Content deleted Content added

Inline

Revision as of 10:42, 16 August 2008

Welcome to the entertainment section
of the Wikipedia reference desk.

skip to bottom

Select a section:

Shortcut

WP:RD/E

Want a faster answer?

Main page: Help searching Wikipedia

How can I get my question answered?

Select the section of the desk that best fits the general topic of your question (see the navigation column to the right).
Post your question to only one section, providing a short header that gives the topic of your question.
Type '~~~~' (that is, four tilde characters) at the end – this signs and dates your contribution so we know who wrote what and when.
Don't post personal contact information – it will be removed. Any answers will be provided here.
Please be as specific as possible, and include all relevant context – the usefulness of answers may depend on the context.
Note:
- We don't answer (and may remove) questions that require medical diagnosis or legal advice.
- We don't answer requests for opinions, predictions or debate.
- We don't do your homework for you, though we'll help you past the stuck point.
- We don't conduct original research or provide a free source of ideas, but we'll help you find information you need.

Ready? Ask a new question!

How do I answer a question?

Main page: Wikipedia:Reference desk/Guidelines

The best answers address the question directly, and back up facts with wikilinks and links to sources. Do not edit others' comments and do not give any medical or legal advice.

August 9

webcomics / OEL manga recommendations based on artwork

Hi People. I am looking for webcomics ratings by artwork, rather than by content. There are several sites that rate webcomics and web-accessible OEL manga, but the ratings are non-specific, in the sense that a poorly drawn but hilarious comics gets as high a rating as a very elaborately drawn but subtly humorous one. Do you know of any sites that rate webcomics / OEL manga by artwork specifically? Alternatively, please give your suggestions which webcomics or web-accessible OEL manga, in your opinion, I should look at for the best artwork. (No ecchi please!!!) --OKMNJIUHB (talk) 01:58, 9 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Olympics Road Race Mens

How do the teams work in this event? I just saw the Australian on CBC (in Canada here) Cabel (somthing, I can't remember his last name) and his radio didn't work, and his team came in a car with a technician to fix his radio. He was holding on to the car while the technician was fixing his radio. What is the purpose of the radio, etc. etc. in this event?68.148.164.166 (talk) 03:46, 9 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

That would be Cadel Evans (a good Welsh name). A similar question was asked during the Tour de France about a month ago. basically, the team car keeps the cyclists informed of things like how far ahead any breaks in the peloton are (or how far behind the chasers are if the cyclist is in the leading group) and who is in those groups, any upcoming changes in track conditions (e.g., if it's raining further along the course), information about problems with other members of the team - things like that. It's not for coaching or anything like that (at least, not officially), but is to help the competitors in an event where - by its very nature - it's impossible to always know where other members of your team (in this case, country) or your leading rivals are. Grutness...wha? 21:23, 9 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

He's been the runner-up in the Tour de France 2 years in a row, so you'll be hearing more of him. -- JackofOz (talk) 23:32, 9 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Nice promo - not a countryman of yours by any chance? ;) Grutness...wha? 01:12, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Oh, how delightfully surprising! I never knew that. :) -- JackofOz (talk) 02:54, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Song Words on BBC Radio

Some fifteen years back I used to listen to an English learning programme called Song Words on BBC Radio. Is it archived accessibly somewhere? 05:40, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

game site

where can i get the latest game news online? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 122.50.249.10 (talk) 09:03, 9 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Please clarify what you mean by "game". Board game? Sporting game? Video game? − Twas Now ( talk • contribs • e-mail ) 10:57, 9 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Grand Theft Venison? OtherDave (talk) 12:07, 9 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Controversial question alert?

I hope I'm not out of line by by asking you who the tallest jockey and the shortest basketball player ever were. That's right,- political correctness be damned!......Sorry, I suffer from borderline personality disorder.Baseball and and and Popcorn Fanatic (talk) 17:53, 9 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I'm guessing the tallest jockey ever is Manute Bol, a 7'7" former NBA player [1]. The shortest NBA player was Muggsy Bogues, who was 5'3", but I'm not sure who the shortest basketball player in general is. Maybe a member of a dwarf basketball team, like the L.A. Breakers [2]. Zagalejo^^^ 18:56, 9 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Rest easy, there's nothing inappropriate in your question, BaaaPF. -- JackofOz (talk) 23:30, 9 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Olympic Qustions

I have two questions after watching the openning ceremonies on NBC on August 8th

Why will baseball (and softball?) be missing from the Olymipics in London (and possibly the next location)?
Which country pulled out of the 2008 Olympics and has a reason been given yet?

Nice or in evil (talk) 22:08, 9 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

1-It's pretty expensive to build a baseball diamond for two weeks in a country that doesn't normally play baseball/softball. Corvus cornix_talk 00:04, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

From the 2012 Summer Olympic Games article "London's bid featured 28 sports, in line with other recent Summer Olympics, but the IOC voted to drop baseball and softball from the 2012 Games two days after it selected London as the host city. The IOC reinforced its decision to drop both sports during the Turin Games after they lost votes for reconsideration. They will be Olympic sports for the last time at Beijing in 2008". Also, Brunei were disqualified from competing for failing to register their athletes and Georgia are currently considering pulling out due to the ongoing conflict/war with Russia (see 2008 Summer Olympics#Participation changes). Nanonic (talk) 00:17, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Baseball#Baseball_around_the_world has some of the details. Though this is only conjecture, a major consideration with both baseball and softball was probably the small number of countries in which they're played at a competitive level. Africa, for instance, has onlyh one counry that has ever played international baseball (see History of baseball outside the United States). The IOC sets minimum standards such as the necessity for a sport to be played in a large number of countries and on all continents. Baseball is still a very small minority sport in many countries. For someone like me, brought up in a Commonwealth country, it's natural to compare the situation with baseball to that with cricket, which hasn't been an Olympic event since 1904, despite having over 100 countries that have played it internationally. baseball - by a continuation of the comparison - has a far lower profile in countries like the UK than cricket has in the US. As such, it's not as international a sport, and that is what the Olympics is all about. As such its and similar sports dominated by a handful of countries (e.g., hurling, pelota, rugby league, Aussie rules) are unlikely to geet huge support from the IOC. Grutness...wha? 01:25, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

A pessimist might say that baseball didn't pay a big enough bribe. (See Keirin, specifically the Olympic section.) Rmhermen (talk) 18:03, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

There are a series of sports that are changed/alternated at each olympics - some are set as always being there (e.g. most of the track events) but some are added and removed from olympics to olympics. I'm not sure of the process but I suspect it is either a vote by the committee or is left to the host-city to decide. I'll see if I can find out the rules and add it later (my internet runs really slow unfortunately) ny156uk (talk) 21:35, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Seems I was mistaken - it looks like there are things called 'demonstration sports' which are included from some olympics, and there are also 'discontinued sports'. The article Olympic sports goes into detail about which events have been removed and also the selection process required for an event to be 'considered' for entry into the olympics. ny156uk (talk) 21:41, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Quantum of Solace

Is true that the opening credits sequence (as well as the gun barrel design) will be created by MK12? David Pro (talk) 23:07, 9 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

August 10

Summer Olympics

How often are the summer olympics? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.196.101.2 (talk) 01:57, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Every four years - after Beijing the next ones will be in London in 2012. In the early days of the modern games there were also smaller tournaments between them (the "intercalated" games) meaning there were basically summer olympics every two years, but that idea never took off. Grutness...wha? 02:19, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

it should also be noted that Winter Olympics happen every four years but in a timeframe so that every two years some kind of olympics is going on.the juggresurection ^IstKrieg! 02:39, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Pig Destroyer

Is there any reason why the band Pig Destroyer doesnt have a bass player? the juggresurection ^IstKrieg! 02:38, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Because they don't want one. − Twas Now ( talk • contribs • e-mail ) 02:59, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

You should learn to play bass (if you don't already), and offer to join them. —Keenan Pepper 03:19, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I have listened to thier music and while they do not have a bass player, they have got bass in thier music. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.115.175.247 (talk) 16:37, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Summer Olympics Swimming Question

okay, so on the 2008 swimming time tables, under notes there's this thing, "AF". it's in the column where WR (world record) and such would go. WHAT DOES IT MEAN, it is driving me nuts! 24.247.94.47 (talk) 03:15, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Perhaps Acronym Finder :) Marcus Lupus (talk) 04:23, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

African Record. See here. Fribbler (talk) 14:14, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Kellie Pickler listed as Aspie?

While I was adding Jonathan Jayne to List of people on the autistic spectrum, I saw a curious note on the talk page and corresponding edit in the edit history by 68.89.40.115 at 13 March 2006. Someone added Kellie Pickler to that page under the Asperger's header.

Why did this person put Kellie Pickler on this list? Is she really really really really really into singing or something? I've searched the Internet and couldn't find any references to Pickler having Asperger's. Perhaps someone could elucidate me on this. Wiwaxia (talk) 03:36, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

That's a violation of WP:BLP and should be removed immediately if not sourced to a reliable source. Corvus cornix_talk 20:20, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

That' true that it's a violation, but still there must be some reason why that person said Kellie Pickler had Asperger's. What is it about her? I want answers. Wiwaxia (talk) 06:04, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I suspect that either 1)someone didn't understand what Asperger syndrome actually was, or 2)someone was just causing trouble. There are all kinds of really bizarre, random edits throughout Wikipedia. I wouldn't put too much stock into that user's comments. Zagalejo^^^ 06:17, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Toonami Cancellation

Noooooooooo, I was watching toonami tonight (8-9-08) and I didn't see any toonami bumpers, openings, or anything. Did CN finally pull the plug on this once great block?-Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.234.27.73 (talk) 04:47, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Prison break series 2

What happened to the rucksack of money in the second series? I've checked the wiki entries but to no avail and my memory is failing me. Od6600 (talk) 11:27, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Kim kicks it into the water in the last episode. Zain Ebrahim (talk) 11:38, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

ThanksOd6600 (talk) 14:59, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Bagpipe tune?

Could anyone identify the tune that starts at 1:15 in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IK2ELbvKhY . (I assume it's okay to ask this type of a question here.) Thank you. Marcus Lupus (talk) 16:17, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Sweet suffering Donald MacCrimmon. It's My_Country,_'Tis_of_Thee, also known as America, not a tune well suited to the pipes. You could say they're playing to the crowd. OtherDave (talk) 21:06, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I believe the tune is called "Xuanin de Mieres", an Asturian folk song. The band playing it is "Banda de Gaites de Corvera d´Asturies". I hope this answers your question.

JW..[ T..C ] 03:41, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Whoops, got my timing wrong. But the one before still has Donald MacCrimmon weeping. OtherDave (talk) 04:17, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

What is the name of that cowboy song that goes "trrt trrt trr trr trr trrrrr" that is parodied after the Robin Hood theme on Deep Purple's Fireball (album)?

It's on track 13 "The Noise Abatement Society" of the 25th anniversary edition. What is the name of that theme song that was used for television shows about cowboys and injuns?--WhoopRoot (talk) 18:24, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know the track you're referring to, but could this be the signature tune for The Lone Ranger? It was an excerpt from the William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini. -- JackofOz (talk) 18:32, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

You're probably right.--WhoopRoot (talk) 19:00, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Football (soccer) not in America?

What is not to like? Hours of low score game, that's your opinion! Every point counts then, doesnt it?. You should try some other culture for a change, please.--PedroEnriqueGonzalezDelRio (talk) 21:40, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

As an avid football (soccer) fan I can still answer this question rather easily...Yes it is "your opinion" but what else are you going to want from someone in their liking/disliking of a sport? If people find low-scoring boring that's a valid opinion. It might not be true in the eyes of you or I but clearly it is true to the person who thinks it. Secondly there are many reasons I can consider it hasn't taken off in America - it doesn't have a history of participation like other sports do...If your father/family aren't into the sport then it lowers the likelihood the child will be (doesn't eliminate but does lower). Thirdly the sport does exist and has some interest/support but it cannot compete with the big sports such as Baseball, American Football and Basketball - all of which are imbedded in american sports culture. All of their top leagues attract the best players from all around the globe to play - that is not true of soccer, where the best names are drawn to countries where it is pretty much the 'national' sport (England, Spain, Italy). Fourthly it isn't a failing to have a nation that doesn't like soccer, it's a cultural difference of neither negative nor positive position. Finally - it isn't about not taking in other cultures, it is about a country that hasn't got a 'history' in the game, doesn't have a major financial interest in the game, doesn't have the same grass-roots system as countries that 'love' that game (at least not in the same manner) and already has massively established 'national' sports that it attracts the top players, the top money, the top international interest in. That may not always be the case and one day soccer may become a major sport in America too but it's really of no consequence whether it does or doesn't. ny156uk (talk) 21:54, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

As I've pointed out many times for many sports... Any and every sport is boring if you have no interest in how it is played or who wins. For most people, an interest in who wins is the primary reason for watching a sport. For a rare few, the mechanics of the game provide enjoyment. I find soccer boring because I don't care who wins. I could care less if it was a 0-1 game or a 100-200 game. Similarly, I find basketball even more boring because I don't care who wins. All I see are a bunch of gangly guys making basket after basket after basket until they finally end the game. However, no sport, including golf, bores me more than Nascar. If I wanted to see a bunch of white guys turn left, I'd just head down to the gas station and watch people driving to work. -- kainaw ™ 02:14, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

You need to look at your country. I ask your country- why beisbal (baseball?)Most countries the world over have & love football. We add more points we take away unnecessary action. We dont make you , we ask you. Please believe me.PedroEnriqueGonzalezDelRio (talk) 04:10, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

As an American who happens to like soccer I ask, why is it so important to you whether or not Americans like the sport? Americans are fans of many sports: American football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, NASCAR, golf, tennis, etc. Why are so many countries so narrowly focused on just soccer/football? Maybe you should look in the mirror. Why don't you like baseball/Australian rules/hurling/lacrosse/rugby union? —D. Monack ^talk 05:41, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Very strange. You say "try some other culture" but you seem to be advocating that all the world should have a single unified culture. How boring. APL (talk) 14:27, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Most people in the world are nuts about football because it's the team sport most countries are on board with. I'm not surprised this sport beat out the other sports for this position. It's continuous, there's not many rules, and basketball and volleyball (other popular team sports similar in criteria) weren't invented yet. Of the three, football also is the most accommodating of different body types and sizes, and needs the least equipment/setup for pickup games, which makes it more popular for amateur play. It's also the best to watch on TV because there's no commercial breaks for 45 min. In the USA the sport is the most played among children in the school systems, so there's a large part of the population that's attached to it, moreso than it's status in this country would show. There's also a large immigrant population in this country from Europe and the Americas who are gaga over the sport. All that said, it seems like football's natural place in the US should be near the top. The problems are competition, as mentioned above (and the NFL is very cut throat), and business decisions. The NASL collapsed because it went for a fast growth model and the franchises couldn't handle the bidding wars and costs of marquee players, but until they got to that point they did rather well. They also largely rented American Football stadiums and thereby lost a lot of revenue, and the fans didn't like it because you can't quite get those ten-yard lines completely off the field. The MLS went for a slow growth model and are smaller but stabler. Teams have a salary cap to prevent a similar collapse and I'm sure the cap'll keep getting higher as the league matures and we'll be able to compete for more and more marquee players. Perhaps they'll remove the cap entirely when the league is big enough for that very reason, but until then they've allowed each team a couple of foreign players to raise the level and visibility of the league. So I think the failure is not because of a lack of American enthusiasm, so the future looks very bright. -LambaJan (talk) 12:40, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The Women behind Blond Mafia

Who are the women behind Blond Mafia? Ericthebrainiac (talk) 21:40, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

How and when did wrestling get popular?

As a child in the 70s I vaguely remember wrestling being rerun Sunday afternoons on the lowest budget UHF station in town. Then, next thing I know Hulk Hogan is a household name. Today, only the oil companies make more money. It sure happened fast!Hey, I'm Just Curious (talk) 21:49, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

In Adelaide during the late 1960's and early 1970's "World Championship Wresting" was on at the Thebarton Town Hall every week (or so it seemed) and was on the major TV station every weekend. I used to like the TV broadcasts. You could regularly hear an audience member yell "Give him one for me." --80.176.225.249 (talk) 22:45, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Yeh, they were fun (of a sort, if you like hammy overacting). Btw, what ever happened to Mario Milano and Jack Little? -- JackofOz (talk) 02:23, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I've discovered Jack Little died on 4 January 1986. Still no sign of Mario Milano. -- JackofOz (talk) 09:47, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Except here, of course. How silly of me to forget that good old WP has articles on everyone. -- JackofOz (talk) 09:50, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

This is a good article to read. --Endless Dan 14:35, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Ruki Vverh - Pesenka

Does someone know the name of the female singer in this song and maybe some other songs she sang? --85.178.163.76 (talk) 23:35, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

English sources on the song are few and far between. You could ask one of these people to see if they can find the answer in a Russian source (link is to the Russian Wikipedia's "Embassy") Fribbler (talk) 18:05, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

August 11

Summer and Winter Olympic medals

This question may have been answered before but I couldnt find it. Has anyone ever won a medal in both the Summer and Winter Olympics? I suspect the best chance would be someone competing in Shooting in the summer and Biathalon in the winter, but I'd be interested to know if it's actually happened. -Running On Brains 03:58, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Four athletes have won medals in both: Eddie Eagan, Jacob Tullin Thams, Christa Luding-Rothenburger and Clara Hughes; Eagan is the only person to win gold in both. None won shooting or biathalon events. Giants2008 (17-14) 04:05, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

(EC) Eddie Eagan, USA: Gold in boxing 1920 Summer Olympics and bobsleigh 1932 Winter Olympics. Gwinva (talk) 04:09, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

IIRC there are a couple of current athletes who have competed at both speed skating and cycling, though offhand I can't bring any names to mind. Grutness...wha? 06:44, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Clara Hughes, mentioned above, is one. - Eron^Talk 11:59, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

...and, see w:Category:Dual Olympics competitors for a number of athletes who have competed (without necessarily winning medals) in both Summer and Winter events. (One interesting entry is Hayley Wickenheiser who has participated in both women's ice hockey and softball.) - Eron^Talk 17:28, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Gillis Grafström won gold medals in the summer and winter Olympics in the same sport: figure skating. That's because winter events were part of the summer games before the winter games were established. --Anonymous, 04:31 UTC, August 12, 2008.

Soccer socks

I've bought a few and they all rip after a few months. Is that what I have to live with? Brand, no brand...doesn't seem to make a difference. Thanks. 67.243.6.204 (talk) 14:54, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Cut your toe nails more often. Problem solved. --Endless Dan 15:06, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Also, if you know how to sew, darning your socks is simple and can make them last much longer. —D. Monack ^talk 16:44, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

One bit of advice: always buy tube socks. Unlike other socks, they can be put on in any rotation. This allows the normal wear points to be spread out into a ring, making the socks last much longer. I also find them easier to put on in the dark, and it would be apparent to anyone who has seen my choice of clothes that I always dress in the dark. StuRat (talk) 05:50, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Flushed Away page mystery

For a while There was an area on the flushed away (Film) page about the sequel to the movie titled flushed away again. Recently the subject has been deleted and I don't have a clue why. Can you tell me who deleted it and why? Can you also give me any information links given by the person when they created the subject?

Thank you Ritaslilsis (talk) 18:42, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Here is an older version of the article with the sequel mentioned. It had no source, so I guess that's why somebody removed it. You can check the page history if you want to hunt down the person who removed it. Fribbler (talk) 18:53, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

A-side and B-side of albums

Did the concepts of A-side and B-side traditionally have significance to full albums as they did to singles and EPs? Neon Merlin 21:45, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I can't recall having heard the terms used that way. Albums had a first side and a second, or sides 1 and 2, or even A and B, but never with connotations of inferiority or obscurity as with singles. The second side was just the side that played second, and it might well contain the album's biggest hits. Algebraist 21:51, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Typically on vinyl LP albums the hit songs were first on each side. The sound quality of a record deteriorates slightly as you get closer to the center. —D. Monack ^talk 22:37, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

That was also related to a concern in the old days, now obsolete, about the sequencing of each side. Traditionally, you'd want a strong or catchy song beginning each side, so that no matter what side was put on the turntable, the listener would get immediately drawn in. This was not a universal rule, of course. Another concern from the days of cassette tapes, now obsolete, is that side A should be of equal or longer duration than side B, because you didn't want a long space of blank tape before the tape machine switched over to the second side. 24.172.156.74 (talk) 07:13, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

In the case of a concept album, like the Beatles' Sargeant Pepper, or Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, I daresay, it was fully intended by the artist that side A be played before side B. It was probably their vision to create that progression of their works. One quirky exception to the whole subject of Lp sides was Spanky and Our Gang's Anything You Choose/Without Rhyme or Reason Lp, which had a side A, and a side 1. Now that's REALLY leaving it up us!T lX$W7x05h^ (talk) 21:31, 18 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

What I meant to write was that having a side A and a side 1 is really leaving it up to us which side to consider the "first" side.T lX$W7x05h^ (talk) 04:09, 20 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

August 12

Death during Olympic competition?

I know that there have been tragedies during the course of the Olympic games in years past (and during this present Olympics), but my wife just asked me if an Olympic athlete has ever died while competing in their event, and I both had no idea and was sure someone here would remember instantly if there was an example. Thanks for any recollections or tips-- User:Jwrosenzweig editing as 71.112.42.49 (talk) 04:44, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

At least a couple. See Francisco Lázaro and Knud Enemark Jensen. Zagalejo^^^ 04:48, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Here's a non-Wikipedia source for both. It seems like they were the only ones. Zagalejo^^^ 04:50, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks much--very speedily done, especially considering the time of night (depending on where you are, I suppose). We are in your debt. 71.112.42.49 (talk) 05:18, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

BBC radio

I understand the BBC want to protect their copyrights and so I can not view TV shows on their iplayer (because I'm in Australia). So what's different about radio? The BBC site not only lets me listen to recent/current shows but has an archive of shows, some going back 20 or 30 years. The content on the radio pages changes pretty regularly so I'd say there have been hundreds (or maybe thousands) of shows on there.

Why aren't they concerned about the copyright of these? I can buy a CD of old BBC radios show like 'dads army' or 'I'm sorry I haven't a clue' but why would I bother when its free for all on the website? Why are they happy to undermine their own audio sales? 144.137.206.217 (talk) 11:17, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Well listening on-line streaming is different to owning it on cd so they'll probably happily let people get access to them online. Additionally radio shows are often broadcast on BBC World Service which means the shows are already potentially broadcast in your country so access to it online is fine. Finally radio - whilst paid for through the tv license, is fully-free - you don't need a tv-license to tune in, and so unlike BBC tv which is funded and exclusively for license-fee payers (with the exclusion of their selling of channels abroad such as BBC America) the radio is available to anyone with the equipment to tune in. 13:34, 12 August 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.221.133.226 (talk)

I would also guess that the revenue-earning potential of a TV show is much higher than that of a radio show. DJ Clayworth (talk) 20:44, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Growth and Exanpasion of the FIFA WORLD CUP between the period 1950-1966

193.220.26.95 (talk) 11:26, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Have you looked at our article History of the FIFA World Cup? the wub "?!" 14:02, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Harry Potter vs. Lord of the Rings

It's evident that the Harry Potter series is bigger than the LotR, but is the Harry Potter world more developed and elaborated than that of the LotR? --81.17.94.192 (talk) 11:29, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I would say not. J.R.R. Tolkein wrote a lot more than just The Lord of the Rings; there is a wide range of books and other documents detailing the history of his world from, quite literally, its creation forward. And, to the best of my knowledge, J.K. Rowling hasn't yet created a language. - Eron^Talk 11:49, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It's hard to say, of course, but given the information supplied in the HP books at present, it seems as if Rowling's history of magical realms beyond Great Britain is limited to a few plot-crucial ideas. As noted above, in comparison to Middle Earth, this leaves HP well behind LOTR. A key example for me is the wizard Gellert Grindelwald--the villain, largely offstage in the HP books, who anticipates HP's nemesis, Voldemort. If Rowling has a history of Grindelwald's rise and defeat that is anything approaching that of Morgoth, the Grindelwald equivalent in Tolkien's ME, I have never heard any indication of it. 71.112.40.194 (talk) 08:08, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

the name of Laozhabor

What is the real name of "Laozhabor", a Singaporean actress and blogger? luuva (talk) 12:46, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Tv show Big Bang Theory

there is a poster hanging by the front door - Can anyone tell what it is? It looks to be of a Science Fiction movie circa 1950's —Preceding unsigned comment added by 192.193.220.144 (talk) 13:04, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Are you talking about this one? It appears to me to be a poster for the movie Forbidden Planet. -- kainaw ™ 13:11, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

No, not that one - there is one on the left side of the guys front door - as if you would be walking out the door - hanging on the wall —Preceding unsigned comment added by 192.193.221.141 (talk) 17:42, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Do you mean the one that barely gets a corner into this photo? If so, it is hard to identify from just the letter E and a red circle. Is it a Mighty Mouse poster? -- kainaw ™ 02:14, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

football, stats for northern ireland verses scotland, all games

would like to know stats for northern ireland verses scotland over past 20 years —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.168.59.47 (talk) 15:05, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The Scottish FA have a neat little archive here. Just select Northern Ireland as the opponents and click "search archive". Fribbler (talk) 15:47, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Elementary School Jumping Game

In elementary school in San Francisco, CA in the early 80's, we used to play a game during recess which required a large enclosed rubber band chain (small rubber bands looped together). Two people then stood inside the rubber band chain and held it taut with their ankles. Then a third person was to perform a"task" without mistakes. One of them was to step inside the loop with both feet, step outside the loop, then hop with one foot in and one foot out, then repeated on the other side and then it ended with both feet landing on the actual chain itself. we would chant "In, Out, Side, Side, One" And say that this person had to repeat this 5 times with out stopping. Then if this person completed this set without mistakes, they would move on to the second level of the game in which the rubber band chain was lifted to the knees and the whole process started again.

Does anyone know or remember this game? --Anilmanohar (talk) 15:46, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

We used to do this as children. A search seems to lead me to Chinese jump rope. Fribbler (talk) 15:53, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

We played this as well. I recall one move we did where the player in the middle stood outside of the loop and then brought their feet together (so they were holding the middle of the loop between their feet), turned 180 degrees (so it was twisted around their feet) and then jumped (releasing the loop) and landed inside the loop. This move got much harder as the loop moved upward. -- KathrynLybarger (talk) 17:27, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

We played it in our school playground in eastern England in the 1970s, but we called it "French skipping". There's a website here that lists it under both names, and seems willing to sell you a shiny, purpose-made elastic rope for the purpose if you wish (although we just bought lengths of knicker elastic from the market, which worked fine). Ka renjc 18:43, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

A classmate of mine had a store-bought one -- it ripped the hair off of your legs a lot less than the ones we made from knotting rubber bands together. -- KathrynLybarger (talk) 19:08, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

We called it "elastics". If your mum refused to supply elastic, then old pantyhose knotted together worked well. Gwinva (talk) 23:28, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

"Super Steve" by Machinae Supremacy

What is the most common or most complete interpretation of the lyrics to Machinae Supremacy's song "Super Steve?" Neon Merlin 19:34, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I consider it an outcast's / freak's anthem, and haven't interpreted it more than that. You might try asking other Machinae Supremacy fans on the official forum for their opinions.

Machinae Supremacy has released three tracks with Steve in the title: "Steve's Quest" (an instrumental), "Super Steve", and "Need for Steve". The track titles are supposedly derived from video game titles with Steve replacing a word in the game title (King's Quest or Flimbo's Quest, Super Mario Brothers or Super something else?, and Need for Speed). I'm not sure how related the lyrics are to the games the titles are based on. The titles may be more of a running gag with more or less independent themes in the lyrics. But it might be a helpful nugget of info to mull over while you're interpreting the song. --Bavi H (talk) 01:48, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Another wrestling question

First off, thank you for answering my previous question about the sudden popularity of wrestling. I found your article on the 80s wrestling boom satisfying, kinda like eating a bag of potato chips. Filling, but not necessarily nutritious. After all, unless you believe thier propoganda that wrestling is about truth and justice and will one day save the world (and something inside me does), it's not necessarily important.

Still, I find myself delightfully stumped about the origin and definition of the phrases "Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?" and "People's Elbow"?. By "delightful" I mean that the answer in my head probably in no way reflects reality. Probably a little sugar on it, if you know what I mean. Especially "People's Elbow". I imagine "People(with a capitol P)" bringing down hard, but comical justice against hapless victim with said capitol E "Elbow". "Elbow" is strong, just, and stands alone, while an "elbow" simply gives your arm a place to bend. Victim finds himself smiling at conclusion.

So, am I delightfully deluded? Is my distorted, most likely flowery mental version of a "People" giving an "Elbow", uh....wrong? And yes, I want to know what the Rock is cooking! Hey, I'm Just Curious (talk) 20:27, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I have no idea what your question is. Its pro wrestling. Not meant to be taken seriously and not meant to make viewers think so hard. Just turn off your brain and enjoy.--Endless Dan 14:14, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The People's Elbow is, I beleive, one of The Rock's finishing moves. I like your interpretation if its meaning, but I would replace "comical justice against hapless victim" with "righteous justice against The Man." As far as what the rock is cooking, it depends. Do you like pie or strudel? 161.222.160.8 (talk) 23:53, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

August 13

Uneven bars

Originally posted on Wikipedia:Reference desk/Miscellaneous, moved here as Entertainment covers sport.

When did the Asymmetric Bars in gymnastics become the Uneven Bars? The latter just sounds child-like to me. They were called Asymmetric bars when I used to watch the Olympics as a kid. Jooler (talk) 17:16, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I've always known the apparatus as Asymmetric Bars and didn't even know the name had changed, but looking at the article history I see Uneven Bars was first created in May 2003, while Asymmetric Bars was first created in December 2005. To me though, it sounds like a dumbing down of sport like the dumbing down of TV, or maybe today's poorly educated journalists (and wiki-editors) can't spell asymmetric :-). Astronaut (talk) 18:19, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Just noticed this edit summary - http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gymnastics_uneven_bars&diff=944640&oldid=944514 Jooler (talk) 19:37, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

"Asymmetric bars" gets 245 hits in Google News and 328 including archives, and 2 from 1979 and older. "Uneven bars" gets 1173 hits in Google News and 23,200 including the news archives, and 794 from 1979 and older. Wikipedia prefers the most commonly used term. Edison (talk) 19:40, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Two points. Firstly "the most common term" and "what Wikipedia uses" are not part of the question. Secondly. Such simple Google searches prove nothing. Google news archives typically use only US based resources. Jooler (talk) 19:51, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Untrue. Please provide evidence. Corvus cornix_talk 20:23, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Find me something not from the US for before 1998. Jooler (talk) 20:34, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Here you go: "A perfect 10". Archived radio clip of a July 1976 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation broadcast by Peter Gzowski discussing Nadia Comaneci's performance on the "uneven parallel bars". - Eron^Talk 20:52, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Was this obtained via Google News Archives? (It wasn't was it). If it was, perhaps I should have said non-North American. Jooler (talk) 20:56, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The author of this is Russian, writing in 1990. Corvus cornix_talk 21:05, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Google Books is not Google News Archive Jooler (talk) 21:12, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

And I am not a tortoise. Non sequitur. Corvus cornix_talk 22:08, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

We were talking about Google News Archive and it using predominantly United States/North American sources (certainly for before 1998). Jooler (talk) 23:32, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

No, you asked for something not from the US for before 1998. Not something not from the US for before 1998 from Google News Archive. Corvus cornix_talk 03:52, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Clearly that statement was in the context of this thread, whereby you disputed my claim about Google News Archive using predominantly US based archives. 07:20, 11 August 2008 (UTC)

This says "asymmetric bars", I'm not sure what nationality the reportage is, but the announcers clearly have non-North American accents. It's from 1989, apparently. Corvus cornix_talk 21:07, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

FYI that is a British broadcast. I'm surprised you can't recognise a British accent. There's also a big clue in the video The Daily Mirror logo is prominently shown. Jooler (talk) 21:22, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I didn't see the logo. Since I found it at nz.youtube, I thought it might be Kiwi, but why should I be expected to recogniz/se a British accent? Let's try to remain civil, shall we? Corvus cornix_talk 22:09, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Why not? I like most of my countrymen could recognise the nationality of most native English accents without too much difficulty with with perhaps the possible exception of confusing Aussie and New Zealand (see Fish and Chips). Jooler (talk) 23:32, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

How marvelous for you. Can you differentiate between American, Canadian, New England, Californian, Bermudan, Belizean, New Jersey and Texan? Corvus cornix_talk 03:52, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Yes certainly. I can also tell a Geordie from a Cockney, and Received Pronunciation from Estuary English and Scouse from Brummie. Jooler (talk) 07:22, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

But the BBC is calling the event "uneven bars". Corvus cornix_talk 21:10, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Yes that's the point of the whole question. The BBC and others including the competitors themselves are now calling it the Uneven Bars. When did it change? It appears that Uneven Bars was more commonly used in the US. But the edit summary I quoted above suggested that the official name was changed. Jooler (talk) 21:14, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

This may be a question of different national usages. I am in Canada, and until reading this question I had never heard the term "asymmetric bars". To me, the event has always been called the uneven bars since I first saw it on TV during the Montreal Olympics. - Eron^Talk 20:00, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Probably a national question all right. I have never, until now, heard of the "Uneven Bars". It was always the "asymmetric bars". I wonder why we have recently adopted the North American name for the sport. Which I guess is the essence of the question. Fribbler (talk) 21:18, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I can confirm that in Canada, it's uneven bars as far back as I can remember (and I remember Nadia). Looking at the IOC website, the medal searches are for "uneven bars" also, all the way back (though that could have changed at some point). I think this may be one of those areas where the Brits call it one thing, the ROW another. When you say it used to be called the asymmetric bars, are you referring to an official Olympic designation from some time ago, or to your local/national news reportage at the time? Franamax (talk) 23:32, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

When I was in high school in Canada c.1970, they were "uneven parallel bars", not just "uneven bars". Note that that's what the CBC is cited above as using in 1976. I don't remember ever hearing "asymmetric bars" before this reference desk thread, although I've never paid much attention to gynmastics. --Anonymous, 03:02 UTC, August 12, 2008.

The IOC AFAIK uses (or at least used to use) British English (hence Football at the Summer Olympics, Athletics (not track and field), Hockey not Field Hockey (Our article doesn't reflect this), and thus I believe it was officially called Asymmetric Bars, but I have no evidence of this. The link above suggests that there was a Guardian article about it being changed to uneven bars. Jooler (talk) 23:44, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not sure it's correct to say the IOC uses British English. Perhaps they do, perhaps they don't, but what is relevant here is that for sports they use the terminology that the relevant international sport federation uses. It's called football because that's what FIFA calls it, not because that is the British English term. The same applies for hockey (FIH), ice hockey (IIHF), athletics (IAAF), etc.- Eron^Talk 00:58, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

See [3] - "As an example, information must be provided in: English, French and the local language. The detail of the requirements can cause some difficulties. The particular form of English required for the Olympics is British English. This may cause confusion for those educated in US English." Jooler (talk) 07:53, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

FWIW, all mentions of the event at the Federation International de Gymnastique website refers to it as "uneven bars", while the word "asymmetrical" does not yield a single hit. If "asymmetrical" was ever the official term, there's no evidence of it. Now, "uneven" might seem "dumbed down" to some of you, but isn't it more accurate, since the bars are only asymmetrical if you're looking at it from the sides and perfectly symmetrical when you're looking at it head-on, but they're uneven from all four directions.^{[original research?]} --Mosmof (talk) 23:57, 10 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The site you've linked to (fedintgym.com) does not appear to be correct or current. Try clicking on the link to English. The correct site is fig-gymnastics.com. Also the word is asymmetric, not asymmetrical - see [4]. Not many hits though, there are nearly as many hits for the misspelling "asymetric", but its not really the point anyway. Jooler (talk) 00:14, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Switching to Google News UK (which is not U.S.-centric), "Asymmetric bars" gets 253 hits, with 328 hits including archives, and 2 from 1979 and earlier. "Uneven bars" gets 1221 hits, with 23,300 including archives, and 794 for 1979 and earlier. In what alternate reality did people call this event "asymmetric bars"? Edison (talk) 00:52, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The alternate reality of my memory, as least... The evidence seems pretty damning, though. --Tango (talk) 00:59, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I dunno about "damning". Google News UK archives is just the same as Google News USA archives as far as I can see, and I can't see anything from a UK source before 1998. As for recent years, that's the whole point of the question. It is NOW usual for the British media and the competitors to say "uneven bars". Edison - What are the links for what you have found? Jooler (talk) 07:31, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Why is it being suggested that "uneven bars" is a dumbed-down version of "asymmetric bars"? The former describes the bars better, I think. "Asymmetric bars" could mean any bars that are not symmetrical, so if, for example, they were at even height but one was longer. "Uneven bars" suggests they are at different heights. Also, the uneven bars are symmetrical, you just need to change your plane of reference (either look at them from the front or back, or look from the side at a tilt). — Twas Now ( talk • contribs • e-mail ) 01:08, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I've found a Guardian article from 20 September 2000 which is probably the one mentioned above. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sydney/story/0,,370704,00.html it says "In 1997 she was the all-around world champion and she has been the queen of the asymmetric bars - now dumbed down to the description "uneven" - for the last four world championships, and won the Olympic gold medal in Atlanta." - At first glance I thought the " last four world championships" was referring to the "dumbing down" but of course it is referring to Svetlana Khorkina's hold on the World championship. Jooler (talk) 07:39, 11 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Seems we're not the only ones pondering this question. This forum question is very similar and even worries the dumbing down might extend to renaming the parallel bars to the 'side by side bars' :-) Astronaut (talk) 16:25, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Don't know about the UK, but from what I can remember most coverage here in NZ has referred to the bars as 'asymmetric' Nil Einne (talk) 09:57, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I assume that, because of the current Olympic games, the questioner is actually asking when the IOC stopped referring to the apparatus as "asymmetric bars" and started referring to them as "uneven bars". That is easy. It was part of a vote (that was a bit overshadowed by a vote against political demonstrations at the games) that took place on ... wait, what's the point. Isn't the questioner just going to delete my response anyway? -- kainaw ™ 12:30, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I think there are two issues here: What the sport governing bodies call a sport, event, or apparatus, and what the people watching the sport call it. There is a lot of evidence that some parts of the the English speaking-world have called this the uneven bars for many years, while in other areas it used to be called asymmetric bars and only recently changed to uneven bars. What I haven't seen is any evidence that the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique ever called this event the asymmetric bars. Searching on "asymmetric" at the Federation website turns up nothing. - Eron^Talk 13:54, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

You are incorrect. As I pointed out earlier searching fig-gymnastics.com does in fact turn up a number of hits (here) and also a number of hits for the misspelling "asymetric" (here). I think you must have searched exel.fig-gymnastics.com instead. However as the Guardian article was written in 2000 it suggests that the "dumbing down" to uneven bars would have happened before most of the documents on the website were written. Jooler (talk) 17:25, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

There appear to be a number of FIG related sites. I cannot access any site called fig-gymnastics.com. Going to www.fig-gymnastics.com brings up a splash page that redirects visitors looking for the "Main FIG Website" to exel.fig-gymnastics.com. Every link on the list of search results you provided comes up as a 404 for me, suggesting that the fig-gymnastics site no longer exists.

That said, there do appear to be cached pages available at Google. Searching fig-gymnastics for "asymmetric bars" turns up six results. One good example of these results is this cached page. It is an athlete bio. In the list of her results, it calls the apparatus the uneven bars. In the narrative at the bottom, it calls the apparatus asymmetric bars.

This strongly suggests to me that the official name is, and probably has been for some time, the uneven bars. Asymmetric bars seems to be a regional usage. This is supported by a search of fig-gymnastics for "uneven bars" which turns up 94 results. - Eron^Talk 17:48, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

This site http://www.databaseolympics.com/index.htm uses the term asymmetric. Jooler (talk) 18:13, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Yes it does. It also states "We are not affiliated with the Olympics or any other Olympic organization."

You apparently have decided already what answer you want, and are not interested in any information that does not match that answer. I think I'm done here. Sorry I couldn't give you what you were looking for. - Eron^Talk 18:21, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

On the contrary, I'm trying to find the answer to the original question: "When did it change?" , in doing so I'm doing my own research and bringing it here for discussion. As such I have already made it clear that in all likelihood the date of change pre-dates 2000 as the Guardian article from September 2000 states "the asymmetric bars - now dumbed down to the description "uneven"" - clearly the author of that article (a sports journalist called Stephen Bierley who it appears (from a quick Google) still contributes sports reports to the Guardian) believed that at one time it was called "asymmetric" and was now "uneven". You say "This strongly suggests to me that the official name is, and probably has been for some time, the uneven bars." - well yes, from at least 2000 as I'd already indicated. So we are partially there with the answer, but not completely. I found the www.databaseolympics.com site shortly before I had to go off and make the dinner. So I didn't even see the "We are not affiliated with the Olympics or any other Olympic organization." bit. I am still trying to find a definitive answer. It it turns out that they have always been "uneven bars" and evidence is provided to show this, I'll be just as happy as I would if i found a date for a change. I'm sorry you seem to have taken offence. Jooler (talk) 19:34, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

yeah, I'd already come to the conclusion that Jooler is more interested in argumentation and proving his superiority, rather than a discussion of the topic, therefore I dropped out of this conversation several days ago. Corvus cornix_talk 19:18, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I'm also sorry you too have taken offence. You said to me "prove it" regarding google news archive - which I tried to do by posing a challenge to you to find a non-US article from before 1998 on Google News archives. You then seemed to misinterpret this entirely, and provide responses that had nothing to do with Google News Archive. Jooler (talk) 19:34, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It looks to me like you've had the answer above - The Olympic Committee changed it in a vote at the same time they voted to ban political demonstations. That would be after the Seoul Olympics, if memory serves. Did you look into that? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.58.224.223 (talk) 00:17, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Wrong Olympics. Which one was famous for a show of black power on the medal podium? And no, he didn't look into it. He was too busy complaining about and deleting responses. -- kainaw ™ 00:22, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Kainaw the tone of your original response above suggested to me that your answer was not intended to be taken seriously. So no I didn't look into it. As regards deleting unhelpful responses please see Wikipedia_talk:Reference_desk#Nonsense_answers. The guidelines allow for offensive postings to be deleted and I think that posting a nonsense answer shows disrespect to the OP of a question that amounts to taking the piss, which can be offensive. If you are serious (and I still don't know if you are or whether you are "taking the piss"), then it would be extremely helpful if you could post the evidence. Deliberately being obtuse doesn't help anyone. We are presumably talking about the addition of 51.3 of the Olympic Charter "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas." Thank you. Jooler (talk) 08:21, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It appears you are basing your view on an article in "The Guardian". How about any of these newspaper articles compared to this total lack of newspaper articles? (Note: All articles are from the 60's, which predates 2000.) The apparatus was introduced to the olympics in 1936. It was not accepted. It floundered for many years until becoming a staple event by 1970. So, to be most accurate, until the 70's, most people called it "those weird bars that none of the gymnasts want to use." -- kainaw ™ 13:31, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Popular London Radio Stations

Hi, Can someone please advise me as to what are the most popular radio stations in London in terms of current music? Ie, what is being played in the clubs, bars, etc? Many thanks MW198.240.130.75 (talk) 00:14, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Evidently it depends on what bars/clubs you go to and what style of music you are into. A place to start might be Uk radio stations and BBC Radio. It is far too dependent on what the 'style' of the club/bar is as to waht radio station will be similar to that style of music. 194.221.133.226 (talk) 14:57, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Australian Olympic attire

Watching the Olympics, I notice that all the Australian athletes regardless of sport are wearing teal and gold uniforms. It seems odd since their flag is red, white, and blue. Who decided on this color scheme and why? —D. Monack ^talk 03:42, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It's confusing, isn't it. Although our flag is red, white and blue, our national colours are green and gold. Teal is a kind of bluey-green, which I guess is a bit of a nod to the flag's colours. -- JackofOz (talk) 03:46, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

See Green and gold: colours used by Aussie sporting teams since 1899. Gwinva (talk) 03:47, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Similarly, New Zealand, with a red/white/blue flag, wears black. See National colours for other examples. Gwinva (talk) 03:54, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I imagine one reason is that anyone wearing red, white, and blue will likely be thought to be from the United States. StuRat (talk) 05:37, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I think that statement lacks a bit of perspective, Stu. There are plenty of countries with those three colours. Also, Australia and NZ started wearing the colours they use today about a hundred years ago. Can you perhaps think of another place with red, white and blue in the flag that they had very, very close ties to at that time? (Consideration of the flag of that union might not be relevant though, since the constituent countries would have competed individually in many competitions, AFAIK) /Coffeeshivers (talk) 09:14, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

OK, let's broaden my statement a bit: "They avoid using red, white, and blue colors as those would be likely to cause confusion with all the other countries using those colors". StuRat (talk) 13:25, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Verily. At the Commonwealth Games, there are separate teams from England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Island. To confuse matters, at the Olympics the team from the UK is referred to as "Great Britain", despite the fact that this is a purely geographical term for the large island containing England, Wales and Scotland (the UK is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland). On the other hand, "Ireland" at the Olympics refers to the whole island of Ireland, which includes Northern Ireland, a part of the UK (but not geographically of Great Britain). This gives competitors from Northern Ireland the afaik unique choice of being able to compete for either "Ireland" or "Great Britain", even though they belong to neither the country of Ireland nor the island of Great Britain. Confused yet? -- JackofOz (talk) 09:37, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I noticed last night that the Australian swimmers seem to be wearing red, white and blue instead of green and gold. Corvus cornix_talk 19:20, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Olympic Ticket Price

What were the ticket prices for the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Olympics? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.98.70.91 (talk) 04:57, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

They ranged from 200 yuan up to 5000 yuan for the best seats. (That's $29-$730) Link. Fribbler (talk) 11:47, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Is there a "Harlem Globetrotters" of baseball, football, etc.?

I haven't heard of one so maybe I'll start a multi man zany farm of hilarity! Can you imagine -guys running the bases backwards!? Having a 5'2" 300lb. "crazy man from the crowd" rush the football field and singlehandedly tackle the entire opposing team!? How about during a pro wrestling type pre game I get a "Hockey Hunk" to pose for pictures (old fashioned flash powder and all). Without warning his baby's mom would jump onto the stage, and hit him with a rolling pin! After "security" removes her, our hero poses alpha strong on the ice. When suddenly, he falls in! The funny part is only his hand would be visible sticking out of the water while he waves a white flag. Then, instead of refreezing the ice, get this, the hole would be duct taped over! The Harlem Globetrotters didnt last for years because people don't like sports satire.

Consider the phrase "Put a tent on that circus!" This cliche is so well entrenched that its astounding no one has made other parody sports. So I have now provided information.--Baseball and and and Popcorn Fanatic (talk) 18:39, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

There are a lot of parody sports to different degrees. What would you call the "Bud Bowl" or "Lingerie Football"? Neither one is serious. Note that to parody doesn't necessarily mean that it has to be funny. -- kainaw ™ 18:55, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The Indianapolis Clowns have been called "the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball". Zagalejo^^^ 01:18, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Rugby Union has the Baa-Baas - X201 (talk) 15:42, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Is there a copy of every baseball game somewhere?

Does MLB have copies only? How come we never see them? I'll bet a satellite channel of random games from the last 60 years or so would go over great!--Baseball and and and Popcorn Fanatic (talk) 20:08, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

ESPN Classic plays old games, don't they? Adam Bishop (talk) 00:55, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Many older games were taped over or simply thrown out by the TV stations. This is allegedly the oldest complete regular season broadcast still in existence (though I haven't found an independent source to verify that). Some playoff games from the 1950s have also been preserved. Zagalejo^^^ 01:12, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

According to this article, MLB has copies of every postseason game since 1981. Zagalejo^^^ 01:33, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

August 14

Transformers:Revenge of the Fallen.

I keep seeing pictures on the internet of the new Robots from the upcoming Transformers 2:Revenge of the Fallen.Does anyone know if they're real?Because that's really getting to me. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.203.252.58 (talk) 02:03, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I guess it all depends on what you mean by "real". Do they do all the things in the movie ? Of course not. Will there be posable transformer toys that resemble those in the movie for sale immediately after the movie opens ? You can count on it. That's pretty much the point of the movie, to push their "action figures". StuRat (talk) 05:33, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

He probably means to ask if the pictures he's seen are of robots that will actualy be featured in the film, or is he seeing forgeries. Hard to say without knowing which photographs he's thinking of. APL (talk) 19:51, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Nationality

How did the Georgian beach volleyball teams qualify to play for Georgia, since they're all Brazilians? Nyttend (talk) 02:47, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I think all that matters is citizenship. --mboverload @ 02:51, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

There was a similar question a few days ago on the Misc desk about an American basketball player on the German team; the discussion is here. The short answer is that Mboverload is correct: IOC rules only require that they have Georgian citizenship. If they are dual citizens, they can pick which of the two countries they want to represent. (Which typically is the country where they willhave the easiest time qualifying for the team.) - Eron^Talk 13:40, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

help me about video capture!

Hi Guys, I use i Screen Recorder to capture my video files, but I can not make it work. Is there anyone can show me what to do? Thanks in advance! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Crystal AB (talk • contribs) 03:52, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I suggest you e-mail or phone the developers of the product, and provide for them a better description of what doesn't work. — Twas Now ( talk • contribs • e-mail ) 13:19, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Disney Channel Business Model

I was just wondering today, what is Disney's business model with their Disney Channel? They display no commercials, except for previews for their own shows, and new DVDs, soundtracks, etc. I was thinking it's that they might be able to "expand their Disney universe" - trying to make younger kids fall in love with Disney, so they can see their movies, etc., but can you think of any more reasons why? Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Legolas52 (talk • contribs) 04:55, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

That sounds like it to me, it's a marketing device for Disney. I think they also get a portion of your monthly cable fees, but that's just gravy. StuRat (talk) 05:27, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Radio Disney only runs ads for Disney products as well, they must subsidize themselves. Corvus cornix_talk 19:22, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Apropos of not much, as far as I know Disneyland and Disney World have never had a toll-free phone number for reservations. That must save them millions each year. — OtherDave (talk) 21:26, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Disney Channel is a marketing device to sell merchandise and crappy music. The Hannah Montana empire can probably support the whole channel. You really have to marvel - it's hideous genius. --mboverload @ 21:35, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

A video on Beavis & Butthead

Hi. I'm trying to remember the name of a band I saw on the original broadcast of Beavis and Butthead, back in the day. The boys were watching music videos, as always, and this band with two singers came on. I think they were sort of a metal-rap hybrid. White guys, from the US midwest, I think. While one of the singers was singing, the other was talking in a low voice, if I remember right. Beavis was somewhat freaked out by the talking. Anyone remember the band & the song? Thanks in advance! 24.172.156.74 (talk) 06:48, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Need more info. Lyrics, episode, etc. Something more than a vague description music video description, Doc. --Endless Dan 12:15, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Power of 10 game show

On the American game show Power of 10 hosted by Drew Carey there was a question: "What percentage of Americans would wrestle a muzzled and declawed bear to get their mortgage paid off?" I missed the answer and would like to know what it was. Thank you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 20.137.18.51 (talk) 11:49, 14 August 2008 (UTC) I found the answer myself. In case anyone else wants to know it's 32%. Source: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/powerof10/community/index.php?ep=15&id=5 20.137.18.51 (talk) 15:46, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Joy Division and goth culture?

Were Joy Division gothic or related to gothic subculture in any way?Leif edling (talk) 14:39, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Other then their fans getting beat up by the same groups of people, I believe they're associated with each other due to their gloomy overtones. Sorta like metal heads associating themselves with a non-metal band like Led Zeppelin. --Endless Dan 18:16, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Non-metal band like Led Zeppelin. Aw, that's cute. --jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 16:50, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Isn't it?--Endless Dan 19:02, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Mrs Mankster sez she really feels for Goths in the summer, all that black clothing... then again we live in scotland and our summer was last tuesday, between 2 and 3 in the afternoon, pissed it down ever since. Perry-mankster (talk) 17:06, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah, well, we've got Goths in Las Vegas. Most of them have learned about air conditioning by now. --jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 23:17, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Game Boy - Game Boy Pocket

What differences there are between a standard Game Boy and a Game Boy Pocket? David Pro (talk) 19:42, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

They both play the same games. Check out the article Game_Boy_Pocket. It clearly outlines all of the differences.--El aprendelenguas (talk) 20:10, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

DC and the Crisis crisis

Hello, I like to read comics, but only in trade-paperback form, I dont like to collect individual issues. I want to catch up on the Infinite Crisis storyline that DC have had going for a few years, and I would like to know, which TPBs are in print that I can get? And which other ones do I need to look out for?

At the moment I have Identity Crisis, The Omac Project, Day of Vengeance, Villians United, Rann-Thanagar War, and the Prelude to Infinite Crisis.

Ta 80.229.160.127 (talk) 20:57, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Super Mario Galaxy

In Super Mario Galaxy I have earned 60 stars meaning I can go to the cener of the universe and fight Bowser. However I would like to unlock Luigi. Do I have to beat Bowser with 120 stars or can I beat Bowser now and get the stars and Luigi later?--76.176.122.19 (talk) 22:19, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

You have to beat Bowser with 120 stars to get Luigi. You can beat Bowser now, or wait until later. I'm not sure if you have to beat Bowser to get the purple star coin to appear, in which case you'll have to beat the final Boswer twice. Hope that covers it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Shipsonfire (talk • contribs) 23:26, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Telenovelas filmed in Florida

According to Film in Florida, how many Spanish language telenovelas would be filmed in Florida? Ericthebrainiac (talk) 22:48, 14 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

If youn want to know an answer "according to the article", the best solution is to read the article. Grutness...wha? 00:10, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

August 15

Wii Bowling

On the Wii bowling for the game Wii Sports, how does the scoring work to reach Pro? I know you must reach 1000, but how does it score the total. I ask because I have gotten 150 and my score goes up 22 but then I will get a 172ish and my score total will go down. What gives? Thanks, The Reader who Writes (talk) 06:17, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It keeps a floating average of your recent performance. The higher your game score above that average the more points you get towards the pro level. - X201 (talk) 15:33, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Song in The Hunt for Red October

During the opening-credits sequence of The Hunt for Red October, there is a song with lyrics in Russian. At one point there is a word that is clearly the word for "revolution" or some variant of it, but as an English-speaker that's the only word I can recognize in it. It is not the Soviet (now Russian) national anthem, which is sung later in the movie. Does anyone know what it is? --Anonymous, 16:25 UTC, August 15, 2008.

It's called "Hymn to Red October", and it's original soundtrack material by Basil Poledouris. A good writeup on the Red October soundtrack: [5]. --jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 16:47, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

And a link to the lyrics in Russian and English, too. Thanks! --Anonymous, 06:17 UTC, August 16, 2008.

Actress should be on Wikipedia

Hi there, I just went to go see Actress (this is their band name) play in LA last night. They were amazing and packed the place. I came onto Wikipedia to find out more info on them (as this is my favorite site) and found zero information on the band. They don't appear to be on your website at all. I had to resort to myspace for all the info. I prefer wikipedia because it goes in depth and can contain lots of cool facts. I came up short and am very disapointed. I'm requesting that this band be added and some facts get posted on wiki. Thank you.

Carla

p.s. if you need their website, they're at www.actressmusic.com —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.37.244.52 (talk) 21:50, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe someone will demonstrate and reference Actress's notability and will (re-)write the article. It got deleted three times so far (deletion log). You might have more luck posting your request at Wikipedia:Requested_articles/music/Performers_and_bands, by the way. ---Sluzzelin talk 23:38, 15 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Two related related cricketer and actor questions

Hi all - two questions related to cricket and acting:

1) Is Guernsey and former Hampshire cricketer Lee Savident the son of former Coronation Street actor John Savident? I know they're both from Guernsey, so chances are high that they're at least related.

2) What other cases are there of first-class cricketers who are sons of popular actors? I known of Jim Troughton, son of David and grandson of Dr. Who, but presumably there must be others...

Thanks in advance, Grutness...wha? 00:51, 16 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Not quite in the "ball park" (not by a long shot, actually), but Betty Archdale was the sister of the actor Alexander Archdale. -- JackofOz (talk) 01:26, 16 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Most recent former Olympic discipline

Does anyone know which Olympic discipline (thinking of summer now, but winter interests me too, while we're at it) was most recently removed from the Olympics? Tug of war hasn't been part of the Olympics since 1920, for example, but I'm interested in the most recent former contest. Anyone know? ---Sluzzelin talk 02:07, 16 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

From what I can tell, polo. Zagalejo^^^ 02:21, 16 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah, here's a source: [6]. Baseball and softball will be discontinued in 2012. Zagalejo^^^ 02:25, 16 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Wow, thanks for that surprising news, Zagalejo. After over 70 years of constant growth with no losses whatsoever, the committee is dumping baseball and softball for being "too American"? Tell that to the Cubans, Japanese, Taiwanese, Chinese, South Koreans, and Australians (who have all won medals in these disciplines). ---Sluzzelin talk 02:47, 16 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Picard face in hand

There is a famous image of Captain Picard with his face buried in the palm of his hand; see for example http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&hl=en&q=picard+facepalm. Anyone remembers the exact context? --OKMNJIUHB (talk) 03:21, 16 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Guitar Hero I Bonus Song

The last bonus song on Guitar Hero I is called "Story Of My Love" by the band The Model Sons. I can't find any information on them, does anyone know their story? Or if they have other music? --MrE1 (talk) 04:07, 16 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Lin Miaoke

What do you think she feels right now from the scandal about the Olympic lip-synch? Narutolovehinata5 ^tccsdnew 07:23, 16 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Medal ceremony instrumental

Is there a name for the instrumental played at the medal ceremonies for the Olympics? —Kal ^(talk) 09:15, 16 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

hey, i don't really know how this works but I was wondering if anybody knew how long a Metallica concert goes on for?! I have no idea and need to figure out how I'm getting home so this would be a great help. Thanks

Revision as of 09:15, 16 August 2008 edit Kalathalan (talk \| contribs) Extended confirmed users, Rollbackers 4,220 edits m →Medal ceremony instrumental: new section ← Previous edit		Revision as of 10:42, 16 August 2008 edit undo Blowick (talk \| contribs) 1 edit No edit summary Next edit →
Line 370:		Line 370:

	Is there a name for the instrumental played at the medal ceremonies for the Olympics? —'''[[User:Kalathalan\|Kal]]''' <sup>[[User talk:Kalathalan\|(talk)]]</sup> 09:15, 16 August 2008 (UTC)		Is there a name for the instrumental played at the medal ceremonies for the Olympics? —'''[[User:Kalathalan\|Kal]]''' <sup>[[User talk:Kalathalan\|(talk)]]</sup> 09:15, 16 August 2008 (UTC)

			hey, i don't really know how this works but I was wondering if anybody knew how long a Metallica concert goes on for?! I have no idea and need to figure out how I'm getting home so this would be a great help. Thanks