Ha! I just saw myself on CTV, and the package on The Crazy Canucks wasn’t that bad. The only thing is that they said that we meet up every game day, and that’s not true. It’s once a week. Other that, pretty cool stuff. If someone recorded that, let us know. We’re hoping to get a copy of it on DVD. Ha!
Update: God bless the internet. Someone put this on YouTube. Thank you, whoever you are.
I just wanted to toss this out there for those who might be curious. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that Rebecca and I were watching The Wedge when this piece of knowledge came to light.
The theme song to the television show House[wiki] is by the group Massive Attack[wiki]. Now I say group because the whole dynamic that makes these guys up is fascinating. They are one of these super groups that seem to do no wrong with everything they release. Can’t say that I’m an overly rabid fan, but what I have always known and heard of them, I’ve liked a lot.
I’ve also seen Tricky[wiki], a side project to Massive Attack, open up for Tool[wiki], if you can believe that. Mind blowing show, even for sitting in the seats on stage right of an arena venue.
Anyway, we just made it through some catching up on some of the TV series that we like to keep track of. WOXY played the track a long time ago, shortly after the series started, but I never scoped out who it was. The track, “Teardrop”[wiki], has actually been used in a variety of shows, but I think you’ll find that common with a lot of stuff from Massive Attack. They’re one of those acts who produce tracks that run perfectly in various scenes for film or television.
Other guilty folks that come to mind like this are Crystal Method, Air, or Coldplay. Who else might I be missing?
I don’t do this often, but the RSS feeds picked up this post today regarding a Channel 4 news introspective about the media coverage going on in Iraq. I found it rather interesting to watch, albeit nearly 50 minutes long. A lot of what it speaks about is nothing that I hadn’t already assumed, but they put it into much better words than I ever could.
If you have the time, check out Iraq: The Hidden Story. It really makes me wonder what the generations to come will say about this conflict, especially looking at the lifetime process I have given to understanding past conflicts. Even more so, there is mention of how bloggers are vital at getting information from inside the country that major news agencies have no way of gaining access to.
I’m a little under the weather today. Woke up with some sort of headache, sinus thing. With my cup of chai green tea and laptop on the couch, I was going to watch this whole kickoff for the countdown to the start of the 2010 winter games here in Vancouver.
Now the thing that gets me about this is the little promo packages that CTV has been running for this. I get the hoopla and drummed up excitement for the games, but this “special television event” makes my skin crawl. People are gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallery and somewhere in Whistler for the clock to officially start ticking.
Of course, Tamera Taggert[wiki], the weather girl for CTV, is hanging out up in Whistler. I would love to go into a nice rant about how much this “meteorologist” annoys me, but there isn’t much more that needs to be said than that. Truth is, she graduated from BCIT the same year and class as John Shorthouse[wiki], both with studies in broadcast journalism. That won’t change the fact that she is up there today to give 2010 weather predictions.
2010? Her weather forecasts are barely correct for the next three days, yet alone what she is going to predict for three years from now.
There are protesters at this event as well. Apparently, there are not against the games as much as they are there to use this events to raise awareness on the homeless problem here in Vancouver. You can hear some of the chants, and there is some dude that has strategically place himself in between the main podium and the camera focused in on that location. Both of his hands are sticking up in the air, but only the middle fingers are raised on each hand. Ah the beauty of live television.
I can’t say that I’m much of a fan of the thunder stix, but those 2010 scarves aren’t too bad. The countdown clock is apparently location near the fountain on the Georgia Street side, closer to the intersection with Hornby.
“Homes not games.” That’s what the protesters appear to be shouting.
1096 days to go. The clock itself is close to the fountain[googlemaps], and I can’t help but feel like it’ll be a target for those who take issue with the games coming to Vancouver. At the same time, that clock is intended to be permanent, sticking around till after the games are over. It’s not the ugliest thing in the world, but you’ll probably notice it without too much difficulty.
So there you go. More fluff to make you feel good about the games coming to Vancouver, but not too much to say about the progress of the preparations or construction of new venues. I probably don’t get close enough to Southeast False Creek that often to really say how the Olympic Village construction is going, but with mostly piles of dirt sitting around, one can’t feel too comfortable. Even at the eleventh hour, will everything be in place?
Oh I can’t post this without Taggart’s snow report from Whistler, which only lasted two minutes at the very end of this “special”. Her prediction? Well, uh, nothing really. Just that VANOC has installed a bunch of weather monitoring stations to measure snowfall here and there to study any patterns. They’ve also invested millions of dollars, around the tune of 15+, to prepare for the event of having no snow on the hills, and there is such things as too much snow. There is not a lot to say about predicting the weather because no matter how much or little there is, machines will take care of the snow. Hmm, wonder if they could do the same with Taggart?
Another Super Bowl post, I know, but there is only one reason why I truly watch it. It’s the commercials. I think in a previous life, I was an advertising guy of some sort, and at some other time, I was a professor of mass communication. Needless to say, I like to dissect a lot of the things I see.
There is a lot of talk that this year’s ads were disappointing, and I’m not here to argue that either way. What does bother me are two ads in particular, mostly in relation to the historic event of having both coaches of each team being of African American descent. Truly a momentous occasion and reason to celebrate another point in history. Albeit a professional football game, but historical nonetheless.
Nothing makes the significance a little less impactual when major companies find a way to use this to advertise their products. Coca-Cola and Frito-Lay both did it. They spent millions of dollars to layer a soft drink and snack food along side the accomplishments of American civil rights. That way you can feel better about consuming their junk food during the big game. Those chip crumbs on your belly are more than just that. Those leftovers for the vacuum are major achievements in humanity. It’s a warm, fuzzy moment, but it’s still an ad.
Yes, it’s Black History Month. Drink Coke. Buy chips.
Update: It’s gets worse. They are doing MRI’s of test subject’s brains while they watch Super Bowl ads to determine who the true winner is this year. Wouldn’t you know it, it’s Coca-Cola. There’s so many things flawed with this, I’m not even going to start.
Around the age of 17, I got to know who Bruce Campbell[wiki] was. Prior to Evil Dead 2[imdb], I never gave a second thought to horror movies. Then, I understood what brilliance really was, not to mention how much the human face could really contort. Even in the spirit of the Super Bowl, in which this has been airing prior to, I could care less if this is a commercial. Bruce Campbell is just one of those guys, and I’m a big fan.
Matt was quicker to the draw, but I am in complete agreement. Prince’s performance in the Super Bowl halftime was spectacular, probably one of the best in my memory. U2’s show in 2002 was pretty excellent, but this one was on a much different level.
I had a buddy I went to high school with that was a huge Prince[wiki] fan. When the clock hit midnight for the start of 1999, he put “Jam of the Year” on the stereo when all the rest of the world hellaciously over played “1999″. After years of being witness to my sister’s love affair with the guy’s music, it was at that point when I started to see the genius of the man.
The halftime show made everything I’ve thought about Prince even more evident. Wicked on the guitar, amazing vocals, and one hell of a showman. Pyrotechnics? Ok, that was cool. What I loved more was having a marching band on the field in addition to him on the stage. Other than that, it was a huge stage, a backing band, couple dancers, and Prince at the mic. He rocked it. And who knew that a Foo Fighters cover could be so damn good?
Thanks, Prince. You made it not painful to watch the halftime show of the Super Bowl.
Already available on YouTube, here is one video of the performance, and here is another.
I’m going to completely admit it. Before I moved to Vancouver, I had no knowledge of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada other than its existence. I also had no clue, as a loving hockey fan, how good their coverage is. Of course, I lived my whole life in the U.S. This is Canada. There’s your difference.
To my dear friends who also love hockey and don’t get the coverage that you should, especially in the states, take this information that comes off of Inside the CBC. If you’re not checking out the Don Cherry[wiki], then you’re not getting all the hockey you could be.
CBC.ca will launch a special online version of Coach’s Corner tomorrow with new content, design and features. Enhancements include an improved and larger video picture and an online forum allowing hockey fans to submit their remarks regarding Don’s, uh, “legendary” weekly commentary.
Episodes from the 2006/07 season are available online, and in the coming weeks, a full-screen viewing option and a revamped archive consisting of some of the most memorable Coach’s Corner moments from the past will also be available exclusively on CBC.ca/coach. [insidethecbc]
I was chatting with my buddy, Sushi, back in Iowa about the coverage he gets back there. Even with digital cable, mostly likely the basic package, he hardly gets any hockey on TV. Comcast SportsNet shows Blackhawks games from time to time, and combined with the weekly games on NBC, that’s about it. His cable package doesn’t include OLN (who the NHL has the explicit contract with for broadcasts in the states), and there isn’t an extra package he can buy for the NHL Network, NHL Center Ice, Versus, or an “Ice Pack”.
How’s that for someone living within a four hour drive to Chicago, five hours to Minneapolis, and five hours to St. Louis?
If anyone is complaining about the lack of success that the NHL is experiencing in the U.S., then there’s your reason. Hockey fans can’t get what they want, and there is very little for new fans to get exposed to. If it wasn’t for the NHL on ESPN[wiki] while I was in high school, I don’t think I would have ever come to love the sport. And yes, that was before Fox ever did the glowing puck thing[wiki].
Additional Note
I was just checking out the Coach’s Corner site and had a thought, so let’s see if anyone at the CBC is paying attention to me(which I highly doubt).
Why not publish all this video content to YouTube? Or do Google Video or whatever. The point is, make it so that anyone can embed the video on their website or blog. On top of that, and to sweeten the deal for you guys, tack on a five second ad for CBC programming at the very beginning. Nothing too flashy, but a quick voice over and a slide for a CBC program.
This way, we can share Coach’s Corner with the world, and you CBC folks get to promote your stuff. TV, radio, podcasts, or whatever. Have at it, but just make it simple and to the point. Go beyond five or ten seconds, and I am fast forwarding to the good stuff.
Listening to the Canucks This Week podcast from this past Monday, there was something that was asked to Dan Murphy that caught my ear.
Why are there not more Canucks games in high-definition, more so why Sportsnet doesn’t show any at all?
Answer: there is only one HD Sportsnet channel for all of Canada, but this doesn’t play well with the fact that all Canucks games on Sportsnet are regional broadcasts. NHL rules prohibit regional games from being aired nationally, and Sportsnet does not have the technical capability to blackout specific regions on their HD channel.
The network is in the process of moving into new facilities next year, which, according to Murphy, will include four, different HD control rooms that will enable them to show more games on Sportsnet in high-def. More than likely, all the network flavors will be getting the HD upgrade when that facility comes online.
Murphy did say “next year”, so I’m unsure if that implies 2008 or next season. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Keeping my fingers crossed, this might also see the Canucks pay per view go into HD. I wouldn’t bank on it, but a guy can hope, right?
A story that I caught over on BoingBoing has me fascinated. The basic low down is that one night in November of 1987, a couple of TV stations in the Chicago area were hijacked of their signals. This means that someone had the right knowledge and equipment to pull off this amazing stunt. For a brief period of time, people were treated to a guy in a Max Headroom[wiki] mask with a moving background and garbled audio.
You can see the event transpire on WTTW[wiki] as it actually aired during an episode of Doctor Who[wiki] via this YouTube link. I know that if I would have caught this in 1987, when I was nine, I would have been creeped out. Below is a CBS news report detailing the event[wiki].
The fine for a prank like this from the FCC isn’t cheap, and the “masked man” was never found. Getting onto WGN[wiki] is what really blows my mind. Even though that attempt didn’t last very long, you’d have to be close by to get it to work. However, you think someone would notice a bunch of people hauling large pieces of broadcasting equipment around. Also, you can see in both of these video examples that there was at least another person who helped pull this off. Curious that after nearly twenty years, the secret has remained safe.
The BoingBoing post goes on to point to other links that further the background of this story, and I’ll post them here as well because they are nothing short of incredible pieces of underground history. Damn Interesting has an article about the event itself, especially a closer look at the audio from the signal hijack of WTTW. Signaltonoise offers further background on the incident involving Captain Midnight’s hijacking of HBO in the year prior[wiki], which the CBS report mentions above.
I instantly sent this to my former chief engineer at WSUI because he eats up this stuff just like I do. Jim has some experience dealing with the realm of TV as well as radio, and we both worked in tandem with a bunch of TV guys. Of course, he still does.
“This would be much tougher now a days. With the digital links in place the pirate would have to shell out bigger dollars for the digital modulator. Sometimes hackers do find a way to edge into this stuff on the cheap. I kind of remember the hubbub of the day.”
- Jim
As much as TV is changing to a more IP delivered system, you know that this will inspire someone to try something just as daunting. They go to great lengths to keep those systems closed, but nothing is ever secure enough to someone who really wants to stir something up. Just look at what happened during an airing of a press conference with Dick Cheney on CNN in November of 2005. A producer exercised their feelings about him by slapping a big “X” graphic on his face during the live feed, and CNN dropped the producer when it was discovered to not be an accident or technical error.
The human will is a marvelous thing, and this is the most incredible element in all of this. Fines and security won’t stop someone who really wants to stir things up. I would bet that this got a lot harder to do, especially after 1987.
I discovered something new last night on the Knowledge Network when it comes to the issues of climate change and global warming. Global dimming[wiki] is a fascinating phenomena that doesn’t get as much press as the previously mentioned topics do. It’s a friend and foe all at the same time.
This is the best, basic explanation that I could find.
Fossil fuel use, as well as producing greenhouse gases, creates other by-products. These by-products are also pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide, soot, and ash. These pollutants however, also change the properties of clouds.
Clouds are formed when water droplets are seeded by air-borne particles, such as pollen. Polluted air results in clouds with larger number of droplets than unpolluted clouds. This then makes those clouds more reflexsive. More of the sun’s heat and energy is therefore reflected back into space.
This reduction of heat reaching the earth is known as Global Dimming. [globalissues]
So of course, the more sunlight you reflect into space, the cooler the temps are on the surface. The way the program put it, there needs to be a delicate process of reducing these particles because a sharp decline of air pollution will accelerate an increase of temperatures on the surface of the Earth. And with this being a recent discovery among climatologists, it’s making a lot of current models regarding the future trends of global warming to be reevaluated.
I try to keep a very open mind when I hear about these things, but the data is really hard to argue with. The simple matter is that things need to change for the better, and this needs to happen soon rather than later. Even if nothing will happen for another 10 years or 50 years, everything that is done now can make things better for the next 500 years. We cannot, as a global community, keep pumping junk into the atmosphere.
Oh, and by the way, they are discovering new islands around Greenland at an amazing rate. Not from volcanoes, but because the shorelines are melting away.
Well, not really, but Kenneth from 30 Rock[imdb] is what really keeps me coming back to this show. For those not in the loop with the series, he’s the southern kid who is consistently looking on the bright side of life with blissful ignorance to anything negative from the world around him. Truly a hero among men.
I realize that I am posting this after ripping on the flagship that birthed this show(SNL), and it is that reason alone that I first thought that the series was doomed to fail. I have to say that my assumption was a tad off. In fact, I didn’t see this one coming. Alec Baldwin is what Phil Hartman was to NewsRadio[imdb], and I might even add in a twist of Stephen Roots’ character of Jimmy James.
It’s weird, random, and completely what is needed in this post-sitcom-wasteland of live studio audiences, laugh tracks, and three camera sets. You can’t call it perfect, but it’s damn nice to have surprise gems like this pop up on the major networks.
Liz Lemon: Where’s Gary?
Jack: [Kicks down door and enters room] Gary’s dead. I’m Jack Donaghy. New VP of development for NBC/GE/Universal/Kmart.
Pete: Oh, we own Kmart now?
Jack: No. So why are you dressed like we do? [imdb]