I find that TV has a lot of irritating facets. Do you? One of my current ones is why so many serials that I seem to like just go away, while the nonsensical ones keep running. Just this year, which has been a mess because of the writer's strike, I was getting into "Cane", which appears to have died. Then there are shows which seem idiotic like "Men In Trees" and "Eli Stone", which apparently have a following. Last year I was into the sci-fi thing called "Surface". Of course, it got cancelled. Fox seems nuts. 24 was a top-rated show and they're not even running it this season. And when they do run it, they wait until Jan to begin the season. What happened to "Vegas"? I thought it was an interesting show. Anything I like seems to get cancelled. OK, enough ranting for tonight.
I think a lot of the "sabbaticals" were because of the writers strike.
What is getting me is the fact that certain networks are either starting their shows 3 minutes early or ending them 3 minutes late.
Instead of all shows ending and starting at 8:00 PM, it seems some networks are starting their shows at 7:57 while other networks are ending their shows at 8:03
Ted
Quote from: Ted on April 16, 2008, 06:48:32 AM
I think a lot of the "sabbaticals" were because of the writers strike.
What is getting me is the fact that certain networks are either starting their shows 3 minutes early or ending them 3 minutes late.
Instead of all shows ending and starting at 8:00 PM, it seems some networks are starting their shows at 7:57 while other networks are ending their shows at 8:03
Ted
Ted! Thanks so much for posting this. I thought there was something wrong with my VCR/DVD and TV programming or recording features. Kept setting the time on all three to what I thought was correct -- but still got messed up recordings of fav shows & missing endings! Wonder what the rationale is -- if any?
Quote from: LL--Schmidt on April 16, 2008, 07:52:49 AM
Quote from: Ted on April 16, 2008, 06:48:32 AM
I think a lot of the "sabbaticals" were because of the writers strike.
What is getting me is the fact that certain networks are either starting their shows 3 minutes early or ending them 3 minutes late.
Instead of all shows ending and starting at 8:00 PM, it seems some networks are starting their shows at 7:57 while other networks are ending their shows at 8:03
Ted
Ted! Thanks so much for posting this. I thought there was something wrong with my VCR/DVD and TV programming or recording features. Kept setting the time on all three to what I thought was correct -- but still got messed up recordings of fav shows & missing endings! Wonder what the rationale is -- if any?
Its done to cut into the viewing time of a rival networks programming. Especially if its one of their rivals top shows. Notice this is the first year of an overlap on Tuesday nights with idol running a couple minutes into the start time of Dancing With The Stars. One day some network is gonna start programming on the 15 minute slot on the hour instead of the hour or half hour.
There was a great show on CBS a couple years ago called Love Monkey that was fantastic, great writing, great characters and canceled after 4 episodes, VH1 picked up the remaining. Breaking Bad is really good. Had a short season from what I hear and we lost our AMC after the first few episodes so I have no idea how it finished.
There's not too much worthwhile on TV. I do love The Office and 30 Rock though. And we end up sucked into HGTV and Food. Those are the standbys if nothing good is on.
Neil Patrick Harris rules in How I Met Your Mother!
Quote from: Bonster on April 16, 2008, 11:46:37 AM
Neil Patrick Harris rules in How I Met Your Mother!
Good one! And I have gotten sucked into Two and a Half Men. Great show.
Quote from: Hogzilla on April 16, 2008, 12:06:29 PM
Quote from: Bonster on April 16, 2008, 11:46:37 AM
Neil Patrick Harris rules in How I Met Your Mother!
Good one! And I have gotten sucked into Two and a Half Men. Great show.
If you're new to Two and a Half Men then you have to check this out www.charlieharpersucks.com It was mentioned in one of the earlier episodes. Quite funny.
PamF, that's greatness! Hadn't seen that one. Funny stuff.
2 words BATTLESTAR GALACTICA http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/ (http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/)
i know its based outa a cheapo 70s knockoff of StarWars meets "BEDEDEDEDED" Buck Rogers... But the new series is awesome... Scifi channel FRAKKIN rocks on friday night!
(http://www.jeffbots.com/twiki3.jpg)
Waiting to hear if there will be any more episodes of Rescue Me. I thought Denis Leary was outstanding & good supporting cast.
For awhile -- about 3 or 4 years ago, FX ran a series called, "Lucky", with John Corbett (Northern Exposure & Sex & The City). I thought it was terrific -- ranged from dark humor to slapstick stuff about a guy trying to beat his addiction to gambling while living in Las Vegas. Well written. Gone after too-few episodes.
Did you ever notice how Leary's old man resembeld our ex FD cheif?
I'm starting to hate the AT&T high speed internet commercial with the two window washers more than the "Head On" ads.
What's your favorite commercial? I like the Dos Equis beer commercials with the "most interesting man in the world."
I really like the Old Spice body wash commercials. Funny stuff.
The drug commercials are ridiculous. Almost all of them end by saying "Ask your Dr. if XYZ is right for you." If you need XYZ, shouldn't your Dr. be telling you, instead of you needing to ask him? Besides, a lot of Drs. get kickbacks from the drug companies if they write a lot of prescriptions for profitable drugs, so I think "conflict of interest" comes into play here. Did you ever try to get your Dr. on the phone? Haha. I've seen many drug commercials where it is unclear what they are trying to treat???
Also, I think the list of disclaimers and side effects on some of these drugs would scare me more than the condition they are supposed to be treating. Some of the side effects seem so bad that one of the drug's main selling points is the fact that it has never been recalled for bad side effects. If that's now considered a major selling point, we are in pretty sad shape. And where the hell do they come up with some of these conditions to treat; like "restless leg syndrome?" I think they are trying to program everybody into thinking that you can't get a good night's sleep anymore without some kind of pill. People know if they aren't sleeping well, we don't need subtle suggestions all the time that we probably aren't sleeping well, and need some addictive drugs to make us better.
One good thing, that dweeb Bob and his Enzyte commercials seem to have dried up. I heard the drug company was sued for fraud. Good.
Did anyone see the show on WTTW this week about health care in other countries? Very interesting. They surveyed the national health care systems in Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and Taiwan. All of them are operating on much less funding than we spend here, and offer complete coverage to all of their citizens. Good medical care doesn't have to cost a fortune, the huge profits of the insurance companies, HMOs, and the other players just need to be controlled.
"Restless leg syndrome" has been around for a long time, and is quite bother some,
from what I hear!
Really, you've actually heard of it before the recent ad campaign? I never had heard of it until recently. It just sounded like the kind of bullshit the drug companies would invent to sell pills to the hypochondriacs.
I have and stil do work in the Medical field for many years. A lot of people are Dx with RLS.
One of my co-workers, suffers from this.
Are you guys getting tired of those damn ATT window washer commercials yet? What's up with some of the channels scheduling their shows to end 5 minutes late? It cuts into the starting time of any show on another channel. Screw 'em, I'm boycotting these morons. I know why they're doing it, and they can shove it.
Ever watch "Travels to the Edge with Art Wolf?" One of my favorite shows. It's on every Friday night at 730, Ch. 20.
Today I'm mad at "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." Why does that bitch have to ask "Ask you ready to play?" to every contestant and the audience, followed by "Then let's play", atleast once for every question? Which probably wastes about half the time used by each show. They are there to play. They are sitting in a chair waiting for a motherfucking question for Christsakes. So play the fucking game you dumb bitch, and quit wasting time.
Evergreen KIA, 'Nuff Said.
Does anyone actually like Carson Daly and his late night talk show? I watch it about once a year for as long as I can stand it, which is usually less than 10 minutes, just to see if anything has changed. The guy is boring and has no sense of humor. His guests are usually plastic, narcissistic LA types that are in love with themselves, like him. He is so far below the rest of the late night talk show hosts, I just can't figure out how he stays on the air. Am I missing something?
http://www.kottke.org/08/06/tbs-and-their-annoying-interstitial-commericials
per the author:
"Last night I was watching a rerun of Family Guy on TBS and right before the show went to commercial, this happened:"
http://www.youtube.com/v/2vUtfG9Bkec
"See what they did there? They paused the TV show, ran a little mini-commercial
for some show that no one cares about, and then returned to the last two seconds
of the segment before going to commercial. Jesus Christ. I realize that Time Warner
doesn't actually care about the people who watch their shows and that television
programs are just the networks' way of getting people to watch advertising, but
this is too much. Do these things actually work or just piss people off in droves?
Is there some marketing hot dog at Time Warner who thinks that Family Guy viewers
want to watch the blue collar comedy stylings of Bill Engvall?
I'm sorry that the DVR is ruining your business model, but can you kick the bucket a little more gracefully?"
###
I haven't actually noticed this myself other than for the mini-ads between pitches on FOX during baseball games...
Bons, that sucks bigtime. PBS channels are starting to have as many commercials as the regular channels. They all suck.
The economy is hurting and donations to PBS are down. Don't forget that SHRUB cut funding to the NEA.
You're right Buzz. But public TV is not supposed to have commercials. It's got to do with credibility. So tough.
I notice ABC has 2 hours blocked out for the Belmont Stakes today. The fucking race only takes about 2 minutes. They must plan on rerunning the last 50 races. This is almost as bad as the Super Bowl. What a bunch of whores.
Man, is this current beg-a-thon on Ch 11 ever going to end?
Quote from: Crunchie on April 16, 2008, 01:59:26 AM
Anything I like seems to get cancelled.
You must then be flexible, and understanding of the needs of the sponsors, and CHANGE the things you like, in order to accomodate them..... Berwynson
Where have you been hiding? Riding the rails?
More Flags, More Fun, Six Flags !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This will drive me mad. Mad I tell you. Mad!
Quote from: buzz on June 14, 2008, 10:14:54 PM
More Flags, More Fun, Six Flags !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This will drive me mad. Mad I tell you. Mad!
Yeah, that dude is f-ing obnoxious. I kinda liked their old ones with the bald old man.
Quote from: Crunchie on June 14, 2008, 11:15:05 PM
I kinda liked their old ones with the bald old man.
Yeah, those were crazy! They should've kept him.
Oh, I've been paying attention to that TBS stuff that I posted earlier. That's terrible, and will more likely serve (I think) to turn Family Guy fans away from the Bill Engvall show.
Quote from: Crunchie on June 14, 2008, 11:15:05 PM
Quote from: buzz on June 14, 2008, 10:14:54 PM
More Flags, More Fun, Six Flags !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This will drive me mad. Mad I tell you. Mad!
Yeah, that dude is f-ing obnoxious. I kinda liked their old ones with the bald old man.
He's as bad as the "1-800-Cars-for-kids". I flick the channel for both.
Have you been watching the Olympics. It's usually pretty entertaining, but hey, let's face it, there are too many stupid fucking obscure sports that no one cares about or partakes of. When was the last time you, or anyone you even know of, said "Hey, I think I'll go down to the gym and practice my iron rings or uneven parallel bar routines?" Yet they are removing baseball and softball from the list of events for the next Olympics. The stupidest one I have ever seen has got to be "synchronized swimming." What a fucking handjob of a "sport." It's about as interesting as watching paint dry. I'd rather have my eyeballs pecked out by hungry crows that watch that shit.
Quote from: Crunchie on August 19, 2008, 05:35:41 AM
Have you been watching the Olympics. It's usually pretty entertaining, but hey, let's face it, there are too many stupid fucking obscure sports that no one cares about or partakes of. When was the last time you, or anyone you even know of, said "Hey, I think I'll go down to the gym and practice my iron rings or uneven parallel bar routines?" Yet they are removing baseball and softball from the list of events for the next Olympics. The stupidest one I have ever seen has got to be "synchronized swimming." What a fucking handjob of a "sport." It's about as interesting as watching paint dry. I'd rather have my eyeballs pecked out by hungry crows that watch that shit.
Since you brought up synchronized swimming its interesting to know OPRF High School the only school in the state that has continued its synchronized swim program. In the 70's most HS's had a synchronized swim team, competition was tough. Lucky for the OPRF team, little competition in Illinois for those college scholarships to compete in this sport.
Crunchie, your post made me laugh.
Quote from: Crunchie on August 19, 2008, 05:35:41 AM
The stupidest one I have ever seen has got to be "synchronized swimming." What a fucking handjob of a "sport." It's about as interesting as watching paint dry. I'd rather have my eyeballs pecked out by hungry crows that watch that shit.
I feel the same way about golf.
So did Carlin: "Ever watch golf on TV? It's like watching flies fuck. I get more excited picking out socks. Golf could be fun if you could play alone but it's these genetic defectives that you have to hang around with that make it such a boring pastime. Think of the brain that it takes to play golf. Hitting a ball with a crooked stick, then walking after it. And then, hitting it again. I say, 'Pick it up asshole. You're lucky you found it. Put it in your pocket and go the fuck home, will ya.'"
Really into No Reservations on the Travel Channel. Anthony Bourdain is the man...
totally. I just wish they had whole episodes On Demand instead of clips. Did you notice that he quit smoking?
-Rob
Quote from: tgoddess on August 19, 2008, 12:10:56 PM
Quote from: Crunchie on August 19, 2008, 05:35:41 AM
The stupidest one I have ever seen has got to be "synchronized swimming." What a fucking handjob of a "sport." It's about as interesting as watching paint dry. I'd rather have my eyeballs pecked out by hungry crows that watch that shit.
I feel the same way about golf.
Here's another one from the same ilk: Bowling. Almost as exciting to watch as that dumb thing where girls run around whipping about a 20 foot ribbon tied to a stick. If I saw my neigbor doing that, I'd phone the looney bin for a pickup.
Quote from: Hogzilla on August 19, 2008, 01:47:15 PM
Really into No Reservations on the Travel Channel. Anthony Bourdain is the man...
Bourdain can be hilarious. The snake heart and the seal blubber were just such wrong shows. You might also get into the other "eat a buncha weird stuff show: "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern." He's nowhere near as cool as Tony, but he has a few good shows where he ate some really odd stuff (bugs, guinea pigs, worms, etc,) along with some foods where you just know that it would be the best stuff you ever tried.
I thought the seal scene was surreal and beautiful. The whole family together, eating the way their grandparents ate, without any self-consciousness about it. Had they been on the ice outside an igloo it would have seemed like anthropology, but in a modern kitchen it seemed twisted, and that was pretty cool. Bourdain for me is just sooo much more respectful than Zimmern, who seems more about the gross-out factor. Bourdain manages to make quite beautiful travel shows that only incidentally occasionally include bizarre foods. He seems more interested in actually eating what the locals eat, rather than just checking off a list of strange foods.
Zimmern drives me up the wall.
-Rob
I don't understand people who watch television
when it is beautiful outdside. My tube has only been on
for an occasional 9p news cast and one Bears game since May.
Quote from: Bear on August 19, 2008, 11:09:56 PM
My tube has only been on for an occasional 9p news cast and one Bears game since May.
Too bad for you. You're missing a beautiful season by Carlos Quentin.
Quote from: Bonster on August 19, 2008, 11:53:43 PM
Too bad for you. You're missing a beautiful season by Carlos Quentin.
And, a beautiful season it has been. See ya in the World Series. :-*
I've tried to watch Zimmerman, but the combination of messed up foods and his annoying voice and personality drive me up the wall. I agree with Rob, Bourdain happens upon odd foods, but it's only because he is eating what the locals eat. He is as into street food as he is fine dining, maybe even more. He is more into the adventure of the location than trying to out-weird anyone. The show is very creatively shot, edited and there is always a good story behind the trip. I always feel like I learned something about the place I didn't know, or were surprised about. And the guy is about as non-pretentious as they come. Cool to the core, yet still humble and honest. Makes for an enjoyable show.
Hot damn! Synchronized handjobbing is on today!
I see WTTW is in the midst of yet another beg-a-thon. They just had one in June that seemed to last forever. It wouldn't be so irritating if they at least ran some new material during these begging extravaganzas. But it's the same shit over and over.
I don't understand why they play a bunch of one-off lame specials for pledge drives. It only irritates the regular PBS viewers, who in addition to having the pledge drive, can't see the shows they regularly watch! WBEZ seems to do OK running their regular programming during drives, and are doing online giving to shorten the number of pledge days. Does WTTW's system actually work?
-Rob
The pledge programming usually sucks. They get my $$$ every year but what confounds me is their mailings. Every damn month they send me another plea for money ! Just like the ASPCA, St. Jude, and the DNC.
I'm not a bottomless pit.
Geico commercials. The cavemen and the gecko were funny, but this new stack of cash with eyes is just dumb. I'm irritated by it already.
I agree the stack of money is stupid
Damn, WTTW has another begathon going. Didn't they just have one about a month ago. I think I would rather put up with regular commercials. Some of their begging break last for a half hour, and they usually run the same crapola shows over and over when begging.
Two commercials that have gotten real old real fast. I am totally sick of seeing the girl jump up on the dining room table during dinner and then start singing "Respect." To sell cellphones? Way too much exposure. And the AT&T Uverse commercial with the guy who ties ropes to his A/V gear so he can drag it to another room? Dumb beyond belief.
I nominate "Curious George" as the most obnoxious show on TV. I was in the computer room working but accidentally left the TV on and tuned into Ch 11 during the day when they run children's programming all day long. My God, what drivel our chldren are being exposed to. Anyway, the volume was just loud enough to allow me to hear CG making his simian chirps every ten seconds. It is the most irritating sound I have ever heard.
Quote from: Crunchie on May 17, 2009, 09:46:43 AM
My God, what drivel our chldren are being exposed to.
Curious George has been around for like 50 years, what are you talking about?
Quote from: bonster on May 17, 2009, 11:05:49 AM
Quote from: Crunchie on May 17, 2009, 09:46:43 AM
My God, what drivel our chldren are being exposed to.
Curious George has been around for like 50 years, what are you talking about?
I know it's been around forever, but that was the first time I had heard the cartoon show.
Quote from: Crunchie on May 17, 2009, 09:46:43 AM
And the AT&T Uverse commercial with the guy who ties ropes to his A/V gear so he can drag it to another room? Dumb beyond belief.
The Asian (not Oriental) man in those commercials is Tim Kang. He has a supporting role in "The Mentalist" now. He does an excellent Jack Webb imitation.
Quote from: buzz on May 18, 2009, 07:57:34 AM
Quote from: Crunchie on May 17, 2009, 09:46:43 AM
And the AT&T Uverse commercial with the guy who ties ropes to his A/V gear so he can drag it to another room? Dumb beyond belief.
The Asian (not Oriental) man in those commercials is Tim Kang. He has a supporting role in "The Mentalist" now. He does an excellent Jack Webb imitation.
I seen Tim Kang last week in a 2002 Soprano's episode. He played Uncle Junior's Dr when he fell and hit his head..
Does anyone like The Unit? Great show!
I have also seen Tim on another commercial, I think for some gasoline. I think he is in a labcoat and happy to be talking about explosive evaporates that keep your engine clean.
Quote from: Noble Falcon on May 18, 2009, 10:52:29 AM
I seen Tim Kang last week in a 2002 Soprano's episode. He played Uncle Junior's Dr when he fell and hit his head..
Does anyone like The Unit? Great show!
[/quote]
Oh my...never, ever, saw The Sopranos.
I've only seen The Unit a couple of times, liked it, but I think I'm missing something (the wives inter-action) by not viewing regularly. Which brings me to a point (maybe). So many shows have a theme or an underlying story. If you aren't a regular viewer, you lose something.
Just my opinion.
Quote from: Crunchie on May 17, 2009, 09:46:43 AM
I am totally sick of hearing kids sing "Respect."
Yeah.
Agreed. And I am totally sick of kids in commercials selling me financial services, technology, and energy solutions. Why are they out in a field somewhere telling me about investing my money or energy independence. Shouldn't they be in school?
"1-877-KARS-4KIDS" (http://forums.smirkinchicken.com/images/smilies/repuke.gif)
Quote from: Mr. Daniel Lumis on July 28, 2009, 12:43:02 PM
Agreed. And I am totally sick of kids in commercials selling me financial services, technology, and energy solutions. Why are they out in a field somewhere telling me about investing my money or energy independence. Shouldn't they be in school?
Maybe the ad agencies figure children have more of a trust factor now than the bankers and Wall St. scumbags. ::)
Quote from: bonster on July 28, 2009, 01:05:01 PM
"1-877-KARS-4KIDS"
Ugh... Bons, I have to turn the radio off when I hear the first few piano notes!
LUNA !!!
That damn carpet commercial, complete with the tone deaf moron, is on every channel.
Very pretty wife, though. Worth watching.
FYI, "The Jewelry Exchange" in Villa Park, with its hokey shot of employees waving at the end is also seen in other parts of the country. I thought they were locals. Also Empire is all over now too. My current favorite are the two guys trying to talk you into bringing all your valuable stuff to their pawn shop and the testimonials, which include something along the lines of "I got a loan against my iPhone." Yeeesh....
"The National Parks" So, did many of you watch this historical perspective on WTTW? I thought it was OK, but should have featured more color footage of the parks themselves. It makes you feel lucky when you see how close many of the parks came to dodging the bullets of development and exploitation.
Quote from: Crunchie on October 04, 2009, 05:57:34 PM
"The National Parks" So, did many of you watch this historical perspective on WTTW? I thought it was OK, but should have featured more color footage of the parks themselves. It makes you feel lucky when you see how close many of the parks came to dodging the bullets of development and exploitation.
I thought it was a great overview. Thankful to the Rockefellers... I think the black and white was due to the historical aspects of telling the story. Our national parks put the awe in awesome. I need to see more of them. I miss driving into the Yosemite Valley. Each season in Yosemite brought a new vision to take in.
Speaking of WTTW, where did they find all the old people to clap their hands and wiggle their butts to all the great songs of my youth? WTTW late at night is just an endless journey through infomerical land. And the people in the audience are all old. I mean really old! Alright, I will grant them their happiness. Better than seeing them all depressed and waiting for their incontinence deliveries from that helpful woman who is always ready to assist in selecting which supplies will be sent in a plain brown box this week. I think the headset gives her a real look of respectability and she seems so earnest. I like that. Next time I am bored I think I will give her a call. She might like to talk about bluebirds or concrete mixtures for an afternoon, which are the only two topics I really care about. Besides the history of muffins in medieval warfare.
Quote from: Mr. Daniel Lumis on October 05, 2009, 12:43:03 PM
Speaking of WTTW, where did they find all the old people to clap their hands and wiggle their butts to all the great songs of my youth? WTTW late at night is just an endless journey through infomerical land. And the people in the audience are all old. I mean really old! Alright, I will grant them their happiness. Better than seeing them all depressed and waiting for their incontinence deliveries from that helpful woman who is always ready to assist in selecting which supplies will be sent in a plain brown box this week.
ELDER ABUSE
I agree with Lumis. WTTW pushes an unbelieveable collection of pseudo-medical-psycho help crapola during their begathons. And they pass it off as if it legit. Most of it falls in the same category as Enzyte and Riddex. I don't mind the music shows; at least you get something legit for your money there.
I don't really mind the music shows either, but the station doesn't really understand that it needs to expand it's audience. There for a while you couldn't turn on the station without seeing ballroom dancing, which creeps me out in the same way beauty pageants do.
All those Rx commercials for depression............they make me sad
I think the depression commercials are the worse! Between
the music in the back ground, the sad faces and especially
the one with the dog looking sadly at his owner, you walk away
really thinking wow maybe it's me!
O.K. shake it off!
Anyone ever watch Simon Schama's "The Power of Art" on PBS? What a pompous bag of wind. This guy acts like he lived with these artists and shared a Vulcan mind meld with them to boot. Some of his points are interesting and seem well-taken, but the majority of them are unbelieveable.
Perhaps you could refute his points in a peer reviewed academic journal. As I see it, he's got the academic credentials to offer insights into the artists he profiles (numerous academic publications, teaching at Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard, Colombia, a CBE) so unless I knew specific examples of error, I'm likely to defer to his scholarship.
As for being a pompous windbag, it's one of the privileges bestowed by the CBE. Perhaps you'd prefer he grew a mustache and wore a knit cap with "BEARS" embossed on it. "So dis guy Rothko, right? I mean what da hell? My brudder what ain't right in da head could do dat chit!"
Quote from: Berwyn Patsy on October 09, 2009, 04:23:48 PM
I think the depression commercials are the worse! Between
the music in the back ground, the sad faces and especially
the one with the dog looking sadly at his owner, you walk away
really thinking wow maybe it's me!
O.K. shake it off!
Oh, I know what you mean.
I couldn't tell who was more depressed, the owner or the dog!
That's why I prefer to watch the few shows I watch on my computer (except DWTS) because the commercials or 20 seconds or less and are non-pharmaceutical based.
On a lighter note, I LOVE the comcast ones with the Slovenskys (sp?)
(turtles).
The newest one as the Mr. sits on top of the horse wagon and says "Come
on pretty lady grab your hoop skirt and jump right up here", is
priceless. I love when she says "get down from there!".
Quote from: rbain on October 13, 2009, 06:19:57 PM
As for being a pompous windbag, it's one of the privileges bestowed by the CBE.
So when did you get your CBE?
There you go! I was worried you didn't have it in you!
Well played!
Quote from: Berwyn Patsy on October 14, 2009, 06:32:13 AM
On a lighter note, I LOVE the comcast ones with the Slovenskys (sp?)
(turtles).
The newest one as the Mr. sits on top of the horse wagon and says "Come
on pretty lady grab your hoop skirt and jump right up here", is
priceless. I love when she says "get down from there!".
I love the Slowsky's. ;D
Oops, I was going to post something but just heard that a batch of American Eagle silver coins have been released and apparently people are killing each other to get one. I want to order mine before it's too late. ::)
I'll have a cherry lime rickey and a hard boiled egg !
Quote from: Crunchie on October 22, 2009, 11:06:28 PM
Oops, I was going to post something but just heard that a batch of American Eagle silver coins have been released and apparently people are killing each other to get one. I want to order mine before it's too late. ::)
I wonder if/when the US government will confiscate people's gold (and even move to silver)... again.
I'm sure you've seen those commercials showing beat up dogs and cats, and soliciting for donations to help abused/homeless pets. They've been pissing me off for a couple of months. Why, you ask? I like dogs, cats., etc., as much as the next person, but what struck me as odd was that they were asking for $19/month donation to "take care of an abused pet." The Christian Children's Fund can take care of a kid for $24/month, food and clothes combined, so the $19 figure struck me as way too high. So I checked into these folks, the Humane Society of the US (HSUS).
It turns out that they are mainly an anti-animal agriculture group, who want to end livestock farming in the US. One of the other main items on their agenda is to end the use of animals in circus acts. WTF? They seem more nuts than PETA. They have no connection whatsoever with the ASPCA, which is what a lot of people assume when watching the commercials. Only 3% of the donations are actually used for the intended purpose, the rest going to fundraisers and admin. What a con.
Quote from: Crunchie on January 23, 2010, 02:14:45 AM
So I checked into these folks, the Humane Society of the US (HSUS).
Thanks Crunchie. I would have never questioned their intentions. Good to know.
Both Crunch and Buzz need a brain enema. Crunch for you to slam an organization that goes above and beyond to help animals is beyond comprehension.
http://www.youtube.com/v/v_K7lqMuRFQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&
notice that they mention in the above that blankets were donated. So if you are so nervous about money, you could donate supplies of some sort.
http://www.youtube.com/v/foYNC18mwdU&hl=en_US&fs=1&
http://www.youtube.com/v/sVRSrUSloag&hl=en_US&fs=1&
Right now an entire team from HSUS has flown to Haiti to bring supplies and medicine, Vets to treat animals.
So for you to slam an organization that does fabulous work all over the nation and the world is just sick.
Their website: http://www.humanesociety.org/
You may disagree with issues they either are for or against, but no one could question the conviction to help animals that this group has. Crunch you should be ashamed. Whether person or animal ... you live on $20.00 a month, see how that works out for ya.
Show us the numbers.
What % go to saving neglected animals?
Sorry, they are self-serving ripoff artists. Just because they do a few things to get some positive press release material, it is just for show, and to reel in the suckers. Don't fall off the hook, you may drown.
http://activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/o/136-humane-society-of-the-united-states
The U S Humane Society is one of the top 10 fiscally responsible charities in the US in "WORTH" magazine.
Here's the link:
http://www.worth.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=826:elite-list-10-most-fiscally-responsible-charities&catid=3:grow
"just because they do a few things" !!!!! OMG, Crunch, you need a nap.
Here we have a RICO case against the ASPCA.
http://www.animallaw.info/cases/causfd2007wl3285836.htm
Ppl hate PETA - ASPCA - HSUS .... hey, if it weren't for these and many more organizations ... !!! omg. PETA goes overboard, but that is what they do to get attention. ASPCA does wonderful work, but I'm sure they try to pull shots that get them in trouble too. Any organization that receives donations somewhere along the way is not always going to spend the funds to satisfy every person. Or ppl just may disagree with what the organization is trying to do. You do what you can. I mean we can go down the line with every damn organization known to mankind. That's the problem with organizations. They are always suspect of something or another. Like I said ... you wanna help and fear sending $$$ .... donate food and supplies.
Quote from: n01_important on January 23, 2010, 03:21:15 PM
Show us the numbers.
What % go to saving neglected animals?
Did you go to Crunchie's link ? The've accumulated $13M in assets, they don't operate a shelter in any State. Read it.
Buzz, please don't ruin this thread by insisting on the use of facts. It's so much more fun to believe the Illuminati and Tesla are the source of the world's problems. ;)
For our friends who don't know how to use Google:
"HSUS spends millions on programs that seek to economically cripple meat and dairy producers; eliminate the use of animals in biomedical research labs; phase out pet breeding, zoos, and circus animal acts; and demonize hunters as crazed lunatics. HSUS spends $2 million each year on travel expenses alone, just keeping its multi-national agenda going.
HSUS president Wayne Pacelle described some of his goals in 2004 for The Washington Post: "We will see the end of wild animals in circus acts ... [and we're] phasing out animals used in research. Hunting? I think you will see a steady decline in numbers." More recently, in a June 2005 interview, Pacelle told Satya magazine that HSUS is working on "a guide to vegetarian eating, to really make the case for it." A strict vegan himself, Pacelle added: "Reducing meat consumption can be a tremendous benefit to animals."
Shortly after Pacelle joined HSUS in 1994, he told Animal People (an inside-the-movement watchdog newspaper) that his goal was to build "a National Rifle Association of the animal rights movement." And now, as the organization's leader, he's in a position to back up his rhetoric with action. In 2005 Pacelle announced the formation of a new "Animal Protection Litigation Section" within HSUS, dedicated to "the process of researching, preparing, and prosecuting animal protection lawsuits in state and federal court." "
Crunchie: ""HSUS spends millions on programs that seek to economically cripple meat and dairy producers; eliminate the use of animals in biomedical research labs; phase out pet breeding, zoos, and circus animal acts; and demonize hunters as crazed lunatics. HSUS spends $2 million each year on travel expenses alone, just keeping its multi-national agenda going."
Cripple meat and dairy industry? I'm sure they would prefer that we were all vegetarians. That said, we are not back in the days of the old time farmers. We have big business running the farms. Big business does not have your best interests at heart in the slaughter for meat or production of milk and dairy. They could give you damn road kill and you'd be lickin your lips thinkin it was the best thing since sliced bread. Animals do not roam free and live some kind of life before they are dispatched. No, those days are long gone. Instead they are made to suffer long before the slaughter. It's high time organizations are moving against those that would otherwise be very happy to provide you meat from diseased animals ... who got the the disease because of unclean conditions and improper care.
Research labs? To quote Bill Maher ""To those people who say, 'My father is alive because of animal experimentation,' I say, 'Yeah, well, good for you. This dog died so your father could live.' Sorry, but I am just not behind that kind of trade-off."
I agree with Bill on that and I DEFINITELY agree that we do not need to test on animals for the billion dollar cosmetic industry. FK THAT !!!!
lol "phase out pet breeding" ... OH YES, we NEED MORE PUPPY MILLS. Crunchie are you insane???
Hunting? Well, I don't know what HSUS wants ... probably NO hunting, but I see nothing wrong to cull with state limits on how long a season lasts and how much you can bag areas where there is over population. I do, however, think ppl that conduct and participate in canned hunts are completely sick pathethic individuals.
Zoos years ago bordered on outright torture. Thankfully, Zoos through study have tried to improve on the environments provided, however, they still are not ideal. Zoos exist to make money, just like anything else. I don't recall going to the zoo for nothing. They themselves exist on money at the gate, concessions, special performances, and donations. OMG ... another damn organization.
Animals condemended to perform in a circus, for the entertainment of humans? Oh brother. Can't you go to a gentlemen's club like everyone else? At least in a Zoo for the most part they are not expected to perform, but it doesn't make life for them much better. Zoo's for the future should be game reserves, preserving in a natural environment for future generations.
I may not agree to the same degree on each and every aspect of the goals of these organizations, such as hunting as in the true spirit of hunting, not letting go a caged animal let go from a zoo because of age and then bearing down on him with a weapon ... THAT is not hunting. Puppy mills need to be stopped immediately. Why is there no legislation that reaches across the land to stop it? We are not talking professional bonafide breeders, we are talking gutter trash breeding. Cruchie you have to seriously have a screw loose. I hope you find it. You state you like dogs and cats like the next person. I don't think you do. I think you are totally ignorant on the subject and have no empathy whatsoever to the worldwide suffering of animals.
You wanna experiment on animals to save grandpa or see if the soap you use is safe?
I gotta a better idea.
Experiment on the convicted child predators. They're only going to get theirs in prison anyway.
Quote from: billyjean on January 23, 2010, 10:41:55 PM
I gotta a better idea.Experiment on the convicted child predators. They're only going to get theirs in prison anyway.
That's not a "
better idea".
That's the rambling of a sick mind.
you standing up for convicted child predators and I'm the one who is sick !!! Ha ha. That's a good one.
Quote from: billyjean on January 23, 2010, 10:41:55 PM
You wanna experiment on animals to save grandpa or see if the soap you use is safe?
I gotta a better idea.
Experiment on the convicted child predators. They're only going to get theirs in prison anyway.
OK, I think we understand your position. Cut them a check tonight.
Quote from: billyjean on January 23, 2010, 11:00:16 PM
you standing up for convicted child predators and I'm the one who is sick !!! Ha ha. That's a good one.
BJ manipulating at her best !
See BJ, underneath that hard-assed conservative posturing, you really are a liberal weenie after all!
how does compassion for creatures on this earth make me a liberal? Are you saying conservatives don't love animals? Think again. Compassion for the defenseless is something we all should have. Shouldn't matter what your political stance is.
The Defenseless:
Children
Disabled
Elderly
Critters
However, to address the notion that the Right is not the friend of Animal Rights, consider this blog by a woman who tries to analyze her position and where politically she sits on the issues. I tend to agree with most that she writes.
http://www.therazor.org/?p=1608
"I've lived my entire life with animals, and while my political labels have changed over the years my interest and care for them has never abated. Now as I push the envelope into libertarianism I find myself comparing the evolution of my political beliefs with my innate ones as a kind of reality. If I find myself espousing causes that conflict with these ideals, I know that it's time to back-off and reassess the situation. Doing this I've successfully steered myself away from extremes on both the left and right, pursuing a middle path that in retrospect is uniquely my own."
When big business took over the cattle, pig and chicken industry ... that's when things started to heat up. You simply cannot do what they are doing and expect ppl to be OK with that. Doesn't mean you cannot eat any of the above despite what ANY of the animal groups may state. However, it is the quality of life before death, and the manner of death that remains important to me to reassure ME that animals were not tortured, abused, or suffered in any way, or treated in a manner that shows no respect for the animal before they meet their fate, not to mention it makes the food safer for us ... avoiding eating diseased meat. Let's face it, when it comes to food, it's difficult to think suffering was not involved for you to enjoy a meat meal. That said, I also know that if there were no humans, animals would still be killed and consumed by other animals. This is a fact. It is the law of nature. If the animal groups can convince ppl to eat just veggies ... fine. Maybe it is more healthy. I'm not so sure.
I don't trust ppl who don't like animals. I don't want em around me. In addition to relatives and friends that have past, if all the animals I cared for aren't there to great me in heaven ... I will turn away. Cause it wouldn't be heaven for me. If I arrive and just friends and family are there, I will tell them maybe I will return, not sure, but I gotta find where they put my critters first.
Recent story in the news ... woman arrested after she forced her 12 year old son to kill his hamster with a hammer as a punishment for bad grades. Death by hammer for her. NEXT.
So yes, if I'm a radical liberal on the subject of critters ... so be it.
I understand Crunch. For instance, at one time I supported the Hooved Animals Association here in Illinois. I abruptly droped them like a bad habit. They pointed to the abuses in the racing industry regarding horses, yet turned a blind eye to the show ppl, that were killing horses for insurance money. The show ppl are rich. Gave tons of money to the organization. I said ... Good-bye. I'm sure the association still does good work. I met Dan Hampton there when he got involved after hearing while in his home state of Arkansas that 22 head of horse were found alive frozen to the ground on a farm in Illinois. That's when I was active with the association. It was later I found out about the pick and choose mentality of the association.
The AKC is another organization I ran away from. It's phoney as shit, and does NOTHING with all it's power to influence legislation to stop puppy mills, not to mention a whole host of other issues.
I'm at odds with my love for racing. When tracks decided to put in all these artificial surfaces, running horses that are not fit, resulting in all these big name horses having fatal injuries ... it breaks my heart. I worked in this industry for almost 10 years. The vast majority of ppl treat these animals like KINGS. It's always the few that want to take the fast track so to speak that ruin it for the rest. Bringing bad press and a profile to the industry that is simply not true. Everything today is ruined by greed. IMO all cheap tracks should be abolished, and that could be done by a standard set for the quality of horse intended to race, and swift punishment for those that do not abide by high standards set. You want to abuse? You want to cheat, you want to drug? .... outta there. You will never be part of racing again.
There are many industries out there that exist and make tons of $$$$ because of animals. All that anyone can expect is that they do right by them. That's all I'm asking. But you know humans ... anything to make a fast buck.
I don't want to hijack this thread with a non-television discussion, but it would be my guess that your compassion for children, the elderly and the disabled would be different if they didn't happen to share your political philosophy, or if they receive state or federal assistance. I could be wrong.
However, I am happy to know you have compassion for animals. It makes me all melty to see your soft side...
Anyway,
Why do they keep interrupting all my favorite commercials with those lame dramas and attempts at comedy? When I turn on the TV, I want ADs dammit...
Quote from: Mr. Daniel Lumis on January 29, 2010, 05:08:51 PM
When I turn on the TV, I want ADs dammit...
I'm at the point where I look forward to a decent commercial.
Tired of the political sniping.
So here's an unsolicited product endorsement. Those Pledge commercials for that pet lint remover thingy, it works. It does a great job on the cat hair, but don't throw away your lint roller with the sticky paper. The Pledge thing picks up 98.7245% (scientific calculation ;) ) with very little effort. But, you really need that sticky lint roller to get the rest of it.
Daniel: "but it would be my guess that your compassion for children, the elderly and the disabled would be different if they didn't happen to share your political philosophy, or if they receive state or federal assistance. I could be wrong."
Why would I care if the defenseless shared my political beliefs? or if they received assistance? Oh brother. You ppl really are full of beans. So, your guess is wrong. :-*
I do, however, expect my dogs to vote the way I tell them, because when it comes to them, it is I that provides assistance. Therefore, they will vote the way I tell them .... or else !
Quote from: Mr. Daniel Lumis on January 29, 2010, 05:08:51 PM
When I turn on the TV, I want ADs dammit...
I don't mind a decent ad, but the way they are jacking up the volume on almost all of the stations now during commercial breaks, is very irritating. This is supposed to be illegal, but everyone seems to be doing it lately.
Looking over this thread has reinforced my belief that recent absence from the BT board has been just as beneficial to the use of my time as if it had been spent here.
Berwynson
Quote from: berwynson on January 31, 2010, 05:15:28 PM
Looking over this thread has reinforced my belief that recent absence from the BT board has been just as beneficial to the use of my time as if it had been spent here.
Berwynson
You are free to peruse other threads than this, Berwynson. I think.
I was kind of pleased when I heard that channel 26.4 was gong to be a "movie channel." This was before they started up. I didn't realize that they were only going to show about 4 new movies per month, most of them being B grade trash. With all of the old movies avalable, you'd think they could pick out a better selection. There are a few decent ones, but they run them over, and over, and over....
"This" is very reminiscent of early HBO, when they'd show about three movies all month long, 6 times a day. National Lampoon did an insert one time that was a perfect parody of the HBO monthly schedule. In the NatLamp piece, the movie they kept showing over and over was "Rio Lobo." My question is whatever happened to "That" which was advertised for a while on one of the WCIU digital channels? What IS up with That?
Quote from: Bonster on February 01, 2010, 01:39:27 AM
Quote from: berwynson on January 31, 2010, 05:15:28 PM
Looking over this thread has reinforced my belief that recent absence from the BT board has been just as beneficial to the use of my time as if it had been spent here.
Berwynson
You are free to peruse other threads than this, Berwynson. I think.
I am pleased to learn my meager input has at least been noticed! Thank you1 Berwynson
You're welcome1
Do you watch any television? Anything on there piss you off? (other that the given: politics!)
THIS has an Elvis thing going on today. I just love how he always calls those cougars "M'am."
Elvis movies are great. In our house, when we see anyone on television looking particularly moist, pink and puffy, they are referred to as being "Clambaked."
Quote from: Mr. Daniel Lumis on February 06, 2010, 03:24:48 PM
In our house, when we see anyone on television looking particularly moist, pink and puffy, they are referred to as being "Clambaked."
Sounds like porn? ;)
Most of the local news broadcasts seem to feature polls which ask a question at the beginning of the newscast, then allow watchers to vote for possible answers or send text responses on their cellphones, and then they disclose some of the results of the poll at the end of the news segment. I've always wondered why anyone would waste their time or money on a stupid, meaningless gimmick such as this, but just chalked it up to the general stupidity of the American public. But today the producers exceeded their normal vapid standards of meaningless with the most ridiculous question I can recall being posited. "Tiger Woods is going to make his first public appearance since his recent scandal. What would you like for him to say?"
I cannot think of any reason why anyone would give a flying fuck what Mr. Woods says. I know I certainly don't. What possible difference could it make to anybody? There must be a lot of people out there who are very bored.
people are that bored. Stupid TV polls. Home shopping channels. Infomercials. Somebody somewhere watches all of these, right?
What's the deal with these "cold case" criminal drama shows? I think they are about as interesting as watching paint dry. I remember one from the regular "Cold Case" series that is still running on CBS, where they busted some guy who killed his wife during WWII. The dude was like 89 years old, had Alzheimer's disease, and couldn't even remember his own name. What good did that do?
I hope we don't actually have a lot of police resources and money devoted to investigating stupid cases like that. With all of the fresh crimes that go unsolved, it seems like it would be a lot more productive to invest the money and efforts in them. It seems like the Lane Bryant store shooting in Tinley Park where a number of women were killed should have been solved by now. They had a survivor who gave a good description of the shooter, and he was a very distinctive looking guy, I can't imagine a lot of people didn't know him. But for some reason he can't be found.
The fact of the matter is, there is so little crime now they can finally catch up with their case backlog. /snark
Another great lineup on the THIS "movie channel" today:
Dr. Goodfoot and the Girl Bombs
Morons from Outer Space
Troll2
Who said quality TV was a thing of the past?
I know I always bitch about WTTW's begathons, but they seem to have kicked it up a notch, or I'm just getting more tired of them. The begging seems much more intense and frequent this time around. At least to me. They always throw out the "We are commercial free, blah, blah, blah." Right. Practically every decent show they broadcast is preceded with a list of sponsors.
The begathons never stop now. Channel 20 is best. They seem to respect the viewer a little bit more than Channel 11, whose professional beggars don't seem to have lived very interesting lives, yet they tell us how important ABBA was as a cultural icon. The technical difference between a "commercial" and what they do on public television is that a public television "ad" cannot have a call to action such as "buy one now" etc. But I agree. It never stops. On the other hand, commercial television would have you believe that the programming in between the commercials is their reason for being, but in fact, those shows are just filler between their real product.
I agree, about WYCC. Their requests are a lot more reasonable and I don't mind them at all. I'm even starting to think Cindy Syperek is hot. ::) I recognize that they need to raise money, and that's fine, but WTTW has gotten so zealous about it that I just change the channel now when they kick it into warp drive.
I've been getting a few laughs from this latest ATT Uverse/Wireless Internet commercial. The one where the father wants an internet "cord" for his laptop, and the tech-savvy little girl tells him that they have an invisible internet cord, etc. Everybody I know calls those things cables. Computer cables, modem cables, whatever. Data flows through cables, not cords. But they are using the commercial to bash the Cable company's internet and TV service, so apparently they are afraid to use the word "cable", lest they confuse us stupid customers into thinking we need "cable" from the CABLE company. Pretty an insult to anyone's intelligence.
Those two women (Peggy and Phyllis) that pimp the Cancer Treatment Centers of America are singlehandedly ruining the grammar of the American public. Listen to them sometime.
I haven't even seen the new Hawaii 50 show yet, and I'm already gettting sick of it from all the hype.
Quote from: Crunchie on September 20, 2010, 02:05:48 PM
I haven't even seen the new Hawaii 50 show yet, and I'm already gettting sick of it from all the hype.
It should be hyped. The original Five-O series was the launch of police dramas on prime-time TV. Ran for 12 years and only Law and Order has run longer.
I think it starts tonight.
Whadda ya know, it was pretty good. I notice the left the ending open so the bad guy can escape and come back to harass poor Steve again. Very predictable.
Quote from: Crunchie on September 20, 2010, 10:16:59 PM
Whadda ya know, it was pretty good.
Yep. I caught one of the 3 repeats. They're really pushing it.
Did you notice the partner's ring tone ? It's that scream/stab sound from Psycho !
Screech Screech Screech
My new most-hated commercial: The one where the little piggy cried wee-wee-wee all the way home. Although I still think I hate Curious George more.
Here Are The Final Results Of Worst Ad In America 2010
http://consumerist.com/2010/09/here-are-the-final-results-of-worst-ad-in-america-2010.html
"Lose 12 pounds for $12."
I hate Jenny Craig. How can you walk in, plop down $12, and lose 12 pounds? Grrr. ::)
Quote from: Crunchie on November 16, 2010, 12:02:12 AM
"Lose 12 pounds for $12."
I hate Jenny Craig. How can you walk in, plop down $12, and lose 12 pounds? Grrr. ::)
Maybe they'd give you a teeth cleaning.
Have you seen the "Your Baby Can Read" infomercial? Does anybody think it could actually work, or is it just another TV scam? There is a difference between knowing the names of words and understanding what they really mean, and they don't seem to address that issue.
Quote from: Crunchie on November 25, 2010, 01:34:21 AM
Have you seen the "Your Baby Can Read" infomercial? Does anybody think it could actually work, or is it just another TV scam? There is a difference between knowing the names of words and understanding what they really mean, and they don't seem to address that issue.
That's my 2nd cousin! (don't know if it works, though...)
WTTW: The beg goes on. And on.
WTTW had an Independent Lens show about an all male synchronized swimming team running lately. Did anyone catch it? Just wondering.
BTW, I know it's been awhile, but does anyone know why Leno got a new band director when he came back?
QuoteWTTW had an Independent Lens show about an all male synchronized swimming team running lately
Sounds fascinating!
Quote from: dukesdad on January 06, 2011, 12:42:15 PM
QuoteWTTW had an Independent Lens show about an all male synchronized swimming team running lately
Sounds fascinating!
LMFAO!
Quote from: Crunchie on January 06, 2011, 04:34:23 AM
BTW, I know it's been awhile, but does anyone know why Leno got a new band director when he came back?
New York Times
May 30, 2010
Sidekick No More: Eubanks Starts Post-Leno Life
By NATE CHINEN
Kevin Eubanks ended his 15-year tenure as musical director of "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" on Friday with a song, alone on acoustic guitar. It was "Adoration," an original ballad flecked with classical filigree, and he gave it a warmly dignified calm. He seemed unhurried and introspective, already pulling away from the frenetic clamor of the show. The moment played out like a curtain call, when an actor leaves his character in the wings and you think, "So this is who he really is." Not that you actually know him any better.
Mr. Eubanks is being released into the wild as one of the most recognized jazz headliners in the country, and musically one of the least recognizable. To the extent that he's a household name, it's as a comic foil and fail-safe, the guy with the grim duty of laughing at Mr. Leno's jokes (or being the brunt of them). Since he took the reins from the saxophonist Branford Marsalis, who never warmed to the role of sidekick during his three-year run, Mr. Eubanks has dismissed any suggestion that the show was an artistic drain.
But is it really possible to think otherwise? He joined the Tonight Show Band under Mr. Marsalis in 1992. His most recent album to receive widespread distribution, "Live at Bradley's" (Blue Note), was recorded in 1994. He has a steady group, with a lineup nearly identical to the members of the Tonight Show Band, but it tends to appear sporadically at the Baked Potato in Los Angeles. (Last year the group played the Blue Note in New York, but before that it had been ages.)
"I've missed his voice on the scene," said the bassist Dave Holland, who worked closely with Mr. Eubanks from the late 1980s through the mid-'90s, and who currently employs two of his brothers, Robin, a trombonist, and Duane, a trumpeter. "I'm really looking forward to being able to hear him more and to see him more active again."
Mr. Eubanks, 52, has said that it was a desire to refocus on music, rather than any problem with Mr. Leno or NBC, that motivated his decision to leave the show. "I want to play some music, and not just jazz," he told The Philadelphia Inquirer recently. "Other genres too. It's weird but I don't consider myself just a jazz musician." (Mr. Eubanks did not respond to interview requests for this article.)
His resistance to pigeonholing is true to form, and to his own history. Growing up in Philadelphia, Mr. Eubanks played extensively in Top 40 and funk bands, even as he built a jazz career. A virtuoso who had synthesized jazz-rock, funk and the blues, he was well suited to the task of a late-night bandleader. "I'm just trying to take advantage of the fact that I'm able to access a lot of different types of music genuinely," he told me in 1999.
But his Tonight Show Band was always admirable for its versatility, vitality and polish, more than any distinctiveness of style. Partly that's a reflection of the job. It speaks volumes that Mr. Eubanks's successor won't be a solo artist of any stripe but rather Rickey Minor, who until last week was the musical director of "American Idol."
By contrast, Mr. Eubanks had come to the show with an artistic identity, which has since been muddled, and not just by his network responsibilities. Over the last decade Mr. Eubanks has released six albums, largely unnoticed, on his own boutique label, InSoul. Their mood is drowsy, skirting New Age sensibilities, though the musicianship never wavers. "Soweto Sun," from 2006, has some exquisite acoustic guitar playing. But the gentility can be lulling.
So let's say you started further back, with "Live at Bradley's," a study in expressive, idiomatic hard-bop, made with the pianist James Williams and the bassist Robert Hurst. What it tells you about Mr. Eubanks is that he can handle a mainstream jazz-guitar dialect, the one defined by Wes Montgomery, as cogently and compellingly as anyone.
What doesn't it tell you? For one thing, much of what Mr. Eubanks was up to in the early 1980s, when he was one of the more important new arrivals on his instrument. "Guitarist," his 1982 debut, originally issued on Elektra/Musician and now on the Wounded Bird label, lays out a strong introduction, showcasing his breadth of taste and his commanding proficiency in both an electric and an acoustic vein.
Mr. Eubanks's output during the rest of that decade looks in retrospect like a jarring contrast between art and commerce: an oversimplification, but not entirely unwarranted. His early solo career was concurrent with the rise of smooth jazz — 1982 was also the year of the self-titled debut "Kenny G" (Arista) — and he splashed in those shallows for a while.
Then he fell in with Mr. Holland, who had made an impact in fusion (with Miles Davis) and the avant-garde (with the multi-reedist Sam Rivers). "Extensions" (ECM), a progressively groove-minded album of Mr. Holland's from 1989, documents a working quartet with Mr. Eubanks; the alto-saxophonist Steve Coleman, an uncompromising creative force; and the dynamic drummer Marvin (Smitty) Smith, later to become the rhythmic engine of the Tonight Show Band. This album has aged remarkably well.
To a lesser extent, so have Mr. Eubanks's subsequent three studio releases on Blue Note, featuring his formally intricate compositions, and the dauntless rhythm team of Mr. Holland and Mr. Smith. And "World Trio" (Intuition), a 1995 album credited to Mr. Holland, Mr. Eubanks and the percussionist Mino Cinelu, holds up and then some: it's a model of collective rapport with a world-music twist, fully acoustic but crackling with energy. From a guitar standpoint, it shows how deeply Mr. Eubanks had absorbed the lessons of John McLaughlin, in both his Shakti and Mahavishnu Orchestra incarnations.
There's no clear indication of the direction Mr. Eubanks might take now, musically speaking. Last week on "The Tonight Show" he was vague about everything except his involvement with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, a nonprofit organization devoted to jazz education. (Last month he became artistic director of the institute's Jazz in the Classroom program, which works with students in Los Angeles public schools.)
"I know he wants to play more, that's for sure," said the saxophonist Bill Pierce, a member of Mr. Eubanks's touring band, and a colleague for more than 30 years. He was quick to agree with the thought that Mr. Eubanks, for all his visibility, had been flying under the radar for some time, and that audiences were due for a reintroduction. "If they thought he was just what they see on TV," he said, "they might be surprised."
Quote from: bonster on January 06, 2011, 02:33:53 PM
Quote from: dukesdad on January 06, 2011, 12:42:15 PM
QuoteWTTW had an Independent Lens show about an all male synchronized swimming team running lately
Sounds fascinating!
LMFAO!
I was trying to sucker someone into admitting that they watched it. :o ;D
Thanks, Mugs.
Quote from: Crunchie on January 06, 2011, 01:59:44 AM
WTTW had an Independent Lens show about an all male synchronized swimming team running lately. Did anyone catch it? Just wondering.
Was it something like this?? :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eR11SE0RA0&feature=player_embedded#
I'm sick of Ted Williams. Don't even like his voice.
Why is everyone so hyped ??? He's an alcoholic who failed himself and his family, a crap sack !
He would talk your pants off with that golden voice.
Buzz, your suppose to be happy for him. He's been offered a second chance in life.
Now let's see what he does with that opportunity!
Careful. He would talk your pants off with his golden voice.
Kevin left to pursue a full-time music career (outside of being the band leader for Leno). Leno had him on a while back introducing/plugging his new album.
Quote from: Berwyn Patsy on January 12, 2011, 09:10:36 PM
Buzz, your suppose to be happy for him.
Okay, here's another one Patsy !
What's with this fool car salesman from
your neighborhood ? The one with the Packers' tie.
His damn tie is more important than his job ? And somehow in his warped mind it was a symbol, a dedication, to his deceased grandmother ? Oy.
Why is this all over the news ?
I am SO sick of hearing about this stupid fucking royal wedding. I hope she trips going down the aisle or something like that. It's getting more airtime than the Japanese earthquake, wars in Libya, Syria, and Afghanistan, and the shuttle launch, all put together. People need to get a life.
Quote from: Crunchie on April 28, 2011, 07:24:19 PM
I am SO sick of hearing about this stupid fucking royal wedding. I hope she trips going the aisle or something like that. It's getting more airtime than the Japanese earthquake, wars in Libya, Syria, and Afghanistan, and the shuttle launch, all put together. People need to get a life.
Agreed. And Amen! berwynson
Quote from: Crunchie on April 28, 2011, 07:24:19 PM
I am SO sick of hearing about this stupid fucking royal wedding. I hope she trips going down the aisle or something like that. It's getting more airtime than the Japanese earthquake, wars in Libya, Syria, and Afghanistan, and the shuttle launch, all put together. People need to get a life.
Now can we just fast forward to the part where the royal family has her killed for dumping Prince William and dating a Muslim?
That wedding and the royal family in general just might be the biggest waste of tax payer money anywhere on earth. On the other hand it could be worse, if they would have won the war our tax dollars might be paying for their lifestyle!
Truth time. Did anyone get up early this morning to watch the gala event?
Quote from: Crunchie on April 29, 2011, 08:33:59 PM
Truth time. Did anyone get up early this morning to watch the gala event?
I know someone that stayed up...and it wasn't me.
I'm pleased as punch that I haven't heard one second of royal wedding claptrap since it was over. I was afraid we'd have hear spy reports on their honeymoon, ad infinitum.
Quote from: Crunchie on May 01, 2011, 11:33:13 PM
I'm pleased as punch that I haven't heard one second of royal wedding claptrap since it was over. I was afraid we'd have hear spy reports on their honeymoon, ad infinitum.
You must have (finally) turned off your television.
Do any of you use the digital OTA signal for any of your TVs? I've noticed an odd phenomena with my reception. Every week or two, one station will go dead between like midnight and 6am for two or three days straight. Then, back to normal. Not the same station every time. So far, I have noticed it on 9, 11, and 20. And a couple others I'm not sure of? The TV guide shows regular programming in those time slots, but there is no signal at all. Anybody got an explanation for this?
Crunchie -
Not sure if this is related, but I've noticed something similar, but have not paid attention to the times. I'd assume that the times I notice this are NOT 12a to 6a though:
I will not get any signal for some random channel, BUT, I will get a NEW channel. When I go to the NEW channel, it automatically turns into the missing channel that I have no signal for, and everything is fine again. Example:
I think this happened most recently with channel 5. I had no signal. It normally comes in perfectly fine. SO, I flip through the channels, and all of the sudden, I see a listing for a channel 47 (1,2, and 3.) I flip to channel 47, hit enter, and in a few seconds, it automatically changes the channel number to 5 with the correct programming, and now ch 5 is back in my normal lineup, and everything is back to normal.
So, MAYBE, next time a channel is dead, try looking for new channels on your list?
I've noticed a similar phenomenon, Seebee. But not quite the same. When I can't tune in a normal channel, the tuner will seek to some oddball, different channel that I do not use. But I don't seem to get back to the original one from there, like you do??????? You are using the OTA digital converter on an old set?
Chicago Code is just getting good and it's going off the air. The scenes shot on Windsor by Tonini's were in last nights episode.
Quote from: Crunchie on May 16, 2011, 10:16:11 PM
I've noticed a similar phenomenon, Seebee. But not quite the same. When I can't tune in a normal channel, the tuner will seek to some oddball, different channel that I do not use. But I don't seem to get back to the original one from there, like you do??????? You are using the OTA digital converter on an old set?
Zenith converter box, old tube Sanyo 32 inch. Sounds KINDA like the same-ish type thing happening, but I swear, once I select the new oddball channel, the system then will automatically change back to the normal channel number, and everything is fine again. I wonder if there's a (silly me, of COURSE there is a) site/ forum with q/a on using these converter boxes
Yeah AVS Forum, but I didn't see this issue discussed. I've also got the Zenith box.
Anyone notice those "senior bath tub" commercials, mostly on Ch.9 ?
You open the door, step over the "convenient" 4 in. ledge and then sit. And what ? Freeze your ass off for 15 minutes waiting for the damn thing to fill ?
You bathe. A good thing.
Then what ? You can't open the door, so you're trapped in the damn thing waiting for the water to drain.
Just take a shower, much less work.
I'll bet gov't assistance is available to those who qualify.
Quote from: buzz on May 26, 2011, 02:26:20 PM
Anyone notice those "senior bath tub" commercials, mostly on Ch.9 ?
You open the door, step over the "convenient" 4 in. ledge and then sit. And what ? Freeze your ass off for 15 minutes waiting for the damn thing to fill ?
You bathe. A good thing.
Then what ? You can't open the door, so you're trapped in the damn thing waiting for the water to drain.
Just take a shower, much less work.
LOL!
I wonder if that thing comes with a snorkel and mask so you can wash your feet during a bath?
LOL!
What's the deal with that show that is on in the early morning where a couple of flim-flammers sell knives? It's usually a dozen knives that have a "retail value" of $300 but you can get them for only $15. I just can't figure out how there is a market for idiots selling bags of weird knives all night. Why would anyone buy one at a high price when they could them on TV? The knives must be real shit to be sold so cheaply. ???
The news media seem to just keep getting trashier by the minute. For the past couple of weeks or so, almost every network news program I have watched has featured Anthony Wiener and his escapades, Arnold S. and his affair, or the upcoming Drew Peterson movie. Fortunately, Tiger Woods has been keeping a low profile. Sad indeed. I don't know why they can't put that kind of crap shows like TMZ or Extra, it doesn't qualify as news IMO.
My favorite is when they give you an update on American Idol or Dancing with the Stars. Obviously a plug for their programming, but that's not news. Take out commercial time like everyone else does.
Hey Seebee, or anyone else who gets OTA TV. Are you having any trouble receiving channel 7? I can't get it at all. For a while now.
Yes. Ch 7 has been iffy all week. I'm getting it fine right now tho. Usually, when I get 7, I don't get cbs, and vice versa. I'm not getting cbs right now.
Ch 7 was totally gone for about 3 weeks; it came back a few days ago. Ch 2 is always a crap shoot.
Do you ever watch John McGlaughlin's One on One show, where he interviews leading scientists and other luminaries? It's sometimes hilarious because John is typically out of his depth with these people, and makes a moron out of himself, trying discuss topics which he clearly does not understand at all, and tries to bluff his way through, making it all worse. I can't believe PBS lets the show run, it's a joke. He should stick to politics, where you don't need brains to look good.
Quote from: Crunchie on October 02, 2011, 09:07:48 AM
Do you ever watch John McGlaughlin's One on One show, where he interviews leading scientists and other luminaries?
I gave up on him.
He's rude. He interrupts everyone. He doesn't even let them answer his dumb questions.
Quote from: buzz on October 02, 2011, 09:39:05 AM
Quote from: Crunchie on October 02, 2011, 09:07:48 AM
Do you ever watch John McGlaughlin's One on One show, where he interviews leading scientists and other luminaries?
I gave up on him.
He's rude. He interrupts everyone. He doesn't even let them answer his dumb questions.
He's not as bad as Martha Stewart. She's just plain arrogant.
Quote from: Peridot 16 on October 29, 2011, 05:29:56 PM
Quote from: buzz on October 02, 2011, 09:39:05 AM
Quote from: Crunchie on October 02, 2011, 09:07:48 AM
Do you ever watch John McGlaughlin's One on One show, where he interviews leading scientists and other luminaries?
I gave up on him.
He's rude. He interrupts everyone. He doesn't even let them answer his dumb questions.
He's not as bad as Martha Stewart. She's just plain arrogant.
I didn't know MS had a talk show or did interviews. I thought her show was a foodie/craftsie extravaganza?
MS does not have a talk show, but, it's more then a foodie/craftie show. She does have guests that talk about relevant issues...nutrition, the importance of exercise, health care, family time, video games, cell phones for kids, safety and a lot more. The few times I watched it on the Hallmark Channel, in my opinion,she somtimes comes across as condensending and rude.
whaddya' expect from an ex-con ;)
Quote from: Peridot 16 on November 05, 2011, 06:41:10 PM
MS does not have a talk show, but, it's more then a foodie/craftie show. She does have guests that talk about relevant issues...nutrition, the importance of exercise, health care, family time, video games, cell phones for kids, safety and a lot more. The few times I watched it on the Hallmark Channel, in my opinion,she somtimes comes across as condensending and rude.
Does the daughter still have the show where she and her friend sit around making fun of mom?
Don't know about the daughter's talk show. I read an article in the Trib where the daughter has penned a book...pretty much blaming MS for everything that has gone wrong in her life.
http://youtu.be/RXy_NfifdgE (http://youtu.be/RXy_NfifdgE)
The daughter has a pretty damn good life. Thanks to mom.
I doubt she'd have her own radio show (the TV show was mercifully cancelled) if Mom hadn't put up the money.
I think the book is more about growing up as Martha Stewart's kid and all the crepe that came from that.
Being a walking bulls-eye for snark and abuse.
Our favorite train-wreck food/craft show is Katie Brown Workshop on channel 11's boneyard station they call "Create." It's hilarious. Basically she nails chunks of wood together and hot glues some ribbon on it and presents it as a fun way to entertain your kids while preparing a festive feast of some sort. I keep expecting her to glue Tupperware together and spray paint it gold to make a multi-level jewelry box. We take a drink every time she says "got it" or "kinda" and by the end of the show the bottle is empty. Food is excellent too, if you like canned everything. Remember, she claims to have been a caterer. If you're the kind of person who could cut your own thumb off with a spoon while trying to make boxed macaroni and cheese, there may be something useful for you. Otherwise, get out the popcorn and prepare for some trailer park stylin'.
Katie Brown reminds me of a chipmunk.
I am so glad Xmas is over. The inundation of Santa/Jesus/Bible shows on TV this year made me feel embarrassed to have even a loose affiliation with the Christian faith. I truly feel sorry for our Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Atheist, et. al., fellow citizens. Living as a non-Christian in this country must be really boring, not to mention annoying. What I can't quite figure out, is why in Hell did they keep showing Xmas shows after Dec. 25th?
Money!!!
Still January but BEST scene of 2012!
http://youtu.be/hkM97Zy83jg (http://youtu.be/hkM97Zy83jg)
Quote from: watcher on January 13, 2012, 02:09:33 PM
Still January but BEST scene of 2012!
I enjoyed the "date night" scene as well. Men are from Mars and women are from Venus.
Quote from: Ted on January 14, 2012, 07:36:50 AM
Quote from: watcher on January 13, 2012, 02:09:33 PM
Still January but BEST scene of 2012!
I enjoyed the "date night" scene as well. Men are from Mars and women are from Venus.
The writers of this scene could not possibly have known that Mayim Bialik could say "Put it on me!" seven times in 3 seconds.
Her channeling of Amy's inner incessant 6 year-old raised the scene to art.
Has anyone been watching The River? It's a cross between Lost and The Blair Witch Project. These TV specials are dragging Spielberg down the drain, IMO.