The History of the Wilhelm Scream

You know what the Wilhelm Scream is doncha? It was used in all the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies for example. That scream someone gives at least once in every one of those episodes when they get shot and fall down a chasm or flying from an explosion?

You'll see what I mean.

The New Jets

Although it's not the jerseys the Jets will be wearing come October, new Winnipeg Jet, "Big Buff" Dustin Byfuglien (pronounced Bufflin) dons the colors of the Jets for a photo-shoot during draft day in Minnesota.
By the way, he's called "Big Buff" because the dude is 6'5, 265 lbs. That's a big boy and a great catch for us. He looks good in it doesn't he?

The Big Bang Theory

Why is it I'm always a day late and a dollar short when it comes to what's the next or new "big thing?" Maybe it's because I had given up on television (and movies to a certain extent) years ago to be a consistent purveyor of fine, quality entertainment. The smart entertainment died years ago, with a couple of notable exceptions like say, Dexter.

But once in a while there comes along a show that simply cannot be denied for whatever reason, be it it's superb writing, acting or simply being fortunate enough to have it's pilot episode follow the Super Bowl.

For me (and that's all this is about) there have been a few notable shows that have come along that have garnered enough positive attention for me to check out. I'm rarely in on the ground floor anymore, so I usually rely on word of mouth from friends and associates, never the critics.

Names of note would be The X Files, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Sopranos, Friends and my new favourite, which I can't seem to get enough of, The Big Bang Theory.
These shows are the first to get into my personal "Hall of Fame," since Cheers, Night Court, Taxi (yes, I'm that old) or even Bugs Bunny. Anybody that doesn't like Bugs Bunny cartoons; I don't even want to know you exist.

In fact, I kind of liken Big Bang Theory to Friends in that you do enjoy and like all of the major characters on the show. Think of how hard that is to not only keep the story lines interesting (and it's even harder trying to keep a sitcom consistently funny) but to have those watching actually care for their development of not just one or two characters, but five!
If you were a fan of Friends, you'll remember how you cared for all six major characters. It didn't matter what Chandler, Joey, Rachel, Monica, Phoebe or Ross did individually or as a group; you were interested in all of them. That's good writing.

And now the same goes for The Big Bang Theory. A surprise hit for CBS to be sure. How can anyone not see Dr. Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) as their favourite is beyond me. However, like I just said, you really can't not care for any of them. By the way, Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg) is a very close second favourite. There I go being contradictory again.
The show stars Johnny Gelecki (from Roseanne fame)as Dr. Leonard Hofstadter as the co-genius sharing an apartment with Sheldon that have a new neighbor, Penny, played by 8 Simple Rules alumni Kaley Cuoco, move in across the hall in the pilot episode. Leonard is immediately smitten and comedy ensues. The cast is rounded out by Kunal Nayyar who plays the lovable Raj Koothrappali who's main affliction is his inability to physically talk to women...unless drunk.

Before I decided to check the show out (which I still haven't actually seen on television) I had heard the name of the show for a while, but nothing other than "it's pretty good you should check it out." But these testimonials usually came from people that also enjoy The Office and I may be in the minority here, but that's a show I just can't get into. So to use that as a comparison is not only waaay off as it turns out, but not exactly suitable if your not a fan of the Steve Carell vehicle. But not too long ago while waiting for the train on a return trip from Toronto, my roommate showed me an episode on his laptop and I was hooked. Since then I've caught every episode on DVD and online at Project Free TV. It's a pretty decent site for television shows and the load times are manageable. A couple of links are even really quick.

You have to check this show out. But again, seeing that the show started in 2007, I may just be preaching to the choir.

And remember, you're in my spot.

VW Commercial Part II

Remember the awesome Super Bowl commercial about the little kid dressed as Darth Vader trying to test his force abilities? Well, although this one is sort of a sequel (don't worry, no Jar-Jar or Ewoks in this one) as it looks to leave off where the other one ended, it is by Greenpeace and it has that "Global Warming/CO2 emissions" crap in it. But it's still good for a laugh.

It's Official!

The Jets It Is!

So for all you out there that thought even for a second that Mark Chipman and company at True North Sports & Entertainment were going to call the new Winnipeg NHL team anything other than the Winnipeg Jets, I have to say...I told you so!

There never was any doubt and with the seventh pick in the first round when Kevin Cheveldayoff walks up to the podium for Winnipeg's pick, he will undoubtedly announce, "With the seventh pick, the Winnipeg Jets select...," and Winnipeg hockey fans will give a mighty roar that will be heard throughout the hockey world.

Which Logo/Sweater Do You Prefer?

Now that the NHL Board of Governors have unanimously voted to approve the sale and relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg, the most important order of business now, other than drafting and naming a head coach, is to name the team itself and to design a logo for the jersey.

Which do you prefer? (Just click on the boxes to enlarge it)

The most obvious, popular and beloved name would be of course the Winnipeg Jets. Other names that have been flaoting around in the event that (God, please no) Mark Chipman and company decide to call the team something else include the Polar Bears, the Freeze, the Falcons, the Threshers, the Flood and the Moose.

Other than the Falcons, there's no name there that doesn't make me want to gag.