O-O-Obama!

It looks like I'll have to go to CVS to get my Obama Chia Pet - Walgreens is pulling the Chia Obama head from its Tampa, Fla.-area stores.

While no official reason is given beyond the product being incompatible with Walgreens' "corporate image" in local coverage, the Boston Fox affiliate points out that discussions around the product on Amazon and blogs have accused the folks at Chia of racism.

Since that would be ridiculous, I prefer to believe the problem is plagiarism. After all, Saturday Night Live explored the concept of Chia Hair nearly two decades ago. (I'd show you, but apparently Lorne Michaels doesn't want people illustrating points with SNL sketches.)

Coming soon: SNL joins the 21st Century

This weekend, my brother and I were remembering of our favorite SNL sketches. I wanted to watch it, so I dialed up Hulu, the free video site that includes content from NBC. Nothing. I had to go to Google Video to find "Sabra Price is Right."

Funny enough, Mashable today reports that a new SNL website is in the works. The site would feature (legally uploaded) clips to watch.

Lorne Michaels and company are apparently still working out a revenue model for the site - which means they view this as a separate business venture from their TV show. But beyond their recent election-related ratings boost, SNL has spent the past few seasons struggling to find the relevance it once had as a source of cutting-edge comedy.

What better way to create a buzz and excitement about the show than to release their sketches online for the viral email-forwarding crowd? And what better way to track which three minute sketches (buried in a 90-minute show) generate audience reaction? To be on the cutting edge of comedy, SNL must join the cutting edge of technology (beyond Andy Samberg's Digital Shorts).