The Impending Extinction of the Heart-Shaped Bathtub

Happy Valentine’s Day, folks, and shoutout to the dozen husbands who joined me in the greeting card aisle of Meijer last night. I hope you all found the right commercial expression of your love for your spouses.

Mike Bova is timely and topical as always today, with an interesting look at the rise and fall of the heart-shaped hotel tub. We work at the weirdest place.

Dez Reads is actually chock full of Americana this week, and I love it. Anne Marie pens an ode to the Midwestern tailgate (she rocks), David Manitsky a plea to put some respect on American cinema’s name, and Nathaniel Beach an optimistic look at the future of rugby in this country.

Will Kim, ever the serious one, asks some ethical questions about the posthumous release of art, specifically examining Mac Miller’s new album.

Great edition this week from our team. Enjoy your chocolates, and thanks, as always, for reading along with us.

Here we go.

Art.

New York Post. 1915 silent film feared lost forever rediscovered in Long Island archive

Until recently, the Library of Congress said Heart of Lincoln, a 65-minute silent film from 1915, was lost. However, a film student’s discovery of the reel in a Long Island archive changed this, and fortunately, the film was restored to 4K and will be donated to the LOC. While this story has a happy ending, unfortunately the same cannot be said for most films of this era. According to an LOC report, 75 percent of the 10,919 silent films released by major studios from 1912 to 1927 no longer exist. This means thousands of silent films, which propelled American cinema to be the world’s premiere art form in the 20th century, are gone forever.

It’s a great tragedy that our country doesn’t take more pride in the success of our motion picture industry and doesn’t make a stronger effort to preserve its legacy. In 2021, the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences finally opened an official museum honoring American cinema, but hopefully, this is just the start. As museums in Europe celebrate different periods, genres, and artists, I hope one day America can do the same with films, which, in my opinion, are our greatest artistic export.

– David Manitsky

Culture.

NYT. Love in This Tub

Have you ever wanted a heart-shaped tub? For the low price of around $800 and a nice drive to the Poconos, you can achieve this dream. The NYT profiled the history of what was once one of the hottest honeymoon destinations – The Poconos in Eastern Pennsylvania. This was a prime destination due to its close proximity to New York City and Philadelphia and rose to prominence around 1945 as hotels were trying to capitalize on the increase of couples rushing to the altar ahead of soldiers’ deployment to WWII.

Morris Wilkins, an electrician and submariner who opened his resort in 1958, developed the “sweetheart tub” in 1963, marketing his property and the romantically shaped amenities as a couples-only location. This trend grew so popular that there was a two-page spread in Life Magazine in 1971 showing a couple embracing in one of the hotel’s tubs. Unfortunately, Wilkins never secured a patent for his invention, allowing for imitations of his idea to take off.

The popularity of these types of resorts and bathtubs closely tracked with the marriage rate decreasing in the late 1990s and early 2000s, leading to many of them closing down. While there are some that visit for the nostalgia – these heart-shaped bathtubs being ripped out of rooms seems to be a fitting metaphor for the end of this era.

– Mike Bova

NPR. The American tailgate: Why strangers recreate their living rooms in a parking lot

With another season of football ending with the Philadelphia Eagles (Go Birds!) victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, I’m oddly nostalgic for this pastime and loved this NPR story, which made me think about why I love tailgating.

This uniquely American ritual is more than beer and burgers ahead of a game – it’s community, camaraderie, and one of the few places’ differences are sidelined. Whether fellow fans or bitter rivals, all are welcome, and tailgate hosts go above and beyond to create a sense of home and hospitality.

Even Eagles fans (deep breath, don’t get upset, compliment forthcoming), who are notoriously pro their team and anti-everyone else, willingly and enthusiastically host and partake in tailgating with the opposition before games. I recently tailgated at Lincoln Financial Field ahead of an Eagles/Packers game. While I regret not experiencing the Eagle Mobile II, I was met at the Linc with a delicious spread, endless entertainment, and open arms.

Growing up in a college town, tailgating was a near-religious experience for students and fan families alike. Think of weeks of planning, classic to gourmet menus, full living room setups across multiple parking spots, card and yard games, and so much more. But at the end of the day, it’s really about the people, the connection, and the shared lived experience. I didn’t realize just how unique this part of my growing was until I left the Midwest. It was a joy to be reminded just how loveably weird and special tailgate culture is.

– Anne Marie Malecha

Entertainment.

Variety. Mac Miller’s ‘Balloonerism’ and the Moral Dilemma of Posthumous Rap Releases

More clicks, downloads, and views often mean money and fame today, but does all this limelight matter if the content is created by a dead person? Released this past January, deceased rapper Mac Miller’s second posthumous album, “Balloonerism,” begs this ethical question. I am not here to say that posthumous work should never happen; in fact, some of our favorite songs from artists like Michael Jackson and Notorious B.I.G. were released after their passing.

However, we must not forget that releasing posthumous work presents moral dilemmas. Would the artist have wanted these unreleased tracks to go public? Do grieving fans enjoy listening to new songs from our beloved yet deceased artists? As the saying goes, “what is online lasts forever,” and if done without the proper intentions and respect paid to the deceased, posthumous works in today’s context of online streaming and social media risk granting a certain immortality to these artists who may never have wanted that in the first place.

Perhaps the questions posed by posthumous content can at least serve as a reminder for us to leave some things offline.

– Will Kim

Sports.

Awful Announcing. ESPN reaches media rights agreement with Major League Rugby

A little-known fact about me is that when I’m not working, I’m on the rugby pitch. The sport has taken me across the country, competing at a high level against some of the best players in the US. I love the fast and physical play and the unmatched camaraderie that comes with it. However, despite rugby’s intensity and appeal, it has struggled with mainstream sports coverage. That’s why ESPN’s new partnership with Major League Rugby (MLR) is a big deal.

Rugby in the US has always been fueled by a passionate, tightly knit community, but its platform has remained small. With ESPN broadcasting games, that’s about to change, with MLR commissioner Nic Benson stating, “We’re going to get outside of our bubble.” More people will have the chance to experience the nonstop action and hard-hitting tackles that make rugby compelling.

Momentum is already building; just look at the US Women’s 7s team, who recently took home their first-ever Olympic medal, proving that American rugby can compete on the world’s biggest stage. With the US set to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup, this partnership with ESPN could not have come at a better time.

For brands, this creates a prime opportunity to engage with a growing fanbase. As the sport gains traction, the media coverage and commercial opportunities surrounding rugby will only expand, helping to usher in a solid foundation for America to join the international community in embracing this historic sport.

– Nathaniel Beach

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