I was speechless when I first heard that the Ford Amphitheater will be rechristened the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheater. I learned of the name change through Twitter, so of course I was skeptical, but the reports were true. As I spread the news, a pattern emerged: When confronted with the reality of the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheater, Most people first reacted with incredulity, followed by laughter and an imitation of the ASK-GARY commercials. (Has anyone not seen them?) The giggle fit was then followed by head-shaking and this final judgment: "That's so Tampa."
For sure. But more and more, I think it's just so America.
This article appears in Jun 10-16, 2010.