Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2009 July 13

= July 13 =

To Catch a Predator
On To Catch a Predator, can they film someone with a hidden camera and then show it on TV without their permission? Bubba73 (talk), 03:43, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

As I understand it, you can film someone and put it on TV and they can choose to object if they are shown or described in a way that they might find offensive or derogatory. This is why, when you watch the news and they talk about 'the public' or 'train users', they are free to film random people and put it on TV. But if they do an item about fat/obese people you only see them from behind or maybe a close up of their belly, so as not to allow them to be indentified. And if you are stopped and asked about something and give a specific opinion, they should get your permission before putting it on TV, but in the case of these guys who have been filmed doing very questionable things, they probably have bigger worries than how they might have been presented, and it's usually fairly clear what they've been doing.Popcorn II (talk) 16:57, 13 July 2009 (UTC)
 * According to this lawyer it's legal to film people in a public place in most states, but there may be restrictions. Secretly filming someone in private is less acceptable, but may only be a civil matter, and as mentioned sueing could be risky or pointless.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.172.19.20 (talk) 09:52, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

star trek and outrageous reviews
I remember seeing a website where someone wrote the most outrageous reviews ever of star trek episodes. He picked them to shred, but it was all in a fun way. But I can't remember the website. Does anyone know it? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Payneham (talk • contribs) 04:24, 13 July 2009 (UTC)


 * Probably Critic's Corner. He also had yearly awards for stuff like "worst continuity", right? I remember he stopped reviewing after a few episodes of Enterprise, and the website seems to have disappeared entirely now. It was either criticscorner.net or .org, I know it wasn't .com, but in any case it no longer exists. Adam Bishop (talk) 05:23, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

you might be looking for www.sfdebris.com. there are very outrageous reviews shown

What will Sony do
I heard that Sony is going out of business, now if that's true will Sony let Microsoft convert all the PS3 only games into an Xbox 360 game like Infamous, Killzone 2, Metal Gear Solid 4, LittleBigPlanet, etc. and if so when will they let them convert them cause all I have is an Xbox 360 and I really don't feel like spending $300 to $400 just to get a console just to play a few games —Preceding unsigned comment added by 63.3.15.130 (talk) 10:00, 13 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Sorry but this is a reference desk, not a crystal ball desk. Any answer to that would be pure speculation.  Out of interest, where did you hear that Sony is going out of business? --Richardrj talkemail 10:05, 13 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Sony is currently expanding, not quitting. They are releasing a new line of wireless notebooks and starting a new music label (among many other things). --  k a i n a w &trade; 12:58, 13 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Sony did take a big hit with the flop that was the PS3... They did not anticipate the success that the Wii would be; and the market can basicly only bear two gaming systems at once. However, even though the console game part of the company pretty much tanked, SONY is a HUGE multi-national entertainment company, with its fingers in everything from music to movies to TV production to electronics.  The video game failure hurts, but it isn't going to sink the company.  --Jayron32. talk . say no to drama  16:17, 13 July 2009 (UTC)


 * Sony went into production of the PS3 with the intention of losing money. The forecast was to lose money on it until 2009.  The PS3 exceeded expectations and turned a profit in 2008 (as noted here).  Where this goes in the future is unknown.  Some companies, such as Square Enix, have yet to show us how much they plan to exploit the technical capability of the PS3. --  k a i n a w &trade; 17:32, 13 July 2009 (UTC)
 * May I ask what the point is in losing money on a product? Vimescarrot (talk) 18:20, 13 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Market domination/consumer awareness - sony TV's, vaio laptops, sony cybercams etc all have a price premium over 'no-name' products - because sony is still associated with research/development/technology etc - rather than being a third rate operation who stick other peoples components in a box, and then stick there name on it.
 * eg Can you name another mass market manufacture who commands the same level of 'respect' from consumers - ie the "it's a sony so it's ok to pay more". ? That's the point - long term rewards.83.100.250.79 (talk) 18:56, 13 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Most video game consoles are sold at a loss (the Wii is a notable exception) in order to create a large customer base that will then purchase licensed games and peripherals and online services. That's where the manufacturer makes their money back. 164.156.231.55 (talk) 19:06, 13 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Yes, you beat me to it - they also make some money on the games...83.100.250.79 (talk) 19:21, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

Timothy Dalton
What was the real reason which Timothy Dalton only starred in two James Bond movies? David Pro (talk) 14:04, 13 July 2009 (UTC)
 * I don't think any of us on the outside can possibly know the answer to that. Because he was rubbish in the role, perhaps. --Richardrj talkemail 14:14, 13 July 2009 (UTC)
 * (EC with below)The real reason he starred in any James Bond movies was that they wanted Pierce Brosnan, but he was contracturaly bound to his engagement in the TV show Remington Steele and a deal could not be worked out to get him into the Bond franchise. Timothy Dalton was the second choice, and was critically panned for his performances in the two movies.  When Brosnan became availible to do Bond, they snatched him up.  So the real reason he did only two was that they couldn't get the person they wanted.  When they did get the person they wanted, they stopped asking Dalton to play Bond.  --Jayron32. talk . say no to drama  16:13, 13 July 2009 (UTC)


 * As I recall, they really wanted Pierce Brosnan, but he was contracted for Remington Steele. Ah— see James Bond (character). Didn't know that Dalton was offered On Her Majesty's Secret Service. ---—  Gadget850 (Ed)  talk 16:11, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

Dalton was offered the part in the 1960s but felt that he was too young for the role. In the 1980s the producers wanted Brosnan but he was unavailable due to contractual reasons (he was tied to the Remington Steel TV show) so the producers turned to Dalton. The reason that Dalton only did two films was that there was a massive legal dispute that lasted for 6 years that prevented the making of any new Bond films. At the end of the 6 years Dalton decided not to reprise the role and the producers hired the now available Brosanan. - X201 (talk) 13:30, 14 July 2009 (UTC)

Power conditioner - do I need one?
I didn't even know power conditioners existed, and now I'm told that one is essential to my home theater setup? What does it do? Why do I need one? Mike R (talk) 14:46, 13 July 2009 (UTC)


 * "Power conditioner" is a marketing term for a variety of devices. What it does is dependent on which device you are referring to.  In general, it attempts to provide a steady voltage level for your electronic devices.  You do not need one.  Nearly all electronic devices (all that matter) have a regulator in the power supply.  I use one for my computers, but not because I want steady power.  It is a byproduct of an uninterruptable power supply, which I need for my computers. --  k a i n a w &trade; 14:52, 13 July 2009 (UTC)


 * No you definately do not need one, (just as you do not need to spend hundres of currency units on cable)
 * - home theatre is a luxury product and as such a market exists for over engineered products - but a power condition is 'just taking the piss'.
 * You need a power conditioner like I need a spoiler on a bmx bike.
 * Also since most electronic products now use switched mode power supplies a power conditioner is even more worthless, since all proper switched mode power supplies are independent of voltage (assumming the voltage doesn't totally drop out).
 * A surge arrestor might be an idea in the approaching zero chance that your electricity supply gets a massive voltage spike in it - note however that the average plug extension socket can include a surge arrestor and no noticeable additional cost since the devices they use are worth tiny amounts.
 * Question - who told you so - annoying friend, or parasitic lying salesman? By the way the 'people' who write for magazines such as What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision are complete shills totally subserviant to whoever places a valuable advert in their so called review magazine.83.100.250.79 (talk) 18:48, 13 July 2009 (UTC)
 * No one actually told me, that was hyperbole on my part. I started wondering if maybe I should get one after reading the first review on this page where the reviewer claimed that his Monster Cable Reference PowerCenter HTS3500 provided "SUBSTANTIAL" sound improvement. Mike R (talk) 01:34, 15 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Well I've already made my opinions clear on this subject (see above) - however it's notable that the reviews acknowledge that "It will not get rid of mains hum" - which for a lot of people is the major source of noise (using analogue - not a problem with optical digital, or most other digital connections)
 * Potentially it might solve some problems if you have a noisy power supply (ie hearing interference when a fridge switches on) - but if you don't have such a problem I guess it would make no or little difference. I'd only recommend it as a solution if you already have a problem.83.100.250.79 (talk) 20:59, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

Bruno movie clip
For a training in 'mediation', I'm looking for a little longer version of "Hamas and Hummus" clip from the Bruno movie. The 44 second version is everywhere. Can anyone point me to the 2-3 minute version ... I don't want the whole movie, just from when he's going to get famous by mediating peace in the middle east, through his talk and song w/ the Mossad and Palestinian guy... thanks if you can help. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.98.238.113 (talk) 18:48, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

Death scene in an old film
I remember a scene in an old film where a group of 'natives' kill a European/American visitor. At first the natives don't seem too threatening, although they tie up the white guests. One of the white men is singled out and the natives start to throw mud at him. This is fairly playful at first and doesn't appear to be much more than a game. Then the mud throwing becomes more severe and prolonged. As the man realises he is in trouble and trys to get away, the natives put thin (straw?) tubes into his nostrils and continue to pack mud onto him. Eventually they put him over a fire and bake him in the muddy clay covering they have made around him. It must be pre 1970s I reckon as it was many years ago I saw it. Ring any bells?Popcorn II (talk) 19:48, 13 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Ding, ding, ding. That would be The Naked Prey. One of the whites refused to provide a customary bribe for traveling through the natives' land and the whole party (with the exception of Cornel Wilde's character) ended up paying a much higher price. Clarityfiend (talk) 21:52, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

Cigar!! I love this place.Popcorn II (talk) 16:34, 14 July 2009 (UTC)

What will Sony do (Part 2)
Okay, I can understand that Sony isn't going to tank, that's good, but my friend also said that all the PS3 only games will come out for Xbox 360, I don't know when can you tell me. Now I'm not 100% sure if this is right or not, all my friend told me was that he heard it on Attack of the Show and he's also not 100% sure if this is true or not. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 63.3.15.1 (talk) 19:58, 13 July 2009 (UTC)
 * There is no way for any of us to know this. It is true that sometimes games advertised as "exclusives" eventually come out for other platforms.  But it is very unlikely that any games by Sony Computer Entertainment will be released for competing platforms.
 * If you need specific answers, you're out of luck; We're not psychic. APL (talk) 20:16, 13 July 2009 (UTC)


 * Buddy, your friend was TOTALLY WRONG THE FIRST TIME, what do you think are the chances that they struck gold on the second guess?
 * No, some PS3 exclusives may come to the xbox 360, such as the final fantasy games, but no - the answer is no.
 * No.83.100.250.79 (talk) 16:20, 14 July 2009 (UTC)


 * No. The easiest example is the God of War games, and anything else that Sony itself publishes, which are never going to appear on the Xbox 360, unless Sony decides to completely reverse direction, pull a Sega, and stop making console hardware and discs and just start making games for other companies' consoles.  Unlikely.  As time goes on, there will always be video game developers that strike a deal with Sony under which they agree that the game will only come out for Sony systems.  Other developers will do exclusive deals with Microsoft and others with Nintendo.  The console companies sign up exclusives in order to attract more gamers to their consoles, and the developers sign up exclusives for money and the extra promotion.  Tempshill (talk) 06:50, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

What's that sound effect?
I'm probably going to look daft for asking this, if it's something really obvious, but never mind! The tune played by the clock in the British gameshow Countdown was played at work today (don't ask), which reminded me of a common sound effect I have heard in all sorts of places and wondered about for many years. In this video, it occurs at about 0:09, 0:16 and 0:24. It also appears several times in the Electric Light Orchestra song "The Way Life's Meant to Be", in the instrumental break in the bridge (first at approx. 2:30, then about every 10 seconds for the rest of the song), and I've heard it in other songs and pieces of music as well; but for me it's most associated with old '80s cartoons (possibly Road Runner or Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies generally...??), in which I seem to remember it was used as an integral part of the incidental music. Anyway, it's a sort of harsh, vibrating sound that sounds like it might be made with a metallic object of some description. If anybody knows what produces it, I'd be really grateful! Hassocks 5489 (tickets please!)  20:38, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

Sounds like a Vibraslap to me.Popcorn II (talk) 21:04, 13 July 2009 (UTC)
 * That's it – nice one! What a strange device (and an amusing name).  Thanks v much!   Hassocks  5489 (tickets please!)  21:15, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

10th anniversary Survivor all-star show
I keep seeing reports like this that Richard Hatch wanted to be allowed to "to travel to Samoa for seven weeks next month to take part in a "Survivor" anniversary edition." But the Wikipedia article at Survivor: Samoa says filming has already started in Samoa, and the casting is just your standard casting, not a special anniversary all-star cast. Can anybody clear this up? Who then was a gentleman? (talk) 21:15, 13 July 2009 (UTC)


 * This article indicates that both the regular season 19 and the all-star season 20 are to be filmed in Samoa. -- LarryMac  | Talk  17:36, 14 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Thank you. Who then was a gentleman? (talk) 21:43, 14 July 2009 (UTC)

Old Educational DOS Game
When I was in first and second grade around 1991 and 1992, there was this game that the computer lab at my school had. I recall that you typed two or three characters at the DOS prompt to bring up the game. In the game you were this guy who - as I recall, could be wrong - wore a red outfit and I think his face was in a shadow. Basically in the game you went around your school in the middle of the night, you would go into different class rooms and it would ask you things related to that class, so if you went to a history class, you'd get a history question. There were monsters or something as well, but I cannot remember. I think you also had to solve some kind of larger puzzle. Does anyone know what this game is? I've tried to figure it out over the years, and haven't been able to. Thank you.

Edit: The more I think about it, I recall having to collect different items to put together what seemed to be some kind of Egyptianesque statue that had red eyes.

--Anthonysenn (talk) 21:51, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

Question about Ultimate fighting
Can you please tell me what the fighters smear on their faces prior to entering the cage for a fight? Njyachosky (talk) 22:19, 13 July 2009 (UTC)


 * I found several places googling around that say they rub vasiline or baby oil and vasiline on their face to help prevent cuts on the face, especially around the eyes. --Anthonysenn (talk) 03:01, 14 July 2009 (UTC)


 * Cut man may give you some further information. Livewireo (talk) 13:51, 14 July 2009 (UTC)