Wikipedia:Reference desk/Entertainment

Welcome to the entertainment section
of the Wikipedia reference desk.

skip to bottom

Select a section:

• Computing
• Entertainment
• Humanities
• Language
• Mathematics
• Science
• Miscellaneous
• Archives

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.

See also:

• Teahouse
• Help desk
• Village pump
• Help manual

December 29

Rugby going metric

Rugby is played in many countries around the world, but there is an obvious tilt towards commonwealth countries. Traditionally, these countries used (and still use, to some extent) non-metric measurements. However, rugby is all metric, and seems to have been for quite some time. However, you sometimes hear commentators slip, and refer to the 22 (metre line) as the 25 (yard line), which indicates that imperial measurements were used before. I am interested in information about when the change happened, and about the decisions made. If distances were just converted and then rounded, it would have become the 23 metre line. Also, no other distances seem to have changed numbers, despite going from yards to metres. The 15 metre line for the back end of the lineout, for example, seems to give more space than a 15 yard one, and that would affect the tactics a bit. You would think that they would try to avoid affecting the game play when just changing the definitions. Or was it e.g. a 50 ft line before? Some pointers to articles about this would be appreciated. /Coffeeshivers (talk) 13:01, 29 December 2009 (UTC)

This doesn't exactly answer the question, but it turns out there are two different versions of the game, as discussed in Comparison of rugby league and rugby union. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 13:16, 29 December 2009 (UTC)

FWIW< If the sport is simply called "rugby" it almost always means union. Grutness...wha? 22:57, 29 December 2009 (UTC)

Yes, I am quite aware of that. I meant union, which I guess I should have mentioned. Sorry about that. (Those in the know could have concluded I couldn't have meant league, since it neither has line outs nor a 22 metre line.)/Coffeeshivers (talk) 13:49, 29 December 2009 (UTC)

My guess is that it occurred in different countries at different times, rather than at any one time, depending on when the country went metric. The 22-metre line has been called "The 22" in New Zealand ever since I've been watching the sport (starting in the late '80s). I would have expected something at History of rugby union if the conversion had been universal at one particular time. For some bizarre reason our article on the rules of the game are part of Playing rugby union rather than a stand-alone article at Rules of rugby union - and they don't have anything on the history of rule changes, sadly. Grutness...wha? 22:57, 29 December 2009 (UTC)

My first thoughts were mistaken. I've found one letter to the Times, which starts "If the groundsmen find metric pitch measurements...". It refers to an article or letter of August 9, 1974. - Jarry1250 ^{[Humorous? Discuss.]} 12:50, 30 December 2009 (UTC):

Another, of july 16, says that the 25-yard line will become the 22-metre line in "1975-6". - Jarry1250 ^{[Humorous? Discuss.]} 12:53, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

GOT IT!. Article title "Business Diary: TUC's glasshouse · Psychological approach" August 1974. It describes some heated discussions withink British Rugby, confirms the 1975-6 season change; 5 yard is to become 5 metre; Overseas sides at the start of their next season; 25 yard becomes 22 metre; that it hadn't yet worked out post dimensions and some other things yet, they were still in consultation; the pitch will be 100 metres, 110 yards no longer. It also rules out "finnickty calculations" - round numbers instead. - Jarry1250 ^{[Humorous? Discuss.]} 13:00, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

Wow, thanks, well done! That's longer ago than I would have thought. I guess the commentator I heard calling it the 25 (might have been Grant Nisbet) has played and talked about rugby for a long time. /Coffeeshivers (talk) 13:25, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

Did going metric have any observable effect on the game itself? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 13:43, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

No. It's still played only by brutes, and enjoyed only by the lower classes. :) -- Jack of Oz ... speak! ... 22:14, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

Jack, you know not of what you speak. As the quote says, "Rugby is a game for thugs played by gentlemen, whereas football is a game for gentlemen played by thugs". DJ Clayworth (talk) 02:09, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Maybe you've heard these slogans: "Give Blood - Play Rugby" and "To Play Rugby You Need Leather Balls". I think even the women's teams used those. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 02:47, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Whereas gaa was designated "a game for thugs played by thugs"". Stanstaple (talk) 19:16, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

There's also "rugby is a game played by rucking flankers", while we're onto rugby insults (although why we are is a little bit mysterious). Grutness...wha? 23:28, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Us Americanos like to say that they took soccer and improved it and got Rugby; then they took Rugby and improved it and got American football. 0:) ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 23:35, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Speak

Why was Kristen Stewart made to wear glasses in Speak? What did this contribute to the plot or character? And what was she anyway? --Tim —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.230.231.84 (talk) 17:31, 29 December 2009 (UTC)

For those wondering, the OP seems to be referring to Speak. Dismas|^(talk) 18:48, 29 December 2009 (UTC)

I've not seen the movie, but none of the posters or pictures at IMDB show the character with glasses. The second part of your question sounds like it might be homework. As for "what was she" you might want to explain the question a little more, as the literal answer "an actor appearing in a movie" won't be very helpful. DJ Clayworth (talk) 19:08, 29 December 2009 (UTC)

Not homework; I doubt this movie is of any value to any educator. I am the kind of person who likes to anyalze these little details in movies. And I meant what was she, like nearsighted, farsighted, etc. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.230.231.84 (talk) 19:30, 29 December 2009 (UTC)

Under what circumstances did she wear glasses - to read with? Or to see at a distance? Or both? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 20:10, 29 December 2009 (UTC)

Typical reasons for giving a character glasses are to make them appear intellectual (or at least academic or studious), or to make them appear less attractive, or to make them appear unathletic. However in this case I suspect it may have been to emphasise the barrier between the character and the rest of the world. Only the director (or the book author) is going to know for sure. DJ Clayworth (talk) 20:02, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

December 30

Old Country Song

My dad wants me to try to find a song but he cant tell me anything except what its about. Anyways, there's this boy who wants to buy roses for his dead sister but he cant afford them. The boy sees a pretty girl get roses from the rose guy for really cheap just because she's a pretty girl. And that's all I have. :(

Any help would be appreciated but I'm not expecting great things :) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.230.206.44 (talk) 00:16, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

I googled "roses dead sister" and got this, which informed me of the existence of the song Roses for Mama, which was a hit for C. W. McCall in 1977. It may be the song you're after. Or maybe not. -- Jack of Oz ... speak! ... 06:37, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

Thanks a lot for trying but that's not it. The song is called "Rosa was her name" and has been found. Sorry for wasting your time. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.230.206.44 (talk) 00:51, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

How old is your dad? That would help us narrow down our various suggestions. What may seem obscure to us now, may once have been a well-known song. Is any of the song in Spanish? Dexter Nextnumber (talk) 21:07, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

World of Warcraft looting systems

wikia:wowwiki:Party loot#Looting while in a party describes disadvantages of each of the loot distribution systems. Have there been any experiments with improving the Round Robin system (e.g. by randomizing the turn order) or the Group Loot system (e.g. by limiting the number of Need rolls per player per corpse)? NeonMerlin 00:24, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

some help on apocalypse type story material

Hello all ^-^,im currently working on my book,and i need some street directions for the town of wiki! (ok stupid joke i know,but im not that good at joking lol)

anyways,i need some links here for the wiki (which is almost to immense to browse without help)...like,any good articles referencing long diatribes concerning apocalypse,H.G. wells was a good start for me on the wikiquote engine,but i find that the page on wells isnt enough,i need more,because i find with my book writing the more info i read,the easier i can make ideas ^^

also i need some help on wikiquote,i need to find quote paths similar to certain characters like,viggo from ghostbusters two is a good example....

ty for the data mining help freinds ^^ —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.0.10.54 (talk) 00:33, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

The Book of the Apocalypse has a lot of stuff concerning the Apocalypse. Adam Bishop (talk) 00:37, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

well yeah but i was raised in such a way that i learned almost as much as i could bout the bible :/ sorry....im talking about like,cool stuff that is abstract,like h.g. wells,viggo the carpathian,to some lesser extent marry shelley`s frankenstein (dont know if i spelled the woman`s name right)

i do have alot of studying on my side....but i know that it is little compared to the knowledge collectively of humanity as a whole....especially where wikipedia is concerned,so i hope maybe you guys have some ideas...:/im kinda blank minded at the moment —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.0.10.54 (talk) 00:57, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

Frankenstein isn't apocalyptic fiction really. Some stuff like John Milton's Paradise Lost would be better for "old" apocalyptic lit, but if you want some interesting takes on The Rapture, you could read Robert Heinlein's Job: A Comedy of Justice, which has Heinlein's typical wit. You could also read the Left Behind series, but it really is some awful stuff. As a Christian myself, I am constantly embarassed by that mess. --Jayron32 01:18, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

Frankenstein isn't apocalyptic fiction. The question-asker may have been thinking of Mary Shelly's other science fiction novel The Last Man. APL (talk) 03:48, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

exactly,i dont think people really understand the point of the biblical stuffs,people think that the "apocalypse" as mentioned will be something within there perception...hell is only a human word,i do beleive that the film "event horizon" with sam neil in it kind of touches to some extent on what the apocalypse will actually contain

but on topic,yeah,i love abstract thinking,the plot behind the halo series (as depicted in the videogames,because i think the books are utterly ridiculous in depiction),v for vendetta is also a good movie...intelligent discussion is at such a premium these days,which is why ive come to wikipedia for discussion an advice on which topics to peruse...oddly enough i also praise alot of the plot behind the movie "conan the barbarian",it reflects (though in a severely misguided way) on my non-mainstream version of christianity...norse mythology is a good place to look as well,but like alot of ancient texts converted to modern english,i find that i cannot understand the wording very well,due to the ancient beleif systems being almost incompatible with modern understandings...

but yeah,i suppose ill look up paradise lost while im on my nightly data mining trip,i appreciate the info...

on a weird sidenote,i adhere to songs like manowar`s "brothers of metal" and "call to arms",almost in a religious context...a suppose it`s a joke of a question to ask what that kind of beleif classifys as,luls —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.0.10.54 (talk) 02:15, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

As an aside, if you hope to get your book published, it will certainly need to be written with a better standard of English than you have used in this question. Astronaut (talk) 11:59, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

a no worrys,im going to be having a freind edit the book for me...the very fact that i can speak english is mainly gathered from bits and peices of things...sort of like a messed up jigsaw puzzle..also another reason why the way i speak isnt ""in the status quo" of english is that i very rarely,if ever socialize with anyone,or anything in real life...I can only calculate that your udnerstanding of proper english has been largely built upon examples of the mainstream,standardized version of things,like seeing other people speak...you see lots of speak speak "so called proper english" thus you assume its proper english...but unlike you however,due to lack of social capability,i learn through my machines,like this computer im using...english is my first language,but i often in real life dont use colloqial standardized english...you on the other hand use standardized english

i could show you a million sucessfull works in literature that dont use standard english,or even ones that stray away from standard english entirely...however,if you think that im going to let my idea be surpressed by a passing comment from an uncultured person who endorses conformity like you...then i think you need to brush up on your knowledge of things like free thought,wikipedia is a good starting point

your just like a shark,old,contemptuous,and mildly cunning...only seeking to eliminate that which it deems not deem part of it`s own collective...in your case society as a whole...

though if you have some spare time,look up on wikipedia,human nature,and war....millions of people have died,over wars started strictly based on clashing ideas....so if you think that an idea must be relegated to a baby food like status to feed the standard person...then your simply relegated to the masses of society...disgusting you are,like a school of krill,cloning themselves by the millions they think dominion over the place they inhabit just because of there sheer numbers...

also another "burn" upon your misguided love of the status quo is the fact that mny billions of dollars are spent collectively upon industrys and etertainment medians whose only purpose is abstract thought,or divergent philosophy...books,movies,videogames of fiction....controversial movies often end up more notable than standardized movies,i hold the number of internet articles praising orginality in entertainment as self evident of this.....

so now i leave you to wallow in your own unintelligent fervor...to watch your sports games and fraternize with your cloned-of-yourself peers,never to advance beyond a meer clone of another,to always be the same,to be a grub on the evolutionary scale —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.0.10.54 (talk) 10:05, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Banada Styles

Is the bandana being worn in this video single sided or double sided?

Where can I find single sided bandanas of this style?174.3.102.6 (talk) 07:50, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

Song

Hi

I was looking for a song (as well as the group who does the song) in the RñB genre, but I could'nt find it. I'm not sure what the title is, but I think it's "I'd rather be alone" and some of the lyrics that lead up to the song goes like this: "...Too late too work it out, 'cause I know my heart's filled with too much doubt. To ever try it again, I guess deep down I know you'd have to go, but it just istn't fair, cause I still care. Although I love girl I'd rather be alone..."

Thanks, NirocFX —Preceding unsigned comment added by NirocFX (talk • contribs) 08:58, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

I found out that the group's name is 4xample, but there doesn't seem to be an article on them...

Thanks,

NirocFX —Preceding unsigned comment added by NirocFX (talk • contribs) 11:32, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

I took the liberty of merging these two sections into one since they are related. Astronaut (talk) 11:55, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

You could be bold and create an article for 4xample, but please make sure they meet Wikipedia's policy on the notability of musicians and bands and the general policy on notability. Without establishing notability, the article is likely to be quickly deleted. To give you a chance to develop the article without being disturbed by people wanting to delete it, may I suggest you start off in User:NirocFX/4xample instead. Take a look at other band articles to see how we structure such articles. Astronaut (talk) 11:55, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

IV Xample (not "4xample") were a quartet from LA, comprising Lucious, Bobby C, Andre Allen and Runni Rae. They had two hits in 1995 - "I'd Rather Be Alone" reached #44 on both the Billboard pop and the R&B charts, and "From The Fool" made #95 on the R&B charts. My source - Joel Whitburn's Top R&B Singles - only goes up to 1995, so I don't know if they had any later success. "I'd Rather Be Alone" was released on MCA 54992, and the lyrics are here. According to IMDB - here - one of the singers (don't know which) was later known as Mailon Rivera. Ghmyrtle (talk) 13:35, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

PS: Here they are on YouTube - here and here. More info from Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-2002 - "Bobby C" and "Runni Rae" were brothers Robert and Raymond Chevis. Robert Chevis, under the name B.C., had another hit in 1999 with "Why-Oh-Why" (#64 pop - issued on Red Ant 15307) - here. And "Andre Allen" = Dre Allen. Ghmyrtle (talk) 13:57, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

I've started an article since reading this post. Good record! Ghmyrtle (talk) 23:04, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

Thank you guys for your efforts: Astronaut, Ghmyrtle (... Good to know that you also like the record, it's pretty hard not to.)Thanks, --NirocFX (talk) 07:32, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Angel Second Class

Here's a question for someone who just mentioned It's a Wonderful Life in another RD post. ;-)
Why is "Angel Second Class" abbreviated as "AS2"? What does the "S" stand for? — Sebastian 18:11, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

It stands for "somebody messed up". This blooper has been mentioned in books and other media that keep track of continuity problems and other mistakes. What I'd like to know about that movie is why that cop was firing a gun at a fleeing and unarmed George Bailey, on an open city street where an innocent bystander could get killed. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 18:23, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

Because it's more fun that way. Duh. HalfShadow 18:24, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

Maybe it was just to scare him. I recall something Yakoff Smirnoff said to Johnny Carson once: "You have such nice things in America - like warning shots." ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 18:26, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

I actually rather agree with HalfShadow. As someone wrote at WP:RD/H#Law against comparison shopping as depicted in the film Holiday Affair: "It could also be literary license for dramatic effect." But thanks everyone for answering my question - that was quick again! — Sebastian 18:29, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

I wondered if they could have retconned it as standing for Seraph, but it appears that in neither the Jewish nor the Christian angelic hierarchy does this fit the ranking of the Seraphim. 87.81.230.195 (talk) 18:34, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

December 31

Ice Hockey

What home team hockey jerseys have black?174.3.102.6 (talk) 12:48, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Are you referring to the National Hockey League in particular? If so, the individual team articles should have illustrations of the team sweaters. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 12:56, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

For example, Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins wear black at home. Carolina Hurricanes have a black "alternate" uniform, as do Chicago Blackhawks. That's a start. It's worth pointing out that in the old days, teams tended to wear white at home and colors on the road, presumably for the same reason as ballplayers used to do, connected with the laundry situation. That's not so much of an issue now, so the teams tend to wear colors or whites depending on their whim of the day. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 13:03, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Yes, NHL.174.3.102.6 (talk) 14:29, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Lots of them have black third jerseys. Calgary, Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, Philadelphia, I think Minnesota does too...do you mean fully black, or with some black? There would be more with just a little black. Adam Bishop (talk) 14:34, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

It also depends on how black is "fully" black, since teams wear their logos on their shirts. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 14:36, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Not fully black.174.3.102.6 (talk) 14:40, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Ah, so "one stitch" doesn't apply. 87.81.230.195 (talk) 16:24, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

The Ottawa Senators, Phoenix Coyotes, and Dallas Stars also wear black on occasion, I'm pretty sure. - Fullobeans (talk) 22:41, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

What one stitch?174.3.123.13 (talk) 07:52, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

A joke reference to One-drop rule. DJ Clayworth (talk) 22:37, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

Ice Hockey Rules

Being to lazy to read the article, is it legal to score as a goalie or defense? Or, in another way, are only forwards allowed to score goals?174.3.102.6 (talk) 14:29, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Anyone can score a goal. Goalies are not allowed to participate in play past the center line, so goals by goalies are rare, but they are occasionally credited with goals, typically during an empty-net situation: Sometimes due to the other team's carelessness, like managing to knock it into their own goal after the other goalie was the last offensive player to touch it; sometimes by slapping one that scoots down the ice and into the empty net. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 14:35, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Defensemen score regularly as they are usually part of the play at the other end of the rink. Some leagues (but apparently not the NHL?) have "best offensive defenceman" awards, meaning the defenceman who scores the most goals. For goalies, Wikipedia actually has a Featured List, List of goaltenders who have scored a goal in an NHL game. Adam Bishop (talk) 14:45, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Bobby Orr was a pioneer at diversifying the defenseman position to being a high-scorer also. When the Bruins won the Cup in 1970, fittingly he got the winning score. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 14:47, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

To the question of awards for "offensive defensemen", the NHL does award the Frank J. Selke Trophy to the best "defensive forward" every year. --Jayron32 20:23, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

NEED Help find a song!

There is a love song from the late 80's/early 90's that starts out with the sound of a beating heart. Its a slower love song, a friend of mine sent it to me years ago on a tape from Germany. The artist spoke English...please someone help me! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 205.209.224.52 (talk) 17:03, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

can you recall any of the words? Grutness...wha? 23:29, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Yes, the information you have given is a bit vague... Chevymontecarlo (talk) 14:20, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

It might be Somebody by Depeche Mode. The article mentions heartbeats at the end of the original version, with the remixed version having heartbeats at both the beginning and end. It is a slow song from the mid 80's. Tobyc75 (talk) 01:18, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Do you know this word?

What is the word that means "words that are a pleasure to say/pleasure to pronounce"? Marlita (talk) 19:04, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

I can't think of it, but you might have a better chance for a good response at the language ref desk. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 19:17, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Could euphonious be the word you are thinking of? I hope this helps. JW..[ T..C ] 20:27, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

This link could have a better word for it - "phenomic" meaning "(Of a word) the quality of being pleasant to say". I hope this helps. JW..[ T..C ] 21:06, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

January 1

Flute leaking?

Hi. On my flute (typical western version), there are currently some notes that I suddenly cannot play properly. The lower F and F# notes on the North American scale are not working, although F# works with the middle key of the right hand but with a slight buzzing noise. The high C is also sometimes difficult to play without playing forte, but this is less recent. I haven't checked some of the highest notes on the scale. By the way, this occured after wiggling my fingers rapidly on the three right-hand keys while attempting to flutebox. Any idea what the issue is with the instrument? Thanks. ~AH1^(TCU) 02:23, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

I'm not a flautist, but I note their mechanics, and wonder if it's possible for the keys you press to have worked loose in some way? Can you see a small screw on the affected key? --TammyMoet (talk) 09:36, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Unless you really bashed the right hand keys with brutal force, I doubt that your fluteboxing alone caused a leak (Otherwise, I recommend practising with a microphone so you can make audible percussive noises with less force). More likely, it was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. The pads of most woodwind instruments invariably start "leaking" after a certain time of normal wear and tear; the rapid wiggling might have simply accelerated it a bit. The simplest diagnostic method is to check the body and footjoint separately by blowing air through them, while closing off the end as well as all pads and finger openings. If the part isn't leaking it will resist the air, otherwise you will feel or hear the leak, and likely be able to locate it. A spring may have gone limp, something may be slightly bent, but if you have no experience in repairing the instrument I strongly recommend you take it to a shop. It is easy to make things worse (and finally more expensive) if you lack the right tools and experience. ---Sluzzelin talk 09:55, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

I second the recommendation to take it to a music shop and ask them. My first thought in most similar occasions is to check that nothing is stuck inside the instrument, then check the pads. But it is almost certainly going to be cheaper and safer to take it to a music shop and ask an experienced musician who can actually hold and examine the thing. Incidentally, I'm intrigued by your phrase "the North American scale". 86.177.121.171 (talk) 16:51, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Pressing down on the keys moves certain parts of the instrument that contain a screw, but it's probably difficult to get a screwdriver in there. Also, I timed myself and estimated that I was playing at the rate of 15 notes per second, give or take. I wasn't trying to make a percussive effect by wiggling my fingers, rather producing sharp alternations in pitch. Also, I'm not sure how to blow through the instrument without the mouthpiece? I have taken it to a shop before and asked about the harder-to-play higher notes such as the C, but they said that it would take $50 and roughly a week, but also suggested I work on the embrochure which did actually help. But I'm not sure how much it would cost to fix this part, unless the only problem is some loose screws. However, I will need my instrument next week and there is a big snowstorm coming tomorrow and we don't want to drive. As for the "North American scale", I'm prone to making connections and it was because I heard that the letter scale was only used in North America. ~AH1^(TCU) 03:40, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

Well, whoever told you that about the letter notation was misinformed ;-) I would still suggest you take it to the shop (it sounds like they know what they're talking about) if only for them to tell you what's wrong/ has changed.

What don't you understand about blowing through the instrument without the mouthpiece? To check the body, take the body piece, seal off one end, close all the pads, seal your mouth over the other end and blow. 86.177.121.171 (talk) 16:00, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

Nine Inch Nails

Today at around 8pm, a rock song played before Nine Inch Nails's Closer. What was this song and who sings this? I don't know which radio station it was cause I thought I heard it on easy rock but the recently played list does not list it NIN so I'm pretty sure it was another radio station.174.3.102.6 (talk) 04:19, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Well, since all radio stations across the world play the exact same songs someone should be along shortly to help you out. 161.222.160.8 (talk) 04:28, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

The OP is the same IP that asked the "Rock Song (Probably Canadian) (Hedley?)" question as well as other song questions and those bandana and hat questions. So, if someone wants to go through those and find out what city they're in... And maybe what radio station they listen to will be mentioned... Or the OP could throw us a bone and give the station to us. Dismas|^(talk) 05:41, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

The IP is from Calgary, although I assume this is the guy from Edmonton who always ask similar questions. Adam Bishop (talk) 19:12, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

future of soap opera

Please note I'm not using Wikipedia as a crystal ball or anything like that. But from what I understand about All My Children moving to Los Angeles to cut costs, I'm sure many people would want One Life to Live to the same thing. (The two did crossovers.) The reason I say that is because after it's been learned As the World Turns will be going off the air, OLTL would be the only soap opera left to be filmed in New York City. (General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Young & the Restless, and The Bold and the Beautiful are filmed in Los Angeles, soon to be joined by AMC.) By any chance, is AMC setting a good example for OLTL?24.90.204.234 (talk) 08:36, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

While I have no answer whatsoever, I'd like to post this follow-up question to the OP: Why would it be a good thing that you are "sure many people would want" if every single show of a certain genre was filmed in the same city, instead of having some diversity and different local flavour? I'd say that AMC are setting a bad example by falling in line with everyone else. /Coffeeshivers (talk) 19:19, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Any theories about what audiences want to see?

Are there any theories about what audiences want to see in movies? In other words what explains why some movies are more popular than others, ignoring different advertising and promotion spends? 78.146.210.81 (talk) 11:46, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

There certainly are; it is the job of the entire executive staff of every movie studio to develop and use such theories to decide what scripts to develop and film. Also there is an industry in Los Angeles of writers' workshops, in which they teach hundreds of hungry writers the alleged secrets to writing a movie that will be sure to be a hit. On the other hand, William Goldman wrote in his book Adventures in the Screen Trade (and in its sequel) that nobody actually understands what makes a hit movie, which is the reason every movie executive is perpetually paranoid; he doesn't really understand why his movies succeed or fail, though it is his job to understand; and he knows he is going to be fired someday, and it's not actually in his control when. I highly recommend the movie The Player on this topic. Comet Tuttle (talk) 18:35, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

......And would you like to tell me what they are please? 92.24.69.222 (talk) 21:21, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Personally, I thought Comet Tuttle's answer was a great answer to an unanswerable question. Four references provided even. My only answer is The Glass Teat, which is more about TV than movies, but still deals with the general subject of the headaches of writers and producers in Hollywood. The general subject of "what makes a 'hit'" seems to be a subject for which entire college degrees are granted. —Aladdin Sane (talk) 22:05, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Does this mean that no theories of movie popularity have been published? Can anyone give the names of any or details of the relevant academic publications please?92.24.69.222 (talk) 23:39, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

The Glass Teat is by Harlan Ellison, and as I recall (but can't track the quote), he did have a theory, somewhat like: People don't know what they want, so they accept what you give them. For a Jungian approach, see Cinematic Projections: The Analytical Psychology of C.G. Jung and Film Theory by Luke Hockley [1] which examines how people identify with films and characters. Lastly, although the critic Pauline Kael often attacked popular films, her essays offer insights on this subject. Pepso2 (talk) 01:10, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

I'm sure that originality has a lot to do with it, which is why sequels rarely live up to expectations. All my favourite movies feature something unique and unexpected, which is what makes them work. You can't make a formula for that.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 07:40, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

That wasn't actually the OP's question, which had to do with movie popularity rather than quality. I don't know of any "academic publications" discussing this. I'd be interested to read some. A lot of the "theory", if you can call it that, has to do with what themes and actors are popular at the moment. "Vampire movies are hot" is true today, but is not going to be true ten years from now, as the zeitgeist shifts. (Or maybe one year from now.) Actors' popularity comes and goes. If you're interested in the topic, HSX is a game in which there is a simulated stock market of movies that have not come out yet, and players "buy" and "sell" shares of the movies as they bet fake money on how much the movies will gross in the US. Comet Tuttle (talk) 15:59, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

FOX BILLBOARD NEW YEARS EVE 2010 SPECIAL

Does anyone know where I can find a list of this years performers on the FOX Billboard New Year's Eve? More specifically, the female performers of the night. And if possible if there is streaming video online. I did not see any video on my quick look at fox.com. Thanks! 65.118.24.3 (talk) 15:15, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Akron Wingfoots player information?

My great uncle was telling me over the holidays about enjoying the above team, which was sponsored by Goodyear, in the 1930s and early 1940s when he was a boy. I found a number of good sites ont he history of the Wingfoots, and even standings, but what I was curious about was some of the player names. Is there a site where it lists, say, team leaders in each category, or something like that? Thanks.Somebody or his brother (talk) 15:26, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Nine

Does the movie Nine (film) use the song Nature Boy? I seem to remember the refrain “greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return” somewhere in the movie but it's not listed in the soundtrack. --Mathew5000 (talk) 19:13, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

January 2

Never Been Any Reason

I just heard this Head East song on 'NCX and I got to wondering: are all the vocal parts sung by the (male) band members, or is there a female guest singer that isn't mentioned in the article? Given the high pitch of this mystery vocalist, along with the lines they sing (e.g. "Would you like some affection/before I leave again?"), I find it hard to believe that was sung by the band's drummer, as the article implies. Thanks in advance - Xenon54 / talk / 04:00, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

ufc Arianny Celeste

is ufc ringgirl Arianny Celeste tits real or fake? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Thekiller35789 (talk • contribs) 04:30, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Parts of them are real. Seems she had a boob job about a year ago.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 07:48, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Perfume killer movie??

What was that movie where this serial killer kills 12 women for their “scent” to make a perfect perfume, and his scent is the last? Then he is about to be executed and he puts some on and the crowd goes out of their minds. What movie is this? And do we have an article. Leave a message on my talk page please. Tim Tebow ROCKS!!!!!! (talk) 04:36, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (film). --Mathew5000 (talk) 06:00, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Sugar Bowl results?

What was the results of today's Sugar Bowl? I have no TV right now.... Thanks Tim Tebow ROCKS!!!!!! (talk) 04:37, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Florida over Cincinnati, 51 - 24. You could have found this by following the link at Sugar Bowl. Dismas|^(talk) 07:52, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Jennette McCurdy

Are her ears pierced?Accdude92 (talk to me!) (sign) 18:38, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Why don't you ask her? There are multiple ways to contact her on her website. If anyone knows, she does. Nanonic (talk) 20:48, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Yes, but dosnt she have so many e mails and such that she will never answer me?Accdude92 (talk to me!) (sign) 21:13, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

If you ask, you might get an answer from her. If you don't ask, you definitely will NOT get an answer from her. Which option has the better odds? :) ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 22:59, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

Question about the plot of 24 season 2

I'm currently working my way through 24 (season 2) and there's a plot twist I don't understand. I don't want to read the article as I don't want to find out what happens later in the season, but this is driving me crazy so maybe someone familiar with the season can help me. I'm up to episode 5 and everyone is freaking out about a nuclear device that's supposedly somewhere in LA. But Jack Bauer's boss George Mason went to a warehouse on a tip-off and found a nuclear device. Not only that, he disabled it, but at the cost of being exposed to radiation himself. Is that device not the same one as the one that everyone else is looking for? And if it is, why doesn't Mason tell everyone that the panic is over? Please note, if you can only answer this with reference to later plot twists, please don't do so :) Many thanks, --Richardrj ^{talk email} 19:40, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Mason didn't find the bomb. He only found the warehouse where the bomb was built. By episode 5 the location of the bomb is yet unknown. The Hero of This Nation (talk) 20:23, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Ah cool, thanks very much. On to episode 6, then.... --Richardrj ^{talk email} 20:32, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Actually, thinking about it this still doesn't make sense to me. Why does Mason keep the fact that he found the warehouse to himself? Bauer knows that Mason has been exposed to radiation, so why doesn't Mason just tell him (Bauer) what he found, which would no doubt hold important forensic evidence? Thanks, --Richardrj ^{talk email} 23:35, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Disnry channel anouncer

Who is the anouncer for disney channel?Accdude92 (talk to me!) (sign) 20:25, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

In which country? Nanonic (talk) 20:46, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Disney Channel USAAccdude92 (talk to me!) (sign) 20:54, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Why is Christopher the only smart alien?

Just saw District 9 last night. There is scant explanation in the film itself as to why Christopher and his son are the only smart aliens. Just some voiceovers near the beginning theorizing the the majority of the prawns are "drones" or somesuch. Is there any further explanation given elsewhere (such as interviews, comics, etc.) as to why most of the aliens are cretins? The Hero of This Nation (talk) 20:27, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Christopher was the pilot, and therefore a part of the alien elite. The majority of the aliens were workers, sort of like drones. Woogee (talk) 23:30, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

January 3

Please help finding posters of 2 photos of Elizabeth Taylor

I'd very much like to find some site that will sell me posters (or at least a large print) of these two images of Elizabeth Taylor: this and this (the former might just conceivably be construed as NSFW if you have an acutely restrictive W). I've scoured a number of poster and print sites (allposters.com has a lot of pictures of Liz, but neither of these) with no luck. I've tried Tineye, but it only finds other small versions on blogs and other dead-end sites. I'd prefer a vendor in the UK, but it seems beggars can't be choosers. Thanks for your help. 87.113.46.161 (talk) 00:24, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

I've looked through movieposter.com. They have more than 200 posters of Liz, including several non-traditional type posters, but not the shots you're looking for, which makes me think they're simply not available. Do you have any additional information about those pictures, such as which movie they were from or the photographer? Matt Deres (talk) 04:01, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

Thanks Matt; I've come to much the same conclusion. I'm afraid I know nothing about the provenance of either and the former at least doesn't look like any of her films. It was featured in an old (say a decade ago) issue of FHM or Maxim or something. I found the second during my failed quest for the first. It does seem that I'm out of luck. Thanks. 87.113.46.161 (talk) 11:09, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

You could try looking for them with tineye.com. I wanted to do it myself, but the site is either down temporarily, or I can't access it for some weird reason. :/ TomorrowTime (talk) 11:47, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

He already tried Tineye. I did too and found the same problem of just getting worse or smaller images. Tineye is a very helpful website, but has apparently been built on a server made of sand or something. Sometimes when I click to search, it just goes off to never-never land and never returns a result, other times it's lightning fast. Closing and re-opening (not just hitting refresh) sometimes works. Matt Deres (talk) 14:13, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

Oops, sorry, I missed that. TomorrowTime (talk) 11:12, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

The second image seems to come from the cover of a book called Elizabeth Taylor American Film Institute Life Achievement Award, available through Amazon. Depending on how badly you want that poster, you could buy the book and either scan it yourself or get the photo credit information from it (I couldn't find it through Google Books). Matt Deres (talk) 14:22, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

3d modeler advice?

hello and such,im currently tinkering with game design....i was wondering if anyone knew of some good reference material for 3d modeling and such....i have difficulty understanding letters and numbers that i dont currently know...sort of like font matching errors in a computer,so something with alot of conceptual pictures would be nice....im a visual learner ^^ i make my own art on occasion...

also i need to know why cigarettes are radioactive...o.o i know its kind of unusual to ask two questions in one post,but anyways o.o —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.0.10.54 (talk) 06:02, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

There's plenty of serious poisons in cigarettes, but this is the first time I heard they were radioactive... Where did you hear this? TomorrowTime (talk) 11:49, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

well,there is this fertilizer thats used on tobacco plants,it contains trace amounts of radioactive material,so starve the plant of nitrogen,and make the tobacco more flavorfull,i think wikipediahas info on this,though im not sure,which is why i was asking —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.0.10.54 (talk) 11:56, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

The radioactive cigarettes question should really go on the Science desk. Here is a reference for what the OP has cited: [2] and another one [3] --TammyMoet (talk) 12:21, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

i may sound stupid for asking this,but whats an OP?im not very knowledgeable of wiki policy —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.0.10.54 (talk) 15:01, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

"OP" is "original poster", that is, you! By the way, technically everything is radioactive (even you), but usually not poisonously. Kind of like that joke about water being the deadliest substance for humans. Adam Bishop (talk) 15:44, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

On the topic of 3D modeling, are you aware that at the Autodesk website you can download a fully functional copy of Maya, which has no expiration date? The only difference from the full version is that it has the word EVALUATION (or something similar) displayed on the screen everywhere, so if you actually use it to produce any commercial content (or a demo reel for your resume, etc) then you'll want to pay for the full version. But in the meantime you can use it to learn all about 3D modeling at your own speed, using a fully functional commercial-grade software production environment. Google "maya tutorial" for starter-level projects. Comet Tuttle (talk) 19:32, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

O.O MAYA,well,ive heard of it....but you see i have alot of education in art and higher math...yet strangely no education in programming languages or the constructs used to control them...so i struggle with things like thst....3d moedling,what i wanted is something built for easier use,like something designed without a century`s long education in CAD in mind

p.s. sorry for my typos and grammatical errors,communicating with other people,much less using english for it isnt a strongpoint of mine,coffee,cigarettes,and small pizzas are ^-^,my main communications with other people on the net usually involves english smattered with a bunch of little peices of other languages,not to mention bizzare colloqialisms that define small points....despite this im talkative ^_^

p.s. again "cigar ette"...translate,,"petite cigar?".. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.0.10.54 (talk) 02:06, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

Give Maya a try. You may take to it. You don't have to know how to program. The trial version is free. Comet Tuttle (talk) 05:21, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

A question about Hellsing...and anime in general...

I had watched Hellsing OVA 7 on Friday. A moment I remember from it was Pip's end. When Pip was dying, Seras gave him a kiss and when he expired, Seras remembered some moments they had together before wailing loudly over him. Does this mean that Hellsing would get emotionally darker from now on, and would some animes in general become emotionally darker near the end? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sirdrink13309622 (talk • contribs) 19:39, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

January 4

Dooku in Attack of the Clones

Why would Count Dooku reveal to Obi-Wan that the senate was under the control of Darth Sidious in Attack of the Clones? Dooku was loyal until his death (even if Palpitine was not, essentially ordering his death) -- why would he give this away to the Jedi? DRosenbach ^{(Talk | Contribs)} 00:29, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

I thought of it as taunting Obi-Wan in a way. He was definitely cognizant of the fact that Obi-Wan would deny such information, when in fact it was the truth. In the offchance that Obi-Wan submitted and joined him, deception is the way of the Sith after all. bibliomaniac15 01:36, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

Additionally, he wasn't revealing anything about the Palpatine-Sidious connection, which was the real secret... --Jayron32 03:09, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

As the guy who created the extremely funny (and not safe for work) 70 minute YouTube video review of TPM would no doubt claim, "because nothing in this movie makes any fucking sense." Comet Tuttle (talk) 05:18, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

Those particular scenes

I was curious to know, in a movie like Crash (1996, James Spader, Holly Hunter) when there are sex scenes to be done especially the type of scenes that can cause controversy amongst regular movie goers.

How does the director convey the message to the actors/actresses as to how he wants that scene to be done? Are some just flatout frank and tell the roleplayers what they want/like them to do? How do they go about it?

Thanks, NirocFX (talk) 11:47, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

Eiffel Tower fireworks (lack of) for 2010 New Years

There were no fireworks from the Eiffel Tower for the 2010 New Years. Just a 'light show'. We were there. I've tried googling around to find reference that explains why that was. We were expecting fireworks, and wondered what happened. Light show was okay but...Thanks if anyone can point to a link that explains what happened.