It would seem that AOL CEO, Tim Armstrong, isn’t the only person making inexcusable blunders that goes far beyond foolish.
Huh?
Let me provide some context.
You might recall how the AOL CEO whined last week that two “distressed babies” had cost his company a million dollars each. That pronouncement was widely criticized, especially because it seemed Armstrong (who was paid over $12M last year) was trying to shift the baby care costs onto the Internet company’s employees. Armstrong cited it as a reason AOL had decided to change, but later reinstated, its 401(k) match. One of the “distressed babies” mothers spoke out (HERE).
And speaking about gaffes and foolishness… we now have the Sons of Anarchy co-star Mark Boone Junior, (Bobby) taking credit for and stating that the TV show “basically saved Harley” to Susan Carpenter of The Hollywood Reporter.
By any measure, “Sons” is a disturbingly violent TV show that includes a theme of rape, torture, brutal assaults, and bath tubs full of human excrement. It’s about a 1% motorcycle club — which creator Kurt Sutter readily admits has always traded in “blood and guts” – with “actors,” many of which don’t know how to ride a motorcycle – now proclaiming that he (Boone Junior) and his fellow cast members are the reason that Harley-Davidson recovered from the financial collapse and economic meltdown.
Only in the make believe world of Charming, California.
Let’s get real here. Saved Harley-Davidson? That is ridiculous! It’s more than just a bit of a stretch and goes far beyond foolish. It’s almost as out of touch with reality as the “distressed babies” claim.
Hey Bobby, I’ve got news for you. Get ready, because it’s an emotional gut punch. The faux outlaw motorcycle gang drama that you co-star and “ACT” in didn’t save Harley!
However, I do wonder how Harley-Davidson management reconciles profiting off violence as they cozy up and work to be affiliated with an uber-violent TV show. Basically a TV gang, most of whom are governed by violent criminals. Sure it’s an imaginary world, but seems out of step. And, Jennifer Hoyer, (Harley-Davidson Media Relations Manager) explains it well: “Our relationship with SOA has been mostly beneficial from our side, as we have enjoyed getting many of the cast members all to be real riders — showing them the freedom that Harley-Davidson motorcycles bring to their lives.”
Real riders! We got the point already.
Note: To be fair, the Harley-Davidson Foundation does a significant amount of community outreach. For example, working with the Sojourner Family Peace Center to break the cycle of family violence in Milwaukee, Disabled Vets, Big Brothers Big Sisters, MDA and YMCA to name just a few.
In the spirit of the SOA outlaw I copied the photos from FX Networks without permission.
I do have one question, what is more real SOA or Devils Ride? The only thing I know is that I love to ride and cant wait till spring…
Neither is real. They are put out there for entertainment purposes only. Just like all of the other ‘reality’ shows that flood the airways nowadays.
@twotiretirade – interesting question. In Sutter’s imaginary world his creative choices sometimes rub hard against who I am as a person. Devils is just absurd. Like you I’d much rather be out riding and posting articles on the ride. Nice blog BTW.
I’m looking forward to the Seattle Motorcycle show this weekend now that the snow/ice has cleared.
I’ve seen enough of SOA to know it’s crap. And The Devil’s Ride, too. I can see better motorcycle video on Youtube.
cheers
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