Transformers Live Action Movie

Optimus Prime? Is that you?
Well, summer 2007 we'll see if the hurry to put out this live action version of the animated classic was worth the push. Yes the abilities of the computer generated film animation has soared to great heights, but to do the characters justice, much more is needed. Images of the Autobot leader for the movie disturb fans of the classic television series. With Steven Spielburg at the helm, the script should be interesting and presented well. The voice talent of the TV Optimus will reassume his character for the film. Without worry in the abilities of the animators, I hope the Transformers live action movie, not to be confused with the animated full-legnth feature of past, will stay true to the television show of the 1970's. I hear familiar character names being thrown around like, Megatron, Bumblebee and Buster Witwicky. So, be warned production staff, the bar of expectations from fans new and old, has been set high, and the year-early promotions may work against you if you don't heed the plentiful messageboard and blog opinions on the development of the movie. After all, you don't want to upset a Decepticon.

They're here!

And they're cool!

"Oh, no... That's a no-no."
Now this is a prime example of how a media story can traverse the television airwaves. To begin the saga, watch this clip of "Live with Regis and Kelly" guest hosted by Clay Aiken, and the follow show, Monday, rehashing thing with now present Regis Philbin.
In the next clip, a fellow ABC production "The View" chimes in with their point of view, and a phone conversation with Kelly Ripa's reaction. Finally, this topic made it easy for the banter writers of the American Music Awards (seen here), seeing as though Mr. Aiken was already on the list of presenters by the time the story hit the airwaves.

O.J. Looking for Work.
News Corp. shut down the O.J.Simpson "If I Did It" book and television interview with publisher, Judith Regan. Wow, the public has spoken! News Corp. acted because of criticism, and apologized to the families of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman.
The mass consumers that wanted to see the interview did not speak as loudly as the opposers of the " theoretically" titled book. Is the program different than an HBO Special with a serial killer, Iceman, or a documentary of Charles Manson, and the sensationalism of exploring the resting place of Al Capone? My opinion of whether or not I would have watched the O.J. show will not be included in this speech. I feel the only reason this program was even thought of for production was, point blank, the need for income, on the part of the Juice. Additionally, every network that is not Fox, is campaigning for the Don't Pay O.J. role probably because these are the stations that didn't get the interview. For example, Geraldo Rivera, the man who televised the Capone crypt, strongly publicizes his distaste for the interview project. Do you think Geraldo Rivera, and his show, would have turned down a chance at the interview? The exclusive of getting the pop criminal icon to possibly fill in all the blanks, to the popular story, that was the long running primetime special called "The O.J. Trial."
I'm just wondering out loud about things under the surface of this media story, and am still in awe of the show of the consumer voice in this changing of a networks mind.

Dancing with the Stars
Emmitt Smith of theNational Football League, and all time rushing yard leader is now the reigning celebrity ballroom dancing champion. Cheryl Burke, Emmitts professional dancing partner, and last seasons champion, (read her blog here!), beat out Mario Lopez, of "Saved by the Bell" television fame, and his professional counterpart in the final competitive round with the viewers vote. Both teams season final dances scored equally with the judges, perfection minus one point out of 90 in three dances. This left the viewers to choose, and for a reality show, this is how it should be. Wow, what won't I watch?

Wednesday, November 8th, atop the second floor of the SJSU Student Union, Raodtrip Nation showcased its soon to be PBS stars for Fall 2007. Upon the university's first venture in entering the bid to host a team of students on this exclusive journey, Kisura Hendrix, a Political Science major, Abel Habtegeorgis, a Public Relations major, and Cairo Person, a Journalism major, were chosen. Only three, three person, teams are chosen nationally annually. The interview with the team was greatly entertainig and interesting. Fun stories of life on the road, followed advise on attaining interviews with the elite members of any imaginable career. As another bonus, the Green RV, made famous by the maiden voyage of the movements creators, was on campus, (I got to go in.)

If I seem overly inthused by the details of the voyages it is because I had read the premiere book in the series. I personally attended the expo. and found it absolutly enlightening, motivating and inspiring. Television clips were shown from past team episodes and up and comming footage of the SJSU Team, of Summer 2006. Just to be chosen is a great feat for the trio, most schools enter many times and haven't made the cut, but SJSU supports the students that put their university on the Roadtrip map on its first outing.

New Form of Media Distribution Gets Honored

YouTube, the video-sharing website recently acquired by Google Inc. for $1.65 billion, beat out a vaccine that prevents a cancer-causing sexually transmitted disease, a shirt that simulates a hug and other innovations, to grab top honors as Time magazine's "Invention of the Year for 2006."
Time magazine, owned by media conglomerate Time Warner Inc., wrote in an article that YouTube's scale and sudden popularity have changed the rules about how information , along with fame and embarrassment , gets distributed over the Web.
An article dated March 2006 publicizes Hollywoods notice of the media. YouTube had 27.6 million unique visitors in September, according to Nielsen NetRatings.

Vote Without Identification?
I am in shock on this election night. Not concerning any voting results, but because of my voting experience.
While driving to my voting pole, I heard an unthinkable story on my talk radio program. A caller had claimed to not need I.D. to place her ballot tonight. My reaction was similar to that of the talk shows host, one of surprise and awe. "What? They didn't ask you for I.D. when you voted?" I thought it common place to remember your California State drivers license or CA I.D. when heading to the poles. My voting venture for 2006 has proved different.
First of all, I bring my CA issued drivers license, that was a given to the process, to me. I arrive at my voting location. This is where I'm amazed. As I state my last name and reach for my wallet I'm told by my voting official, "No sir, that's ok, you don't need I.D." WHAT?! I thought back to previous elections, wondering if I was a few fries short of a Happy Meal, and recall the requiring of CA identification as an enforced necessity. Now, not only did I not require it, but it was refused from me, a willing and prepared citizen. Have we not learned to cover all bases yet in the importance of honest accountability? Who is to say that anyone, armed with the simple name and address of a person, could not cast a false opinion? As it is, only 50% of my precinct had reported to my voting outpost, that leaves a lot of available votes.
Up from 26% reporting last election, in my precinct, I'm sorry but, 50% still does not make a comfortable turn out rate. Even more disturbing though is the fashion in which the precious half was recorded. I expect to show I.D. I want to be expected to show identification. I apologize if I sound disappointed, I assure you I am not... I'm flat out mad! Do not dumb down the rules of the game, for the populous and think it is doing anyone a favor. Next year I want two stickers..."I voted," and "I got I.D.ed!"