by Cliff Vaughn | Jan 9, 2001 | Opinion
“The safest, easiest formula is that nothing succeeds like success,” wrote cultural critic Todd Gitlin in Inside Prime Time. The premiere of “Temptation Island” Jan. 10 offers evidence Fox television is employing that formula. “Following...
by Cliff Vaughn | Dec 12, 2000 | Opinion
Antiochus IV became king of the Seleucid empire centered in Syria during the second century BC. He imposed Hellenistic culture on Judea and transformed worship at the temple in Jerusalem, wrote Michael Lerner of Tikkun magazine. Many Jews, however, resented the...
by Cliff Vaughn | Dec 12, 2000 | Opinion
“Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture,” according to Kwanzaa’s official Web site. “Celebrated from 26 December thru 1 January, its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of...
by Cliff Vaughn | Dec 5, 2000 | Opinion
I’m less interested in how the Grinch stole Christmas than in why the Grinch stole Christmas. The former seems to be about logistics, the latter about motive and spirit. Director Ron Howard’s film version of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale devotes as much...
by Cliff Vaughn | Nov 28, 2000 | Opinion
“In its furthest, dimmest past, Christmas may have a now-forgotten, prehistoric ritual of the sun as one of its ancestors,” wrote folklorist and holidays expert Jack Santino in All Around the Year. ” Although Christmas is a religious commemoration of...
