Jericho - Feb12 return?

Looks like CBS has *finally* decided to air the 7 episode long second season of Jericho. I'm not a big TV watcher at all, but this was one series I truly enjoyed. Glad to see it finally get aired. The launch date appears to be set for Feb 12, 2008 at 10pm. We'll see. ;)

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Ok Apple.. enough...

I don't know about you, but the last two Apple ads I've seen on TV (the Mac vs PC thing) are really starting to annoy me. Don't get me wrong, I don't really like Microsoft. But I've always been an 'underdog' kind of guy - with Linux being my perennial hero of course ;). Even though in reality Microsoft is Goliath to Apple's David, these commercials leave me feeling the opposite lately.

And it's not just the underdog sympathy thing either. It's the smugness of the Mac guy. It almost leaves me wondering whether all Mac users are somewhat smug. Of course the Mac users I know are no different than most Windows and Linux users I know. But if I were a typical mainstream PC user, I'd start to feel a little defensive about my current Windows PC when confronted with this barrage of ads lately. They were funny to start with but I'm wondering whether anyone else thinks they're losing their effectiveness and run the risk of backfiring.

Besides, they've got a UI to be proud of and a system that works. Why not highlight the benefits of actually using a Mac rather than a Windows PC? And do it without feeling bad for the other guy. They do it with their iPod advertising.

Or even better yet, show a Mac user that's not some grungy college grad or turtleneck wearing artsy designer type. I think they've already tapped that market anyway. Shouldn't they now be going after the minivan driving moms and dads that populate the mainstream? If you're trying to capture more of the mainstream market, get a likeable, intelligent celebrity as a spokesperson.  Not Mariah Carey or K-Fed...  but someone like Matt Damon, or Julianne Moore.

There's a million possibilities.. all of which are likely better and friendlier than a smartass grunge grad delighting in the misfortune of an overweight fat guy in a suit. Poor guy.

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iPhone's style was originally based on something else...

... the Zenith Space Command remote control from the 70's! Plink!


Wonderfully chunky, rounded-rectangle device. Friends of the family had one and I was jealous. We were still using one of those rectangular brown plastic boxes with the 20 buttons along the top (kuh-chunk!) with the wire running to the tv.

Little did I know at the time, but the Space Command remote didn't even require batteries. It worked on sound frequencies, something akin to a tuning fork. To me it was very cool. Almost like something from Space: 1999.

I wax nostalgic.. Sorry.

How to get me to stop watching TV in one easy step...

So it sounds like CBS is cancelling Jericho. I quite enjoy it. In fact, it's the only TV series I've watched with any amount of loyalty in the last 5 years.

Of course they've got to make sure everyone gets their fill of frickin' CSI-whatever shows, that's for sure.

Bahh. I'm angry.

Anybody know where else a guy can get his fill of post-apocalyptic entertainment?

Jericho -mmm mmm good, and mushy link love to boot.

I just finished watching the latest episode of Jericho I had recorded from Wednesday night. Awesome awesome awesome!

I've watched the series from the beginning (based on an initial critique from Kent Newsome by the way - a testament to the power of 'word of mouth'), and it's just kept me always coming back for more. I don't watch much tv otherwise, so I've tried to figure out what it is about the series thats so compelling to me.

I think it comes down to two things:

1. The way they are able to intermix the personal and global storylines so well. They manage to give proper attention to each, without diluting either; and,

2. The show manages to provide satisfactory and substantial milestones in each episodes and also supplies unexpected plot twists and great setup for the next episodes to keep me coming back for more.

Kudos to the people who create Jericho. There is still something to be said for damn good television.

Following on from David's good practice and at the risk of copycatting Kent and now Earl, a couple of 'Thank You Links'(tm) go out to my inkscape screencasting compadre heathenx, and nate who commented on my recent post about mp3 splitting.

I really appreciate all you guys.

Will Wright on Colbert this Monday night

In case you hadn't heard or read:

Will Wright is going to be on the Colbert Report tomorrow (Monday) night.

Wright is the designer of such awesome games as SimCity, TheSims, and the upcoming Spore game.

I love his games simply because they make you think, make you work, and illustrate how great computer games don't have to be about burning down Santa Monica Blvd or (the Streets of Baghdad) with guns 'ablazin.