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Post by Chris on Jun 20, 2007 14:04:36 GMT -5
I've seen that one....I think. Is that the one where they have followed particular packs of hyenas and lions, and have assigned names to certain members of the packs.
I distinctly remember the night-time shots, where the fight got particularly brutal. I also remember the narration setting up some sort of dramatic scenario in which one of the more senior lions, who had apparently "made his bones" in the pack to the point that he was entitled to be extremely lazy, finally had reached his tolerance level, chose to casually join the fray, and almost effortlessly shredded a few hyenas.
EDIT - even though I'm a dog-person when it comes to domesticated pets, I always root for the lions on those documentaries. I think hyenas are smug.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jun 20, 2007 14:11:59 GMT -5
Yeah, the hyenas suck ass.
One of the best predator docs I ever saw involved a full-scale "bench-clearing brawl" between a pack of walruses and a group of polar bears, on this big-ass rock. There were like 12 of them going at it.
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Post by Chris on Jun 20, 2007 14:23:02 GMT -5
I've seen one, I believe it was one of the episodes the spectacular Planet Earth series from the BBC filmed in high-def, narrated by David Attenborough (American version narrated by Sigourney Weaver) - had a lone polar bear trying to snag himself a walrus from a tightly huddled pack of walruses....the polar bear took a tusk in the gut, laid down and slowly died.
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Post by Chris on Jun 20, 2007 14:25:12 GMT -5
I've stopped DVR'ing snake docs and crocodile docs unless there is something unusually interesting (like the introduction of the Zambezi shark) because since The Crocodile Hunter and his hordes of copy-cats, reptiles are as played out as cop shows.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 26, 2007 9:09:11 GMT -5
I DVRd a series of "Worst Jobs In History" shows on Nat Geo, cause I had interest in the time period. A Dark Ages one, a Tudor era one, and a Victorian era one, for Dana. Watched the Tudor one the other night.
Very intriguing. Jobs like "roast spit turner" and "King butt-wiper" and "pin maker" - it was a fun look at this stuff. I had no idea what it entailed to serve all those beefy roasts at the kingly repastes. The job of turning that spit, in the broiling heat, for hours on end, was a bitch. What was funny is the job of being the Kings royal butt-wipe was a HIGH PROFILE task, as a peasant could not be trusted with such an honor. Remember, the King was a God on Earth. The guy that stood around his privvy and wiped his royal arse was a trusted member of his party.
There were other wack jobs like executioner (not all fun and games, especially when cutting gristle and getting bathed in shooting blood) and sewage pit shoveler that were just ardous. And the males that dressed as females on the stage, as women were not allowed to act, was no laugh.....the costumes alone were a grind. This was a fun and informative hour.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 30, 2007 10:44:35 GMT -5
So we checked out another quirky show off the DVR box this weekend. "Ketchup - King of Condiments" - clocking in at 30 minutes, it really did not overstay its welcome, and was good for a few hoots.
Couple of things, we flat-out caught a guy in a LIE. A longterm worker at the Heinz Ketchup factory. He was doing this speech on what goes into the ketchup, and he mentioned vinegar. And, he added, that Heinz is the largest producer of vinegar in the US, but NONE is available for retail....its made exclusively for the plant.
Well, he is full of crap. Heinz Vinegar IS available in the stores. In fact, Dana went online immediatly to check, and there it was, even available to purchase online. Friggin' liar.
The best was this guy that collects all thing ketchup, from ketchup bottles to ketchup bottle lamps, ketchup posters, you name it. He even had a nudie poster of a naked women wrapped around a bottle of ketchup, the perv. He was wearing a knitted Heinz Kethcup sweatshirt, with Grandma-style embroidery.
But the best thing was his rant against "the mustard people." You know, the "arrogant" people that collect mustard stuff and frown at the ketchup folk. This guy was really mad, he was basically calling the mustard people jackoffs. They kept cutting back to him, and he was snarling about the mustard folks. He even whined about being somewhere exotic like a French isle and running into a mustard guy while he was looking for a collectible ketchup bottle, and that the standoff was "tense."
Fun watch.
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Post by Chris on Aug 7, 2007 11:32:35 GMT -5
"My Big Fat Independent Movie" - anyone see this? It was on IFC and sounded somewhat interesting.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Aug 10, 2007 7:59:23 GMT -5
Watched a fantastic documentary on the Alamo off of History International last night. It was about time, its been sitting on the DVR since January 8th. I already knew a lot of the "inside story" but learned a heap, especially regarding the shady sides of guys like Will Travis and Jim Bowie. Travis was fleeing debt and abandoning his wife and kid to hit Texas, and Jim Bowie was a noted "white collar criminal" who was involved in all sorts of land-grab forgery. Also interesting to recall that at the time of the Alamo, both Bowie and Travis were actually MEXICAN CITIZENS, which is a long story in itself.
Another bang-up job for the History Channel and their team of pundits.
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Post by Chris on Aug 10, 2007 18:49:17 GMT -5
I've been to the Alamo. I appreciate the history behind the landmark, but it is as unimpressive as the Plymouth Rock - I was expecting something majestic on both counts and what I got was a little boulder the size of large dog down in a pit with "1492" stamped on it and little building that looks just like every street corner Mexican restaurant in Southern California.
But the River Walk in San Antone KICKS ASS!!! One helluva party spot.
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Post by Chris on Aug 14, 2007 13:03:06 GMT -5
Well, I stuck it out for the whole season. I mildly enjoyed the show. But it always left me wanting some big event that would clarify all of the ambiguities that built up all season long. I would have watched again next season with that same anticipation, but alas Butchie Yost, Shawnie Yost, John, Link, Mitch and Sissy Yost....we harldy knew ye:
Say goodbye to 'John from Cincinnati'Story Highlights HBO cancels "John from Cincinnati"
Show, created by "Deadwood's" David Milch, about surfer family
Odd tone, unusual characters never caught on with audiences LOS ANGELES, California (Hollywood Reporter) -- The wave has crashed for "John From Cincinnati." A day after its first-season finale, HBO on Monday canceled the dark surfing drama.
"John from Cincinnati," starring Bruce Greenwood as the leader of a surfer family, never caught on.
Labeled by critics as "strange," "weird" and "unlikable," "John" never clicked with viewers despite a strong marketing campaign and such well-known leads as Rebecca De Mornay and Bruce Greenwood.
For the few devoted fans of the show, which David Milch ("Deadwood") created with "surf noir" author Kem Nunn, the mysterious final line in the season finale -- John saying, "Mother of God, Cass-Kai" over a shot of Kai (Keala Kennelly) surfing -- will remain just that, a mystery.
Meanwhile, HBO is yet to decide the fate of its other summer freshman series, the comedy "Flight of the Conchords."
It's been a rough summer for HBO, while basic cable networks have launched a slew of hit new series -- USA Network's "Burn Notice," Lifetime's "Army Wives" and TNT's "Saving Grace," all renewed for a second season.
HBO's upcoming series include the drama "In Treatment," the comedy "12 Miles of Bad Road" and "True Blood," the recently picked-up vampire drama by "Six Feet Under" creator Alan Ball.
HBO is a unit of Time Warner, as is CNN.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Aug 14, 2007 17:49:36 GMT -5
Well, I told ya so. I came on here waving ridiculous rating totals and "huh?" reviews before week two. You guys need to stop watching these dumb shows.
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Post by Chris on Aug 14, 2007 18:19:52 GMT -5
I don't want to say that American TV Viewers, as a whole, are too stupid to appreciate this show....but....American TV Viewers, as a whole, are too stupid to appreciate this show. Short attention spans and immediate gratification expectations mix with this show like oil and water.
But having said that...the people, like me, who DID stick with this show, should have been rewarded, at least, with a more climactic payoff, and we weren't. In fact, following this show toward the end got to be more of a chore, something I felt obligated to do out of a sense of sticktoitiveness, than a source of enjoyment. I'm not too broken up that it was canceled.
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Post by Chris on Aug 16, 2007 11:04:57 GMT -5
LOL at the chick from Fresno (or Modesto, or whatever podunk central California city she's from) on Ultimate Road Trip who said, "We started the roll call in Baltimore and got seven acknowledgments."
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Post by Chris on Aug 16, 2007 12:17:30 GMT -5
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Post by Chris on Aug 29, 2007 21:25:56 GMT -5
I'm gonna give you the synopsis of the Bob Saget stand-up special "That Ain't Right" on HBO, so you don't have to sit through it:
Hi, I'm Bob Saget. Some of you might remember me as the wholesome Danny Tanner from the wholesome family sitcom Full House, or from my wholesome family-oriented funny home videos show. FUCK SHIT COCK...MY DOG LICKS MY BALLS...I FUCK YOUNG GIRLS...MORE SHOCKING CURSE WORDS...I SAID I SUCK COCK FOR HEROIN IN HALF-BAKED...I TALKED ABOUT POOP AND PISS AND INCEST IN THE ARISTOCRATS...FUCK SHIT FUCK COCK PUSSY COCK FUCK! Aren't I shocking? Thank you and goodnight. FUCK!
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Aug 29, 2007 22:23:08 GMT -5
Bob Saget is overrated. The only reason he has any shock value is cause people thought he was wholesome. He's a hack.
Saw an excellent quirky show about TRUCK STOPS this evening, after a month-long stint saved on the DVR. Very interesting and quirky facts about truck stops, things contained within, and life of a trucker in and around these monoliths.
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Post by Chris on Aug 30, 2007 12:15:26 GMT -5
I am a big fan of truck stops. I can't stop at one withouth buying one of their unique nik-naks...usually a mesh hat with some idiotic saying on it.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Aug 30, 2007 12:33:56 GMT -5
Its funny, the largest truck stop in the Nation, off of I80 in Iowa, is known for its trucker store. Its like a super-center with all things trucker. And heck yeah, they have those mesh hats, surely. You would have enjoyed this special, Cho.
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Post by Chris on Aug 30, 2007 12:51:43 GMT -5
What channel and what was the title, Tom?
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Aug 30, 2007 13:14:11 GMT -5
Part of the "Modern Marvels" series....I believe thats Discovery Channel. Subtitle was something to the effect of "Worlds Biggest Truckstops."
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Post by Chris on Aug 30, 2007 13:15:19 GMT -5
I'll check in to it.
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Post by $heriff Tom on Sept 5, 2007 17:07:06 GMT -5
This was a fun one - off the Food Network - a show called "Glutton for Punishment." This neophyte chef takes on these kitchen roles, tries to learn to do this that or the other thing, and chaos can ensue.
This episode was THE EGG LINE. At a Harrahs in Atlantic City - in 5 days time he had to train to man the egg line himself, all 7 or 8 pans at once. Cracking, flipping, cooking, all at once, whipping up scrambled, over easy, omelettes, you name it.
Well, he learned fast, but made a mess of things. The master egg man ended up beating him in a cook-10 dish challenge with an arm tied around his back. Very fun watch, not too long as a 30 minute and not a 60 minute show, and the kitchen crew were funny. And now I want me some eggs.
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Post by grover on Sept 6, 2007 10:34:30 GMT -5
Me too. I think I'll go make some.
I have tons of cooking shows on my DVR while the fall shows are not on. My favorite of the bunch is Top Chef, which is a weekly must watch for Rita and myself. Others include Anthony Bourdain's 'No Reservations' to 'Bizarre Foods' with Andrew Zimmermen, who seems to like 95% of everything he eats, even though I'd probably try 25% of the things he's tried.
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Post by Chris on Sept 6, 2007 10:45:24 GMT -5
A Night At The Hot Corner - finally got around to watching this.
I do not if it was meant as good natured fun, but Mike Schmidt comes off as a smarmy ass.
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Post by Chris on Sept 13, 2007 10:32:21 GMT -5
Shark Documentaries have jumped the shark.
They have nothing new to offer and I'm now at the point where I believe that somewhere there is a vault full of stock shark footage that every shark documentary filmmaker uses as filler.
Just watched Air-Jaws (a doc about great whites that breach the surface while attacking seals). Nothing new, same info, same footage. I think we, the general television viewing audience, now know all we are ever going to know about sharks.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Sept 13, 2007 10:42:22 GMT -5
I avoid shark documentaries. You're right in that there is just a supreme glut of such. I did, however, DVR what I think is a strong one, that aired during Shark Week. Have not watched yet, its backing up on the DVR, but what else is new.
Its the "Deadliest Shark Attack" or some such thing - true story about a WWII ship that went down after being fired upon, and as the hundreds of sailors floated around trying to keep from drowning, they were attacked by a pack of sharks. You can imagine what came of this.
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Post by Chris on Sept 13, 2007 11:17:32 GMT -5
Yes, I've heard that story too Tom. It's the tale of the USS Indianapolis. Robert Shaw's character in Jaws actually referenced this story during the late night war story drunk-fest aboard the Orca.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Oct 9, 2007 13:41:35 GMT -5
Geez, I have to make a concentrated effort to clear some space in the next few days. I am running around 95% capacity - a total of 79 shows backed up.
Some things are taking up a chunk of the hours, like the Chris Chambliss home run game at 3 and a half hours, and a Ken Burns documentary on Jack Johnson that runs for 4. I also have a classic Indy 500 from the 70s on there, a bunch of Iron Chef episodes, and some Sci-Fi movies like "Sabretooth"
What the Hell else is on there....I am backed up on my Inside Nextel Cup episodes. I know there are shows on ostriches and zebras. A movie for Emma, Piglets Big Adventure. A few episodes of Civil War Journal.
I think we are four or five episodes behind on our daily Jeopardy viewings. I still have that Pink Floyd / Sid Barrett and Iron Maiden "Number of the Beast" documentaries I copped off of VH1.
3 episodes of Worst Jobs in History. What a great show.
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Post by JimmyBig on Oct 10, 2007 3:46:31 GMT -5
DVRd the new series Tell Me You Love Me on HBO, I am enjoying this show.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Oct 10, 2007 6:48:45 GMT -5
I have never heard of that show, but hearing you tout something called "Tell Me You Love Me" sounds a bit askew. I would liken it to Balls' affinity for Gossip Girl.
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