One of the reason for comic book becoming impenetrable to younger audience is content. As the die hard comic readers grew up their tastes changed and the books changed with them. us an effect of their primary customer getting and no new fans entering the fold. This also leads to the bigger problem in impenetrability for new younger fans.
Not only do you have comics that are tied into a continuity that goes back decades but they are filled with content that is just not appropriate from someone 6-13.Now we have stories with openly gay super heroes, graphic violence and other books being used by artists and writers to espouse their own political and social views. Not only does this make the newer books inappropriate to children but it also turns off any new adult readers who now open up a book to see Spiderman drooling over Obama or Capt American becoming a 911 truther.
If you look at the comic racks at the book or comic store you do not see any comics even being made for kids. There is one potential savior, Disney recently acquired MARVEL. Disney could with their successful shows and ownership of MARVEL could easily mend this by making comics based on their hit children shows such as Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place etc. or just make more age appropriate books with easily accessible stories based on the marvel line. So far all they have done is an Avengers toon on Disney XD and use their channels to promote marvel movies such as THOR and some new website where you can make your own comic. Now this does have the potential to bring kids into the MARVEL fold at least when it comes to other related properties. You never saw a Hannah Montana or Wizards of Waverly Place comic because even their execs are being told comics do not sell. In the end their acquisition of MARVEL was just another property they can merchandise out.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
DC's Big Reboot
All comic fans know that the end of the summer DC comics will be restarting all their main titles back to #1. At the San Deigo Comic Con all the fan boys are having a protest over this, saying that they are being disprespected or something.
Here is the thing in the big picture, the fan boys do not matter. You see the average comic reader is about 35, not getting younger and the number is shrinking. Comics as a medium is DYING, they need to get fresh blood. Here is a problem COMICS ARE JUST TOO HARD TO GET INTO.
If you cannot follow let me explain, it is not just that kids would rather play their PS3's and XBOXES.
1. Comic are too pricey for kids to casually pick up. The days of picking up a 10 cent book at a spinner rack in a local drug store are long gone. Now you have to go to a specialty store that is not in bike or walking distance from the kids house.
2. Comics just cost too much, at the age of 8-13 $3 bucks a book just costs too much. For the price of a graphic novel collection some kid would rather buy a used video game at gamestop for that much.
3. The books are just too hard to get into. If you look at any superhero comic, just open it up and read it.
if you haven not followed along with the said hero for years you will be lost because that book is tied into a continuity that goes back decades and deals with events that happened before I was born let alone one 12 year old boy. I know this is a problem when I can open up any long running DC title and there will be a word or text clowd with a * that leads to another * that says *Seen in Action Comics #478. Now I have to hunt down some book from another decade just to catch up on what is going on.
#3 is why the reboot is important, but I am afraid like the Crisis on Infinite Earths that DC did in the 1980's to clean up another convoluted alternate universe mess they did in order to please the older readers of the golden age while getting new readers with the new shiny Silver Age. It promised permanent changes that writers are already slowly undoing in the next months issues. I am afraid that DC will half-ass it, as there are already rumors that the Batman restart will still acknowledge much of the past continuity with the previous Robins and Batman Inc.
#1 should be the new #1. Superman should start out as the Worlds First Superhero. Bruce Wayne should be coming back the Gotham and creating his caped persona that will be known as Batman. This should be a new begining as the Silver Age was to the Golden Age one.
One thing DC is doing right is offering digital versions of their books, there are KIDS that will not read a comic but put that online and they will eat it up. Maybe make Kindle readers that can eventually do COLOR and now you can read comics that way.
Newspapers are suffering the same problem, NO ONE reads them when you can get your news online from yahoo or elsewhere.
If comics die as a medium, the characters of Marvel and DC will be just seen as licensed trademarks by their parent company's. Something to put in T-shirts, mugs and to make movies and video games out of until that well runs dry.
So far look at this years SUPERHERO SUMMER, most of the films have either under-preformed or really fallen flat. Because studios took that genre and ran it dry until they were stuck with making films on second stringer characters. They are second stringers for a reason, Jonah Hex was last summer's big flop, this year Green Lantern was underwhelming, but the studio has green lit a sequel. Because they are desperate for another thing they can build a franchise on since Harry Potter is ending.
Marvel is now owned by Disney. Look at the property that built them Mickey Mouse, do they still make Mickey cartoons, NO except for the CGI preschooler abomination. Mickey is not just a logo for merch and a suit for college students to sweat in and stink up working at their theme parks.
Here is the thing in the big picture, the fan boys do not matter. You see the average comic reader is about 35, not getting younger and the number is shrinking. Comics as a medium is DYING, they need to get fresh blood. Here is a problem COMICS ARE JUST TOO HARD TO GET INTO.
If you cannot follow let me explain, it is not just that kids would rather play their PS3's and XBOXES.
1. Comic are too pricey for kids to casually pick up. The days of picking up a 10 cent book at a spinner rack in a local drug store are long gone. Now you have to go to a specialty store that is not in bike or walking distance from the kids house.
2. Comics just cost too much, at the age of 8-13 $3 bucks a book just costs too much. For the price of a graphic novel collection some kid would rather buy a used video game at gamestop for that much.
3. The books are just too hard to get into. If you look at any superhero comic, just open it up and read it.
if you haven not followed along with the said hero for years you will be lost because that book is tied into a continuity that goes back decades and deals with events that happened before I was born let alone one 12 year old boy. I know this is a problem when I can open up any long running DC title and there will be a word or text clowd with a * that leads to another * that says *Seen in Action Comics #478. Now I have to hunt down some book from another decade just to catch up on what is going on.
#3 is why the reboot is important, but I am afraid like the Crisis on Infinite Earths that DC did in the 1980's to clean up another convoluted alternate universe mess they did in order to please the older readers of the golden age while getting new readers with the new shiny Silver Age. It promised permanent changes that writers are already slowly undoing in the next months issues. I am afraid that DC will half-ass it, as there are already rumors that the Batman restart will still acknowledge much of the past continuity with the previous Robins and Batman Inc.
#1 should be the new #1. Superman should start out as the Worlds First Superhero. Bruce Wayne should be coming back the Gotham and creating his caped persona that will be known as Batman. This should be a new begining as the Silver Age was to the Golden Age one.
One thing DC is doing right is offering digital versions of their books, there are KIDS that will not read a comic but put that online and they will eat it up. Maybe make Kindle readers that can eventually do COLOR and now you can read comics that way.
Newspapers are suffering the same problem, NO ONE reads them when you can get your news online from yahoo or elsewhere.
If comics die as a medium, the characters of Marvel and DC will be just seen as licensed trademarks by their parent company's. Something to put in T-shirts, mugs and to make movies and video games out of until that well runs dry.
So far look at this years SUPERHERO SUMMER, most of the films have either under-preformed or really fallen flat. Because studios took that genre and ran it dry until they were stuck with making films on second stringer characters. They are second stringers for a reason, Jonah Hex was last summer's big flop, this year Green Lantern was underwhelming, but the studio has green lit a sequel. Because they are desperate for another thing they can build a franchise on since Harry Potter is ending.
Marvel is now owned by Disney. Look at the property that built them Mickey Mouse, do they still make Mickey cartoons, NO except for the CGI preschooler abomination. Mickey is not just a logo for merch and a suit for college students to sweat in and stink up working at their theme parks.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Things little league(oy any youth sports) recuriters will not tell you.
1. You will pay far out the rear for this.
Especially if it is hockey or competitive cheerleading. Penn and Teller. did an eye opening season 9 ep of Bullshit on cheerleading. They had a divorced couple who were paying 10-15k a year for their 3 daughters. Hockey is expensive, you you kid as a interest in sports PRAY that it is B-ball, all that requires is a ball and a pair of shoes. You are not paying for skating lessons, ice time, pricey equipment that they will grow out of every year, entrance fees, fees for tournaments etc. Be weary of any league or martial arts school that is not upfront about what you will pay.
2. 80% will quit before 12 (much of this has to do with 1.)
Kids are fickle, they lose interest in things quickly. It is actually a natural part of the growing process. Adults have also done a great job doing things that will help it along with psychoitic behavior. Much also has to do with the costs. In this economy, it is not cheaper to fun a kid's world of warcraft addiction and the medical costs in becomes a obese junkfood shut-in than participate in some of these organized sports. That is FUBAR.
High costs are defeating the point of this, Cheap way to have fun with friends.
This is why you have to do this on the cheap, that money is better off being put into bonds or an investment account to pay for school if and when they never get that scholarship or NBA contract. There are 40 million kids in sports and only about 250,000 scholarships. Most of them are at schools you never heard of with sports no one really gives a crap about.
3. There is no law federal, state or otherwise saying we have to do criminal background checks on volunteers.
We always hear some news story about a molester coach or one who is abusive. Molesters will take on jobs that not only get them access to kids but automatically make parents unquestionably trust them. A sports coach is one of those jobs.
If a kid is totally interested in something for 3 years than starts to hate it, RED FLAG.
If a coach or instructor has a problem with you watching practices, RED FLAG.
Thia is juat some simple advice from a single adult with no kids.
Especially if it is hockey or competitive cheerleading. Penn and Teller. did an eye opening season 9 ep of Bullshit on cheerleading. They had a divorced couple who were paying 10-15k a year for their 3 daughters. Hockey is expensive, you you kid as a interest in sports PRAY that it is B-ball, all that requires is a ball and a pair of shoes. You are not paying for skating lessons, ice time, pricey equipment that they will grow out of every year, entrance fees, fees for tournaments etc. Be weary of any league or martial arts school that is not upfront about what you will pay.
2. 80% will quit before 12 (much of this has to do with 1.)
Kids are fickle, they lose interest in things quickly. It is actually a natural part of the growing process. Adults have also done a great job doing things that will help it along with psychoitic behavior. Much also has to do with the costs. In this economy, it is not cheaper to fun a kid's world of warcraft addiction and the medical costs in becomes a obese junkfood shut-in than participate in some of these organized sports. That is FUBAR.
High costs are defeating the point of this, Cheap way to have fun with friends.
This is why you have to do this on the cheap, that money is better off being put into bonds or an investment account to pay for school if and when they never get that scholarship or NBA contract. There are 40 million kids in sports and only about 250,000 scholarships. Most of them are at schools you never heard of with sports no one really gives a crap about.
3. There is no law federal, state or otherwise saying we have to do criminal background checks on volunteers.
We always hear some news story about a molester coach or one who is abusive. Molesters will take on jobs that not only get them access to kids but automatically make parents unquestionably trust them. A sports coach is one of those jobs.
If a kid is totally interested in something for 3 years than starts to hate it, RED FLAG.
If a coach or instructor has a problem with you watching practices, RED FLAG.
Thia is juat some simple advice from a single adult with no kids.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Demi Lovato, arm chair career advice.
Here is some open advice I have for Demi Lovato after leaving her TV show to concentrate on her personal health.
Movies - Go Indie do not ask for much.
She is going to deal with producers who hear about her issues and will think she is a liability and another Lindsay Lohan. In some ways she is starting over since leaving her show. So she needs to prove to execs that she can do the job, will be there sober, sane and on time. Don't ask for too much, Demi Miley and Selena being popular as they are, THEY ARE NOT SUPER MOVIE STARS, yet. Ramona and Beezus had a respectable BO but was not a blockbuster. Demi was pretty good in her Grey's Anatomy guest role. So do not ask some producer you want 50 mil up front. Not gonna happen. SHE NEEDS TO PROVE that she can still do the job.
For 2 years Demi was struggling with these eating disorders, teen issues and cutting. Was still able to do 3 tv movies, 2 albums, a tour and TV show. She did not totally meltdown like Charlie Sheen, Lohan. Or Mischa Barton who was not even capable of making her own instant coffee in the last TV show she worked for.
Do indies, some lower budget drama, could even deal with themes she is stuggling with. Indie does not mean something dark and depressing it could be an inspiring and positive film to send a message to teens who are struggling with the same issues. Maybe she can do a movie based on the Cupcake Brown book she mentioned on her Seventeen Blog or something similar. A film that is a lower budget, that is not glossed over with SFX will also show the industry her TALENTS.
Music - Going on Tour
Her meltdown that led to her seeking treatment happened on tour. Concert Tours are a lot like my unit going on deployment. (Except for the people trying to kill you thing, which is not far from the truth with some past music acts.) You are far from home, on a very stressful and hectic schedule that causes you to get little rest, sleep let alone proper nutrition.
You are on the road in a tour bus, up at 5 am to go to 3 radio stations, an two tv morning shows to promote your tour. Rehearsals until the evening show, encore than a after party, get on the bus take a nap and start over in the next city. Lather, Rinse, Repeat.
Recently promoting Monte Carlo led to Selena Gomez getting hospitalized for malnutrition. A millionaire star was not eating enough because things got hectic, with Demi and her eating disorders, she needs family with her to make sure she is properly fueling her body with proper food. In many ways not much different with us soldiers over seas. To properly accomplish our missions we need to make sure we are eating 3 meals a day and DRINK WATER.
Demi mentioned that she feels uneasy being in front of a TV camera, here is another career path. VOICE OVER WORK. She has a real distinctive voice for a Disney Cartoon, this is something like Ashley Tisdale with Phineas and Ferb, that she can do in the same studio she records her music in.
Movies - Go Indie do not ask for much.
She is going to deal with producers who hear about her issues and will think she is a liability and another Lindsay Lohan. In some ways she is starting over since leaving her show. So she needs to prove to execs that she can do the job, will be there sober, sane and on time. Don't ask for too much, Demi Miley and Selena being popular as they are, THEY ARE NOT SUPER MOVIE STARS, yet. Ramona and Beezus had a respectable BO but was not a blockbuster. Demi was pretty good in her Grey's Anatomy guest role. So do not ask some producer you want 50 mil up front. Not gonna happen. SHE NEEDS TO PROVE that she can still do the job.
For 2 years Demi was struggling with these eating disorders, teen issues and cutting. Was still able to do 3 tv movies, 2 albums, a tour and TV show. She did not totally meltdown like Charlie Sheen, Lohan. Or Mischa Barton who was not even capable of making her own instant coffee in the last TV show she worked for.
Do indies, some lower budget drama, could even deal with themes she is stuggling with. Indie does not mean something dark and depressing it could be an inspiring and positive film to send a message to teens who are struggling with the same issues. Maybe she can do a movie based on the Cupcake Brown book she mentioned on her Seventeen Blog or something similar. A film that is a lower budget, that is not glossed over with SFX will also show the industry her TALENTS.
Music - Going on Tour
Her meltdown that led to her seeking treatment happened on tour. Concert Tours are a lot like my unit going on deployment. (Except for the people trying to kill you thing, which is not far from the truth with some past music acts.) You are far from home, on a very stressful and hectic schedule that causes you to get little rest, sleep let alone proper nutrition.
You are on the road in a tour bus, up at 5 am to go to 3 radio stations, an two tv morning shows to promote your tour. Rehearsals until the evening show, encore than a after party, get on the bus take a nap and start over in the next city. Lather, Rinse, Repeat.
Recently promoting Monte Carlo led to Selena Gomez getting hospitalized for malnutrition. A millionaire star was not eating enough because things got hectic, with Demi and her eating disorders, she needs family with her to make sure she is properly fueling her body with proper food. In many ways not much different with us soldiers over seas. To properly accomplish our missions we need to make sure we are eating 3 meals a day and DRINK WATER.
Demi mentioned that she feels uneasy being in front of a TV camera, here is another career path. VOICE OVER WORK. She has a real distinctive voice for a Disney Cartoon, this is something like Ashley Tisdale with Phineas and Ferb, that she can do in the same studio she records her music in.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Do we even want or NEED our MTV anymore?
I wrote this as a response to this post....
http://dknowsall.blogspot.com/2011/06/hollywood-babble-on-on-743-mtv-no.html
I don't know if it is because I have gotten older but I do not even FIND MTV even watchable or even having a purpose on TV anymore.
I am 35 and find there is better TV on NICK and DISNEY.
MTV's edgy show SKINS got cancelled, you see MTV is pretty much trying to be edgy to teens while gasping for air in a much thinner cultural atmosphere.
Here are some bullet points, about MTV's current problems.
Bullet Point 1. It's not about teens anymore it about TWEENS. Disney has hit this nerve with High School Musical, Hannah Montana and the Jo Bros. We say this a few years ago when Russel Brand was going on about purity rings when he was hosting a show about music awards on Music Television where all the big music acts came from DISNEY. MTV's parent company Viacom also owns Nickelodeon so they do have a share of this market, while the parent company does. MTV as a whole does not they are just a cog in a larger media strategy.
Bullet Point 2. Teens do not need MTV anymore when it comes to music videos. I remember when MTV was young in the 80's. If you wanted to see a new video you had to wait for the WORLD PREMIER on MTV. Now the hot acts of our decade premier their videos on YOUTUBE, Myspace, VEVO or whatever. Then you can watch it over and over until your eyes bleed. Not wait for hours for MTV to decide to play your fav video.
MTV is basically entered an era where they are both irrelevant and useless. Probably why they are getting Mike Judge to bring back Beavis and Butthead and took music your of their logo. Disney captured lghtng n a bottle with Miley, Selena, Demi and the Jonas Bros. All what MTV has is the Situtation and Snooki. A network that once set trends is now following them with their new TEEN WOLF series.
http://dknowsall.blogspot.com/2011/06/hollywood-babble-on-on-743-mtv-no.html
I don't know if it is because I have gotten older but I do not even FIND MTV even watchable or even having a purpose on TV anymore.
I am 35 and find there is better TV on NICK and DISNEY.
MTV's edgy show SKINS got cancelled, you see MTV is pretty much trying to be edgy to teens while gasping for air in a much thinner cultural atmosphere.
Here are some bullet points, about MTV's current problems.
Bullet Point 1. It's not about teens anymore it about TWEENS. Disney has hit this nerve with High School Musical, Hannah Montana and the Jo Bros. We say this a few years ago when Russel Brand was going on about purity rings when he was hosting a show about music awards on Music Television where all the big music acts came from DISNEY. MTV's parent company Viacom also owns Nickelodeon so they do have a share of this market, while the parent company does. MTV as a whole does not they are just a cog in a larger media strategy.
Bullet Point 2. Teens do not need MTV anymore when it comes to music videos. I remember when MTV was young in the 80's. If you wanted to see a new video you had to wait for the WORLD PREMIER on MTV. Now the hot acts of our decade premier their videos on YOUTUBE, Myspace, VEVO or whatever. Then you can watch it over and over until your eyes bleed. Not wait for hours for MTV to decide to play your fav video.
MTV is basically entered an era where they are both irrelevant and useless. Probably why they are getting Mike Judge to bring back Beavis and Butthead and took music your of their logo. Disney captured lghtng n a bottle with Miley, Selena, Demi and the Jonas Bros. All what MTV has is the Situtation and Snooki. A network that once set trends is now following them with their new TEEN WOLF series.
Monday, April 11, 2011
It WAR: Studios vs Distributors.
http://www.deadline.com/2011/04/more-theaters-threatening-movie-moguls/#comment-799646
There is a war going on in this industry, it is one waged by the Studios and the Theatres. Studios are now offering a window with DirecTV to show first run films 60 days day after their release. You can tell that the theatre chains are not happy. See ticket sales are down, and they were forced to pay million to upgrade their theatres to show 3D films and have to raise ticket prices to pay off the difference.
Sutdios make the most of the films money in the opening weekend, the theater gets the difference called the House Nut. As the weekends go by the House Nut gets bigger for the Theater. So a film that has legs will make more money for the distributor in the long run. This deal with DirecTV will cut into that, a business that is already under assault from declining ticket sales and piracy.
You see this should be a symbiotic relationship, Studios make films, but need a place to show them. Theatres show movies but need someone to make them. You wold think there would be a form of mutual understanding, No this is an industry that prefers backstabbing and one upmanship even if it hurts the industry in the long run.
Regal Cinemas has sent notice to Sony, WB, FOX and Universal that it will reduce the run time for any film
they show in their movie houses, this is just in time for Summer Movie Season, which will be a crowded one at that.
Some distributors are getting fed up and taking matters into their own hands. Since the Studios, are producing less and what they are making is not that GOOD, Netflix is now in the game making original content.
Dropping ticket sales are also due to other factors, one going to a theater today is a hassle. Why pay 60 per person (3D Ticket+concessions) to see a 90-120 minute movie when you cam plop down the same money for Call of Duty Black Ops and get several months of entertainment out of it.
No only that you have to deal with less than enthusiastic staff, who consist of underpaid and overworked HS age staff. Since the theater is losing money they are cutting staff during busy times to maximize profits just to get by.
There is a war going on in this industry, it is one waged by the Studios and the Theatres. Studios are now offering a window with DirecTV to show first run films 60 days day after their release. You can tell that the theatre chains are not happy. See ticket sales are down, and they were forced to pay million to upgrade their theatres to show 3D films and have to raise ticket prices to pay off the difference.
Sutdios make the most of the films money in the opening weekend, the theater gets the difference called the House Nut. As the weekends go by the House Nut gets bigger for the Theater. So a film that has legs will make more money for the distributor in the long run. This deal with DirecTV will cut into that, a business that is already under assault from declining ticket sales and piracy.
You see this should be a symbiotic relationship, Studios make films, but need a place to show them. Theatres show movies but need someone to make them. You wold think there would be a form of mutual understanding, No this is an industry that prefers backstabbing and one upmanship even if it hurts the industry in the long run.
Regal Cinemas has sent notice to Sony, WB, FOX and Universal that it will reduce the run time for any film
they show in their movie houses, this is just in time for Summer Movie Season, which will be a crowded one at that.
Some distributors are getting fed up and taking matters into their own hands. Since the Studios, are producing less and what they are making is not that GOOD, Netflix is now in the game making original content.
Dropping ticket sales are also due to other factors, one going to a theater today is a hassle. Why pay 60 per person (3D Ticket+concessions) to see a 90-120 minute movie when you cam plop down the same money for Call of Duty Black Ops and get several months of entertainment out of it.
No only that you have to deal with less than enthusiastic staff, who consist of underpaid and overworked HS age staff. Since the theater is losing money they are cutting staff during busy times to maximize profits just to get by.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Parenting Advice from a Single male with no kids.
I have no kids, but I came to a realization if I had any I would not enroll them in cheer-leading or any of these extracurricular shizz.
Why because it COSTS too much dang frakking money.
I am a big fan of Penn and Tellers show Bullshit, The First Episode of Season 8, was about Cheerleading and it was an EYEOPENER.
In the Cheer-leading ep, P&T mention that two divorced parents were paying $10,000 on their two daughters. That is $5000 each. Lets put this in perspective I owe about $25,000 in student loans. Now each year these parents pay enough to knock off $10,000 of that. They could have paid it off in 2.5 years.
It isn't just cheerleading, I am seeing too many youth athletic activities that care more about fleecing every dollar they can get out of parents. Why because of burn-out rates. 80% of the kids whose parents enroll them in soccer, hockey etc. Will burn out and quit by 12. that is about 6 years. It means that those parents in 6 years will have paid $60,000 to Varsity Brands Inc. Some of that burn-out has to do with CASH.
Some parent will probably g on about college and scholarships and stuff, all I have to say is this.
Better way to pay for your kids future, take that 10k. Or whatever you will spend on that and spend it all one savings bonds, or a stable investment account and let it mature for 6 years. Do it every year with the money you would blow on that BS for 6 years. You will have enough to send maybe 1 kid to Yale or 3 to a state school. If you did not go to Yale, you kid is not going to Yale, If you went to Yale you probably make enough a year where Money is not much of a problem.
Better than blowing it one some gamble that they might get some sports scholarship. Trust me chances are slim.
In this episode of Bullshit they mention safety on how to become a Varsity Approved Coach all you need to do is sit through a class on a Sunday Morning and take a 3 hour open book test. None of it really covers first aid procedures. REALLY.
Another reason to stay away is safety, if kids want to play sports they are better off trying out for a team at their school, not some off school league made of volunteers. Why, background checks, With a scholasitic team the coaching staff is part of the faculty, to get that job they need to have certain credentials. Not only that they have to submit to a criminal background check. With some strip mall dojo or local community soccer league there is no City, Country, State or Federal law mandating these organizations have to do a background check on their volunteer staff. These volunteer orgs also do not mandate the staff have ANY FIRST AID training. Sports, people get hurt playing it, PROS who get paid millions get hurt, you can expect that that team has a army of medical practitioners on call to deal with any injury. Not saying that some city soccer league should have a medical staff, but the coaches and parents should know what to do if a kid gets injured and should be able to properly respond.
If you are doing this so Junior can get exercise, all kids need is 60 minutes a DAY, not $15,000 a year in some league that will put you into debt because you want to show off to Jimmy's Mom.
Why because it COSTS too much dang frakking money.
I am a big fan of Penn and Tellers show Bullshit, The First Episode of Season 8, was about Cheerleading and it was an EYEOPENER.
In the Cheer-leading ep, P&T mention that two divorced parents were paying $10,000 on their two daughters. That is $5000 each. Lets put this in perspective I owe about $25,000 in student loans. Now each year these parents pay enough to knock off $10,000 of that. They could have paid it off in 2.5 years.
It isn't just cheerleading, I am seeing too many youth athletic activities that care more about fleecing every dollar they can get out of parents. Why because of burn-out rates. 80% of the kids whose parents enroll them in soccer, hockey etc. Will burn out and quit by 12. that is about 6 years. It means that those parents in 6 years will have paid $60,000 to Varsity Brands Inc. Some of that burn-out has to do with CASH.
Some parent will probably g on about college and scholarships and stuff, all I have to say is this.
Better way to pay for your kids future, take that 10k. Or whatever you will spend on that and spend it all one savings bonds, or a stable investment account and let it mature for 6 years. Do it every year with the money you would blow on that BS for 6 years. You will have enough to send maybe 1 kid to Yale or 3 to a state school. If you did not go to Yale, you kid is not going to Yale, If you went to Yale you probably make enough a year where Money is not much of a problem.
Better than blowing it one some gamble that they might get some sports scholarship. Trust me chances are slim.
In this episode of Bullshit they mention safety on how to become a Varsity Approved Coach all you need to do is sit through a class on a Sunday Morning and take a 3 hour open book test. None of it really covers first aid procedures. REALLY.
Another reason to stay away is safety, if kids want to play sports they are better off trying out for a team at their school, not some off school league made of volunteers. Why, background checks, With a scholasitic team the coaching staff is part of the faculty, to get that job they need to have certain credentials. Not only that they have to submit to a criminal background check. With some strip mall dojo or local community soccer league there is no City, Country, State or Federal law mandating these organizations have to do a background check on their volunteer staff. These volunteer orgs also do not mandate the staff have ANY FIRST AID training. Sports, people get hurt playing it, PROS who get paid millions get hurt, you can expect that that team has a army of medical practitioners on call to deal with any injury. Not saying that some city soccer league should have a medical staff, but the coaches and parents should know what to do if a kid gets injured and should be able to properly respond.
If you are doing this so Junior can get exercise, all kids need is 60 minutes a DAY, not $15,000 a year in some league that will put you into debt because you want to show off to Jimmy's Mom.
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