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With the Oscars just days away, The Zeitgeist weighs in on his 10 Best Pictures of 2009. Guess what? It doesn’t even include half the Oscars’ snooty list

(500) Days of Summer
(500) Days of Summer is a romantic film made for the Youtube generation, kinda like what Grease or When Harry Met Sally did for Mom and Pop. From the montages, split screens, musical numbers, cool soundtrack to the starry-eyed cast, (500) possesses a goofball quirk and charm unlike any other romantic shows. Besides the fluff and puff, (500) stands out for its real and honest take on love: it’s not as idealistic or easy as it seems.

Avatar
A definite fixture on everyone’s list and we know why – spectacular effects, layered narrative and the creation of a new world filled with fantasies, impossibilities and wonder. Avatar offers the audience a sensational cinematic experience and a mesmerising visual fest in 3D no less! Movies are meant to be escapist and Avatar had us believe Pandora can be a reality, at least for those three hours. It’s entertainment at its purest and magical best.

The Cove
After watching The Cove, one should feel upset and sad at the same time. That was how I felt – fighting back tears and raising my fists halfway through the movie. And this is how documentaries should be made – filmed with a cause, passion and bravery. In fact, The Cove is an unconventional documentary that feels like watching a thriller, as it exposes the inhumane dolphin trade in Japan and…shame on those Japanese fishermen! I’m still trembling with anger as I type this.

District 9
What a mind-boggling movie! District 9 is a sci-fi classic in the making. We’re talking about a movie layered with deeper understandings on partheid, military porn, invasion of privacy, distortion of reality and perception, aliens as humans, humans as aliens and many other wildest possibilities that gotten us (or at least the geeks) seriously thinking and excited.

The Hangover
If there were ever a party like the one Bradley Cooper et al had in The Hangover, I want to be there. Let’s recap: A tiger in the bathroom, runaway stripper bride, baby in the closet, a missing tooth, playing (or was it counting?) cards, driving a police car, cash stashed in the satchel and all of them don’t even make sense! The movie was so full of laugh out loud moments, which were enough to warrant a mention on the list. Cheers (pun intended) to that!

The Hurt Locker
The seconds leading up to the explosion (or not) is so suspenseful audiences are sitting on the edge of their seats. The Hurt Locker is intense and nerve wrecking, as skilfully and emotionally crafted by Kathryn Bigelow. Besides the thrills, the war movie is also a psychodrama revealing how the soldiers are affected by the traumas of war, fighting the unseen enemies, dealing with death daily and feeding on the war like a drug. Will the craziness ever end?

Paranormal Activity
I’m not a fan of horror films, especially the slash and gore kind or worse, torture porn. Paranormal Activity isn’t like that. It’s a clever horror flick that scares you with absolutely nothing – the silences, the slight sounds in the house, the anticipation. Its comparison to Blair Witch Project is heartening because we know we would still be talking about classics like these many years from now. That’s horror for you. By the way, sleep tight.

Invictus
There was this fear of falling for the maudlin trap but Clint Eastwood rises above the challenge and made Invictus truly beautiful, moving and inspiring. It could have been your predictable sports movie fare but with history, politics, emotions and especially the nuances and gravitas portrayed by Morgan Freeman, the movie becomes a graceful epic. It has heart.

Taken
To some, it may seem like a puzzling choice but it was sure fun watching Liam Neeson does a Jack Bauer and fights villain after villain to rescue his kidnapped daughter. So what if the script and characters seem somewhat one-dimensional? Let the fists and bullets fly. Fun times.

Up in the Air
This is filmmaking at its best from its inventive screenplay, perfect casting with the perfect chemistry, smooth direction to a layered narrative that intertwines issues and resonates with stories closer to home: retrenchment, unemployment, ambitions and coping with a brave new world. There’s even romance for good measure. You should hate George Clooney for carrying that cocky swagger while firing folks like us but by the end of the movie, you have fallen for his charm and most humane spirit. This is a movie of our times, of the moment and never once a flightless entertainment. It soars and lands with wit, grace and style.

The prescription drugs, poor health, inexorable media and Michael Jackson himself probably caused his death according to Ronald Wan. We examine the spectacle, the circus and the sideshow that consumed the King of Pop and what he needed most – love

As the tributes poured in for the King of Pop, many are asking – who/what exactly killed Michael Jackson? What could have possibly induced a sudden cardiac arrest when dearest MJ was just rehearsing days earlier for the 50-sold-out-concerts-that-would-never-happen (ominously called This Is It)?

Some blamed it on the drugs while others questioned his team of resident doctors and nurses. Was the 50-year-old entertainer of our times pushing himself a little too hard at rehearsals? Has the media played a part in his death too? Perhaps we, as the spectator of the spectacle, the observer of the gaze, the vultures and the voyeurs who feed on the news cycle and fuel the hype that courses through every hungry celebrity, played a sleight of hand in nudging Michael Joseph Jackson off the wall and towards history.

But it can only be the man in the mirror, or rather the Peter Pan boy who refused to grow up, who is responsible for fleeing towards Neverland.

Since the days of Jackson 5 in the late 60s, Jackson was groomed for a bigger stage and music career. He began a solo career in 1971 and went on to register best-selling records over the decades by the millions – Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous and HIStory. His videos (Thriller in particular) made MTV cool, dance moves influenced generations including this writer’s failed attempts in his childhood days to do the moonwalk and philanthropic moves inspired many (read: Heal the World Foundation). Jackson’s talents are a divine gift from God and his influence deeply profound.

But with such overwhelming success, Jackson’s life was evidently put under scrutiny by the media long before Tom Cruise’s couch antics or Britney Spears’ commando acts appeared on the news. Jackson dominated headlines in the 90s with his changing appearances (black to bleach white), botched plastic surgeries, failed marriages to Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe and the haunting child sexual abuse allegations and trials. As the media incessantly devoted column inches and relentlessly fixed its lens on Wacko Jacko, the singer himself had then retreated into a Disneyland bubble. To be more specific, his Neverland ranch in Californ

Our regular columnist The Zeitgeist gives his take on how a film wins Best Picture based on the…zeitgeist

And the Oscar goes to…the zeitgeist. If there’s a fact known among Academy voters, a Best Picture win is always based on the spirit of the times (read: the hard-to-pronounce zeitgeist). A common theme always runs in most of the nominees and the graduating class of 2008 is no different. Spot it while you can.

The Wrestler is about a once-forgotten wrestler making a final fight in the ring. Milk is about a 40-year-old political activist who fights against all odds to realise his convictions. Slumdog Millionaire is about a boy surviving the harsh streets to fight for his love. The coast is clear. Here, we are looking at underdogs making a comeback. Fighting for their beliefs and values. Surviving.

Perhaps I’m over-analysing my crystal ball. But let’s have a history lesson if you ask me. In 2002, Chicago the musical won against the backdrop of a Bush-initiated war. Everyone wanted cheer and Catherine Zeta-Jones dancing sort of helped (I said sort of). Last year, No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood touch on bleaker and darker themes of greed (Wall Street mavericks, are you listening?).

Let’s go even further. Back when America was reeling from the Vietnam war and Watergate aftershocks, All the President’s Men, Taxi Driver and Network came along. ATPM exposes the mechanics behind Watergate; Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver was a war veteran and Network dealt with bad TV ratings (should the current ABC broadcasters be worried?). Chuckles.

And the best example: Kramer vs Kramer. In the 70s on the tide of feminism, the film cajoled people to question and assess the idea of fatherhood and motherhood.

Fast forward to the present five Best Picture nominees and we see a similar trend. Remember Harvey Milk uttering, “You got to give them hope.” Whoa. President Obama would be proud. Frost/Nixon may be about Watergate but if you look deeper, the film serves as an allegory to President Bush’s eight years in office. Nixon denies allegations of abusing his executive powers. He insists on his above-law powers of phone tapping and privacy to a certain extent. Sounds familiar? Go examine Bush’s Patriot Act.

The Reader, some say, was about post-war Germans suffering from guilt. In one scene, a student argued with his professor reasoning the Germans stood by passively and allowed the war and Holocaust to happen. They simply went along with the crowd. And didn’t Americans go along with the two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Who’s to blame now? Thanks to The Reader for raising that sickening question. Curiously enough, I can’t put a finger on Benjamin Button. Neither do I care and want to revisit those three long hours to watch Brad Pitt age to his gorgeous teenage years again. We’re through on that.

Ah. We’re at Slumdog once again. I’m not jumping up and down over the movie but it’s gaining momentum at the awards circles and finding favour with all romantics. It’s a fable or fairytale if you like. Boy meets girl, loses girl and goes on a game show (really?) to find girl back. They end up on a train platform doing the Bollywood dance (really?!?!). It’s such a simple song-dance-quizzes love story. But I know you like it. Admit it.

And this is what the audience wants now. In such dark times of a looming global financial recession, unemployment and Michael Jackson auctioning off his possessions, we need some cheers and razzle dazzle. A fairytale to make us believe. An underdog comeback story to give us hope. To fight against all odds and survive this financial crisis in order to embark on that Maldives holiday.

Because if the chai-wallah from Mumbai can do it (find love and a million bucks), so can you. Slumdog Millionaire for Best Picture. You don’t say.

Ronald Wan is a freelance writer and a regular columnist on this site. He is however taking up a part-time job as a – you guessed it – chai-wallah.

Everyone’s making a favourite list and writing New Year resolutions so Ronald Wan joins the party crowd

We’re reaching the end of the year and everyone’s making his or her favourite list. Top 10 albums of 2008, Best 10 Restaurants to be Seen Dining At, Our Favourite 7 Dirty Websites Mama Shouldn’t Know and 101 Wrong Things Sarah Palin said in 2008 and maybe 2009.

The lists are endless and I say let’s join in the fun! I shall keep my list simple and write my top 10 pop culture favourites in 2008 and stick in a few New Year resolutions. Besides, I’m in the midst of the partying and year-end reverie to keep this column going beyond 500 words. Before I forget – have a great and awesome 2009 ahead!

1. The Resurrection of Lost. Many viewers shut down just like the hatch itself towards the end of season two but season four of Lost has just been a blast this year. Horrors, the island disappeared! Or did it disappear? Time travelling, double-crossing and flash-forwards into the future have given the show the necessary jolt to win back the fans.

2. Tina Fey. Smarts and beauty. Which guy wouldn’t be thankful for Tina Fey? As Liz Lemon in the Emmy-award winning show 30 Rock, Fey rocks. As Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live, she rocks just as well. And her famous rant defending Hillary Clinton (“bitch is the new black”), priceless. Marry me, Tina Fey. I’ll serve you your favourite club sandwich everyday. In bed.

3. The Dark Knight. Finally, a superhero comic book movie that doesn’t suck! Culturally relevant and even esoteric to a point, The Dark Knight is the Godfather of all comic book movies. Let’s keep our fingers crossed the movie will secure some nominations come Oscar day. Besides, the Oscars need a crowd’s favourite to secure the ratings.

4. The “I’m f—ing Matt Damon!” Video. Sarah Silverman pretends to be sleeping with Matt Damon to take a pot shot at ex-boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel. Of course, Kimmel retaliates with a video “I’m f—ing Ben Affleck!” Don’t you just love celebrities screwing each other over even it’s only for pretend? Catch the video if you haven’t.

5. Gossip Girl. Nobody’s high school (or secondary school or polytechnic) was like that but it was like totally awesome to see catfights, cougars and friend sleeping with friend of another friend. Trashy but we love it. And suddenly, everyone’s signing off with XOXOs, including me. You know you love me!

6. iPhone. The iPhone hit our shores this year with the new 3G model and even yours sincerely got the nifty gadget. From playing games to reading articles, everything is done on the iPhone. IPhone addicts will tell you they have been swiping and touching every screen (read: the computer monitor) they can lay their hands on.

7. The Second Coming of Heroes. It had the most potential and then it tanked from season two onwards. The TV show got so bad it prompted Entertainment Weekly to run a cover story on what went wrong. So this is my New Year resolution. I’m hoping the new chapter titled Fugitives will be so much better. Lesser Hiro behaving like an idiot and more Claire bear and is-she-dead Elle!

8. Re-learning Geography. My geography teacher would be proud. In 2008, I learnt that you can’t see Russia from America and Alaska is rather remote from the rest of the Yankees. Maybe I should introduce my geography teacher to Sarah Palin.

9. Picking Up Reading. It’s heartening to see teens picking up the books besides Harry Potter. To be specific, Twilight and the other sequel books by Stephenie Meyer. Who says the new generation doesn’t read? Give them a hot vampire and things will bite.

10. You. Yes, you. I’m thankful for you, the one who is reading this column right till the end! You made it to the end of the list! And I would even be more thankful if you actually bothered to leave some comments! That would be swell! Now go on, click the post comment button and say something nice about me. You know you love me. Cheers!

Ronald Wan is a freelance writer who is drunk and shameless from the year-end reverie. He is very sure you love him.

• The Zeitgeist – Another One Bits the Dust
• The Zeitgeist – You Give Me A Fever
• The Zeitgeist – The Sweet Escape
• The Zeitgeist – Ready, Set, Go!
• The Zeitgeist – Who Moved My Ping Pong?

Ronald Wan returns after taking a bite into the sinful and deadly Twilight novel. He lives to tell the tale

It’s been a crazy month. My absent column two weeks ago was due to a technical glitch – the column just never showed up on the site. Actually, the dog ate the column. No, that’s old news. Try this – I was stuck at the airport in Thailand.

Okay, I confess. I was engrossed reading Twilight. Phew. I have to get it out of my bloody (sorry I can’t resist the pun) system. I know. I’m a sucker (another pun intended) for teenybopper stuff but I wanted to understand the fuss behind the vampire romance novel. Note the movie and millions of schoolgirls will be out in full force on Dec 18 in Singapore. My verdict? The novel sucks (last pun I promise) you right in so beware if you’re one of those increasing demographic who doesn’t read books anymore. Shame on you.

What else was on the pop culture radar of late besides the Twilight and Edward Cullen mania? Hollywood goes into high gear for the awards season with its slew of potential Oscar-nominated films for self-important critics’ consideration. The buzz lies with the late Heath Ledger for a posthumous nomination and even an award for his dark Joker role in The Dark Knight.

And just to bring this news closer to home, Singapore’s official entry for the Oscars is the Eric Khoo’s film My Magic. Actually I just wanted to use the news to take a dig at local films. No offence to My Magic, which was great and essentially a story about a father relating to his estranged son through the wonders of magic.

It’s the other movies I’m lamenting about. I cannot comprehend the hype over The Wedding of the Year, a movie about the wedding of the year between Fann Wong and Christopher Lee. A surreal movie about the couple’s fake wedding when the off-screen real wedding takes place months after the fake one? I’m confused. I guess other couples do photo shoots in Botanic Gardens or Bali (got budget) for keepsake but this A-list couple gets a movie. Life is unfair.

In other pointless pop culture news – Madonna divorces Guy Ritchie and pretends to be just friends with baseball player Alex Rodriguez. Former Felicity star and pink power ranger Amy Jo Johnson gives birth to her first child (Amy Jo Who Again? Told you it’s pointless news). Oprah denies hoping to work for Barack Obama’s administration although I think the double O combination will induce the big O among women worldwide. Britney Spears and Jay Chou release new albums. I don’t see the link between the two except they both don’t like to wear underwear very much. I’m not making this up.

And there you have it, another crazy two weeks ahead. Here’s an early Christmas present to get you into the mood to survive the last-minute shopping and surreptitious re-gifting for the gift exchange: it’s the link to Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2008.

Cheers.

Ronald Wan was a former editor at UrbanWire. He was laid off for watching VS Fashion Show too many times during lectures.

The Zeitgeist – You Give Me A Fever

The Zeitgeist – The Sweet Escape

The Zeitgeist – Ready, Set, Go!

The Zeitgeist – Who Moved My Ping Pong?

Election fever that is, as Ronald Wan suffers from it for far too long and is glad it’s finally over

Finally after more than a year following the news and reading reports after reports, D-Day has arrived. In case you’re wondering that I’m referring to the US elections and contest between Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain, I’m not. I’m referring to the launch of Britney Spears’ latest album Circus.

Just kidding.

For the record, her album hasn’t been launched yet (date is set for Dec 2 so all Britney fans out there who should have really grown up by now, remember to buy the album!). But speaking of circus, yes, I was indeed referring to the US elections and what a circus it has been.

What circus? Moose hunter. Keith Olbermann. Chris Matthews. The oyster-coloured Valentino jacket. “Russia is right next to our state Alaska.” Joe the Plumber in a jumpsuit with a plunger. And that 1960s hair in a bun (Sarah Palin’s by the way). Need I say more? If the above crazy personalities and bad hairdo do not resemble a circus, I don’t know what else does. Maybe Michael Jackson’s mansion.

I have been following the election campaign since Senator Hillary Clinton announced her intentions to run for the White House on January 22 last year. Since then, Clinton lost the Democrat primaries to Obama, Christian Sariano won Project Runway and McCain’s hair grew whiter. Seriously.

Now, everyone seems to have an opinion on who should win the US elections – Obama they say. Well, except Cindy McCain, Meghan McCain and Governor-Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger. And here’s a tip to you my dear reader who is reading this and wanting to impress the dinner party on your knowledge about American politics. Come 2012, it will be a Hillary-Palin combo fighting against New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg for the White House. I kid on the former.

Besides the US elections, what else is hot and considered zeitgeist news? I know some of you don’t really care about the elections because you only vote during Singapore Idol and if the local government promises you growth dividends come Election Day. And when your GRC doesn’t have a walkover.

In a not-so-hot news, deepest sympathies to Jennifer Hudson for the tragic loss of her mother, Darnell Donerson, brother Jason Hudson, and nephew, Julian King, in a fatal shooting. In a three-hour funeral, former American Idol contestants such as Fantasia Barrino performed as Hudson said her teary goodbyes.

In other unfortunate news, Ferrari’s Felipe Massa lost the championship to Mercedes-McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton by a point after a dramatic final lap at the Brazilian Grand Prix Interlagos. Liverpool FC tasted their first defeat of the season losing 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspurs. Dallas Cowboys continued their losing streak. And the latest Bond film Quantum of Solace sucked. Like chocolate martini.

But hey, cheer up because there are also better things in pop culture for the past 2 weeks (don’t forget this is a bi-weekly column). Forget the looming recession and catch the awesome Avenue Q puppet musical showing at the Esplanade. Yes, the puppets can tell a good joke – especially one about the Internet (apparently, the Internet is not just for reading The UrbanWire).

Listen to Oasis’ rocking hot new album Dig Out Your Soul. Start saving to buy a new Christmas tree. Download new applications for your iPhone. Watch Adriana Lima and Lindsay Lohan on Ugly Betty.

And don’t forget to vote if you’re American! Or Russian. Because apparently, Russians live very near to Alaska, US of A.

Ronald Wan is the columnist of the bi-weekly column The Zeitgeist and a freelance writer who can’t vote.

The Zeitgeist – The Sweet Escape

The Zeitgeist – Ready, Set, Go!

The Zeitgeist – Who Moved My Ping Pong?

If the financial crisis and looming recession is getting to you, recline and recoil on the TV couch for that sweet escape, as Ronald Wan finds out.

The F1 cars have disappeared from our shores but the engines are still roaring in my ears like sweet music. Yes, I’m still suffering withdrawal symptoms from the wild F1 weekend but lately everyone seems to be suffering from another kind of withdrawal. It’s called the recession.

Apparently, we are in technical recession. One that is hurling towards us in the wake of financial markets crashing all over the world. This financial crisis has fat cats trading in commodities like their fast cars, condos and underwear instead of the usual sugar, oil and rice. Times are bad.

Everyone is petrified of spending on frivolous items considering prices are going up. For starters, there is the electricity tariff – I probably have to spend another dollar more powering my laptop to type this story. Public transportation fees are also up. Even Chuck Bass’s hair (Ed Westwick) on Gossip Girl stays gelled up.

Let’s spend less then and here are a few suggestions on how to do the scrooge. Instead of spending millions on foreign magazines and newspapers, go online to read them or browse at Borders. Better, stick to reading this awesome website. Seriously, what else can be better?

Carpool. Park and ride on the MRT. Eat more at home. Drink water and less wine and spirits. Pick Giordano over Gucci. Or Mango over Moschino. More showers and less bubble baths. Use lesser toilet paper. Okay, we kid on the last one.

In any case, turn to pop culture for that sweet escape. Movies and television shows work the best in forgetting the hefty phone, Internet and electricity (yes, still powering the laptop here) bills – albeit momentarily. And with the slew of terrific new and returning TV shows this fall (otherwise known as autumn; considered as all-year summer here) on American channels, life seems to be better now.

Amazing Race. Survivor. Pushing Daisies. Brothers and Sisters. Heroes. Gossip Girl. Dirty Sexy Money. Project Runway. Desperate Housewives. Mad Men. Grey’s Anatomy. And the list goes on. I should have given you, dear readers, a clear idea of how excellent some of these TV shows are due to the clever writing and casting. For instance, watching Amazing Race reminds you of the exotic places you always dreamed of going but probably wouldn’t. Survivor has all the nasty fun you can’t really replicate in the office or school. Heroes? It reminds you that you don’t have those superhero powers of reading minds and flying.

On second thoughts, these TV shows might make you feel less competent but they make such great entertainment and escapism. I already have Serena-Blair’s cat fight (Gossip Girl) on loop and Izzie Stevens (Grey’s Anatomy) as my screensaver. They are the ones giving me the thrills and naughty excitement and every reason to stay home to avoid the incessant shopping outside.

And so should you. Avoid the recession blues and catch your favourite TV shows (illegal download, piracy or otherwise) for that sweet escape from the number-crunching and dollar-depreciating reality. Isn’t it fabulous to be in the company of gorgeous Upper Eastsiders, superheroes in cheerleader outfits and sexy housewives? Let’s celebrate in these hard times in la-la land. Don’t forget to use the toilet paper.

You know you love me. Xoxo, Ronald Wan.

The Zeitgeist – Who Moved My Ping Pong?

The Zeitgeist – Ready, Set, Go!

The F1 circus is coming to town! Ronald Wan is all geared up to be a Prancing Horse

If you smelled the air lately, you could tell it’s different. Think petrol and burnt rubber. Yes, Singapore is all geared up for the SingTel Formula 1 Grand Prix, the world’s first night race happening this weekend in downtown City Hall! Do you smell it already? Do you? Do you?

While I’m all weird and excited about seeing the scarlet red Ferrari and silver McLaren cars driving by the Esplanade, it’s strange how some people don’t really give a hoot. In fact, the local paper did a survey and found out most plebeians (not UW readers, of course) didn’t even realise the F1 circus is coming to town. Seriously?

I guess, just like how some women can’t understand why 22 men chase a football but can perfectly figure out the physics of walking on 5-inch heels, maybe motor sports isn’t meant to be enjoyed by everyone. The other day Ah Beng my neighbour told me, “See them drive around the same circuit 60 laps for what? Repeat 60 times very cheong hey (long-winded). Worse than the gahmen reminding you to flush your toilet everytime.”

Maybe if tickets weren’t that expensive (a 3-day grandstand ticket will cost you $1,400), folks like us could afford to go. Or maybe if the organisers were nice enough not to block us cheapskates from getting a free view, then people might be more interested. After all, it’s a street circuit. Isn’t it a public space and supposed to be free?

Nonetheless, I will be there come race day. I will walk around the track checking out the cars and grid girls with my walkabout tickets. I can’t help but feel like an MP [Member of Parliament] in training already.

On the pop culture watch, there was another event that was filled with anticipation. Sadly, the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards ended with a whimper. Considering the amount of good television these days (Lost, CSI, Weeds, Gossip Girls and First Class – we’re really kidding about the last one), many expected the Emmy Awards ceremony, especially a big bang show for the 60^th year, to fare just as well.

Two things stood in the way of that. Firstly, the Academy didn’t nominate the people we thought deserved best (what’s new?). Then the actual awards show was a yawn. 5 otherwise competent hosts worked awkwardly together and tried their best to banter while Ryan Seacrest sulked. Heidi Klum stripped several times (by her second lame attempt, she should have seen the Auf Wiedersehen, baby sign flashing!). And who needs to know HBO’s John Adams just won another award?

The only saving grace was watching The Office’s Ricky Gervais ripping Steve Carell apart. Get the Brit back to host next year’s show, I say! Speaking of improvements, here are a few suggestions to spruce up the awards show.

Make it shorter. Do away with the boring awards like Made for Television Movie award. Cut straight to commercial if another winner thanked his or her mom watching at home. And instead of watching a pained Josh Groban singing onstage, give us the TV bloopers on set. We want to know what goes on behind the scenes between T.R. Knight and Isaiah Washington on Grey’s Anatomy. Seriously.

Unlike the boring Emmy awards, the F1 event will turn out to be simply awesome, at least we hope so. The world will be watching our street circuit, the Esplanade, Flyer, Fullerton Hotel, Supreme Court and the construction cranes over at the Integrated Resort. Quite a sight, don’t you think?

Hopefully, the roar of the V8 powered engines will excite everyone to check out the race, including our dear Ah Beng. I’m pretty sure he will show up at the circuit this weekend – after flushing the toilet.

Ronald Wan was a former editor at UrbanWire and is now a freelance writer who flushes his toilet regularly

The Zeitgeist is a new UrbanWire column on the latest ins and outs of pop culture. This week, Ronald Wan writes about ping pong, American pomp and Michael Jackson’s 50th pom-pom.

In case you’re wondering, the Zeitgeist is not the name of a German professor or a European trance band. Neither is it the brand name of an Austrian shampoo. The Zeitgeist simply means the spirit of our times and is the name of this column, which delves into what’s apparently hot and relevant in popular culture today, yesterday and the past two weeks – it’s a bi-weekly column.

Anything goes in the column. It could be about the nomination of Barack Obama as presidential candidate this week and the popularity of say, durians, last week. Or pop tart Britney Spears going commando (read: panty-less) several weeks ago but then again, that seems more like every week.

Let me begin on a celebratory note – sort of. Congrats to the Singapore women’s table tennis team for clinching the silver medal at the Beijing Olympics much to the delight of only half of the nation’s population.

Considering the trio of women paddlers Li Jiawei, Feng Tianwei and Wang Yuegu were born in China, many Singaporeans didn’t feel too proud of the foreign talent representation. Besides, they were busy watching Don’t Forget the Lyrics rather than the Olympics.

The lack of sentiment was soon replaced by the brouhaha over the untimely “sacking” of team manager Antony Lee by the Singapore Table Tennis Association. Many Singaporeans expressed outrage, more words were exchanged in the media between coaches and players and then a Minister had to help resolve the issue.

In the end, the silver medal win truly became a 100% Singaporean effort because a Minister stepped in to assist. Whenever the government is involved in a matter, it officially becomes a national effort.

Look at the Social Development Unit’s undying and passionate matchmaking efforts to hook up single university graduates over the years. That Herculean effort alone wins the Olympic gold medal if you ask me.

Speaking of national effort, anyone who saw the Democratic National Convention in Denver should be amused by the pomp and pageantry of American politics. Watching former US president Bill Clinton, powerhouse Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Barack Obama the candidate himself all giving powerful speeches on the same stage was a wet dream come true for any Democrat supporter. I’m one of those suckers.

But more importantly, the entire primary race battle between Clinton and Obama had a good number of Singaporeans transfixed and I’m sure even more will join the ranks in the months leading up to the Nov 4 election. This vivid and healthy obsession with politics in America, whose only association of Singapore is with Michael Fay, is doing a great job of filling the political apathy void here.

What happened in local politics and Parliament this year that got Singaporeans really talking were the report findings on escapee Mas Selamat and the recent by-election law debate. The latter only got a few Singaporeans – those who understand what a by-election means – interested. The rest were concerned about the Baby Bonus.

And that’s the sad state of our political consciousness. Just the other day, the first protest/demonstration in Singapore at the Speakers Corner lasted merely 10 minutes. I spend more than 10 minutes brushing my teeth, if you get my drift.

Now to end on a happier and light-hearted note: Michael Jackson, the pop star who created the moonwalk and great songs like ‘Heal the World’ and ‘Billie Jean’, celebrated his big 5-0 birthday last week. He exclaimed, “I am still looking forward to doing a lot of great things.”

I’ve got a feeling a geriatric moonwalk is on the cards.

Ronald Wan was a former editor at UrbanWire and now a freelance writer who is still trying to perfect the moonwalk.