'Try it, you'll like it'

Update for popular 1970s commercial

Comedian Kathy Griffin is appearing in a remake of a popular, humorous 1971 spot for Alka-Seltzer known as "Try it, you'll like it." The re-created commercial is running on television as well as on the brand's website. Stuart Elliott reports for the New York Times.


Tags: Alka-Seltzer, Kathy Griffin, Advertising, Media, Business, Media by Sistrunk

A pair of magical hands

Former trucker teaches surgery

James Crudup, an ex-trucker with roots in Mississippi, is revered by many doctors. Crudup, who never went to college, who was never allowed to operate on a human, was considered the best surgeon in the University of Michigan medical school. And he's credited with training some of the world's most reknown specialists. The Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, MS, tells this American story.


Tags: American Stories, News, Science, Medicine, Education, African Americans, Media by Sistrunk

Lawmakers playing favorites among Internet providers?

'Net neutrality' dominates debate

"Most Americans believe that if you play fair and work hard, you'll get ahead. But this notion is threatened by legislation passed Thursday night by the U.S. House of Representatives that would allow Internet service providers to play favorites among different Web sites."

The words above were written by Craig Newmark, the founder and customer service representative of craigslist.org, an online community that helps people find jobs, places to live or other services unique to their city. Newmark wants some assurances that the Internet will remain "fair and free." He's concerned that telecommunications executives want to turn the Internet into a "money-making regime."

To read Newmark's commentary in its entirety, click here. For an opposing point of view, check out an op-ed piece by Mike McCurry, a co-chairman of Hands off the Internet, a coalition of telecommunication-related businesses. McCurry's commentary is titled Upgrading the 'creaky' Internet.

Related: House passes telecommunications bill


Tags: Internet, Technology, Cable TV, Telecommunications, Business, Media by Sistrunk

Billy Preston dead at 59

Beatles sideman leaves legacy of music

Keyboardist Billy Preston, a so-called "fifth Beatle" who also played with the Rolling Stones and enjoyed solo success in his own right, died in Arizona on Tuesday after a long illness. He was 59.

A young keyboards prodigy, the Houston , Texas, native spent most of his life in the entertainment business. While still a teenager, he played with the likes of Mahalia Jackson, Little Richard and Ray Charles .

He entered the Beatles' orbit in 1969, as the band was on the verge of breaking up, and helped to soothe some of the tension. He performed on both sides of the "Get Back"/"Don't Let Me Down" single, which was credited to "The Beatles with Billy Preston" -- the first time the band had shared the spotlight with a sideman. He also accompanied them during their last concert that year, the famous rooftop gig in London.

In the early 1970s, he topped the charts as a solo act with the Grammy-winning instrumental "Outa Space," "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing From Nothing." He also wrote Joe Cocker's 1974 hit "You Are So Beautiful."

The Houston Chronicle and Black America Web pay tribute to this remarkable musician.


Tags: Billy Preston, Music, Entertainment, Media by Sistrunk

Army Corps of Engineers admits role in Katrina disaster

New report cites engineering and design failures in New Orleans

Hurricane season is now officially here, and today the Army Corps of Engineers released its most comprehensive report yet on the New Orleans levee system. It paints a disturbing picture of the man-made failures that helped lead to last year's Katrina disaster. What are the implications for this year? MSNBC and The Associated Press take a look.

Related: The 2006 hurricane season begins today — Is everyone ready?


Tags: Army Corps of Engineers, Levees, Katrina, Hurricane, New Orleans, Media by Sistrunk

Sentimental send-off for Couric

Show pulls out all the stops

"Today" said goodbye to Katie Couric on Wednesday after 15 years of moments and memories on TV's No. 1 morning show.

With only a few nods to the news and weather during its three-hour run, "Today" threw a big party on the plaza at Rockefeller Center that featured Couric, longtime co-host Matt Lauer, Couric's two daughters and parents as well as the rest of the cast and crew and several surprises.

Couric said in April that she would be leaving "Today" for the anchor/managing editor job at "CBS Evening News." Couric will be replaced by "The View's" Meredith Vieira, but NBC has, since early April, devoted increasing amounts of time to honoring Couric, who has been -- with Lauer -- the face of "Today" for years. The Boston Herald has details.

Couric's farewell special on NBC's "Today" was watched by 8.4 million people, according to Nielsen Media Research figures. It ranked as the biggest audience for a single "Today" telecast since the morning after the 2004 elections, when 9 million watched. Since 1987, the only other "Today" shows watched by more viewers were those that followed the 1989 San Francisco earthquake and the 2000 election.

Related: We Watch ... So You Don't Have To


Tags: Katie Couric, NBC, CBS, Media, Broadcast Journalism, Journalism, Media by Sistrunk