entertainment

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How Apple's '1984' Ad Was Almost Canceled

In 1984, Apple defined the Super Bowl Commercial as a cultural phenomenon. Prior to Super Bowl XVIII, nobody watched the game "just for the commercials" -- but one epic TV spot, directed by sci-fi legend Ridley Scott, changed all that. Read on for the inside story of the commercial that rocked the world of advertising, even though Apple's Board of Directors didn't want to run it at all. The AdIf you haven't seen it, here's a fuzzy YouTube version:Why 1984 Won't Be Like 1984The... READ ON

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The History of 5 Deadly Circus Stunts

The circus has always been about performers reaching the pinnacle of courage, strength, and skill, all for the intangible payback of the roar of the crowd. No other acts define this better than those who truly put their lives on the line for your entertainment. Here are the stories behind five of the most dangerous stunts ever seen under the big top. 1. Knife Thrower Knife throwers and their "impalement arts" cousins—bullwhip crackers, archery experts, and firearm sharpshooters—became popular in... READ ON

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The Decline of Western Civilization Part II, The Metal Years

Today on Network Awesome (warning: video auto-plays!), Heavy Metal Week continues with the classic documentary The Decline of Western Civilization Part II, The Metal Years. Directed by Penelope Spheeris (who later directed Wayne's World), the film has been bootlegged for decades, and to my knowledge was never released on DVD. Today you can see the whole thing on YouTube. The documentary features interviews with members of Aerosmith, Kiss, Megadeth, Poison, Motörhead, W.A.S.P, plus interviews with... READ ON

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The Wizard, The Power Glove, and Children in Peril

Why They Made This Crazy Movie Released in 1989, The Wizard was a major motion picture that doubled as a promotional vehicle for Nintendo products. It's quite likely the only motion picture to require a "Power Glove Consultant" (for the record, this consultant is named only as "Novak" in the credits), and the movie is crammed full of product placement -- primarily for the Nintendo Entertainment System and its games, but also for a bevy of partner brands, including Hostess (a major plot point involves... READ ON

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7 Video Games Based on Works of Art (or a John Hodgman Podcast)

Video games often feature dumb premises: plumbers must save a princess from a dragon/turtle monster? What's going on there?! But what happens when video games are based on great works of literature, music, film, and theater -- does great art make a great game? Read on for some of our favorites. 1. The Great Gatsby: Based on a... READ ON

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7 Hilarious Garfield Variants

The comic strip Garfield has endured since 1978, when Jim Davis invented the lovable triad of Garfield, Odie, and their owner Jon Arbuckle. As a seven-year-old kid, I was a big fan -- Garfield loved lasagna, and so did I. Odie (the dumb dog) was Garfield's nemesis, so I decided that dogs were dumb. Garfield hated Mondays and diets...you get the idea. Garfield as a comic strip succeeds mainly because it's so accessible and bite-sized, featuring a predictable three-panel format. This accessibility has... READ ON

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The Late Movies: Late Night Hosts on Late Night Shows That Aren't Their Own

In need of content during the 2007-2008 Writer's Guild of America strike, comedians Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Conan O'Brien created an elaborate faux feud to attract viewers, which culminated in a mock battle between the three hosts on the set of Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Though perhaps the most elaborate, this was far from the first instance of cross-pollination among late night talk show hosts. Johnny Carson on Late Show with David... READ ON

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The Late Movies: Rilo Kiley Have Broken Up

When news broke last week that Rilo Kiley, one of my favorite bands, had broken up, I knew it was my responsibility to introduce my fellow nerds to their music. Rilo Kiley is sort of a country/indie rock band, known for strong melodies and dark lyrics. Take a listen, and if you like this new-defunct band, pick up one of their records -- and wait for a reunion tour that might never come. Enjoy! (He said, shuffling sadly off into his hi-fi room.) For those unfamiliar with the band, read up at... READ ON

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Jim Henson's Memorial Services

In May 1990, Jim Henson passed away. Five days later, a memorial service was held at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. In July, another memorial was held in London, at St. Paul's Cathedral. Both services were open to the public; Henson had made instructions about the services four years earlier, instructing that: 1) no attendees should wear black, and 2) a jazz band should be present. According to one account, apparently he also wrote: "I'm not at all afraid of the thought of death... READ ON

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BlöödHag: Seattle's Edu-Core Death Metal Library Rockers

BlöödHag is a death metal band from Seattle who perform, among other places, in libraries. Their songs are "Edu-Core," and focus on science fiction authors and literacy -- check out some lyrics here. In fact, what the heck, I'll just quote their classic "Robert A. Heinlein" in its entirety: Robert A. Heinlein Grok this! Robert A. Heinlein, here's a dis You're a misogynist. Known as the fascist of the Best Seller list As you died in pain. You still had to persist And make sure everybody knew... READ ON