Conan visited the electronics expo E3 to scout out the new trends in gaming and gaming consoles:
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
The A-Team
The A-Team (1983-87)
"Milk is good for you, Billy."
"OK, B.A., you got it!"
A good portion of A-Team academia focuses on the question of what preceded the slide in ratings that caused the series to be cancelled after only 5 seasons. Some say that the audience simply grew tired of its formulaic nature. Other say that it strayed too far from the formula that made it a hit. So, did it stay formulaic or didn't it? Not only is there disagreement about the reaction, we can't even agree on the show itself.
Having just finished watching the entire series, I'm firmly in the "it strayed" camp. The first three seasons are the "golden years" where the hired by a person in trouble/car flip/B.A. doesn't like planes/machine building montage/Hannibal's on the jazz formula never changes. Starting in the fourth series, the episodes start to branch out and play around with the possibilities. Episode 2 takes place entirely on a cruise ship. Episode 13 begins with Murdoch being kidnapped. Episode 21 starts with a flashback to a boxing match in the 50's. Most extreme of all, in Episode 23 a man gets shot and killed - A MAN IS SHOT AND KILLED on "The A-Team"! This is also the season where the A-Team helps out famous guest-stars Rick James, Isaac Hayes, Hulk Hogan and Boy George (I kid you not). The Boy George episode may be the worst of the entire series.
I have no problem with "branching out" and changing (some) things and playing with the format but the bottom line is that this season - Season 4 - is also the time when the ratings started to slide. And then in Season 5, the whole script gets flipped upside down - they're working for the government (not the common man) and the show becomes a "Mission: Impossible" ripoff. Again, that wouldn't be the worst thing in theory but it is pretty bad in practice. And they even re-made the theme song. That's sacrilege, pure and simple.
This is one of my favorite shows of all-time. The "golden years" are as formulaic as any show ever created but I absolutely love the formula. I love the use of guns and explosions as a **non-violent** means of control. I love the car chases. I love when they build machines. I love the van - one of the greatest TV vehicles. I love Mr. T - one of my favorite tough guys of all-time. I love Hannibal's plans. I love it when a plan comes together.
When I was a kid, "The A-Team" aired Sunday night from 8-9 P.M. and my bedtime was set firm at 9. There are still times when I can hear the theme song and go back to that moment in my childhood. It was so exciting that I was about to get an hour of awesome television... and it was so sad that I knew the countdown had begun - when the final credits rolled I had to go to bed. The weekend is almost over... almost... but it's not over yet.
"Milk is good for you, Billy."
"OK, B.A., you got it!"
A good portion of A-Team academia focuses on the question of what preceded the slide in ratings that caused the series to be cancelled after only 5 seasons. Some say that the audience simply grew tired of its formulaic nature. Other say that it strayed too far from the formula that made it a hit. So, did it stay formulaic or didn't it? Not only is there disagreement about the reaction, we can't even agree on the show itself.
Having just finished watching the entire series, I'm firmly in the "it strayed" camp. The first three seasons are the "golden years" where the hired by a person in trouble/car flip/B.A. doesn't like planes/machine building montage/Hannibal's on the jazz formula never changes. Starting in the fourth series, the episodes start to branch out and play around with the possibilities. Episode 2 takes place entirely on a cruise ship. Episode 13 begins with Murdoch being kidnapped. Episode 21 starts with a flashback to a boxing match in the 50's. Most extreme of all, in Episode 23 a man gets shot and killed - A MAN IS SHOT AND KILLED on "The A-Team"! This is also the season where the A-Team helps out famous guest-stars Rick James, Isaac Hayes, Hulk Hogan and Boy George (I kid you not). The Boy George episode may be the worst of the entire series.
I have no problem with "branching out" and changing (some) things and playing with the format but the bottom line is that this season - Season 4 - is also the time when the ratings started to slide. And then in Season 5, the whole script gets flipped upside down - they're working for the government (not the common man) and the show becomes a "Mission: Impossible" ripoff. Again, that wouldn't be the worst thing in theory but it is pretty bad in practice. And they even re-made the theme song. That's sacrilege, pure and simple.
This is one of my favorite shows of all-time. The "golden years" are as formulaic as any show ever created but I absolutely love the formula. I love the use of guns and explosions as a **non-violent** means of control. I love the car chases. I love when they build machines. I love the van - one of the greatest TV vehicles. I love Mr. T - one of my favorite tough guys of all-time. I love Hannibal's plans. I love it when a plan comes together.
When I was a kid, "The A-Team" aired Sunday night from 8-9 P.M. and my bedtime was set firm at 9. There are still times when I can hear the theme song and go back to that moment in my childhood. It was so exciting that I was about to get an hour of awesome television... and it was so sad that I knew the countdown had begun - when the final credits rolled I had to go to bed. The weekend is almost over... almost... but it's not over yet.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
CICGC - David Letterman
There's a new season of Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedians in Cars getting Coffee" is underway and the guest for the second episode is David Letterman.
It's excellent. Watch it here.
"Can we just ask these people to leave?"
"We don't own this place."
"We could change that though, can't we?"
It's excellent. Watch it here.
"Can we just ask these people to leave?"
"We don't own this place."
"We could change that though, can't we?"
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Late Night - Do Not Game List
As part of Video Game Week, Jimmy Fallon warns you about the video games that you absolutely should not pick up:
I really had high hopes for Captain Novolin.
The first guest was Howard Stern and he seemed to dislike the video game segment. Watch that interview here.
I really had high hopes for Captain Novolin.
The first guest was Howard Stern and he seemed to dislike the video game segment. Watch that interview here.
Late Night - Video Game Week Intro
It's Video Game Week on Late Night and they've (once again) created a special show intro for the event. They've outdone themselves. In particular, watch for a very quick reference to "All You Base Are Belong to Us"...
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Letterman Loves Drums
What can I say? The man loves a good set of drums. You want proof? Here's a montage of Dave appreciating drum sets as well as a few other instruments.
Conan Reviews Video Games - "Injustice"
In the latest installment of "Clueless Gamer", Conan and Aaron review the brand new title "Injustice: Gods Among Us"...
Note: It took several episodes but Conan finally gave an actual score.
Note: It took several episodes but Conan finally gave an actual score.
Monday, June 10, 2013
The Greatest Event in Television History
The Greatest Event in Television History... AGAIN!
In this second installment, Adam Scott and Amy Poehler recreate the opening to the tv series "Hart to Hart".
Let's watch...
In this second installment, Adam Scott and Amy Poehler recreate the opening to the tv series "Hart to Hart".
Let's watch...
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Late Night - Brian Williams Raps
Ever wanted to see NBC News anchor Brian Williams perform classic gangsta rap songs? Well, now you can:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
