CNN has resorted to bringing in psychics to predict the economic future. This places their credibility just barely above that of Fox.
Liberal Values Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought
High School Does Not Matter
June 26, 2011 — Ron ChusidJessica Bruder has one of those articles in The New York Times Sunday Book Review on how the geeks from high school rule the world. SteveM disagrees. This conventional wisdom provided an amusing plot device for a number of movies and television shows. It appears true if you look at Bill Gates, and even appears true if you look at a lot of others who have made fortunes in Silicon Valley. I’m sure there are many cases where this is not true. In reality, high school just does not matter all that much. If anyone is going to accomplish something significant in life, they are certainly not exactly as they were in high school. There are also many paths to success which suit different types of people.
Believing that the geeks will ultimately rule is reassuring to some. Hopefully the message that high school does not matter all that much provides at least as much benefit.
Quote of the Day
June 26, 2011 — Ron Chusid“New Republican Presidential candidate Jon Huntsman is fluent in Chinese. In a short period of time the Republicans have come quite a long way. The last Republican president wasn’t even fluent in English.” –David Letterman
SciFi Weekend: Two Weeks Until Torchwood: Miracle Day; True Blood and Weeds Return This Week; Game of Thrones
June 26, 2011 — Ron Chusid
Starz has released the following synopses of the first seven of ten episodes of Torchwood: Miracle Day. Episodes air one day later, on Saturdays, in Canada. There is no official word yet regarding airing in the U.K. but one site has stated that there is a one hour gap on their schedule for July 9th, leading them to suspect that this is when it will start.
1. The New World – 8th July 10:00pm
When death itself comes to a halt, the whole world faces its greatest danger yet. CIA agent Rex Matheson has only one clue – Torchwood.
2. Rendition – 15th July, 10:00pm
As the Torchwood team is reunited, Jack realizes he’s the most vulnerable man on Earth. A flight to the United States turns into a desperate battle for survival.
3. Dead of Night – 22nd July, 10:00pm
Torchwood goes on the run and finds a new enemy, but as they launch a raid on PhiCorp headquarters, Jack must confront the mysterious Oswald Danes.
4. Escape to L.A. – 29th July 2011
The fight against PhiCorp takes the Torchwood team to California, where a trap is waiting. Meanwhile, Oswald and Jilly find themselves with an enemy of their own.
5. The Categories Of Life – 5th August, 10:00pm
Torchwood goes undercover and discovers the terrible truth behind the Miracle. The enemy is closing in, and death is about to make a shocking return.
6. The Middle Men – 12th August, 10:00pm
With Gwen, Rex and Esther trapped on both sides of the Atlantic, it’s a race against time as Jack goes straight to the heart of the conspiracy.
7. Immortal Sins – 19th August 2011, 10:00pm
Gwen must fight to protect her family and takes a terrifying journey, covering both miles and decades, as the long history of the Miracle is revealed.
Remaining episodes: End Of The Road, The Gathering and The Blood Line.
Starz has posted this behind the scenes preview of the series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcYA2s-Gqwk&feature=player_embedded
There will be differences in the American and British episodes. One reason might be to remove some of the cultural references which American audiences might not understand, but this sounds like a questionable move considering the number of shows from the U.K. which have aired in the United States–including previous seasons of Torchwood. I also wonder if there might be sex scenes which Starz would air which the BBC would not.
Russel T. Davies has said that the show will not abandon its Welsh roots and will include scenes from Wales. I hope they do not feel like they need to cut back on such scenes for American audiences. Besides previous seasons of Torchwood, I have managed to enjoy shows set in Wales such as Gavin and Stacey, despite not understanding all the cultural references on the shows.
Tardis Newsroom has videos of interviews with producers and cast of Torchwood: Miracle Day.
John de Lancie was also interviewed about his role:
Actor John de Lancie says that his upcoming role in Torchwood: Miracle Day is one of a “gruff” CIA specialist who is involved in the final three episodes of the season.
“I’m a recurring character in the final three episodes of the series,” he told SFX. “My character is CIA, very gruff, [and] unimpressed by the ‘Torchwood clowns’ as he’d call them.”
De Lancie, best known for his role as Q in the Star Trek franchise, added that the new season of Torchwood still has a “British” feel.
“My sense is the show is still quite British,” he said. “It has, mostly, an American crew, but the sensibility of it, led by Russell [T Davies], is very British.”
He also claimed that Miracle Day is “completely different… to Star Trek” and that his role involved “no technobabble”.
“It’s someone’s future, potentially real,” he explained. “I enjoyed that.”
The video of an interview with Bill Pullman on BBC Breakfast is above.
True Blood returns tonight. TV Guide has a list of ten spoilers–none of which I believe will ruin the show for anyone.
Weeds takes a trip into the future. The upcoming season, returning this week, takes place three years after last season, with Nancy getting out of prison.
Casting news for various shows is starting to come out. The most interesting is that Natalie Dormer of Tudors will be appearing on Game of Thrones. She’ll be playing Margaery Tyrell, the betrothed wife to a new contender for the throne. Filming for the second season begins in July.
