Sunday, November 16, 2008

LOL!

147 comments:

memphish said...

Yep, that's my state. I'd vote for castration before he names another one Karl Rove or something.

Holli

Jon from NKY said...

Yeah, that sucks. I should know. My middle name is "Mondale-Ferraro."

Chris JC said...

Film review: Igby Goes Down.

Zzzzzzz.

Stephanie said...

Sites have repeatedly recommended Igby Goes Down to me when compared to movies that I like. I repeatedly have no interest in Igby Goes Down.
I'm awaiting feedback from Andrew on his Saturday Supernatural Marathon.

Chris JC said...

There are good bits of Igby Goes Down (Kieran Culkin in particular is superb), just that it drags a lot in the middle.

Also, it suffers from Rich Syndrome. I'm sure that a lot of kids born into wealthy families with high expectations of them do suffer great feelings of anxiety and anger, but nobody else cares 'cos all they can see is how fabulously wealthy you are. You privileged little fucker.

Alirio said...

Hey folks!

Someone in Quebec tried naming their baby "Spatule"

That's french for spatula! We have a baby name review board for people like that. The name was rejected and they had to try again...

Stephanie said...

A baby name review board? Are you serious, Alirio? I must google this.

Chris JC said...

New Zealand do it too, hence the disappointment of the parents who wanted to name their child "4Real". Apparently, similar attempts to name children "Satan" and "Hitler" have also fallen by the wayside.

They didn't manage to prevent a young girl being Christened "Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii", but they have at least allowed her to get shot of the name AND her parents. Good move.

Hollywood needs their own board.

Chris JC said...

More bonkers and forbidden names include:

Metallica
Ikea
Veranda

and

Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 (which is pronounced "Albin").

Also note regular nutters who change their names to that of entire football teams, as well as young Captain Fantastic Faster Than Superman Spiderman Batman Wolverine The Hulk And The Flash Combined, and finally original name-changing political barmpot "Martin Felix Oddsocks McWeirdo El Tutti Frutti Farto Hello Hippopotamus Bum" (very few links of interest for this man).

Alirio said...

Steph:

I used the term baby name review board, but it actually falls withing the pervue of the registrar of civil status.

Article 54 of Quebec's Civil Code:

"Where the name chosen by the father and mother contains an odd compound surname or odd given names which clearly invite ridicule or may discredit the child, the registrar of civil status may suggest to the parents that they change the child's name.

If they refuse to do so, the registrar nevertheless draws up the act of birth and notifies the Attorney General of Québec. The Attorney General may bring the matter before the court within 90 days of the registration of the act to request that the surname of one of the parents be substituted for the surname chosen by the parents or that two given names in common use be substituted for the given names chosen by the parents.

Until the time for bringing the matter before the court expires or, if proceedings are brought, until the judgment acquires the authority of res judicata, the registrar of civil status makes a notation of the notice given to the Attorney General on every copy, certificate and attestation issued on the basis of the act of birth.

1991, c. 64, a. 54; 1999, c. 47, s. 2."

Alirio said...

On a different note:

New episode of PauseCast available...

Alirio said...

If you want absolutely no details concerning third-level characters in Quantum of Solace, please skip to last 6 minutes of the Podcast.

andrew. said...

- The 20 most-watched broadcast shows during the first full week of sweeps:
1. 60 Minutes (18.5 million viewers)
2. CSI (18.2)
3. Sunday Night Football (17.6)
4. Dancing With The Stars Monday (17.1)
5. Desperate Housewives (15.9)
6. Dancing With The Stars Wednesday (15.8)
7. Grey’s Anatomy (15.7)
8. SNL Presidential Bash (14.4)
9. Criminal Minds (14.3)
10. Vote 2008 (ABC) (13.2)
11. Two and a Half Men (12.8)
12. CSI Miami (12.7)
13. Cold Case (12.7)
14. Decision ’08 (NBC) (12.5)
15. Survivor (12.0)
16. CSI NY (11.8)
17. The Amazing Race (11.7)
18. Numb3rs (11.3)
19. NCIS (11.2)
20. Eleventh Hour (10.9)

it's kind of amazing that networks even bother making shows that aren't mysteries or reality contests.

- Stephanie, my marathon wasn't as intensive as i expected. i spent yesterday cleaning 2 computers of a virus introduced by Windows Automatic Update. I did get through the first 3 episodes though and can report that they're really pretty good. They've done a very good job of linking the monster-of-the-week & overall conspiracy story. Our heroes sometimes shine that CW-charm, but the tone of the show is certainly much more hardcore than i expected. I spied Winifred from Angel! I'm looking forward to more episodes today!

- I watched an awesome movie yesterday too, >Let The Right One In. It's a swedish horror movie that is very unique. It's a melancholic drama that i think will appeal strongly with people that aren't fans of horror, because the focus isn't the scare. It would have made my list of films with a non-condescending portrayal of a child's perspective.

- andrew Desmond Locke Sarah Connor the Third.

Stephanie said...

1) I did not watch any of those shows.
2) So glad to hear you're enjoying it.
3) I saw Let the Right One In- excellent.

memphish said...

So 3, probably 4 with 60 Minutes, of the top 20 are election related. I'll admit to watching Sunday Night Football, at least part of it, and Survivor and Amazing Race, but I time shift both of those.

Holli

scrdmnkydst said...

20 minutes into I'm A Celebrity and George Takei is already being absolutely amazing.

andrew. said...

- watching Steelers vs Chargers. Handosme Jack is supposed to be at this game. I think he paid off the refs.

andrew. said...

- He may have also paid off the Steelers' offensive line.

- I hope the Dharmalars, friends and family are doing okay with the fires.

scrdmnkydst said...

oh my... i seem to have just turned 21

:(

Stephanie said...

Happy Birthday, herlihy!

PalmerEldritch said...

happy birthday, herlihy!

memphish said...

Kablamo for Herlihy's birthday!

So is 21 the big deal it is here in the UK?

Holli

Chris JC said...

Many Happy Return's of the Day!

21 is a big one, but really only symbolically, it's not the age limit for anything - there's nothing Ryan can legally do today that he coudn't yesterday.

Stephanie said...

You Brits are so much more mature than we silly Americans. I'm watching Skins and have a similar question about age. When do you get your driver's license? You graduate high school at 16, right? Then go to college which is like an extension of high school? Then university a few years later? When can you vote? Are you considered adults at 16?

PalmerEldritch said...

"Captain Fantastic Faster Than Superman Spiderman Batman Wolverine The Hulk And The Flash Combined"

"You Brits are so much more mature than we silly Americans."


well, i'm convinced.

Chris JC said...

Steph - the abiding impression you got of the teens in Skins was that they are mature?

School, then College then University is generally how it's done, but (apart from school) you don't need all these steps. I didn't go to University, and did two years of music at Lewisham College. Some of the people I was there with were older people (like the age I am now) and some had done University previously. Many of my friends just went from school to work at 16 (or from school to unemployment).

Brief age breakdown

16 - Sex (used to be able to buy cigarettes at this age, too, but that's been pushed back. This age of consent if for hetero- and homosexual sex acts. Male homosexual sex (after decriminalisation) had an age of consent of 21, then 18. It was made 16 in 2000 in an act which also introduced an age of consent for lesbian sex (which previously had no age of consent and was never illegal.

17 - Driving licence and sex in Northern Ireland (slightly more conservative than the rest of us.

18 - can vote, can buy booze and cigarettes (although there are weird arcane rules about being able to have alcohol bought FOR you at various younger ages depending on the situation you are in. Oh, and can appear in pornography.

An 18 year old can legally have a fully sexual relationship with a 16 year old but if they film themselves fooling about (as some folks like to do), the older party is technically making child pornography and can be prosecuted for it.

21 - get a card, a tankard and a big plastic key with "21" on them. As said before, it used to be the gay man's age of consent but that has been revised to make it in keepeing with everyone else - which is only fair.

Limey Lads: any other age stuff I've missed?

I seem to recall, now, that 21 is that age you have to be to become a driving instructor, but that could be my memory playing up.

scrdmnkydst said...

For some reason i seem to be thinking that 21 is the age that you can get a mortgage...? maybe? i'm not sure....

Chris JC said...

Try it and see if it works!

scrdmnkydst said...

pfft! i can barely buy monopoly never mind a mortgage.

Chris JC said...

I understand there's a feature film coming which will bring the Monopoly experience to all, merely for the price of a cinema ticket.

Actually, Monopoly might be cheaper...

Stephanie said...

No, of course I don't think the crazy kids on Skins are mature. Far from it. I was trying to compare ourselves with you though. 16 over there is like 18 here.

Chris JC said...

I get ya.

They won't let 16 year olds drive cars here, though.

Stephanie said...

16 year olds are stupid. They shouldn't be allowed to do anything.

I don't see The Pausecast on iTunes.

PalmerEldritch said...

ooooh...

Cuseloff interview with very mild semi-spoilers.

Chris JC said...

Steph - did you unsubscribe and then resubscribe to Pausecast on the website?

Anonymous said...

It seems that Stephanie has gotten well into Skins... Cassie is blates my favourite character.

Oh wow. amazing. great.

Stephanie said...

I really like Cassie and Sid. See new Skins thread over in the forums.
Pausecast has a different feed?

scrdmnkydst said...

Spoilers on the Splog. I'm even doing it on my birthday. That's how good i am!

PalmerEldritch said...

"I'm even doing it on my birthday. That's how good i am!"

that's what she said.

scrdmnkydst said...

it's tiring work being this amazing.

memphish said...

Kablamo!
So. Cal fire pictures. The Yorba Linda fire is the one nearest Ben and Ralph. The last photo is particularly interesting.

Holli

mb said...

Continued thanks to you Herlihy for putting stuff on the SPLOG - glad someone is doing it :)

Mr. Bill said...

Herlihy happy b'day, late.

mb said...

DOH!

Happy Birthday too Herlihy!

scrdmnkydst said...

Oh... it's still my birthday for another four hours... i've been drinking for the past 3 and i#m currently getting ready to go get shitfaced...

thanks all for the birthday messages :D

Jordan said...

Looks like the ABC mid-season schedule that I linked to last week had a few inaccuracies. While still not "official", this schedule was taken from ABC's advertising website. Still no Pushing Daisies. Interesting note, this schedule does not have Life on Mars following Lost anymore. It's been replaced by a show called The Unusuals. In fact, Life on Mars is nowhere to be seen on the new schedule. America can rest at ease however. As they'll be getting a whole hour of According to Jim on Tuesdays!

Jordan said...

I been reading the website I linked to, tvbythenumbers, a bunch of late. Really interesting/depressing to see what types of shows succeed and to see the numbers broken down. One thing I did not know was that the CW gets routinely beat out by Univision. For those across the pond, Univision is a Spanish-speaking channel. Like Andrew referred to when posting that top 20, it's no wonder that these networks keep dumping interesting/critically acclaimed programs like Pushing Daisies, Arrested Development, etc. If it doesn't fit the familiar formulas "American" has grown to love, it's not getting ratings. And if it doesn't get ratings, it's not staying on the air. Really when you think about it, it explains why even the shows many of us love, like Lost, never are ratings killers. If a show forces people to think too hard, the masses aren't having any of it. TV programming is about knowing your target audience and not about putting out quality shows. And unforunately for those of us with decent taste, most of the country enjoys watching utter garbage.

Stephanie said...

We need stuff that the general pop likes on one channel like Dancing with the Stars and the really good stuff on another channel for people like us. I believe cable is becoming the channels for our kind of tv. HBO should pick up Pushing Daisies. Which that makes sense. People who watch tv passively generally wouldn't pay for cable.

Chris JC said...

BRING ON THE WALL!

(this was meant to come right after Jordan's post)

Jordan said...

Television ratings talk leads me to a bit of a rant. Yeah, big shock, huh?

So I've been watching Homicide recently. Homicide was never a big ratings hit during it's run on NBC. But it was universally praised by critics as one of the best shows on tv at the time. It's quite amazing that it lasted as long 7 seasons. As the entire time it was on the air, it was constantly flirting with cancelation. But the head of NBC was a big fan and felt it was worth saving. This is the same guy who decided to stick with a rather unsuccessful new show back in the day called Seinfeld. Funny how that doesn't happen much these days, huh?

Anyway, I just watched a documentary piece on Homicide the other day. It followed the writers and production team through the creation and filming of an episode. Very interesting to watch the process. This took place in season 6, which was around the time the show started to take a bit of a downturn creatively. Still however, as it was such an amazing show, they still had some impressive episodes. The episode the doc followed was about a man who got caught inbetween a Subway car and the platform, who was going to die in less than an hour. In the episode, the Homicide detectives are trying to find out what happen also while dealing with a man staring death in the face. Extremely emotional and gripping. To this day it is considered one of the best episodes of Homicide ever, and is on many lists of best tv episodes ever. During the documentary piece, you see the interactions the producers have with the network. The network who is constantly meddling with their product in effort to bring up ratings, has basically given them a mandate. They must beat their top competition in their time slot, Nash Bridges. Nash Bridges was constantly beating them. Nash Bridges! So anyway, once the network starts to hear all the buzz around this episode, they decide to delay airing it a bit and give it time to garner some critical buzz. So the media blitz is on and all the critics are talking about this landmark episode that is going to air. The show airs and we see the writer of this episode, who is also a co-producer, call up a hotline for the networks to check out the initial overnight ratings. And Homicide has a 2 point lead on Nash Bridges! The guy looks to the camera and says, "This is good. But we shouldn't get too excited though. These numbers are only reported from major markets and big cities. Tomorrow we will know the nationwide numbers. And we don't seem to do too well usually in the midwest." The next day the nationwide ratings roll in. And Homicide's 2 pt lead on Nash Bridges ends up being a 2 pt loss. Evil prevails.

And this leads us to the current state of television. The networks are pandering to the masses. You can't fault them really. They put out innovative, critically acclaimed, smart shows that tank. Then they put out mindless reality shows and shallow cookie cutter criminal procedurals that don't ask much of the audience and they score ratings gold. If I'm a salesman and my customers are asking for piles of dog shit, I'm gonna give it to them.

Thank heavens for HBO and Showtime. As well as cable networks getting into original programming. Their dynamics don't call for such a desperate ratings grab, and allow quality and creativity to manifest without the constraints of network tv. If it wasn't for cable and pay channels, I just might be ready to give up on television.

memphish said...

But for sports I would seriously consider getting rid of cable/satellite and just watch things on DVD. This comes from my wasting 2 hours today with Comcast only to have to waste 2 more on Wednesday and I'm willing to bet that my problem won't be resolved then because a) the signal on the line will be out of balance or b) the line will be chewed by squirrels or c) it's actually the box not the signal and oh by the way we don't have any to replace it with.

Of course failing to watch any TV but that on DVD I assume would lead to even worse programming but hey, my watching of shows doesn't seem to count anyway.

Holli
/disenfranchised TV watcher

Jordan said...

I realize that network are finally starting to pay attention to online ratings and dvr viewing. But they still almost entirely rely on Nielsen ratings. Which I've never understood. I've never known a single person in a Nielsen household. This leaves me to believe that their sample size isn't all that big. I think I read somewhere once that only about 12,000 households have Nielsen boxes. It's ridiculous that such a small sample set is relied upon by these networks. In today's digital age Nielsen ratings make about as much sense as the electoral collage.

Jordan said...

Ok, so I was wrong. Looks like there are about 33,000 Nielsen households. However, when you consider there are around 112 million households in the US, this seems a bit inadequate.

t-dot kim said...

Happy Bday, Herlihy!!

memphish said...

So something is finally happening in the ARG. If you ever registered with Dharma Wants You it looks like you get a job even if you didn't do all the tests. I'm a Mini Bus Driver. There's also this weird/lame thing about the show LOST buying The Dharma Initiative.

Holli

Chris JC said...

I was gonna comment on this, but was so disappointed by it that instead I decided to cry until someone else mentioned it. I think I made the right choice.

memphish said...

Yeah Chris. This merely confirms the supreme crappiness of this ARG rather than redeem it.

Holli

PalmerEldritch said...

misread your Who-post on the BBS, chris. apologies.

what's up, blogspotica?

Chris JC said...

I didn't see it that way, Palmsy. we cool.

PalmerEldritch said...

hey, chris.

"My Hero." why? good lord, why?!

is it a show for children? or just a crappy show for adults?

Chris JC said...

You ask that like it's my fault.

I have no idea why a latter day Mork & Mindy style comedy about a superhero from another planet moving in with an Earth woman (starring Ardal O'Hanlon and later James Dreyfuss) was/is (I have no idea if it's still in production) so damned popular.

But it does lead me to post this question: Meego, starring Bronson Pinchot. Why?

Punky Brewster, why?
Small Wonder, why?

etc.

Chris JC said...

I've just realised that I've just talked about an alien/family sitcom, superhero/family sitcom and an android/family sitcom but also made the mistake of mentioning Punky Brewster, which makes it look like I think it was also one of these weird genre comedies.

I don't think that.

Just wanted to know why.

Soleil Moon Whye?

PalmerEldritch said...

ok, "My Hero" being a show for children helps excuse it.

i think that Punky Brewster might be a science fiction genre comedy. after all, an old guy finds a small child on the street and the authorities are ok when he decides to keep her?

PalmerEldritch said...

apparently, dharma does not want me. that site is fubared.

scrdmnkydst said...

My Hero wasn't a show for children... it was on in prime time on bbc1. and it had some fairly harmless risque humour.

needless to say, it was not very good.

andrew. said...

- you're looking at the new Dharma Biologist! too bad there's no company to biologe at.

- Happily belated birthdate Herlihy.

- Admiral Cain showed up on True Blood. She sure gets around. Season finale on True Blood this coming Sunday. It's been a solidly entertaining show.

- Finished season 1 of Supernatural this morning. Great show so far. A lot of the monster-of-the-week episodes were actually much better riffs on stories that i've seen turned into bad horror movies.
I'm not sure how i feel about the big plot of the show, because i much prefer when the brothers are just vibing on the mystery of the week. I like both actors. I get the sense that they're having a blast on the set together, but it doesn't interfere with committing to the story, it comes out in the lighthearted moments.
Thanks for the recommend Stephanie. Now i've got to track down Season 2.

- Small Wonder deserves a place in the Television hall of fame as one of the creepiest shows ever made. The premise was kind of off in the first place but then they cast the most disturbing actors they could find. It was like watching a bunch of serial killers do psychodrama.

- I interviewed to be a nielsen family this past summer, but they asked me if my television was on right then and i said yes, and then they asked what i was watching and i said CNN. Never got called back.
I've actually known a bunch of people who have been Nielsen families. They're young and hip too, so i think they've kept some of my favorite shows on the air.

Jordan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jordan said...

I really liked Admiral Cain on Homicide where she played the wild woman medical examiner for a couple seasons. Kinda funny seeing Michelle Forbes actually smile every once in a while in a role. While she already had her assertive high ranking female glare that she's used so often later in her career. It wasn't quite up to par with how she is now where she is always constantly scowling.

Speaking of Homicide, I was channel hopping around the other night and for whatever reason stumbled upon a new tv re-make of the Andromeda Strain. It starred such actors as Andre Braugher, Benjamin Bratt, Ricky Schroeder, Daniel Day Kim, Jordan from Scrubs, and the Will from Will and Grace dude. And I saw all of them in 1 scene. The show wasn't too hot, despite all the great tv actors. Didn't make it past the next scene.

andrew. said...

- Admiral Cain is positively sunny on True Blood. I had to check the mole to make sure it was really her.

- I used to be way into Jordan from Scrubs when she was on the Drew Carrey Show, but i think she's become a botox victim.

- I can't decide about the new Star Trek movie. It looks alternately good (trippy space battles) and cheesy (hand to hand combat). I'm not into Star Trek too much so i'll probably wait. Seeing Harold as Sulu is very distracting. Sylar as Spock is pretty spooky good though.

Jordan said...

Yes, her face looks frozen.

Saw the Star Trek trailer last night for the first time. Yeah, I'm not so sure either. I laughed out loud on a few occasions. One being Harold from Harold and Kumar screaming while in battle. I get that it looks as if Kirk and Spock and the crew are going to have some growing pains. But it sure seems like they are fighting each other the entire trailer.

mb said...

Being a dormant Star Trek fan - I have high hopes. But I think the thing that would f*** up this movie for me the quickest is bad casting - i.e. if there is no character chemistry.

I'm assuming J.J. has come up with an original angle on the story and that the writing is decent if not really good. I mean, he managed to get a decent film out of the Mission Impossible franchise (if the reviews I heard/read are to be believed), and I have to think he's putting some pretty serious thought into this one, so I'm thinking that prospects for a decent film are pretty good here.

But this could also be the lofty hopes of a geek/fan...

Jordan said...

Is anybody here able to explain the mass appeal of Two & a Half Men? I just don't it. I understand that there are tons of crap shows on tv. And if I were to compare T&AHM to a show like According to Jim, it's not all THAT terrible. But still, it dominates in the ratings. Over 15 million people watched it last night and do so every week. And it puts up those numbers up against Dancing with the Stars. Other network shows in the same time slot, Prison Break and Heroes get around 5-7 million in comparison. I just don't get it. How is a show where Charlie Sheen makes cringe worthy sexual puns to a fat kid the top comedy on television by a mile?

Unknown said...

I don't watch Two and a Half Men either. You can see the jokes coming from a mile away and it really doesn't give me a good reason to watch it. I think the only sitcom I watch currently is How I Met Your Mother.

I still am watching Heroes and the last 5 minutes of the show last night were pretty good. It is something that I was hoping would happen the first episode this season: teaming up of the good guys and bad guys and done in a cool way. I still can't say it's a must watch, but go to hulu and skip to the end.

Jordan said...

Still curious for any guesses. But I think the video posted along with this thread might explain it.

memphish said...

I think the appeal of a Two and A Half Men and According to Jim is the same thing that keeps Nick at Nite and TV Land not to mention TBS going strong. There's a lot of people out there who despise change and like predictability. Two and 1/2 Men and ATJ follow standard sitcom formula. They are familiar. Some people like entertainment they don't have to think about. I'm pretty sure it's the same people who like to watch others drive in a large oval repeatedly. Which is not to say that I don't like to watch a good NASCAR crash, but the not crashing does not interest me.

Holli
/will admit I've seen 30+ 2 1/2 Men episodes over the million years its been on air (and laughed at them)

Stephanie said...

The opening of the Star Trek trailer rubs me the wrong way. That's not Star Trek. But it does looks like typical JJ Abrams. The rest looks freakin fantastic.
I've never seen Two and a Half Men but my mother and father-in-law love it. They also watch Dancing with the Stars, Grey's Anatomy, and Desperate Housewives. So I guess they are the general viewing public.
Andrew, I can mail you bootleg copies of season two if you wish.
I'm still in love with Skins now than I'm into series two.
Got to see Quantum of Solace today. Overall, it's a good movie. Good pacing, only one ending. The action doesn't look right for some reason. I can't put my finger on. Could be that it's shot too tight. Was it shot digitally or on film? Cause I feel like it was digital. Too fast for my eyes.
I love Craig as Bond but there was something missing between him and the "Bond Girl". They were supposed to have similar objectives but I didn't feel it. Other than that, I love to see him run, chase and fight. Bad ass.

Unknown said...

Steph,

I thought the Quantum of Solace action scenes were cut too fast. Very "MTV style" editing where each shot lasts for only a few seconds. I'm not a fan of that stuff but maybe I'm getting old. Only the first few scenes where like that, then it seemed to calm down the rest of the movie. Or, at least, I didn't notice it as much.

-LT Smash

PalmerEldritch said...

i think the "appeal" of Two and a Half Men and its ilk is that, while nobody seems to be really excited by it, it appeals to a wide audience of people who tolerate it and/or think it's an OK way to pass a half hour.

also, at this point, it's been on so long that it's "familiar" to a lot of people.

that said, i've managed to avoid it so far.

and it's probably better than "Freddie" was.

PalmerEldritch said...

star trek might be fun. it's written by the transformers/porkules writers though. so i expect at least one scene where Spock pees on John Turturro.

Mr. Bill said...

Closing out the November B'day Trifecta.
I'm now 38 years old.;P

memphish said...

Happy Birthday Mr. Bill!

Holli

PalmerEldritch said...

happy birthday, mr. bill.

has our Dharma Initiative related message from Darlton been released yet?

memphish said...

Not yet P. Did you ever find out your job?

Holli
/Mini Bus Driver extraordinaire

PalmerEldritch said...

Carpenter.

think i missed a test. either that or managed a zero.

memphish said...

I only took 2 tests and ended up with that stellar position.

Holli

Stephanie said...

Happy Birthday, Mr Bill.

andrew. said...

- Happily Birthdate Mr. Bill!

- Stephanie, thanks for the offer but i ..er.. got seasons 2 & 3 of Supernatural yesterday. I'm going to start chipping away at them tonight.

- Re: Lost ARG, i got the impression from that last Hans Van Eeghen e-mail that the company that was running the ARG got shitcanned and they're folding the ARG into ABC's realm of operations. Maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.

scrdmnkydst said...

i took all seven tests... but cheated on one of them ad ended up as a brick layer. :(

Stephanie said...

I do not care about the ARG.
Andrew, season two is pretty different from season one. They've worked out a better way of getting the brothers from job to job. That part always irked me in the first season. That and the exposition. "Most ancient cultures blah blah blah ..."
What do you think about the music? Does it work for you or rub you the wrong way?
Because this music on Skins is ridiculous. I believe they've added a budget for it for series two though.

Alirio said...

That's right Bitches! I'm officially a Dharma Cook!!!!

Happy birthday Mr Bill!

A belated happy B-Day to Herlihy!

New Frito-Lay distribution developments are forcing me to do a new vidcast VERY soon. The news is so big, I can't contain myself!!!

Chris JC said...

Happy November to all the birthday folks.

DharmaWantsYou still won't load for me.

memphish said...

I hope you're a good cook Alirio. Beer runs in the Dharma Mini Bus make me hungry.

Holli

andrew. said...

- Supernatural talk: I don't remember the music except for the classic rock stuff they play, which i liked because it was tied to Dean. I had some metal years as a kid, so i appreciate all of his aliases.

- keeping my eyes pealed for Skins. I have no idea what it's about but for some reason i'm imagining it as Kids/Kidulthood the series.

- i saw Zack & Miri Make A Pornographic Film last night. I liked all of the Pittsburgh references. I wish Kevin Smith tried a little harder to surprise me.

- What would the Dharma mess hall be called? The Manna Station?

Stephanie said...

Skins is Dawson's Creek (Joey is dating Pacey when she should be with Dawson) but with tons of nudity, profanity and sex. It's like a dramatic American Pie. I can't get enough.

Stephanie said...

And every adult is very hostile. Except for the ones who are sleeping with the teens. Well, that's just one actually.

scrdmnkydst said...

...I like how steph left out drugs too... especially seeing as how the show is named after drug paraphernalia (sp?)

Stephanie said...

Oh yeah! Every drug imaginble, STDs, homosexual sex, straight sex, bi sex, masturbation, pregnancy. Still waiting on group sex. I'm sure that won't be too far off.
Tim Kring has no vision.

Jordan said...

I was on the fence about Kring up until that article. I gave him a lot of credit in season one, and not so much from things I've read about him and things he's said since then. But this takes the cake. He is utterly clueless. He's more concerned with making excuses and defending his ideas that didn't work out than he is in trying to understand what he is doing wrong. He doesn't give his viewers enough credit at all. He talks as if the audience is a bunch of retards. Talking about not wanting to revisit old story lines because of fear of confusing people. And his idea of short volumes is idiotic. He thinks viewers attention spans cannot sustain a full season. That and he thinks it will lead to new viewers being able to jump in with ease. What he doesn't get is that instead he's turning off all the old viewers he already had. After reading that, I'm more prone to believe that the two writers who were fired were most likely not the problem. And that it might mean that things could get even worse.

Stephanie said...

So Bryan Fuller was the true genius (for lack of a better term) of the show?

Stephanie said...

I thought Skins were condoms.

scrdmnkydst said...

Nooooooo. Skins are the papers used to roll spliffs and other slang names for marajuana cigarettes.

t-dot kim said...

Aimee & I are Dharma Initiative Cooks!

PalmerEldritch said...

Sayid gets sexed by a pink smoke munster.

and a LOST season 5 poster (with various cast members) at the same link. not very spoilery but it does have cast members on it...

Mr. Bill said...

Just got my "Volunteer Assessment Dossier"

I am a Proof Reader.

Now that is really funny!

Mr. Bill said...

Hey Chris,

I had the same problem with the no loading @ Dharma and I opened it with a different browser. I was using firefox and it would not load but on a whim used chrome and it worked. Yay!

Hope this helps.

Chris JC said...

Thanks, Mr. Bill - but still no luck.

Firefox, Safari, Chrome and IE all fail. I would download Opera, but I don't think it will help.

Jordan said...

Two threads in a row with missed kablammo's. What is happening to this place?

Forget the final Cylon. BSG to reveal who is secretly gay in upcoming webisodes.

Stephanie said...

Well, that's no surprise.

PalmerEldritch said...

i have a hard time believing that that character is secretly gay.

not the homosexual part. the secretly part.

that said, i'm of three minds on that "revelation."

1) i hope it's an organic part of the story and not something tacked on to be "shocking" or "hip."

2) too bad it couldn't have been someone more surprising. maybe someone more action heroish.

3) it's not a big deal to me or probably most of the viewership that someone is gay and hopefully there aren't too many people who are going to freak out that some guy on a tv show is gay but i could see where it would be a big deal to a homosexual viewer to have a homosexual character on their tv. so, good on BSG. unless the webisodes are awful like the Heroes webisodes...

Stephanie said...

I'm with you, p. If you're going to do a gay character, don't just do it for the sensationalism of it all. Like Arturo. I think we're all over the shock of it.

PalmerEldritch said...

chris,

win some loot in an illegal cage fighting organization and then pick up a blu-ray player for a merely expensive price!

Chris JC said...

"I didn't sign up for a cage match!"

"Bonesaw is preeeety!"

£300 is their idea of a cheap bundle? And the obligatory dollar conversion = $443

443 dollars? just a month or two ago, that would have been $600!

I'm guessing the pound's fucked.

PalmerEldritch said...

offer them a picture of a spider as payment for the ps3.

PalmerEldritch said...

LOST CITY RAIDERS

Ian Somerhalder in a SciFi Original Movie! This Saturday (the 22nd) at 9. Set those DVRs, mickey fickeys.

also starring James Brolin and some woman in various bikinis.



oh. and the 24 TV movie on sunday night.

andrew. said...

i thought James Brolin had a career now.

Anonymous said...

What? Gaita is gay?! Say isn't so! No fags allowed on the B.S.G.! But tht does explane him being a little bitch when he got shot. This is what happens when a terrorist is president! And whats with mocking on southerns all time? Not cool video post. Liberals think its ok coz you won. you guys do podcasts any more dharmalers?

Chris JC said...

Is Ralph pulling our legs again?

mb said...

for now I'm going to assume yes so that I'm not driven to rant :/

Chris JC said...

If it's not, he might like to read about the now famous leaking of names and addresses of members of the British National Party, just to prove that we can do moronic, bigoted cockmasters as well:

BNP leak

PalmerEldritch said...

so, are we all going to watch Boone's movie or what?

why isn't that guy on some crappy network television show? or, better yet but rarer still, a good network show?

scrdmnkydst said...

my best friend's father is a bnp member... i don't know what to think.

memphish said...

Finally went to see QofS this afternoon. Fortunately Hubby had the afternoon off so we didn't have to wait until tomorrow night and hang out with the squeeing Twilighters.

Overall I liked the movie, though I wish the action sequences weren't quick edited like they were. I think they would have been more interesting if I could have seen more than blur most of the time. I especially liked the exploding fuel cells. Green technology takes on a whole new meaning. I liked the humor, thought there was enough sex and liked the basic villain story. I also liked that the main Bond girl had her own story. I'd give it 3 stars and say it should be seen on big screen.

Holli

Stephanie said...

I completely agree. Solid film. Nothing special.

PalmerEldritch said...

so, it looks like Pushing Daisies is probably kaput. but at least it took Eli Stone with it.

memphish said...

I actually managed to watch Pushing Daisies last night as it aired, and while I enjoyed it, it was not Must See TV for me. It's gotten to the point that it's twee-ness does in fact annoy me. I just hope ABC airs the rest of the episodes in the can. It's 7 I think which seems like a lot.

Holli

Jordan said...

Holli, you just summed up my feelings towards The Office. I still like it though. But it doesn't get me excited anymore and the Jim and Pam stuff is super annoying.

Too bad Pushing Daisies has to end on a cliff hanger. The idea of wrapping it up via a comic does nothing for me. Better than nothing, I guess.

And yeah, thankfully Elit Stone went as well. I was reading stuff that was saying that it was going to survive due to ABC canceling so many shows. Adios Maley McBeal.

Jordan said...

I really have no problem at all with Pushing Daisies only lasting a season and a half. What annoys me is that network tv is only about selling ads. And that shows either are forced to end with no warning or drag on and on and on way past their prime. Just about every show on network television either gets canned too soon or lasts too long. I wouldn't want to be like the Brits and mostly have only shows that last for 2 seasons with 12-16 total eps. But it would be nice if certain shows had the option of taking this route every now and again. Especially critically acclaimed failed ones. Too bad networks don't give a crap about a show's creative direction or narrative. Or the fans who've been tuning into their network to watch it. I think it would've been perfect for PD had ABC just told them, "you guys got 6 more episodes. make it count." The show-runners would've had a purpose and been able to make the rest of the eps meaningful and gone out on their terms. Sometimes short and sweet is just fine sometimes.

memphish said...

British shows definitely prove that short and sweet proposition, especially Ricky Gervais' shows.

I'm not sure what the networks are going to do about advertising. The reality is that non-dipshits to quote Tim Kring are timeshifting their shows to avoid commercials. Is there anyone left who feels they must watch a show when it airs? I know my 75-year-old in-laws are perfectly comfortable with recording and watching later. Until broadcast TV can come up with a new revenue stream we're doomed to shows designed for said dipshits who can't figure out how to avoid commercials and still know who got eliminated on Has Been Celebreties Dancing.

Holli

Jordan said...

Good point Holli. You are right. That is a sad truth. Makes sense as to why the retard vote seems to mean more nowadays when it comes to network tv. The networks don't give a shit about the non-retards cuz they don't watch their commercials or help their live ratings. Therefore the retards get their vote to count twice. And that's how we're left with According to Jim season 22 and countless brain dead crime procedurals. Damn you retards!!! And damn you people in Oklahoma who don't have dvr's!

andrew. said...

- Holli - i'm right there with you on Pushing Daisies. I loved the show last season, and still find it really creative and fun, but i've slowly been losing interest. I still haven't watched yesterday's episode (watching the Steelers game tonight).
I want to fight for the show because i really love it when it's at its best but i've been quietly hoping for it to just go out on a high note.
I don't want to be the usual internet hater, but i like to be tough on my favorite shows so... two things have been bugging Pushing Daisies this season... They used to do a better job of counteracting the cuteness factor with really gruesome dark humor. There was quite a bit of gore but it was also balanced nicely with an upbeat tone.
They seemed to retool, got rid of all of the ongoing plots and didn't introduce enough new ones. Other than Emerson's daughter there is no obvious direction for the show. Ned & Chuck's will-they-won't-they relationship kind of ran aground because they didn't introduce any possible solutions to their situation.
I have to cut the show a lot of slack because it did get tripped up by the writers' strike last season and then had to deal with constant pressure from on-the-bubble ratings. I'll miss Pushing Daisies.
Looking at Fuller's track record, it seems like he's the prime candidate for the BBC styled limited-run series. Hopefully he'll make a jump to cable eventually.

memphish said...

Jordan, you better avoid jail at all costs.

Holli

Mr. Bill said...

Fan or not...

Free Dr. Pepper

memphish said...

I can't decide whether or not to try to watch the 24 movie. What does the blogspot say?

Holli

Stephanie said...

What the heck. Go for it.

PalmerEldritch said...

DAMNIT, HOLLI!!! YOU'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME!!!

Sunday at 8pm.

play the drinking game if need be.

Jordan said...

I'm game.

By this point I think we all know exactly what to expect from 24. It's totally absurd, but usually pretty exciting. It is what it is. That being a whole lot better than most crap on tv right now.

Alirio said...

Palmer and I were both at the 24 ComicCon panel, and I must say I am very excited about this 24 Movie.

I'm fixin' for some serious "Dammit!" and "TELL ME WHAT I WANT TO KNOW!" time.

Remember though, it's supposed to be a prequel to next season... which should be stellar!

PalmerEldritch said...

cheesy official LOST music video ad thing!

*slight spoilers?*
regular version
higher quality version

very CWish music choice.

memphish said...

Still can't decide about 24. I'll probably record it, but I'm really more interested in the Colbert Xmas special.

Holli

PalmerEldritch said...

Alirio, think we'll see any CSIS agents on 24 this year?

Jordan said...

Yes. Very CWish. I half expected Dawson to break up with Joey.

Jordan said...

All Nick Cage movies should be 2 minutes long.

Jordan said...

I scared to say that clip almost makes me want to watch the actual movie.

PalmerEldritch said...

that was awesome.

stick that youtube clip in your proverbial queue.

mb said...

Well I'm in disagreement with Holli, Jordan and Andrew about being basically OK about Pushing Daisies getting axed. It is an f-ing travesty, and I will be writing ABC re: the decision (for what little its worth). At the very least ABC should have done what Jordan suggested and let them have a few episodes to close it out properly - but that would require some initiative and honoring creativity which I imagine was not their priority :/

That said, I think that PD is a prime candidate for a Showtime or HBO run if someone over there has the vision to do it and Bryan Fuller is willing. I can also see a cliffhanger (at the end of the ABC run) working if the show moves as a way to have some continuity and hopefully bring people over.
I do agree with the criticisms about the writing this season (i.e. too much cute, not enough edge), but I REALLY was looking forward to where they would take things, even with the old plotlines having been axed this season. Shame.

I'm sure my ass will be in the seat for 24, although, I must be a masochist because every season I keep thinking that it looks like they finally might step outside their box, and they generally don't. I'm willing to go with it - certainly for a 2 hour TV movie at least.

Yikes, I guess I needed to rant a bit

Jordan said...

Just for the record, I'm not on the same level as Holli when it comes to PD. I've watched all the ep's up to the newest one, and I still liked the show. Yeah, it's not as good as last year. But a sophomore slump is very common for new shows with such original ideas. Being able to overcome it is what seperates the good shows from the ones that prove to be one hit wonders. Unfortunately PD never got that shot. But back to my main point. I'm not cool with the show going away. It was still head and shoulders better than 95% of the crap on tv. With every PD and AD that gets canceled, the terrorists (and people in Oklahoma) win.

Question. Has anybody here actually seen the Nick Cage Wicker Man? Is it as unintentionally hilarious as the clip I posted suggests?

mb said...

With every PD and AD that gets canceled, the terrorists (and people in Oklahoma) win

lmao. See, now why can't we just have a war on Bad TV? Much less controversial ;)

I'm sure most have come across this already - Sarah Palin talks about turkey and...oh forget it - for once SHE'S not the funniest part of the video