The only thing more ridiculous than Viacom’s decision not too long ago to rename The Nashville Network to The National Network is their new decision to rename the cable station Spike TV.
‘Today the first network for men has a name, and its Spike TV,’ Hecht said in making the announcement. ‘Spike TV captures the attributes and essence of what we want the first network for men to be. It’s unapologetically male; it’s active; it’s smart and contemporary with a personality that’s aggressive and irreverent. It’s a name we feel our audience will get and make a connection with. I like Spike! This is a first major step in our journey to super-serving men in a way no one has done before.’
No, wait. The only think more ridiculous than that is that Spike Lee is suing them.
In court papers filed Tuesday, Lee asked for an injunction against Viacom’s use of the name, saying he had never given his consent for it to be used.
“The media description of this change of name, as well as comments made to me and my wife, confirmed what was obvious — that Spike TV referred to Spike Lee,” Lee said in court papers.
Riiiiight. It’s all about you, Spike … er, Mr. Lee.
Lee, whose given name is Shelton Jackson Lee, included in court papers affidavits from people including former Sen. Bill Bradley, and actors Ossie Davis and Ed Norton. The affidavits said the signers had thought of Lee when they heard about Spike TV and some said they believed he had become affiliated with the network.
That’s because “some” of them are idiots.
Yeesh.
(via Plum Crazy)
Now if they’d named it “Shelton TV” he might have a case.
Shelton TV — the TV Channel for Men with Funny Names!
Hey … Shelton Jackson Lee … three names … hmmmm …
Aw, man! And here I was, looking forward to a network dedicated to Spike Jones!
I’m so depressed now.
Mr. Lee must not hang around a lot of Buffy fans if he thinks he’s the only thing that will come to mind when someone says Spike TV.
Personally, I got an image of Spike’s Junkyard Dogs but that’s probably just because I’m hungry.