American Forces Network (AFN)

The American Forces Network (AFN) is a radio and television broadcaster for US military personnel around the world, including countries where English is not the main language.

Since its 1942 inception, AFN has provided the US military with information and entertainment.

Running the AFN broadcast stations is the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS).

Programs aired on the AFN system come from the Big Three broadcasters in the United States, together with cable-exclusive channels, additional broadcasters and PBS.

Noted AFN assets include the American Forces Network Europe (AFN Europe), which features its own branches like AFN Munich, AFN Frankfurt and AFN Bremerhaven.

Until January 1, 1998, besides AFN, AFRTS had affiliates that operated under different names.

Some of the AFRTS outlets during the pre-1998 period include the Far East Network (FEN), Southern European Broadcasting (SEB) and the Southern Command Network (SCN).

Of all AFRTS assets in the pre-1998 era, the Central Pacific Network (CPN) was uniquely civilian.

For years, under US government funding, the AFRTS stations have never aired commercials; they have always filled them instead with Command Information spots.

During the post-war era, especially during the 1950's and the 1960's, AFN had large civilian audiences across Europe, as national public radio stations rarely played American music.

In Communist nations, no American music was played, since their radio stations was state-operated.

For people who lived in the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War, they tuned in to AFN as an alternative connection to the West.

Besides, unlike radio stations like Radio Free Europe, AFN was not jammed by the Soviets.

AFN played a significant role in spreading American culture and music around the world

Many world-famous non-American musicians have their work being influenced by AFN broadcasts

When it began on May 26, 1942, the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) was its name.

Just 12 years later, in April 1954, with the addition of television, AFRS was renamed the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS).

Masterminding AFN upon its May 26, 1942 launch was Los Angeles-based advertising executive Tom Lewis, whose wife was actress Loretta Young.

Hailing from the advertising agency Young & Rubicam, Tom Lewis, using his Hollywood connections being made via Loretta Young, scraped together enough personnel and equipment to begin AFN.

As for Loretta Young, she contributed to the effort for the Allies to win WWII through the Hollywood Victory Committee, founded in December 1941 and lasting until August 1945.

Both Loretta Young and Tom Lewis enlisted top stars hailing from both the Hollywood and Broadway entertainment scenes to be included in AFN's early programs.

Loretta Young stars in Call of the Wild, the last film under the 20th Century Pictures banner before its merger with Fox Film Corporation to form 20th Century-Fox.

The co-star of the Call of the Wild film is Clark Gable, known as the King of Hollywood.

Jean Harlow and Marilyn Monroe are among the stars collaborating with Clark Gable.

Saratoga is the last film for Jean Harlow, whereas The Misfits is the last completed movie for Marilyn Monroe, both featuring Clark Gable.

20th Century-Fox, which was formed from the merger after the Call of the Wild film, starring Loretta Young and Clark Gable, was Marilyn Monroe's home base for the majority of her career.

Others at which Marilyn Monroe worked include Columbia Pictures, RKO and United Artists.

Kansas City, Missouri is where Jean Harlow was born.

In her early life, Jean Harlow suffered a setback when her parents divorced, leading her to Los Angeles with her mother.

Ben Lyon, who once worked with Jean Harlow, turned Norma Jeane into Marilyn Monroe.

Whilst Marilyn Monroe signed a contract with 20th Century-Fox, Ben Lyon felt that the name "Norma Jeane" was not a glamorous one, so he gave her a new, more glamorous name.

The name Marilyn Monroe is derived from a Broadway star, whom Ben Lyon admired (and which she resembled), and her mother's maiden name.

Having once worked with Jean Harlow, Ben Lyon told Marilyn Monroe, on her first meeting with him, that she was "Jean Harlow all over again!," resembling the 1930's sex symbol.

Double M for Marilyn Monroe means she has good luck; in fact, she is lucky.

Later, Marilyn Monroe thanked Ben Lyon for his support of her in a letter, which says: "You found me, named me and believed in me when no one else did."

Marilyn Monroe's white dress and her twice kiss to the cameras, noted things behind the scenes for The Seven Year Itch in September 1954, are two of her most enduring images.

Indeed, September 1954 is when Marilyn Monroe's white dress scene and her kiss to the cameras twice, both for The Seven Year Itch, solidified her status as a global sex icon.

Plus, Marilyn Monroe's white dress scene and her flirty kiss to the cameras twice, both done behind the scenes for The Seven Year Itch are two of the most famous pop culture pics ever.

William Travilla made two of Marilyn Monroe's iconic and famous outfits: the white dress used in The Seven Year Itch and the pink dress used in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Plus, Marilyn Monroe participates in the parade for the early-1950's Miss America pageant as its own Grand Marshal, the first woman to do so.

For Marilyn Monroe, she is not just an unofficial Miss America, but also a tragic princess of both pop culture and sexuality.

Besides, Marilyn Monroe is also Playboy's first centrefold model.

Using a nude photo, made in 1949 by Tom Kelley, Marilyn Monroe, in the first ever issue for Playboy, proved that sex is normal.

The first ever Playboy issue also features a photo of Marilyn Monroe, taken during her time as the first female Grand Marshal of the Miss America pageant parade, on its cover.

However, Marilyn Monroe is technically not referred to as a Playmate in this first Playboy issue; she is instead Sweetheart of the Month.

Just prior to Playboy, Marilyn Monroe admitted that she posed for nude photos earlier, when she was a struggling model, for Tom Kelley; this did not prevent her from becoming a sex icon.

Playboy owner Hugh Hefner pitched the new sexual revolution.

Marilyn Monroe's visit to South Korea for a USO tour was held in mid-February 1954.

For Marilyn Monroe, her mid-February 1954 visit to South Korea proved that her fame and popularity extended beyond Hollywood; it came after the armstice that ended the Korean War in 1953.

Both Loretta Young and Tom Lewis were the part-owners of the Beverly Hills Hotel, at which Marilyn Monroe stayed during the production of Let's Make Love.

Numbers 1 and 7 are bungalows of the Beverly Hills Hotel that Marilyn Monroe favoured.

Madonna's birth came at a time when the Old Hollywood glamour of Marilyn Monroe was becoming vintage and ready for a postmodern remix.

In the mid-1960's, when she was 5 years old, Madonna's mother died of breast cancer, after which her father remarried.

Plus, in her early years, Madonna was a lonely girl searching for something else.

July 1978 was when Madonna moved to New York, where her first years were marked by poverty and danger.

In New York, Madonna took dance classes, but eventually moved to music.

Holiday is Madonna's big breakthrough tune.

Borderline is Madonna's first top ten hit in the United States, having entered the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1984 and eventually reaching the top ten in June 1984, just three months later.

Lucky Star is Madonna's first top five single in the United States, having entered the Hot 100 chart at number 49 in August 1984 and eventually reaching number 4.

Riding high on Borderline's chart success in 1984, Lucky Star was released in the United States.

Incidentally, both Borderline and Lucky Star are two successful hit songs instrumental in establishing Madonna's early success on the Billboard Hot 100, also cementing her presence in pop music.

The music video for Madonna's Lucky Star features her style - especially the ribbons, lace gloves and layered accessories - which became imitated by young people, including females.

Also in 1984, Like a Virgin, which is the title track from Madonna's second studio album, topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in late-December, becoming her first ever number one hit in the US.

Outside the United States, Like a Virgin also topped the pop charts in both Canada and Australia.

For Like a Virgin, it cemented Madonna's status as a global pop superstar.

Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly serve as the co-writers of Madonna's Like a Virgin.

Shot at Ren-Mar Studio in Los Angeles and directed by Mary Lambert, the music video for Madonna's Material Girl tune is inspired by her admiration for pop culture/sex icon Marilyn Monroe.

The music video for Madonna's Material Girl song is based upon Marilyn Monroe's iconic and famous Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend performance in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

After its release, the phrase "Material Girl" has become a popular nickname for Madonna.

In February 1985, while on the set of the music video for Material Girl, Madonna met Hollywood star Sean Penn, with whom she began a relationship and married six months later in August 1985.

While on the Virgin Tour, Madonna also met its music director Patrick Leonard.

Due to her relationships with Sean Penn and Patrick Leonard, Madonna released the pop ballad Live to Tell, made for her husband's 1986 film At Close Range, with Patrick Leonard doing the music.

James Foley, who directed At Close Range, also directed the music video for Madonna's Live to Tell.

Patrick Leonard's haunting film score for At Close Range, based on Madonna's hit tune Live to Tell, is utilized throughout the film in various, often instrumental, arrangements.

The Live to Tell music video, directed by James Foley (At Close Range), has Madonna utilizing subtle glamour, a departure from her previous ones, and inspired by icons like Marilyn Monroe.

Plus, Live to Tell's music video is Madonna's first not to use dance routines, instead, a cinematic style.

Besides Live to Tell, James Foley directed Madonna's two other music videos: Papa Don't Preach and True Blue, the latter being the title of her 1986 album, which features all three mentioned hits.

La Isla Bonita, which Madonna and Patrick Leonard co-wrote with Bruce Gaitsch, features some of the elements from Latin America, like flamenco guitar, Latin drums/percussion and maracas.

For Madonna, La Isla Bonita is her first foray into Latin pop.

During her childhood, Britney Spears began to attend dance lessons and was chosen as a solo artist at a recital in 1984; she also had gymnastics and voice lessons.

Plus, Britney Spears' childhood had tragedy.

For instance, Britney Spears' parents suffered mental health issues; she was also sexualized as early as age ten.

Having been born in Mississippi and raised in Louisiana, Britney Spears was a modest girl and became eventually over-sexualized.

...Baby One More Time serves as a breakthrough success for Britney Spears as a solo artist, but also a revival of the teen pop genre.

Many of the lyrics for Britney Spears' ...Baby One More Time song reflect her emotional aches after a breakup and her longing to return to her ex-boyfriend.

In contrast to the lyrics reflecting emotional aches, the lyric "Hit me, baby, one more time" for Britney Spears' ...Baby One More Time tune is not violence, but rather a plea for a phone call.

The music video for ...Baby One More Time features Britney Spears donning a school uniform (with a midriff-baring navel).

Nigel Dick directed the music video for Britney Spears' ...Baby One More Time tune, and Venice High School (used in the 1978 film Grease) is the shooting location for this video.

For the iconic music video for Britney Spears' ...Baby One More Time tune, it mixes innocence (school uniform) with sexuality (exposed midriff), making her a sexy and provocative fashion icon.

Plus, thjs iconic and controversial music video for Britney Spears' breakthrough tune ...Baby One More Time sparks debates about young pop stars being sexualized.

What begins this iconic ...Baby One More Time by Britney Spears is the iconic 3-note piano riff, plus a clicking drum groove, followed by a sexy and sultry vocal fry-laden ad-lib: Oh, baby, baby.

Sometimes is Britney Spears' second single.

(You Drive Me) Crazy is Britney Spears' third single, noting similarities to ...Baby One More Time.

Oops!... I Did It Again also notes similarities to ...Baby One More Time.

Lucky is a Britney Spears song, which tells the story of an eponymous Hollywood actress, who, despite having beauty, wealth and celebrity, is lonely in the inside, being a tragic showgirl.

Dave Meyers directed the Lucky music video for Britney Spears.

For this Lucky music video, Britney Spears plays a dual role: the narrator who observes the eponymous actress, and Lucky herself, contrasting between public fame and private loneliness.

The inspiration for Britney Spears' Lucky portrayal comes from her idol Marilyn Monroe.

Stronger is an innovative song for Britney Spears in both music and lyrics, but also the best song in the Oops!... I Did It Again album.

What the lyrics for Britney Spears' Stronger mean is that they reflect on resilience after a breakup.

The chorus for Britney Spears' Stronger tune recalls a lyric from her breakout ...Baby One More Time song: "My loneliness ain't killing me no more," symbolizing independence and strength.

Joseph Kahn directed the Stronger music video for Britney Spears.

Plus, the music video for Britney Spears' Stronger song is a departure from her previous ones in that it features a darker tone, but also results in her mature image.

For the Stronger music video, it has bridged the gap between Britney Spears' teen pop persona and the more mature diva persona that she would later embrace.

I'm a Slave 4 U is the tune that turned Britney Spears from a teen pop symbol into a more mature and sexualized one.

Britney Spears' I'm a Slave 4 U tune also marks a change in sound from teen pop to rhythm & blues.

For I'm a Slave 4 U by Britney Spears, it has a music video, with Francis Lawrence as its director.

The way Britney Spears appears with wet or sweaty hair in a sexy way in an exotic and sweaty Asian bathhouse in her I'm a Slave 4 U music video is also sultry.

Four roles are played by Britney Spears for her Toxic music video, which Joseph Kahn directed.

One of the four major roles being played by Britney Spears in her Toxic music video is a blonde flight attendant donning a sleek blue uniform.

Another role that Britney Spears played in this Toxic music video is a red-haired secret agent, riding a motorcycle and donning a black catsuit in a futuristic city, similar to Jennifer Garner in Alias.

The third role being played by Britney Spears in her Toxic music video is a nude figure, as covered in diamonds, which is intercut throughout the action narrative.

Besides, a black-haired assassin is also played by Britney Spears in her Toxic music video.

Plus, the scene in which a woman's white dress is lifted by the wind when Britney Spears passes on a motorcycle in her Toxic video is based on Marilyn Monroe's dress in The Seven Year Itch.

At age 21, Britney Spears was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a feat which made her the youngest recording artist ever to do so.

Plus, Britney Spears was given the Billboard Millennium Award for her career influence, as well as the MTV Video Vanguard Award for her music videos.

In addition, Britney Spears was the first winner of the Radio Disney Icon Award, but also won the Teen Choice Icon Award and the Music Choice Icon Award.

Dream Within a Dream (2001-2002) is the fourth concert tour by Britney Spears in support of her third studio album (2001); it has 7 segments, with the last one being an encore.

Britney Spears' Dream Within a Dream tour is a transition from a teen pop idol into a mature artist.

The encore of the Dream Within a Dream tour (2001-2002) is a performance being known for Britney Spears' dramatic version of her breakout hit ...Baby One More Time.

Rain pours down on Britney Spears for this ...Baby One More Time finale in her own Dream Within a Dream tour (2001-2002), conveying raw emotion and intense energy.

Chameleon Productions does the rain for Britney Spears' Dream Within a Dream tour (2001-2002).

Starting off as a slow and soulful ballad, this ...Baby One More Time finale in Britney Spears' Dream Within a Dream tour (2001-2002) transitions to an upbeat techno version.

As the ...Baby One More Time finale in the Dream Within a Dream tour (2001-2002) goes on, Britney Spears and her dancers stand on a suspended platform in the rain.

For Britney Spears, getting caught in the rain for this ...Baby One More Time finale in her own Dream Within a Dream tour (2001-2002) leaves her hot and sexy with wet hair.

Using crop top, jeans and a cowboy hat, Britney Spears appears with wet hair in a sexy way during this rain-soaked ...Baby One More Time finale in Dream Within a Dream (2001-2002).

Toxic has a sample of Tere Mere Beech Mein from the 1981 Indian film Ek Duuje Ke Liye.

Me Against the Music is a duet between Madonna and Britney Spears.

What makes Me Against the Music a fitting duet is that Madonna symbolizes the old generation, while Britney Spears, who often calls Madonna her idol and a major influence, symbolizes the new.

During the Like a Virgin/Hollywood medley, which was held at the 20th anniversary of the MTV Video Music Awards, Madonna and Britney Spears share a kiss.

Beautiful Stranger and Boys are some of the pop music tunes which come from the Austin Powers film series, each by Madonna and Britney Spears.

Nearly 2 months before 2001, Madonna was at the Roseland Ballroom for her first performance in New York since 1993, using a tank top with Britney Spears on the front and Material Girl on the back.

In her first performance in New York since 1993, Madonna used this stage to pay homage and tribute to Britney Spears, whom the media often called Baby Madonna.

The 2001 Britney Spears photoshoot by Mark Abrahams features her wearing a graphic tank top, which depicts her idol Madonna from the photoshoot for Justify My Love (1990).

For her 2001 photoshoot, Britney Spears has Madonna's image from Justify My Love (1990) by Patrick Demarchelier, which is featured in a graphic tank top.

Plus, the bra that Britney Spears used for this ...Baby One More Time finale in her own Dream Within a Dream tour (2001-2002) is by Bob Mackie, whose other clients include Madonna.

In June 2022, Madonna and Britney Spears reunited and recreated the iconic and infamous MTV Video Music Awards kiss at the wedding reception.

For the Circus music video, Britney Spears plays a Marilyn Monroe-like ringleader.

Turn It Up by Paris Hilton is noted for its sexy Britney Spears-like approach.

Scott Storch, who, having worked with Britney Spears, is noted for his urban-pop crossover style that comprises acidy synths and heavy bass, co-created Turn It Up by Paris Hilton.

Incidentally, both Madonna and Britney Spears are influential and world-famous pop culture and sex figures.

Marilyn Monroe is a key idol for both Madonna and Britney Spears.

Similarly, both Marilyn Monroe and Britney Spears have the name structure, with 7 letters in their first names and 6 in their last (13 overall), though the earlier is a stage name and the latter is real.

Both Marilyn Monroe and Britney Spears are also pop culture icons who won fame and popularity at a young age and became sex icons, captivating both the public and media.

Charisma, charm, beauty and sex appeal are some noted qualities of both Marilyn Monroe and Britney Spears.

Furthermore, both Marilyn Monroe and Britney Spears are also blonde girls/women whose natural hair colour is brown,

Marilyn Monroe, Madonna and Britney Spears endure their careers as actresses and singers in varying degrees, the earlier of whose main fame is film, the latter two of whose main fame is music.

Both Marilyn Monroe and Britney Spears also have casual looks with midriff-baring tops and jeans.

In addition, both Marilyn Monroe and Britney Spears also have pigtails, but with a difference.

Plus, both Marilyn Monroe and Britney Spears use flirty poses, like sticking out a tongue, licking/biting lips, doing a sexy and sultry gaze/stare and using a slightly open-mouth pose.

Elizabeth "Betty" Hall is a woman being active in the 17th century, who is a common ancestor for both Marilyn Monroe and Britney Spears.

Richard Scott is also a common ancestor for both Marilyn Monroe and Britney Spears.

Furthermore, Britney Spears is a template for a successful celebrity doll.

Like Madonna, whose key inspiration, in turn, is Marilyn Monroe, Britney Spears is deeply loved and admired by younger generations (teens and young adults).

Both Marilyn Monroe and Britney Spears also have struggles in their lives.

Like I Love You is Justin Timberlake's solo debut.

Cry Me a River by Justin Timberlake is a breakup song co-written by Scott Storch, with whom Britney Spears worked.

Justin Timberlake ended his relationship with Britney Spears, which is the basis for Cry Me a River.

Lauren Hastings and Kiana Bessa are acting girls who appear in the music video for Cry Me a River by Justin Timberlake.

In contrast to the Britney Spears lookalike wearing a newsboy cap that Lauren Hastings has played, the brunette girl played by Kiana Bessa uses a lower-back tattoo similar to Britney Spears.

Pamela Anderson 

Randy Petersen, Kevin Quinn and Tim Heintz are Disney songwriters, creating songs for its television series and direct-to-video films.

Shanda Sawyer is a choreographer based in Los Angeles, having worked with some of the world's most famous icons in pop culture.

One of the clients with whom Shanda Sawyer has worked is Disney.

The intros for the movie blocks on AFN poignantly feature Marilyn Monroe.

In real life, Marilyn Monroe resided at the Beverly Hills Hotel (formerly run by a group that included Loretta Young and Tom Lewis, the latter of whom founded AFN).

Jubilee is a radio program that features African-American musicians and singers, heard all around the world through AFRTS from 1942 to 1953.

The regular AFRTS television service began with CSL-TV in October 1954 after an experimental asset located at Limestone Air Force Base began in December 1953.

CSL-TV's October 1954 launch came after a South Korea trip by Marilyn Monroe, who frequented the Beverly Hills Hotel, once run by a group that included Loretta Young and Tom Lewis.

Marilyn Monroe is an idol for both Madonna and Britney Spears, both mainly being musicians whose songs are being heard through AFN.

Having used his Hollywood connections via Loretta Young, Tom Lewis began AFN in May 1942; both were involved in the group that ran the Beverly Hills Hotel, which Marilyn Monroe frequented.