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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)

Now, to throw another monkey wrench in this. The listings for tallest vertical loop appear to assume the loop itself is that tall, or, put another way, has that "diameter" (I place diameter in quotes because roller coaster loops are generally clothoid loops and not true circles). Viper's first inversion, on the other hand, is basically the same size as the next two on the ride, but it's situated up much higher than would normally be expected, as shown here. So Viper's claim is that, in the element, riders are farther away from the ground when upside down than on any other loop. --McDoobAU93 (talk) 02:00, 28 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. (Update: Mariah Carey received a star in 2007) Also Madonna and Julia Roberts don't have(Julia and Madonna don't want one). 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."[1].
• "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" [2].

---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." [3] -- 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[4], but apparently he did not press charges[5]. This tabloid piece mentions the possibility of suing them, and Scotland Yard has investigated stunts but said "a criminal investigation was ‘not appropriate’".[6] In Sweden, production was affected by an incident, but it only says that someone was questioned by the Swedish Security Service.[7] [8] - 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.[9].  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) 16:17, 27 August 2010 (UTC))

Also, think of this very common scenario. Man says to woman: "I will give you $100 for sex." Woman says: "Yes!" They then engage in sex and transfer the $100 payment. In this case, the male would be arrested for solicitation. The female did not "solicit" anything. Thus, if the above posts are correct, the female would get off scot-free since she did not solicit prostitution. In real life, prostitutes are arrested every day. Some for solicitation (that is, they initiate the conversation with the undercover cop or with a regular "john"). But, in some cases, they get charged with the actual prostitution itself. That is what would happen in my very common scenario outlined above. That is, a woman can engage in actual prostitution without engaging in any solicitation of it. Thus, she would still be criminally charged (not with any solicitation, but with the actual prostitution). (64.252.34.115 (talk) 16:29, 27 August 2010 (UTC))

No 64, you are completely wrong about that, and Worm That Turned is right. See Prostitution in the United Kingdom: "In the United Kingdom, prostitution itself (the exchange of sexual services for money) is legal, but a number of related activities, including soliciting in a public place, kerb crawling, keeping a brothel, pimping and pandering, are outlawed." It is sourced. You can disagree, but you'd be wrong. This is what UK law says. 86.161.108.172 (talk) 21:02, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

I am No. 64 ... and I am the OP. My original question clearly stated: "This question refers to the USA." So, Worm That Turned may, in fact, be right about the UK. My concern here is only about the USA. And, my replies are all in accordance with the original question (i.e., as related to the USA). Thanks. (64.252.34.115 (talk) 01:21, 31 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)

Parasailing is known as "parapenting[10]" in Europe (I think it's from the French for "slope"). I was once circled by a parapentiste(?) on the summit of Cnicht in North Wales. He seemed to have no problem in going up as well as down and jumping over a cliff - or at least a steep slope - seems to be the most likely way to take-off. You sometimes see chaps trudging up mountain paths carrying big bags for that purpose. I found this description[11]. Alansplodge (talk) 18:00, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

According to the articles, parasailing is the one where you're towed behind a boat, and paragliding is the one where you jump off a mountain. Is a person who uses a paraglider a paraglider too? 81.131.50.13 (talk) 11:11, 29 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)

There's List of Star Trek novels, which mentions those titles, but I'm not sure what the question is. Do we list them and state it as an expanded edition? Uh, no, evidently not. Should we? 81.131.50.13 (talk) 10:43, 29 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)

No they will not. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.126.191.109 (talk) 21:38, 29 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).

There are plenty of shows without a Top Ten List. I'm sure I've seen it go all week without one sometimes. I got the impression that sometimes Letterman just doesn't feel like doing certain segments. I guess that's part of the joke when he skips letters or "facts" in those skits, but he's pretty crotchety, and doesn't seem to enjoy the Top Ten very much anymore. Adam Bishop (talk) 16:55, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks all, I've never seen one without a top ten list before but your explanations make sense. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.245.109.97 (talk) 21:46, 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)

Gulfstream Aerospace made aircraft named the Gulfstream III, the Gulfstream IV, and the Gulfstream V. They are awesome business jets owned by corporations and very rich individuals. I'm having trouble finding a reference, but there is apparently a Middle Eastern sheikh who owns three G3s, four G4s, five G5s, etc. The luxury status of the line was memorialized in the film Tropic Thunder when Tom Cruise tried to bribe Matthew McConaughey:

The use of the term "G6" is a colloquialism that follows from G5. Comet Tuttle (talk) 16:46, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Boy, what a stretch. :0 Thanks.  :) Everard Proudfoot (talk) 17:14, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Are you guys sure???? Sounds like a bit too complicated, if you know what I mean! If G6 is supposed to be a non-existent jet proceding the G5, then what the hell does the song mean when it says "like a G6"?????? Pop songs these days are getting crazier and crazier, what happend to songs actually making sence and having meaning...the golden days. Wikiholicforever (talk) 19:45, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

I refer you respectfully to Day-O, and Louie Louie ("unintelligible at any speed", according to the FBI). Comet Tuttle (talk) 15:25, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

Nurse Jackie's Pendant

In the opening title sequence of the show Nurse Jackie, the title character is seen wearing a pendant. As most of the other things flying past her are significant within the show (the wedding ring she takes off when meeting her boyfriend, the drugs she relies on to get her through the day)I was wondering whether the design on it has any special significance. Is it the eye in the pyramid? Is it a symbol of the nursing profession in the USA?
It can be seen at http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2788880620027803692sLrNto Rojomoke (talk) 19:36, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

A lot of people on the internet seem to be curious about that. Here are one jewellery blogger's thoughts. The writers may intentionally be leaving the question unanswered. As The Nurse Jackie Style Guide puts it: "It keeps one guessing, which is good costuming and good writing." (note: both articles I linked to were written in 2009. It is possible that some of the pendant's identity has been resolved in the mean time. I just found nothing, and haven't watched the series myself yet). ---Sluzzelin talk 19:48, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks, it's good to know I'm not the only one who obsesses about this sort of thing  :) Rojomoke (talk) 06:49, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

August 28

song is this vid ?

whats the song is this vid ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8hMVnTQbyQ —Preceding unsigned comment added by Tomjohnson357 (talk • contribs) 00:31, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

The Supremes, "You Keep Me Hangin' On". Deor (talk) 01:45, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

That's the song, but is it the Supremes? The article lists a few covers. Adam Bishop (talk) 01:47, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

This is a cover by Kim Wilde, from her album Another Step. --McDoobAU93 (talk) 01:50, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

Oratorio G.F.Händel, Cecilia Bartoli, recorded in 2007, Opernhaus Zürich

Reformatted Rojomoke (talk) 18:32, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

In Wikipedia I do miss the oratorio from G.F.Händel, recorded in 2007 in the "Opernhaus" Zürich with Cecilia Bartoli. I cannot find it below Georg Friedrich Händel nor below Cecilia Bartoli. It was recorded on DVD and blue ray by Decca. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 87.208.135.62 (talk) 17:51, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

Firstly, Wikipedia's mission is not to hold complete discographies of all notable artists and composers. A particular recording might happen to merit a mention, or it might not. You do not say which oratorio you're talking about, but if you have the details and a suitable citation, you might wish to add it yourself. Also, note that the composer was known as George Frideric Handel (no umlaut) in England, and hence that's the title of his English Wikipedia article. -- Jack of Oz ... speak! ... 19:26, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

Background music in the introduction of the Monty Python and the Holy Grail soundtrack album

Hello,

Does anyone know what the title of the piece of music used during the "executive introduction" of the Monty Python and Holy Grail soundtrack is? It can be heard during the first few seconds of this video (youtube).

Thanks! -- 67.68.49.127 (talk) 22:25, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

I think the genre is library music. That article says that Python made much use of the De Wolfe Music catalogue. This may not be helpful information, because "The library consists of over 70,000 tracks". Another such company is APM Music, who I think own the fairly well-known track "Workaday World", similarly twee and string-heavy, which was the first thing I thought of. 81.131.50.13 (talk) 10:06, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

August 29

Translation

When translating a film or TV show into another language, what happens if there is a scene in that film or TV show in which a character speaks that language in the English version? jc iindyysgvxc (my contributions) 08:36, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

Depends on the country and its habits, but I'd say they just let it be - the audience understands it. A special case is when the foreign language is supposed to mean something, but in fact the characters on the screen are saying something completely different - this happens sometimes, especially with "minor" languages that are used just as an exotic backdrop. In cases like that, the translator simply translates the intended meaning (they get a dialogue list) and lets the audience stare at disbelief into a scene where a familiar language is spoken, and the subtitles say something completely else than the characters onscreen. I'm talking about subtitling here, of course. TomorrowTime (talk) 11:08, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

Sometimes a different language is used. I'm afraid I can't remember my source - it was quite a long time ago that I heard this - but a TV show that had a brief section in German used a different language in that bit for the German dub...French, I think. I really wish I could remember the specifics, now... Vimescarrot (talk) 13:14, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

Perhaps you're thinking of the Futurama episode (A Clone of My Own?) where the professor is demonstrating his translating machine which will only translate to a dead language - French, except in the French dub when the dead language is German. Astronaut (talk) 19:11, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

I believe that was it, yes. Well done that man. Have a biscuit. Vimescarrot (talk) 00:26, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

One example: True Blood is shown on Swedish TV with subtitles (like virtually all foreign language content not intended for small children). When Eric Northman switches to Swedish, there simply are no subtitles. It is not unusual to initially not understand a word, since you're expecting English. Luckily the mind seems to keep a replay buffer so you can parse it again with the expectation of hearing Swedish. /Coffeeshivers (talk) 14:20, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

In the Italian dubbing, local dialects are sometimes used. For example, a Gangster is usually dubbed with a thick Sicilian accent. In the original version of A Fish Called Wanda, Otto seduces Anna using Italian phrases, while in the Italian translation it's switched to Spanish (which can have a "sensual" sound to Italian ears, unlike, for example, German or Russian). Having a similar culture and language, Italian and Spanish are often used for this purpose: in the Spanish version of Scrubs, Carla is not from Latin America, but from Italy. Sometimes a language change is not enough and a more radical adaptation has to be done: in the Simpsons episode The Last of the Red Hat Mamas Lisa is learning to speak Italian, while in the Italian version she's studying Italian history (a switch to other languages wouldn't have worked, because of the several scenes set in Italy). In the following episode, The Italian Bob, jokes about Italian words are changed to jokes about Italian culture. In the German version of Malcolm in the middle, the two German characters (Otto and Gretchen) are transformed into Danes. Also, in the German dubbed version of American Dad!, the German fish Klaus speaks in a Saxon dialect, which is seen as a stereotype for East Germans in general. His behavior in the German version is similar to that of an ex-Stasi agent and he hints that he was attached to the Stasi agency, which serves as an alternative to the hints that he has Nazi sympathies in the English version. Also, Frau Farbissina, a fictional German character from the Austin Powers series, speaks with an Upper Saxon dialect in the German translation. Üter, from the Simpsons is localized as a student from Switzerland, and not form Germany. --151.51.145.104 (talk) 15:12, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

Also, sometimes they simply put that in a different language. For example, sometimes on Scrubs one of the characters Elliot speaks German, and I believe in Germany they have her speak Swedish or such. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.126.191.109 (talk) 21:40, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

BBC Four have been showing the (excellent) Swedish version of Wallander with the Swedish dialogue subtitled in English. If characters speak other languages, that too is subtitled in English; unless they speak English, in which case so subtitles are shown. Astronaut (talk) 18:51, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

In bilingual kids shows, like Handy Manny or Dora the Explorer, they just swap the langauages; so when Dora speaks Spanish in the English version, she speaks English in the Spanish version. --Jayron32 05:18, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

This also occurred in the final scenes of the Life is Beautiful film. The film was done in Italian. One of the final scenes has an American soldier speaking in English to a young Italian child who only understands Italian. When they dubbed the film into English, I believe they had the soldier speak in Spanish (or some such). If they kept the soldier speaking in English, it would have destroyed the intent of the scene, whereby the confused and frightened child is not supposed to understand what the soldier is saying. (64.252.34.115 (talk) 01:42, 31 August 2010 (UTC))

MythBusters filming location

The other day I saw and episode of MythBusters that focused on MacGyver myths. The last couple of minutes of the episode had Adam and Jamie busting out of a locked structure and signalling a helicopter for rescue using a giant kite. I found a Youtube clip of the scene and I was wondering were it was filmed.

Americanfreedom (talk) 21:42, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

August 30

Does the Pokémon White's Isshu Region resemble any real-world location whatsoever?

See here:

http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/File:Isshu.jpg

Historically, virtually all regions in the Pokémon franchise were based on real-world locations. (Kanto was, surprisingly enough, based on Japan's Kanto Region.)

However, Isshu doesn't appear to be based on any region I know. But can anyone else hypothesize what real-world landmass or region Isshu resembles? --70.179.165.170 (talk) 04:17, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

I'm sure you've read [12] as well, which speculates that it is probably based on a region outside of Japan. The picture itself immediately reminded me of Manhattan with its piers and skyscrapers in Lower Manhattan, but of course there is no desert in NYC. Come to think of it, I doubt there is any location with a small desert right between two rivers, but perhaps we shouldn't take that too literally. 83.81.60.233 (talk) 06:54, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

Well, this is the sort of pattern-matching problem where you can come up with lots of answers if you try hard enough. Our brains love finding patterns. But it's hard to look at that map an not see it as a whimsical portrayal of Manhattan. Which is weird, because it doesn't really match up all that well besides the fact that it's a peninsula bounded by two rivers. (Sure, the Brooklyn bridge is spot-on, and that could be Central Park, but what about that desert? Or the Carnival?) APL (talk) 18:34, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

The Stig

When did the Black Stig first appear in Top Gear? The article on The Stig says first appearance 2003, but that obvioulsy applies to the White Stig. -- SGBailey (talk) 10:09, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

That question is answered in the article itself, albeit somewhat confusingly, perhaps. The infobox near the top applies to White Stig and below that is one for Black Stig. That says he appeared in the very first episode of new Top Gear, on October 20th 2002. (Now that White's identity has apparently been revealed, I wonder what color they're going to use next. Silver Stig? 83.81.60.233 (talk) 12:01, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

Ah yes. I managed to miss that somehow. -- SGBailey (talk) 15:54, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

Madonna's Vogue

I have a question: does anybody know who is the guy with a white scarf on Vogue's video? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 201.62.213.32 (talk) 21:32, 30 August 2010 (UTC)