Re(dux): VLVL(5) At the Movies and on the Tube

[John Bailey]

I've been listening to Don Ho's Tiny Bubbles along with Artie Shaw's
Frenesi for a month now. Thanks Vineland.

In other news, can't remember if I mentioned that nobody goes to the
cinema in VL. All movies seem to be received via the Tube (even though
we have behind-the-scenes scenes of filmmaking itself). The only
exceptions are when 24fps footage is replayed for Prairie, I think.

For me, that brings up the difference between a cinema theatre as a
(partially) shared social space - think of the ending of GR - and TV
as a presence in the home. TV both privatises the viewing experience
and acts as a conduit between the domestic, intimate world and the
great ghostly tentacles of corporate and gubernatorial power. In COL49
it's the eye of G-d watching Oedipa, and later in VL a ghostly
broadcast shows a weird military announcement of total social
shutdown. Plus there's the fact that everyone internalises the Tube in
the book - a lot like the recent mention here (was it Joseph?) of how
control freaks get their victims to internalise their oppression.

On Wed, Jan 14, 2009 at 10:36 AM, Michael Bailey
<michael.lee.bailey at gmail.com> wrote:
> interesting post.
> Toby has a grammatical issue, to wit:
> "...Frenesi replies "Appreciate the comparison Zoyd, although as
> you see I'm alone..."
> (Am I wrong in thinking there should be a comma after "comparison?"  Is
> there one in other editions)"
>
> and I say that's one of those "ear" things.  The pacing of how she
> says it has no comma.
>
>
> But we were discussing Hawaii 5-0.  Like most high school pep bands,
> I'm sure, the one I beeloonged to played their theme all over the
> place.
> Also the opening scenes with the surf were awesome.
> Like Laura, I don't remember being a fan of the show itself, though.
> I think that it was McGarrett who slapped some hippie and said "Now
> _that_ is the sound of one hand clapping."  But that may have been
> some other show.
> He spent one whole episode chasing down a quack who was keeping some
> lady from taking her approved anti-cancer treatments.  I found myself
> in partial, though conflicted, sympathy with the quack. I'm pretty
> sure that Don Ho appeared on a few episodes too.
>
> On the whole, I liked Mannix a lot better.  And Rockford.
>