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Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?
“Shark Week” conjures up feelings ranging between amazement and paralyzing fear. Truly a cultural spectacle. As it has been mentioned in a previous post (The Two Scariest Words: Dun-Dun), all of mankind (and womankind) can collectively thank the legendary Steven Spielberg for permanently planting the unforgettable soundtrack and classic scenes into our psyche regarding blockbuster entertainment coupled with beach safety.
Actually, given the number of great white sharks near coastlines at popular destinations around the world, a thank you really is in order. Thank you!
One of the annual traditions with “Shark Week” is watching crews for The Discovery Channel push new boundaries, like exploring the present-day existence of Megalodon or the “Rookin'” down in Louisiana. What will be next?
I’m glad you asked.
What fascinates me is not so much what we think of sharks, but what sharks think of us. Within the technological revolution that is currently booted up for generations to come, is there a neuroscientist somewhere who is dreaming up a water-proof device that could be tagged onto a great white shark that somehow measures and sends back its brain activity?
Think about that. More importantly, imagine that.
Before you begin calling mental institutions to reserve me a room (with an ocean view please), watch the clip below and tell me this diver was not interested in a similar endeavor. It’s only unbelievable until you do it.
If we are going to explore a seemingly infinite environment, we must have an equally infinite imagination.
“The physics is theoretical, but the fun is real”
The best television shows consistently demonstrate one commonality: the audience knows the cast is having fun and that they are actually friends off-camera. This post will examine one of these sitcoms.
As crazy as this reads, my Dad and I were actually at the taping of “The Big Bang Theory” pilot! Full disclosure: it was an amazing atmosphere, sitcom episode and, being candid, it felt like a hit from the very first scene that was shot in the waiting room where Sheldon & Leonard were waiting to make manly depos-…you get the picture. They ultimately bailed out, but this first impression of the characters was funny nonetheless.
In this first episode, the final scene comprised of the four guys and Penny driving out to dinner. Howard Wolowitz, the self-described Ladies Man, who can wish a woman “good shower” in a multitude of languages, was flirting with Penny by enticing the group to got to a karaoke bar. Wolowitz then proceeds to seductively, and humorously, serenade Penny. Penny is caught between a smile and a gentle laugh, genuinely amused by her co-star as Sheldon closes out the show with a quip about Leonard being a, “veritable Mack Daddy” in the car, directly referring to his long-shot chances of dating the beautiful girl next door. Penny then bursts into laughs from the back seat as the scene goes to black.
Comradery is special to see in any episode, let alone the pilot. Aside from the fact the first episode was great by regular standards, this quintet appeared to be onto something beyond just a pilot. This very funny show with its great characters enters Season 7 (already!?) this fall with Leonard returning to Pasadena and his girlfriend Penny from his career-changing voyage at sea with Stephen Hawking’s research team and with Raj finally able to speak to women without being intoxicated, which actually turned Amy into a bit of a drinker…this being a sips worth of red wine.
One guarantee is that if the cast is having fun, it’s very likely the audience is too.
The laughs in the upcoming seventh season are only four months away.
“The Big Bang Theory” Sweeps into May
The sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” is a scientifically proven success and demonstrates on a weekly basis an exponential rise in its comedic value congruent with past levels of great sitcom hilarity and has shown an elasticity in how it continues to expand its comedic reach and potential while progressing from episode to episode, thereby harmonizing itself with the universe in a dimension thankfully inhabited by us with the capacity to observe the aforementioned situation comedy in the comforts of our own homes on the CBS network at the convenient time slot of 8:00 p.m. during television’s prime time scheduling block.
Or, in other words, a brand new episode of, “The Big Bang Theory” premieres tonight and features special guest star Bob Newhart! This show has brought in terrific guest stars in the past, including Dr. George Smoot (we’re both alums of Upper Arlington High School!) and Stephen Hawking. Mr. Newhart will be no exception during this season’s final “sweeps” period.
There are scenes from this show that truly surprise and show the hilarious, as well as heartfelt, twists and turns that have defined this sitcom as an American favorite. A particular Christmas gift exchange comes to mind…
Today, enjoy one of these stand-out moments when one self-described genius finally lifted himself over the hurdle (or halfway through a bottle) regarding his fear of public speaking.
Dr. Sheldon Cooper, how do you really feel about geologists?
“…that all started with a big bang-bang!”
Jimmy's Daily Planet 