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1 Weird Old Tip: In yesterday’s Washington Post Style section, media reporter Paul Farhi unpacks the Federal Trade Commission’s beef with those pervasive “tiny belly” ads found on millions of websites worldwide. When web users click on the ads, they are taken to one of a cluster of bogus news sites delivering pseudo facts and made-up press quotes about acai berry and African mango diets. In an attempt to look authentic, some websites have used the image of French television newscaster Melissa Theuriau without permission, calling her “reporter Julia Miller.” Worse yet, people who sign up for “free samples” are really signing up to be charged for things they did not order. To date, the scam has ripped people off to the tune of $1 billion. “Much like a barker outside a carnival tent,” says Farhi, “‘1 Tip’ is merely a come-on, a lure to start the process.”
Brother Sport: In advance of Animal Collective‘s show at Merriweather this Saturday, Brightest Young Things quizzes Geologist (Brian Weitz) on hockey. He does pretty well, except he doesn’t know how to pronounce “Dmitri Kvartalnov.” Shocking and disappointing. In another interview with the Baltimore Sun, the band says it won’t play much material from Merriweather Post Pavilion at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Expect to hear mostly new songs.
Garter Alert: The Post may have hated Beyonce’s newest album, 4, but the video for her single “Best Thing I Never Had” compensates with lingerie.
Yesterday on Arts Desk: Henry Rollins produces “bad Kerouac“; Amanda Abrams chats with choreographer Liz Lerman, who recently left her company the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange; and there’s more Wugazi.