Nothing in Particular

Product Placement: The Sequel

Last week I wrote a post about how the TV networks and cable stations are trying to fit product placement into their shows and how that could be awkward for some programs. In addition to my example, Allan of the SAMBA blog suggested that another tough show for that would be one set in a castle in the Middle Ages. I completely agree. "Tonight on the History Channel, we'll examine how King Arthur's Camelot might have been different, if they'd had access to Lemon Fresh Pledge."

Mall Valet Parking

A mall near us offers valet parking. But parking at the mall is not the biggest pain point in my week. If they wanted to make my life easier, they should offer valet exercising. I'd be much more likely to give money to some guy in a vest if he could somehow fulfill my weekly cardio requirement. "Here's five bucks. Go hit the elliptical machine. While you do that, I'm going to park the car."

Wine Descriptions

Wines tend to be described with terms like "oakey", "complex", and "smooth finish". While I like these descriptions, sometimes I think they are a little vague.

"What's that wine like?"

"Gregarious."

It just seems like people could be a bit more specific.

"What's that wine like?"

"It's dry enough to make you temporarily crippled."

Mosquito Love Duet

From Smithsonian Magazine -- "When two mosquitoes of the opposite sex approach each other, according to new research at Cornell University, they synchronize their wing beats and harmonize the buzzing, producing a high frequency love duet." Sadly, the duet has been pirated and bootleg copies of it are being sold in Hong Kong.

Chips Ahoy Cookies

I love Chips Ahoy cookies, even though they don't have the most natural ingredients in the world. In fact, I think they are only slightly more organic than my computer's hard drive.

The White Shark

From Encyclopedia Britannica entry about the white shark -- "There appears to be no apparent social structure; however, there is evidence that some sharks may be territorial and assume dominance hierarchies around feeding areas." Scientists have also noticed similar behavior among fans of professional wrestling and men who frequent adult bookstores.

Product Placement

Because people are skipping over commercials with DVRs and the Internet, the networks and cable channels are trying to incorporate product placements in their programs. This could be a little awkward with some shows, though. Like "Cops". "Of all the deadbeat dads we bust, most drink Jack Daniels. Yes, Jack Daniels: When you want to drink away your child support payments."

Love Is...

Love is knowing you won't be hurt, even when your wife is annoyed and holding a hammer.

CBS Sports and Viagra

Last night on TV, interspersed with some commercials, the network threw in a one minute sports score segment. It kicked off with the anchor saying, "This is the CBS Sports Update, brought to you by Viagra!" To me, they might as well have just said, "This sports update is brought to you by the impotent men of CBS!" I know that there is a difference between a program and its advertisers, but when you use the advertiser's name in the title, it kind of blurs the line a little. And given their sponsor, is that a line they really want to blur? "When you think of CBS Sports, think of erectile dysfunction!"

Truth In Advertising: Jared

"Jared, The Galleria of Jewelry: Because some women can be bought."