Sorry for the misleading title. This post is not about the old videocassette format known as Beta-Max. I realize that a post about the history of Beta would be infinitely fascinating but today’s post is about the technology sort of beta. Beta, near as I can piece together, is the stage of production where something is mostly but not completely done. For example, the new Internet Explorer (though I think it’s more Alpha [early build] than Beta). So today’s targets are all things that aren’t done yet but are getting there. Continue reading
Lowdown Extra: May 11, 2010
After a week’s delay, it’s time for the latest edition of The Lowdown Extra. The latest uncut and uncensored edition of The Lowdown is the full edition of our most recent episode. The episode starts with Jackie creating a Facebook page for the show and blog. While he was at it, he made one for Steve which caused all hell to break loose. The problems with Steve’s Facebook profile prompted Jackie to take a look at the best prank calls of all-time. (If you listen to the show, it’ll make sense). The news looks at sex, drug, and… Aliens? As strange as it sounds, the gang talks about extraterrestrials and the apocalypse. Entertainment features Tyler Hilton as Jackie’s single of the week, The Wheel Wells from YouTube, and B.o.B. winning the Worst of Music (which has a shitty new intro). Jackie tops entertainment with his exclusive review of Iron Man 2. After the break, the boys attempt to look at the 2010 UEFA Champions League finals. After largely failing at that, they go back to YouTube with some funny hockey clips including a Jaroslav Halak song and more of Randy Moller’s goal calls.
In all, it’s 63 minutes of Lowdown action. It’s the longest Lowdown ever. As always, it comes to you uncut and uncensored.
Lowdown Radio: May 11, 2010
The third-last episode of the third radio season may have been at a slow time of year but things are seldom slow at Lowdown HQ. On this episode, Jackie creates a Facebook page for the show and blog. While he was at it, he made one for Steve which caused all hell to break loose. The problems with Steve’s Facebook profile prompted Jackie to take a look at the best prank calls of all-time. (If you listen to the show, it’ll make sense). The news features a couple of quick stories. Entertainment has the usual suspects (Jackie’s single and It Came From YouTube) and Jackie’s exclusive review of Iron Man 2. After the break, the boys attempt to look at the 2010 UEFA Champions League finals. After largely failing at that, they go back to YouTube with some funny hockey clips including a Jaroslav Halak song and more of Randy Moller’s goal calls. It’s 28 great minutes of Lowdown fun and randominity that’s one of the better efforts of the season.
Click here to download the 10 MB podcast version.
Click here to download the 26 MB high-quality version.
Lowdown Extra is coming soon.
The Humanoids: Slow Week
I can’t remember the last time I wrote a Humanoids column right up to the final few minutes before noon. I’m used to editing up until that point but not actually writing at the last minute. That’s what happens when you have a decidedly slow week. I couldn’t tell you if anything interesting happened this week besides Shaq running around in a pink speedo on network TV. Not that I would call that interesting as much as disturbing. Anyway, it’s probably a good thing that not much is happening this week. We’re coming up on the last week of summer and people should be on holiday so there shouldn’t be much news. This time of year and Christmas are two times of year that I won’t mind having to scramble for stories because nobody wants anything to happen then. Except for the media. They’ll make a mountain out of a mole hill if it gets them ratings. Actually, we could call that the theme for this week. It seems most of my subjects in this week’s column have been victimized by mountaineering.
Looking for the latest radio update from Lowdown HQ? Well, I’ve taped most of my review of NCAA Football 10 for the season premiere on September 15th. I’m also planning on using the game for something very Western related. Maybe they’ll run it on the Saturday after the show too. Jackie and I are also going to do a tour of London for the frosh during the season premiere. The last time we did a tour for the frosh, I got killed when parts of the then under construction Campus Rec Centre fell on me. I hope it goes better this time. And remember kids: I may have been killed but I got better, you might not. Continue reading
The Humanoids: Premiere Edition
Welcome to my new weekly column. On The Humanoids, I look at nine people, places, or organizations that are in the news and knock the piss out of them (for lack of a better description). If you’re a fan of Deadspin, you’ll notice that this is a less funny and shorter Will Leitch’s Ten Humans column. And if you’re a fan of pro wrestling, you’ll know I borrowed the title from Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. But that doesn’t mean this failed stand-up comic doesn’t still have some tricks up his sleeve. Continue reading
Weekend Link-Off: Hot And Cold
For no reason other than to introduce a YouTube video, Katy Perry. After the jump, one of the oddest Katy Perry covers ever. Naturally, it’s better than the original.
The Yankees couldn’t quite figure out this whole stadium thing. (Scott Proctor’s Arm) You’d think that in the 21st century that people could design a stadium so everyone has an unobstructed view. Now the definition of unobstructed is “Being able to see either the field or a video screen.”
Ouch: Man breaks penis. He’s likely going to impotent for the rest of his life. (NBC Philadelphia)
Is the NHL really more physical than the NFL? Well, this MLB blogger thinks so. (Sixty Feet, Six Inches)
ESPN agrees with the guy above. Then they go on to say that boxers are the toughest of them all. (ESPN) I don’t necessarily disagree with their choice but I do question that they don’t separate Mixed Martial Arts (which ESPN doesn’t televise, unlike boxing) from Martial Arts. “MMA vs. Boxing: Who is Tougher?” would be an epic debate for the ages, definitely controversial and guaranteed to drive up ESPN’s web traffic. Not that a business would ever think of trying to make money.
The NHL’s new marketing ploy: When LeBron Met Ovi. (D.C. Sports Blog)
UFC President Dana White goes nuts (Sports Illustrated) then apologizes to the gay rights groups (on April 1st) not the reporter he ripped to shreds. (Deadspin) But do we expect anything else from Dana. Sports would be so much more interesting if everyone spoke their mind like him.
Birmingham City University is offering a Masters degree in Facebook. (Daily Telegraph)
Speaking of Facebook, they’ve fired their CFO. Generally, that’s not thought of as a good idea when you’re thinking about making an IPO. Then again, doing an IPO when the stock market’s gone to hell means that they aren’t thinking it through. (New York Times)
Good news: The Conficker worm didn’t destroy the internet… yet. (PC World)
Morning Link-Off: It’s Worth a Try
Welcome to the trial run of The Lowdown Blog. This can either go well or be an unmitigated disaster. If you have any tips for us today, send them to thelowdown@live.ca.
Facebook says they don’t own your pictures and information. They still own your soul. (Toronto Star)
Your “Only in India” moment of the day. (Daily Telegraph)
Should Selig be indicted for letting the MLB become a joke? And, more importantly, should Jesse Ventura start dressing like he did in the mid-80’s? (Yahoo Sports)
Piss on the locker room and the administration will piss on your season. (Daily Chronicle via Deadspin)
A history of stupid ads tattooed on stupider people. I’ll being getting one next week. (New York Times)
Starbucks is doing instant coffee? And for only for $1 a cup! Meanwhile, I’m paying about 3-cents a cup for Maxwell House like a sucker. (CBC)
In Soviet Russia, government names you. (Olivia Munn)
I’ll take things that could go bankrupt for $500, Alex. These owners of the UFC are in danger of going bankrupt. (Sports by Brooks)
Another reason why Canadian college football is better than U.S. college football. (The Big Lead)
Kevin Garnett tells TNT’s Craig Sager what he can do with his All-Star suit.
The Lowdown 