Quick thoughts on The Amazing Race, Bouldercam, and Macworld Expo
The Amazing Race has been a show where some truly spectacular couples fighting has taken place, but never has it been quite so hideous a display of self-destruction as when the dysfunctional Jonathan and Victoria Baker took center stage. At points Jon has become so abusive that I thought for sure they'd yank him from the show, but apparently both contestants managed to reign in their behavior. It seems they were given a talking-to by the show's executives after a Berlin incident in which Jonathan gave his wife a mighty shove when they came in second during one leg of the race.
Since that episode aired, one of the TAR's producers came forward to say that there were no further incidents of physical abuse between the Bakers. So J&V may be on the show to stay (at least until -- I hope -- their elimination), but it's a joy to see Jon's jaw work in frustration during difficult moments of the race, and it's elating to see host Phil Keoghan's physical discomfort at being on screen with the man. At the very least this should send a message to the hosts of other extreme game shows: when you select your contestants for their competitiveness, don't be surprised when some of them go over the edge.
And speaking of animals, if you haven't caught the Discovery Channel's Spy in the... series, you're missing some of the best animal television to be shot in years. Aided by a hidden mobile camera (think Mars rover disguised as a rock -- or elephant dung), this documentary team has captured sequences that (for the first time in what feels like years) left me slack-jawed, wondering how in hell they got that shot. Bouldercam must have one heck of a suspension system, because there weren't any of the bumps or jostles I expected to see as the lens follows right behind the animals. Who knew that lion cubs could operate Steadicams?
Tomorrow we should see some pretty nifty stuff coming out of Apple, as it will be the Tuesday of Macworld Expo. The rumors (which were pretty much confirmed when Apple decided to sue Think Secret, the web's most reliable tech rumor mill) say we'll see new flash-based iPods (dubbed "iPod Shuffle" or some such) and a new, inexpensive Macintosh designed to woo budget-minded consumers who are ready to switch from the Windows operating system. I was pretty close to buying a $200 processor upgrade for my Graphite G4 PowerMac tower, but it may turn out that that money would be better put towards a new CheapyMac.
Normally I'd watch Steve Jobs' keynote speech as it happens via the Quicktime stream they usually set up, but this year that broadcast will be delayed -- by nine hours. What the--?
Since that episode aired, one of the TAR's producers came forward to say that there were no further incidents of physical abuse between the Bakers. So J&V may be on the show to stay (at least until -- I hope -- their elimination), but it's a joy to see Jon's jaw work in frustration during difficult moments of the race, and it's elating to see host Phil Keoghan's physical discomfort at being on screen with the man. At the very least this should send a message to the hosts of other extreme game shows: when you select your contestants for their competitiveness, don't be surprised when some of them go over the edge.
And speaking of animals, if you haven't caught the Discovery Channel's Spy in the... series, you're missing some of the best animal television to be shot in years. Aided by a hidden mobile camera (think Mars rover disguised as a rock -- or elephant dung), this documentary team has captured sequences that (for the first time in what feels like years) left me slack-jawed, wondering how in hell they got that shot. Bouldercam must have one heck of a suspension system, because there weren't any of the bumps or jostles I expected to see as the lens follows right behind the animals. Who knew that lion cubs could operate Steadicams?
Tomorrow we should see some pretty nifty stuff coming out of Apple, as it will be the Tuesday of Macworld Expo. The rumors (which were pretty much confirmed when Apple decided to sue Think Secret, the web's most reliable tech rumor mill) say we'll see new flash-based iPods (dubbed "iPod Shuffle" or some such) and a new, inexpensive Macintosh designed to woo budget-minded consumers who are ready to switch from the Windows operating system. I was pretty close to buying a $200 processor upgrade for my Graphite G4 PowerMac tower, but it may turn out that that money would be better put towards a new CheapyMac.
Normally I'd watch Steve Jobs' keynote speech as it happens via the Quicktime stream they usually set up, but this year that broadcast will be delayed -- by nine hours. What the--?
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