[ QUOTE ]
Every good thing must come to an end... it's inevitable. Why television writers don't seem to plan for that is beyond me.
[/ QUOTE ]
Because in the world of American television, ratings and revenue will more often than not trump good story telling.
Babylon 5, I loved my Babylon 5.
4 seasons of plot, things from season 3 were seen in the background of the pilot, everything tied together by the end of season 4.
Then TNT bought it, wanted another season, and more or less killed it.
[ QUOTE ]
Babylon 5, I loved my Babylon 5.
4 seasons of plot, things from season 3 were seen in the background of the pilot, everything tied together by the end of season 4.
Then TNT bought it, wanted another season, and more or less killed it.
[/ QUOTE ]
Uhm... it was originally supposed to last 5 seasons. I was going to give my recollection/summary of what happened, but IMDB's trivia sums it up nicely, so here ya go:
[ QUOTE ]
The series was conceived to run for five seasons as a sort of giant video novel. This plan was nearly shelved when it appeared B5 was going to be canceled after the fourth season. J Michael Straczynski pushed forward much of the material he had planned for the fifth season into the fourth, and even filmed the planned series finale for that year. When word came that the fifth season had been granted after all, the series finale was held back and used in its proper place.
[/ QUOTE ]
Please note, I'm not arguing that the 5th season wasn't disappointing, just with the part where you say the blame lies with TNT. I'd blame the guys that told Straczynski that he had to wrap it up in season 4 rather than telling the story the way he had wanted to originally.
Right, right, I know all that.
The show was over when they bought it.
I'm not really sure how much they influenced season 5 and Crusade, but something felt very off beyond the story.
Virgin passenger emails food complaint around the world
VIRGIN Airline boss Sir Richard Branson has thanked the author of a 1000-word tirade - complete with embarrassing photos - that slates food onboard a Virgin airlines flight as a "culinary journey of hell".
The anonymous email - which has whipped around the internet - is described by the UK Telegraph as one of the best airline complaints in the world.
14 Year old impersonates police officer.
[ QUOTE ]
KSBY-TV
updated 10:29 a.m. PT, Tues., Jan. 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Reported by: Bethany Tucker
He had a police uniform, a radio, and a ticket book, and was ready for duty. Only, the so-called Chicago police officer was actually a 14-year-old boy.
Police say a teenager managed to spend five hours on the job with the Chicago Police Department before someone figured out he wasn't really a cop. He was even partnered with another officer and given an assignment.
It turns out the teen was a former Explorer, a part of the community policing program where young kids in the neighborhood interact with police.
"Our preliminary investigation indicates he had an honest desire to be a police officer in that there was no malice or ill-intent," said Deputy Superintendent Dan Dugan with the Chicago Police Department.
Police are trying to figure out how the 14-year-old got hold of an official uniform.
The teen is facing one count of impersonating a police officer.
[/ QUOTE ]
This just about meets up with the fictional Ralph Hardy, who inspired the only City of X character I currently play.
Two-For-One!
University Opens Porn Course
A university in Taiwan has opened a course to teach students how to appreciate and analyze porn movies.
To pass the course, students must give a 15 minute presentation in which they analyze an audience's psychological reaction to a porn clip from an academic perspective.
Starcraft Course opened for College
Students in UC - Berkeley can take up StarCraft studies for college credits. Something weve never imagined would happen. I figure World of Warcraft wouldve been the first to be opened for classes but Starcraft did come out much earlier than WoW. Maybe another 2-3 years?
This is a gamers dream come true, something theyve always fantasized about other than a porn course (which has came true as well). Some of the prerequisites for the course is that students should be familiar with all units and some basic StarCraft strategy. Anyone interested in the course needs to enter the class with an open and analytic mind. Oh, and you need to have StarCraft: Brood War, doh!
[ QUOTE ]
14 Year old impersonates police officer.
[ QUOTE ]
KSBY-TV
updated 10:29 a.m. PT, Tues., Jan. 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Reported by: Bethany Tucker
He had a police uniform, a radio, and a ticket book, and was ready for duty. Only, the so-called Chicago police officer was actually a 14-year-old boy.
Police say a teenager managed to spend five hours on the job with the Chicago Police Department before someone figured out he wasn't really a cop. He was even partnered with another officer and given an assignment.
It turns out the teen was a former Explorer, a part of the community policing program where young kids in the neighborhood interact with police.
"Our preliminary investigation indicates he had an honest desire to be a police officer in that there was no malice or ill-intent," said Deputy Superintendent Dan Dugan with the Chicago Police Department.
Police are trying to figure out how the 14-year-old got hold of an official uniform.
The teen is facing one count of impersonating a police officer.
[/ QUOTE ]
This just about meets up with the fictional Ralph Hardy, who inspired the only City of X character I currently play.
[/ QUOTE ]
And now for the part of the police ride-along that you've been waiting for... lock-up in county! Don't drop the soap! 
[ QUOTE ]
Two-For-One!
University Opens Porn Course
A university in Taiwan has opened a course to teach students how to appreciate and analyze porn movies.
To pass the course, students must give a 15 minute presentation in which they analyze an audience's psychological reaction to a porn clip from an academic perspective.
Starcraft Course opened for College
Students in UC - Berkeley can take up StarCraft studies for college credits. Something weve never imagined would happen. I figure World of Warcraft wouldve been the first to be opened for classes but Starcraft did come out much earlier than WoW. Maybe another 2-3 years?
This is a gamers dream come true, something theyve always fantasized about other than a porn course (which has came true as well). Some of the prerequisites for the course is that students should be familiar with all units and some basic StarCraft strategy. Anyone interested in the course needs to enter the class with an open and analytic mind. Oh, and you need to have StarCraft: Brood War, doh!
[/ QUOTE ]
Goddammit! Where were these courses when I was going to ASU?! 
I took billiards for my P.E. credit...
"His Imperial Majesty's Minister of Restraints and Leather" -LHF
Two naughty acronym teams / Ascension / Convenient / Artic and the Chillz / Fap / Other teams I can't remember (sorry.. mind is goin')
Courtesy of Rabbi Simca...
[/ QUOTE ]
Construction signs warn of zombies: Hackers change public safety message
Austin News - KXAN.com
By: Shannon Wolfson
Last Edited: Thursday, 29 Jan 2009, 5:12 PM CST
Created On: Wednesday, 28 Jan 2009, 8:29 PM CST
AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin drivers making their morning commute were in for a surprise when two road signs on a busy stretch of road were taken over by hackers. The signs near the intersection of Lamar and Martin Luther King boulevards usually warn drivers about upcoming construction, but Monday morning they warned of "zombies ahead."
"I thought it was pretty funny," said University of Texas sophomore Jane Shin, who saw the signs while driving down Lamar Bouelvard with friends Sunday night. "We wondered who did it."
The City of Austin does not own the signs, but they are responsible for the message. The contractor on the construction project owns the signs. A city spokesperson said the hacked messages were only up for a few hours, until the construction project manager saw them during his morning commute and immediately ordered them to be changed back.
"Even though this may seem amusing to a lot of people, this is really serious, and it is a crime," said Austin Public Works spokesperson Sara Hartley. "And you can be indicted for it, and we want to make sure our traffic on the roadways stays safe."
Hartley said though it was a locked sign, the padlock for it was cut. Signs such as these have a computer inside that is password-protected.
"And so they had to break in and hack into the computer to do it, so they were pretty determined," said Hartley.
This crime is a class C misdemeanor in Texas, and Hartley said it endangers the public.
"The big problem is public safety," said Hartley. "Those signs are out there to help our traffic on the roadway to stay safe and to know what's coming up."
KXAN Austin News cameras caught many drivers slowing down to read the signs as they approached. Some read, "Zombies ahead! Run for your lives!"
Hartley said the city will discuss more secure safety measures with the manufacturer of the signs.
Speculation among the tech-savvy on the Internet is that the signs were inspired by the video game Call of Duty 5, World at War, which is the top game in the country right now and features "nazi zombies," or an upcoming movie about zombies called "Dead Snow" (an official selection at Sundance '09). There are also several online sites that teach people how to break into these construction signs.
Do you believe in zombies? Do you have a zombie escape plan? Let us know what you think about zombies by participating in our message board .
What, no mention of Left 4 Dead?
I was linked to a gadget site that had that story. Apparently the signs all have a default password to change the message, which is the same for all boards. Even if it has been changed, there is a force reset code for them.
http://gadgets.boingboing.net/gimages/zombiesahead.jpg
Thanks, I now have a new background for my computer at work.
My new background for my main gaming computer, on which I play a =lot= of Left 4 Dead, is this.
--NT
They all laughed at me when I said I wanted to be a comedian.
But I showed them, and nobody's laughing at me now!
If I became a red name, I would be all "and what would you mere mortals like to entertain me with today, mu hu ha ha ha!" ~Arcanaville
Gears of War DRM screwup makes PC version unplayable
Gamers who tried to play Gears of War on the PC Thursday ran into a slight snag: it seems that the digital certificate that allows the game to run expired on January 28, 2009. Basically that means if you keep your PC's clock up to date, you can no longer play the game. The official Epic forum is ablaze with complaints about this issue, as the still-kicking community becomes enraged.
"I had this problem this evening, I had to change the date and time (from PM to AM) and I am able to get in just fine," one frustrated gamer posted. "I also changed it back to the current date and time and it didn't work. Change it back to yesterday AM and it works fine... EPIC games won't be on my list anytime soon...."
Unfortunately, DRM can sometimes feel like a rug that can be yanked out from under our feet at any moment.
Epic Games is aware of the issue, but don't expect much hard news about what to do about the inability to play the game. "We have been notified of the issue and are working with Microsoft to get it resolved," a super moderator posted on the forum. "Sorry for any problems related to this. I'll post more once we have a resolution." (Microsoft is the publisher, and GoW is a Games for Windows release.)
Until then? You can either fiddle with your computer's clock or not play. Neither choice is much fun.
Finally, something that's not Microsoft's fault!
--NT
They all laughed at me when I said I wanted to be a comedian.
But I showed them, and nobody's laughing at me now!
If I became a red name, I would be all "and what would you mere mortals like to entertain me with today, mu hu ha ha ha!" ~Arcanaville
[ QUOTE ]
My new background for my main gaming computer, on which I play a =lot= of Left 4 Dead, is this.
--NT
[/ QUOTE ]
That's creepy and I LOVE it.
@Arwen Darkblade
Proud Member of Hammer of the Gods and Sanguine Syndicate
Arc ID #86194 "Cry Havoc"
Arc ID #103934 "Dr. Thomas' First Day"
[URL="http://tobyfife.blogspot.com/"]Hero Girl[/URL] - my geek culture blog
Officials nab traveler with pigeons in his pants
I'm still trying to figure out what he wanted the pigeons for
[ QUOTE ]
Officials nab traveler with pigeons in his pants
I'm still trying to figure out what he wanted the pigeons for
[/ QUOTE ]
Forget that, what's with the "undeclared eggplant?"
~Missi
http://tinyurl.com/yhy333s
Miss Informed in 2016! She can't be worse than all those other guys!
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Officials nab traveler with pigeons in his pants
I'm still trying to figure out what he wanted the pigeons for
[/ QUOTE ]
Forget that, what's with the "undeclared eggplant?"
[/ QUOTE ]
Sounds like a good name for a villain.
Bwahaha!
"His Imperial Majesty's Minister of Restraints and Leather" -LHF
Two naughty acronym teams / Ascension / Convenient / Artic and the Chillz / Fap / Other teams I can't remember (sorry.. mind is goin')
Ah the curse of the "undeclared eggplant"..... will we ever be safe from it???
I love MMO drama and I got this one from Gnome yesterday.
EVE Online Goonfleet Espionage Leads to Largest Corporation Takeover in History
In what may be the most significant case of in-game espionage in history, one of the largest guild of players in CCP's spaceship MMO EVE Online, Band of Brothers (BoB), was entirely disbanded today when a BoB director defected to the SomethingAwful-derived Goonfleet.
In a story that only EVE Online could spawn, Goonfleet Intelligence Agency (GSA) leader The Mittani and his league of spies managed to "encourage" a Band of Brothers director to turn coat, transferring trillions of BoB's in-game ISK currency to the Goons before nullifying BoB's control over all of its territory.
"A director with full access to BoB alliance controls defected to Goonfleet and The Mittani was happy to accept his conditions," writes Shacknews tipster Frylock, who noted that while BoB can reform, the name "Band of Brothers" is now permanently owned by Goonfleet.
Goonfleet Audio of what happened (NWS)
Now for the people who have never played EVE Online, ISK = Influence and Capital Ships are bought with LOTs of ISK like imagine the only way you could buy a LotG was with influence and you only got 100,000 a night (and they still cost the same).
It takes a lot of IRL time to gather up both, so essentially all the people in this massive coalition of people that put all that time and effort and managing into getting that guild that far (and this is years worth of resources)... got screwed over by a guy at the top.
Now people try to keep getting me to play EVE but ironically everyone I know that plays it... well, their entire goal in the game are to do things like this to other people... and ruining other people's work doesn't sound that fun to me
A finite TV series, i.e. a series that has been envisioned from start to end before the series premieres episode one, tends to be much better than those that, like a Dickens novel, try in vain to extend themselves indefinitely. Series like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Fullmetal Alchemist and Death Note (since I can't seem to think of any domestic live-action series) each lasted two seasons, and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex was completed in one season, but brought back for a second (see 2nd Gig) and, IMHO, each series accomplished their task in telling their stories beginning to end, tying up loose ends and answering most, if not all, lingering questions.
They are cut to the quick, never allowed to adequately finish the stories they begin to tell... but others, many others, outlast the viability of their source material and are forced to endure on life support until they are mercifully allowed to naturally dwindle and die. When the writers start killing off major characters (I'm looking at you, DS9) or when stories just feel forced or overly formulaic (Simpsons, season 9-16ish), sometimes it's just better to disconnect them and let them find peace.
Other series that desperately try to cling to the airwaves for another season, those that seem to follow a more Western ideal of holding on as long as they can, often wind up beating a dead horse to the point that not only is its original audience tired of the show, but they become sickened about how the show they once loved has gone so far downhill. Some shows that we love are cancelled long before they were due to expire, like the original Star Trek, Firefly, Star Trek: Enterprise, and other non-sci-fi shows, I'm sure.
Every good thing must come to an end... it's inevitable. Why television writers don't seem to plan for that is beyond me.