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August 20

why did mike myers and Robin Ruzan divorce?

This question has been moved here from the Humanities Desk Exxolon (talk) 00:38, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

why did mike myers and Robin Ruzan divorce? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.229.13.215 (talk) 00:07, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Contemporary news reports all say "no reason" was given. Short of looking at court records (if they are publically viewable) I can see no way to answer this. No information seems to have ever been released by Myers or Ruzan regarding the exact reason. As it's a private matter anyway I'm not in favour of going digging further for the info just to satisfy someone's curiousity. Exxolon (talk) 00:41, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

presumably, because one or both of them wanted to. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.128.189.180 (talk) 17:37, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Contemporary jazz and genre

I have been listening to contemporary jazz musicians such as Avishai Cohen, Brad Mehldau, Joshua Redman and Esbjorn Svensson and could not but conclude that these were all playing the same subgenre of jazz. It is melodic, contemplative and largely unexperimental; one gets the impression the musicians are academy trained. It is quite unlike the major distinctive genres of previous eras i.e. swing/big band/hard bop/fusion, but seemingly distinct from what Wikipedia terms contemporary jazz (a redirect to "smooth jazz", described as radio-friendly crossover stuff). Browsing around Allmusic, which is usually hyper-specific about subgenres, it seems as if they are at a loss to subcategorise the jazz of the last two decades: "It has become increasingly difficult to categorize modern jazz. A large segment of the music does not fit into any historical style; it is not as rock-oriented as fusion or as free as avant garde.""Post-bop" entry

I'm looking for a descriptive breakdown of the currents in contemporary jazz, specifically that of the above-listed musicians, but am unfamiliar with jazz criticism/literature. Original research and links to published theories both welcome, any help appreciated. Skomorokh 02:24, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Well, I tend to agree with allmusic. Jazz of the past two decades (including the artists you named) is, on the one hand, rooted in, or at the very least alludes to the history of jazz. In this respect, it resemble the "post-bop" or "mainstream" jazz to whom these terms were first applied (let's say 1960s - 1980s). Unlike those early "post-boppers", however, today's musicians also embrace the history of free jazz. Ornette Coleman has become just as much a part of their tradition and reference as Charlie Parker remains a part of it.

On the other hand, jazz has become increasingly globalized, incorporating influences and styles from all over the place. All four musicians you named are also influenced by pop music, rock music, even heavy metal. They grew up listening to hip hop and electronic music, and have incorporated some of it it in their own sound and style, consciously and sub-consciously.

As you already hinted at, jazz has also become more academic in comparison with earlier eras. Not only do far more jazz musicians get a degree in music than they used to, but jazz curricula also increasingly offer courses and workshops in other areas, from Indian classical music to contemporary classical music to Brazilian samba to just about anything else out there, including "commercial" music. When you compare today's drum students at Berklee with those in the 1970s, you see a huge increase in scope of styles and beats they are capable of playing at the highest level.

All of this flows into what you hear in "contemporary jazz". Despite all my rambling, I too am at loss how to further categorize it. To distinguish Joshua Redman's music from Esbjorn Svensson's (and they really are quite distinct), I'd have to refer to descriptions and possibly refer to influences I hear in the music, but I don't have a fitting label for them either. You might be interested in Down Beat's "Jazz 101 Menu", where the "newest" subgenres/chapters are titlled Young Lions, Experimental and Avant-Garde, Downtown New York Sounds, World View, and Modern Sounds. (linked you to the last, most "contemporary" one :-). ---Sluzzelin talk 07:37, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Would a solution be to turn Contemporary jazz into a disambiguation page, forking to Smooth jazz and to a new page which summarises the recent developments in style which you have outlined above, and which links to the musicians concerned? Ghmyrtle (talk) 08:03, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

I certainly agree that "Contemporary jazz" should not redirect to "Smooth jazz" in any case at all. Contemporary is often a tricky label with changing meanings, often delineating something that will be split up or merged and categorized differently at a later point, in retrospect. This is particularly difficult for an encyclopedia. The article on contemporary classical music starts out with pointing to the term's ambiguity. But I can see the value of having an article on what's been happening in jazz of the 21st century, and "Contemporary jazz" would probably be its title. Who uses "contemporary jazz" as a synonym for "smooth jazz" outside the world of smooth jazz listeners? (I wonder). For the moment, it could redirect to Jazz (1980s-2010s) ---Sluzzelin talk 08:26, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

That sounds good. Ghmyrtle (talk) 09:34, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks a lot Sluzzelin, that was very interesting and I will check out the Down Beat article. Skomorokh 18:52, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Quote about "women's pictures"

There's a half-remembered quote that's nagging at my memory - something about films for women being defined by a female lead committing adultery all the way through the film, until at the end her husbands begs her forgiveness. Anyone remember who said it, what they said, and about what film? --Nicknack009 (talk) 15:52, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Song name

Resolved

Anybody know the name and artist of the song used in this trailer, here thanks Mo ainm~Talk 20:38, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

It's the Sleng Teng riddim (original by Wayne Smith), but not sure which of probably hundreds of tracks that are based on it this one is.--Michig (talk) 21:16, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

In fact, it sounds like Wayne Smith's "Under Mi Sleng Teng".--Michig (talk) 21:24, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Thats the one alright brilliant thanks Michig. Mo ainm~Talk 21:30, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

register

I am zydeco joseph how do i register myself with wikipedia? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Zydecojoseph (talk • contribs) 22:02, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

You've already registered an account, under which you can edit Wikipedia. If you're asking how can you get an article about yourself, please read Wikipedia:Autobiography, which explains why you shouldn't create an article about yourself. -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 22:11, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

You can however create a userpage, which is outside of the article space, to describe yourself. --Jayron32 05:37, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

When you are logged in, please don't forget to sign your username by typing the four tildes (~~~~) Chevymontecarlo 08:02, 22 August 2010 (UTC)

Interesting, the afterlife seems to have an Internet connection. [1] TomorrowTime (talk) 07:20, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

August 21

Improvising vultures

In this Nostalgia Critic video, Tom Ruegger says that he is working on an upcoming improvisational comedy series involving vultures. Is this true, and if so, is any other information about it available?--99.251.239.89 (talk) 00:41, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

Identify this manga/anime eye expression

I have noticed that when I watch manga/anime, I sometimes see people's eyes turn into tiny little dots. What does that expression mean? 98.116.90.160 (talk) 00:43, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

Surprise. Oda Mari (talk) 07:12, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

Or disbelief. schyler (talk) 02:09, 22 August 2010 (UTC)

August 22

KI.KA

Which aspect ratio(s) is/are used by KI.KA? --84.62.200.247 (talk) 10:40, 22 August 2010 (UTC)

Help finding traditional(?) Japanese song

So I went to tokyo over the past two weeks and heard a song a number of times during my stay of which I learned the title, and then promptly forgot by the next hungover morning. It's in the enka style, with a pentatonic melody and a bit of an impassioned sound. the only lyric I remember for sure is the hook, which has the singer saying "hah-naaah-biiiii" i.e. hanabi (fireworks). As I said before, I heard it a number of times in tokyo and it seemed either seasonal or popular. Thanks folks! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.14.1.186 (talk) 19:28, 22 August 2010 (UTC)

August 23

Viper roller coaster

On the Viper (Six Flags Magic Mountain) page, it says that Viper currently holds the world record for tallest vertical loop, but on the List of roller coaster rankings, Viper isn't even on the top ten. Why is this? --Nick4404 yada yada yada What have I done? 01:07, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Well, it doesn't help that neither article has a reference for its info. The official Viper page says it climbs 14 stories but doesn't express that in feet/meters. This page, which is linked from the list you provided a link for says that the Viper is 188 ft tall which beats the tallest in the list by 44 ft. In the end, both articles could use some references.

Also, it's sometimes hard to compare roller coasters. They're a bit like the claims of the tallest buildings. One person will claim building A is taller than B. But another person can counter with the idea that A is only taller because of antennas on top of the building and not livable space. Dismas|^(talk) 01:20, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Heartbeat TV Series (British)

Who played Edward Walton (Ex bank manager) in Episode 366 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 123.211.94.167 (talk) 12:33, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

This says Rodney Bewes. Ghmyrtle (talk) 12:55, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Stephen Fry's death

Resolved

Will QI be able to complete the alphebet at it's current rate of one letter per series before Stephen Fry dies? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Prize Winning Tomato (talk • contribs) 15:49, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Who knows, but like it says at the top of the page "The reference desk does not answer requests for opinions or predictions about future events."  ZX81  ^talk 15:53, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

I'm not asking for predictions, I want to know with the average lifespan of a male in the uk, if at his current age whatever that is will he be able to complete the alphebet before he dies, or will another host (assuming the show isn't canceled) take over? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Prize Winning Tomato (talk • contribs) 15:58, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

He isn't "that" old. Standard life expectancy will give him another 26 years. -- SGBailey (talk) 16:13, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Series "I" will presumably be recorded in 2011. Fry is currently 52 and will turn 53 later this month. There are 18 letters left including "I" giving us :-

• I - 2011
• J - 2012
• K - 2013
• L - 2014
• M - 2015
• N - 2016
• O - 2017
• P - 2018
• Q - 2019
• R - 2020
• S - 2021
• T - 2022
• U - 2023
• V - 2024
• W - 2025
• X - 2026
• Y - 2027
• Z - 2028

another 18 years. Fry will be around 70 when we reach Z, old certainly but hardly decrepit. As current male UK life expectancy is 77.2 years it's most likely Fry will still be around. It's more likely the series will end before reaching Z for unrelated reasons than Fry dying beforehand. Exxolon (talk) 18:46, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by Prize Winning Tomato (talk • contribs) 18:47, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Note also that, if overall UK life expectancy is 77.2 years, the life expectancy for someone Fry's age is substantially higher -- he's got a floor of 52 years as contrasted with the floor of 0 in the overall calculation. — Lomn 21:15, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Walk don't run

Has Walk, Don't Run (song) been the theme tune to any TV programmes? If so which? -- SGBailey (talk) 16:14, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

It's not on the List of television theme music and I can't find anything that suggests otherwise. I think The Ventures will just have to be satisfied with "Hawaii Five-O". Clarityfiend (talk) 01:03, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Not a TV show, but apparently Yleisradio used it as its theme song, see the article on rautalanka. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sluzzelin (talk • contribs) 01:11, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

ESOL 5

HI! My name is Sitwat Ara, i am a new student came from another country, i want to know that the school place me in esol 5, can u plz tell me what they will teach me in that class bcoz my reading & writing is perfect & i can also understand english, & i can improve my speaking power in my regural classes, my cousin told me that if i take esol class i will miss my another important subject. thankyou —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sitwat ara (talk • contribs) 21:22, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

You'd have to specify which country you have moved to; and if it is a federal country (like the U.S. or Canada), you'd need to indicate the specific state or province. Educational standards vary by jursidiction, so we'd need to know where you are before we can answer your question. --Jayron32 02:49, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

It is also plainly obvious that your writing is far from perfect. Googlemeister (talk) 16:15, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

ESOL is "English for Speakers of Other Languages". Would it correct to assume you have moved to an English-speaking country, from a country where English is not your normal language? Your school will be able to tell you what "ESOL 5" means for that school and what the course will teach you. Astronaut (talk) 21:31, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

August 24

Forgotten were-wolf themed movie

hi there.

when i was a kid i watched this movie [not that popular] about a guy who turns into a were-wolf. i forgot the title and has been searching the internet for it.

all i remember was that the guy was invited by this mysterious circus master in his group. and one of the circus freaks have an small extra arm in the chest [the scene showing him holding extra cards with that arm, for cheating]. the were-wolf guy is also protecting a girl, which he left in a barn yard before the climax of the movie.

thanks for any help, i appreciate it. 210.1.67.147 (talk) 03:34, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Try searching though Category:Werewolves in film and television and see what turns up. --Jayron32 03:38, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

My guess is Howling VI: The Freaks. ---Sluzzelin talk 03:43, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

---i read the page about "howling VI", and i think this is it. thanks people! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 210.1.67.147 (talk) 06:34, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

LA INK Episode of Kat von D tatooing the Landeberg Triplets

Does anyone know which episode of LA INK the Landeberg triplets (Calle-Kelii, Pelle-Rock, Nisse-Izzy) from the band The Wildflowers (ex Snake of Eden) are getting tattooed by Kat von D. All three got "Carpre Diem" tattooed on their stomaches and I think it might have been done in 2008. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Wideeyed10001 (talk • contribs) 05:59, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Chinese Musical Instrument

Does anyone know what the musical instrument being played at the 3 minute mark in this video is? It looks like a violin with a much-reduced soundbox. Thanks, Rojomoke (talk) 07:05, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Unfortunately, Sony has blocked the clip in "my country" (according to youtube), but based on your description it could be an Erhu, Gaohu, Banhu, Jinghu, Zhonghu ... see also traditional Chinese bowed string instruments. ---Sluzzelin talk 07:58, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

It's an Erhu. Oda Mari (talk) 08:23, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks Rojomoke (talk) 11:06, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Green bug in The Road

In The Road (film), there's a scene near the end where the Boy finds a big green bug under some trash, which flies away. I don't remember that from the book, and I don't have a copy here. It changes the story significantly, with the bug showing that Earth can produce new life able to cope with the changed conditions, so there is still a future for the biosphere even if humans are not part of it. So does anyone else remember if the bug was in the book? 86.149.220.210 (talk) 13:58, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

I'm pretty sure it isn't, it's a while since I read it but it's seared into my memory as you might expect with such a powerful novel. Sounds like a typical Hollywood addition as well, compared with McCarthy's savage pessimism. --Viennese Waltz ^talk 14:14, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

LOTR Question

Why didn't the eagles simply fly the One Ring into Mordor and drop it into Mount Doom? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Prize Winning Tomato (talk • contribs) 18:26, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

I think Tolkien does mention this somewhere although I forget exactly what the answer is...it's something like "the eagles just didn't feel like it", basically (I mean, they don't really help anyone at all, do they, aside from Gandalf). But there are other reasons. Maybe Sauron would have expected that. The flying Nazgul could have stopped them. Maybe the eagles would have just flown off with the ring instead of destroying it. They would have been affected by it as much as anyone else, right? In the end the ring is destroyed only by accident anyway, Frodo wasn't going to just walk up there and drop it, so why would the eagles? Adam Bishop (talk) 18:37, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

In fact, I recall at least two instances where the book emphasizes how dangerous it would be to entrust the ring to someone powerful. The more powerful, the more dangerous. I'm referring to the scenes where Gandalf and Galadriel each are offered the ring or asked to take it and become scarily defiant in face of that test of temptation. The eagles seem to be quite powerful too, even those lesser than Gwaihir, certainly more powerful than a tough little Hobbit and potentially less trustworthy. ---Sluzzelin talk 18:43, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Also consider that it was vitally important that the ring arrive in Mordor unnoticed. Even with Sauron distracted by war it was dificult for the hobbits to sneak in unnoticed.

Mordor was considered impenetrable, so presumably it had defenses that could take care of gigantic eagles.

After the destruction of the ring, none of these restrictions applied. Whatever defenses Mordor had against armies and flying threats were pretty much neutralized, and there was no need for secrecy. When no one is trying to kill you, you can take the easy way home. APL (talk) 18:59, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

They were too busy touring. Oh wait, they're not that old. Clarityfiend (talk) 20:58, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

I second Sluzzelin's speculation. I choose to avoid any discussion of the technical aspects of fitting the One Ring upon a large talon. Comet Tuttle (talk) 22:00, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Doesn't it change size to fit whoever is wearing it? It fits Sauron and Smeagol and Frodo just fine. (Or is that a movie thing?) Adam Bishop (talk) 22:21, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

One Ring#Appearance - you're right. Vimescarrot (talk) 22:51, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

This has often been asked in the Usenet groups devoted to Tolkien. One summary can be seen here. Deor (talk) 23:18, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Because there would have been no story otherwise. The eagles are faster and more powerful fliers than the Nazgul (who only got their winged mounts after getting unhorsed anyway). There's no need to give the Ring to Gwaihir directly; he could easily have carried Frodo, who would have been less consumed by the Ring if he hadn't had to drag it all over creation for months before facing throwing it into the fire. Hell, send three eagles and have Glorfindel and Gandalf running interference; Glorfindel had no trouble dismaying five Nazgul in FOTR by himself. I love reading LOTR and there's no denying Tolkien had a rare gift, but he was terrible at writing himself into corners and falling in love with some of his characters. Just enjoy the journey and read it as it was intended - as a myth - and don't worry overmuch about the stuff that doesn't make sense. Matt Deres (talk) 03:18, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Much was made of Mordor's impenetrability. It's difficult to imagine that Sauron and his minions would just shrug their shoulders and say "There's Frodo with The Ring, but he's flying above our soldiers. Nothing we can do about that.", not in a land where dangerous flying beasts are not entirely uncommon. APL (talk) 14:34, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

This is how it might have gone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yqVD0swvWU Staecker (talk) 13:57, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Episode

The Moomin_(1990_TV_series) article states that episode 50, "The Imp", was banned in Norway and Finland. It doesn't say why, and it doesn't give a reference. What was the reason? 82.44.54.25 (talk) 21:39, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

I couldn't find a reliable source, but it would appear to be because they were considered too scary for children. Looks like "The Imp" has a voice of a 'demon', and "The Pirate" was also not shown, as it featured someone threatened with a knife, and possibly "The Birthday Present" too.

Those looking for more might find it useful if I note that (I think) "The Imp" is apparently "Ääni kelon sisällä" ("Voice inside a dead red pine"), "The Pirate" is "Muumit ja taistelu merirosvoa vastaan" ("Moomins and the battle against pirates") and "The Birthday Present" is "Syntymäpäiväyllätys" ("Birthday Surprise").

Sorry I couldn't find more exact info; possibly a Finnish or Norwegian-speaker could.  Chzz  ►  03:02, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

• Hi, I can't find reliable sources regarding this matter, but based on the Finnish Wikipedia article and blog/forum posts, I see no mention of these being banned or censored. Rather, it seems that the broadcaster just chose not to air these episodes because they considered them to be too scary for little children. --KFP (contact | edits) 01:27, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

August 25

Hollywood Walk of Fame and Mariah Carey

Why does Mariah Carey not have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? She should have had one years ago. Also Madonna and Julia Roberts don't have. What's going on? Where's the justice? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 196.23.23.169 (talk) 03:41, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Our Hollywood Walk of Fame article says that Julia Roberts has declined to participate, for one. The article says that "Why doesn't ____________ have a star?" is the #1 question received by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Comet Tuttle (talk) 04:57, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Glitter? Clarityfiend (talk) 06:53, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

According to The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, "Anyone, including a fan, can nominate a celebrity as long as the celebrity or his/her management is in agreement with the nomination. If there is no letter of agreement included from the celebrity or his/her representative, the committee will not accept the application." 24.189.87.160 (talk) 09:27, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

What I would like to know though, is if you can ask them to include a new category altogether, because I personally feel that athletes should have their place. I mean sports are a form of entertainment, are they not? 24.189.87.160 (talk) 09:36, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Of course, you can go to this website and ask them. But remember, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is a private body, not a democracy; they have no obligation to heed your argument. --M@rēino 13:35, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

sports are a form of entertainment, are they not? - only on the Wikipedia Reference Desk. Look in any newspaper and what do you find - the sport section usually at the back, and the arts/entertainment section somewhere else. On the TV news, there's a distinct section devoted to sports, which does not include anything to do with film stars, the theatre, comedy, singers, opera, you name it. It's not that sports are not entertaining, hence the spectators - but so is politics, and so is pornography. But all that aside, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is for people who've had some connection with, er, well, Hollywood (the movie capital). Can most sports people claim this? -- Jack of Oz ... speak! ... 20:10, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Jack! A pornography section? What newspaper do you read? ---Sluzzelin talk 20:42, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

You misread me, Sluzzo. I was simply acknowledging that, although they're not properly categorised as entertainment, sports do still have a certain entertainment value, as does politics, as does pornography. That's all. -- Jack of Oz ... speak! ... 09:10, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

If baseball were film, the New York Yankees might fit into the porn category, as in "Yankee Does Dallas". For the Chicago Cubs, it would be more like "Plan 9 from Outer Space". ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 18:05, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

Is the Hollywood C of C free to create a star posthumously? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 18:05, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

Why did Barbara Streisand change her name?

One would think it would be in her article, but I didn't find it in the usual places. At home, I try to avoid going to most web sites.Vchimpanzee · talk · contributions · 18:47, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

From the Barbra Archives:

• "she dropped one letter from the conventional spelling of "Barbara" because, "I hated the name, but I refused to change it."[2].
• "the spelling of her first name is an instance of partial rebellion: she was advised to change her last name and retaliated by dropping an “a” from the first instead" [3].

---Sluzzelin talk 19:00, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Another answer from her: "Well, I was 18 and I wanted to be unique, but I didn't want to change my name because that was too false. You know, people were saying you could be Joanie Sands, or something like that. [My middle name is Joan.] And I said, 'No, let's see, if I take out the 'a,' it's still 'Barbara,' but it's unique." [4] -- kainaw™ 19:05, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Thank you. If I can't find it in the article, ... well, I suppose the talk page would be the place to propose including both of those.Vchimpanzee · talk · contributions · 19:18, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

I wouldn't bother bringing it up on the talk page — just add a subsection about it. Comet Tuttle (talk) 20:47, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Okay. thanks. Personal life okay?Vchimpanzee · talk · contributions · 20:47, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

Balls of Steel, Legal Action.

Has anybody from Balls of Steel (UK TV series) ever had criminal or civil legal action taken against them for actions performed during the filming of the show? SmokingNewton _{(MESSAGE ME)} 20:59, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Well, it is always hard to disprove something like that; best we can do is, search news. I see that 4 people were arrested for squirting water at Tom Cruise[5], but apparently he did not press charges[6]. This tabloid piece mentions the possibility of suing them, and Scotland Yard has investigated stunts but said "a criminal investigation was ‘not appropriate’".[7] In Sweden, production was affected by an incident, but it only says that someone was questioned by the Swedish Security Service.[8] [9] - I'm not sure if you could consider that to be criminal or civic action.

It would appear that the possibility of litigation influenced the decision to create an American version.[10].  Chzz  ►  02:18, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

12 and Holding

Hi, I just watched this very good movie on german tv. Could you tell me, wether and which connotation the title has? 12 ist the age of main characters, but what does holding mean? 91.52.139.209 (talk) 22:10, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Haven't seen it, but "holding" in this context usually means staying as you are, maintaining the status quo. For example, a holding pattern. I don't know if this helps. Britmax (talk) 22:21, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Yes, thanks. So it would just mean, they are 12 years old and hold/stay on this point of development, despite the events. - I had the feeling the title could play with some phrase from sports or gambling. - (The german title is "Ende der Unschuld"/"End of Innocence".) 91.52.139.209 (talk) 22:53, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Yes, that would be the idea. Britmax (talk) 22:57, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Not sports, as far as I know; think rocketry, specifically the countdown to a rocket launch. At least in NASA practice, if the clock is running they announce "T minus 20 minutes and counting"; if it's stopped (either due to a problem or because of a planned delay in the sequence), it's "T minus 20 minutes and holding". Back in Project Apollo days this usage would have been very familiar to many people. --Anonymous, 05:21 UTC, August 26, 2010.

Oh, thanks, that sounds good. The movie shows, that the kids are not ready for take-off into adult life. 91.52.138.210 (talk) 09:19, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

August 26

Mozart: clarinet & piano?

I'm trying to identify a piece for clarinet & piano, which I recently heard when performed live at a celebration. They said it was from Mozart, and I thought they said it was a sonata (maybe I made that up myself, thinking that a sonata could have fit that instrumentation). Final hint: At least the second, slower part (not sure if the second movement or if they left out one or several movements from a longer piece), which starts with a very beautiful line of the clarinet (after a quick piano intro) and is later set into minor at least once(*), sounded very familiar to me, although my knowledge about Mozart and especially clarinet music rather limited... so I figure it can't be a very obscure piece.

Plus, from what I can find, Mozart hasn't written anything only for clarinet & piano, so it must be something arranged (although they didn't say so). I've listened into some of the violin & piano sonatas without any success. On the internet I've read that there are even arrangement of quintets for clarinet & piano, but I haven't yet found the complete pieces on Youtube, and what I've found again didn't fit the bill.

Any ideas which other Mozart pieces have could have been arranged for clarinet & piano... or where else to look for the original... or other tips to identify this piece? Thanks, Ibn Battuta (talk) 14:52, 26 August 2010 (UTC) PS: (*) Sorry, although I could whistle the clarinet music for several days, I've since "forgotten" it again... else I'd be happy to describe it here...

Assuming the original is actually written for the clarinet (or possibly its ancestor the Basset horn (and other instruments) the most likely possibilities I can think of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and Clarinet Quintet. You can listen to extracts at the articles I've linked to. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 16:06, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

Porn films

Can someone please explain to me why porn actors are not charged with prostitution ... and why porn producers are not charged with promoting prostitution? Generally, prostitution is an exchange of sex and money. I can see the porn industry defense claiming that they are not really "having sex", but rather that they are "acting". But, I am sure that that would be a pretty thin defense, unlikely to succeed. So, what's really going on here? I am confused. Any insights? It can't simply be that the male actor is not paying the female actress for sex ... can it? That the source of the money comes elsewhere like from, say, the producer? But, even so, the producer is paying two people to have sex ... so, at the very least, that would be promoting prostitution ... or pimping or pandering or whatever ... no? What am I missing here? This question refers to the USA. Thanks. (64.252.34.115 (talk) 14:55, 26 August 2010 (UTC))

Cecil Adams covers this briefly here : The Straight Dope : Why aren't porn actors charged with prostitution?

Some states have prostitution defined pretty narrowly, so that intent is part of the definition. Other times first amendment issues prevent them from prosecuting pornographers. (Theoretically, the 1st amendment would have priority over any state law. Including anti-prostitution laws.)

A lot of times, the police just don't want to prosecute they're worried about losing the case then setting a precedent. They'd rather leave that area of law untested. APL (talk) 15:41, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

The short answer is that prostitution is a legally defined term, and there are places in which the legal definition does not include making pornography. Those are the places where porn is produced. John M Baker (talk) 17:32, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

"for [an act] to constitute 'prostitution,' the genitals, buttocks, or female breast, of either the prostitute or the customer must come in contact with some part of the body of the other for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification of the customer or of the prostitute" [emphasis added]. The court found that the "payment of acting fees was the only payment involved in the instant case. . . . There is no evidence that [Freeman] paid the acting fees for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification, his own or the actors'." OK, so porn is mainly for the sexual gratification of the viewer of the film, I get that, but obviously the people involved in it (meaning the actors) must be getting off on it as well, or otherwise they wouldn't act in porn films for a living. I mean, what other reason would there be for "the genitals, buttocks, or female breast" of either party to come intact with each other? And could a prostitute use this as a loophole by filming her, um, "transactions" and either sell it or release it for free? 24.189.87.160 (talk) 17:50, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

Opinions that don't answer the question
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
Hi, OP. I am the only one who will really tell you why. Wives, who make up half of the population, don't want their husbands going to prostitutes. Concurrently, nobody wants their daughter, who is currently hard on her luck, to go get fucked for some money. The truth of the matter is, the people who would go to a prostitute will not go star in a porn film for the same reason. Therefore, the law achieves two purposes: it removes from the free market a service which might otherwise break up families and so forth. Secondly, it protects people, specifically women, from casual sex work to make ends meet. I like the second effect. There are many very intelligent, very beautiful women who are protected from prostituting themselves by the fact that it ain't legal. I'm glad they aren't doing that, period. Frankly, prostitution and porn actors are just two different markets, overlapping in only a very small way. (Obviously one big difference is that there need not be very many porn actors, since a million people can watch the same video). So, now I'm the only one who will have told you any of the real reasons. As opposed to the aspergic contortions legal scholars will go through to make this happen, that is not the real answer to "why" it is thus. Though someone graduating summa cum laude from Harvard law might think that is the "reason." Now you're smarter than that person :) 84.153.217.155 (talk) 17:44, 26 August 2010 (UTC) 84.153, you didn't answer the original poster's question, and you didn't cite any references, just as you did not when you congratulated yourself over on the Humanities desk that you were smarter than economics professors. Comet Tuttle (talk) 17:52, 26 August 2010 (UTC) 84.153.217.155, your logic is kinda off because: No one wants their daughter to get fucked for money, ESPECIALLY not on camera, because you're bound to run into someone who saw your daughter sucking someone's dick in a particular film (just ask Laurence Fishburne). There is such a thing as porn addiction, and it breaks up marriages just as badly as real-life affairs. Prostitution may be illegal in many countries, but just because something's illegal doesn't mean that people stop engaging in it. It's still a very lucrative business despite its illicitness, and it's not just down-and-out girls from broken homes who stand on a street corner. There are high-end hookers called call girls, and songs have been written about them. Prostitution is legal in some countries, and there have been no sudden outbreak of divorces in those countries. 24.189.87.160 (talk) 18:09, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

As I understand it, it is the act of solicitation, not the act of sex, which is the potentially illegal part. In the case of a movie, the person paying for it does not have sex. Prostitutes are paid for sex, whereas porn stars have sex for free, and charge for it to be filmed. The payment is made for their 'acting', not to receive sexual gratification. Chzz  ►  03:59, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

I am the OP ... and that was part of my original question. For all practical purposes ... how can we distinguish "having sex" from "acting like I am having sex"? At least, as applied in this context of porn films. A judge or jury (or whoever) would never buy that thin defense. It is not that the actors are "acting like they are having sex" (as distinct from actually having sex). More correctly described, they are indeed having sex and just filming it in addition. Thanks. (64.252.34.115 (talk) 16:06, 27 August 2010 (UTC))

That's certainly the way it is over in the UK. Solicitation, Curb-Crawling, Exploitation (pimping) and having sex in public are all illegal, but the actual act of having sex for money isn't. So basically, getting there is illegal, but once you're there it's all good. Unless of course one party is underage, but that's a different issue. -- WORMMЯOW  07:59, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

That would be (UK spelling) kerb-crawling. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 12:57, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

No, no, no! I disagree with the above. Prostitution (the exchange of sex for money) is indeed illegal. That is, "prostitution" is a crime. Solicitation (of a prostitute) is also a crime ... but it is a separate and distinct crime. Thus, it does not negate the fact that the underlying offense of prostitution is also a crime. That's just like solicitation of a murder. To solicit a murder is illegal ... just as an actual (carried out) murder is illegal. Similarly, to solicit a prostitute is illegal ... just as actual prostitution (once followed through) is also illegal. The reason why people think that only the solicitation is illegal is that undercover officers often engage in the solicitation, but not the actual sex act. Thus, they can charge (under the "undercover officer scenario") with only solicitation, but not with the substantive prostitution. Just as in the murder case, the undercover cops will stop the "real" crime before it occurs. They will stop the soliciting (would-be) murderers from carrying out the actual murder before it happens ... just as they will stop the soliciting parties from carrying out the actual prostitution crime before it happens. The undercover cops cannot sit by and watch (or knowingly allow) a crime to happen ... they have to stop it before it occurs. Thus, they can send the criminal to jail on solicitation, but not on the underlying offense. Indeed, this is exactly why solicitation is defined as a crime ... otherwise, the person would get off the hook every time a cop stopped the "real crime" before it happens.(64.252.34.115 (talk) 16:01, 27 August 2010 (UTC))

Parachutes & Cliffs

What is the sport called where one jumps off a cliff and then deploys a parachute and uses the updrafts to gain altitude and then descend to the valley below? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.65.198.84 (talk) 20:05, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

Basejumping? Jarkeld (talk) 20:33, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

I don't think that BASE jumpers typically gain altitude under canopy. Paragliders do, but they launch with a deployed canopy. What the OP described sounds like a conflation of the two. The lead sentence from BASE jumping

... employs an initially packed parachute to jump from fixed objects, as with paragliding.

is a bit misleading. I believe the "as with paragliding" refers to jumping from fixed objects, not "initially packed". Since a comparison is given, a distinction should also be made. -- ToE^T 00:45, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Sounds more like parascending to me - also, apparently, known as parasailing.  Chzz  ►  04:17, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Parasailing typically starts from beaches or piers, not cliffs, and they gain altitude not from updrafts, but from the towboat. -- 180.183.162.164 (talk) 09:34, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

THUS edition of Star Trek Books

Amazon.con is selling at least 7 Star Trek books at 3 times their original prices without stating anything about the mass paperback release being an expanded edition (THUS edition). Your list of Star Trek books makes no note of these books. Do you list these books and state it as an expanded edition? A few titles are Star Trek Vanguard Book 3 Reap the Whirlwind at $27.99 (original price was $7.99); Star Trek Burning Dreams at $22.99 (original price $7.99). Thank you.208.39.156.250 (talk) 20:19, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

Our list? Are you mistaking us for Amazon.com? Nil Einne (talk) 09:36, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Largest Outdoor Pipe Organ Location and Name?

Which instrument is considered the largest outdoor pipe organ in the united states?

The Massey Memorial Pipe Organ located on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution. It is exposed to the outdoor and is located in a large brick vault. Simply, the temperature outside is the same temperature inside the vault. Large garage doors cover the facade during the winter months. The vault is in the front of a large wooden ampitheater, which is outside. The organ contains over 6,000 pipes.

OR

The San Diego based Spreckles Organ in balboa park which has 4,530 pipes. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Organ101 (talk • contribs) 23:29, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

August 27

Xbox 360 gamertag recovery...

If I recover someones acount on another 360, will they later be informed in a message???? An answer is needed ASAP, and thanks in advance Wikiholicforever (talk) 00:43, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Weird Letterman Episode

I watched a David Letterman episode tonight (08/26) that was weird. Right after his monologue it went to commercial, when usually after the monologue he introduces Paul and then goes on for like another 5 minutes. There was no Paul intro. After the commercial break they did a short 2 minute skit and then went back to another commercial. There was no top ten list.

This episode featured Ken Burns and Anne Hesche. Why was this episode's format so different from the rest? I've literally been watching Letterman for 20 plus years and can't recall an episode where he didn't introduce Paul or one without a top ten list. I also noticed Dave looked much balder than usual. Not trying to be snarky it's just something I noticed. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.245.109.97 (talk) 04:29, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Sometimes the interviews overrun and they don't get around to it. Features like the list are also put into programmes as usable time in case the unpredictable happens (or doesn't) Britmax (talk) 09:12, 27 August 2010 (UTC).

Like A G6

I guess I'm out of it. What's a G6? Everard Proudfoot (talk) 07:39, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Well, it's probably nothing to do with technical deletions, so I actually have no idea. Possibly the Pontiac G6?-- WORMMЯOW  07:52, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Before I just removed it (as a partial title match), there was an entry on the G6 disambiguation page claiming, "The song 'Like a G6' performed by the group Far East Movement refers to a Gulfstream G650". Whether that's true, I have no idea; one thinks they would have titled the song "Like a G650" if it were. Deor (talk) 10:59, 27 August 2010 (UTC)