...
189.79AUSTIN::MACNEALBig MacFri Mar 23 1990 13:525
    The article I read on the pulling of the Reebok ad said it was done
    because they getting complaints from parents who were afraid kids would
    start bungie jumping out of trees in their backyard, not because it was
    in bad taste.  Reebok does have a "Do not try this yourself" disclaimer
    on the bottom, but some of the networks think it is too small.
189.80There he goes again, dear ...SHALOT::HUNTNo, Mars.Fri Mar 23 1990 17:5228
189.81"Billy, use the oak, not the dogwood, dear."SHALOT::MEDVIDSitting waiting anticipating nothingSat Mar 24 1990 17:439
>   Junior:	Ahhhhhhhhhhhh ....   Thud.
>    
>    A likely scenario ???  Hardly.  Don't you wish these so-called
>    "worried parents" would give their kids just an ounce more credit
>    for their basic human intelligence ???   
    
    Or at least grow taller trees!  
    
    	--dan'l
189.82Don't underestimate the stupidity of the stupid!SASE::SZABOMon Mar 26 1990 11:2215
    Bob, I'm not surprized that "worried parents" DON'T give their kids "an
    ounce more credit for their basic human intelligence."  Last week, in
    the CARBUFFS conference, I read about college kids getting killed
    riding the tops of elevators just for "kicks".  I also read about
    another form of lunatic, life-threatening theatrics popular with kids,
    that is, car-top surfing (don't remember what the proper term is).  I'm
    sure you can guess what the object is of this particular "sport"......
    
    Anyway, before seeing reading about these stunts, I would've agreed
    with you.  However, I've come to realize that there's a lot of really
    stupid, and daring, kids out there willing to do just about anything
    that's considered cool.  Reebok's bungie jumping looks like it can be
    real cool......
    
    Hawk
189.83CAM::WAYBe exellent to each other...Mon Mar 26 1990 12:4411
I saw a Spike Lee Nike commercial that I absolutely love lasted night.

It's the one where Spike is holding snapshots of these feet in Nike's
all over the country...  Way cool....

I also like the fact that the commerical are in black and white.
B&W is such an art form.  Too many people are weened on Kodak Color
Watch to realize the subtleties of B&W film or stills....

latered,
'Saw
189.84Hey, SHADDUP, Im doin a NIKE commericial..RIPPLE::DEVLIN_JOZsaZsa's dog to wed, film at 11Mon Mar 26 1990 12:487
    Ah, Saw, just what the heck do you think we've all been talking
    'bout the lasted week or so?
    
    
    Geez,
    
    JD ;-)
189.85FRSBEE::BROOKSLMU, ya did it w/class !Mon Mar 26 1990 12:5028
    > Junior : Ahhhhhhhhhhh ... Thud.
    
    HAHHHAHAHAHAHA !!!! You ought to stop Bob !
    
    Anyhow, sure some kids may try it, but I'm tired of misplaced
    protection of kids. Yes, when I'm a parent (God willing) I'm going
    to probably have an ulcer worrying about them, but let's not have
    kids abidcating their responsibilty to themselves.
    
    Hawk, who is it that is riding those elevators. College kids ?
    
    Look, there is no defense for stupidity, and we shouldn't waste
    time with it. There are more important things to worry about. Those
    same parents need to check to see if their kids are doing their
    homework. They need to do something about teenage pregancy, drugs,
    and this other much more serious crap that's killing off kids, albiet
    slower.
    
    For every idiot killed on a bungie cord, how many get addicted to
    crack or ice ? Or become an unwed parent ?
    
    Sheesh, talk about misplaced priorties ....
    
    And one last thing :
    
    Do these same people jump on Volvo for those crash car ads ?
    
    DrM
189.86CAM::WAYBe exellent to each other...Mon Mar 26 1990 12:5216
WELL, JD, (oops, was in rcaso mode there)

Well, JD, the only one I'd seen prior to that was the  one with 
Spike's face where they kept cutting away to Jordan's face.  I almost
got nauseous...  See, I had just shot some horse into my eyeballs, 
and was sitting back feeling the rush, when all of a sudden, nexted thing
i know, Michael Jordan is turning into Spike Lee, then Jordan, then
Lee, then Jordan,....

Too much...

Then, lasted night, I saw the one with the snapshots.  I didn't realize
*that* was the one you'd been discussing....

latered,
'Saw
189.87Getting old, quickBUILD::MORGANMon Mar 26 1990 13:535
    Anyone else sick of these Spike/Mike/Nike commercials after this past
    weekend?  That sucker had to be on 50 times, easy.  Why don't they mix
    in some of the old Spike/Mike/Nike adds to break up the monotony?
    
    					Steve
189.88PNO::HEISERMon Mar 26 1990 14:166
>    Do these same people jump on Volvo for those crash car ads ?
    
    Probably not.  The dummies they use were never alive.
    
    The dummies that ride elevators and go car-surfing are, at least
    physically alive (as opposed to mentally alive).
189.89Mars - why you leave me hangin??FRSBEE::WORRALLWed Mar 28 1990 12:267
My favorite Mars commercial with Air Jordan is very old.  Its the one
where Mars is on top of the hoop. " Mike, Mike why you leave me hangin?
Oh that's cold, Mike!!  Love that homeboy talk!!!
    
    
Greg         
        
189.90LEVERS::STROUTWed Mar 28 1990 12:409
    	Spike Lee was featured in this week's issue of Entertainment
    Weekly.  It was pretty interesting and focused around the
    directing/shooting of the latest "serious hang time..." commercial
    in Mars' bedroom.  If I rememember to bring it I'll type it in.
    
    BTW, The "Nobodeeeeeee!!!  NOBODDDDDDDDEEE!!" commercial was the
    highest fan rate Spike and Mike commercial.
    
    sean
189.91CAM::WAYOutfielder in the BourbonMon Apr 02 1990 15:5115
I watched Arsenio on Friday night, and his last guest was
Lou Diamond Phillips.

Now, Lou recently broke his arm during the shooting of Young Guns II,
but most of the audience didn't seem to know that.

When Arsenio asked Lou to tell the audience how he hurt his arm,
Lou says

	"I was bungee jumping in deck shoes"


I almost peed my pants....

'Saw
189.92Lou Diampnd Phillips jokeFTMUDG::DUGGANMon Apr 02 1990 17:169
    Glad to hear ol' Lou is out of the hospital. That event took place in
    Galisteo, New Mexico (the most famous resident is folksinger Burl Ives)
    about three weeks ago. He was pretty banged up, from the news reports.
    
    At least you'll be able to tell the difference between Lou and the
    horse in the movie...
    
    
    Lou is the one on the bottom!
189.93MCIS1::DHAMELAmazon Women Moon the MenThu Apr 12 1990 13:5211
    
    Just a FWIW in the sneaker note:
    
    I read somewhere just the other day that in the "Bo knows..."
    commercials, Wayne Gretzsky was paid $1 mil for skating up to the
    camera, shaking his head and saying "No".  
    
    Oh, well. Another day, another dollar...
    
    -Dick
    
189.94Mars Blackman here saying David knows butt.SHALOT::MEDVIDKristos Vos KresWed Apr 18 1990 12:057
    David Robinson is going to have a Nike commercial starting a run at the
    end of this month.  It's going to be a takeoff on Mr. Rogers, with
    Robinson saying "kick some butt" in Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood.
    
    Sounds dumb on paper, but knowing Nike, it'll probably be classic.
    
    	--dan'l