Slog - Comments on The 2008 Genius Awards: The Cake Episode http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode Every fall since 2003, The Stranger has given a check for $5,000 and an obscene amount of attention to a filmmaker, a writer, a visual artist, a theater artist, and an arts organization making startling, original work. There is no application process. A panel of Stranger editors and critics descends into a cave and conducts their deliberations by candlelight. Winners are notified via cake. Yesterday, the winners were notified. Caroline Dodge, Regina Hackett of the P-I, and I drove around town, delivering white QFC cakes with red icing that read "You Are a Genius." (Regina wrote about yesterday's cake deliveries... Copyright 2008 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:26:24 -0800 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:53:23 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Non More suckoff to Implied Vile-lence
More suckoff to Alexie

]]> Non http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1089966 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1089966 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:35:01 -0800 Comment by MR. POE OMG TOTES LYNN SHELTON FTW!!!

]]> MR. POE http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1089999 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1089999 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:41:38 -0800 Comment by michael strangeways yay!

Strangeways LOOOOOOOOVES Wynne Greenwood!!!

And all but ONE of your choices was brilliant!

So, I'm guessing that Alexie wrote those idiotic Sonics pieces in exchange for the Genius Award?

]]> michael strangeways http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090033 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090033 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:47:09 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Great choices! I love Mr. Alexie. Great reactions, too; it's always good when you can make people cry. Or laugh.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090049 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090049 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:51:13 -0800 Comment by Jessica It's about damn time you gave it to Alexie. He's deserved it for years.

]]> Jessica http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090101 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090101 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:01:33 -0800 Comment by Bub Congratulations to all.

]]> Bub http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090130 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090130 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:09:21 -0800 Comment by ironymaiden what do we need to do to get Matt Ruff one of those cakes?

]]> ironymaiden http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090147 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090147 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:14:13 -0800 Comment by Paul Constant @7: Ruff was shortlisted last year, the first year I was involved in the Literature portion of the Genius Awards, for Bad Monkeys. But he hasn't published anything this year. He's definitely someone I always keep an eye on. Set This House in Order is one of my favorite-ever books by a local author.

]]> Paul Constant http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090179 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090179 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:21:13 -0800 Comment by paulus everyone should have a piano.

]]> paulus http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090180 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090180 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:21:36 -0800 Comment by COMTE No cake for you, Non.

Assclown.

And congrats to all, but especially to Paul and Lynn!

Annex Theatre/Caution Zero Network - represent!

]]> COMTE http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090190 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090190 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:24:38 -0800 Comment by Jubilation T. Cornball Congrats all!

]]> Jubilation T. Cornball http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090191 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090191 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:25:30 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Grats, Sherm! You deserve it!

Can't say much about the rest, never heard of them, but I guess they're good choices.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090240 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090240 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:36:15 -0800 Comment by michael strangeways oh, for fucks sake...quit crawling up the "famous" guy's tired old ass.

And what the fuck does Sherman Alexie need with $5k? He lines his litter box with $50 bills.

You couldn't have found a deserving local talent who could use the cash to finish a work in progress? I'd rather see you give it to Dina Martina so she can complete her autobiography, "Camel Toes and Cantinas: My 40 Years in Show Bidness"

]]> michael strangeways http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090344 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090344 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:06:29 -0800 Comment by josh Nice picks, esp. Lynn Shelton. congrats to all! Has anyone sent the Stranger a cake for this running feature?

]]> josh http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090360 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090360 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:09:48 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle A box of cupcakes would be a better choice, josh.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090396 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090396 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:25:11 -0800 Comment by ftm That Lynn Shelton is a very attractive young man.

]]> ftm http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090524 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090524 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:04:30 -0800 Comment by Nick Keep crying, strangeways. Alexie is a genius.

]]> Nick http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090525 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090525 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:04:31 -0800 Comment by mojo mojito Thank you michael @13, my thoughts exactly. After reading the "article" Alexie wrote last week, it becomes glaringly obvious that this award will do little more then stroke his already grotesquely over-inflated ego... and at best, the money will supply him with 50 more sheets of toilet paper.

What a waste.

]]> mojo mojito http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090558 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090558 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:18:11 -0800 Comment by Brendan Kiley I should remind everyone that Genius is a merit-based (not a need-based) award. Otherwise we'd call it the Pretty Talented but Financially Insolvent Awards.

The Genius net is big enough to catch people poor and rich, famous and unknown, early-career and late-career. The only requirements are that the winners live in Seattle and that the Genius Committee—Dave Schmader, Jen Graves, Charles Mudede, Paul Constant, Annie Wagner, Christopher Frizzelle, and me—agrees that their work is genius.

Each of the winners meets that criteria.

]]> Brendan Kiley http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090572 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090572 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:25:02 -0800 Comment by Tiny Dancer Savage isn't on the committee?

]]> Tiny Dancer http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090582 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090582 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:31:15 -0800 Comment by Callie @19 hahahaha. Best first paragraph. Also, has it really been a >year since the last ones? That is insane. I remember that night so vividly - not that we made it INTO the party.

]]> Callie http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090637 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090637 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:58:25 -0800 Comment by Y.F. Cake or Death!

]]> Y.F. http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090846 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090846 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:21:27 -0800 Comment by abomb yay!!!! Congratulations to everyone!!! Wynne and Sherman are so deserving. Both have reduced me to tears at one time or another. Will have to go read up on the others... What great picks!

]]> abomb http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090862 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1090862 Arts Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:37:30 -0800 Comment by Fe Man The Stranger is the coolest weekly paper evar. Notification via cake? THAT RULES!

]]> Fe Man http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091038 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091038 Arts Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:12:10 -0800 Comment by michael strangeways In that case, Ann Rule would be a better choice than Alexi...

]]> michael strangeways http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091114 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091114 Arts Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:19:01 -0800 Comment by Will in 98103 Brendan @19: you've a right to your criteria. But as someone who's actually paid attention to your Genius awards over the years, giving one to Sherman Alexie is a big eye roller, and it adds to an image of The Stranger as losing its place at the forefront of culture in Seattle. I look forward to the awards announcement each year because it tells me about someone, or some organization, I've nevever heard of. Or - better - it reminds me to check out someone I've just begun to hear buzz about.

I and the rest of the world don't need you to bring Sherman Alexie to our attention. We already know who the hell he is.

]]> Will in 98103 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091120 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091120 Arts Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:24:52 -0800 Comment by dr. thompkins And the Alexie Suckfest continues...

Any little credibility the Genius Awards have just went swirling down the drain...

]]> dr. thompkins http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091147 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091147 Arts Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:48:15 -0800 Comment by brueso Yuck. I'd have rather seen Paul Mullin get a cake in the face for that ridiculous piece of crap The Ten Thousand Things.

]]> brueso http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091157 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091157 Arts Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:59:17 -0800 Comment by woodsea @28 Couldn't agree more. That was by far the worst piece of theatre I have EVER seen in Seattle. Never have I been so angry coming out of a play. Angry at the total bullshit I just had to witness and that a group which I respect (WET) would subject it's audience to such drek.

]]> woodsea http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091188 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091188 Arts Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:26:01 -0800 Comment by dave lynn shelton is awesome

]]> dave http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091195 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091195 Arts Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:32:55 -0800 Comment by annie @28&29: God, you guys have not been seeing enough Seattle theater. That's the worst thing you have EVER seen? Guess you missed the bodyBODY Project.

]]> annie http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091218 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091218 Arts Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:48:08 -0800 Comment by A Non Imus Oh, god...not another go-round of the Talentless Hipster Circle-Jerk Awards!

Next year, just be honest with yourselves, and throw a big fucking party for your friends. Either that, or do something honorable by donating the money to charity.

(Incidentally? Including Sherman Alexie in the list doesn't make the rest of the panel more talented. Nice try, though.)

]]> A Non Imus http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091311 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091311 Arts Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:40:43 -0800 Comment by Brendan Kiley Hey A Non Imus:

If giving $25,000 in no-strings-attached grants to Seattle artists doesn't count as charity in your book, stay tuned for Strangercrombie in December, when we raise more than twice that amount for the hungry and homeless.

That counts as charity, right?

]]> Brendan Kiley http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091483 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091483 Arts Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:16:02 -0800 Comment by michael strangeways uh, doesn't the money come from a corporate sponsor?

]]> michael strangeways http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091711 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091711 Arts Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:11:14 -0800 Comment by Brendan Kiley Since Lucky Strike blew town, Genius money has come from a lot of places—some of it from sponsors, a lot of it from our own pockets.

]]> Brendan Kiley http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091744 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1091744 Arts Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:35:44 -0800 Comment by Darian Congrats to all the winners - especially Paul. Darn those photo consent forms! At least they didn't search your cake.

]]> Darian http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1092327 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_2008_genius_awards_the_cake_episode#c1092327 Arts Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:53:23 -0800