DECEMBER 15, 2003

Full News Archive

• Headline: Debate on Regulating Internet Phone Services. Impact: This move led to the rise of countless memes and endless debates about whether your grandma's phone bill could be sent via email. In a twist, if phone service hadn't gone digital, we might still be using rotary phones and hiding from telemarketers under our beds.. Fact: Did you know that the first phone call was made in 1876? Imagine if they had to regulate that too. 'Hello, Mr. Watson? Please hold while we connect you to the regulatory committee.'.
• Headline: Iraqi Leaders Confront Saddam Hussein. Impact: This meeting was like the original 'Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse' - each leader charging into the lion's den, hoping to not only question Saddam but also to secure their own legacy. Spoiler alert: it worked, at least for a while.. Fact: Did you know that Saddam Hussein was once a bodyguard for the former Iraqi leader? Talk about climbing the corporate ladder in a rather unorthodox way..
• Headline: Ruben Studdard and Avant's New Releases. Impact: The release of these CDs initiated a chain reaction that led to the rise of countless karaoke nights where people thought they could reach Ruben Studdard's vocal heights, only to realize they couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. Now we have 'American Idol' spin-offs everywhere.. Fact: Fun fact: Ruben Studdard earned the nickname 'The Velvet Teddy Bear.' Which is ironic, considering that most of us sound like a dying goat when we try to sing his songs..
• Headline: With 'Sand and Fog,' Can Year Be Salvaged?; DreamWorks Still Looking for a Hit in '03. Impact: This film's release was pivotal in making DreamWorks realize they should maybe stop putting their hopes on a single movie. It ultimately led to the creation of a million 'What went wrong?' documentaries, which in turn led to the rise of the 'Failure is a stepping stone' motivational quotes.. Fact: Did you know 'House of Sand and Fog' was based on a novel? It’s almost as if Hollywood thought that adapting books was a good idea. Who would've thought?.