Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Do You Remember When A&E Meant Arts and Entertainment?
It seems that lately the Arts and Entertainment network has decided to leave the Arts behind and focus on the entertainment half of their name. What do I mean by this? Why the explosion of "reality" tv shows that air on this network. Though as a friend of mine who worked on Forty Deuce explained about reality tv, "We take the truth into a dark room, strap it into a dentist chair, and get hard to work on it."
I remember fondly the days when A&E was the channel on which I could watch Pride and Prejudice. My evenings were filled with romantic forays into the English countryside, my wife cuddled close to me, watching very nice people encounter romantic complications. It was wonderful, the warmth of good dialogue and the person you love. What more could one ask for? But now...oh now...how the world has changed. A&E's line-up looks more like a police line-up than a romantic one. How can one cuddle and coo soft words into a loved one's ear when watching Dog the Bounty Hunter? One does not think of Sonnet 116 when watching Inked or Intervention.
What am I supposed to watch with my wife? What show touches upon the deeper truths of human existance? Does A&E have such an offering? Luckily, yes they do. They have provided me with the beauty that is Rollergirls. I am not kidding, this is great tv. Not because of the "sport" or the monolithic theatrical struggles that take place in the "wooden oval." No there is no Bach fugue playing here, that would be Rollerball not Rollergirls.
What makes Rollergirls entertaining, and even a profound commentary on the "common life", is the conversations and attempts at philosophizing that the competators give. Most of the "girls" are working class, and struggling, individuals who desire in some way to be great. To paraphrase Lunatic, "it gives my life a kind of purpose, no matter how pointless that purpose is." The young women of Rollergirls seek to escape the banality of normal existence and for one brief moment to feel adored. I would say "heroic," but I think that might provoke laughter. The funny thing, no matter how vulgar and prescripted the contests the Rollergirls participate in, no matter how unatheletic these atheletes are, they truly do seek to be successful and to feel they are accomplishing something.
For a member of the Holy Rollers, it is better to get punched in the eye for pennies than to make minimum wage selling DVDs all day. In fact, that is just what most of the girls do during the day, they work at dull service jobs. For the Lonestar Rollergirls in Austin, TX, this is their Fight Club where they struggle against the mundane and seek something more. Sure that something more is to beat the snot out of one another while others watch, but a lot of other people get paid a heck of a lot more money to do similar activities.
Just one question though...
Who would win in a fight between Johnathan E and Miss Conduct?
I remember fondly the days when A&E was the channel on which I could watch Pride and Prejudice. My evenings were filled with romantic forays into the English countryside, my wife cuddled close to me, watching very nice people encounter romantic complications. It was wonderful, the warmth of good dialogue and the person you love. What more could one ask for? But now...oh now...how the world has changed. A&E's line-up looks more like a police line-up than a romantic one. How can one cuddle and coo soft words into a loved one's ear when watching Dog the Bounty Hunter? One does not think of Sonnet 116 when watching Inked or Intervention.
What am I supposed to watch with my wife? What show touches upon the deeper truths of human existance? Does A&E have such an offering? Luckily, yes they do. They have provided me with the beauty that is Rollergirls. I am not kidding, this is great tv. Not because of the "sport" or the monolithic theatrical struggles that take place in the "wooden oval." No there is no Bach fugue playing here, that would be Rollerball not Rollergirls.
What makes Rollergirls entertaining, and even a profound commentary on the "common life", is the conversations and attempts at philosophizing that the competators give. Most of the "girls" are working class, and struggling, individuals who desire in some way to be great. To paraphrase Lunatic, "it gives my life a kind of purpose, no matter how pointless that purpose is." The young women of Rollergirls seek to escape the banality of normal existence and for one brief moment to feel adored. I would say "heroic," but I think that might provoke laughter. The funny thing, no matter how vulgar and prescripted the contests the Rollergirls participate in, no matter how unatheletic these atheletes are, they truly do seek to be successful and to feel they are accomplishing something.
For a member of the Holy Rollers, it is better to get punched in the eye for pennies than to make minimum wage selling DVDs all day. In fact, that is just what most of the girls do during the day, they work at dull service jobs. For the Lonestar Rollergirls in Austin, TX, this is their Fight Club where they struggle against the mundane and seek something more. Sure that something more is to beat the snot out of one another while others watch, but a lot of other people get paid a heck of a lot more money to do similar activities.
Just one question though...
Who would win in a fight between Johnathan E and Miss Conduct?
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
An Unpleasant First Experience
Last week, while attending a Los Angeles Press Club Event discussing a book about the Black Dahlia murder, I was describing the neighborhood where I live (notice the property crime index of 7 compared to a national average of 3.2). I live in South Los Angeles, across the street from Dorsey High School. I was talking about how in the 5 and a half years I have lived in the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles, my wife and I have never been the victim of a crime. I was even excited that gangs had agreed to a post-MLK march truce. But now that "have never" needs to be changed to "had never" been a victim of a crime.
I walked out to my car this morning, ready to go to work, when I noticed there were several CDs spread over the "driveway" near my car. I began to wonder what happened, but when I got to my car all was answered. The passenger side window of my car had been shattered and the contents of my car spread about. Even my trunk had been opened and "searched." I did a quick inventory and noticed that nothing appeared to have been stolen, not even the $5.00 in the ashtray. The vandals had taken a long time throwing my stuff around and searching for something they might find to be valuable. But other than throwing my CDs around, they didn't take anything. I guess Science Fiction, Philosophy, and RPG books weren't up their alley, and I guess we had different tastes in music.
So I called the police, who took my report over the phone, and drove the car to a local dealership to have my window replaced. With the new car window setting me back around $400.00, I think I can afford a rent increase of a similar amount. Needless to say my wife and I began an apartment search today.
I walked out to my car this morning, ready to go to work, when I noticed there were several CDs spread over the "driveway" near my car. I began to wonder what happened, but when I got to my car all was answered. The passenger side window of my car had been shattered and the contents of my car spread about. Even my trunk had been opened and "searched." I did a quick inventory and noticed that nothing appeared to have been stolen, not even the $5.00 in the ashtray. The vandals had taken a long time throwing my stuff around and searching for something they might find to be valuable. But other than throwing my CDs around, they didn't take anything. I guess Science Fiction, Philosophy, and RPG books weren't up their alley, and I guess we had different tastes in music.
So I called the police, who took my report over the phone, and drove the car to a local dealership to have my window replaced. With the new car window setting me back around $400.00, I think I can afford a rent increase of a similar amount. Needless to say my wife and I began an apartment search today.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
G4 Expands Television Lineup
In past years the question has been asked, "Where is the music on Music Television?" It appears that a similiar question may come quickly to the tongues of G4: Videogame TV viewers. They may soon be asking, "Where are the Videogames on Videogame Television?"
Who am I kidding?
People are already asking, "When is G4 going to get some real programming?" and, "What is G4?"
Recently G4 has entered into a contract with Hasbro entitling G4 to run Hasbro based television programming as a part of its Action Blast hour. So far the lineup is filled with two Transformers shows, and no not the one from the 80's; at least not yet. The agreement with Hasbro is a sign that G4 is expanding its programming beyond the limited NPR/Public Access style shows where gamers talk about video games and into providing programming targetted at people who play video games.
This trend began when G4 started running Anime Unleashed, which is currently showing the (at least for me) very bizarre Cromartie High School. I watched an episode provided with my Newtype subscription. The trend continued with the addition of Formula D, a drift racing television show (drift racing is Nascar for Otaku), and the recent running of Star Trek the Next Generation episodes.
With G4's audience growing, pop culture fans may soon have an alternative to the very successful Sci Fi Channel. Though like SciFi, G4's will be a true success when it is running entertaining original programming.
Though I do miss the reruns of the Six Million Dollar Man. I miss Lee Majors, he saved Christmas after all, and have had to settle for reruns of Big Valley on Starz Western to get my Lee Majors fix.
Who am I kidding?
People are already asking, "When is G4 going to get some real programming?" and, "What is G4?"
Recently G4 has entered into a contract with Hasbro entitling G4 to run Hasbro based television programming as a part of its Action Blast hour. So far the lineup is filled with two Transformers shows, and no not the one from the 80's; at least not yet. The agreement with Hasbro is a sign that G4 is expanding its programming beyond the limited NPR/Public Access style shows where gamers talk about video games and into providing programming targetted at people who play video games.
This trend began when G4 started running Anime Unleashed, which is currently showing the (at least for me) very bizarre Cromartie High School. I watched an episode provided with my Newtype subscription. The trend continued with the addition of Formula D, a drift racing television show (drift racing is Nascar for Otaku), and the recent running of Star Trek the Next Generation episodes.
With G4's audience growing, pop culture fans may soon have an alternative to the very successful Sci Fi Channel. Though like SciFi, G4's will be a true success when it is running entertaining original programming.
Though I do miss the reruns of the Six Million Dollar Man. I miss Lee Majors, he saved Christmas after all, and have had to settle for reruns of Big Valley on Starz Western to get my Lee Majors fix.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Expanded List of Genre Movies Releasing This Year
- Tristan and Isolde Opens January 13.
- Underworld: Evolution Opens January 20.
- Nanny McPhee Opens January 27.
- V for Vendetta Opens March 17.
- Stay Alive Opens March 26. (Massive Multiplayer Online RPGs can Kill!)
- Silent Hill Opens April 21.
- The Gene Generation Opens May 24.
- X-Men 3 Opens May 26.
- The Omen 666 Opens June 6.
- Superman Returns Opens June 30.
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Opens July 7.
- Lady in the Water Opens July 21.
- The Visiting Opens August 11.
- DOA: Dead or Alive Opens August 25. (First Dead or Alive Beach Volleyball...now the movie)
- Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny Opens October 27.
- In the Name of the King: a Dungeon Siege Tale Opens December 1. (Uwe Boll...worst director ever)
- Creature from the Black Lagoon Opens December 13
- Eragon Opens December 15.
I am certain the list is nowhere near complete, and it does include some non-fantasy, but it is pretty extensive.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Columbo Wife Question Answered
If you look over in the left hand column, you will see that I am currently watching the Third Season of Columbo. I am a huge fan of the show and enjoy its formula immensely. The show doesn't try to outsmart you or fool the viewer, rather it shows the viewer the murder and the audience gets to watch as the famous detective unravels the mystery. It is an ingenious procedural format which plays wonderful games with the standard three act formula of screenwriting. It still follows the formula, you can set your clock to the "acts," but by shifting the murderer into the "hero" role the formula is altered enough to make it truly original.
Now to the main point. I remember playing a game of Trivial Pursuit, or hearing from a friend of a friend, that there is a question about Columbo's wife and what her first name is. I always thought this was an urban myth. In fact, I imagined that since one of the ways trivia game producers protect their IP is to put erroneous questions into the mix that the Mrs. Columbo question was one of these cases. In fact, upon checking I find that it is Columbo's suposed first name of Philip that is the urban myth (scroll down to Columbo).
The Season 3 Columbo DVD includes with it an episode of a show entitled Mrs. Columbo which has the wife of the famous detective solve a murder. The show should not be confused with the episode of Columbo entitled Rest in Peace Mrs. Columbo, rather it was an attempt to expand upon the Columbo universe though eventually Mrs. Columbo somehow became Mrs. Callahan and the show's title changed to Kate Loves a Mystery. So what is Columbo's wife's name? As the title change above indicates...Kate, played by Kathryn Janeway (I mean Kate Mulgrew).
I have viewed the Mrs. Columbo episode included on Season 3, and let me tell you...it nowhere near compares to the magic of a good Columbo episode. It doesn't even rank among the bad Columbo episodes for quality, not that there were many of those. Without the threat presented by Columbo's position as a Detective the investigation/interrogation techniques used by Kate (which bear remarkable similarity to those of Mr. Columbo) don't produce the narrative tension necessary. I found myself as irritated with Mrs. Columbo's questions as the murderer did, not to mention the mother/daughter solving the mystery together scene. It just didn't work for me. I guess I'll have to resolve myself to watching Murder She Wrote and Scarecrow and Remington Steele.
Now to the main point. I remember playing a game of Trivial Pursuit, or hearing from a friend of a friend, that there is a question about Columbo's wife and what her first name is. I always thought this was an urban myth. In fact, I imagined that since one of the ways trivia game producers protect their IP is to put erroneous questions into the mix that the Mrs. Columbo question was one of these cases. In fact, upon checking I find that it is Columbo's suposed first name of Philip that is the urban myth (scroll down to Columbo).
The Season 3 Columbo DVD includes with it an episode of a show entitled Mrs. Columbo which has the wife of the famous detective solve a murder. The show should not be confused with the episode of Columbo entitled Rest in Peace Mrs. Columbo, rather it was an attempt to expand upon the Columbo universe though eventually Mrs. Columbo somehow became Mrs. Callahan and the show's title changed to Kate Loves a Mystery. So what is Columbo's wife's name? As the title change above indicates...Kate, played by Kathryn Janeway (I mean Kate Mulgrew).
I have viewed the Mrs. Columbo episode included on Season 3, and let me tell you...it nowhere near compares to the magic of a good Columbo episode. It doesn't even rank among the bad Columbo episodes for quality, not that there were many of those. Without the threat presented by Columbo's position as a Detective the investigation/interrogation techniques used by Kate (which bear remarkable similarity to those of Mr. Columbo) don't produce the narrative tension necessary. I found myself as irritated with Mrs. Columbo's questions as the murderer did, not to mention the mother/daughter solving the mystery together scene. It just didn't work for me. I guess I'll have to resolve myself to watching Murder She Wrote and Scarecrow and Remington Steele.
Hall of Fame Says No to Blyleven Again
One of the things I wish for is a sea change in the voting for Baseball's Hall of Fame. Writers like George Will and Bill James have sophisticated formula they wish to be used in determining who should be hall eligible, but my system is a little simpler. I wish that candidates for the Hall of Fame were only compared to individuals of their own position during their own era, rather than against some mythic standard of supreme excellence. The fact that Ryne Sandberg wasn't a shoe in is evidence that voters weren't analyzing him as a second baseman, rather as a "non-pitching player."
I do believe that currently voters have two categories they consider pitching vs. non-pitching. But I believe that the thought process should be broader than that. Ryne was the best second baseman in baseball for a decade, and he compares nicely to other Hall inductees at the position, yet he took time to get into the Hall. The glut of existing, and forthcoming, First Basemen with 400+ HR has skewed the thinking of the voters. Would Rod Carew be voted in today, probably (he had more than 3000 hits) but I think there would be questions.
I say all of this because voters seems to be beginning to take my idea into consideration, but only with regards to letting in relief pitchers. It appears the criteria are now pitchers, non-pitchers, and relief pitchers. This an odd parsing and seems to be to be the only reason Bruce Sutter is this year's sole inductee into the Hall. Pitchers like Bert Blyleven, who was great for his era, are ignored because they are being compared to Walter Johnson and Cy Young. Nobody compares to those guys, that's like saying you have to compare favorable to Babe Ruth, it's just crazy. By thinking of relief pitchers as a separate entity from pitcher it allows the voters to be more reasonable in their expectations of relief pitchers, hence why Sutter is in, but the voters haven't adjusted their standards for starters to match. I restate, players should be measured by their own era, who was the best when they played. In fact, I think maybe four or five players should be inducted every year there are certainly that many we can argue for.
Let me just show you how Blyleven and Sutter compare.
Blyleven:
Strikeouts per inning: .74 WHiP: 1.20
Sutter:
Strikeouts per inning: .83 WHiP: 1.14
As you can see Sutter's K per inning and Walks/Hits per inning are superior, but he also averaged less than 2 innings per game while Blyleven averaged 7.18 innings per game. Blyleven had a great career, steady and strong, but it wasn't a meteoric career, nor was it an obvious "the very best of all-time" career. But that shouldn't be the standard, at least not in the sense that you have to be better than everything that came before. If you honestly look at the HoF, you will find pitchers whose careers don't quite match Blyleven's.
My request to the voters? Stop wanting every Hall pitcher to be Walter Johnson. There is only one of those...ever. If that is your standard, have a Hall of 1.
I do believe that currently voters have two categories they consider pitching vs. non-pitching. But I believe that the thought process should be broader than that. Ryne was the best second baseman in baseball for a decade, and he compares nicely to other Hall inductees at the position, yet he took time to get into the Hall. The glut of existing, and forthcoming, First Basemen with 400+ HR has skewed the thinking of the voters. Would Rod Carew be voted in today, probably (he had more than 3000 hits) but I think there would be questions.
I say all of this because voters seems to be beginning to take my idea into consideration, but only with regards to letting in relief pitchers. It appears the criteria are now pitchers, non-pitchers, and relief pitchers. This an odd parsing and seems to be to be the only reason Bruce Sutter is this year's sole inductee into the Hall. Pitchers like Bert Blyleven, who was great for his era, are ignored because they are being compared to Walter Johnson and Cy Young. Nobody compares to those guys, that's like saying you have to compare favorable to Babe Ruth, it's just crazy. By thinking of relief pitchers as a separate entity from pitcher it allows the voters to be more reasonable in their expectations of relief pitchers, hence why Sutter is in, but the voters haven't adjusted their standards for starters to match. I restate, players should be measured by their own era, who was the best when they played. In fact, I think maybe four or five players should be inducted every year there are certainly that many we can argue for.
Let me just show you how Blyleven and Sutter compare.
Blyleven:
Wins: 287 Losses: 250 ERA: 3.31 G: 692 GS: 685 CG: 242 SHO: 60 SV: 0 SVO: n/a IP: 4970.0 Hits: 4632 Runs: 2029 Earned Runs: 1830 HR: 430 HBP: 155 BB: 1322 Strikeouts: 3701
Strikeouts per inning: .74 WHiP: 1.20
Sutter:
Wins: 68 Losses: 71 ERA: 2.83 G: 661 GS: 0 CG: 0 SHO: 0 SV: 300 SVO:--- IP: 1042.0 Hits: 879 Runs: 370 Earned Runs: 328 HR: 77 HBP: 13 BB: 309 Strikeouts: 861
Strikeouts per inning: .83 WHiP: 1.14
As you can see Sutter's K per inning and Walks/Hits per inning are superior, but he also averaged less than 2 innings per game while Blyleven averaged 7.18 innings per game. Blyleven had a great career, steady and strong, but it wasn't a meteoric career, nor was it an obvious "the very best of all-time" career. But that shouldn't be the standard, at least not in the sense that you have to be better than everything that came before. If you honestly look at the HoF, you will find pitchers whose careers don't quite match Blyleven's.
My request to the voters? Stop wanting every Hall pitcher to be Walter Johnson. There is only one of those...ever. If that is your standard, have a Hall of 1.
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