|
|
zefrank's theshow today, while being totally void of news, totally brought the funny. Check it out, and if you're new to zefrank, check out the archives. |
|
| Posted by a very awesome MadDog
on Wednesday May 3, 2006 at 11:35:17 PM - 0 comments |
 |
|
|
|
| Posted by a very giggly MadDog
on Tuesday April 4, 2006 at 9:34:26 PM - 0 comments |
|
|
|
BBC News has published their list of "100 things we didn't know this time last year". Here's a few of my favourites:
29. When faced with danger, the octopus can wrap six of its legs around its head to disguise itself as a fallen coconut shell and escape by walking backwards on the other two legs, scientists discovered.
59. Oliver Twist is very popular in China, where its title is translated as Foggy City Orphan.
67. Giant squid eat each other - especially during sex.
73. One in six children think that broccoli is a baby tree.
78. One in 18 people has a third nipple.
100. Musical instrument shops must pay an annual royalty to cover shoppers who perform a recognisable riff before they buy, thereby making a "public performance". |
|
| Posted by a very zany MadDog
on Wednesday January 11, 2006 at 5:06:58 PM - 3 comments |
|
|
|
I have just returned from seeing The Goodies in concert as part of their "Still Alive On Stage" tour, and it's left me feeling a little unsure. I mean, sure, I enjoyed the show. Even without Bill Oddie (who wasn't available to tour due to filming committments with some show on the telly in the UK), I was satisfactorally entertained by the jokes, the snippets from the show, the commentary and the interesting tidbits of trivia (such as the list of phrases that were censored from the Australian version of the show, mostly containing the word "knackered"). However, and this was only pointed out to me today, perhaps it's best to remember The Goodies for what they were and what they meant to me growing up, and not taint that image with that of two elderly men staggering around on stage talking about the good old days.
But as I type this, I realise that in addition to the above, attending the show tonight has really accomplished a lot. Firstly, they made fun of the fact they are now so terribly old, so that we don't have to, because honestly, it was a bit of a shock to see them aged so much. Then I did the math, work out how much I, myself, had aged since the late 70's, then quickly got over it. I was reminded of a lot of great moments from my childhood. While I remember bits from the show being funny as a kid, I was a bit worried that my adult(like) mind wouldn't get the same appreciation from the humour, however, from the moment they played the opening credits, I felt like I'd gone back in time, and found myself lauging along with everyone else. Plus, with a lot of the commentary they gave on a few classic scenes, they've sated my incorrigible appetite for useless trivia, so that's a bonus.
The negatives: there has to be some, because as I got up to leave, I felt like there was something missing. I was expecting a bit more of the memorable music from the show, but without the main musical driving force, Bill Oddie, all we got was a 65-year-old Tim Brooke Taylor miming to Wild Thing with his gold jacket and spikey wig, which is better than nothing I guess. A lot of parents brought their kids, who I imagine spent most of the time scratching their heads wondering what the big deal was. And finally, the lack of Bill Oddie made the show feel a little incomplete for a full priced event. Like a two-for-the-price-of-three sort of deal.
Overall, I'm glad I went, if only so I can now say "I saw them performing live", and besides, they'll probably be dead soon. |
|
| Posted by a very conflicted MadDog
on Friday November 4, 2005 at 11:43:47 PM - 0 comments |
|
|
|
In the light of a number of US schools now teaching the theory of Intelligent Design (basically an opposing theory to Darwin's theory of evolution), why stop there? I'm sure there are a number of other equally valid theories that deserve to be taught to our kids.
I, for one, welcome our new Flying Spaghetti Monster overlord. |
|
| Posted by a very wacky MadDog
on Thursday November 3, 2005 at 11:58:24 AM - 0 comments |
|
|
|
I'm a big fan of NCIS. On the surface it looks like just another abbreviated-titled cop show, but I've always thought there was something about it that made it stand out from the crowd, and in the season 2 finale which aired here last night, I found out what that was. They killed off a major character.
As per usual when this sort of epic TV event happens, I hit the forums and TVTome (now called TV.com) and read up on the reactions of the fans, as well as interviews with the creators and writers. Feedbacked ranged from the shocked and sad fans who kinda expected it but were upset that Kate was gone, to the angry fans who said that this was the worst thing they could have possibly done, that the show's not going to be the same and vowed never to watch it again.
The series creator, Don Bellisario, said he was hexpecting the backlash from the fans, but to all of the "fans" who said how crap it was that they killed Kate and they're not going to watch the show any more, think about it. First of all, whether Kate lived or died, it made no difference. Sasha Alexander wanted to quit the show for personal reasons, so she was leaving no matter what. Secondly, and more importantly, you've become bigger fans of the characters than you are of the show itself, and that's not good. I thought when they brought in McGee, that it was going to be lame, but he turned into a really good character. The writers are great and they pulled it off.
Killing off a main character is a ballsy move, but if the writers are talented, it can be a really good move. You grow an attachment to a character, and when that's suddenly taken away, you feel a huge emotional response. Now, thats a GOOD thing, people. Sure it makes you feel sad or angry, but thats why you watch these shows. They make you feel. Don't get angry at the writers, get angry at the terrorist for shooting her, and get behind Gibbs, DiNozzo and Co. and cheer them on as they get revenge (as they're bound to do).
It's kinda like on Buffy. Joss Whedon and the Buffy/Angel writers loved killing off major characters (however, unlike NCIS, they did it whether the actors wanted to leave the show or not), and the fans simultaneously hated and loved them for it, but in the end it made for a much better show. If Buffy fans stopped watching when they killed Tara, they would have missed the awesome series finale (which, in turn, didn't suffer at all despite Spike and Anya being knocked off in the last episode). I'd rather be taken on an emotional rollercoaster than to sit back and watch just another monster-of-the-week or procedural cop drama.
Thanks to the creators of NCIS for having the balls to add a kick to the story arc and kill Kate rather than have her resign or leave the show in some other boring way. |
|
| Posted by a very stuffy MadDog
on Thursday September 22, 2005 at 2:44:21 PM - 1 comments |
|
|
|
It's a giant virtual magnetic words set you might normally see on refrigerators. You know those collections of magnetic words that you can move around on your fridge to form sentances or haikus? Yeah, them. It's made with AJAX technology, so you are competing with other users around the world for use of the words you want, which can prove frustrating, but usually, if you're on to something good, people will leave you alone to see what you come up with. In the two minutes I spent playing with it, I witnessed such profound statements as "intrepid ceremonial animal love?" and "supernatural kitten movement!". Heavy.
Check it out. |
|
| Posted by a very creative MadDog
on Wednesday June 8, 2005 at 10:25:22 AM - 0 comments |
|
|
|
When I say creative, I probably mean confusing, deceptive, or downright nonsensical, but hey, whatever works.
I am refering to the recent spate of television commercials which use some pretty weird tactics to suck you in, not so much from it's interesting or attention-grabbing content, but rather because you don't really know what the hell they're advertising until the very last minute... then BAM!
The first 30 second ad showed a woman at a pottery wheel. Classical music played in the background as the woman struggled with the lump of clay on her wheel. We are treated to scenes of failed pot, after failed vase, after failed bowl. Gradually she gets better and better until finally she has a perfect, complete pot sitting on the wheel in front of her. She sits back on her stool, smiling, and obviously proud of her good word as the voice-over lady speaks encouraging words to the effect of "Now you can treat vaginal thrush in one easy step".
And now I have just witnessed a 60 second ad that features a middle-aged couple ballroom dancing against a stary noir backdrop. A Tony Bennett-esque lounge soundtrack accompanies the couple as they dance gracefully across the varied settings: across a sweeping staircase, in front of a beautifully lit waterfall, with the camera panning across hot air baloons lit up like Christmas trees. Finally they arrive at an open stage, striking a finishing pose as the fireworks burst into a dazzling display of saturated colour. The voice over: "Learn to forget your erection problems. Contact us for a free information pack."
I didn't know whether to be impressed by the efforts of these advertising agencies, or angered at their sneaky tactics to get my attention, but in the end, especially since I've grown quite accustomed to subconciously filtering out most forms of advertising, I've really got to hand it to them. |
|
| Posted by a very slaphappy MadDog
on Tuesday May 10, 2005 at 8:25:49 PM - 0 comments |
|
|
|
It's Big Brother time again! I'm actually surprised my interest in the Big Brother phenomenon has held through to its fifth incarnation. I really don't know what the appeal is. I guess I still think its an interesting social experiment in contrast with the plethora of other reality TV offerings. I'm pretty much over the whole talent quest thing, My Restaurant Rules was interesting for a little while, and I've been too busy lately to watch much else on TV.
The main new twist for this year so far is the inclusion of identical twins taking turns in the house, trying to fool the housemates into thinking they are one person. A clever stunt which should be interesting to watch. Notice my use of bold and italics on "should", as good an idea this is, like Miriam last year, it may get tired pretty fast. I think they only have to keep it up for two weeks anyway, so it might be okay. The other twist mentioned thus far is the fact that the housemates will lose $1,000 from the total prize money for each breach of the rules. While clearly this is a sign of budget cuts, it will also be a good way to see who's playing the game, seeing who complains about "their" money being reduced. A few of the girls are easier on the eye this year too, which is always a good thing (especially on the Uncut shows). |
|
| Posted by a very tired MadDog
on Tuesday May 10, 2005 at 10:46:21 AM - 1 comments |
|
|
|
Well, only one baby really. My buddy, Jerzakie, is expecting his first child any minute now, and I am just excited to pieces for him.
I loved reading the latest entry on his blog, not so much for what he had to say, but mainly because it brought back so many memories of myself when I was in his shoes nearly 16 months ago. When Amy was almost ready to pop, I stopped worrying about what sort of a father I was going to be. At that time, of much greater concern was wondering what sort of world your children are going to grow up in. Every story on A Current Affair makes you either swear loudly at the television (a habit I've had to give up recently, now that Amy is repeating what we say), or shake your head, muttering phrases like "to hell in a handbasket" under your breath.
Of course, over time I've realised that like much like resistance against the Borg, worrying about the direction the world is heading in is futile, and more than 15 months later I've come to learn that there are more important things to worry about... like what sort of father I'm going to be. |
|
| Posted by a very excited MadDog
on Friday May 6, 2005 at 9:53:44 PM - 4 comments |
|
|
Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23
|
|
