Popular Culture

Paris Hilton and What We Want.  The heiress scored number one on Google News searches in 2006.  What do people want to know about?  Why do celebrities rank so high?  What clues might this hold to our wants and needs and how to meet them?  (Short op-ed)

Elvis Has Left the Building.  As the world remembers the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, what does fascination with Elvis tell us about ourselves?  (Probe radio series transcript.)

Elvis is Dead.  Deal With It. The King lives on, at least in the hearts of his fans.  On the twenty-fifth anniversary of his death, what does the fascination with Elvis tell us about ourselves? (Short op-ed)

Basic Instinct, Showgirls & God?  Self-described “Hollywood Animal” Joe Eszterhas, the blockbuster screenwriter famous for steamy eroticism and dark thrillers, says God found him and life’s never been better.  (Short op-ed)

Superman Returns: Superhero Still Needed? (Includes Gospel & prayer) Superman has returned.  Bad guys, beware!  Why has the Superman story remained so popular?  What is it about the Man of Steel that captures the public imagination?  Does the world still need a superhero?

A Little “Kramer” in All of Us?  Comedian Michael Richards – “Kramer” on TV’s Seinfeld – saw his racist tirade at African-American hecklers ignite a firestorm.  Lots of people have dark sides.  Maybe everyone.  Maybe you.  I do.  (Short op-ed)

Your Money or Your Life! … or Your Wine?  An armed gunman at a Washington, DC, dinner threatened to start shooting unless guests gave him their money.  Ten minutes later, he had apologized and asked for a group hug.  What brought this dramatic change?  (Short op-ed)