Hey, remember that judge who sentenced noise violators to Barry Manilow music? Here’s a worse sentence: Sitting through 7.5 hours of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom droning on and on and on about the “state of the city.” There are YouTube segments on health care, education, and the environment. But nada on the city’s infamously deadly illegal alien sanctuary policies.
He’s uploaded his entire speech on YouTube. Even his fellow libs can’t take it:
Malkin is referring to the liberal San Francisco Chronicle. Even they are mocking Gavin's massive ego that makes him think that people will be watching him on YouTube without dozing off:
When San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom posted an epic State of the City speech on YouTube on Monday, reaction was mixed.
"Just what I wanted," said Aaron Peskin, outgoing president of the Board of Supervisors. "Somebody imitating Al Gore for 7 1/2 hours. The guy did a Fidel Castro."
But Newsom's staff is taking the long view.
"By next year, or two years from now, everybody will be doing this," said Eric Jaye, Newsom's political strategist.
Boring the hell out of everybody and setting themselves up for mockery?
The mayor's brain trust thinks it is on to something, but there is disagreement about what it is. Some think it's a plot to co-opt the mainstream media. Others suspect it's a digital gateway for Newsom's run for governor. And some hope it will touch voters in an innovative way.
It will touch voters in an innovative way by causing instant sleep sans medication.
"I believe in this," said mayoral spokesman Nathan Ballard. "I'm optimistic that we will reach more constituents than ever before."
Right. Because people, particularly young voters, watch YouTube. But those people are watching funny cat stunts and people flying off trampolines, not a video of a talking head reciting eye-glazing statistics.
And don't forget the video of Snowball, the dancing cockatoo. One of the faves of your humble correspondent.
Supervisor Sean Elsbernd applauds the mayor for "a fantastic use of new technology." But he also admitted he hasn't watched more than 2 1/2 minutes and isn't likely to view much more.
"Realistically, are the supervisors going to sit for 7 1/2 hours and watch this?" Elsbernd said. "No."
It isn't as if the mayor's office didn't anticipate the reaction when people heard the speech ran longer than a flight to Honolulu.
"As one of a handful of people who sat through the entire taping, I agree," said Ballard. "That's a pretty long time."
The production value of the videos also leaves a lot to be desired. For example, as Peskin says, even if "you press your face 2 inches from the screen," you cannot read the color slides and charts that appear behind Newsom.
Since Newsom's deadly dull speeches were uploaded to YouTube just a couple of days ago, a storm of parodies can soon be expected. It's almost inevitable. But how to parody something which inspires ennui to such an extent as to make it impossible to watch for more than a couple of minutes? Well, your humble correspondent has a few suggestions.
One idea would be to show a couple in a romantic setting at a table in an intimate restaurant. The waiter arrives to take their order but launches into a word for word recital of Gavin Newsom's forgettable speech. The couple want to be alone but the waiter just keeps droning on with Newsom's speech.
You could also take the American Idol approach. Intercut segments of Newsom's speech with the judges looking bored out of their minds.
"Dueling Boors" would go back and forth between cuts of Newsom's speech and the infamous outdoor harangues of Fidel Castro.
A reality show approach could be taken by offering 50 bucks to anybody who can sit through all of Newsom's YouTube speeches. Then record the looks on the faces of those who accept the challenge as they struggle valiantly to pay attention.
Oh, and taking a tip from Michelle Malkin, you could also use Barry Manilow music as the backdrop for Mayor Newsom's speech.
These are just a few of the parody ideas but perhaps you could think up some of your own. Remember, NewsBusters does have regular Anti-SNL Open Threads. We will be looking forward to your Gavin Newsom speech parody videos...if you can stay awake long enough to produce them.
—P.J. Gladnick is a freelance writer and creator of the DUmmie FUnnies blog.




















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Snowball...
December 2, 2008 - 10:43 ET by SickofLibsThat was the best cardio workout I ever saw, especially the finale!
Snowball
December 2, 2008 - 10:52 ET by P.J. GladnickSnowball has absolute PERFECT timing. That cockatoo is AMAZING!!! Much more interesting than Gavin Newsom. Perhaps the mayor could learn some tips from that dancing cockatoo.
Oh yeah, he's got it
December 2, 2008 - 11:06 ET by SickofLibsOh yeah, he's got it alright. The best part is the end when the music stops, he shakes his head like a maniac and then folds down his crest! (I am a big parrot fan; thanks for the link PJ)
Snowball for SF Mayor!
December 2, 2008 - 11:55 ET by HoosierEmI totally forgot to look at the Gavin Newsom video and watched Snowball instead. Snowball would make a better mayor than Gavin Newsom.
7.5 hours is actually kind
December 2, 2008 - 11:24 ET by Chris Norman7.5 hours is actually kind of short for a speech in a People's Republic, like San Francisco...
The three "Be's"
December 2, 2008 - 11:56 ET by moderncommentaries83My husband said the key to good speeches can be summed up thusly:
And if you can't be elegant, be brief and be gone. Newsom apparently missed the memo. I'm not a big fan of public schools teaching extra-curriculuar stuff (read: home ec, shop, "life skills") as mandatory courses, but I'd be in favor of a rigorous and mandatory course in public speaking and speech writing.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
Actually, I hadn't heard
December 2, 2008 - 12:18 ET by KarinActually, I hadn't heard about this, and I thought NB was exaggerating. The link that goes to his fellow libs was funny, though. "Tremendous use of today's technology. Everyone will be doing this two years from now." Goddamned sycophants.
This reminds me of Mayor Mike's Friday morning addresses on WOR which put me into a deep, deep sleep.
What facilitated this????
December 2, 2008 - 16:11 ET by Roscoe MendagoMy best guess is that it was drug induced.
Rolllll me another one, just like the other one.
Mr. Newsome's office
December 2, 2008 - 16:29 ET by Mica the MagnificentHelp! I've fallen and I can't get up!
Hello? This is a recording. You have reached Mayor Gavin Newsome's office . .
What? Who is this? I pushed the thing on the necklace . . send an ambulance dammit!
. . stay on the phone to hear Mr. Newsome's entire State of the City speech . . .
→ Gavin Newsom
December 2, 2008 - 16:34 ET by Cool ArrowStay where you are Mr. Newsom. We're sending your ex-wife over to kick your smarmy face in with her 6" stilettos.
Boy were you a dumba$$ cheating on that woman!!!