And What Are They Smoking?

Why is that ever since Watergate we can not have a political scandal that isn’t a “gate” ?

Here are a few examples:

• Wheatgate
• Wardrobegate
• Tunagate
• Troopergate 1
• Troopergate 2 (again?)
• Troopergate 3  (even)
• Tigergate   (of course)
• Camillagate (even the Royals get the gate)
• Paintergate (one of our own Down Under)

For a more comprehensive list visit Wikipedia There are dozens of cases.

And how about Hollywood.  Has that ever been knocked off before?

The most famous Hollywood knock-off is obviously Bollywood, the Indian film industry.  The cutest is perhaps Dollywood, the wonderful world of Dolly Parton.

The most recent is the capital of New Zealand, Wellington, in a bid to honour the recent successes of our film industry – particularly the creative graphics works – some bright cookie has decided to erect a Wellywood sign.

I don’t know about you, but for me, one knock off might be cute / clever but after that it has been done.  What do you call a cliché that is over-done?  I call it tacky.

I am sure our creative genius could be better celebrated than some cheap and tacky knock-off of the Hollywood name.

Of course, it is entirely possible that I am wrong.  And no doubt every scandal this century will also be a “gate.”   Everyone celebrating film success will be a “wood.”  And we all be John Smith.

So much for creativity.