It's One Serious Run

I have a thing for finding random shows to watch. Plus, I like to find new things on TV. They may not be brand new, but I like to see just what kind of variety is available and if I can get something out of the show then that’s just a bonus. I just found a very different kind of reality show. It’s called Bullrun and it’s all about how well the contestants can drive a car. I had heard of the show before, but I’d never really watched. It turns out that it’s pretty entertaining.

Now, it’s not just a regular old driving challenge that tests how well a person can follow driving rules. The show features twelve pairs of drivers who push their own cars to the limit. The teams must travel over three thousand miles to see who will be crowned the champion. Along the way there are challenges set up and the weakest team is sent home. Every day the pairs must use their navigation skills to find the established checkpoints along the course. The teams also have to display some very extreme driving skills in challenges that test their abilities and feature some eye-catching special effects.



The cars on this show aren’t your typical Honda Civic. The teams are behind the wheel of a Lamborghini Murcielago, Plymouth Barracuda, Lexus SC 300, Mini Cooper S, Mustang Mach 1, Acura NSX, Dodge Viper, VW Beetle, BMW 355i, Dodge Challenger, Corvette, and a Hummer H-3.

The whole point of the show is how well the teams can follow directions and drive their cars.

If you want to watch Bullrun tune into Speed Thursday at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. or check out their website at
http://www.speedtv.com/programs/bullrun/.

Here's just a preview of what you can see on the show.


I can say that, after watching two episodes, that I’m hooked. It’s pretty addicting and you can easily pick your favorites in a matter of minutes. Plus, it not your typical reality show; it’s more than finding love, showing your strength, or singing your heart out. It has parts of virtually every type of reality show plus the fact that it’s a cross-country driving challenge in some really awesome cars. To top it all off, the drama of every show on TV is still there. I definitely recommend checking it out.

The Hunt for Something Interesting to Watch

A lot of people love reality TV and a lot of people hate it. It’s been my experience that there isn’t much of a happy medium involved in this particular area of television. Personally, I like some of the reality TV available and completely hate the rest. Recently I’ve starting watching what I would call knock-off reality TV. By that I mean shows like House Hunters.

It turns out it’s actually a really interesting show and it’s almost like CSI, there are a couple of spin offs. The show follows perspective buyers as they learn the ins and outs of buying a home. The show puts focus on the ups and downs people face. It’s kind of like American Idol in that you choose your favorite and hope it “wins.” Except in this case, there’s no voting, talented singers, or sarcastic judges.

House Hunters International is really entertaining because you get to see just how different homes are across the world. This show follows buyers as they note the major differences from what they’re used to and the quirks that might encounter when purchasing and living in a foreign country.

To me it’s really cool to see just have different homes really are in different areas, even in the United States. In the foreign version, it’s kind of cool to see just how far your money can go and just how much people are willing to spend, but the second goes for the American based show as well.

If you’re interesting in catching an episode, what House Hunters weeknights at 8 p.m. and House Hunters International weeknights at 9 p.m. on HGTV.

Here’s a clip of an amazing home in Bali featured on House Hunters International.

Simply Refreshing

Unfortunately it’s taken me a while to blog on this, I’m a bit forgetful. In my time watching television, I saw various commercials on the Pepsi Refresh Project. Based on the commercials, I thought it seemed like a really awesome ideas to make some positive change happen and have a say in it.

The Pepsi Refresh Project’s goal is, as the website notes, to give “away millions to fund great ideas.” The company is turning to anyone, be it an individual, a non-profit, or a business, to come up with positive ideas that could have an impact. Pepsi takes 1000 submissions every month and allows anyone to vote on the ideas they like. You can vote 10 times everyday! People can submit ideas related to health, art and culture, food and shelter, the planet, neighborhoods, or education. The ideas are then broken into $5,000, $25,000, $50,000, or $250,000 categories.

It’s a really interesting way to change the world we live and gives people a role in making a better world. I would definitely suggest checking it out and even voting on some of the submissions.

Check it out at http://www.refresheverything.com/index.

Here are a couple of the commercials promoting the project. The first I put up because it’s a really creative commercial.

This video basically explains how the project works.

Now Available!...on Facebook

Since I’ve been taking a marketing class this semester, I’ve been really interested in how products are produced and sold. It’s really cool to be able to watch a commercial and basically analyze some of the parts of it. Which is why, when I came across a book a while back, I thought it could be a really interesting read.

The Facebook Era: Tapping Online Social Networks to Build Better Products, Reach New Audiences, and Sell More Stuff by Clara Shih talks about using Facebook as a marketing tool. It starts out by giving a timeline of the evolution of technology from mainframe computers to the social media takeover. Shih also talks about the fact that as technology changes we use it for very different purposes. A part of the book is devoted to explaining social capital and how we can get it through online sources. The evolution of social networking has made getting this capital even easier. Another big portion of the book is focused on the role social networking has on business and how it is carried out. An interesting point Shih makes is that social networking has altered the connection between businesses and customers. Shih writes, “Businesses feel more empowered to go after new markets and audiences. Customers feel more accountable for providing input and more grateful when their input is incorporated in the design of new products.” At the end of the book Shih includes a section on how to use Facebook in your business.

As a business major who will potentially work for a company involved in retail, this seemed really interesting. It’s no surprise to me that, with the extreme popularity of Facebook, companies are utilizing it in their operations.

Looking for Something Special? Try Facebook!

It’s impossible to watch television without seeing a commercial. Well, your favorite social networking site is becoming just like TV. You’ve all noticed the list of ads plastered down the side of the screen as you browse your Facebook page. I was sent an article about this particular aspect the other day and it seemed pretty interesting.

In the article, “Ads Posted on Facebook Strike Some as Off-Key” by Brad Stone, notes that there may be some issues with those advertisements. The social networking site offers a service to those who are marketing some type of good or service. People can design and post their ads, all through Facebook. Those can be can be segmented so that they only appear on users’ pages that list something in relation to what is being marketed. The problem in all of this is that ads that have nothing in common with the user and may be potentially offensive can still appear on someone’s profile. The article notes that Facebook has, and is working to add more, policies to deal with this type of issue. Now a picture on an ad must have something in common with what is being sold. Even with the policy in place, an inappropriate advertisement can still slip through the cracks. Although this is the case, the article notes that Facebook expects the quality of advertisement to increase over time, which they believe will help solve some of the problems.

I think it’s almost crazy that we can’t escape commercials in today’s world. Even if it’s not the standard TV ad, it’s still out there. Now that these new age commercials have come to my attention, they’re almost annoying. What do you think about advertising on Facebook? Should there be a limit?

It Doesn’t Mean Anything If It’s Not on Facebook

Television networks are trying to reach more people on as many levels as possible. They do so through shows, promotions, websites, games, and many other things. Like a lot of other networks, SyFy, is attempting to boost interest through social media.

In the article, “SyFy, Facebook Team Up on Social Gaming” by Mike Shields, talks about how the company is attempting to do this. The network wants its gaming site to reach a similar level of popularity that Facebook games have achieved. So, SyFy has implemented several ideas that they think will help them achieve their goals. The company has made it possible for gamers to challenge friends to games, publish their activity, and receive notification if one of their scores is beaten all through Facebook. SyFy is also tamping into the popularity of Twitter. Fans can now get updates from Twitter directly from the network’s blog.

Twitter and Facebook are taking over, almost literally. They’re in nearly every part of our lives. I can’t remember the last time I watched TV without hearing a promotion for one of the social networking sites. This is just a prime example of how networks are using this new revolution in their favor.

There’s No Such Thing as Too Much of a Good Thing

At this point I’d say it’s easy to tell how much I love TV. Well, I don’t just watch it, sometimes I actually read about it too. I came across this article the other day called “Revolution in a box: it’s not Twitter or Facebook that’s reinventing the planet. Eighty years after the first commercial broadcast crackled to life, television still rules our world. And let’s hear it for the growing legions of couch potatoes: All those soap operas might be the ticket to a better future after all.” Charles Kenny writes about the unbelievable powers of television. Its popularity continues to grow, even in areas that have just received electricity. As the popularity grows, so does its access, and in turn the number of channels available. Kenny talks about the considerable influence of soap operas. In Brazil, for example, some shows are so popular that newborns are now popular stars’ namesakes. Another way television is changing the world is by educating kids. Depending on the type of show children watch, their test scores have gone up and they’re less likely to do drugs. Watching television, in some places, has even lowered birth rates. Kenny mentions that governments would be wise to harness televisions’ considerable power in positive ways. Basically, the article credits television for the good that’s happening in many parts of the world.

A lot of what I’ve come up, while writing this blog, has bashed TV. It’s bad because of this or that. It’s harmful and doesn’t do much for you. I think it’s safe to say that that list could go on forever. This article is really interesting, since it never really attacks TV once. I think there might be something to that idea.

A Little Birdie Told Me You Just Finished Lunch

We’ve all heard of it by now and a lot of us take part in it. Twitter is nothing new and its popularity hasn’t stopped growing yet. Personally, I’ve never given it much credit because I don’t really care what someone had for breakfast or that he or she is hanging out at home. That is until I came across a really interesting article online.

The American Journalism Review published “The Twitter Explosion” by Paul Farhi earlier this year. The article doesn’t just focus on how popular the site has become, but instead looks at how it helps or hurts journalists. The article talks about the fact that popular news shows and reporters can now easily be followed on Twitter. Farhi takes it a step further by noting that journalists are using the site in the field as a reporting tool. They tweet while covering breaking stories and one reporter was even permitted (by the judge) to do the same while covering a very important trial from inside the courtroom. That event was first time anyone had ever been given permission to do so. Farhi notes, though, that using Twitter works best if what is being reported is changing at lightening speeds. The article talks about how journalists are using the site of find facts, new stories, and other sources. Farhi mentions, in the story, that Twitter isn’t just for kids. More people over the age of thirty-five have an account than do their younger counterparts. One major issue involving Twitter and journalists it that they have to be careful about what they tweet. Because if they post something, others will see it, and whether it’s true or not it will spread like a wildfire. All-in-all the article sets out to show how that Twitter has definite benefits to journalists and they are becoming aware of this at a rapidly increasing rate.

The article really made me think about what the site can really do. It’s not just a silly waste of time where people can rant about random things, or give minute by minute updates about their daily activities; it actually has substance to it. I’m actually really impressed that the news world has tapped into Twitter’s capabilities and used them to get the word out.

On the Road Again...So Call Me

Let’s face it, thanks to technology, we can do anything just about anywhere. You can text a friend while working on a paper and, at the same time, instant message another person. I stumbled across a book the other day that talks about technology on the go.

Portable Communites: The Social Dynamics of Online and Mobile Connectedness by Mary Chayko highlights how people are able to stay in touch via the Internet and other high-tech ways. In today’s world, they can do this with very little effort. The book talks about the fact that it’s easier than ever to share a picture, video, message, or a million other things. The book’s main focus is on how technology has made staying connected portably extremely possible. Chayko notes that people are social by nature and things like blogs, social networking, and texting help them to form bonds. They can now stay connected anywhere thanks to smart phones, laptops, and other new high-tech gadgets. Chayko breaks her book up into, what she calls, internal and external dynamics. In the first section she talks about thinking, feeling, emotions, the ability to play and have fun, and the role of social networking in staying connected to our friends. On the external side, things like interactions between people, expressing yourself, and the social landscape all help to strengthen social connections on a portable level.

The book can get a little scientific at times, which makes it a little confusing. Despite that, and the fact that it’s on the thick side, it isn’t difficult to read. I really like that the author puts some focus on social networking, since that’s something I’m very involved with. The whole concept is something I’d never really thought about and it’s kind of interesting.

g2g ttyl if i dont see u l8ter

Sometimes I get really annoyed with my friends when I can’t understand a text message they’ve sent me because of all the abbreviations used. I think it’s safe to assume that I’m not the only one who feels this way. The other day, as I surfed the Internet, I actually came across an article that focused on this particular idea, but it had a very different view than I would have expected.

“Are Digital Media Changing Language” by Naomi Baron featured in an issue of Educational Leadership looks at how new media has changed the way we communicate. She says that kids are occasionally putting acronyms into their papers and regular conversations. There are two points to that, one being that the usage is very limited and two, we use acronyms like ASAP anyway. So, it’s really no big deal to some extent. Baron talks about some of the changes that have occurred in mechanics. For example, the use of apostrophes, or lack thereof, thanks to texting. Kids aren’t worried about spelling anymore. They have spell check, so what’s the issue. The main focus of the article, though, is on how new media has changed attitudes toward communication. Teachers, and people in general, are taking a “whatever” approach to writing. They are more lenient or passive about strictly following grammar rules. Baron also notes the change in control people have over communication. Now, if you don’t want to talk to someone, you can screen your calls or block them from being able to message you through Facebook or instant messaging, among other things. Baron notes that these changes are inevitable and it is up to us on how we except and handle them.

I thought it was kind of strange that the issues you would expect, like text speak in papers and poor writing, would be some of the more prevalent problems coming from new media. I guess if you think about it, the other issues do make sense.

It’s as “In” as Paris Hilton’s Shoes

Social media is everywhere and virtually everyone is connected to it. The way people, myself included, get hooked on Facebook and other sites has always been a point of interest for me. The social media networks have spilled over into television too. Just about every show has a Facebook page or can be followed on Twitter. I stumbled across this book, Celeb 2.0: How Social Media Foster Our Fascination with Popular Culture by Kelli Burns, which seems interesting. It basically breaks down the social media takeover. The chapters highlight the popularity of blogs and the how they have changed everything. Pop culture has become the domain of social media and print is out of style. It’s all about blogs, message boards, and other new media today. Communication is definitely not what it used to be and is never going back. Now, it seems people are logging on to their favorite celebrity gossip blogs instead of grabbing a trashy magazine or watching television. It’s interesting how something can virtually explode in popularity.

From Turning Pages to Scrolling Bars

I have known that blogs exist for a while, but I really didn’t know much about them. The other day I came across a book that looked pretty interesting. Blogging by Jill Walker Rettberg is a fairly short book about the title subject. It doesn’t have any pictures or distractions, though; it’s all reading. Rettberg outlines what a blog is, how it has evolved, the different ways blogs are used (advertising, storytelling, peoples’ versions of online newspaper articles), and its connection to social media. This book isn’t a how to about creating your own blog; it actually talks about the subject in detail. Which, is a change as we all know, considering most information on the topic is geared toward the do-it-yourself crowd. That’s why it stood out to me. I can actually get something from it.

It's a Marketing Revolution

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much television advertising has been hit by social media. I happened to be messing around on the internet and came across an interesting article. “Retailers Go Nuts for Social Media in Holiday Marketing” by Natalie Zmuda and Kunur Patel makes some unsurprising points. The article touches on the idea that stores are using social media marketing, especially around the holidays, now more than ever. In it, the authors break down five companies that are using these new ways of advertising the right way and five that need work. Best Buy, for example, has a strong application presence on Facebook and keeps up with its various Twitter accounts. Walmart, Toys R Us, JC Penney, and eBay also keep track of things via the major social networking sites. Some of the stores lacking in this department are Abercrombie & Fitch, which has a surprising low involvement in the new media world, even though it is targeted at the younger generations. Kohl’s has made an effort to increase its social media marketing, but not with giants like Facebook and Twitter. Target and Old Navy can be found in the same boat as the previous two and is joined, surprisingly, by Amazon. What this group has in common is its need to make some definite improvements.

It’s both surprising and not so much so that businesses are embracing social media as way to advertise. But, if all of these companies, and more, are increasing money spent on online campaigns, then where does that leave television?

The Hot Button Issue Isn't So Hot Button Anymore

It’s an undisputed fact that there are a million hot button issues in the world today. In the past, these topics were avoided or discussed in hushed voices. Things like teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol problems, and how children were raised, were not talked about in the open. If you brought them up people gave you disgusted looks. Showing them on television was unheard of and, simply, not done.

Now, that isn’t the case anymore. If a topic had a chance of being controversial, it was taken head on and brought out into the light. You can bet that it, if it’s an issue happening currently, it will show up on TV, one way or another. Today, thanks to shows like The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Celebrity Rehab, Teen Mom, and True Life, hot button issues are being brought into the main stream in full force. These never openly discussed topics are not being held back any longer. The Secret Life of the American Teenager, which is based on the life of Amy Juergens as she faces the struggles of becoming a mother her freshman year of high school, may be based on a fictional storyline designed to maximize drama and ratings. But, Teen Mom brings the real-life trials that face teen moms. The show, in classic MTV fashion, brings out the up and downs these young families face. These girls aren’t being talked about in hushed tones like they may have been in the past. Now, thanks to these shows, the issue is being heard loud and clear.

There are even programs based on every other hop button topic you could come up with. Celebrity Rehab follows drug and alcohol addicts as they progress through treatment programs. Previously, rehab was mentioned in a tone associated with disappointment and disrespect. It seemed to be viewed as the ultimate mess up. Now, with the help of the show, views have been changed and people who seek help are looked at in a more respectful light.

And, what hasn’t the show, True Life, covered. If it was something controversial that a teen had face, the cameras were there to tell the story. Every thing from drug problems, to family issues, to coming out, to being bullied has been fair game. Let’s face it, what was once a hot button issue is now main stream media. It may still be very controversial, but thanks to television, it’s now being talked about like never before. The lines of communication have been opened and there’s no shutting them down.

Fact or Fiction?

We’ve all watched a television show or movie and didn’t believe a bit of what we were seeing. Well, it’s not hard to guess the ideas writers come up with is less the realistic, so to speak. For the most part, storylines are created to amuse the general public, or at least in my opinion anyway. There are several shows that have topics that we have no actual background knowledge about the ideas being featured. You know which ones I’m talking about; the ones that are based on medicine, science, law and various other topics. They are the types of shows that, from the opening dialogue, are over our heads. There is no way, without some extensive research, that we would know if the topics covered were real or not. Well, one show I came across has made that issue a little bit easier to resolve.

Grey’s Anatomy is no stranger to odd and over the top diseases or medical situations that the general public doesn’t have much experience with. Thanks to a section of the Grey’s Anatomy page on abc.go.com, it’s very simple to find out whether or not what you’re watching is real or, at the very least, possible. The Case File breaks down exactly what’s going.

It turns out that a lot research has gone into making sure the medical issues presented on the show are possible. The information on the website is even written by the head of research for the show.

For example, when Thatcher Grey needs a kidney transplant, Meredith steps up to help. Now, I certainly don’t doubt that this is possible, but little did I know there is a lot more to the story than the transplant. Well, the site breaks down the various aspects of a partial kidney transplant, gives you some information on finding out if you are a match for someone, and several other issues.

This is example isn’t the exception. The writer, Meg Marinis, does this for every episode and medical issue. It’s really impressive to know that what I’m watching could actually happen. So, next time you’re watching your favorite TV shows, question what you’re seeing and maybe even do a little research into what’s going on in the story. If you’re lucky, the show will help to explain it for you. This is just another example of television opening up the lines to expand what we know.

A Frozen Spin on Target Practice

I flipped on the TV at one point over the weekend to take part in some channeling surfing. As usual, there wasn’t much on that seemed to hold my attention. So, I decided to see what Olympic events were happening at that point in time. As I searched the channels I came across a sport that managed to catch my attention. Curling is something I had never really given much thought to, but as I watched the match, I became very interested. I realized that, while the concept seemed very simple, there was a lot to scoring. It occurred to me that I knew virtually nothing about the sport of curling. So, I decided to take part in a round of Google searches to see what I could find out about this particular activity.

Thanks to the Vancouver 2010 games website, I found exactly what I was trying to find. It turns out that curling has been around for a very long time, over 500 years to be exact. The earliest records of the activity can found in Scotland. It wasn’t until 1924 that the sport was played at the Olympics, but wasn’t until 1998 that men and women both had events.

How do you play? Well, in the Olympic version, two teams compete with the goal of sliding a stone weighing 19.1 kilograms towards a group of circles. The object is to send the stone along the ice and stop it as close to the center of the circles as possible. Each game has ten ends in which the four member team throws (the term for sliding) a total of sixteen stones toward the rings at the opposite end of the ice. Each team member actually throws two stones a piece. As the stone slides, two members sweep in front of it to control its speed and direction. To win, a team must score the most points or have a higher number of stones near the center of the circles. You might be wondering where the term “curl” comes from. Well, as the stone travels down the ice, its direction is called its curl.

Here is a video if you’ve never seen curling before.


If you want to read more about Olympic Curling check the link below. You can also learn more about your favorite events from the Vancouver 2010 games.
http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-curling/

If It’s Dirty, Disgusting, or Just Plain Strange, They’ll Try It

How many times have you caught yourself flinching, cringing, saying any number of yuck related phrases, or several other understandable reactions just from watching TV. Well, think about if you were actually there. Something tells me you would have a whole new appreciation for the people hosting shows like Dirty Jobs and Bizarre Foods. You can’t help but give these guys, and others, a heaping amount of credit for even considering taking these jobs.

In every episode, Mike Rowe, is faced with some of the world’s most disgusting and dirty jobs, ranging from making fireworks to cleaning the worst of sewers and beyond. I not entirely sure anything could qualify you for the types of things he has to do, but his previous work certainly didn’t in some respects. Rowe is a former opera singer with the Baltimore Opera. He has been “fired repeatedly from the QVC Cable Shopping Channel,” hosted a number of shows on various topics. None of those positions have been quite as extreme as working for Dirty Jobs, which he helped to create.

Andrew Zimmer, a New York native, has plenty of food experience. He started his formal culinary training at fourteen years old. Zimmer is one of the creators of his show. I’m not quite sure how you come up with an idea like that, but he managed to hit on something there. His show is centered on showcasing traditional foods from cultures all over the world. As a result, he encounters some of the most delicious and unusual tasting, looking, and smelling cuisine imaginable.

While both shows offer a unique chance to experience new opportunities and show the world things it might otherwise miss, I can’t help but wonder just how much a person’s stomach can handle. The moral of this story, finding the perfect host is key. Especially if the dirty, disgusting, and down right strange is involved.

Catch Dirty Jobs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the Discovery Channel. Watch Bizarre Foods Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT and the new season on Mondays at 9 beginning April 26 on the Travel Channel.

SLUG BUG!

Think back to just about every car trip you took as a child. You may remember endless hours spent stuffed in the back seat of your family’s car. Finding things to occupy your time, that didn’t end with a parent yelling at you, were hard to come by. But, one game that has stood the test of time and parental bans is the tried and true slug bug game. If you don’t remember it, it goes a little something like this: Someone, we’ll go with an older sibling, sees a Volkswagen Beetle and punches you in the arm. And, the exchange happens similar to the following. “Slug Bug!” “Owww! No, I didn’t see it so it doesn’t count!”

Sound at least somewhat familiar. Well, think about how many times, as you’ve gotten older, that you’ve reverted back to your childhood activities. You may have colored in a coloring book and celebrated because you managed to stay in the lines or been caught playing with your little brother’s race car track.

Well, I think the advertising team at Volkswagen has taken a page from this particular book. I was watching TV the other, big surprise, and came across their latest advertising campaign. Personally, I think it’s rather amusing and puts a whole new twist on the old slug bug game. Now you have all new ways to play this painful game. Take a look and see what you think.

Is There Life After Television? Maybe There Should Be...

Let’s face it, we, as a whole, are watching even more television than ever. As an avid fan, I recognize that TV is not the only thing out there. I hate to admit the fact that so much time watching my favorite shows may not be productive, healthy, or beneficial. While I could argue that TV takes you to far away places, lets you learn in new ways, and ties people together like never before, there is another side.

If you are watching TV, you aren’t exercising, enriching your mind by reading, or spending time with your family. Though, television seems to be one of the few ways to bring people together these days. Discovery News published an article earlier this year on this issue of excessive amounts of TV time. It says that people watching over four hours of TV a day are increasing their risk of early death. The article, Watching Too Much TV Could Kill You, basically states that it’s bad for your heart and sitting for that long or longer means you aren’t working the muscles in your body. By failing to do so, your body isn’t burning fat and sugars in your system.

LimiTV’s website touches the issue of obesity. The site hits on studies that have drawn a connection between television and weight issues in children. I don’t think this point is too hard to argue. By watching excessive amounts of television, kids are decreasing their physical activity and subjecting themselves to mouth watering ads for restaurants and food items.

The article touches on an idea that I had never really given much consideration; a connection between ADHD and television. Studies on the issue have been researched for ages and are still on going. A main idea is that the quick pace that images and sounds change on the screen cause the body’s neurological system to become overwhelmed, which may turn into an attention issue as the child grows. Another study talked about the idea that kids with ADHD are simply copying the quick pace of television.

There are a million and one other issues involved with viewing too much television. I think those are no surprise either. As much as I adore television, I know there is such a thing as too much. Whether I choose to acknowledge that is beside the point. But, I think, we can all benefit from turning off the TV and picking up a book or going for a walk. Television isn’t going anywhere, and it’ll be there when we want to watch just a small amount.

Need A Valentine's Day Gift?

With Valentine’s Day just one day away, you may be scrambling to find a last minute gift for your loved one. A person could go with the standard chocolate, flowers, and jewelry. The problem is those gifts are overdone. They’re the standard, cliché found in almost every romantic scene from television and movies.

We all know that TV is a very powerful marketing tool. Commercials suck us in and we end up with those products just days after watching the advertisement. So, it’s easy enough to use television to come up with some creative ideas for your Valentine. It can really help a person to think past the typical, tried and true gift ideas. Just think of the response you’d receive from your loved one when they open a gift that you put a lot of thought into.

Just watching television for ideas may not help you one hundred percent. So, people across the airwaves set out to aid those in gift giving peril. One such person is Ellen DeGeneres and her show The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She has taken it upon herself to create some innovative new candy ideas for that special someone in your life...or that special someone you want out of your life. Ellen has the right gift for you. You could buy your loved one a heart shaped ring pop with humus. Or if you really don’t want someone to be your Valentine, give that person some conversation hearts with phrases like “No thinks” and “Do you Have a Sister.” Or maybe you could give them a special hug for Valentine’s Day.
With Valentine’s Day just one day away, you may be scrambling to find a last minute gift for your loved one. A person could go with the standard chocolate, flowers, and jewelry. The problem is those gifts are overdone. They’re the standard, cliché found in almost every romantic scene from television and movies.
We all know that TV is a very powerful marketing tool. Commercials suck us in and we end up with those products just days after watching the advertisement. So, it’s easy enough to use television to come up with some creative ideas for your Valentine. It can really help a person to think past the typical, tried and true gift ideas. Just think of the response you’d receive from your loved one when they open a gift that you put a lot of thought into.
Just watching television for ideas may not help you one hundred percent. So, people across the airwaves set out to aid those in gift giving peril. One such person is Ellen DeGeneres and her show The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She has taken it upon herself to create some innovative new candy ideas for that special someone in your life. Or, that special someone you want out of your life. Ellen has the right gift for you. You could buy your loved one a heart shaped ring pop with humus. Or if you really don’t want someone to be your Valentine, give that person some conversation hearts with phrases like “No thinks” and “Do you Have a Sister.” Or Ellen dug up this idea.

Ellen doesn't reccommend the hug, though.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Busted!

Let’s face it; there is a lot of junk on TV these days. Now, that’s not to say it isn’t enjoyable junk. It’s mostly fake storylines. Writers script shows to gain ratings and, for the most part, we love whatever they through at us. The shows do have some factual aspects or else advocate groups and experts would have a field day with our entertainment, but on the whole, none of it is real. Personally, I love that about television. The idea that something unbelievable could actually happen, but isn’t anywhere near likely, is great. At some point, though, doesn’t it seem difficult to separate what’s real and fake? I think, to some extent, it does. But, here’s the thing, there are legitimate shows that have creditable casts who know what there doing. MythBusters happens to be one of those real-ly amazing shows. How do we know it isn’t a bunch of actors pretending they know how to build rockets and do complicated math problems to prove their ideas? Jamie Hyman is more than a mustached, beret wearing actor. He’s had a host of jobs including survival expert, diver, and boat captain. He eventually found a home in the world of visual-effects where he has a great amount of experience creating special effects and models. So, I guess you could say he knows what he’s doing when you see him making an explosive device. Adam Savage, who always dresses the part, has had a million a one jobs including “projectionist, animator, graphic designer, carpenter, interior and stage designer, toy designer, welder, and scenic painter, he's worked with every material and process he could get his hands on — metal, paper, glass, plastic, rubber, foam, plaster, pneumatics, hydraulics, animatronics, neon, glassblowing, mold making and injection molding, to name just a few.” He also focuses on special effects and knows how to build whatever you can dream up. Tory Belleci, Grant Imahara, and Kari Byron are no less talented. Tory’s work in the film industry and model building has helped gain MythBusters fame. Grant has an electrical engineering degree and is an electronics guru. Kari started out as an artist, which led her into the world of toy-prototyping and model making. While this imaginative group of people may not be actual scientists. They have the skills and knowledge of an industry based on building awesome explosions and funky, working gadgets. If you’ve ever watched the shows, this group isn’t afraid to roll up there sleeves and create a rocket launcher big enough to shoot a certain beloved crash test dummy. So, while most of the TV we know and love is nowhere near the real thing, the gang on MythBusters makes it as legitimate as possible. If you want to read more about the show and cast, go to http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/mythbusters.html .
I wanted to add a couple of videos show off the show.
The first clip doesn’t show them building anything, but it’s awesome.

The second video involves the myth that you can’t fold a piece of paper more than seven times. What the clip doesn’t show is the amount of testing and research that went into this idea.

Evolving the Revolving Door

Trends, in everything from clothes to shows, go in and out. That's not secret and happens to be common place in life. One day something comes flying into the public eye and, literally, a day later has become old news. I think it’s fair to say that television, like so many other things, is a revolving door. Just a couple of episodes can determine whether the creators have a hit on their hands or if the show will flop after the pilot. Characters come and go just as easily. At one point a beloved member of a show is favored by everyone and the next, because of something he or she did as per the writers’ directions, sends that person flying out of the limelight. It’s also interesting to look at television as a way to visually track the changes of time. You can easily observe fashion, technology, mannerisms, décor, and a hundred other things evolve. Now, I love to watch reruns of old shows that were, sadly, replaced by the new “in” thing. Take for example, The Nanny. The show featured Fran Drescher as the nanny, with no experience, to a wealthy Broadway producer in the early ninety’s. Now, the styles of Fran Fine are outrageous, but the other cast members show a definite evolution of fashion over nearly a decade. Ms. Fine seemed to be holding on to past clothing trends, which goes against every popular fashion idea. Once it’s out you can’t be caught dead in it. Ms. Fine’s big hair and wild patterned clothes made for an interesting contrast to the Sheffields more conservative attire. Today, we are faced with highest of fashion trends in shows like Gossip Girl or The Real Housewives of which every city you prefer. In which fashion and all that’s new and now reign supreme. It’s easy to see how we know what to wear, which phone to use, what cars to drive, and how to decorate our homes. All a person has to do is switch on the TV to see the next fad. To me, the most interesting part is watching just how much times have changed. Not only in what clothes a cast is outfitted in, but how they are scripted to act and what gadgets they use. You can definitely see how, we, as a cultured have changed. That’s also pretty evident that what we’re willing to watch has shifted with the trends as well. It’s not so much about the happy family, but how dysfunctional that family is and how much drama they can bring to the table. Trends change and will continue to do so. That’s no surprise and keeps us on our toes to stay in with the “in”crowd. The one thing we can be sure of is that the revolving door will always be present and ready to spin, no matter what the latest fad brings into the public eye.

If you’re interested in ready about The Nanny, Gossip Girl, or The Real Housewives you can look them up at http://www.imdb.com/. Just search the show titles.

Thanks to the Season

I want to take you on a little memory trip today. You are about six years old and it is early December. Your major goal has nothing to do with school or a sports team, but composing your letter to Santa. Christmas is right around the corner and if you don’t complete your task you may end up with socks. You wake up one morning and are greeted with the most wonderful news; school has been cancelled due to the bucks of snow that fell during the night. Now, the problem with all this is that your mother has forbidden you to go outside because “It’s just too cold.” So, she allows you to watch TV. Morning cartoons easily occupy your time, but they are broken up by a seemingly endless amount of commercials. As they come and go you begin to see items that interest you and then your mind begins to work. If you’re like me you may have composed a large part of your Christmas lists with the help of television commercials. Now, commercials are abundant throughout the year, but it seems that they increase drastically over the holidays. I remember one year, specifically, my whole list was made from watching television. I’ve never doubted the power of a well scripted commercial. Have you ever considered just how influential they are? It really hadn’t fully occurred to me until I was thinking about writing this. Especially as children, if seems that we are putty in the hands of marketers. Even if it was a commercial for a cleaning product, we were more than willing to talk our parents into it. All it took was a snappy jingle, cute puppy, or actor from one of our favorite shows to suck us in. Even now, I think, we’re just as susceptible to marketing gimmicks. Take the Toyota commercial, for example that features scenes of fields and flowers, but all the grass, clouds, sun, and other objects are a made up of groups of people.

It’s probably on of the coolest commercials I’ve seen. There was some definite creativity involved its making. Even if you have absolutely no interest in a Toyota Prius, you’ll remember the commercial. If you’re car shopping, something may trigger you to remember the commercial and, in turn, head to a Toyota dealership to see what other models they offer. And, I’m not even going to talk about the snappy jingles that drive us nuts for days thanks to a TV commercial, which of course pops into your head as you pass the item in the store. So, the power of commercials may have begun in our younger Christmas list days, but it certainly hasn’t faded in the time since.

It's Not Going Anywhere

The economy is in bad shape, that’s nothing new to everyone in American. I, personally, had a feeling that this recession was going to have an impact on television. People have bills to pay and a million other expenses popping up and, as a result, are cutting back. Some could say that television is not an essential part of surviving. I, however, might argue that idea, but that’s beside the point. I came across an article on the CNN website from February 24, 2009. TV Viewing at ‘all-time high,’ Nielsen Says busts any myth that television is hurting in lack of time spent in front of the television. The article touches on the fact that people are spending over 151 hours watching TV a month. It seems to me that, despite the cut backs of things deemed unnecessary, entertainment, specifically the television world, hasn’t been hurt terribly. The more I think about this fact, the more sense it makes. People aren’t traveling, dining out, or spending money on the things they would have before. So, what are they doing? Staying home, playing games, watching TV, and doing other less costly activities. It makes perfect sense that viewing hours would go up. Robert Thompson, who is the founding director of Syracuse University’s Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture says that “DVR has helped keep television alive and well.”

This supports the idea that TV viewing is not lagging behind. I feel like, with jobs in the position that they are, people are working as much as they can and, therefore, can’t always catch their favorite programs. Or, there’s the idea that there are so many things to watch and we can’t catch them all. I think one could assume that people are recording programs to watch later with their families, or at times when young children won’t be there to view things unsuitable for them. People are also in multitasking mode and using DVR is their way of keeping up with everything. Just because television is not an absolute need to survive doesn’t mean is doesn’t help us get by in tougher times. If you want to read the whole article, you can go to this link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/24/us.video.nielsen/.

Just Because I Haven’t Met You Yet Doesn’t Mean I Don’t Have Crazy Love for You

Television, in my opinion, can open a lot of doors. Maybe not in the opportunities sense, but in a broadening of interests sense. There have been several times that I’ve been hanging out with a friend and that person suggested watching something I’d never seen. As a result, I now like that show or movie. The same thing has happened in reverse. I’ve influenced my friends like and dislikes based on shows we watched together. I think it’s very interesting that I can see something on TV and decide it might be cool to know more about that topic. Television really does connect people and cultures and broaden people’s interests and knowledge, to some extent. Here’s a clip from Oprah sometime last year, I think maybe October. In it you’re going to see a performance by Michael Bublè.

So, I had heard of Michael Bublè before and even had one of his songs on my iPod. I had also decided that I hate jazz; playing it, listening to it, the whole deal. Well, Michael Bublè’s music is considered jazz, which was a strike against him. Before watching this show, I wasn’t really super into his music. I watched the interview and his following performance and fell completely in love with the song, Haven’t Met You Yet. He is such an entertaining performer with an unbelievable voice. Some people, when they sing, make it look like so much work; Michael doesn’t. He has so much energy and, even though he doesn’t really do much in the clip, he can dance really well. The song lyrics are the perfect fairy tale romantic type that I love, which was a definite bonus. So, I got on line to listen to some of the other songs on his newest album and loved them all. He’s known for doing a lot of really awesome remakes of classic songs. Now, I listen to him all the time. By opening my eyes to actually liking certain types of jazz, I now find myself checking out other styles outside my regular choices. Thanks to television, I have definitely added to my list of interests and will probably continue to do so. I definitely encourage all of you to check out Michael Bublè’s cd, Crazy Love.

The interview he did before performing is really funny, or at least I think so. If you want to watch it, just search Michael Bublè on Oprah.

A Television-Internet Crossover

It’s no secret to my friends and family that I love Grey’s Anatomy. It is by far my favorite show and will pop up a lot in future posts. Have you ever noticed that, when you find something you’re very into, you try to find more about it or see if others have the same feelings? Well, I do that with Grey’s, to some extent. I love searching Youtube to see what I can some up with and the more random it is the more entertaining it becomes. I like to use the website to watch clips from shows and watch fan made videos. I was very excited to stumble across a clip from a Grey’s Anatomy webisode, Seattle Grace: On Call. The show has had an on going series, so to speak, on their website as an added bonus for fans. I, however, forget about the webisodes all the time and, as a result, am very behind and had not seen this particular one. As you’ll see, the clip shows Dr. Owen Hunt taking the stage. Now, we’ve only seen Dr. Hunt play the guitar on one other occasion and I don’t believe he actually sang. Let’s just say I was very surprised to find out he’s actually pretty good and I assume it’s him singing, but I’m not sure. So, I hope you enjoy my lucky find. And, if you want to watch more of the webisodes, you can check out http://abc.go.com/shows/greys-anatomy/seattle-grace-on-call-bios.

Don’t Want to Leave Your Television at Home? Now you don’t Have Too!

So, along with my love of television is my love of new things, especially gadgets. Though, I am in no way technology savvy or on top of what’s new and now. I’ve noticed, recently, that television has made a major push to bring in the on-the-go crowd. I, personally, think that’s completely crazy and totally awesome at the same time. It seems that enough people must be into this thanks to an increasing number of commercials advertising the portable version of a television and the added technology to cell phones. According to the article, “Tuning in on Mobile TV” by Richard Adhikari from the TechNewsWorld website, highlights a growing number of products that will be available to us in the near future. This makes TV viewing on-the-go even more appealing, since I have no patience and wouldn’t want to wait for these amazing devices. Here lies the one of the main problems in my mind: the cost. Adhikari writes on Open Mobile Video Coalition spokesman Dave Arland’s thoughts on the matter. “The convenience of mobile DTV won't come cheap to the consumer. ‘LG is introducing a mobile digital TV that includes a DVD player for (US)$249,” Arland said. ‘Valups is introducing the Tivit Wi-Fi receiver for mobile DTV that will likely carry a $120 price tag. LG is introducing a mobile digital TV that also included a DVD player for $249.’” So, as a student, that may not be the smartest way to spend my money. For those of you considering this idea or already have a product with mobile capabilities, subscription fees for use of the channels can start to add up. Adhikari states that “subscribers to Sirius Backseat TV, made for cars, have to pay close to $20 a month after the first year, which is sometimes covered by option price in the new the vehcile [sic].” Or other options include MobiTV which “charges $9.99 a month for basic service. AT&T cut its price for Flo TV from $15 a month to $9.99 in November 2009, while Verizon charges between $13 and $15 a month.” All in all, portable TV watching capabilities would be awesome, but if I can’t handle being away from my television set for five minutes, I may have a real problem. To read more about the mobile television movement check out this link: http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Tuning-In-on-Mobile-Digital-TV-69191.html?wlc=1264544857. You'll have skip the ad to get to the article, the button is on the top right of the page.

Three Hours and I was Hooked

Television has always been a staple at my house. At an early age my mother made sure I didn’t overindulge and watch too much. At that point in time shows weren’t so high on my list. They definitely didn’t carry as much weight on my scale of important likes either. When I was younger I watched shows that were meant to amuse a small child and programs that made me learn without my direct knowledge or acknowledgment. Then one summer early in my middle school years, maybe between fifth and sixth grade, my mother decided to limit my television viewing time to three hours per day. I will admit it nearly killed me in the beginning. Let’s just say I made what seemed like millions of trips to my local library. Over time, though, I missed watching television less and less. Then, as the school year came and went, my ban was not put back in place for that next summer.

From that point on I’ve been completely enamored with television. Now, though, I have a different view of it than in my Barney watching days. It stills serves as one of my main forms of entertainment, but it is also a way to connect with my friends, to escape my problems, blow off steam, and inspire my creativity. It is my connection to the world and what’s happening in it. And, for some reason, I almost always crave some sort of background noise, no matter what I happen to be doing. Television fills that need. I just love being able to push a button and instantly be transported to some of the most interesting places on earth, both real and imaginary. The main reason I have so much interest in television is because it has a rare ability to help me blow off steam and take my mind off troubling issues. Really, though, it interests me because I love it; its ideas, shows, casts, and entertainment possibilities. To think, it only took a limit of three hours to foster an interest that will probably last my lifetime.

Do You Know Where Your Pants Are?

In the spirit of discussing all things television, I felt it was more than necessary to touch on a song that's taking over. This little number is known as "Pants on the Ground" and was featured during the auditions of American Idol last week. Frankly, I was a little shocked that I, the television addict, had not been privy to it before hearing of it in class. But, it is in fact taking over the nation, if not the world, which is an important point to note. Thanks to television, millions of people know what they will look like if they wear baggy pants. Sometimes it’s amazing how, as a result of being aired on television, something just explodes. That’s the power and influence television has in our lives. So, just in case you missed out on a song that’s sweeping the nation, here it is.

So Many Channels So Little Time

If you were to turn on your television right now you'd probably have no trouble finding something to watch. I have spent a great amount of time channel surfing and have come to an interesting realization; the channels on my television are just about as diverse as the people of the world. Now, you may be thinking that's obvious, but I had never really thought about it before. At any given time a person can be tasting food from another country, hunting wild bears in the mountains, performing surgery with incredible medical professionals, in the thick of a developing news story, and a million other places, all thanks to television. TV Guide lists over eighty channels, some of which I don't get, that make viewing possibilities endless. I, personally, think it's extremely interesting just how much there is for a person to watch at any given moment. Now, you would think that, with all those possibilities, finding something to watch would be a piece of cake. Well, I could argue that point. Have you ever noticed that when you are really searching for something to watch there's never anything on and the minute you find something it ends or four other things catch you attention. If you want to check what's playing right now you can go to the link below or find TV Guide on your television. Happy surfing!
http://www.tvguide.com/Listings/default.aspx

Everyone's Doing It!

I really thought I would never blog in my life, but here I am blogging. To be honest, I'm fairly excited. I asked myself what I wanted to write about and the answer was incredibly simple. I love television and everything about it. It's my connection to worlds extremely different from my own and provides a way for me to relax.
So, let's face it, the television has become a major fixture in the almost daily lives of people all over the world. Now, I recognize the fact that not everyone has a television or watches it as much as I do. I feel the shows I watch, flip past, and completely obsess over provide some of the best ideas for thought. That's exactly what you're going to find me writing about; things that have triggered an idea from something I've watched on TV. It's going to be interesting, occasionally funny, fairly random, possibly boring, and a whole lot of other adjectives. So, hang in there and I hopefully I can write on something that grabs your attention. Oh, and one last thing, I will write on shows I've watched and will probably talk about specific aspects. So be prepared. Now go out there and watch some television!