Top Gear: BBC vs US Version
So, on December 11, 2008 NBC announced that they were passing on the US version of Top Gear. This is sad, but in a way this is good news too. I seriously never believed that this show would work in the same format on US Network Television. You just simply cannot do the same stuff that you can in the UK on OTA TV.
Example in point: I'm sitting here watching S12E05 of Top Gear (BBC). Jeremy Clasrkson is doing the usual "intro for The Stig" bit right before a timed lap by the "tame racing driver". And, I quote, he says, "Some people say that one of his eyes is a testie (testicle)".
So, let's examine this, shall we? OK, Top Gear is presented on BBC 2 in the UK. The BBC is government supported by funds collected through the TV License Program(me), so this is a government supported operation. This is one good thing about the show being on the Beeb, there are no commercial advertisers that you need to worry about p*ssing off with a bad report on a car.
So, in the US it was looking like it was going to be on network television. Argh! There are advertisers on network TV, now the presenters can't give an honest oppinon of a crappy car, and sure as heck can't introduce their racing driver for a timed lap in one of those cars as a man with a testicle for an eye!
I love the BBC format. Leave it as that, and then show it on BBC America just like you do now.
The Coming of Walmart
I always say that I don't like Walmart, that I'm not a fan. I'm not sure that there is anything in particular that I can put my finger on, but when you see things like this movie about the Growth of Walmart Across America 1962-2007, it just throws a light on something that you shouldn't really have to think about!
http://projects.flowingdata.com/walmart/
X-Wing Hot Dog Stand
Surfing the blogs is becoming a more interesting topic for me by the day. Today on Gizmodo I came across the X-Wing Hot Dog Stand. Maybe I'll get me one of these! 
Boxing Day Blues
OK, so I'm now working through the Boxing Day Blues (wikipedia: Boxing Day), having done the gifts and all yesterday. And it is only so many hours that one can go without being physically attached to a computer keyboard without having to fix something for someone!
On a possitive note, I'm going to try to get a co-op game of CoD: WaW going tonight with Dan Byron. I played a little bit yesterday, and it looks like it will be really good in co-op play.
BBC News
- Drivers warned of icy conditions February 6, 2012
- Motorists warned of ice 'hazard' February 6, 2012
- More floods threaten Queensland February 6, 2012
- Giants edge Patriots in stunner February 6, 2012
- Businesses 'cautious' on future February 6, 2012