Media Convergence Initiative

The hit ABC show, Dancing with the Stars claimed their newest champion. Glee star, Amber Riley danced her way to the top and took home the mirror ball trophy. Riley relied not only on the judge’s votes for her achievement but the votes of home viewers. Although she fought off maor competition, some believe that Riley’s achievement was unjust. On her hit show Glee, Riley played a high school choir student. However, Glee is famous for its outrageous performance and dance numbers. With prior in studio performance training, was it fair that Amber Riley won this season of Dancing with the Stars?

Although Glee has incorporated dance heavy numbers in the past, Amber Riley was known specifically for her fantastic vocals. She may have performed in a series of group numbers but was never asked to do the tango in front of a live audience. The practice and time that it takes to earn specific dance skills was not set aside by Riley during her time on Glee. Riley did not have prior training before her appearance on dancing with the stars and blindly entered the competition.

Dancing with the Stars has faced similar conflict in past seasons. The wide range of celebrities that make an appearance on the ABC hit may make more practiced performers appear as cheaters. Though they have danced in the past, the level of skill does not relate to the serious training they will receive on the show. Her Glee following may have given her a large amount of votes but that following would have dwindled if her skill on the show progressively weakened. Partnered with professional dancer Derek Hough, Riley was provided with the tools that she needed to win the show. How she performed the given steps was completely up to her. No amount of vocal training could possibly have prepared her for such a tough completion.

Fans of the movie series “The Fast and the Furious” heard devastating news this passed thanksgiving weekend. Paul Walker, who played officer Brian O’conner in the films, passed away. The movies were extremely successful, with six, going on seven, films made. The series started in 2001 and has continued to raise vast amounts of wealth and fans. Fast and the Furious depicts the drama and violence that occurs between hardcore street racers and law enforcement.

Paul Walker was in a terrible car accident on Saturday, November 30th. It is heartbreakingly ironic that the thing he lived for the most would bring his demise. Walker and a friend were driving in a two door Porsche Carrera G, on the way to a car show for Reach Out Worldwide. This charity supports the Philippines typhoon relief effort and was set up by Paul, himself. Several friends and co-workers were attending the event, that happened to be very close to the accident scene.

Police officers say it is obvious that speed was a prominent factor in the disaster. The driver lost control somehow and hit a tree straight-on. If this wasn’t already disastrous enough, the vehicle then burst into flames and both passengers died. I am a huge fan of the Fast and the Furious movies and of Paul Walker, himself. He was a beautiful man and seemed like a very supportive, loving father. I know I speak for millions of individuals when I say that this a truly heart-wrenching loss. Paul once said “if one day the speed kills me, do not cry because I was smiling”; One can only hope this is true and that he is in a better place.

Forty-year-old Paul Walker plays one of the main characters, Brian O’Connor, in the popular “Fast and Furious” films. There are two more “Fast and Furious” films set to be released in the coming years, with the strong possibility of more after that. The seventh film, set for release in July of 2014, has been filming since September. However, a tragic turn of events that took place on Saturday now leave the film franchise at a loss.

On Saturday afternoon, Paul Walker was a passenger in Roger Rodas’ Porsche. Police say Rodas lost control of the vehicle and it hit a tree and light pole, and then burst into flames. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Walker’s publicist later made the official announcement of her client’s death. Family, friends, and fans of Walker immediately took to social media outlets to express their sorrow.

There are many wild stories going around about Walker’s death. Some are saying it’s a little too coincidental that Walker died in fiery car crash, something straight out of a “Fast and Furious” movie. This is easily explained, since Walker shared a similar love of cars as his character in the movies does. Others are saying that since the car was burned so beyond recognition, an additional accelerant must have been used, which suggests foul play. Police have yet to release any new details.

Since Walker’s death, Universal has been desperately trying to figure out how to handle his death, both emotionally and when it comes to the seventh movie. Characters are killed off all the time in movies, but Walker’s character was a main one. Plus, most deaths in the films are usually portrayed exactly how Walker died in real life. Universal is trying to do the most tactful thing possible, although we don’t know what that is just yet.