The personal site of Ryan Olson
Saturday, September 30
Off to the races
Here's the latest from E-R Labs -- coverage of Saturday's Chico Palio at the Municipal Center.
Monday, September 25
Threshing day
You know, throwing away (recycling) year-old newspapers isn't as hard as I thought it would be, especially when they're papers I haven't worked for.
That whittles down some of the chaff in my stacks of newspapers. Now, I need to sort through the wheat, or something that would carry on this harvesting metaphor a little long.
That whittles down some of the chaff in my stacks of newspapers. Now, I need to sort through the wheat, or something that would carry on this harvesting metaphor a little long.
Together, at last
Some of this site's more avid readers may notice that I'm starting to include posts I made on other sites (MySpace and TVGuide). After noticing that some of the posts from this blog were missing, I decided to put everything together to make a more complete archive.
This could be a better record of my writing over the years.
This could be a better record of my writing over the years.
Friday, September 22
Fire on the Ridge video
The Office - 9-21 - Laughs with a cringe
Originally posted on my TV Guide blog at 1:45 AM on 09/22/06
As I watch each episode of the American version of "The Office", part of me always compares it to the British original, particularly when it comes to taking risks. In particular, the UK version's boss, David Brent, was awful when it came to handling awkward and sensitive issues. One memorable example included David retelling a joke where the punchline included a black man's body part.
Is the American "Office" going for cheap laughs and forgoing some of the cringe-worthy humor? I was worried that the American version is foregoing the cringes that defined the original and going for easier, and more sitcom-style laughs.
Well, Thursday's episode (Gay Witch Hunt) put some of those fears to rest. The way Michael Scott handled the sexual orientation of his employee Oscar was completely contradictory, offensive and insulting if Michael wasn't such a goof.
The worst, yet funny, moment came after Michael is rightly crushed when Oscar calls him ignorant and small. Oscar permits Michael to give him a hug (for Michael to show that he's "OK" with employees being gay). Michael goes forward with a horribly uncomfortable kiss that was stunning to watch.
Much like the UK version, I wonder if Michael learned anything from the experience.
There were plenty of awkward moments (especially regarding the issue of homosexuality), but there was some good laughs mixed in there.
As I watch each episode of the American version of "The Office", part of me always compares it to the British original, particularly when it comes to taking risks. In particular, the UK version's boss, David Brent, was awful when it came to handling awkward and sensitive issues. One memorable example included David retelling a joke where the punchline included a black man's body part.
Is the American "Office" going for cheap laughs and forgoing some of the cringe-worthy humor? I was worried that the American version is foregoing the cringes that defined the original and going for easier, and more sitcom-style laughs.
Well, Thursday's episode (Gay Witch Hunt) put some of those fears to rest. The way Michael Scott handled the sexual orientation of his employee Oscar was completely contradictory, offensive and insulting if Michael wasn't such a goof.
The worst, yet funny, moment came after Michael is rightly crushed when Oscar calls him ignorant and small. Oscar permits Michael to give him a hug (for Michael to show that he's "OK" with employees being gay). Michael goes forward with a horribly uncomfortable kiss that was stunning to watch.
Much like the UK version, I wonder if Michael learned anything from the experience.
There were plenty of awkward moments (especially regarding the issue of homosexuality), but there was some good laughs mixed in there.
MySpace: 'Suit Up' for Sacramento karaoke contest
Originally posted on my MySpace blog at
1:57 AM on Friday, September 22, 2006.
Current mood: burger-licious
I know the chances of my winning any karaoke contest are slim to none, but there is one contest that is intriging. The Sacramento CBS affiliate (KOVR-TV 13) is holding a karaoke contest next Thursday where the national top prize is a walk-on role on the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother."
The winner will go on to Los Angeles to face the winners from contests at 8 other CBS stations across the nation.
It would be fun to try it, but the odds wouldn't be in my favor. They will be picking out 20 people from the crowd _at random_ to sing in front of the audience. Combine that with the fact the contest is on a Thursday and that the other prizes include Carl's Jr. burger packs add up to me not going.
Currently watching :
Late Night with Conan O'Brien 10th Anniversary Special
Release date: By 10 August, 2004
1:57 AM on Friday, September 22, 2006.
Current mood: burger-licious
I know the chances of my winning any karaoke contest are slim to none, but there is one contest that is intriging. The Sacramento CBS affiliate (KOVR-TV 13) is holding a karaoke contest next Thursday where the national top prize is a walk-on role on the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother."
The winner will go on to Los Angeles to face the winners from contests at 8 other CBS stations across the nation.
It would be fun to try it, but the odds wouldn't be in my favor. They will be picking out 20 people from the crowd _at random_ to sing in front of the audience. Combine that with the fact the contest is on a Thursday and that the other prizes include Carl's Jr. burger packs add up to me not going.
Currently watching :
Late Night with Conan O'Brien 10th Anniversary Special
Release date: By 10 August, 2004
Thursday, September 21
MySpace - What do you expect for nothing?
Originally posted on my MySpace blog at 2:28 a.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2006
Current mood: blase
I took the title of this post from the song "Rubber Biscuit." I don't quite know who wrote it, but the Blues Brothers sang it once upon a time. It wsa exciting to see karaoke compadre Allen owning a disc of songs from various Blue Brothers performances.
I tried out Rubber Biscuit at the Bear on Monday. It was _rough_ because they weren't any lyrics for most of the song. Instead there was often the phrase [Ad lib singing] which left it to me to try to remember what Jake and Elwood were singing back in the day.
I managed to get through song and I still had a blast. Many of my colleagues said they hadn't seen a karaoke song calling for ad libbing before.
I sang more Blues Brothers songs at The Maltese on Wednesday. It was fun, but I really want to sing "Riot on Cell Block No. 9" next week.
Current mood: blase
I took the title of this post from the song "Rubber Biscuit." I don't quite know who wrote it, but the Blues Brothers sang it once upon a time. It wsa exciting to see karaoke compadre Allen owning a disc of songs from various Blue Brothers performances.
I tried out Rubber Biscuit at the Bear on Monday. It was _rough_ because they weren't any lyrics for most of the song. Instead there was often the phrase [Ad lib singing] which left it to me to try to remember what Jake and Elwood were singing back in the day.
I managed to get through song and I still had a blast. Many of my colleagues said they hadn't seen a karaoke song calling for ad libbing before.
I sang more Blues Brothers songs at The Maltese on Wednesday. It was fun, but I really want to sing "Riot on Cell Block No. 9" next week.
Monday, September 18
The golden era of television?
Originally posted on my TV Guide blog at 7:31 PM on 09/18/06
I'm sure some old-timers will rise up to challenge that claim, but it's hard to ignore the onslaught of truely enjoyable television coming down the pike this year from all the broadcast networks (except i and MyNetwork).
The sheer numbers of excellent shows on every day of the week will make it difficult for me to keep up, even using a TiVo, cable on demand and the Internet. It's so bad, I'm thinking about hooking up my VCR to get everything.
The fall television season is just getting started and already my schedule and TiVo are full. It's not just my TiVo, I've got several hours of TV downloaded from the iTunes Store that is dying to be watched (including season finales from Lost, Desperate Housewives and Greys Anatomy).
Not only is the programming excellent, but this is an excellent time to sample new shows. Before this season even started, I've had "sneak peek" access to new shows via DVD (several FOX pilots), Cable On Demand (Monk, Psych), the iTunes Store (Heroes) and TiVo (The Class). I don't think the average viewer has had so much access to television before.
I don't forsee this glut lasting -- someone has to pay for all this after all. Some formats will have to fall by the wayside as advertisers grow increasingly fickle.
This fickleness has led to the ratings people discounting TiVo viewers if they don't watch the show "live." It's understandable because of the limited commercial skipping, but it's still sad that viewers are being "discounted."
Just for laughs, here's my planned TV schedule for fall 2006:
Monday - There's a lot of variety on Monday with sitcoms The Class (CBS), How I Met Your Mother (CBS) playing early in the evening with the more dramatic Heroes (NBC) and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC) wrapping my night.
Tuesday - Veronica Mars (CW) is my lock for the night although I'm tempted by Knights of Prosperity (ABC). I'll give Gilmore Girls (CW) a shot, but I may tackle Friday Night Lights (NBC). At 10 p.m., maybe I'll try Smith.
Wednesday - There's some good stuff that I'm not watching (like Lost). 30 Rock (NBC) is probably the show I'll go out of my way to watch, but Jericho (CBS) sounds interesting.
Thursday - Again, a lot of good stuff I probably won't get to, but The Office and My Name is Earl (NBC) are my locks for the night.
Friday - On the face of it, Friday looks pretty bleak ... on the broadcast networks. That's why, aside from Betty the Ugly (ABC), I'll be watching Battlestar Galactica and Doctor Who (Sci Fi).
Saturday - OK, Saturday is bleak. Still, I'll tune in to Saturday Night Live (NBC).
Sunday - Wow, I'll be all over the dial on this night. FOX has me for The Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad. I'll be watching CW for Everybody Hates Chris. For late night, I'll catch Iron Chef America on Food Network and the Adult Swim slate on Cartoon Network.
I'm sure some old-timers will rise up to challenge that claim, but it's hard to ignore the onslaught of truely enjoyable television coming down the pike this year from all the broadcast networks (except i and MyNetwork).
The sheer numbers of excellent shows on every day of the week will make it difficult for me to keep up, even using a TiVo, cable on demand and the Internet. It's so bad, I'm thinking about hooking up my VCR to get everything.
The fall television season is just getting started and already my schedule and TiVo are full. It's not just my TiVo, I've got several hours of TV downloaded from the iTunes Store that is dying to be watched (including season finales from Lost, Desperate Housewives and Greys Anatomy).
Not only is the programming excellent, but this is an excellent time to sample new shows. Before this season even started, I've had "sneak peek" access to new shows via DVD (several FOX pilots), Cable On Demand (Monk, Psych), the iTunes Store (Heroes) and TiVo (The Class). I don't think the average viewer has had so much access to television before.
I don't forsee this glut lasting -- someone has to pay for all this after all. Some formats will have to fall by the wayside as advertisers grow increasingly fickle.
This fickleness has led to the ratings people discounting TiVo viewers if they don't watch the show "live." It's understandable because of the limited commercial skipping, but it's still sad that viewers are being "discounted."
Just for laughs, here's my planned TV schedule for fall 2006:
Monday - There's a lot of variety on Monday with sitcoms The Class (CBS), How I Met Your Mother (CBS) playing early in the evening with the more dramatic Heroes (NBC) and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC) wrapping my night.
Tuesday - Veronica Mars (CW) is my lock for the night although I'm tempted by Knights of Prosperity (ABC). I'll give Gilmore Girls (CW) a shot, but I may tackle Friday Night Lights (NBC). At 10 p.m., maybe I'll try Smith.
Wednesday - There's some good stuff that I'm not watching (like Lost). 30 Rock (NBC) is probably the show I'll go out of my way to watch, but Jericho (CBS) sounds interesting.
Thursday - Again, a lot of good stuff I probably won't get to, but The Office and My Name is Earl (NBC) are my locks for the night.
Friday - On the face of it, Friday looks pretty bleak ... on the broadcast networks. That's why, aside from Betty the Ugly (ABC), I'll be watching Battlestar Galactica and Doctor Who (Sci Fi).
Saturday - OK, Saturday is bleak. Still, I'll tune in to Saturday Night Live (NBC).
Sunday - Wow, I'll be all over the dial on this night. FOX has me for The Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad. I'll be watching CW for Everybody Hates Chris. For late night, I'll catch Iron Chef America on Food Network and the Adult Swim slate on Cartoon Network.
Friday, September 15
Bursting at the seams
I've posted this on MySpace and my new TV Guide blog Phiring at Phosphors, but I'm so excited about this news I _had_ to repost it here.
Screw NBC's "Football Night in America", Sunday is going to be "Hockey Night" at my home.
I'm bursting with excitment about my previous hometown's pending television date. For 3.5 years, I worked in Houghton, Mich. in the rural Upper Peninsula. One of the highlights of my time there was the pleasure of taking part in the 100th anniversary of the brith of professional ice hockey in the town.
On Sunday, Canadian TV viewers can see Houghton's role in the evolution of a sport beloved by millions. The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. will air the first two parts of the ten-part Hockey: A People's History. The second episode, "The Money Game" details how a game previously dominated by amateurs transformed into a sport where athletes are paid.
Here's part of the blurb from the CBC site:
NOTE -- I'm referring to CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada" which predates "Football Night" by more than 50 years. Sadly, I won't actually be able to watch the show because I'm several hundred miles away from the Canadian border.
Screw NBC's "Football Night in America", Sunday is going to be "Hockey Night" at my home.
I'm bursting with excitment about my previous hometown's pending television date. For 3.5 years, I worked in Houghton, Mich. in the rural Upper Peninsula. One of the highlights of my time there was the pleasure of taking part in the 100th anniversary of the brith of professional ice hockey in the town.
On Sunday, Canadian TV viewers can see Houghton's role in the evolution of a sport beloved by millions. The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. will air the first two parts of the ten-part Hockey: A People's History. The second episode, "The Money Game" details how a game previously dominated by amateurs transformed into a sport where athletes are paid.
Here's part of the blurb from the CBC site:
Pro hockey is born in the heart of Michigan's mining country, while heavy-handed amateur bosses drive Canada's top talent south of the border.
The Daily Mining Gazette, my former newspaper, has the story.
NOTE -- I'm referring to CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada" which predates "Football Night" by more than 50 years. Sadly, I won't actually be able to watch the show because I'm several hundred miles away from the Canadian border.
Thursday, September 14
Myspace: Get ready to geek out
Originally posted on my MySpace blog at 4:06 AM on Thursday, September 14, 2006
Current mood: drowsy
Just in case people couldn't get more obsessed with karaoke, Griffin Technologies has a new toy.
Meet iKaraoke
It's a mic that plugs into the base of your iPod so you can fade the vocal track on your favorite songs and add your own voice when piping the whole thing to a stereo. It looks pretty cool although I'm curious how they'll be able to "fade" the vocals.
Notice the product doesn't have a firm release date (Winter 2006) and a price tag. Clearly, there's more to come.
Current mood: drowsy
Just in case people couldn't get more obsessed with karaoke, Griffin Technologies has a new toy.
Meet iKaraoke
It's a mic that plugs into the base of your iPod so you can fade the vocal track on your favorite songs and add your own voice when piping the whole thing to a stereo. It looks pretty cool although I'm curious how they'll be able to "fade" the vocals.
Notice the product doesn't have a firm release date (Winter 2006) and a price tag. Clearly, there's more to come.
Monday, September 11
A milestone
I had a much longer post, but a browser crash ate it. Sunday marked the fifth anniversary of the launch of my first "official" blog. Aside from the first two test posts, I didn't really start posting in earnest until a year later.
As a historical note, I find it eerie the county changed forever after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks just a few hours after that first post. I regret not posting more in the aftermath and generally over the past five years.
Ultimately, I've enjoyed keeping a chronicle. I hope it's been enjoyable for those that drop by. Including work, I've created nine blogs over the past five years. This week, I'm going to launch a podcast and start blogging about TV at TV Guide's community site.
The site's 10-year anniversary is in October. I'll have more to say and show off then.
As a historical note, I find it eerie the county changed forever after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks just a few hours after that first post. I regret not posting more in the aftermath and generally over the past five years.
Ultimately, I've enjoyed keeping a chronicle. I hope it's been enjoyable for those that drop by. Including work, I've created nine blogs over the past five years. This week, I'm going to launch a podcast and start blogging about TV at TV Guide's community site.
The site's 10-year anniversary is in October. I'll have more to say and show off then.
Battlestar Galactica: Good to see some frakkin' new stuff
Originally posted on my TV Guide blog at 1:41 AM on 09/11/06
I've been jonesing for a "Battlestar Galactica" fix before the Season 3 premiere on Oct. 6. Thankfully, Sci Fi is showing a 10-part online series leading up to the premiere. New episodes (or "webisodes" if you insist) of "The Resistance" debut each Tuesday and Thursday on scifi.com. It's good to see the series, but the short running time of each capsule leaves you wanting more.
It'll be interesting to see all the pieces put together. Sci Fi will apparently air the whole 10-part series over the "air" shortly before the launch of the new season. Chances are, the story will be more coherent and enjoyable.
That brings up another point about "webisodes" that I'll probably expand on later -- the short, online episodes are nice, but they're kinda disappointing because they're not on the larger canvas of the television screen. They're also _way_ too short.
This isn't a new phenomenon, networks have been producing new content for the Web off and on for a decade (going back to NBC's "Homicide: Second Shift" which detailed the other, previously unseen crew that worked in the Baltimore homicide unit).
On the other hand, it's nice to see extra material on a new platform. I'm looking forward to see where things are going.
I've been jonesing for a "Battlestar Galactica" fix before the Season 3 premiere on Oct. 6. Thankfully, Sci Fi is showing a 10-part online series leading up to the premiere. New episodes (or "webisodes" if you insist) of "The Resistance" debut each Tuesday and Thursday on scifi.com. It's good to see the series, but the short running time of each capsule leaves you wanting more.
It'll be interesting to see all the pieces put together. Sci Fi will apparently air the whole 10-part series over the "air" shortly before the launch of the new season. Chances are, the story will be more coherent and enjoyable.
That brings up another point about "webisodes" that I'll probably expand on later -- the short, online episodes are nice, but they're kinda disappointing because they're not on the larger canvas of the television screen. They're also _way_ too short.
This isn't a new phenomenon, networks have been producing new content for the Web off and on for a decade (going back to NBC's "Homicide: Second Shift" which detailed the other, previously unseen crew that worked in the Baltimore homicide unit).
On the other hand, it's nice to see extra material on a new platform. I'm looking forward to see where things are going.
Some frakkin' good news
I've been jonesing for a "Battlestar Galactica" fix before the Season 3 premiere on Oct. 6. Thankfully, Sci Fi is showing a 10-part online series leading up to the premiere. New episodes (or "webisodes" if you insist) of "The Resistance" debut each Tuesday and Thursday on scifi.com. It's good to see the series, but the short running time of each capsule leaves you wanting more.It'll be interesting to see all the pieces put together. Sci Fi will apparently air the whole 10-part series over the "air" shortly before the launch of the new season. Chances are, the story will be more coherent and enjoyable.
That brings up another point about "webisodes" that I'll probably expand on later -- the short, online episodes are nice, but they're kinda disappointing because they're not on the larger canvas of the television screen. They're also _way_ too short.
This isn't a new phenomenon, networks have been producing new content for the Web off and on for a decade (going back to NBC's "Homicide: Second Shift" which detailed the other, previously unseen crew that worked in the Baltimore homicide unit).
On the other hand, it's nice to see extra material on a new platform. I'm looking forward to see where things are going.
Saturday, September 9
Irony
I was watching VH-1's Reality Show Secrets 2 (or something like that), the whole episode dealt with how "fake" reality shows are. While it was pretty fun to watch, I was entertained by the fact the show featured clips from "The Joe Schmo Show 2" (which parodies how reality shows cliches). So the show has clips from the show, but they don't talk about the show. At all.
I thought it was a little ironic. I was also a little bummed because I liked the show and cast and crew. Oh well.
It was also weird that I'm watching VH-1 on a Friday night.
I thought it was a little ironic. I was also a little bummed because I liked the show and cast and crew. Oh well.
It was also weird that I'm watching VH-1 on a Friday night.
Random, crazy guess
Two of my favorite tech companies in the world, Apple and TiVo, are on the verge of some big announcements next week. On Tuesday, Apple will make an announcement in San Francisco. In the other corner, PVRblog has a post referring to wild rumors that TiVo will release its new Series 3 HD-capable DVR on Tuesday.
The fact that both of these announcements is supposed to come on Tuesday has got me thinking -- what if they're related in some way?
They've been rumored to get together in the past, but nothing ever came of it. Well, let me just add my wacky, pie-in-the-sky prediction -- Apple and TiVo are going to jointly announce something on Tuesday. I don't know what, but I can see a minor/major announcement including TiVo finally releasing TiVo-to-Go for the Mac which Apple could somehow integrate into its Front Row home entertainment suite.
Having the TiVo service that ports recorded programs to the computer and the iPod could bolster Apple's efforts to integrate its box into the living room. That could benefit both companies, while playing up the technologies that both are known for.
The fact that both of these announcements is supposed to come on Tuesday has got me thinking -- what if they're related in some way?
They've been rumored to get together in the past, but nothing ever came of it. Well, let me just add my wacky, pie-in-the-sky prediction -- Apple and TiVo are going to jointly announce something on Tuesday. I don't know what, but I can see a minor/major announcement including TiVo finally releasing TiVo-to-Go for the Mac which Apple could somehow integrate into its Front Row home entertainment suite.
Having the TiVo service that ports recorded programs to the computer and the iPod could bolster Apple's efforts to integrate its box into the living room. That could benefit both companies, while playing up the technologies that both are known for.
Saturday, September 2
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