Media Whore v. Cartoon Strippers

June 19, 2003 7:31 AM

He's the owner of a formerly Nashville/Country-themed cable network attempting a massive rebranding into "The First Network for Men" through a heavy schedule of wrestling, A-Team reruns, and original cartoons featuring Pamela Anderson as a stripper-slash-crimefighter. He's an outspoken though provocative filmmaker who seeks to bring awareness to the trials and tribulations of the African-American experience. They sue each other! Guest starring Johnnie Cochran, weekdays at 7 on whatever the network ends up being named.
posted by XQUZYPHYR (36 comments total)

He's an outspoken though provocative filmmaker who seeks to bring awareness to the trials and tribulations of the African-American experience.

That's why he did those Nike comercials, because shilling over-priced footwear to image-concious inner-city kids is all about awareness.
posted by Ayn Marx at 7:43 AM on June 19, 2003

Spike sues Spike?
posted by mad at 8:11 AM on June 19, 2003

Spike. Spike. Spike. Spike. Spike.

Sorry, Mr. Lee.
posted by Frank Grimes at 8:13 AM on June 19, 2003

When's Spike Jonze gonna step in the ring?
posted by PenDevil at 8:14 AM on June 19, 2003

Wasn't the evil arch-nemesis Gremlin in Gremlins named Spike?
posted by xmutex at 8:16 AM on June 19, 2003

Not forgetting Spike.
posted by gdav at 8:18 AM on June 19, 2003

So he's trying to claim ownership of a word? What a tool. yeah, the occasional nimrod will confuse Spike Lee with Spike TV, but it's TNN that should be concerned that someone would associate them with an over-rated director that's made one good movie in his career (and that is even questionable).

People who bring ridiculous lawsuits should be jailed. I'm surprised Lee isn't playing his favorite card, the race card, in this suit as well.

It's all over for the nude volleyballers if he garners ownership of the word "spike."
posted by archimago at 8:19 AM on June 19, 2003

I honestly have no idea what the judge was thinking. No even slightly aware consumer would think a TV station that showed Miami Vice reruns and a new Ren and Stimpy cartoon was even tangentially related to the artiste in question.

I mean, there are probably hundreds of thousands of dogs named Spike, at least a few hundred bikers named Spike, and I would expect more than a small handful of volleyball enthusiasts.

I think the name "Spike TV" is stupid, but to say "people might think the network is associated with him (Lee)" is only a sign of an overdeveloped ego.
posted by Ynoxas at 8:22 AM on June 19, 2003

Mr. Lee needs to get over his short self. Is there anybody on this planet, other than Mr. Lee himself, who thought somebody other than Mr. Lee himself was planning on naming a TV station after Mr. Lee himself?

He is a true penis head.
posted by Ayn Marx at 8:22 AM on June 19, 2003

Let us Degrassi fans not forget about Spike.

And how could we forget Spike...

Oh, and xmutex... sorry, but you're thinking of Stripe.
posted by Robot Johnny at 8:29 AM on June 19, 2003

Ayn & others, I present the following without comment:

"2. I have known the highly regarded filmmaker and artists, Spike Lee for six years, and I have been familiar with his work and reputation for even longer than that.

3. I know Mr. Lee to be a very creative person of considerable vision and integrity. He is known to push the boundaries of his art and explore new terrain in his writing, his directing, and in his conceptual thought processes.

4. Mr. Lee is a highly visible person in our craft. He is one of those persons who is so well known, and so well thought of, that he is commonly referred to by only his first name, Spike. The mention of his name evokes images of fearless creativity, principled determination, and moral strength.

5. I recently learned of plans of a certain television network to change its name to 'Spike/TV' and assumed that the 'Spike' in that name was a reference to Spike Lee. The very nature of the television and film industry, and my knowledge of how Spike Lee always guards and controls his reputation, led me to believe that Spike Lee had chosen to lend his name to this television network and was somehow involved in its creation, operation, and programming.

6. It was not until I subsequently spoke with Spike Lee, that I learned that he was not involved in any way with that television network. I am aware, however, of a number of other individuals in the film and television industry, and in the general public who continue to believe that the 'Spike' in 'Spike/TV' is none other than Spike Lee.

(signed) Edward Norton"

That affadavit, as well as similar ones from Ossie Davis and ex-Sen. Bill Bradley, are documented on The Smoking Gun.
posted by blueshammer at 8:35 AM on June 19, 2003

Wasn't the evil arch-nemesis Gremlin in Gremlins named Spike?

Oh, and xmutex... sorry, but you're thinking of Stripe.

Oh, I thought he was thinking of Stipe. Common mistake I'm certain.
posted by Ynoxas at 8:37 AM on June 19, 2003

Blueshammer -- opinion, opinion, opinion. How his Hollywood cronies regard him is not the issue. He presents his work under the name "Spike Lee." Witness "A Spike Lee Joint," "Written and Directed by Spike Lee." Where, other than in his personal circles, is he commonly referred to as simply "Spike"? Nowhere.

Besides, what does his "considerable vision and integrity" have to do with a lawsuit over a name? With all due respect to Mr. Norton, if he is so well known as simply "Spike," why in item #2 does he need to refer to him as "Spike Lee"?

Regarding #5, I refer back to my previous comment regarding the nimrods who will confuse Spike the TV station with Spike Lee.
posted by archimago at 8:42 AM on June 19, 2003

He's the owner of a formerly Nashville/Country-themed cable network attempting a massive rebranding ... [and] He's an outspoken though provocative filmmaker who seeks to bring awareness to the trials and tribulations of the African-American experience.

Together, THEY FIGHT CRIME!

Sorry, I couldn't resist ...
posted by Jos Bleau at 8:42 AM on June 19, 2003

After reading the other 2 affadavits, I'm laughing even harder. How about one from someone who isn't a close personal friend of "Spike" who wouldn't normally associate that word with the director. Unless "Spike" is going to claim that he is so in the forefront of the average American's mind.
posted by archimago at 8:47 AM on June 19, 2003

He's the owner of a formerly Nashville/Country-themed cable network attempting a massive rebranding into "The First Network for Men" through a heavy schedule of wrestling, A-Team reruns, and original cartoons featuring Pamela Anderson as a stripper-slash-crimefighter.

Popular culture is robbing the male psyche blind.

Please, please tell me this cable network is already dying, if not quickly, then at least slowly.
posted by namespan at 8:47 AM on June 19, 2003

Ummm... that was the point of the way I wrote the FPP, Jos.
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 8:50 AM on June 19, 2003

Ayn & others, I present the following without comment:

Oh, snap. Norton is a really, really, large dick.


TNN should now name the station the Spikely Network
posted by Ayn Marx at 8:52 AM on June 19, 2003

They could always call it the Butthead Director Network.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 9:15 AM on June 19, 2003

Let's not forget Spike.
posted by George_Spiggott at 9:23 AM on June 19, 2003

Or the gay porn star named Spike, who I will not link to in the interest of keeping this SFW.
posted by archimago at 9:39 AM on June 19, 2003

There's also Spike.
posted by kickingtheground at 9:42 AM on June 19, 2003

Spike.
posted by bargle at 9:47 AM on June 19, 2003

Elvis meets Spike.
posted by jmackin at 10:03 AM on June 19, 2003

"SpikeTV" is the stupidest name ever. If they want to have a TV station for men, that should call it "MANVISION!". Or perhaps ME, Mens Entertanment (Or even the Mens Entertainment Network, MEN)
posted by delmoi at 10:52 AM on June 19, 2003

Spike Lee didn't object when MTV named a show Jackass...
posted by aeiou at 11:10 AM on June 19, 2003

Spike Lee didn't object when MTV named a show Jackass...

Damn good point, O string-of-vowels .


P.S. Are you related to andsometimesy ?
posted by Ayn Marx at 11:15 AM on June 19, 2003

Spike.
posted by debralee at 12:03 PM on June 19, 2003

so change it to biff tv and be done with it.
posted by quonsar at 12:17 PM on June 19, 2003

"SpikeTV" is the stupidest name ever. If they want to have a TV station for men, that should call it "MANVISION!". Or perhaps ME, Mens Entertanment (Or even the Mens Entertainment Network, MEN)

Because network executives don't think men are capable of understanding that sort of simplicity, or buying into it. If it isn't beer can crushing, Pamela Anderson jiggling, rough-and-tumble tough macho crap, then men aren't going to watch it. Bullcrap. Just more Hollywood marketing crap about how men should and should not ask. (All men LOVE Pamela Anderson, and those who don't aren't really men.)

SpikeTV - Load of Crap
Spike Lee - Bigger Load of Crap
posted by benjh at 12:25 PM on June 19, 2003

Oh, snap. Norton is a really, really, large dick.

Finally, I get some recognition on MeFi.

Oh, wait. Is. I read that wrong.
-emeln(orton)jr
posted by emelenjr at 12:27 PM on June 19, 2003

Spike.
posted by LinusMines at 12:51 PM on June 19, 2003

Yes, Spike Lee is an obnoxious egomaniacal media personality, but in a battle with an obnoxious egomaniacal media Corporation, I gotta side with him, or at least, cheer him on from the sidelines, between snickering under my breath about branding. Whoever wins the Battle of the Spikes will deserve, much more than most, the black spot.

Oh, and I think MeFi's own owillis ought to tell Viacom that, if they can't get Spike, The Willis Network is available for a reasonable price (he's already got that "Maxim vibe", right?)
posted by wendell at 12:58 PM on June 19, 2003

Edward Norton?
posted by arto at 1:56 PM on June 19, 2003

so change it to biff tv and be done with it.

Except as far as I know, "biff" does not mean "pointed shaft" which would seem to be their oh-so-subtle point. Now "Prong TV" would be a reasonable alternative.
posted by George_Spiggott at 3:02 PM on June 19, 2003

What a joke. Spike Lee, mr director of incredibly mediocre films thinks the world regards him as Spike.

He could only wish we cared enough.
posted by shadow45 at 4:50 PM on June 19, 2003