TV TALK (PART ONE) (2011) (ongoing thread for 2011)

[Jackie]

Joy wrote: ... can a computer become "sentient", i.e., can it have feelings?

That's the question that spawned countless scifi novels and movies, lol

[Jim]

Watson is pretty cool, but far from sentient. As the article you pointed to stated, it missed the Chicago answer by a long way. One thing about computers is they don't really have any doubt - everything is yes/no - although IBM tried to build in probability. People do that through tricky programming. One of the best known & earliest examples was ELIZA in the mid 60's.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ELIZA
Still, the computer HAD to make a decision & it was so wrong that its answer didn't even fit the base parameters of the question - it picked a city that wasn't in the US.

I read an article years ago about an early computer system (Russian?) that tried a quinary (base 5) system rather than binary. Instead of yes/no, they had yes/no plus 3 stages of maybe in between. It didn't work out then, but now with quantum computing coming up, it just might. Therein lies more hope for AI, but it will still take a lot of programming to get past what some call the 'common sense factor'. I'm not sure I want that to happen.

A phone menu system (very similar to ELIZA) is an AI that I can handle - just like Kirk handled the planetary computer in "I, Mudd".
(If you don't know the original Star Trek series by heart like some of us, here's a link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I,_Mudd  )

A computer with a true common sense factor wouldn't have any trouble stopping me from zeroing out or figuring out what a lie is. I've been definitely wrong before & the results weren't what I wanted, but if something that controlled massive systems was as wrong, the results could be pretty horrific. Hitler is one example. As Jackie said, countless SF novels have pointed out some of the possibilities & dangers.

We're not even really sure what AI is. Not everyone agrees. Here's a fairly good, short article answering that question.
http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~isb9112...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Thanks for the links, Jim. It's a wonder that anyone can figure all of this stuff out.

[Jim]

LOL! No one has yet, Joy. Some of the best minds in the world have been working hard on this for decades & Watson is the best they could come up with. Good, but still has a long way to go, thankfully.

[Jackie]

Twice I tried to watch Any Human Heart and it just didn't do it for me. I won't be continuing with it.

My friend Lara visited me yesterday and brought her box set of Deadwood. I've watched 2 episodes and I don't see why so many people I know raved about it. Has anyone seen it? Does it get better?

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "Twice I tried to watch Any Human Heart and it just didn't do it for me. I won't be continuing with it. ..."

Jackie, I wasn't motivated to see any more of it either.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "... My friend Lara visited me yesterday and brought her box set of Deadwood. I've watched 2 episodes and I don't see why so many people I know raved about it. Has anyone seen it? Does it get better?"

Jackie, this is the first I've heard of "Deadwood".
Below are the links:
"Deadwood" (TV Series 2004–2006)
http://movies.netflix.com/Search?oq=&...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348914/
"A show set in the late 1800's, revolving around the characters of Deadwood, South Dakota; a town of deep corruption and crime."

Looks like it won quite a few awards and nominations:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348914/a...
Seems from the awards charts at the link above that it might have gotten better as it went along.

[Jackie]

I've heard so many people rave about Deadwood but honestly, it's trashy. I don't see what the attraction is. The foul language is overkill, 2 or 3 times in one sentence, only to be followed by an equally disgusting sentence. Most of the characters are repulsive as well. In the middle of the 4rd episode, I decided I couldn't waste my time any further, even if it does get better I don't think it's for me.

Thanks for the info, Joy.

I've ordered Wallander from the library. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1178618/

And Firefly: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303461/

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Hope you will enjoy those DVDs, Jackie.

[Jackie]

Me too. I just realized that the movie 'Serenity' is the wrap-up to the series. I saw that movie thinking it was just a standalone movie. Now I'll have to get that too, because I don't remember anything about it.

[Jim]

Firefly rocks! Careful of the order you watch them in. The boxed DVD set has them in the correct order (mine does, anyway) but they were originally aired out of sequence. Fox just seemed to have it out for the series. (Big thumbs down to Fox executives!)

The pilot is the 2 hour one, followed by 13 - 1 hour episodes. Only 11 were originally aired & then they canceled it due to low ratings. (They didn't advertise & put it on mid afternoon weekends. Gee, I wonder why no one saw it?)

You can find out more here, but be careful of spoilers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly_...

The end of "The Great Train Robbery", the first regular episode, is what nailed the series for me. (view spoiler)[Mal, the Captain, offers the money back to one of the captured henchmen. The guy says he will cut his heart out. Without changing expression, Mal kicks him into the Firefly's engine where he is killed immediately & Mal steps up to the next guy & repeats the offer. This one is eager to please. (hide spoiler)]

After watching the series, Serenity becomes even more memorable. It's definitely a culmination of the characters. Fantastic.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jim, thanks for the link and the interesting post.

"Firefly": The Complete Series (2002)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303461/
http://movies.netflix.com/Search?oq=&...
"Set almost 500 years in the future, this short-lived but much-loved TV series follows the adventures of the ragtag crew of the transport spaceship Serenity... When a passenger is wanted by the ruling Alliance regime, the Firefly must hide out in the dangerous fringes of space."

As Jackie mentioned (in Messages #58 & 60), there's also the 2005 movie, "Serenity".
http://movies.netflix.com/Search?oq=&...
"Picking up where his cult show 'Firefly' left off, writer-director Joss Whedon's tale of galactic unrest follows Malcolm Reynolds, captain of the transport ship Serenity, and his scrappy but loyal crew."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379786/
"The crew of the ship Serenity tries to evade an assassin sent to recapture one of their number who is telepathic."

[Jackie]

Jim,
Thanks for the info. I noticed imbd and the other episode guides have a different order. Now I know which is the correct viewing order.
I don't understand the networks or why they bother with new shows when most of the time it seems as if they're doing the damnedest to kill the new shows.

[Jim]

Read this, Jackie.
http://www.cracked.com/article_19012_...

[Jackie]

Jim,
Wow, that's an eyeopener. The writer's role (#5) was mind-blowing to me, I had no idea. Sounds backwards to me! The reasons why movies get killed, the rating system, the merchandising! No wonder all the movies are crap these days. I hardly watch movies anymore because most of them are so bad, lots of GCI and shoot 'em ups and no content. It's gets boring real fast.

Thanks for a great article. I'm going to have to pass that on.

[Jim]

I thought you'd get a kick out of that. I ran across supporting evidence when I was reading If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Do any of you watch "The Joy Behar Show"? What do you think of it and of her? For me, it depends on the subject matter. Sometimes she has some interesting discussions with her guests. Other times I'm not interested.

I do like her natural, upbeat personality. She seems like a fun person with a good sense humor. I enjoy her participation in the panel on "The View". In fact, she's my favorite person on the panel.

[Jackie]

I'm not a fan of The View and most especially not of loudmouth 'only my opinion matters' Joy Behar.

Joy, (the one I do like!), now that 'the other Joy' has her own show, is she still on The View?

Jim, I just watched that episode you mentioned. I loved it! It's what I always want to happen when villians shoot their mouths off yet never does. The good guys always let them go, so they can come back and wreak more havoc. I loved Mal's solution, it's the only one that makes sense to me. I'm gonna love this show.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Yes, Jackie, Joy Behar is still on the View and she has her own show too at 10PM weekdays on HLN-TV.

[Jim]

I thought it would appeal to your blood thirsty nature, Jackie.
;-)

Seriously, Mal does make a very rational, although cold blooded decision - just what I'd expect out of a man who fought for years in a civil war. The best part is, the series combines most of the high adventure that I love; space ships, westerns & pretty girls.

[Jackie]

In the interest of self-preservation, Mal made the wisest choice.
When I saw the Serenity movie, I thought the Western style music was odd for a scifi space adventure but now seeing the series I ealize that it fits, especially in The Great Train Robbery (The Train Job)episode.

[Katherine]

Remember when The History Channel passed on showing the new miniseries "The Kennedys"? It's been picked up by Reelz Channel and will be shown in April, two episodes on the 3rd, and the remaining 6 during that week. Greg Kinnear plays Jack and Katie Holmes, Jackie. I will probably watch it to see why the History Channel, which has such "historical" shows as Ice Truckers and Pawn Stars didn't want to air it.
Reelz CHannel is available on my Time Warner, #429 here.

[Jackie]

If you didn't mention it, I'd never know I had Reelz. Thank you, Katherine. It's on my calendar now.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Katherine wrote: "Remember when The History Channel passed on showing the new miniseries The Kennedys? It's been picked up by Reelz Channel and will be shown in April, two episodes on the 3rd, and the remaining 6..."

Katherine, thanks for telling us about that upcoming show, The Kennedys. I hope I don't miss it in April. (Please try to remind us if you can.) I've always loved Greg Kinnear (ever since his days on "The Soup"). (g)

I knew we had the Reelz Channel (#429) but, like Jackie, I'm not too familiar with it.

Here's the IMDb page for the show:
"The Kennedys" (TV Series 2011)(8 episodes):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1567215/
(Netflix doesn't have it in their listings yet.)

The plot summary at IMDb is interesting:
"...told in a manner similar to The Godfather: a manipulative, egocentric father [played by Tom Wilkinson] determined to live out his own ambitions through his sons... Viewers will be upstairs at the White House, not in the Cabinet Room. ... viewers will learn about the lesser known, yet critical personal stories."
FROM: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1567215/p...

[Jackie]

I like Kinnear also. And I'm thrilled to finally see Katie Holmes back to work.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Here's Katie Holmes IMDb page:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005017/
She's so pretty! She'll probably make good "Jackie".
I think the only movie I've seen her in was "Wonder Boys"* (2000).
I don't remember her. It was a while ago.

*Based on the book: Wonder Boys (1995) by Michael Chabon

BTW, I've always loved the following quote from the film:
========================================================
"Whenever I wondered what Sara saw in me--and I wondered more than once--I always came back to the fact that she loved to read. She read everything, every spare moment. She was a junkie for the printed word, and lucky for me, I manufactured her drug of choice."
-Prof.Grady Tripp (Michael Douglas), in the film "Wonder Boys" [2000]
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0185014/
========================================================
I think I'm a "word junkie" and love the expression! :)

[Jackie]

Katie Holmes gained popularity in the CW hit show Dawson's Creek, a teen drama. I've seen her in a few movies: Abandon, Batman Begins, The Gift, The Ice Storm, First Daughter and The Extra Man.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

I've put "First Daughter" on my Netflix queue. Looks like fun.
"First Daughter" (2004)
http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/First...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361620/

I just noticed that I also saw "The Extra Man"(2010) via Netflix.
It included Katie Holmes but I don't remember her.
"The Extra Man" (2010)
http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/The_E...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1361313/
I gave the movie 4 stars out of 5.
The film was adapted from the book, The Extra Man (1998) by Jonathan Ames.

PS-What does "CW" mean?

[Jackie]

It's a TV station, for you and me it's Channel 15. Mostly for a younger audience but has some good shows like Smallville and Supernatural.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "It's a TV station, for you and me it's Channel 15. ... "

Ah! WCWN! I see. I'm always curious about the meaning of initials. So I did a little searching. According to the links shown below, the "CW" name is derived from the first letter of the names of the following corporations: CBS and Warner Bros."

See below:

"WCWN is the CW-affiliated television station for the Capital District of New York State and Western New England."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WCWN

"The CW Television Network (The CW) is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network (UPN), and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB Television Network. The "CW" name is derived from the first letter of the names of these corporations (CBS and Warner Bros.)."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_CW

It gets complicated. :)

[Jackie]

It sure does, lol

[Katherine]

Did anyone catch the sneak peak of episode one of Camelot on Starz last night? I missed it myself, but did find it at Starz on Demand, channel 770 on my cable.
You can also watch the full episode at the Starz website.

[Jackie]

I just watched the preview here: http://www.starz.com/originals/Camelot

And the full episode could be viewed there as well. It looks so good! I'm so happy that so many epic fantasies are coming to television. I don't know if I'll watch the episode because then the next episode will be even longer to wait for.

[Mary JL]

I very seldom watch TV--it takes time from my reading.

I do watch the news, and certain big events and specials.

But even the shows I like---Big Bang Theory and Law and Order SVU--I often miss; I forget to turn on the tube and remember when the show is half over--so I just continue reading.

However, one woderful thing about our era is: almost everything will eventually be released on DVD. A lot of the early shows of the 1950's we have lost--or lost most of them. But with the VCR,first, and now the DVD player, we can go back and catch any shows we missed. So, some young persons who was not even alive in 1964 can get any episode of the original Star Trek series and watch it--complete, uncut, and--wonderful!--No Commercials.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Yes, Mary JL, we're very lucky to be able to enjoy DVDs these days. They open up a whole new world of entertainment... even if it's "old" entertainment. It's NEW to us... and to the kids!

[Jackie]

I borrowed Wallander from the library and it's very good. It's a BBC series from 2008, a remake of a Swedish TV program of the same name from 2005.
British version: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1178618/
Swedish version: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0907702/

The two 90 minute episodes I watched are based on Sidetracked and Firewall by Henning Mankell and filmed in Sweden with all it's glorious scenery.

With all the love for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, I thought some members may be interested in the Swedish detective, whether it be the books or the TV series. The two stories I watched were exceptionally good, though not as gritty as Dragon Tattoo nor as graphic.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Thanks for the links and info, Jackie. I see that the Wallander TV series (2008) is categorized at IMDb as "crime" and "thriller". I also see that Wallander is a detective. I had never heard the name before this.

The GR page on the author of the Wallander books says:
=======================================================
"Henning Mankell is an internationally known Swedish crime writer, children's author and playwright. He is best known for his literary character Kurt Wallander.
Mankell splits his time between Sweden and Mozambique. He is married to Eva Bergman, Swedish director and daughter of Ingmar Bergman."
FROM: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
========================================================
Here's the Netflix page for the Wallander Series:
http://movies.netflix.com/Search?oq=w...
(Kenneth Branagh plays Wallander.)

I wish I enjoyed the crime/thriller genre as much as so many other people do, but I don't. Strangely enough, I remember enjoying Lawrence Sanders' crime thrillers years ago (his "Deadly Sin" novels). The detective in the series was a cop, Ed Delaney. Some of the crimes were pretty awful but the writing style was fun to read. (Delaney used to make wonderful sandwiches.) :)

Hey! I just found out that Delaney was played by Frank Sinatra in the movie adaptation of The First Deadly Sin!
"The First Deadly Sin" (1980)
http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/The_F...
(about a "A pickax-wielding serial killer" in NYC)

[Jackie]

I hadn't heard of Wallander either. A friend here on GR is reading one of the books so I looked it up and found there was a TV series.

I haven't read any of Sanders' 'Sins' books but my husband has and he really likes them. He's also a huge Sinatra fan; I'll have to see if I can find "The First Deadly Sin" movie for him. Thank you, Joy, for that info, Anthony will be so pleased.

[Katherine]

Coming this Spring:
Game of Thrones based on George R.R. Martin's book-HBO, April 17, 9PM (series)
The Borgias, Showtime, starting April 3rd, 9PM, starring Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander VI (series)
Mildred Pierce HBO, remake starring Kate Winslet - Movie, airing March 27th, 9PM
Final episodes of Law & Order CI, returning May 1st on USA
Plus a new Masterpiece Theater with Jean Marsh, Camelot and the Kennedys. Weren't they one-in-the-same at one point?
It's shaping up to be watchable, at least I hope so.

[Jackie]

Katherine, do you know the date for Masterpiece Theater presentation. I'd like to put that on my calendar. Thanks for all the new shows, I can add a few of them to the New Shows list.

Here's some new shows I posted at my TV Group:

HBO ~ A Game of Thrones ~ April 17th, 2011
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psbBi7...

STARZ ~ Camelot ~ April 1st, 2011
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1672189/
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rg4Tn...
Watch first episode here:
http://www.starz.com/Originals/Camelo...

REELZ ~ Kennedys ~ April 3rd, 2011
8 Part Miniseries
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1567215/
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zvk-v...

AMC ~ The Killing ~ April 3rd, 2011
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1637727/
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6gfbc...

FOX ~ Terra Nova ~ May 23rd, 2011
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1641349/
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2cASd...

TNT: Falling Skies ~ Summer 2011
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1462059/epis...
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CILkO-...

[Katherine]

Jackie wrote: "Katherine, do you know the date for Masterpiece Theater presentation. I'd like to put that on my calendar. Thanks for all the new shows, I can add a few of them to the New Shows list.

Here's..."

April 10th. No time mentioned, only one of those "check your local listings" blurbs.
WOW! Good job, Jackie. I've got to check into some of those I didn't know about.
Thanks

[Jackie]

Thanks for the info.

Come join us at the TV Group. I've been named co-moderator, after our moderator has been absent for ages. The place is completely cleaned up and lots of topics to choose from.

http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/4...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Katherine & Jackie, thanks for the lists of upcoming TV shows.

Jackie, some of those IMDb links aren't working for me in Message #90.

PS - March 3, 2011
They all seem to be working now EXCEPT for "Falling Skies".
Here's the link I found online:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1462059/

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "... Come join us at the TV Group. I've been named co-moderator, after our moderator has been absent for ages. The place is completely cleaned up and lots of topics to choose from.
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/4... "

Jackie, good luck as co-moderator at the TV group. I know you'll be great at it because you're so articulate and knowledgeable.

I took a quick peek at the group and I like the categories you've chosen for the folders. Good job.

How about a folder for "Talk Shows"? I'm not sure there would be enough interest in it, but perhaps some members would have comments to make regarding the latest happenings on the talk shows. The shows would include shows like "The View", "The Talk", the Ellen DeGeneres show, and all the late night shows too.

I might drop by there sometime. I see you have 449 members. That's a good size.

PS-Maybe the folder could include interviews and folder name could be "Talk Shows and Interviews".
OOPS! - I see you already have a folder called "News & Talk Shows". At first I didn't see it because it was on the second page. I found it by clicking on "more discussions" at the bottom of the first page.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

I watched the recent TV interviews with Charlie Sheen. I'm not sure it was a good idea for Charlie to be shown in his present condition. To me, it seems as if the networks are taking advantage of him and using his misfortune to their advantage, not to Charlie's advantage. I don't see how it benefits Charlie for him to be seen in public, rambling and talking in non-sequiturs, showing his fragile state to the world.

I heard a professional psychologist today saying that Charlie is exhibiting many of the symptoms of a bi-polar personality. The interviews almost reminded me of a freak show. IMO, it was very unwise to place Charlie in such a vulnerable situation. He's vulnerable enough at this point.

[Jim]

I don't know about Charlie Sheen, but I've heard he partied as hard in real life as he pretends on the show. An alcoholic hitting their bottom exhibits the same symptoms. Good luck to him.

Here's an amusing & pretty clean batch of products only seen on TV. I think you'd all find it amusing.
http://www.cracked.com/photoplasty_17...

[Jackie]

I didn't watch the interview but have heard commentary on it and many of the reporters say what Jim did, about alcoholism.
Don't these celebrities. have PR representatives, agents and managers would say NO to this type of thing?

Joy, there's not much interest in Talk Show, the dates they were posted were quite a while ago, but I decided to keep them because they were all we have in that category. Please start some Topics if you'd like. Most of those members won't start a new topic but will reply.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jim wrote: "... Here's an amusing & pretty clean batch of products only seen on TV. I think you'd all find it amusing."

LOL - I liked the "Nightmare Spring Pillow" (#7):
http://www.cracked.com/photoplasty_17...
(A quick way to escape from a nightmare. The pillow senses when you're having a bad dream and springs you wide awake in less than a second.) (lol)

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jim wrote: "I don't know about Charlie Sheen, but I've heard he partied as hard in real life as he pretends on the show. An alcoholic hitting their bottom exhibits the same symptoms. Good luck to him."

Yes, good luck to him. He's definitely hitting bottom. It's so sad.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "I didn't watch the interview but have heard commentary on it and many of the reporters say what Jim did, about alcoholism.
Don't these celebrities. have PR representatives, agents and managers would say NO to this type of thing? ..."

Good point, Jackie. Charlie Sheen said that he fired his publicist recently... or, more likely, the publicist quit. See the link below:
http://www.people.com/people/article/...
"The actor's publicist, Stan Rosenfield, quit after Sheen booked a slew of bizarre and no-holds-barred interviews in the last week."

So it looks to me as if Charlie didn't take his publicist's advice about not booking the interviews.