Grant Wilson has said he is leaving the Ghost Hunters show to pursue other things in his personal life. The split was amicable, with SyFy executives saying the show would "reshape itself as it moves forward" in his absence. There will be no new lead to replace him on the show.
Grant Wilson co-founded TAPS with Jason Hawes back in the 1990s. Ghost Hunters has run for eight seasons on SyFy.
© C Harris Lynn, 2012
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Showing posts with label sci-fi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sci-fi. Show all posts
Friday, February 17, 2012
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Paradox Takes on Chariots of the Gods
Erich von Daniken's 1968 best-seller, Chariots of the Gods, has been optioned to be made into a sci-fi film by Paradox Entertainment. The film company is also set to make a new Conan movie, and one of the producers involved shepherded all three Lord of the Rings movies.
While von Daniken's book was non-fiction, the Chariots of the Gods movie will be science-fiction, based on the premise that aliens have visited earth many times before, throughout history. In the (great, BTW) book, von Daniken offers plenty of pseudo-scientific evidence to back-up his claims that these visits were the catalysts for many of Man's greatest achievements. While the evidence he presented is strong, the truth is that there is no smoking gun and all of it is open to interpretation.
Erich von Daniken's interpretation is truly no more convoluted than the pop-science bullshit proffered by the scientists who reject his hypotheses -- in too many cases.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
While von Daniken's book was non-fiction, the Chariots of the Gods movie will be science-fiction, based on the premise that aliens have visited earth many times before, throughout history. In the (great, BTW) book, von Daniken offers plenty of pseudo-scientific evidence to back-up his claims that these visits were the catalysts for many of Man's greatest achievements. While the evidence he presented is strong, the truth is that there is no smoking gun and all of it is open to interpretation.
Erich von Daniken's interpretation is truly no more convoluted than the pop-science bullshit proffered by the scientists who reject his hypotheses -- in too many cases.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Ghost Hunters: College Edition
 |
| Ghost Hunters Academy |
Tonight is the Reveal of the Live show. I watched all but the last hour or so and, unfortunately, the only truly interesting thing that happened was the voice which we all heard clearly toward the beginning of the show.
The way Jason acted made me think it was faked.
Now, I understand that this is TV; I know all about ratings, and understand that many consider Ghost Hunters (and other paranormal-related shows) to be little more than entertainment, but Ghost Hunters has remained at the forefront of its niche specifically because it does not resort to cheap tricks. Jason's face was so strained, his attitude toward the phenomenon so reserved, that I got the very clear impression that someone had suggested "starting the show off with a bang," and went ahead with it -- whether or not Jason was down with the idea.
But both Jason and Grant voiced their frustration with the constant Sci-Fi plugs, especially the more the night wore-on. I would have no problem believing some dipshit Sci-Fi executive planted the whole thing just to keep people tuned-in. After all, nothing else happened the entire night... except plug after plug for other Sci-Fi shows.
I sincerely hope this is not the case, but I will be watching all the same. And let me just say that, should it turn out to have gone down this way, I do not believe it discredits the show, the team, or anything else aside from that single phenomenon.
Maybe we will find out tonight -- at the very least, a little more light will be shed on the situation.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Eureka Marathon, Season Premiere
The Sci-Fi Channel is running an all-day Eureka marathon, leading-up to the third season premiere later tonight.
In case you are unaware of the show, it is a fantastic, family-friendly (for the most part) sci-fi series. Quirky and comedic, Eureka incorporates many scientific elements into its stories, adding the "fiction" part later (according to series creator, Paglia). In its first two seasons, it has flirted with all sorts of topics, from cryptozoology to alien invasions to mind control and the paranormal. Ever true to its science roots, there is always a scientific reason behind the phenomena, but getting there is most of the fun!
If you haven't seen it yet, make sure to flip-over to the Sci-Fi Channel and check out Eureka all day today (second season) and the third season debut tonight!
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
In case you are unaware of the show, it is a fantastic, family-friendly (for the most part) sci-fi series. Quirky and comedic, Eureka incorporates many scientific elements into its stories, adding the "fiction" part later (according to series creator, Paglia). In its first two seasons, it has flirted with all sorts of topics, from cryptozoology to alien invasions to mind control and the paranormal. Ever true to its science roots, there is always a scientific reason behind the phenomena, but getting there is most of the fun!
If you haven't seen it yet, make sure to flip-over to the Sci-Fi Channel and check out Eureka all day today (second season) and the third season debut tonight!
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
A Very Jetsons Future
So I'm watching the Eureka marathon on the Sci-Fi Channel today (season premiere Tuesday!) and I looked up to see Carter and some guy having a serious discussion in a vehicle as they raced to wherever it is they were going. True to its tongue-in-cheek nature, the tone is somber and tense, the dialogue heavy... then they pan-out to show the two of them going maybe 15mph in an ugly, completely utilitarian, battery-powered vehicle.
Of course it was meant to inject a little humor into the moment, but it was also meant to reinforce the futuristic, intellectual basis of the series. After all, battery-powered vehicles -- while they go neither far nor fast -- are imminently "green" technology, cheaper and more efficient, and definitely have their place in automotive advancement. While they may not be the "wave of future transportation," they are definitely one step in its advancement.
So, are we facing a Jetsons-inspired future?
I have to admit, it seems plausible.
Of course, I am referring to the animation style of the classic cartoon -- where the technology was incredibly personal, compact, and... "cute." Of course, these various technologies will be highly personalized and once the core technology is stabilized, corporations will immediately fall all over one another in their attempts to create the "coolest" designs, etc. But at the bottom of it all, incredibly compact, efficient technology is definitely where we are headed.
And though that's all fine and good, I urge you to look up an episode or some stills from the classic cartoon and think about those hybrid cars while you do!
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Of course it was meant to inject a little humor into the moment, but it was also meant to reinforce the futuristic, intellectual basis of the series. After all, battery-powered vehicles -- while they go neither far nor fast -- are imminently "green" technology, cheaper and more efficient, and definitely have their place in automotive advancement. While they may not be the "wave of future transportation," they are definitely one step in its advancement.
So, are we facing a Jetsons-inspired future?
I have to admit, it seems plausible.
Of course, I am referring to the animation style of the classic cartoon -- where the technology was incredibly personal, compact, and... "cute." Of course, these various technologies will be highly personalized and once the core technology is stabilized, corporations will immediately fall all over one another in their attempts to create the "coolest" designs, etc. But at the bottom of it all, incredibly compact, efficient technology is definitely where we are headed.
And though that's all fine and good, I urge you to look up an episode or some stills from the classic cartoon and think about those hybrid cars while you do!
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Sci-Fi Solves Scientific Riddles (Not Really)
One of the most fun things to do online is simply surf around and see what comes up. What's even better is when you have a cool extension or program that leads you to crazy stuff tangentially-related to whatever you are doing.
This is how I came across this link from Wired.
I am sure most of you are familiar with the Tunguska mystery, but on the offhand chance you are not, something struck the Earth at high enough velocity to clear the brush and bend trees -- for 800 miles around the point of impact! The year was 1908 and reports state the night remained bright enough to read by for days following.
While many theories have been forwarded, the exact details of what caused the explosion are still unknown. No debris has ever been found from whatever it is that caused the explosion, though several expeditions have searched for that and other clues a handful of times over the years. More perplexing, whatever it was left no visible crater (though some believe they have found one or have an idea as to where one should be found), which has fueled theories such as those presented in the Wired article.
As preposterous as it may seem, my personal vote goes for the Tesla Death Ray experiment.
And, yes, I am serious.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
This is how I came across this link from Wired.
I am sure most of you are familiar with the Tunguska mystery, but on the offhand chance you are not, something struck the Earth at high enough velocity to clear the brush and bend trees -- for 800 miles around the point of impact! The year was 1908 and reports state the night remained bright enough to read by for days following.
While many theories have been forwarded, the exact details of what caused the explosion are still unknown. No debris has ever been found from whatever it is that caused the explosion, though several expeditions have searched for that and other clues a handful of times over the years. More perplexing, whatever it was left no visible crater (though some believe they have found one or have an idea as to where one should be found), which has fueled theories such as those presented in the Wired article.
As preposterous as it may seem, my personal vote goes for the Tesla Death Ray experiment.
And, yes, I am serious.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Jedi Church - No, Really
Let me preface this by saying, "I did not make this up. I could not make this up."
What started as an anti-government joke has evolved into an actual religion for some. Yes, The Jedi Church is based on the tenets of the robed knights from the sci-fi Star Wars movie series. While the series mentions some of these, members of the Church of the Jedi have apparently surmised and added more.
In 2001, nearly 1/2-million people listed "Jedi" as their faith on official census forms. The whole thing is still referred to by politicians and one even ran on a Jedi platform in 2003. In 2006, the UK actually gave the religion its own processing code (896) but refused to list it on the forms. However, numbers dropped dramatically. But some people don't know when the joke is over.
Two brothers in the UK have taken it far more seriously and further than anyone else. Not only did they establish the UK Church of the Jedi, they have gone to extraordinary lengths to prove the religion's authenticity. And some people are buying it!
In February of this year, the founder of the church petitioned a news source in regards to a story posted and received an apology! The founder and his brother also appeared in court to complain about a neighbor's Dark Side attack.
While this is all hilarious and I am all-for individuals' personal freedoms, no matter how "silly" or outrageous they may seem to others, I think it's quite obvious that these two guys are truly fucking nuts.
The website is abominable - while almost completely void, what little content there is is characterized by barely-contained lunacy, rife with misspellings, poor grammar, and an all too-real zealotry that bleeds through. I actually find it disturbing.
Still, they seem largely harmless, so who am I to judge? The Jedi Knights are the good guys in the Star Wars films and The Force carries positive messages; one could do worse than to belong to the Church of the Jedi. Like belong to the First Baptist Church.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
What started as an anti-government joke has evolved into an actual religion for some. Yes, The Jedi Church is based on the tenets of the robed knights from the sci-fi Star Wars movie series. While the series mentions some of these, members of the Church of the Jedi have apparently surmised and added more.
In 2001, nearly 1/2-million people listed "Jedi" as their faith on official census forms. The whole thing is still referred to by politicians and one even ran on a Jedi platform in 2003. In 2006, the UK actually gave the religion its own processing code (896) but refused to list it on the forms. However, numbers dropped dramatically. But some people don't know when the joke is over.
Two brothers in the UK have taken it far more seriously and further than anyone else. Not only did they establish the UK Church of the Jedi, they have gone to extraordinary lengths to prove the religion's authenticity. And some people are buying it!
In February of this year, the founder of the church petitioned a news source in regards to a story posted and received an apology! The founder and his brother also appeared in court to complain about a neighbor's Dark Side attack.
While this is all hilarious and I am all-for individuals' personal freedoms, no matter how "silly" or outrageous they may seem to others, I think it's quite obvious that these two guys are truly fucking nuts.
The website is abominable - while almost completely void, what little content there is is characterized by barely-contained lunacy, rife with misspellings, poor grammar, and an all too-real zealotry that bleeds through. I actually find it disturbing.
Still, they seem largely harmless, so who am I to judge? The Jedi Knights are the good guys in the Star Wars films and The Force carries positive messages; one could do worse than to belong to the Church of the Jedi. Like belong to the First Baptist Church.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Machines Will Have AI by 2029
One researcher has predicted that machines will have human-level intelligence by 2029.
Ray Kurzweil, an American Inventor, suggests that the dark future of Cyberpunk is upon us. By 2029, not only will computers and machines have achieved human-level intelligence, they will be routinely implanted into humans to improve our skills sets, intelligence, and more, as well as "automatically go into full emergent virtual reality environments through the nervous system."
In the Cyberpunk tabletop role-playing game, fully-supported by The Weirding, based on sci-fi literature and films, this type of technology is commonplace. Nanotechnology and virtual reality simulation is a routine, and integral, part of everyday life. This is not a plug; I bring this up because I am intimately familiar with the concepts as put-forth in the literature and games of the Cyberpunk genre, so I have some small insight into this topic.
Within the genre, most characters are neurally-enhanced by cybernetics, which allow them to "login" (called "jacking-in") to everyday appliances in order to symbiotically enhance their use. For example, soldiers jack-in to their weapons, making them "smart guns," which improve their accuracy. In this example, the soldier's aim is improved tremendously because his nervous system is cybernetically boosted; instead of having to concentrate on aiming, he simply points his weapon in the general direction of what he is trying to hit and the machines within his body send a signal to his hand to pull the trigger when the target is in the weapon's sights.
Also featured in the game are "chipsets," which basically grant the characters skills without them having to study. If a character wants to "learn" martial arts, he simply buys a martial arts chip, which implants the knowledge into his brain and body. While this was developed straight from the Neuromancer novel and series (on which The Matrix movie was based), advancements in computers have since changed the idea somewhat.
In the game, written in the 1980s, these chipsets function as independent floppy-disks on which this information is stored; when the chip is removed, the character loses the abilities associated with the chip. The Matrix movie suggested a method far more likely to come to bear: one where the information is downloaded into/onto the brain. Both require cybernetic implants connected directly to the central nervous system.
Kurzweil was one of 18 "geniuses" chosen by the US National Academy of Engineering to outline the technological challenges facing humanity in the 21st-Century.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Ray Kurzweil, an American Inventor, suggests that the dark future of Cyberpunk is upon us. By 2029, not only will computers and machines have achieved human-level intelligence, they will be routinely implanted into humans to improve our skills sets, intelligence, and more, as well as "automatically go into full emergent virtual reality environments through the nervous system."
In the Cyberpunk tabletop role-playing game, fully-supported by The Weirding, based on sci-fi literature and films, this type of technology is commonplace. Nanotechnology and virtual reality simulation is a routine, and integral, part of everyday life. This is not a plug; I bring this up because I am intimately familiar with the concepts as put-forth in the literature and games of the Cyberpunk genre, so I have some small insight into this topic.
Within the genre, most characters are neurally-enhanced by cybernetics, which allow them to "login" (called "jacking-in") to everyday appliances in order to symbiotically enhance their use. For example, soldiers jack-in to their weapons, making them "smart guns," which improve their accuracy. In this example, the soldier's aim is improved tremendously because his nervous system is cybernetically boosted; instead of having to concentrate on aiming, he simply points his weapon in the general direction of what he is trying to hit and the machines within his body send a signal to his hand to pull the trigger when the target is in the weapon's sights.
Also featured in the game are "chipsets," which basically grant the characters skills without them having to study. If a character wants to "learn" martial arts, he simply buys a martial arts chip, which implants the knowledge into his brain and body. While this was developed straight from the Neuromancer novel and series (on which The Matrix movie was based), advancements in computers have since changed the idea somewhat.
In the game, written in the 1980s, these chipsets function as independent floppy-disks on which this information is stored; when the chip is removed, the character loses the abilities associated with the chip. The Matrix movie suggested a method far more likely to come to bear: one where the information is downloaded into/onto the brain. Both require cybernetic implants connected directly to the central nervous system.
Kurzweil was one of 18 "geniuses" chosen by the US National Academy of Engineering to outline the technological challenges facing humanity in the 21st-Century.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
New Ghost Hunters, Destination Truth Tonight!
Just a quick reminder that season 4 of Ghost Hunters and season 2 of Destination Truth both kick-off tonight on the Sci-Fi Channel!
Ghost Hunters starts at 8:00 (CST), though they are showing old episodes right now and likely have been all day (I slept-in) and Destination Truth is on following (9:00, CST). Of course, I will review both afterward, as usual. I'm pretty sure tonight's episode features the footprint the crew found that made international headlines a few months back.
The History Channel is pulling no punches, with a new episode of UFO Hunters on against Destination Truth. I'm going to go on record as predicting that Truth will prevail in the ratings, but UFO Hunters is a great show, so set your reminders for 1:00 AM (CST) to catch the repeat.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Ghost Hunters starts at 8:00 (CST), though they are showing old episodes right now and likely have been all day (I slept-in) and Destination Truth is on following (9:00, CST). Of course, I will review both afterward, as usual. I'm pretty sure tonight's episode features the footprint the crew found that made international headlines a few months back.
The History Channel is pulling no punches, with a new episode of UFO Hunters on against Destination Truth. I'm going to go on record as predicting that Truth will prevail in the ratings, but UFO Hunters is a great show, so set your reminders for 1:00 AM (CST) to catch the repeat.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
UFO Hunters vs... UFO Hunters?
I told you sometime back that The History Channel was premiering their new series, UFO Hunters, last night. Imagine my surprise when I saw a show with the very same title on Sci-Fi at the very same time! And it was also a premiere!
We discussed it and thought it might have been some kind of joint-venture, the way Sci-Fi shows one season of Dr. Who at the same time BBCA is showing another, but that didn't make any sense. Further, the show descriptions were entirely different.
It turns out that The History Channel originally aired an episode of its UFO Files entitled UFO Hunters in 2005. They decided to develop it as a spin-off series and applied for a trademark of the name in October, 2007. Sci-Fi announced it had bought a new reality series from the Ghost Hunters producers with the same name in July 2007, then filed a patent on the name in November - less than week after The History Channel. However, History was able to file its claim as an "ongoing series currently in progress," while Sci-Fi was forced to make its claim as an "intent to use."
Both networks changed their scheduled debut dates so that neither could claim they were the first to air the series under said title. However, History's UFO Hunters is already on-schedule as an ongoing, weekly series; Sci-Fi's UFO Hunters is still in development, so they billed their show as a "special."
Neither network plans to change the title, but even though History got the claim first and can point back to the show with the same title in 2005, the working title was actually UFO Road Trip. It appears the decision to change the name may have been made after Sci-Fi announced their new series.
Neither claim has been granted at the time of this posting, but when you search for "UFO Hunters" in IMDb, it automatically comes up to the History Channel series' page. I left a summary of this information there as an FAQ, but it has yet to show up.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
We discussed it and thought it might have been some kind of joint-venture, the way Sci-Fi shows one season of Dr. Who at the same time BBCA is showing another, but that didn't make any sense. Further, the show descriptions were entirely different.
It turns out that The History Channel originally aired an episode of its UFO Files entitled UFO Hunters in 2005. They decided to develop it as a spin-off series and applied for a trademark of the name in October, 2007. Sci-Fi announced it had bought a new reality series from the Ghost Hunters producers with the same name in July 2007, then filed a patent on the name in November - less than week after The History Channel. However, History was able to file its claim as an "ongoing series currently in progress," while Sci-Fi was forced to make its claim as an "intent to use."
Both networks changed their scheduled debut dates so that neither could claim they were the first to air the series under said title. However, History's UFO Hunters is already on-schedule as an ongoing, weekly series; Sci-Fi's UFO Hunters is still in development, so they billed their show as a "special."
Neither network plans to change the title, but even though History got the claim first and can point back to the show with the same title in 2005, the working title was actually UFO Road Trip. It appears the decision to change the name may have been made after Sci-Fi announced their new series.
Neither claim has been granted at the time of this posting, but when you search for "UFO Hunters" in IMDb, it automatically comes up to the History Channel series' page. I left a summary of this information there as an FAQ, but it has yet to show up.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Last Night's Ghost Hunters International, MonsterQuest
Last night was the second episode of Sci-Fi's new Ghost Hunters International that I have caught. I am pretty sure I missed a show or two, but I don't really mind. Personally, I just don't care for the spin-off as much as the original.
Maybe it's a misplaced sense of loyalty, maybe I just got used to them, but I feel the International team is a bit on the pompous side. I love that T.A.P.S. takes what they do seriously, but these International cats take themselves very seriously -- and it's a total turn-off. But, I can tell they all really enjoy what they do, and they're very good at it, so maybe it will just take some time for them to grow on me.
After GHI, I flipped over to MonsterQuest over to the History Channel. I absolutely love this show!
While Destination Truth is fantastic and always has a place on my must-see list, MonsterQuest really goes Destination Truth one better because they focus solely on a single "monster" each episode and they really get some definitive conclusions!
Well, that's probably overstating it...
Let's just say that MonsterQuest always comes to some definitive conclusions. They may not solve the mystery, but they definitely get further down that road than their counterparts.
If you are interested in Cryptozoology, then you simply have to check out this show! It never fails to give me something to think about and reawaken my passion for the Unknown -- nor does it fail to enlighten me on whatever subject it tackles. A perfect winner of a show!
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Maybe it's a misplaced sense of loyalty, maybe I just got used to them, but I feel the International team is a bit on the pompous side. I love that T.A.P.S. takes what they do seriously, but these International cats take themselves very seriously -- and it's a total turn-off. But, I can tell they all really enjoy what they do, and they're very good at it, so maybe it will just take some time for them to grow on me.
After GHI, I flipped over to MonsterQuest over to the History Channel. I absolutely love this show!
While Destination Truth is fantastic and always has a place on my must-see list, MonsterQuest really goes Destination Truth one better because they focus solely on a single "monster" each episode and they really get some definitive conclusions!
Well, that's probably overstating it...
Let's just say that MonsterQuest always comes to some definitive conclusions. They may not solve the mystery, but they definitely get further down that road than their counterparts.
If you are interested in Cryptozoology, then you simply have to check out this show! It never fails to give me something to think about and reawaken my passion for the Unknown -- nor does it fail to enlighten me on whatever subject it tackles. A perfect winner of a show!
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Destination Truth Discovers Yeti Prints
The Sci-Fi Channel's Destination Truth uncovered what may be Yeti footprints while filming in the Nepalese mountains, near Mt. Everest.
Reports of "abominable snowmen," Yeti, or "wild men" have surfaced since the 1920s and even further back. Local sherpas tell stories of the beast, which is sometimes seen as a protector, more often a destructive force. Many years ago, videotaped evidence of an unidentified creature following an anonymous couple up a mountain surfaced, but was immediately called into question because the source of the tape could not be verified.
Footprints have been found throughout the years, but few have claimed to actually spotted the beast. Aside from this, little scientific evidence exists to verify the creatures' existence.
The episode will air next season on Destination Truth.
Reports of "abominable snowmen," Yeti, or "wild men" have surfaced since the 1920s and even further back. Local sherpas tell stories of the beast, which is sometimes seen as a protector, more often a destructive force. Many years ago, videotaped evidence of an unidentified creature following an anonymous couple up a mountain surfaced, but was immediately called into question because the source of the tape could not be verified.
Footprints have been found throughout the years, but few have claimed to actually spotted the beast. Aside from this, little scientific evidence exists to verify the creatures' existence.
The episode will air next season on Destination Truth.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Ghost Hunters Season Finale, 2007
Tonight's Ghost Hunters was the season finale but, as I've pointed out time and again, that's something of a misnomer because Ghost Hunters runs in "half-seasons." Sci-Fi does like 6 new episodes twice a year, which almost makes an entire season (a full season is 13 episodes, with an option to pick up the back 9) -- when you include the Halloween specials, it works out.
Seeing as how Ghost Hunters is one of Sci-Fi's highest-rated and most popular shows, the only reasoning I can give for this (and it is completely a guess) is that it's a reality show and the guys involved have families and day jobs, so they can't do it full-time. But that doesn't make a whole lot of sense, because you would think doing this full-time would be more lucrative than their day jobs... I don't know.
At any rate, tonight was the "season finale" and it was a retrospective of previous events, and Jason's and Grant's favorite episodes/investigations. But it was also a round table discussion with the group, hosted by Josh from Destination Truth, in which they discussed general, sometimes personal, things and answered questions from the audience submitted via e-mail. I did not see the last 1/2-hour of the show because something else I wanted to watch came on (if I catch the repeat later, I may comment), but the one question I noticed they did not address was what happened to Brian Harnois and those cats. We answered that here, but I don't know how close to the truth we got, and I just don't care anymore.
A pretty good episode with some behind-the-scenes stuff and a little bit more about the players. I hope they show the entire 1-1/2 hours of the program in reruns (a lot of times, they edit them down to fit the 60-minute timeslot) so I can catch the whole thing. They should -- after all, they can make that work in one of those all-day marathons, especially since the shows are divided into two 1/2-hour investigations.
Seeing as how Ghost Hunters is one of Sci-Fi's highest-rated and most popular shows, the only reasoning I can give for this (and it is completely a guess) is that it's a reality show and the guys involved have families and day jobs, so they can't do it full-time. But that doesn't make a whole lot of sense, because you would think doing this full-time would be more lucrative than their day jobs... I don't know.
At any rate, tonight was the "season finale" and it was a retrospective of previous events, and Jason's and Grant's favorite episodes/investigations. But it was also a round table discussion with the group, hosted by Josh from Destination Truth, in which they discussed general, sometimes personal, things and answered questions from the audience submitted via e-mail. I did not see the last 1/2-hour of the show because something else I wanted to watch came on (if I catch the repeat later, I may comment), but the one question I noticed they did not address was what happened to Brian Harnois and those cats. We answered that here, but I don't know how close to the truth we got, and I just don't care anymore.
A pretty good episode with some behind-the-scenes stuff and a little bit more about the players. I hope they show the entire 1-1/2 hours of the program in reruns (a lot of times, they edit them down to fit the 60-minute timeslot) so I can catch the whole thing. They should -- after all, they can make that work in one of those all-day marathons, especially since the shows are divided into two 1/2-hour investigations.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Computer Meltdown of the Future?
Have you ever watched the show, 2057? It's on one of the top-tier cable science channels and I've seen it several times, but have no idea its regular airing time or day.
Anyway, it's a great show that always brings up a number of philosophical and scientific questions. And the episode I saw earlier did much the same:
It had to do with a grandchild who gained access to his grandfather's "old" laptop. Of course, by then, such devices were relics of the past, but this one was well-advanced of the models to which you and I (and most of the general populace) have access. Anyway, his grandfather had been some kind of "master hacker" and he and the child's mother had had an argument, so the grandfather had left.
The kid wanted to get in the old man's computer and send out 3-D ads throughout the city (de rigeur for 2057, mind you), pleading for his grandfather's return. In so doing, he managed to infect the entire city with an "ancient" virus. Within hours, the whole place was completely gridlocked (thanks to computerized, robotic cars), people were locked in and out of their homes and businesses, and so on and so forth.
Now, even if the show was wrong about half of the advancements, the entire scenario seemed quite plausible and I had to wonder just how far into the future such a possibility is. I mean, even without robotic cars and citywide networking, if you are in a fairly large city, just think of exactly how much damage a crippling virus, DOS attack, or hijacking could do, especially when coupled with relatively "low-level" technology, such as radio.
The smallest, cleverest, little thing - such as hacking into a city-wide major TV network broadcast and displaying a fake emergency message (EBS in America - Emergency Broadcast System) - could feasibly shut down a city of considerable size.
I mean, even if the proper authorities were able to almost instantly confirm the report was faked and regain control of the network, the level of panic and possible destruction that could be unleashed in those few moments could well be all it takes!
Sure, it seems a little far-fetched - slightly, slightly far-fetched - but the real implications are beyond the scope of this little missive; if you really stop to consider it, just how safe are we from this sort of computer misconduct today?
Anyway, it's a great show that always brings up a number of philosophical and scientific questions. And the episode I saw earlier did much the same:
It had to do with a grandchild who gained access to his grandfather's "old" laptop. Of course, by then, such devices were relics of the past, but this one was well-advanced of the models to which you and I (and most of the general populace) have access. Anyway, his grandfather had been some kind of "master hacker" and he and the child's mother had had an argument, so the grandfather had left.
The kid wanted to get in the old man's computer and send out 3-D ads throughout the city (de rigeur for 2057, mind you), pleading for his grandfather's return. In so doing, he managed to infect the entire city with an "ancient" virus. Within hours, the whole place was completely gridlocked (thanks to computerized, robotic cars), people were locked in and out of their homes and businesses, and so on and so forth.
Now, even if the show was wrong about half of the advancements, the entire scenario seemed quite plausible and I had to wonder just how far into the future such a possibility is. I mean, even without robotic cars and citywide networking, if you are in a fairly large city, just think of exactly how much damage a crippling virus, DOS attack, or hijacking could do, especially when coupled with relatively "low-level" technology, such as radio.
The smallest, cleverest, little thing - such as hacking into a city-wide major TV network broadcast and displaying a fake emergency message (EBS in America - Emergency Broadcast System) - could feasibly shut down a city of considerable size.
I mean, even if the proper authorities were able to almost instantly confirm the report was faked and regain control of the network, the level of panic and possible destruction that could be unleashed in those few moments could well be all it takes!
Sure, it seems a little far-fetched - slightly, slightly far-fetched - but the real implications are beyond the scope of this little missive; if you really stop to consider it, just how safe are we from this sort of computer misconduct today?
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Ghost Hunters 10-24-07
Obviously, Sci-Fi is showing Ghost Hunters episodes out of order. They have a habit of doing that with shows, really. Not just Sci-Fi, either; BBCA did it with Hex (at least the first season) and it actually worked better, from what I understand.
But last night's episode (and this post would have been up last night, had the electricity not been knocked out throughout the entire county until about 12:30 last night!) was definitely supposed to have been one of the early ones of the season.
First of all, neither investigation turned up anything. Secondly, Donna and Brian were there. Thirdly, Tango was still billed as "Investigator-in-Training." It was an alright episode, all told, but not that good, and I wonder why they chose to hang onto it until now. Even more, I wonder why they chose to show it one week before the annual Live Halloween Special?! You'd think they'd want to show an episode where something really happens to whet viewers' appetites!
Ah well. You know I, and all the other hardcore fans, will be there for the live special, regardless, so maybe they just didn't give it much thought. I don't know.
But last night's episode (and this post would have been up last night, had the electricity not been knocked out throughout the entire county until about 12:30 last night!) was definitely supposed to have been one of the early ones of the season.
First of all, neither investigation turned up anything. Secondly, Donna and Brian were there. Thirdly, Tango was still billed as "Investigator-in-Training." It was an alright episode, all told, but not that good, and I wonder why they chose to hang onto it until now. Even more, I wonder why they chose to show it one week before the annual Live Halloween Special?! You'd think they'd want to show an episode where something really happens to whet viewers' appetites!
Ah well. You know I, and all the other hardcore fans, will be there for the live special, regardless, so maybe they just didn't give it much thought. I don't know.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Science-Fiction vs. Science-Fantasy
Another one of those items that could fit on at least two of the blogs, I decided to put it here and not on The Rundown because it is really more of a philosophical-type discussion and The Rundown generally deals with more straightforward entertainment.
There are two divisions of science-fiction literature that purists make: science-fiction and science-fantasy. The difference is really very simple: science-fiction includes subjects and situations which theoretically could happen, where science-fantasy deals with things which are considered largely impossible and will never happen.
Of course, the division is somewhat nebulous and many readers fail to lend the whole discussion much credence. Most fans tend to divide their sci-fi into "hard" and "soft" categories, with "hard" correlating to our given definition of science-fiction, and "soft" being science-fantasy.
But these labels are pretty misleading, since such fantastic space operas as Star Trek are often considered "hard" sci-fi simply because they go to such lengths to give "plausible" explanations for their sci-fi gadgetry and other-worldly themes. The Cyberpunk sub-genre is definitively "hard" sci-fi, while the Sci-Fi Channel hit series, Flash Gordon (and its many incarnations outside of the new series), is definitively "soft." Or is it?
Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, the "grandfathers" of sci-fi, both wrote several stories detailing various "fantastic" ideas which inspired actual scientists to go out and attempt the very things they'd read about as children. To these ends, science-fantasy became science-fiction on its way to becoming science fact.
It's an interesting discussion and I would love to hear what anyone else has to say on the matter, whether here or in The Humidor.
There are two divisions of science-fiction literature that purists make: science-fiction and science-fantasy. The difference is really very simple: science-fiction includes subjects and situations which theoretically could happen, where science-fantasy deals with things which are considered largely impossible and will never happen.
Of course, the division is somewhat nebulous and many readers fail to lend the whole discussion much credence. Most fans tend to divide their sci-fi into "hard" and "soft" categories, with "hard" correlating to our given definition of science-fiction, and "soft" being science-fantasy.
But these labels are pretty misleading, since such fantastic space operas as Star Trek are often considered "hard" sci-fi simply because they go to such lengths to give "plausible" explanations for their sci-fi gadgetry and other-worldly themes. The Cyberpunk sub-genre is definitively "hard" sci-fi, while the Sci-Fi Channel hit series, Flash Gordon (and its many incarnations outside of the new series), is definitively "soft." Or is it?
Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, the "grandfathers" of sci-fi, both wrote several stories detailing various "fantastic" ideas which inspired actual scientists to go out and attempt the very things they'd read about as children. To these ends, science-fantasy became science-fiction on its way to becoming science fact.
It's an interesting discussion and I would love to hear what anyone else has to say on the matter, whether here or in The Humidor.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Ghost Hunters "Premiere"
I know I mentioned one of the new episodes from this "season"'s Ghost Hunters the other day - a damn good one, too - but I wanted to kind of do a "Review" of some sorts. Problem is, Ghost Hunters doesn't really follow the normal TV formula, does it?
I mean, a general season consists of 13 episodes with an option for what they call "the back nine," meaning you could end up with 22 episodes which comprises the entire season. Now and again, some shows will have "bonus" episodes making their season as many as 25 episodes (this used to be more common but is actually very rare nowadays). Ghost Hunters basically runs two seasons a year: a summer and fall season. This means they have two seasons of 13 episodes, which results in a full season, plus some extras.
And there's nothing really different between the shows. I mean there's no big deal about a season premiere or finale; the shows developed their blueprint about midway through the second season: the cases are carefully divided into 30 minute segments for syndication purposes (30-minute Ghost Hunters episodes will be shown, whether on Sci-Fi or in syndication on other networks) and there is no variation. Further, since they basically show half the season in the summer and the other half during the fall season, "season" premiere is a bit of a misnomer.
All in all, there isn't much to say about premieres or finales when it comes to Ghost Hunters. I will, however, make a special post concerning the live Halloween special.
I mean, a general season consists of 13 episodes with an option for what they call "the back nine," meaning you could end up with 22 episodes which comprises the entire season. Now and again, some shows will have "bonus" episodes making their season as many as 25 episodes (this used to be more common but is actually very rare nowadays). Ghost Hunters basically runs two seasons a year: a summer and fall season. This means they have two seasons of 13 episodes, which results in a full season, plus some extras.
And there's nothing really different between the shows. I mean there's no big deal about a season premiere or finale; the shows developed their blueprint about midway through the second season: the cases are carefully divided into 30 minute segments for syndication purposes (30-minute Ghost Hunters episodes will be shown, whether on Sci-Fi or in syndication on other networks) and there is no variation. Further, since they basically show half the season in the summer and the other half during the fall season, "season" premiere is a bit of a misnomer.
All in all, there isn't much to say about premieres or finales when it comes to Ghost Hunters. I will, however, make a special post concerning the live Halloween special.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
There Is No Jean
Wow! Did you see tonight's Ghost Hunters?
The first half, they seem to have caught a full-bodied apparition at The Presidio, but it also kind of looks like a shadow, which even the Ghost Hunters admitted. Still, at least one of the images is really good - it appears to be away from the wall. Both instances clearly show a human form moving in a human manner, but they are inconclusive.
The second half of the program was the money, though:
They investigated a place called Lullabye Lane in California. It is a family-owned baby furniture store or some such and even the employees are said to be distant family members. The proprietors complained of hearing voices and claimed to have seen some instances of poltergeist activity - specifically, a chair that turned on its own and supposedly pushed itself up under the desk.
The family thought the spirit(s) may have been that of a former employee by the name of Jean.
But the amazing thing was the EVPs they caught. They were some of the clearest I've heard in a long time, as Jason mentioned. They were really creepy, gravelly voices and the one that really stood apart was, "There is no Jean"!!! It was kind of frightening, but exciting because it was so direct a response.
Another great EVP sounded like it said, "Please just leave us alone." They were of such a high quality, so clear and obviously in contact - responding directly to the Ghost Hunters - that this was one of the better episodes I've seen in quite some time now.
What do you think of Kris, the new girl? She's a little hottie, no? Her exceptional good looks aside, she is also coming along quite nicely. She's very good at research, though I wonder how much of what she says on camera is actually fed to her or set-up. Not that she didn't do the research, I just mean, for example, tonight she gave a rundown of the Presidio's history that was so specific I mused that she either just read about it before she got in the car or she had written it down and memorized it right before they rolled tape. Not that that is exactly "scripted" reality TV - it isn't - I just mean that, you know, it was a little too complete and specific for her to not have just done the research.
Really good episode.
The first half, they seem to have caught a full-bodied apparition at The Presidio, but it also kind of looks like a shadow, which even the Ghost Hunters admitted. Still, at least one of the images is really good - it appears to be away from the wall. Both instances clearly show a human form moving in a human manner, but they are inconclusive.
The second half of the program was the money, though:
They investigated a place called Lullabye Lane in California. It is a family-owned baby furniture store or some such and even the employees are said to be distant family members. The proprietors complained of hearing voices and claimed to have seen some instances of poltergeist activity - specifically, a chair that turned on its own and supposedly pushed itself up under the desk.
The family thought the spirit(s) may have been that of a former employee by the name of Jean.
But the amazing thing was the EVPs they caught. They were some of the clearest I've heard in a long time, as Jason mentioned. They were really creepy, gravelly voices and the one that really stood apart was, "There is no Jean"!!! It was kind of frightening, but exciting because it was so direct a response.
Another great EVP sounded like it said, "Please just leave us alone." They were of such a high quality, so clear and obviously in contact - responding directly to the Ghost Hunters - that this was one of the better episodes I've seen in quite some time now.
What do you think of Kris, the new girl? She's a little hottie, no? Her exceptional good looks aside, she is also coming along quite nicely. She's very good at research, though I wonder how much of what she says on camera is actually fed to her or set-up. Not that she didn't do the research, I just mean, for example, tonight she gave a rundown of the Presidio's history that was so specific I mused that she either just read about it before she got in the car or she had written it down and memorized it right before they rolled tape. Not that that is exactly "scripted" reality TV - it isn't - I just mean that, you know, it was a little too complete and specific for her to not have just done the research.
Really good episode.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Destination Truth Season Finale
I must admit, after several false starts, Sci-Fi Channel finally got it right; Destination Truth is a really good reality show concerning the paranormal and cryptozoology, in specific. I have kept up with the series this season and finally got a chance to see the season finale tonight, after my cable unceremoniously failed last Wednesday, while we were preparing to watch the finales of both it and Ghost Hunters.
Tonight, Josh chased after the Argentinian Lobizone, a lycanthrope which has been spotted throughout the country, in both rural and highly-populated urban areas. It is said that the seventh son of a seventh son will become a lobizone, unless he is baptized. The Argentinian president has seventh sons baptized.
Josh and team did spot some kind of wolflike dog on camera and Josh himself caught some animal on thermal imaging. A zoologist could not identify either accurately, but said the shape was larger than a native Argentinian dog, insofar as he knew. Further, the blood on a rope with which a farmer said he had caught a lobizone tested positive for human blood! Of course, even though this evidence is intriguing, it proves nothing; it is too disparate to prove a seventh son actually turns into a wolflike creature.
The other case was a total bust, though they did hear a strange, gutteral growl from some animal the zoologist could not identify.
Either way, it appears Destination Truth will be returning for a second season - I’m assuming next summer. Ghost Hunters will return in the fall and is being replaced momentarily by a new show called Ghost Adventures, about another ghost hunting group.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Ghost Hunters Finale Already?!
So I tried watching Sci-Fi’s new Ani-Monday and... well, I just don’t get into Anime. It’s too "kiwai" or whatever that word is for “cutesy.” I also find most of it very disturbing in that it tends to focus on prepubescent girls who end up being molested by tentacles. But I digress...
I saw the promo for tomorrow night’s Ghost Hunters and it’s the Summer finale! Whatever that means. I was under the impression that Ghost Hunters and Eureka were two of the network’s highest-rated shows? I think the guys working the schedule are the same cats what do programming over to [adult swim]. I mean, you would think that someone might be able to figure out that ordering more than six episodes of one of your highest-rated shows is probably a pretty solid idea.
Still, it said it was the Summer finale, so I am hoping that means they are going to bring it back in... like a month? Well, maybe we will get our wish as far as it coming on year-round if they decide to split them into two “mini”-seasons or whatever their plan is here.
But really, Sci-Fi guys, pick up the back nine on this one, huh?
I saw the promo for tomorrow night’s Ghost Hunters and it’s the Summer finale! Whatever that means. I was under the impression that Ghost Hunters and Eureka were two of the network’s highest-rated shows? I think the guys working the schedule are the same cats what do programming over to [adult swim]. I mean, you would think that someone might be able to figure out that ordering more than six episodes of one of your highest-rated shows is probably a pretty solid idea.
Still, it said it was the Summer finale, so I am hoping that means they are going to bring it back in... like a month? Well, maybe we will get our wish as far as it coming on year-round if they decide to split them into two “mini”-seasons or whatever their plan is here.
But really, Sci-Fi guys, pick up the back nine on this one, huh?
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