Not 'Twilight' Crazy? Here Are Some Non-Vampire Weekend Tips
'
The Twilight Saga: New Moon' opens on Friday. Of course, you already know this unless (a) you've been living under a rock or (b) you have no interest in teenage love stories centered around
vampires and werewolves -- which seems like the more likely scenario considering the human mortality rate of under-rock living. (Not to mention the lack of acceptable under-rock Internet service, which would most likely preclude you from reading this in the first place.) Let's focus on this much larger second group. How do you survive in an all-'
Twilight,' all-the-time world for the immediate future? How do you navigate through the throes of 'Twilight' office conversations that inevitably could leave you labeled a popular culture lightweight. These tips and options should get you through the next few days of 'Twilight' insanity:
http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=776119&pid=776118&uts=1258736118
http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/movies/?s_channel=us.moviespop&s_account=aolpopeater,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1
http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf
'New Moon' Pics
You simply cannot avoid 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' this weekend. Check Out Pics of Everything 'Twilight,' from Party Pics to Rabid Fans >>>
AP
AP
Emma Roberts attends the Cinema Society & D&G screening of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" after party at The Box on November 19, 2009 in New York City. The Cinema Society & D&G Host A Screening Of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" - After Party New York, NY United States November 19, 2009 Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage.com To license this image (17050692), contact WireImage.com
Theo Wargo/WireImage.com
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 20: (L-R) Samantha Swetra and Roxy Olin attend "The Twilight SAGA:NEW MOON" New York Premiere After Party at SL on November 20, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Sutol) *** Local Caption *** Samantha Swetra;Roxy Olin
Getty Images for Sutol
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 20: (L-R) Director Michael Bay and Mark Birnbaum attend "The Twilight SAGA:NEW MOON" New York Premiere After Party at SL on November 20, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Sutol) *** Local Caption *** Michael Bay;Mark Birnbaum
Getty Images for Sutol
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 20: Micah Jesse attends"The Twilight SAGA:NEW MOON" New York Premiere After Party at SL on November 20, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Sutol) *** Local Caption *** Micah Jesse
Getty Images for Sutol
Kellan Lutz & Nikki Reed promotes "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" at Toys"R"Us Times Square on November 19, 2009 in New York City. Kellan Lutz & Nikki Reed Sign Autographs At Toys 'R Us Toys"R"Us Times Square New York, NY United States November 19, 2009 Photo by Soul Brother/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58966896), contact FilmMagic.com
Soul Brother/FilmMagic.com
©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM The Cinema Society & D&G Host A Screening Of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' - After Party Picture Shows: Ed Westwick NON-EXCLUSIVE November 19, 2009 Job: 91120Z1 New York, New York www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com
DAVID KRIEGER/bauergriffinonline.com
©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM The Cinema Society & D&G Host A Screening Of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' - After Party Picture Shows: Jessica Szohr NON-EXCLUSIVE November 19, 2009 Job: 91120Z1 New York, New York www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com
DAVID KRIEGER/bauergriffinonline.com
©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM The Cinema Society & D&G Host A Screening Of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' - After Party Picture Shows: Howard Stern and Beth Stern NON-EXCLUSIVE November 19, 2009 Job: 91120Z1 New York, New York www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com
DAVID KRIEGER/bauergriffinonline.com
©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM The Cinema Society & D&G Host A Screening Of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' - After Party Picture Shows: Emma Roberts NON-EXCLUSIVE November 19, 2009 Job: 91120Z1 New York, New York www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com
DAVID KRIEGER/bauergriffinonline.com
©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM The Cinema Society & D&G Host A Screening Of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' - After Party Picture Shows: Nikki Reed NON-EXCLUSIVE November 19, 2009 Job: 91120Z1 New York, New York www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com
DAVID KRIEGER/bauergriffinonline.com
If the person wanting to discuss 'Twilight' is under the age of 26.
This is tough. No one wants to seem old and out of touch. A huge mistake would be trying to fake your way through a conversation because anyone starting a 'Twilight' conversation is most likely going to have more than a basic knowledge of the series and you will be labeled a fraud. In other words: Offer no concrete opinions on anything. Nod your approval and add an occasional, "Wow, really?" at their in-depth analysis. When asked a direct question, quickly counter with, "You know, I've been wondering the same thing and I'm really interested in hearing YOUR opinion." Continue to nod your approval. Then, if you're feeling bold, up the ante. Explain how Twilight is so 2008 and you're more into 'The Hunger Games' and walk away (quickly).
If the person wanting to discuss 'Twilight' is 26 years old or older.
You really have the upper hand in this situation. Remember: You're not the one wanting to discuss a book series about teenage vampires. Just remind the 'Twilight' fan that, yes, in a perfect world it would be nice to be able to devote countless hours to immerse oneself in the four books series and
Netflix the first film but, considering the current economic downturn, you are focusing all of your free time on your career and you suggest she do the same.
Robert Pattinson may be a dreamboat but he's not going to help you become the next VP of sales. Sarcastically ask if she's going to read 'Superfudge' next. (Important note: Never admit to having a mint-in-box Boba Fett action figure displayed in your "throne room.")
What else were you really going to do tonight?
Look, it's only 2,460 pages to read through the entire four book series. Why not cozy up to the fire and bust this one out in one evening? While you're at it, you should have time to get through
David Foster Wallace's 'Infinite Jest' (1,079 pages) and
Bill Simmons' 'T
he Book of Basketball' (700 pages). This can backfire. Remember in the second season of 'Cheers' when Sam Malone read 'War and Peace' just to impress Diane who was being courted by her ex fiance, Sumner? Sam spent the entire episode trying to get Sumner to "talk a little 'War and Peace,'" something Sumner had no interest in doing. Adding insult to injury, Sam soon discovered he could have just watched the film. So, perhaps the moral of this story is: If you're going to read the entire series, make sure someone actually wants to discuss it. Most likely: They will! Though, time-wise, you may just be better off watching the first film on DVD or Blu-Ray and call it a night.
Avoid social networking sites.
These are actual Tweets:
purplerose1024: i hope new moon is gonna be as good as it looks!!!!
DrivingFail: Dear
Burger King counter guy: F... you for lying to me about not having any New Moon fan packs! I saw your manager with one for his kid!
jademichelleA: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa NEW MOON!
JeanMele: buying my flannel shirt tomorrow for the new moon premiere ;) im going for the Bella look LMAO
daiseydinner: VERY excited about seeing new moon on saturday :) think i might actually join in the screaming when a certain someone comes on.. ;)
VIVA80s: DURAN DURAN - "New Moon on Monday"
(Note: That last one may or may not be related)
Don't leave the house.
Probably the soundest advice considering the onslaught of fans roaming the neighborhoods thinking they're dressed up as Edward Cullen but come off instead looking like a cross between
Hal Sparks and Squiggy. Just remember: It's only for a few more days and then it's all over (well, at least until June -- really? June?! -- when The '
Twilight Saga: Eclipse' is released). Besides, there's plenty of compelling television this weekend. Can
Joseph Gordon-Levitt save '
Saturday Night Live' after coming off of one of the weakest episodes in the last 10 years? (Not to jump on the "Wow, that really was bad" bandwagon, but a fart sketch actually made the air. A fart sketch! And, worst of all,
January Jones couldn't stop laughing ... during a fart sketch!) Also, for all intents and purposes there's a brand new episode of '
Seinfeld' airing Sunday night on HBO. If this episode is even near as good as last week's episode of '
Curb Your Enthusiasm,' perhaps '
Seinfeld' fans will now, finally, have a proper finale. So, yes, we can all make it through.
Plus, this will give you the much needed time you now need to start reading '
The Hunger Games.'
Still need more 'Twilight'? Check out this
MovieFone Unscripted interview that is just good enough to make you actually want to watch 'New Moon' anyway!
http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=756811&pid=756810&uts=1258736384
http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/music/?s_channel=us.musicpop&s_account=aolpopeater,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1
http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf
PopScene: Week's Hottest Pics
Sandra Bullock attends "The Blind Side" benefit premiere at the Prytania Theatre on November 19th in New Orleans.
Skip Bolen, WireImage
Skip Bolen, WireImage
Sandra Bullock attends "The Blind Side" benefit premiere at the Prytania Theatre on November 19th in New Orleans.
Skip Bolen, WireImage
Heidi Klum walks the runway at the Victoria's Secret fashion show at The Armory on November 19th9 in New York City.
Jason Kempin, Getty Images
Sean "Diddy" Combs is joined by his sons Justin Combs, Christian Combs and Quincy Brown on stage to blow out candles on his 40th birthday cake in New York City.
Jemal Countess, Getty Images
Kristen Bell, Elisha Cuthbert and Christina Hendricks attend the Holt Renfrew Celebration for their new store in Calgary on November 19th.
George Pimentel, WireImage
Jimmy Fallon and Joseph Gordon-Levitt attend the Museum Gala at the American Museum of Natural History on November 19th in New York City.
Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images
Viggo Mortensen and Josh Brolin attend History Channel's NYC Premiere Of "The People Speak" on November 19th.
Kevin Mazur, WireImage
Heidi Klum gets strapped on an NYPD horse as she promotes a Victoria's Secret model campaign in Times Square. The model, who gave birth a little over a month ago, won't walk in the Victoria's Secret fashion show, but is hosting the event.
Bauer-Griffin
Wyclef Jean and Bono share a song together at the RFK Center Ripple of Hope Awards dinner in New York City.
Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images
Holly Madison and Diane Vincent reenact a famous scene from "I love Lucy" at the 2009 Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau celebration in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Denise Truscello, WireImage
Zac Efron greets fans at the UK film premiere of 'Me & Orson Welles' in London, England.
Dave M. Benett, Getty Images
Comments
(9)Add a comment
Friday 20 November
By Akira
Much like ZombieLand, we need rules to survive the onslaught of Rabid Twilight fans. It's funny how your strategy for the under 26 crowd is similar to how one subdues an acutely psychotic patient. Oh wait, there's a reason for that. :)
Reply
Friday 20 November
By LizSchulte
Ha, sage advice! Though I am troubled by the news that another one will be released in June?!?!? Yikes I am not sure the world is ready for this kind of mania to happen twice in such a short span of time.
Reply
Friday 20 November
By Kristen
All great tips, I need to try my hardest to make it through this mania. So far today, all I've heard about is New Moon, but that's the price I pay for being friends with people who more than likely couldn't breathe last night at midnight when the opening credits started to roll. Once all the hype dies down, we'll get a little reprieve, but we must start preparing ourselves for its inevitable return.
Reply
Friday 20 November
By gobluespartyon
Those are pretty good tips I had a good laugh those are good tips if your not into the Twilight mania. I don't talk that much Twilight anyways just so I don't bug people and I don't think I know anyone that is into Twilight other than my cousin who a big Twilight fan.
And I don't need to be the first to see New Moon may see it next week or the week after. If I see the movie this weekend it will be The Blind Side that looks like a pretty good movie. Plus I have about 200 more pages to read of new moon.
Reply
Friday 20 November
By ren
Sound advice! Really, it's like dealing with religious fanatics - the only real way to head them off is to start pimping your OWN fannish agenda. :D
Reply
Friday 20 November
By Winky_Cutto
Ahh, what a refreshing article, LOL. Very much enjoyed it, even if I am lucky enough to be working everyday with 60-90 years olds who know even less than I do about such topics. Great humor as always, thanks Mike! >{:o)
Reply
Saturday 21 November
By BlueMoon
Very good advice - made my day. I think I'm going to use some of this, too. Especially since all my friends and I are under the age of 26.
Reply
Saturday 21 November
By Alyson
Great tips! A few of my friends love Twilight, and I can't stand it, so they will all be put to good use. (:
Reply
Tuesday 24 November
By SpArKyCoLa
Great article. They are all really good tips! It’s all pretty much true. Wow. Just the other day I was at the mall and some chick started freaking out about an Edward Lunchbox. And I mean really freaking out. She was looking at me telling me about how awesome it was. I just kind of laughed and walked away. Haha. But as for the article, Hah I’m sure a lot of people won’t admit that they actually read the Twilight series. And the Tweets great additions. That really got to the point. :P This one really cracked me up:
DrivingFail: Dear Burger King counter guy: F... you for lying to me about not having any New Moon fan packs! I saw your manager with one for his kid!
I’m not sure if I’ve actually seen people dressed as Edward, atleast by me lol, but I’m sure there are some obsessed enough people out there who’d do that. Hal Sparks and Squiggy lol that was a great reference. Really June! It’s not that far behind?! Cool I can say I like Twilight but not a die-hard fan, so I am looking forward to June then.:D From now I'll take this advice in hand and use it against any rabid fans. :P
Reply