Not quite a sell out, since presumably he’s the one paying money, but – Will Smith, a Scientologist? I cried a little. He seemed like such a straight-up, regular guy, talented, and sincere. I know it’s a little controversial whether he actually is one, or just strongly approves of it…but either way - 
Harlan Ellison and Geo are both so non-mainstream that the pairing almost seems perversely appropriate.
I am, quite frankly, uninterested in your political views or your views of Ron Silver’s views. The point was, people CHANGE their political views without “selling out.”
Oops. This is my fault. I told Leary a made-up story, and let him believe it, about how Bill Hicks booked a Ford advertisement but didn’t get a chance to shoot it before he died.
Cite?
Honestly, this is the first I’ve heard of it. I know he hangs out with some, but I have many friends whose religious beliefs I don’t share.
I couldn’t have written this post better. It’s just what I wanted to say.
I’m sure it will make you feel better to know that he’s not a Scientologist. He’s friendly with Tom Cruise, but has specifically said on many occasions he’s not into Scientology.
I first heard about this on the Skeptic’s Guide podcast, then went to Wiki to see if they agreed. Even if he isn’t personally a scientologist, which is debatable, he’s certainly thrown enough money their way to disappoint me and consider him a sell-out. How could the Fresh Prince do that?!
I too have friend’s with differing religious beliefs, but Scientology? Nooo.
No clue, as I’ve never called anyone a sellout in my life. I’m just saying that I understand where Liz Phair fans are coming from. From their perspective, they lost the quality product they enjoyed for many years when her music changed. It may be unfair of them to call her a sellout, but I understand their perspective. People who get upset about music or people in advertisements just baffle me.
So, we’re basically just making up new definitions of the term “sell-out”? It just means “shit we don’t particularly like” now? Cool.
My dog totally sold out this morning all over the carpet.
Yes, that’s exactly what I meant. :rolleyes:
Can we get back to the original purpose of the thread now?
After R.E.M. turned down Microsoft’s first choice: It’s the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine.)
Michael Stipe explained at the time that he used Microsoft software and liked it, but he didn’t feel comfortable associating the song with a commercial product. I guess that’s a good example of not “selling out” considering how much money was on the table.
Except those people are idiots because…
- Liz Phair made the album she wanted to make in light of her perspective on life at the time (she had just had a baby).
- She didn’t make it that way to be “commercial”, it was an artistic choice.
- The album is just great. You’d be hard pressed to find a better pop rock CD than “Liz Phair”.
I remember him taking a chainsaw to bits of the Middow East on the World Map background of his Weekend Update set. 9/11 affected him like Gamma rays did Bill Bixby.
And no, Mr. Miller. We don’t like you when you’re angry.
David Hasselhoff for Wendy’s. Total sellout!
Congrats, that was pretty much my entire point. What in the world does Will Smith’s involvement with Scientology have to do with being a sellout?
Don’t really care about Liz Phair or her fans, to be honest.
ETA: Not saying that to be an ass, I just don’t want their opinions projected onto me.
Who cares if you do? I was pointing that calling Liz Phair a “sellout” when she did exactly what she set out to do with her album “Liz Phair” is an idiotic thing to do.
ETA: So there’s no perspective to be had. The people who do this are wrong, plain and simple.
Huh. How can “throwing money someones way” be “selling out”.
Rhythm’s definition:
Believing an artist would have refused a commercial for a product back in their heyday/climb to fame (whether to keep the fan base happy, personal choice, whatever), but are now taking advantage of commercial opportunities.
Not perfect, sure, but there it is.
There is some commercial out there where some blond pop star (beats me who, but the name was familiar) is in a Target(?) ad. The whole point of it is that it’s a “making of my new music video ad” type thing. I don’t think you can get more corporate than that. Not that I had much respect for her in the first place, but there’s something about such strong ties to marketing machinery that is quite off-putting.
If I think a band member, sitting on my couch and seeing the ad would feel remotely similar, then years later is doing the same thing: sellout.