Archive for January, 2010

Remember Fridays? The ABC weekly late-night live comedy show, which aired on… wait for it… Fridays!

From 1980 to 1982, it was a welcome relief to the stale ‘Saturday Night Live’. The show was originally 70 minutes in its first season, but was expanded to 90 minutes in season two.

Like SNL, each week Fridays featured music acts and, in the second season, celebrity guest hosts. (You may have heard about the Andy Kaufman debacle!) Also fake newscasts and spoofs of television shows and commercials.

Fridays veered into dangerous territories, with skits about drugs (again, the the Andy Kaufman debacle!) sex, and physical violence. The production values for musical segments were higher, using coloured concert style lighting, as opposed to SNL’s flat white illumination, thus appealing to the MTV crowd.

Fridays had a host of memorable sketches, like SNL:

“Drugs ‘R’ Us” aka “The Crazed Pharmacist”
“Nat E. Dred” – Catchphrase: (Is it turmeric? No no NO no, gimme ganja! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!)
“Battle Boy” (My favorite!)
“Dick”
“Pitkinville, Montana”
“Latin DJ”
“The Three Stooges”
“Live and Be Well”
“Howdy Doody”
“Pastor James Babbit”
“Dancing Chickens”
“The Golden Boys”
“The Monster”

The series ended in 1982. First, ABC decided to expand Nightline to five nights a week, which moved Fridays to air at midnight instead of 11:30. Now, by the end of its first season in 1981, Fridays was outperforming Saturday Night Live in the ratings. The later time slot hurt the show, and Saturday Night Live had performed a major cast and crew overhaul to combat it’s new nemesis.

ABC tried to save the show by putting it on in prime time. The episode was scheduled against CBS powerhouse Dallas, which did nothing to help the show’s moribund ratings. The series was promptly canceled.

Now, 28 years later, DVDs abound from SNL, including some of those early 80′s tragic years. Yet, Fridays remains seemingly unearthed. Why is this?

The answer is really surprising. Apparently Micheal Richards is the only cast member who has the right to approve any home video release. He had that written into his contract. So far, he has not signed off on a DVD release, though some clips of him and Larry David on Fridays appear on the ‘Seinfeld’ Season 3 and 5 DVD’s.

After learning this, I headed for Facebook, and started the ‘Tell Micheal Richards to approve the release of ‘Fridays’ on DVD!’ group!

If, like me, you would love to relive those awesome Fridays moments again, join the group, and lets get our Fridays!

Apple has generated a lot of chatter with its newest innovation. But it may not be quite the conversation it wanted.

As people waited in anticipation on Wednesday, Apple unveiled the iDork, a cyber hero for the 21st century. He’s a combination of genetic mutation, cloning, and good ol’ android tech.

Many women are saying the name evokes awkward associations with specific adult acts. People from Boston to Ireland are complaining that “iDork,” in their regional brogue, sounds almost indistinguishable from “iDirk,” their beloved show about a lifeguard at Loch Ness, starring Dirk Benedict.

Apple made the announcement in a stunning show with an amazing flash developing animation video of the hero’s new theme song. Rap group Green Brothers says the theme sounds a lot like ‘If You Believe’ a song on their 2009 Soulsville record.

So, now the most hyped and anticipated product of the new year has been presented by Steve Jobs, showing off the new Apple iDork’s 6 Million Dollar bionic skeletal structure. One thing is for sure- the future of spandex will never be the same… at least until the unveiling of Google Eyes ocular implants for men, with x-ray vision.

It was the perfect prank– until it FAILED!

Olathe High school girls’ basketball coach Joel Branstrom was told he’d win tickets to the Final Four if he hit a half-court shot while blindfolded. All in the gymnasium were in on the punk, prepared to scream wildly when his attempt inevitably failed. This way, you see, the coach would think the shot went in. For an instant
he would think he was Final-Four-bound, and then the joke would be revealed.

Well, muhahahaha to those pranksters- He made it.

Not only is this Kansas High School coach a much-loved guy, he was also a walk-on for the University of Kansas basketball team in 1997. That Kansas team was ranked No. 1 headed into the NCAA tournament but lost one game short of the Final Four.

Coach Branstrom took the joke in stride. He said he thought something was up, waiting for a pie in the face moment. He figured the crowd would cheer after any shot he attempted. He didn’t believe that it actually went in until a good bit afterwards.

Yahoo news reported that he received a gift certificate from a Mexican restaurant from students who felt guilty about setting up the prank. However, local residents have since chipped in, and now he and his family are going to the Final Four Tourney.

That’s AWESOME baby!

Last weekend I finally signed up for Netflix. Soon after, a friend suggested I watch a movie on their instant queue called ‘The Gamers: Dorkness Rising’. The premise sounded good, so I gave it 105 minutes of my time.

Now, this was a 2008 straight to video movie, but I feel compelled to give you my review of it.

First, the premise- Kevin Lodge wants his gaming group to finish their D&D adventure, but they’re more interested in seducing barmaids, mooning their enemies, and setting random villagers on fire. Desperate to rein in his players, Lodge adds two characters into the mix: a non-player character controlled by Lodge, and a newbie, and, as the press reads, ‘the rarest gamer of all — a girl!’

The movie itself was pretty clunky. It missed on the opportunity to have the newbie girl bring order to the chaos. The DM tries to micromanage his world, and despite advice to let it unfold naturally, he adds a character of his own, to try and guide his players. The girl, Joanna, is the ex-girlfriend of Cass, a rulebook know-it-all who is determined to beat this quest, despite being horribly inept. The seeds are sewn for her to usurp Cass, as she comes to the table with a character she created. Much to the surprise of the other gamers, her fighter is successful. However, her character never seems to deliver. Eventually the crew does finish the quest, but the ending is quite unsatisfying.

There are some good bits to this movie though, especially for gamers. One is where the character of the bard keeps getting killed, and replaced by a stack of replacement bards his gamer created. For this, it gives one a good aspect of how surreal the playing of D&D is.

A good editor could easily have made this a more flowing adventure, albeit a much shorter movie. If you have a Netflix account, or can find this for rent somewhere, it has it’s moments.

This is just the thing for the collegiate on your ‘Dangit! I forgot to get you a Christmas gift’ list.

The BookBook is a Hardback Leather MacBook Case. It is designed to look like a hardback book, and makes your Macbook look like a Leather-Bound Book.

Now, this is a cover exclusively for the Macbook. So, if your friend is toting a PC laptop or notebook, then this is not the covering for you. You will have to wait until this idea catches on!

The BookBook is available now for $79.99 from http://twelvesouth.com/products/bookbook/

I am a fan of Football, Hockey and… the Olympics! It may be because the seasons of these sports is a bit shorter.

And how patient is a person who waits two years for the excitement of an Olympics!? This year, it’s the winter Olympics in Vancouver Canada.

Following Olympic tradition, then Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan received the Olympic flag during the closing ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. The mayor began walking with the flag, and should make it to Vancouver by time the ceremony begins.

Officially known as the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, they will be held February 12–28. That’s right. 14 days of sport!

Now, as much as I love the events, such as Speed and Figure skating, Skiing, and of course, Curling! There is the drama of the games.

The opening ceremony always makes me smile. Seeing how the host country greets the world says a lot for how these games will go. I wait in antici— pation for the lighting of the torch. Not since the Barcelona summer games has there been a better lighting! Maybe this year…

The other thing is the unexpected developments. Sometimes horrific, always newsworthy, except for the Harding/ Kerrigan scandal. As yet, no Curling attacks have occurred.

This year the big concern is H1N1, of course. There is also the fact that the IOC voted not to include women’s ski jumping, on the grounds that the sport was not yet developed enough. The members of the Canadian Women Ski Jumping Team filed a grievance with the Canadian Human Rights Board citing gender discrimination. They were sure to get Gold for that one.

Other topics you will hear about during coverage include problems with the Athlete’s Village, Use of “O Canada” lyrics, Border security questioning, a January meltdown and the total lack of Bob and Doug McKenzie!

Of course, there is always opposition to the games. There are always people in the world who fear the goodwill these games project. There are those who use the international draw to bring attention to their cause. Like bringing Conan back to the Tonight Show.

For me, the interest is in watching athletes who have worked so hard, for many years, some for this one chance at gold. The story of the skater who came from poverty, the Bobsled team from Jamaica (yes! It’s true! See the movie cool runnings!) these are people who have made it to an elite place in history. Gold, Silver, Bronze or not, they made it. That is an amazing honor. Much more impressive than a Superbowl in my book!

Rod Roddenberry, The son of Gene Roddenberry, and Roddenberry Productions, has struck a deal to try and revive one of his late father’s forgotten projects.

An agreement has been reached with Ron Howard’s Imagine Television to develop ‘The Questor Tapes’.

The announcement was made by Rod Roddenberry, at the the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences TV Hall of Fame Ceremony, where Gene Roddenberry was being inducted posthumously.

Based on a 1974 Roddenberry pilot, which he scripted with Star Trek writer Gene L. Coon, it ultimately aired as a TV movie. The original “Questor” was about an android (portrayed by Robert Foxworth) with incomplete memory tapes who searched for his creator and his purpose.

A novelization, written by D. C. Fontana (another Star Trek alumna), was dedicated to Gene L. Coon, who died before the program was broadcast. (The novel and DVD of the broadcast is available at Amazon.com).

Rod said that “My father always felt that ‘Questor’ was the one that got away. He believed that the show had the potential to be bigger than ‘Star Trek.’”

In the 1970s, after the original Star Trek ended on NBC, and while developing Star Trek Phase II (which ultimately became ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’, Gene Roddenberry developed a number of sci-fi TV shows which were turned into pilot TV movies, but never picked up as series (like “Genesis II” and “Planet Earth” which are also available at Amazon on DVD).

NBC had made a 13 episode commitment, but after failing to agree on changes with Roddenberry, the project was scrapped.

Now “Questor” may be back. Rod Roddenberry will develop the project, along with Roddenberry Productions COO Trevor Roth and Imagine Television’s President David Nevins and EVP of Development Robin Gurney. The team is currently in negotiations with writer, producer and show runner Tim Minear (Lois & Clark, The X-Files, Angel, Dollhouse) to produce.

Of course there still is no guarantee that the new “Questor” will get picked up as a series, but Imagine has a good track record on TV. Imagine developed shows like 24, Friday Night Lights, Lie To Me; Arrested Development, and many more.

In closing, some bits of trivia for you. The character of Commander Data was influenced by Gene’s android.

In fact, there is a scene in the TV movie “Questor” which worked its way into the second season TNG episode “The Royale”. You may remember that during that season, due to a writer’s strike, Roddenberry drew from his ‘personal’ files, especially the ill-fated ‘Star Trek: Phase 2′ for much of Next generation’s stories.

Keep your eyes to the stars, and here for further developments!

Hey there! Are you a fan of ‘The Big Bang Theory’? Have you ever watched an episode, and admired the awesome t-shirts worn by Sheldon or Leonard? Well then, have I got a link for you!

That’s right! It’s T-shirt Nerdvana! SheldonShirts.com, has collected all the best t-shirts worn by Sheldon and Leonard on The Big Bang Theory! Plus Howard’s belt buckles, some shirts that think Sheldon and Leonard should wear, and cool stuff seen on the show! There’s also some of your favorite Sheldon quotes, and lots more!

Go ahead, squeal with dork delight! I know I am!

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Ghostbusters? THREE?! SQUEAL!!!

Straight from AINT IT COOL NEWS to your
Ivan Reitman dropped the bomb that not only has the first draft of the script for Ghostbusters 3 been turned in, but he’s going to be directing.
Back together for another outing, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver… and even Rick Moranis!
This movie supposedly picks up with the senior partners VP’ing a franchise, and a rumor has it that Dana’s son Oscar will be all grown up and donning the proton packed jumpsuit!

Spiderman? FOUR?! NOOO!!!

(Cue the deep voiceover)

IN A WORLD WHERE TOBY MAGUIRE AND SAM RAIMI ARE NO LONGER NEEDED… A NEW BREED OF SPIDER IS COMING!

Spider-man 4 news reports that Raimi has left the franchise. Therefore, the Spider-Man as we’ve known it for the past 3 films is gone. Sony says they will reboot the franchise in 2012 with a new director and an all new cast. That means goodbye Toby and Kirsten and William Dafoe and JK Simmons, who’s amazing turn as JJ Jameson was the dork candy this comic fan enjoyed!

R.I.P. Spiderman! We will miss ya!

So, MAc got a phone, then Google got a phone. Meanwhiele, Coca-Cola is all like ‘We need a phone!’

In a lab, somewhere in an abandoned nuclear bunker, miles below the earth… the dream came true!

Well, maybe not with the drama, but… Nokia has created the cola-phone! A cell phone that runs on cola… and, though it seems any cola will do, all the news of this has shown pictures and video of the phone being filled with the crisp cola taste of Coke!

So! Let the bidding war begin, Pepsi! Get in there and fight, RC! Let’s refuel (pun intended) that cola war while charging up our phone!

The only question I have is- can we drink the cola after the call?

Adidas, the big shoe apparel company, is poised to take their product lines to new heights!

First, there is the ‘Star Wars’ themed line. It features shoes based on such icons from Darth Vader and princess Leia, to the enigmatic AT-ATs. There are also hoodies, track tops and tees. The force is with you, and available now, fanatic!

AND, if you are the kind of person who’s willing to shell out upwards of $100 for those, might I interest you in a game shoe?

No, not Basketball!

Adidas is also bringing the sneaker into the 21st century with it’s augmented reality device! Forget the Wii, Adidas has created a virtual 3-D world that can be accessed through specially fitted shoes.

The user goes to the Adidas web site and hold up the sneaker to a web cam. In the tongue is an embedded code, and a virtual world pops up, which can be controlled by the shoe!

The shoes will be available in February, and new games are in development.

Maxwell Smart never had it so good!

A New Jersey company says it has developed the world’s first sex robot.

It’s a life size doll. designed to engage the owner with conversation rather than lifelike movement.

At a demonstration at the Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas on Saturday, the sexy robot said “I love holding hands with you” when it sensed that its creator touched its hand.

The doll operates from a laptop connected to it. Sensors at strategic locations and can sense touch and when it’s being moved. The robot, however, cannot move. The sound comes out of an internal loudspeaker.

The thinking is that sex only goes so far – then you want to be able to talk to the person.

There are Japanese models that talk, but the ‘Roxxxy’ is the most sophisticated speaking doll to date.

An engineer was inspired to create the robot after a friend died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, to preserve his friend’s personality. He initially thought he might create a home health care aide for the elderly. But there was tremendous regulatory and bureaucratic paperwork to get through. So he looked at other markets.

The broader goal of the company is still to take artificial personalities into the mainstream, beyond sex toys.

The former stuff of Sci-Fi, it’s like they say- sex sells.