Thursday, July 21, 2005

From the In Box: Televisionary II

I had a discussion with Rich Johnston last month about the GF pilot. I loves it. He loves it. Anyone who doesn't loves it can pretty much eat me.

However, they picked the absolute worst issue to use as the basis for a pilot. No network is going to be able to stomach shooting the guy in the head, execution style, to save the day. Even HBO would second guess that one.

On top of that, in the current climate, with wacky thing coming up at the FCC, I'm not sure a show that anti-military/anti-government is going to get aired right now. Next year, maybe. Not this year, though.

Rich wondered if the X-Files would've made it past pilot stage in the Bush/Patriot Act age. It's an interesting question.

I wish they could do another pilot with a different script. You might be able to sneak that one in mid-season, but that one's just going to scare the suits.

I thought the show would work better if they could get it filmed in the UK, where political content in shows is a bit looser, and then syndicate it or resell it here. Rich agreed and might be suggesting that to Ellis. Not that he really has any say in the matter.

Definite fodder for Trio, though. (I miss not getting Trio on cable. Lovely, geeky little channel. I highly recommend Johnny Stacatto if they're still showing it.) -- Todd Allen

Movie Noose

One for LazyWeb, I think. I'd like a Web service that shows me movies screening at a specific time -- but organized by time, not movie or theater. "At 7 p.m., here's everything that's showing, anywhere." Most of the Web film schedules are totally film- or location-specific. Any help?

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Televisionary II

I just watched the pilot episode for Global Frequency, a proposed TV show based on the comic book written by Warren Ellis. Why wasn't this show picked up? That's a rhetorical question. I'm not looking for the "official" answers, I'm suggesting that it should have been. Somebody made a bad decision. I mean, come on, Jake 2.0 made the team. I wanna be on the Global Frequency.

[Thanks, Kevin!]

Happy Magaziniversary

According to the Daily News, which doesn't seem to have the item online, Car and Driver magazine turns 50 on July 23-24. And they're doing it in fine form: with a weekend of racing at Indianapolis Speedway. Magazine editors will even climb behind the wheel to race readers. Throw in Grand Funk Railroad and a screening of "The Cannonball Run," and that's a magazine come to life.

The Midwest and Magazines

The July 3 edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel includes an item about an uncommon phenomenon: The Midwest being featured in magazines other than, say, Midwest Living.

Apparently, Dwell magazine recently featured a lakefront home in Wisconsin -- holding it up as an example of good modern design. With about 9,000 lakes in the state, it's about time a national magazine noticed that people live in houses -- and that houses are built on lakes. Kudos, all.

Broadway Bind-In

The July 25, 2005, issue of New York Magazine includes a bind-in advertisement from American Express and Yahoo promoting American Express Presents Broadway. The insert, opposite a full-page ad, is a CD featuring previews, cast interviews, and "behind-the-scenes footage" of Broadway shows including All Shook Up, Fiddler on the Roof, The Light in the Piazza, Avenue Q, and Mamma Mia! There's not a lot of inside-scoop stuff offered, but the video footage from performances and atmospheric scene-setters sharing the lights of Broadway are quality eye candy. Regardless, the CD exists to direct people to the Web site -- and to feature interstitial advertisements. Understandable, but a deeper dive would have been welcome.

Monday, July 18, 2005

Prototypical

Northwestern University's Magazine Publishing Project just published its 49th graduate prototype. Dad's Life, the "guide for active fathers," features front-of-book shorts like "Stuff Mom Would Never Buy," "Babies as Barbells," and "Saturday Is Robot Day." Feature well articles touch on autism, teaching daughters to drive, paternity leave, and the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players. The back of book is slim slim slim and next to useless. Cut the front of book and craft a real back of book. Otherwise, this premiere is worth checking out.

Friday, July 15, 2005

Magazine Me LVII

Is it possible to develop a crush on the entire staff of a magazine? I think it might be.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Diversity Street

Walking down my street this morning on the way to work, I noticed that four out of five parked cars had license plates from out of state. Among the surprises: New Hampshire, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ontario. Apparently, this week is the week for out-of-state guests.

Crime Seen

42nd Street is closed off at Lexington Avenue -- including the 42nd Street exit at Grand Central Terminal -- this morning. Word in the elevator is that there's a suspicious package under investigation at the Grand Hyatt. Does anyone else have additional information?

Monday, July 11, 2005

Heath Row Goes to College V

Postmarked Nov. 11, 1991

Dear Mom and Dad:

It is presently 10:34 pm on Sunday the 10th. Today I went up north and toured about ten fraternity houses. While the ten minutes I was at each isn't really enough to make much of a decision, I did find a couple that seened compatible to who I was. These two are Chi Psi and Sig Ep. I went back this evening for dinner at Chi Psi and was really impressed by the guys I met there and plan to go back next weekend. Maybe I'll rush. Unsure at this point, but the initial distaste I had for the greek system is gone. Chi Psi was really cool. They said that a lot of people don't even know that they're there because they don't stress their ties to the greek system. They don't wear letters because, "ostentatious display is not our forte." They have about 38 members and tthe people I met tonight are a lot like me, I think. Like I said earlier, who can say at this point?

Along those lines, the social life here seems to have the possibility to pick up lately. I'm feeling the urge to be more social and have kind of holed myself up quite a bit while I've been here. Some time has been spent being bitter because I've seen other people doing stuff that I wasn't involved in, but I've decided that this is only because I've chosen not to participate. I can't expect fun or companionship to come to me, I have to do it myself. Well, that's my philosophical realization for this week.

Classes continue to go well. Things have mellowed considerably since midterms have ended and it almost seems too good to be true. However, I am keeping up to date on the readings and have begun scheduling for next quarter. I preregister for the second half of my history course on Tuesday and register for Basic Writing on Friday. My other two classed will be Calculus (B14-1) and Introduction to Comedy. The latter will fulfil my literature distribution requirement. I doubt I'll have polisci as my social science concentration but most likely history. I may try a philosophy class and have that be my elective major or try some comparative religion classes, world mythology and whatnot. Still interested in taking that Buddhism class but not next quarter.

Next week early, I shall also call the music office to check on when auditions for concert band are. I practiced last night and hope to start playing more. The ballet story drags on. I'll call her tomorrow. If no movement forward, I'll ask C. if it can run as is and start work on another story. Radio is going well, too.

So that's the week in a nutshell. Have a nice week and pet bun for me.

Love and tunafish,
Heath
(Who else could it be?)

P.S. Fridge at Thanksgiving, right?

Friday, July 01, 2005

'Tis the Season to Be... AWOL XIX

Tomorrow, I head home for the holiday. That means that Media Diet may be quiet until I get back to Brooklyn. That doesn't mean that Media Diet is dead (long live Media Diet!). It just means that it's resting. Worst case scenario: Media Diet will be back up and running July 11 or so.