"You want the good news or the bad news?" General Discussion - 8/8/07

[paper]

Ok, gang. You know what to do!

Only this week, for every bit of bad news, you need to give us some good news. Silver linings and all that.

[acomicbookgirl]

Oh how cute. I had a crappy day but had an awesome evening! Does that count?

[paper]

Sure does!

[humphrey-lee]

Tonight I gather references for artists in Chicago.
Tomorrow I buy booze and comics and pack.
Thurs I make the trek and start drinking.


All in the plan, all in the plan...

[senoj1]

Good news: 300 DVD is awesome Bad News: I'm not gonna be able to read Y the Last Man this week.

[labor_days]

Umm, bad news is the new Okkervil River & Rilo Kiley records are marginal.
Good news is I got an advance of the Doctor Strange DVD! Watching now.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1389/1046684039_93ab4e92d6_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1283/1046683715_9963427dd4_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1261/1046684295_9cddbc8216_o.jpg

Mordo is badass.

[six-gun]

That DVD has an awesome Steve McNiven cover.

[k33k3r]

Bad news: The owner and opperator of the Pittsburgh Con was arrested for murdering his wife 17 years ago.

Good news: I now have an excuse to travel to another Con.

[paper]

The Good News? I ordered my copy of iLife '08. Really excited to try the all new version of iMovie, which will come in handy when the new dogs arrive tomorrow. I have Final Cut, but sometimes you just want to put something together quickly and easily. You can also publish directly to YouTube, a cool feature for sure. iPhoto has some great new organizational options. I'm also intrigued by the new white balancing and shadow level tools. Not sure if Garageband has any new features ideal for podcasters, but I have high hopes. (If you have access to Garageband, it's awesome for podcasting.)

The Bad News? I'm a huge nerd. It was also a little pricey. I wish they offered an upgrade option for those of us who already have iLife. Ah, well. Should be worth it for the brand new iMovie alone.

[kwok_talk]

The bad news: It’s still hot.
The good news: Dinner at Ruth Chris steakhouse tomorrow!
The bad news pt 2: Labor saying the new Rilo Kiley album is just ok
The good news pt 2: I have a leftover bag of Doritos from yesterday’s lunch to munch on

[acomicbookgirl]

Will iLife 08' work with the powerbook G4? Will it still have the podcasting feature?

[fred]

Bad news: The owner and opperator of the Pittsburgh Con was arrested for murdering his wife 17 years ago.


Good news: There's now one more ticket available to be sold

[paper]

Will iLife 08' work with the powerbook G4? Will it still have the podcasting feature?

Garageband will work, iMovie won't.

System Requirements

• Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 processor; iMovie requires a Mac with an Intel processor, a Power Mac G5 (dual 2.0GHz or faster), or an iMac G5 (1.9GHz or faster; iDVD requires a 733MHz or faster processor.
• 512MB of RAM; 1GB recommended
• Mac OS X v10.4.9 or later
• 3GB of available disk space
• DVD drive for installation
• QuickTime 7.2 or later

[paper]

Given this bad news about the Rilo Kiley album being not so awesome, perhaps the new New Pornographers CD will be dope as all get out?

[mikegraham6]

Bad News: due to logistical problems i didn't land a new (perfect) job that i would get me out of contract work and into permemnant status. It sucks too because the hiring manager even flat out told me i was her first choice and a perfect candidate

Good News: My friends b-day is coming soon and she wants to go splunking and something caled Ariel Park, here's a brief description off the website:
An outdoor treetop workout! Fly more than 30 metres above a lake on two giant 200 metre-long zip trek lines. Over 82 suspension bridges provide incredible views of the Laurentian forest.
should prove to be a load of fun.
Also my parent 40th anniversary party is in a few weeks and my brother and sister and i are organizing a surprise party.

[mikegraham6]

Now for the best news i'll hear all week:
It's Wednesday! New COMICS!!! YAY:D

[iSteve]

Good News: My friend and I just sold an original Fantastic Four #1 (fair condition) for $665 last night. Our first big sale for West End Comics (http://stores.ebay.com/West-End-Comics). Yippieeee!

Bad News: I'm constipated this a.m. Dang it.

[iSteve]

Now for the best news i'll hear all week:
It's Wednesday! New COMICS!!! YAY:D

If it's Wednesday, then I'm doing my comics day happy dance!!!

[paper]

Good News: My friend and I just sold an original Fantastic Four #1 (fair condition) for $665 last night. Our first big sale for West End Comics (http://stores.ebay.com/West-End-Comics). Yippieeee!

Bad News: I'm constipated this a.m. Dang it.

Joke #1

You shouldn't have eaten the money, Steve! I know you were excited, but...


Joke #2

I am prepared to offer you this industrial strength laxative. For the sum of $665!


Feel better, Steve! Congrats on the big sale!

[kahunablair]

Bad News: I was a half hour late to work.
Good News: No one noticed!

[luthor]

Bad news: I was up all night long with bloody noses and one of my sinuses is so swollen I can feel it in my mouth.
Good news: I got out of the shower and had three phone calls from various potential employers, 2 of which are offering good wage and a decent benefits packages.
Better news: 1 of said employers has heard of me and wants to schedule an interview within the next 24 hours.

[kahunablair]

Paper, this was an excellent idea man!
It's nice to see some of the good stuff happening to everyone.
Congratulations on the good news guys.

[iSteve]

Bad News: It's going to be 100 degrees in Richmond today, but because of humidity, it's going to feel like 110.

Good News: My AC & fans are cranked up and I'm going to the LCS to pick up this week's books very soon. (Also, the constipation passed!)

[six-gun]

Given this bad news about the Rilo Kiley album being not so awesome, perhaps the new New Pornographers CD will be dope as all get out?

When does the new TNP CD come out?

[six-gun]

Bad News:
It's over 100 degrees and I still have one more football practice today.

My mostly white, small prep school football team has a scrimmage with a large, mostly African American school tomorrow night.

Good News:
Best week in comics in forever

I have a new laptop

[jgg0610]

Bad news: My cars been in the shop for 2 1/2 weeks and its going to cost a fortune to get fixed.

Good news: I get it back today and I'm going to able to fly to Chicago for WWC instead of driving.

[iSteve]

Bad news: My cars been in the shop for 2 1/2 weeks and its going to cost a fortune to get fixed.

Good news: I get it back today and I'm going to able to fly to Chicago for WWC instead of driving.

Sorry about the car expense, JGG0610, but it's great that you are getting to go to WWC. Hope you have a great time.

[kwok_talk]

(Also, the constipation passed!)

Speaking of that, our department just got this email of various concerns that employees have brought up. I kid you not, #30 on the list was the following:

Also stated that when the toilets are flushed you get splattered with the water. The water pressure is way too high. Can this be turned down?

[kahunablair]

Haha That's really funny Kwok.

Actually I know what #31 would be for my job.
Why is there a woman in the men's bathroom?
At least once a week the men's room as a perfumed scent, as if a woman just left the room. Freaks me out a bit.

[k33k3r]

is the custodian a female? That could be the cause of it.

[kahunablair]

is the custodian a female? That could be the cause of it.

Nope. I've checked.

[iSteve]

Nope. I've checked.

Well, maybe one of your male cohorts just likes to wear women's perfume.

[k33k3r]

or the womens room is close and they share a common air vent and it travels across.... *shrugs?*

[mikegraham6]

Bad News: due to logistical problems i didn't land a new (perfect) job that i would get me out of contract work and into permemnant status. It sucks too because the hiring manager even flat out told me i was her first choice and a perfect candidate

HA!
GOOD NEWS: every cloud has a silver lining i guess. i just got an email from another department in the government and they have scheduled me for an interview next wednesday. Now THIS is my perfect job and i'd be working with a team that i know (i worked with them a few months ago) and they will also be interviewing me! Suffice to say, im extremely excited!

[kwok_talk]

Congrats Mike! Gov’t position, huh? I guess enough of us are buying the Omega Flight series that they are actually having one for real.

[mikegraham6]

i'll be doing PR for the new team, i have my work cut for me though, im constantly having to explain why there are only two Canadians on Canada's superteam:rolleyes:

[iSteve]

Way to go, Mike. Good luck on the interview.

[baldmonkey]

Does the bald guy spell it Hunter or Hunnter?

[kahunablair]

Does the bald guy spell it Hunter or Hunnter?

Ha ha That just made me laugh my ass off for some reason.
It's one N.

[kahunablair]

Congratulations on the interview Mike! Good luck!

or the womens room is close and they share a common air vent and it travels across.... *shrugs?*
Same thing I thought. Then I realized the vents all have blowers sucking air out, so that's not it.

Well, maybe one of your male cohorts just likes to wear women's perfume.
That is the only option I can think of other then the fact that at certain times of the week a little old lady shuffles in, washes her hands, and leaves the men's room, all without being seen.
That thought truly scares me! Old lady ninjas are something to be feared.

[kahunablair]

Well Problem solved guys. I staked out the bathroom and caught the Old Lady Ninja in the act. I think I spooked her so she won't be back. I was able to snap a picture of her with my camera phone.

http://img31.picoodle.com/img/img31/9/8/8/f_untitledm_0b914b0.png (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/9/8/8/f_untitledm_0b914b0.png&srv=img31)

[acomicbookgirl]

I had a crappy day at work but my afternoon and evening is going to be a blast.. :)

[six-gun]

I had a crappy day at work but my afternoon and evening is going to be a blast.. :)

I had a crappy day but had an awesome evening! Does that count?


A pattern? :)

[labor_days]

The bad news pt 2: Labor saying the new Rilo Kiley album is just ok
It is. A handful of a good tracks, the rest pretty middling.

perhaps the new New Pornographers CD will be dope as all get out?
It's terrific! Perhaps not as immediately catchy as the previous records. "Go Places", "Myriad Harbour", "Challengers" and "My Rights Versus Yours" are all really strong.

Album is due later this month, Six.


p.s. Doctor Strange sucked.

[six-gun]

p.s. Doctor Strange sucked.

expected as much

[darron]

So....tired. Need sleep...yet...the forum pulls at me like a smoker yearning for just one last cigarette.

I just can't keep up with you crazy ****ers.

[acomicbookgirl]

A pattern? :)

more or less.

Bad news.. Food at Hooters is not so good.

Good news Bingo/Wingo and dessert rocked.. :)

And I did have an another awesome evening... It made up for my crappy day.. :)

[adelgadorey]

Bad News: Dr. Strange may have sucked

Good News:

[adelgadorey]

oh wait. That's worse. How about:

Bad: Fake Steve unmasked

Good: Real Steve rolls out something worth a damn besides a cell phone

[fred]

Well Problem solved guys. I staked out the bathroom and caught the Old Lady Ninja in the act. I think I spooked her so she won't be back. I was able to snap a picture of her with my camera phone.

http://img31.picoodle.com/img/img31/9/8/8/f_untitledm_0b914b0.png (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/9/8/8/f_untitledm_0b914b0.png&srv=img31)


Reason #411 to wake up screaming tonight

[jmf]

Bad News: Got a Weekend Full of Work.

Good News: New Green Arrow YO and a Powers Issue also got a Huge Order of TPBs on way so may get them really soon. Including the Bone one Volume

Good News 2 : New Fred Podcast due soon.

[fred]

Good News 2 : New Fred Podcast due soon.

thanks a lot. that's really cool. The plan is to record tonight.

[jmf]

Just a quick question Fred how much time did it take for you to write record and edit the podcast? I've always wondered how long it took?

[fred]

Just a quick question Fred how much time did it take for you to write record and edit the podcast? I've always wondered how long it took?

probably about 90 minutes total. It was my first time though so I'm hoping that tonight will go faster.

[jmf]

Cool. What software you running as well?

[fred]

just audacity

[kahunablair]

Bad News: Had issues sleeping last night.

Good News: I woke up to the newest Gondry movie's trailer

Good News 2: I just learned how to cook Chicken and Pears with Christopher Walken (Yes it's actually him!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43VjLCRqKNk

[mikegraham6]

Way to go, Mike. Good luck on the interview.

Congratulations on the interview Mike! Good luck!

thanks for the support guys, im determined to put 110% into this interview, i HAVE to land this job!

GOOD NEWS: Powers #25 and Daredevil rocked!
BAD NEWS: that's all i managed to read up until now, so much for keep a weekly review schedule, sorry guys....:(

[iSteve]

thanks for the support guys, im determined to put 110% into this interview, i HAVE to land this job!

GOOD NEWS: Powers #25 and Daredevil rocked!
BAD NEWS: that's all i managed to read up until now, so much for keep a weekly review schedule, sorry guys....:(

Mike, once I get my schedule straightened out, I'll try to start contributing reviews again. The burden shouldn't be all on you. That said, your reviews are awesome. Do what you can and keep having fun doing it.

[mikegraham6]

Mike, once I get my schedule straightened out, I'll try to start contributing reviews again. The burden shouldn't be all on you. That said, your reviews are awesome. Do what you can and keep having fun doing it.

Thanks again Steve. Im actually having a lot of fun writing these reviews! and dude, we are missing yours, but i can understand how busy you must be. congrats on your big FF sale as well!

[iSteve]

Thanks again Steve. Im actually having a lot of fun writing these reviews! and dude, we are missing yours, but i can understand how busy you must be. congrats on your big FF sale as well!

Thanks for taking note of the auction, Mike. Our FF #1 sold for $650 - which is a good price for its condition. Unfortunately, for a second week in a row, we failed to sell FF #3 (CGC 4.5) which is in great shape. It's the issue where the FF's uniforms and the Fantasticar first appear. I think we'll wait until September and try again. Hoping to get around $600 for it. We'll see. My partner in West End Comics and I spent about 4 hours last night sorting through long boxes to get our inventory ready for the Richmond Comicon on August 26. We hope to have several $1 boxes full of moderns. This will be my first time experiencing a con as a seller rather than just a buyer. It's a lot of work getting ready for it.

[mikegraham6]

i wish you the best of luck at the con, since that will be you market im sure you guys will be pretty successfull there, keep me posted

[iSteve]

Is it hot enough for you? I notice on the weather news that most of the US is sweltering. Here in Richmond, we think we'll hit 103 for a second day in a row. Factoring in humidity, it actually feels like 110 degrees. How hot is it where you are?

http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/66/28/23422866.jpg

[mikegraham6]

i was actually surprisingly cold in a t-shirt this morning, but it will probably get really gross and humid by the afternoon when i get to go home to my non-airconditioned abode

[paper]

According to my weather widget, it's 86 right now. High of 91.

[conorkilpatrick]

Mind says 78. There's no way that's correct.

[kahunablair]

My temp is supposedly 88, but with the humidity it is still way to disgusting.
I HATE having to wear the shirt and tie in this crap.

[luthor]

Good News: Went to the interview this morning and the person interviewing me turned out to be someone I've worked with in the past. He offered me the job before the interview even started.

Bad News: I had to turn it down. The job won't become available until late October and I already have a tentative job offer from another company that will open up at around the same time and it's in an environment I know and enjoy(not to mention the pay is a hell of a lot better). So back to the unemployment line I go...

And it's about 75 here. It's been raining on and off since the weekend.

[paper]

My temp is supposedly 88, but with the humidity it is still way to disgusting.
I HATE having to wear the shirt and tie in this crap.

Just imagine having to wear the leather face mask and corset I need to wear for my job. Too hot for this nonsense.

[iSteve]

Just imagine having to wear the leather face mask and corset I need to wear for my job. Too hot for this nonsense.

I feel for you, Paper. I bet those high heels are killing you too!

[kahunablair]

Just imagine having to wear the leather face mask and corset I need to wear for my job. Too hot for this nonsense.

Well not to one up you, because I'm not trying to, but I wear the corset and mask underneath my suit and tie.

[iSteve]

Well not to one up you, because I'm not trying to, but I wear the corset and mask underneath my suit and tie.

I'm sure you look lovely.

[kahunablair]

I'm sure you look lovely.

Well since you asked...
http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/9/8/9/f_untitled2m_d97c823.png (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/9/8/9/f_untitled2m_d97c823.png&srv=img02)

[fred]

Are you a dominatrix or the client?

[kahunablair]

Are you a dominatrix or the client?

I've been asking myself the same thing for years....

[fred]

nice return

[iSteve]

I've been asking myself the same thing for years....

Who says you have to choose.

[kahunablair]

Who says you have to choose.

Exactly my point.

nice return

Thank you sir. Nice set-up.

[fred]

quite the flexible community - you'll never be lonely

[iSteve]

Is it just me or does Black Adam look like a Vulcan on steroids?

[fred]

that's what I like about him

[iSteve]

that's what I like about him

Mr. Spock + Barry Bonds = Black Adam

[labor_days]

Never quite understood why Adam had pointed ears to begin with.

[fred]

the better to hear you with my dear

[mikegraham6]

So bored at work again and my default bored cure is looking up comics on Wikipedia. Who's turn is it this time? Acts of Vengence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_Vengeance)! this is a crossover that took place across the marvel u.
anyway the only reason i bring this up is because Wikipedia notes this as a "Notable Event":

Mr. Fantastic went before Congress and single-handedly convinced them to vote against forced super-hero registration in the form of the controversial "Super Power Registration Act".

This seems to be par for the course for Marvel. Didn't Iron man do the same thing right before Civil War began.
Just thought this was funny enough to share with you guys.

[iSteve]

I'm still sorting through the 40 long boxes of comics that my friend and I bought. Just came across a great run of The Spirit (originals by Will Eisner) published in the 1980s by Kitchen Sink Comics. After looking at how beautiful they are, I'm even more impressed at how good a job Darwyn Cooke has done in resurrecting the series.

[labor_days]

Hey, can anyone recommend any good biographies or other books on Will Eisner? Not the comcs themselves. Having recently watched Comic Book Confidential; I want to know more about the man's life.

[luthor]

Hey, can anyone recommend any good biographies or other books on Will Eisner? Not the comcs themselves. Having recently watched Comic Book Confidential; I want to know more about the man's life.

While it's not completely about him, Men Of Tomorrow has a little bit on Eisner. It's also a great book about the founding of the comic book industry.

http://www.amazon.com/Men-Tomorrow-Geeks-Gangsters-Birth/dp/0465036562

[jimski]

So bored at work again and my default bored cure is looking up comics on Wikipedia. Who's turn is it this time? Acts of Vengence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_Vengeance)! this is a crossover that took place across the marvel u.
anyway the only reason i bring this up is because Wikipedia notes this as a "Notable Event":

This seems to be par for the course for Marvel. Didn't Iron man do the same thing right before Civil War began.
Just thought this was funny enough to share with you guys.

Acts of Vengeance was right about the moment when I bowed out of comics. The main thing I remember about it was that Magneto switched back to villainy after years of do-gooding, and when he did it he all but said, "I'm sorry, Moira, but they need me to be in this crossover."

I've heard about this anti-reg position somewhere else. It may have even been in one of the many crossovers, something about "things are different now." Or maybe that was the alternate version of Civil War I was writing in my head as I read it.

[jimski]

I was just reading that wikipedia entry and couldn't help having my eye drawn to the following:

Silver Surfer #33 ("Acts of Idiocy." Silver Surfer confronts Impossible Man)

[esophagus]

I just got back from Toronto, and am now staying at my aunts house in Saskatoon. I had an amazing stay. I picked up:

Ultimate Invincible Collection Vol. 1
Ultimate Invincible Collection Vol. 2
52 Vol. 1
52 Vol. 2
Marvel What Ifs
Marvel Zombies
And something else.... Can't think of it off the top of my head.

I also ran into an Artist named Mike Parsons on the street. He was selling cheap prints and t-shirts. Just fabulous stuff with incredibvle thought and motive behind it. He also just finished self-publishing the first issue of a comic titled Hey Apathy, an amazing look at Toronto, with little to no words. Check him out here (www.heyapathy.com).

I'm having a great time so far, headed to a little play at the local fringe festival tonight. Thought I'd give everyone an update, wish I had time to catch up on the goings on. I'm going to be to far to catch up by the time i get back.

[acomicbookgirl]

Anyone here have DirecTV?

[labor_days]

Anyone here have DirecTV?
Do those commercials got you interested, ACBG? I don't have DirectTV anymore. But they had horrible service for the year I was stuck with them. HD content was a joke, the 100's of channels thing was an outright lie, overpriced, bad reception, equipment failures. Terrible.

Here's some copy on those commercials~

Scene 1, Double Take 2
DirecTV Re-creates Movie Moments for Attention-Getting Ads

By Paul Farhi
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 7, 2007; Page C01

Wait a second. Isn't that Sigourney Weaver in her signature role as Lt. Ripley in the movie "Aliens," kicking alien butt while talking about . . . satellite TV service. . . in a new TV commercial?

Yep: "All I want to do is kick back and enjoy the DirecTV we just hooked up," says Weaver/Ripley to the camera during a particularly intense woman-vs.-monster action scene. "This," she adds before knocking out the creature, "is going to feel almost as good as when I got rid of cable."

With new footage and digital help, Sigourney Weaver embellishes her "Aliens" role for a commercial in which her character steps out of the scene to deliver a pitch for DirecTV. (Directv)

Since it's pretty certain this bit of dialogue didn't come from James Cameron's 1986 movie, the obvious question is this: How'd they do that?

How did DirecTV take a 21-year-old action movie and make its star, who looks almost as fresh-faced as when she made the film, mouth those words? How, too, did DirecTV do the same time-travel trick with other famous films, such as "Back to the Future," "Major League" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"?

Advertisers have been using digital manipulation to put products into old movie stars' hands for years. Despite an outcry from old-movie buffs and his own daughter, the late Fred Astaire danced with a Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner in the mid-'90s. In 1996, John Wayne returned from the dead to appear in a Coors Light spot. In 2005, Volkswagen's British ad agency used some digital prestidigitation to turn Gene Kelly's street dance in "Singin' in the Rain" into a funky pop-and-lock routine.

DirecTV's ads, which began last year, create an even more impressive illusion: that an iconic movie or TV character is momentarily stepping out of a scene and speaking directly to viewers. The company calls the ad series its "Fourth Wall" campaign because it plays off the old theatrical idea that a performer who addresses the audience is breaking through the theater's imaginary fourth wall.

In addition to sending Weaver back in "Aliens"-ville, the ads have featured "Back to the Future's" Doc Brown (played by Christopher Lloyd) touting DirecTV seemingly in the middle of the movie's climactic main-street scene. In another, "Major League's" erratic pitcher (Charlie Sheen) breaks off in mid-pitch to sell the company's high-definition service. And one of "Twister's" intrepid tornado chasers (Bill Paxton) wonders why he's dodging storm-tossed cows when he could be home watching his satellite hook-up.

All the commercials were created using the same basic technique, said Jon Gieselman, DirecTV's senior vice president of advertising: Production crews shoot new footage of an actor from the movie and then edit this material into actual scenes from the film.

But it's not quite that simple. The trick is in how cleverly the old and new footage are intercut and the attention paid to details in the original film. Costumes, makeup, props, haircuts, lighting, camera angles, music and sets all have to match those used in the movie to sustain the impression that movie and ad are one and the same, he says.

Sometimes the new material can be shot on the film's original set ("Back to the Future's" main street was still around on a back lot), and sometimes the ads require improvisation. Watch the new "Aliens" commercial closely -- very closely -- and you might be able to tell that the mechanical contraption surrounding Ripley in the new segments isn't the same as the one in the movie. The movie prop, known as a "power loader," is in a museum in Seattle, and the commercial's producers couldn't get access to it. So they built a smaller copy and shot Weaver in it only in close-up.

"Everyone thinks this is a big CGI [computer-generated imaging] operation, but it's really not," says Eric Hirshberg, president and chief creative officer of Deutsch Inc. in Los Angeles, the agency that created the series. "The biggest production assignment has to do with disciplined re-creation of the movies." He adds, "When we started doing these, we told ourselves that 1 percent off [the original] is 100 percent off."

Some computer manipulation is used to make the actors look as young as they were when they starred in the movie. A few perpetually youthful looking types -- Weaver and Sheen, for example -- didn't need much of this electronic Botox. But it took a bit more effort to make actor Ben Stein, who played the droning teacher in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," look as he did in the 1986 comedy.

"I loved doing it, [but] it was a lot of work," Stein said. "We had to match it with the original. It was me with my hair dyed to make me look younger."

Nitpickers have pointed out a couple of flaws (Paxton's hair seems to age right before viewers' eyes in DirecTV's knockoff of "Twister," for instance). But for the most part, Hirshberg and Gieselman think the ads get it right. They are particularly proud of a spot that featured "Star Trek's" Captain Kirk (William Shatner) extolling the clarity of DirecTV's picture on the Starship Enterprise's big-screen TV. The ad, based on the sixth "Star Trek" movie, made in 1991, drew praise from "Star Trek's" detail-obsessed fans, they said.

The campaign has gotten such strong feedback that DirecTV, based in El Segundo, Calif., is frequently contacted by agents, actors and TV network executives who want to see their old movies and TV shows become part of the series.

But not just any old show will do, they say. For starters, it has to be widely familiar and fairly recently made, since DirecTV needs the actual stars to play the characters again. What's more, the source material has to fit with DirecTV's male-oriented marketing message. Since men are the primary buyers of satellite TV service, the ads tend to trade off macho action films and goofy comedies. Which means it's unlikely that Debra Winger will come back to life in a "Terms of Endearment" ad or Renee Zellweger will reappear as Bridget Jones.

DirecTV has also targeted men by using athletes and coaches in the campaign (one featured Colts quarterback Peyton Manning interrupting his signal calling to yell at the camera). And others have just been plain babelicious: Pamela Anderson re-created her "Baywatch" lifeguard in one and Jessica Simpson reprised her "Dukes of Hazzard" role in another.

Neither the company nor the ad agency will talk about what they next have in mind. But the concept seems to have endless possibilities. Maybe Indiana Jones or Rocky Balboa or James Bond could use some commercial work? Maybe Borat needs a new job?

"We want to [end the campaign] before the first customers say, 'We're sick of these,' " Hirshberg says. But so far, he adds, "people seem thirsty for the next one."

[acomicbookgirl]

Do those commercials got you interested, ACBG? I don't have DirectTV anymore. But they had horrible service for the year I was stuck with them. HD content was a joke, the 100's of channels thing was an outright lie, overpriced, bad reception, equipment failures. Terrible.


I have DirecTV but I'm having a problem with my receiver/box thingy.. the other two tv's work but not mine.. And I was looking forward to watching Flash Gordon..

EDIT: My receiver is broken but they are sending me a new one that should come in the next couple of days according to them.

[mikegraham6]

Hey guys, im looking for some advice. I've been seeing this girl for a while now and things just aren't clicking. i could kinda tell this from the first date but i wanted to give the relationship a chance show i stuck it out. i've met her parents and she's met mine, but we don't have anything in common. She's not the brightest girl, she doesn't read and anytime i try to get into a deep conversation you can tell she's not interested. but she is very very nice and she definitely likes me a lot so im trying to find the best way to break it off without hurting her. She also just moved to the city so she doesn't really have anyone here and im her only friend.
I don't want to stay with her out of pity but i dont want to continue this either. whats the best way to break this off and remain friends with her? any advice at all?

[acomicbookgirl]

I'm sorry to hear that. :( Hmm.. You just have to tell her that it isn't working out. I don't know how because either way you'll be the bad guy either way. There is no nice way of breaking up from what I have experienced. Just don't do it via im or a post it note. I wish you luck.

[mikegraham6]

Thanks ACBG
Just don't do it via im or a post it note. I wish you luck.

trust me, i wouldn't do that, i think its pretty cold blooded if you dont do it in person

[paper]

Make her think you're a serial killer. Since you didn't actually kill anyone, she won't have hard evidence to convict you. But if planned properly she might learn enough to want to break things off. Then, make sure that you switch up your suspicious activities to make them look like something harmless. And make sure she notices. It'll be too late to get back together, but she'll feel sorry for accusing you. By accepting her back as a friend you'll look really gracious.

[kahunablair]

I'm sorry to hear that. :( Hmm.. You just have to tell her that it isn't working out. I don't know how because either way you'll be the bad guy either way. There is no nice way of breaking up from what I have experienced. Just don't do it via im or a post it note. I wish you luck.
Sad, but true. There is no "right way" to handle this one. You just have to be honest with her and tell her the truth. You obviously don't hate her, so tell her that. It's just not clicking. The "lets be friends" never works, but if she senses you're being honest it can work. I've personally always tried to be as honest as possible during break-ups.
Avoid any words that could be cliched, that seem to put her down, or are confrontational.

[mikegraham6]

i guess its true, theres no easy out but its so hard to avoid the old cliched breakup lines when i go over it in my hear.

Paper, im going to think over your plan tonight and see if i can work something out. but the last thing i want it to piss off the cops as well. the last thing i need is for them to be on my back twenty four seven

[paper]

You mean mounties though...right?

[darron]

Watch your back, Mike.

http://www.cgl.uwaterloo.ca/~ssiu/family/images/o_bear_sand_mounties.jpg

[labor_days]

Hey guys, im looking for some advice. I've been seeing this girl for a while now and things just aren't clicking. i could kinda tell this from the first date but i wanted to give the relationship a chance show i stuck it out. i've met her parents and she's met mine, but we don't have anything in common. She's not the brightest girl, she doesn't read and anytime i try to get into a deep conversation you can tell she's not interested. but she is very very nice and she definitely likes me a lot so im trying to find the best way to break it off without hurting her. She also just moved to the city so she doesn't really have anyone here and im her only friend.
I don't want to stay with her out of pity but i dont want to continue this either. whats the best way to break this off and remain friends with her? any advice at all?

I was going to advise you write a post-it note but that seems to not be good advice.

About the only advice I can give is thus, try to be honest with her. Let her know that you like her as a friend and would like to remain friends (you don't really have to but it softens the blow) but aren't interested in a relationship. I think honesty is the key here. Stringing her along does neither you or her any favors.

If she's alright with it; try not to be a dick and not call anymore. But at the same time give her (and yourself) a bit of space. People need a little time to get one another out their systems. Eventually you guys will move on and (hopefully) not have any resentment about the way things worked out.

[acomicbookgirl]

Sad, but true. There is no "right way" to handle this one. You just have to be honest with her and tell her the truth. You obviously don't hate her, so tell her that. It's just not clicking. The "lets be friends" never works, but if she senses you're being honest it can work. I've personally always tried to be as honest as possible during break-ups.
Avoid any words that could be cliched, that seem to put her down, or are confrontational.

Also do not use nice and friend in the same sentence.

[mikegraham6]

you guys really think that those are the guys who patrol our streets right? up on their horses?

i wont squash the illusion for you ;)

[darron]

Nah man, I just used the stupidest picture I could find in the shortest amount of time.

[labor_days]

Why are those Mounties holding ferrets? I'm confused by the backward ways of the Canadian peoples.

[acomicbookgirl]

you guys really think that those are the guys who patrol our streets right? up on their horses?

i wont squash the illusion for you ;)

They aren't? :( So those Dudley Do Right cartoons were all a lie? :confused:

[mikegraham6]

those are the mounties formal attire, they only wear it on special occasions. they are our National police but we have regular city cops too. the mounties pretty much look after regions that are too small to have their own police force. kinda like state troopers for the entire country i guess

[paper]

Anybody ever watch Due South with the mounty leaving Canada for America? Cultural hijinks and all that? My dad actually bought it on dvd.

[acomicbookgirl]

Ok.. I guess...

Well I wish you luck Mike.

I'm off to go to church and then take Mom to watch Transformers.. Might sound odd but she's the one who wanted to watch Stardust last night.. And we both loved it.

[itsbecca]

I thought they all rode mooses.

[conorkilpatrick]

Anybody ever watch Due South with the mounty leaving Canada for America? Cultural hijinks and all that? My dad actually bought it on dvd.

I did. It was fun.

[mikegraham6]

Anybody ever watch Due South with the mounty leaving Canada for America? Cultural hijinks and all that? My dad actually bought it on dvd.

its a big hit up here, i think they show it twice a day and the guy who played the mountie made a bunch of canadian movies.

i wasnt a fan though

leslie nielson was funny in it though

[kahunablair]

Well I did a crap load of relaxing on the back deck and reading today.

Read all the issues of American Virgin. It's a good read. I was shocked that it didn't take a more anti-religion bent like I thought it would. A lot of books that try to say something about the preachyness and self-importance of religion, become preachy and self important themselves. This book doesn't actually seem to stand in judgment like you'd expect and that is what kept me reading.
Thanks Fred!

Read the first storyline of Criminal. Very cool book. I turned around and walked over to my shop and got the other 3 issues out now.

All in all a nice relaxing Saturday.

[fred]

I'm glad that you liked it.

[mastap]

I caught an episode of due south awhile back, wasn't a fan, but Mike is right it is a big hit.

Also I now have shiny copies of the first trades of criminal and fell, I've already read most of the stories in fell, but I just havnt worked up the energy to read criminal yet

[itsbecca]

I caught an episode of due south awhile back, wasn't a fan, but Mike is right it is a big hit.

Also I now have shiny copies of the first trades of criminal and fell, I've already read most of the stories in fell, but I just havnt worked up the energy to read criminal yet

I just got Fell yesterday... finally. I'm excited.

[conorkilpatrick]

Entertainer, businessman Griffin dies (http://tv.yahoo.com/show/31376/news/urn:newsml:tv.ap.org:20070812:obit_merv_griffin__E R)
By BOB THOMAS, Associated Press Writer Today at 9:34 am

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Merv Griffin, the entertainer turned impresario who parlayed his "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune" game shows into a multimillion-dollar empire, has died. He was 82.

Griffin died of prostate cancer, according to a statement from his the family that was released by Marcia Newberger, spokeswoman for The Griffin Group/Merv Griffin Entertainment.

From his beginning as a $100-a-week San Francisco radio singer, Griffin moved on as vocalist for Freddy Martin's band, sometime film actor in films and TV game and talk show host. His "The Merv Griffin Show" lasted more than 20 years, and Griffin's said his capacity to listen contributed to his success.

"If the host is sitting there thinking about his next joke, he isn't listening," Griffin reasoned in a recent interview.

But his biggest break financially came from inventing and producing "Jeopardy" in the 1960s and "Wheel of Fortune" in the 1970s. After they had become the hottest game shows in television, Griffin sold the rights to Coca-Cola for $250 million in 1986, retaining a share of the profits.

After they became the hottest game shows in television, Griffin sold the rights to them to the Columbia Pictures Television Unit for $250 million, retaining a share of the profits. He started spreading the sale money around in treasury bonds, stocks and other investments.

He made Forbes' list of richest Americans several times and started putting money in treasury bonds, stocks and other investments. But he went into real estate and other ventures because "I was never so bored in my life."

"I said, `I'm not going to sit around and clip coupons for the rest of my life,' " he recalled in 1989. "That's when Barron Hilton said, `Merv, do you want to buy the Beverly Hilton?' I couldn't believe it."

Griffin bought the slightly passe hotel for $100.2 million and completely refurbished it for $25 million. Then he made a move for control of Resorts International, which operated hotels and casinos from Atlantic City to the Caribbean.

That touched off a feud with real estate tycoon Donald Trump. Griffin eventually acquired Resorts for $240 million, netting a reported paper profit of $100 million.

"I love the gamesmanship," he told Life magazine in 1988. "This may sound strange, but it parallels the game shows I've been involved in."

More in link.

[acomicbookgirl]

:( I didn't know he was that old.

[mikegraham6]

Hey guys, im looking for some advice. I've been seeing this girl for a while now and things just aren't clicking. i could kinda tell this from the first date but i wanted to give the relationship a chance show i stuck it out. i've met her parents and she's met mine, but we don't have anything in common. She's not the brightest girl, she doesn't read and anytime i try to get into a deep conversation you can tell she's not interested. but she is very very nice and she definitely likes me a lot so im trying to find the best way to break it off without hurting her. She also just moved to the city so she doesn't really have anyone here and im her only friend.
I don't want to stay with her out of pity but i dont want to continue this either. whats the best way to break this off and remain friends with her? any advice at all?

ya, that sucked:(

[conorkilpatrick]

ya, that sucked:(

What did you say?

[mikegraham6]

i think i told her that i wanted to stay friends with her about 10 times for one. i always make the mistake of giving away too much information, so told her that i've been feeling this way for a while and that i had been discussing this issue with my friends.

she wasn't too happy with that.

but it really didn't go TOO badly i guess. it still sucked though, she was a really nice girl, but things just didn't click

[conorkilpatrick]

i think i told her that i wanted to stay friends with her about 10 times for one. i always make the mistake of giving away too much information, so told her that i've been feeling this way for a while and that i had been discussing this issue with my friends.

she wasn't too happy with that.

but it really didn't go TOO badly i guess. it still sucked though, she was a really nice girl, but things just didn't click

That sucks, dude. That's never easy.

[mikegraham6]

That sucks, dude. That's never easy.

true, but its for the best in the end.

oh well

[labor_days]

Sorry to hear that. Should have gone the post-it note route.

[kahunablair]

true, but its for the best in the end.

oh well

Well man, I'm sorry to hear it didn't go that great but I'm proud of you! It's better to do it now, instead of waiting.
Plus now you're being honest with her and that's the most important thing.

[mikegraham6]

Sorry to hear that. Should have gone the post-it note route.

i tried paper's "serial killer" route but she wasn't buying it

[acomicbookgirl]

i think i told her that i wanted to stay friends with her about 10 times for one. i always make the mistake of giving away too much information, so told her that i've been feeling this way for a while and that i had been discussing this issue with my friends.

she wasn't too happy with that.

but it really didn't go TOO badly i guess. it still sucked though, she was a really nice girl, but things just didn't click

Awwwwww http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s121/acomicbookgirl/6.gif

How are you doing? Break ups are never nice. Hang in there.

[labor_days]

i tried paper's "serial killer" route but she wasn't buying it

Did you show her the monkey? Was she creeped out by your simian pal? There may have been a way to work the monkey into the breakup. Just saying.

[six-gun]

Awwwwww http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s121/acomicbookgirl/6.gif

How are you doing? Break ups are never nice. Hang in there.

Tell me about it, I was the rebound guy for my last girlfriend, it was ugly.

[mikegraham6]

thanks guys.

the monkey was what made it so hard, everyone loves the monkey!

[acomicbookgirl]

Tell me about it, I was the rebound guy for my last girlfriend, it was ugly.

:( I don't know what's worse.. Being the rebound person or just getting dumped.. I think its one of the reasons why its so hard for me to let people in at times..

[labor_days]

Should have gone straight up Jimmy Olsen on her and hinted that the monkey was your "bride" to be.

http://www.i-mockery.com/shorts/jimmy-olsen/14.jpg

I probably could have shown up in Superman underwear if you needed it.

[kwok_talk]

Sorry Mike about the breakup.

[paper]

Sucks, man. But as you said, I'm sure it's for the best.

[paper]

Happy Danny Bonaduce's birthday!

It's also Hitchcock's birthday.

[fred]

Happy Danny Bonaduce's birthday!

It's also Hitchcock's birthday.

that's not a coincidence

[kahunablair]

that's not a coincidence

http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/9/8/13/f_HAPPYBIRTHDm_7f3c3d0.png (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/9/8/13/f_HAPPYBIRTHDm_7f3c3d0.png&srv=img29)

[fred]

I knew that someone would find a way to make smoking look less healthy.

[kwok_talk]

If that Bonaducebird pooped on my windshield, would my car suddenly grow muscles?

[fred]

no, but its testicles would shrink

(the muscles would come from time in the gym+toxic steroid blood)

[kahunablair]

If that Bonaducebird pooped on my windshield, would my car suddenly grow muscles?

It worked for Hitchcock...

http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/9/8/13/f_Hitchcockm_0dbb0de.png (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/9/8/13/f_Hitchcockm_0dbb0de.png&srv=img02)

[fred]

that's disturbing on a level that I can't even put into words

[kahunablair]

that's disturbing on a level that I can't even put into words

That was the goal. I'm happy to see I achieved it!

[piscespaul]

Bad news : I hate my work environment


Good news : I just got a phone call for an interview tomorrow for a job that will literally change my life.....Wish me luck!

[iSteve]

Bad news : I hate my work environment

Good news : I just got a phone call for an interview tomorrow for a job that will literally change my life.....Wish me luck!

Good luck, piscespaul. Hope the interview goes great and you get the job.

[piscespaul]

thanks man

i'm still in shock that i got the call and wanted to spread the good cheer with all the cool kids here

[big-e]

Good news--I'm going to talk to my students on their first day of high school about my addiction to comics.

Bad news--I need help from y'all to do so.

Okay, so I know that Amadeus Cho is the seventh smartest human. Who are numbers 1 - 6?

Thanks,

Big E:D

[labor_days]

Okay, so I know that Amadeus Cho is the seventh smartest human. Who are numbers 1 - 6?

Dr. Doom, Reed Richards, Tony Stark, Professor X, Hank Pym, Bruce Banner; in roughly that order.

(Yes, Doom is smarter than Reed.)

[itsbecca]

(Yes, Doom is smarter than Reed.)

Them's fightin' words.

[labor_days]

B-b-but it's true! They've said Reed's hyper-intellect is the result of the cosmic rays that gave him elasticity. If Reed's powers are neutralized, while still smarter than most humans, Reed is not the equal of Doom.

Doom has mastered science and magic. As far as the Marvel U is concerned Doom is the absolute pinnacle of diabolic genius.

edit: Doom will be the next Sorcerer Supreme after Strange. He's that effin' good.

[big-e]

Nice! Thanks a million!

[paper]

Smarts don't mean nothin. It's all about heart and funding. Also, who has the hotter girlfriend.

[labor_days]

Doom rules an entire nation and he's one of the more "honorable" men in Marvel. Sure, he's wants the universe to tremble at his name and kneel before his might, but the guy has his good points.

[itsbecca]

This just in:
In case anyone ever wondered if I truly was a girl? I just got assaulted by a cricket and I actually cried.

But it wasn't fair. He invaded my world. He made everything I knew unsafe and dirty. Now everytime I have a tickle and think "Oh it's just probably a hair or the cat" I can't brush it off. Because it's not a hair or the cat. ITS A GODDAMN GIGANTIC CRICKET!

When my boyfriend rushed over to help, we weren't quite sure if I'd imagined it, and I still wasn't sure what it was... then he lifts the couch cushion and it jumps righ on my bare frickin thigh. I lept off the couch, threw the remote, ran to the corner and started... hypervenhilating. He said he thought I was going to pass out. I just kept thinking how long it was sitting there on my damn foot, me just thinking it was something else. Euuuuugggghhhh.

[labor_days]

A cicadae flew into the kitchen this evening and I ran into the bathroom and locked the door. My girlfriend killed it with a broom and then let me out of the bathroom. I almost cried.

Am I still a man?

[itsbecca]

A cicadae flew into the kitchen this evening and I ran into the bathroom and locked the door. My girlfriend killed it with a broom and then let me out of the bathroom. I almost cried.

Am I still a man?

Definitley not. I do feel slightly closer to you now though.

[paper]

Insects aren't that scary.

Debt is horrifying.

I just ordered an Apple TV. In honor of my birthday, my parents offered to chip in for some shiny new piece of tech, and that's what I went with.

[labor_days]

Insects aren't that scary.

I beg to differ. Bugs creep me out in an almost irrational way. It would not be uncommon for me to have a panic attack at the sight of a centipede crawling toward me. Those things move with grim determination. </shivers>

[mikegraham6]

Insects aren't that scary.

Debt is horrifying.

I just ordered an Apple TV. In honor of my birthday, my parents offered to chip in for some shiny new piece of tech, and that's what I went with.

please let me know what you think of it, i hear those things are badass!

Also, Professor X is one of the 7 smartest people in the Marvel U? Really? he never struck me as being that smart, anytime he ever showed any mental prowess it was due to the fact that he could link with minds of all of Marvel's genius'. imma call shenanigans on you Labor!

[mikegraham6]

This is unbelievable, anything for a buck i guess:

OJ SIMPSON'S BOOK TO BE PUBLISHED (http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/simpsons%20book%20to%20be%20published_1040566)

[labor_days]

Also, Professor X is one of the 7 smartest people in the Marvel U? Really? he never struck me as being that smart, anytime he ever showed any mental prowess it was due to the fact that he could link with minds of all of Marvel's genius'. imma call shenanigans on you Labor!

Well, I've been exploring the Mavel Universe database for the past week. And they certainly seem to imply Prof X is one the Marvel U's foremost visionaries, thinkers and cultured indivulals. He also holds Phds in genetics, biophysics, psychology, anthropology, psychology and is an inventor of devcies that increase psionics. Also, Illuminati. That's pretty goddamn smart.