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January 3

Please help finding posters of 2 photos of Elizabeth Taylor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3d modeler advice?

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

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

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

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

The radioactive cigarettes question should really go on the Science desk. Here is a reference for what the OP has cited: [1] and another one [2] --TammyMoet (talk) 12:21, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Not a terribly useful answer, I suppose, but that's super-common storytelling. Tons of fiction, anime, manga, western novels, everything, gets darker as the plot progresses.

For example: Harry Potter, Fullmetal Alchemist, Dragon Ball (particular once it reaches the end of Z), Star Trek: Deep Space 9. It's standard.Aaronite (talk) 18:38, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

January 4

Dooku in Attack of the Clones

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

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

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

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

Ha! That is truly one of the funniest videos I have ever seen!!!! You deserve a barn star for that!! DRosenbach ^{(Talk | Contribs)} 03:46, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

The Hiding-in-plain-sight element is definitely part of it, as bibliomaniac15 notes. The novelization for Episode III also went into this a bit: Dooku planned to use Siduous to overthrow the republic, then displace him and become Emperor himself. So, bringing Obi Wan into the fold would fit with that plan. Of course, he was also a racist, as the empire he planned was a human one. Not a bad read, actually - more enjoyable than the film. UltraExactZZ ^Said ~ Did 21:31, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

Those particular scenes

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

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

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

As with all other scenes, the approach will vary from director to director. I don't see much reason why a particular director would vary his approach (though he'll likely take an increased interest in a scene he feels to be particularly critical). — Lomn 18:34, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

I would think that since everyone is an adult, they would treat it like adults, i.e. be frank and not blush at every little thing. Additionally, they'd likely not use euphemisms for actions or body parts. The actors know it's a sex scene, they're professionals, so they get the job done. To keep everyone at ease, some may crack jokes but at the end of the day, they're just doing their job. Dismas|^(talk) 11:19, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Not every actor acts like an adult when confronted with allusions to sex... --TomorrowTime (talk) 16:25, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

He wasn't an adult at the time. (!) As the linked article states, he was 17. (Would that there were more sexually modest 17-year olds!) But then, as the article also states, "In 2000, he re-joined his former cast members for a Growing Pains reunion movie. He stood in front of his TV family, and apologized for his behavior." Sounds pretty grown-up to me. Kingsfold (talk) 20:50, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Thanks Guys for the input (Lomn, Dismas & Kingsfolk), I guess sometimes in life you have no choice, but to shoot with a straight arrow.

41.193.16.234 (talk) 11:09, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Eiffel Tower fireworks (lack of) for 2010 New Years

There were no fireworks from the Eiffel Tower for the 2010 New Years. Just a 'light show'. We were there. I've tried googling around to find reference that explains why that was. We were expecting fireworks, and wondered what happened. Light show was okay but...Thanks if anyone can point to a link that explains what happened. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.98.238.113 (talk) 11:58, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

I can't remember where I read it, but apparently the fireworks are omitted in favour of the Bastille Day fireworks. It would seem that some try to make up for it. I hope this was helpful. JW..[ T..C ] 22:32, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

Eternal life from flower

My friend has asked me to find the title of a movie made at least 10 or more years ago about a researcher that finds a flower in the jungle and when it is sniffed it gives eternal life... Then when that person kisses somebody the eternal life is contracted by the person who's just been kissed and it spreads like that... The movie ends up at the point where everybody is shipped to an island to contain them and I think he island is blown up at some point to stop the curse spreading... It's an older movie, quite possibly black and white... Thanks for any help on the matter. 81.41.104.22 (talk) 13:38, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

The stuff about the flower giving eternal life comes up in Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid, although I suspect that's not the one you're thinking of. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 16:29, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

Name of artist

I watched a music video the other day but didn't catch the name of the artist. Can someone help? The artist is a young lad and the gist of the video is a lady leaving behind an artical of clothing at the laundromat and then having to follow signs (put out but the lad) to reclaim the lost artical. I am not sure of the genre but think it may be Country (or New Country) and the lad looks to be in his early teens. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.77.185.91 (talk) 16:08, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

I found it afterall! The lad is Justin Bieber and he is a Canadian artist, age 15 and is of the R&B/pop genre . . . there is an artical on him in Wikipedia. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.77.185.91 (talk) 20:31, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

Now, my question becomes: how old is the gal in the video? I got the impression that she was an adult as opposed to a lass of the same age as Justin. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.77.185.91 (talk) 20:40, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

I don't know the answer and have not seen the video in question but I'd like to point out that without the name of the song, it is harder for us to help you. Withholding information doesn't help you in the long run, so please give us as much relevant info as you can. Thanks, Dismas|^(talk) 02:14, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Sorry. I should have known to add more info (especially once I found the answer to my original query!). The artist, as I noted is Justin Bieber and the song is "One Less Lonely Girl." Here is the link to the wikipedia artical: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Less_Lonely_Girl —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.250.117.26 (talk) 04:59, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Looks like a teenage girl to me. You know those kids these days, always doing their own laundry. Adam Bishop (talk) 08:20, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Maybe it was the fact that she was doing her own laundry that made me assume she was an adult! lol —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.250.117.26 (talk) 13:36, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Black Haired (Including Facial Hair) Ice Hockey Players

Could someone provide a list of (natural (not dyed blond etc.)) black haired (including facial hair) ice hockey players of the Detroit Red Wings from 1991-1992 to 2008-2009 (inclusive)?

Or a link? Thank you in advance.174.3.123.13 (talk) 17:35, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

I don't think they keep stats like that...but you can search for every player on the Red Wings website, here. From those time periods they should all have pictures, but you'll have to do the hard work yourself... Adam Bishop (talk) 01:10, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

I suspect this is the same guy that asked about the NHL black uniforms a few sections/days ago, or at least it's the same subnet. The ultimate could be a black man with black hair playing for the Chicago Blackhawks in the black version of their sweater. To really answer the question, one would need to find team photos, as suggested above. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 02:56, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Lucky for us Dustin Byfuglien meets those criteria! [3] Adam Bishop (talk) 17:20, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Wow. You win the reference desk. --M@rēino 18:28, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Am I correct that not every single player scores in every hockey season? Who are the black haired Detroit Red Wings hockey players who have scored televised by CBC 1991-1992 to 2008-2009 (inclusive)?174.3.101.61 (talk) 06:29, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Well, that's obscurely specific, so perhaps easier to figure out, especially since Detroit games are rarely on CBC. But would you include playoffs? Since Detroit won the Stanley Cup in some of those years, and the playoffs are broadcast on CBC, you would get a few more goals that way. I would check the CBC schedule for Detroit games in those years (if that is possible), then find out who scored, then find out if they have black hair, rather than working the other way around, which seems more maddening to me. (Why would you want to know this, by the way?) Adam Bishop (talk) 03:14, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Go here for example - that's Detroit's 2008-09 results. Games against Canadian teams could have been on CBC, but only on Saturday nights (maybe the first game against the Leafs too? I doubt it though). The finals were all on CBC, and some games from the earlier rounds may have been, it's kind of random. Adam Bishop (talk) 03:26, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Please help me identify a singer in a promo for Later 100 with Jools Holland

Here's a promo for the 100th episode of BBC Two's Later... with Jools Holland in which a few well-known singers are seen performing Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "(They Long to Be) Close to You." So far I have identified Róisín Murphy, Mary J. Blige, Craig David, Chrissie Hynde and Sting. But who is the red-haired woman? — 84.41.34.154 (talk) 17:47, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

That's the late, sadly missed Kirsty MacColl. If you look at the article on the programme you linked to, you can see her name listed as one of the guests on the 100th episode. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 18:02, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

Many thanks! — 84.41.34.154 (talk) 19:13, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

January 5

What's that music video?

I've been trying to remember the music video that featured a lab that was trying to build a male robot, and they would churn out new versions and test them with sexy lab assistants. They would go up to the male robot and dance, and if it broke, it was thrown out. The second or third attempt came out with a gay male robot which only responded to the male assistant. It was sung by a guy, I'm not really sure. I've tried searching google using variations of key words from what I remember. I don't remember any line from the song. Can anyone tell me the title of the song or music video?58.69.8.146 (talk) 09:43, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Probably this crappy tune meltBanana 04:20, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

Thanks! That's the crappy tune I was looking for!58.69.8.146 (talk) 15:08, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

16 Tons

Your information on the song 16 Tons was very interesting, thanks. At one time 16 referred to bomb weight. Does anyone know what it meant in the coal mining world? Weight of a train car full of coal perhaps? It's a trivia question I never have found the answer to. Theatredoctor (talk) 18:59, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

First: Did you check our article Sixteen Tons and the links at the bottom? Comet Tuttle (talk) 20:41, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Actually I don't have an answer for this - whoever gets an answer should add it to the Sixteen Tons article. I doubt that it's an allusion to bomb loads, but might be. It's not the amount that fits on a rail car, which is more like 110 or 120 tons, according to a google search of tons coal carload. Maybe a worker was expected to load 16 tons of coal within X period of time. Comet Tuttle (talk) 20:48, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Looking at the lyrics, it would seem a miner was expected to load 16 tons of coal a day. Not sure how realistic that number would be. I sure would not want to try. Googlemeister (talk) 21:35, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

My reading of the lyrics is that sixteen tons is considered an unusually large amount of coal for a miner to load in one day: "I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine | I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal and | the straw boss said, "well bless my soul!" " John M Baker (talk) 06:43, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

Giant Turtle movie?

Does Wikipedia already have a list of movies involving giant turtles?

If it does, I must have missed it.

I am trying to remember the name of a particular movie from the late 1970s (maybe 1976) where a woman is cursed with eternal life as a giant turtle or tortoise, until something or other happens. I have seen the movie in parts or fragments, just twice. The director may have been a Japanese guy who was hired by ABC or CBS to do a made-for-television dramatization of a concept that may have been created by someone else earlier. Another problem, is that the movie was marketed under two different names (why, I have no idea). Dexter Nextnumber (talk) 21:16, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

TV Tropes as a giant turtle island page and a more general turtle page. 87.113.46.161 (talk) 23:52, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for the suggestion, but having gone to the website and looked around, the movie I am looking for, is still not to be found. I think I will end up trying The Internet Movie Database. and see if it is over there. If it helps any, or otherwise rings a bell, I *think* it was marketed in some places as the Curse of the Devil's Triangle, or Curse of the Bermuda Triangle, or something like that. It ought to be on a list of cult films somewhere. Unfortunately not on Wikipedia, yet. Dexter Nextnumber (talk) 09:02, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

Just found it over at the Internet Movie Database. Shouldn't have taken as many mouse clicks as it did, but below is the pertinent information I was seeking. Thanks for looking. Dexter Nextnumber (talk) 09:17, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

Movie:  The Bermuda Depths (1978)
Director: Tsugunobu Kotani
Writers: William Overgard (writer) and Arthur Rankin Jr. (story)  —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dexter Nextnumber (talk • contribs) 09:15, 6 January 2010 (UTC) 

image of Terry and Bob, the owls in Where the Wild Things Are?

Hi - I'd like to draw them, but google images isn't coming up with anything. Can anyone help?

Thanks Adambrowne666 (talk) 22:59, 5 January 2010 (UTC)

http://wherethewildthingsare.warnerbros.com/#/Gallery --i am the kwisatz haderach (talk) 00:12, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

thanks for the reply, but going through that gallery wasted my time - no pics of owls there Adambrowne666 (talk) 01:48, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

You know, a week after seeing this film, I go to this restaurant called HOME here in LA, Silverlake area, a couple walk in, she's wearing a CROWN just like MAX. I wanted to borrow it right then and there and scream out LET THE WILD RUMPUS BEGIN!!, my adult self stopped me. I don't know if you'll find any pics of them yet online, maybe when the DVD comes out people will put screenshots online. This wiki link[[4]] theres mention of the Jim Henson's Creature Shop doing the puppets. On their website contact info, you can try calling the LA office and have them email you a picture of Bob and Terry. Although, Terry hates pictures. --i am the kwisatz haderach (talk) 18:02, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

You're not the Kwisach Haderach, you're a very naughty boy who failed to close off his 'small text' format, thus smallifying all the following posts! I've done it for you now :-). 87.81.230.195 (talk) 18:23, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

January 6

call of duty modern warfare 2 PERKS

how do i get perks like cold blooded and how do i get points can i get them in single player and use them in multiplayer? also how do i use the silencer? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.246.254.35 (talk) 07:10, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

You are much better off asking this question at a gaming forum, of which there are many. DJ Clayworth (talk) 14:46, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

To unlock perks you need to level up. To level up, you need to earn points in multiplayer matches. Get enough kills with a particular weapon and you'll unlock attachments, for example, the silencer. You then attach these in "Create a Class". --Rixxin (talk) 15:44, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

And you cant use anything from Single player mode towards Multiplayer mode... Even if you do a private match against a friend any points you earn wont count towards your multiplayer points... You've just gotta stick at it and put up with dying lots of times until you get to a high enough level to get the unlocks... Oh and as to how to use a silencer - you just click it once you've unlocked it... There's no extra button to use it it's just an attachement to your gun that silences the shot and prevents you from showing up on radars when u fire... Gazhiley (talk) 09:47, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

1984 Manimal annual

This is a longshot, but does anybody know the ISBN, author, publisher and specific page numbers for the biography of Simon MacCorkindale in the 1984 Manimal annual? I have the text, but none of the stuff for a reference. Gran² 16:03, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

Well... the woman that runs this website claims to have a copy and you can contact her through the link at the bottom of the page.91.111.92.15 (talk) 20:34, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

That's where I got the text from and the email address no longer works. Gran² 21:24, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

Found it there on Worldcat. Not much help I know. Please note, when it says, "Description based on: ISSN 0862272440", the number is actually an ISBN. Have a nice day. 213.169.169.241 (talk) 23:02, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

Thanks! Gran² 16:22, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

music video from the late 90s

hello, i'm trying to track down a music video from the 90s, 1997-1998. all i remember is that the group is some sort of boy band that was quite popular back then, at least in eastern europe and the video is basically about a bunch of people shaking their asses in some sort of basement club while they're rained (???) upon. water drops are definitely falling on their heads and they seem to like it. i also rememberssome shots with a bunch of angry rottweilers, perhaps belonging to the bouncers outside.

help! i have clear frames from this video in my head but i can't remember whose it was no matter what. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.96.83.96 (talk) 20:30, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

All the Small Things? --Jayron32 20:33, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

Live (band) did some music videos with water playing an important role... --Ouro (blah blah) 05:59, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

I can't really imagine Live making a video like that. Sean Paul had a video that took place in a basement, where the roof caught fire and the sprinklers get everyone wet. (He's not a boy band, though...) Adam Bishop (talk) 09:08, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

This was a quick answer, and it was early in the morning ;) --Ouro (blah blah) 09:49, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Frost theme

OK, so the jingle I thought was the Touch of Frost theme [turns out not to be.] In which case, what's this theme I've been whistling? Same kind of feel, same atmospheric sax. Put in A minor, it starts out E C B A G A B A, where the first E-C is upwards and the rest of the intervals are tone/semitone. The timing is roughly: beat and a half rest, E quaver, C quaver, B quaver tied to the first of three quaver triplets with the A and G, and the ABA another three quaver triplets on the first beat of the next bar. I don't know, to me it's fairly distinctive, so I hope someone will recognise it. Rawling4851 21:31, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

Could that be Baker Street ? --Sussexonian (talk) 23:05, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

That's the one, cheers :) Rawling4851 17:04, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Soccer Rules

If possible could you tell me the answer to the following question

1. If you hit the post in a game of soccer, has the shot been classed as a shot on target or a shot off target. As you can hit the post and the ball can go in the net or it can hit the post and either go wide or over. Also it can hit the post back into the playing area and then hit a player then go back between the posts and go on goal.

I have checked through various betting websites and have looked through the rules of the game on your site and cannot find a definate answer.

Helpfull websites would be www.FIFA.com, www.UEFA.com, www.bet365.com, www.ladbrokes.co.uk, www.williamhill.co.uk —Preceding unsigned comment added by Martyp4 (talk • contribs) 21:36, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

The concept of "shot on goal" is not part of the soccer rules, unlike in some North American sports. So there is no real answer. If you see TV reporting "shots on goal" it's some guy in the commentary booth using his (or her) best guess. DJ Clayworth (talk) 22:03, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

The definition I see most often of a "shot on target" is anything that would go in had it not been blocked, whether that's by a keeper, a defender, your own player, the referee, or an inanimate object. However: a shot that hits the post is not going in. I have had way too many FIFA 09 shots bounce off the post, and I do not believe that game counts a woodworked shot as on target. As DJ Clayworth said the answer will really depend on who you ask.

It's quite interesting that there is no official definition of a "shot on target". Is it not true that before awarding an own goal the referee and linesmen must determine whether the shot was on target? As I recall (and it's been a while, so I might be recalling incorrectly), a defender gets the "honour" if the shot was determined to not be on target, but an error by the defender caused the ball to go in; if the shot was on target, the goal is credited to the last attacker to touch the ball. Xenon54 / talk / 23:10, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

See Dubious Goals Committee. Nanonic (talk) 23:12, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

What I've never really understood, and the article doesn't explain, is why it is important to decide this. Is it simply to maintain statistical records - which seems a fairly trivial reason to have a committee established to assess it - or is to do with the financial bonuses that players might make by having goals credited to their name? Ghmyrtle (talk) 08:58, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

I would have thought it's mostly the former, although bonuses and stuff might come into it as well. I wouldn't say it was particularly trivial, either. I can imagine professional clubs and players being very keen to keep an exact record of who scored what goals. I don't see how this relates to the OP's question, though. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 10:22, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Players and statisticians the world over are very keen to know and record who scores goals. In practice, attacking players usually try to claim goals and defenders are keen not to claim own goals, and it's really only the most egregious ones that get tagged as own goals. As far as shots on target are concerned, players and clubs generally don't give a hoot. Statisticians may be interested, but in the UK at least these stats barely register - compared, for example, with the way cricket and baseball fans enjoy lingering over the detailed stats in their sports, football fans tend to be most interested only in the headline stats of goals and maybe bookings etc. It does sound reasonable to me to assume though that a shot that hits the post and doesn't rebound into the net should be recorded as one that's off-target. A miss is as good as a mile. --Dweller (talk) 10:36, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

FWIW I personally would class it as such : If the ball hits the post and goes in then its on target; if the ball hits the post and stays out or subsequently hits another person and goes in, then that's off target... As above though, the only people that really care are statistitions or really really interested fans... Or Statos as they are known... Gazhiley (talk) 11:36, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

For whom, see Statto. Ghmyrtle (talk) 12:58, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

In North American sports (especially baseball) the keeping of statistics is all part of the official rule. In soccer the rules are just there to determine the outcome (partly I believe because it's a 'people's' sport, where you can play anywhere with minimal equipment). It doesn't really matter of a goal is an 'own goal' or not. They are also rare enough not to be a big problem, and even when they occur it's usually clear whether it was a mistake by the defender or not. DJ Clayworth (talk) 14:45, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

In hockey, shots-on-goal are frequent, and the ratio of goals to shots-on-goal is an important measure of a goalie's effectiveness. Maybe less important in soccer stats. In the old days in baseball, fans who were extra-keen on stats were called "numbers nuts" or "figger filberts". Now they're called "SABRmetricians". ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 16:02, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

The comparisons between soccer and baseball comes down to the different natures of the games. Soccer is mostly an artistic game, there's not a lot of things to keep track of. Either the ball goes in the goal, or it doesn't. So few people score those goals that its largely trivial to keep statistics for it; goal keepers may want to keep track of goals-against-per-game or goals-per-shot or something like that, but for the vast majority of the 11 players on the field, there are very few statistics to keep track of. Many players can go a whole career and score less goals than you would need fingers to count. Yet soccer has lots of action. There's a lot going on on the field at all times, and the game requires constant attention to keep track of the ball, being a continuous action kind of game. Contrast that with baseball, which, by its leisurely pace, frequent scoring, insanely long season (162 games!) has lots of stats for fans to keep track of, and lots of ways to measure a player's value. If you want to know how good a midfielder is in soccer, you have to watch him play for a long time, get a feel for how he plays, etc. In baseball, you look at the numbers. How often does he get hits? How does he hit in certain situations? How well does he play the field at different positions? It's all in the stats. I mean, can you imagine something like Baseball scorekeeping applying to soccer? In baseball, its not uncommon for fans to keep stats during a game "just for fun." --Jayron32 19:21, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

I still keep a scorecard at the games, even though the complete play-by-play will be on the internet that night, and the scoreboard tells what they did in their previous at-bats. Cricket is known for keeping meticulous stats also. Keeping a scorecard at soccer or hockey would be rather silly. Keeping one at basketball would make sense though. I am not a fan of soccer. I find it boring. Obviously, many disagree. And it's fun for kids to play. What I like to say is that with soccer, there's lots of action but not much going on. With baseball, there's not a lot of action but there's always something going on. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 20:43, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

They do have people keeping ridiculous stats at hockey games - number of hits, ice time for each player, the amount of time each team controls the puck, blocked shots, etc etc, so we can know that so and so played 17:41 minutes of the game, won five faceoffs, and took five shots on goal, only two of which actually reached the net. I'm sure they can also find lots to keep track of even in a 0-0 soccer game. Adam Bishop (talk) 20:53, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

On televised football matches in the UK, there are often graphics showing percentage of possession, number of corners conceded, number of shots on goal, so that you can see whether the winning side had it all their own way or not. But at the end of the day, it's balls in the net that counts. Alansplodge (talk) 19:04, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Winning is the prime objective, and scoring is how you win, obviously. The purpose of stats in any sport is to try to quantify or analyze one team's or player's performance vs. another's, to try to make better decisions. As a simple example, how does this batter do against righthand vs. lefthand pitchers? Maybe it's better to bench him that day and put someone else in. Others hit well either way. Without stats, you wouldn't know that for sure, you'd be guessing. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 19:12, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Number of [television program] ad breaks and their lengths

How many ad breaks do you guys have in the United States during a typical series episode ? (on prime time, if it matters) Thank you, have a nice day. 213.169.169.241 (talk) 23:04, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

During a typical half-hour program on the major networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC), the program begins with a short "opening segment" that is a maximum of five minutes or so. This usually ends with the series theme tune, though for some programs this might come at the beginning or in the middle. Following this is a commercial break for two or three minutes. Next is the main segment of the program; this runs seven to ten minutes. Following this is another, longer ad break - three to four minutes. After this it differs between programs. Some programs will have another five-minute segment, followed by a short two-minute commercial break, followed by a short, one-or-two minute closing segment, then credits and the next show; others will have a long six-to-seven minute segment to close out the show, followed by three minutes of ads. All in all you have around 22 or 23 minutes of show and 7 or 8 minutes of ads. Obviously, this differs for cable channels, hourlong programs, and special programs such as sports. Xenon54 / talk / 23:21, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

Hour-long shows have a break at around the 45 minute mark that runs a LONG time, though much of that is taken up with local ads, rather than national ads. That break seems to be at least 5 minutes long. Woogee (talk) 00:55, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

What sort of calculations go into determining these ad break lengths? Obviously the story can best be interrupted at some points and not at other points. But the length of time for the ad break can probably be varied quite a bit. How is it determined when to have longer, shorter, medium sized breaks for advertising? Sorry for not starting a new section — seemed like a related question. Thank you. Bus stop (talk) 02:44, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

In the US, the length of each break for a network television program is determined at the network level and is part of the show's "format" for the season. This format doesn't change from episode to episode, although the actual timing of the program segments (and, therefore, the start times of each break) will vary. Some commercial breaks are filled at the national level by the network and these ads are seen across the country. Some breaks are filled by the station locally and some are split between the two. Local stations which are network O&Os or affiliates have a format they follow for the entire season and receive the daily timings of the local (or "station") breaks by e-mail or from a network website.

The length of each break is determined by the network and, to some extent, by the production company. Network marketing strategies have changed over the years. In the past, after one program ended with its closing credits, a local station break and station identification would air before the start of the next program. However, it is now very common in prime time to see one program's closing segment lead "seamlessly" into the next one's opening segment in order to "drag" viewers into the next hour or half-hour to maximize ratings. --Thomprod (talk) 12:51, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

I was told in a scriptwriting workshop that very often when you're watching a movie ("featuerlength") on TV, there is almost always an advert break at the end of an act. But yes there are certain parts of shows where an advert becomes suitable, or othertimes the broadcaster will cut to commercial right in the middle of a scene (when they're especially lazy). And yes, screenwriters are roughly aware of how many minutes each act should be, especially in the case of sitcomes which have a runtime of about 21 minutes, allowing 9 minutes of commercials. Rfwoolf (talk) 14:21, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

With movies on TV you will usually see the frequency and duration of ad breaks increases the movie goes on. The first half hour or so can be relatively ad free, as they try to give you fewer opportunities to change channel. Near the end, especially during the climax, the ad breaks will be every ten minutes or so and much longer. By then they reckon you are hooked. Just one more reason by buy a PVR. DJ Clayworth (talk) 14:50, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

This might be unique to CITY-TV in Canada, but they often used to add an unscheduled commercial break (maybe just a couple of ads, for a minute or so) in the last five minutes of a TV show or movie. It was extremely annoying. I don't know if they still do that. Adam Bishop (talk) 20:48, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

I believe that shows run in syndication are often shortened to allow more commercials to be aired, meaning that you rmiss small portion of the original. 75.41.110.200 (talk) 15:09, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

January 7

Hip hop

in hip hop, what the rules say about forming a hip hop group? for example: can girls form their own hip hop group? can girls outnumber boys in a hip hop group? what is the maximum number of members can form a hip hop group? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.64.53.250 (talk) 01:08, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Rules? What rules? Woogee (talk) 01:13, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Um, not sure there's any rules. There have been girl-only hip-hop groups (Salt-n-Pepa), there have been rather LARGE hip-hop groups (Wu-Tang Clan had about 9ish members). There are no rules, do whatever you want. You have friends that want to rap together? One of you good at spinning discs? Someone else good at production techniques? Do whatever, have at it... --Jayron32 02:03, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Max. no. = 6,794,800,000. Clarityfiend (talk) 04:10, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

On the off chance you are planning to take part in a Hip Hop competition, I suggest you ask the competition organisers what their rules are, if any, for Hip Hop groups in their competition Nil Einne (talk) 10:35, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Video Games

Ugh! I have a question about this video game, but I forgot the title of it. Let's see, the video game is military styled and there's this one level where there is two military soldiers in a train, and they have to go find some guns, amo, etc, and then they open this door to go on the outside of the train car. They go outside, and they have to kill this "crazy bat guy." He has a bunch of bats flying around him, and you have to start shooting at them, and then you have to stay behind crates and in the lights, so the bats won't kill you. First off?. What game is this? Second, how do you kill the Evil Bat Guy?! It's so hard! Thanks.

Moptopstyle1 ("I Feel Fine.") (talk) 06:28, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

What system were you playing this game on? Does it use a gamepad, or is it a light-gun game? 218.25.32.210 (talk) 09:14, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

If you're actually playing the game, turning it off and on again should bring up the title screen. Or the name should be on the disc somewhere. Vimescarrot (talk) 10:14, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

A google search led me to this yahoo answers page. Sounds like you're trying to kill General RAAM from Gears of War. That page has a couple of strategies for the fight. --Onorem♠Dil 16:54, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Oh haha! it's Gears of War! and the thing is, it is not my game! It's my bro's. so. He plays it on XBOX 360. Moptopstyle1 ("I Feel Fine.") (talk) 03:45, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

American radio station names

Here's something that's been bugging me for a while. So you watch an American movie, somebody is driving down the road somewhere in the Great plains, they turn on the radio, and the anouncer goes: "You're listening to KWXZ!" Those ever present four capital letter radio station names... What do they mean? Are they arbitrary? I would imagine not. Can you somehow tell the frequency from them? TomorrowTime (talk) 10:59, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

See Callsigns in North America. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 11:15, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

(e/c) They're the radio station's broadcast callsign. These three or four letter combinations, which are unique to the USA, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and the Phillipines, are assigned to radio and television stations by the FCC to assist recordkeeping. The FCC requires stations to identify their callsign and city of license within ten minutes of the top of the hour. They are quite arbitrary; applicants for an FCC license can choose whatever callsign they want, and usually they have to do with the station's "on air name", rather than its frequency. The only thing you can tell is that (for the most part) callsigns beginning with W are located east of the Mississippi River, and callsigns beginning with K are located west of the river. Occasionally you may see a suffix to differentiate an FM or TV station from an AM (MW) station with the same callsign. A few examples: WWEG "106.9 The Eagle" is located in Maryland, WNCX "98.5 NCX" can be found in Cleveland, WVRX "105.9 The Edge" can be found in the nation's capital, and KCBS-FM "93.1 Jack FM" (owned by CBS) is located in Los Angeles. Xenon54 / talk / 11:20, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Thanks guys. I've been looking for an article on this, but not knowing the basic terminology, I didn't come up with much. TomorrowTime (talk) 11:28, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Confusingly, KCBS (AM) is in San Francisco. 99.166.95.142 (talk) 16:20, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

BTW, is there a website which shows a list of all of the callsigns and the cities they are located in? Both radio and TV? 99.166.95.142 (talk) 16:23, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

I'm sure there is. I'll see if I can find it later today, although someone else may have done so by then. One thing to be aware of is that call letters that were assigned in the early years were grandfathered in, which is why you have 3-letter call signs WGN and WHO, for example (WGN stood for "World's Greatest Newspaper", as it was and is owned by the Chicago Tribune company). And you have stations like KDKA in Pittsburgh, which is east of the Mississippi. WCCO is west of the Mississippi, and the letters originally stood for "Washburn-Crosby Company", the predecessor of General Mills. And early network affiliates carried their affiliation, like WCBS in New York and KCBS in San Fran. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 16:30, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

This interesting link[5] from the call sign article, lists the exceptions to the standard naming rules. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 16:37, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Good websites (besides Wikipedia) for finding broadcast stations are radio-locator for radio, and TVFool and RabbitEars for television. All require at least a city name or postal code in the US or Canada (additionally, RabbitEars and radio-locator can search American territories). As far as I know there is not one website just dedicated to listing all the callsigns; radio-locator and TVFool are intended to help a user find stations that are recievable in their area, while RabbitEars is meant to list and provide technical data for all television stations located in a certain region.

Wikipedia does have a list of three-letter broadcast callsigns in the United States - these are considered unusual because (with the exception of KHJ, WJZ, and WJZ-FM) they are not assigned anymore and cannot be reassigned once they are "dropped". Xenon54 / talk / 20:13, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Additionally, stations will often try to choose something that is close to a real word. For instance, a station near a major river may choose something like WRVR (don't know if that's a real station or not) since the RVR part 'sounds' like the word 'river'. Or they may go with something like WFOX and the on air name would be "The Fox". This way, in advertising, they can use a fox as their mascot. This was used for satire in the television show WKRP in Cincinnati. WKRP had a rival station which had the call letters of WPIG. During one episode, two guys dressed up as the mascots for their stations (WPIG was, of course, a pig and WKRP was a carp) get into a fist fight. This eventually gets them arrested from what I recall. Dismas|^(talk) 03:04, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Female "Barber Shop Quartet"

I am looking for a female version of a barber shop quartet that sings contemporary songs on iTunes. Does anyone have any suggestions? --Reticuli88 (talk) 14:44, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Something like the female verision of Straight No Chaser (a cappella group) --Reticuli88 (talk) 15:05, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

There's a couple listed at Barbershop music#Female Barbershop music and "Beautyshop" quartets. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 15:14, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

There's an organization called "Sweet Adelines" that I think are female a capella. More of an amateur organization, I think. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 15:57, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Try our article: Sweet Adelines. --Thomprod (talk) 19:35, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Maxx Factor is an all-female barbershop quartet who competed in the NBC series Sing-off. 99.166.95.142 (talk) 16:26, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Television during the 9/11 attacks in the US.

I'm from the northeast coast and when the 9/11 attacks were happening, we were all glued to CNN. However my friend said that she had no idea the attacks were happening bc she was watching a movie on HBO and didn't find out until after the movie was over and she switched channels. I forgot what was cable like on that day. I do remember that CNN didn't air any commericals that day (I think). Was it the same for other channels? Were there some channels that didn't cover the attacks at all and it was business as normal? --Reticuli88 (talk) 14:48, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Pretty much only the news channels were all commercial free, because of 9/11. If it was a non news channel, they kept on their business.Accdude92 (talk to me!) (sign) 14:51, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

I think the regular over-the-air networks also had a lot of coverage. Entertainment channels like HBO don't do that kind of coverage anyway, so it would have been business as usual. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 15:59, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Don't know about commercials, but ESPN had pretty much constant coverage, as well - focusing on the New York teams, the impact on Baseball and Football, etc. They also mirrored ABC's coverage for the early part of the day. MTV and its networks, meanwhile, rebroadcast CBS news, as I recall. Not sure when they switched to standard programming (coverage + commercials), but that'd be an interesting question as well. UltraExactZZ ^Said ~ Did 17:42, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Anything resembling live-hosted programming might have covered the 9/11 attacks. I expect pay channels like HBO and normal cable channels like Discovery would have carried their normal programming. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 18:00, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Odds and ends: I believe ESPN simulcast ABC News' coverage, only breaking in the evening to show a half-hour SportsCenter to list all the events that were cancelled. I know C-SPAN took CBC coverage. Likely the Turner-owned pay channels simulcast CNN, the NBC Universal-owned pay channels simulcast NBC or MSNBC, and the Viacom-owned pay channels took CBS. Other pay channels probably didn't have the means to run coverage and thus continued programming. (An interesting fact: the ubiquitous and quite annoying news ticker debuted on Fox News Channel during the all-day coverage.) ABC, CBS, NBC (and probably Fox) obviously ran continuous coverage for the day. Video of at least the first part of network coverage, as well as local coverage from the Washington affiliates, is available on the Internet Archive. Xenon54 / talk / 20:26, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

You're right, it was 9/11 that triggered that bottom-line thing. Once something starts, it may never stop. ABC's Nightline began as a series of nightly specials covering the taking of the hostages in Iran, 30 years ago this past November. Once it became clear there was going to be no early resolution, they kept the show anyway and started covering other news topics. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 20:38, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Television transmitters were on the World Trade Center, so NYC viewers without cable saw screens go blank. [6] The exceptions were CBS and Telemundo which continued to be seen on non-cable sets because they had transmitters elsewhere. Pepso2 (talk) 21:18, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Eerily, WPIX, a local channel in New York that is seen on cable systems around much of the country, lost its transmitter, too. But satellite and cable systems have a device that prevents screens from going blank; instead, they freeze on the last frame until transmission is restored. So those of us who turned to WPIX saw the frozen image of the moment of impact. — Michael J 17:53, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. I didn't know about the Communication during the September 11 attacks page, which covers WPIX and WCBS (but not Telemundo). Pepso2 (talk) 18:28, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Poor retconning in Star Wars

Didn't George Lucas realize how poor of a retcon it would generate to have massive droid armies in the 3 prequals, yet human stormtroopers as the predominant Empire forces in the originals, which exists subsequent to the prequals in internal chronology? DRosenbach ^{(Talk | Contribs)} 17:17, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

That whole situation is a sore subject. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 17:27, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

(EC):I once read this webpage that was dedicated to the eternal question: why are Klingons only poorly dressed Mexican-looking guys in the original Star Trek and have the elaborate face ridges in the following parts of the series? It listed a couple theories like failed genetic experiments, the jannisary theory and such (this was written before the whole thing was retconned in Enterprise), and the final theory was: "Imagine this: the whole story is realy just a TV show aired somewhere, and the different storylines were filmed at different times, with different budgets and different technologies available."

What I'm trying to say is, the whole story arc was not made up in one go, and what was impossible back when the original three parts were filmed is possible now. I suppose Lucas just didn't want to limit himself in the newer three films by being backwards-compatible.

Also, I'm sure if you look around the Internet, you'll find a bunch of elaborate theories that make up for the discrepancy. Never underestimate fandom :) TomorrowTime (talk) 17:31, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

If you think about it too much, you could see this apparent nitpicking as veiled criticism of the stories' many authors for failing to maintain continuity - which is exactly what DRosenbach is doing, except he's coming right out and saying it. But the elaborate theories you mention have a parallel in religion, or at least Christianity: When there are "continuity errors" in the Bible (and there are quite a few), they invent elaborate theories as to why those inconsistencies exist. Except that everyone knows Star Wars and Stark Trek are fictional. With religion, they're apparently serious about it. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 18:52, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Seriously Bugs- WP:SOAP. Staecker (talk) 13:41, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Oh, I don't know. Some people do take Star Wars quite seriously, too. Vimescarrot (talk) 19:19, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

To Bugs: As I said, never underestimate fandom. TomorrowTime (talk) 20:28, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

In Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader they mention something on the CloneArmy deteriorating, and something about

them ordering a new line. Great questions on continuity on Saga stories are funny because you question something, pretty valid, then they can always come out with a new book to place where your question is to explain a viable relation. And if not, hey, lets just do like Star Trek and create a warpy-wormhole into another Alternate-Reality. --i am the kwisatz haderach (talk) 17:44, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

ST:TNG or maybe it was ST:DS9 made a joke out of that kind of situation when they did that nifty episode where they found themselves back in time in the Tribbles episode. One of the Earthers said to Worf, "Those are Klingons???" and Worf merely said, "We don't like to talk about it!" ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 17:53, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

That was certainly my favorite answer. Does anyone know what episode that was? Comet Tuttle (talk) 18:16, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Trials and Tribble-ations, from DS9. — Lomn 18:33, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

That's it, thanks. Comet Tuttle (talk) 20:31, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Affliction is the Enterprise episode which explains it all...lamely. Adam Bishop (talk) 20:43, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

As The Watchers of these Episodics, we have Grown so much, oh yes. Notice the question was in regards to Star Wars, and we then bring up Star Trek. 5 Years ago there would have been an angry post saying NO! I WAS TALKING OF STAR WARS!-NOT STAR TREK!! We lump it all together as one, we don't care. I think its time to bring up Asimov's FOUNDATION_Series, Orson Scott Card's ENDER_SERIES, and oh yes we can't forget Franky Herberts DUNE_series. Bring it baby! Bring it!! --i am the kwisatz haderach (talk) 21:47, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Star Wars and Star Trek are just easy examples because being series, they both have continuity issues. Star Trek more so, probably, due to its longevity and countless different contributors to the scripts. I'm sure there are continuity issues in many other TV and film series, never mind the countless continuity issues just within one given film. The problem is that each movie is an artificial universe. The real universe is reasonably consistent. An artificial universe is often not consistent within itself. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 05:48, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Seven part video series, explaining the whole thing. [7] Highly recommended. The Ministry (talk) 21:56, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Since nobody else has given the in-universe answer: The storm troopers are the remnants and continuation of the clone army which defeated the droid army in Episode 3. There isn't any retcon. Staecker (talk) 09:20, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

What's the in-universe answer for why the first Death Star, which already seemed well underway at the end of 3 wasn't completed until 20 years later, whereas the second one was completed in 3 years or something and they even added a shield? Or had it actually been under constructions for about 20 years too it had just been in secret like the first? If so I guess that's why they tacked on a shield rather then fixing the fatal design flaw of the trench leading to the big hole with the critical components exposed. Nil Einne (talk) 10:26, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

I don't know- there's probably some stupid reason in some book. I'm not saying that Star Wars continuity doesn't have issues. But the OP's question isn't getting at any problem- it was explained very clearly in the films themselves. (Maybe he's using the word retcon incorrectly?) Staecker (talk) 13:41, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Jonathan Ross - British television presenter

Was he sacked or renewal of his contract declined, or did he genuinely decide to leave? Personally I think stars of any kind are a waste of money, there is an oversupply of people who can do a good job at a normal salary. 78.151.131.82 (talk) 22:05, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Well, this article says: "It is thought that Ross had become frustrated by the lack of progress on his new BBC contract and exasperated by constant press speculation about his future with the corporation." He "genuinely decided to leave" apparently, for whatever reason. Ghmyrtle (talk) 22:39, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

dead prez lyrics

In the song “Politrikks”, dead prez raps,

and if Obama win, he wouldn't be the first black,
take your 2 dollar bill and turn it over to the back (you see? right there)”

what do they mean? I tried looking at the article, United States two-dollar bill, but I can't find any mention of a black person on it. I'm I missing some American figure of speak, unknown to us here on the other side of the Atlantic. The Ministry (talk) 22:22, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

The reverse of a United States two-dollar bill is the painting Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull. If you read the article on the painting, every figure is identified. Presumably, one of them may have been part black, or at least rumored to be so. There are only two actual Presidents in that painting, being John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, and as far as I know, neither was rumored to have any black ancestry at all, though Jefferson was known to have fathered children via his slaves. I suppose you could pick through each of them and check the ancestry of each of them. Dead Prez is apparently being oblique on purpose; he wants you to do the research and figure it out. --Jayron32 03:12, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Scanning the list, it appears one of the figures is George Clinton (vice president), which Dead Prez may be (on purpose) confusing with George Clinton (musician)... Probably not, but imagine the SECOND George Clinton as a Vice President. I think marijauna legalization would happen rather quickly if that were the case... --Jayron32 03:26, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

As nearly always, a simple internet search is your friend. I'm guessing they're referring a myth described here [8], [9] and John Hanson. In case you're wondering the 4th Google link which is the first ref I provided was of interest and although I didn't actually bother to listen to it at first the first related video is the second ref which although it's a bit shit sound gave me enough to realise it was probably right and I then looked at the wikipedia article which has info and realised the first ref was describing the same thing albeit seemingly seriosuly so it all ties in. You don't have to use Google either. E.g. Bing gives [10] which mentions it in the comments and links to the wikipedia article. Sadly I did this after I opened every single person on that article (so you're going to have to put up with this information dump), and found nothing of use except that one became an abolinist and released all his slaves although his nephew/heir then murdered him (by accident) while trying to kill the released slaves, another believed being black was a disease, this guy who I think is fairly famous so perhaps most Americans already know this was opposed to slavery but also evidentally opposed a bill emancipating slaves and opposed them being soldiers, whereas this one who is definitely famous was opposed to intermarriage, and also thought them inferior in body and mind although and did and thought a bunch of other stuff which I guess most Americans already know, and finally this fellow had a major influence in a document which expanded franchies to all taxpayers except women and blacks. Oh and two of them had some involvement with some ship called The Black Something or something of that sort. Nil Einne (talk) 13:34, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Except, John Hanson isn't on the back of the two dollar bill. He was the first President of the Continental Congress, but he does not appear in either version of Trumbull's painting. I don't doubt your links, but something doesn't look right. May be someone else... --Jayron32 18:57, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Well yes I noticed that (as I mentioned, I opened every single person in the article :-P, and obviously didn't come across John Hanson). I believe the idea is they commonly mistake someone in the bill for John Hanson. Remember we're talking about people who can be fooled into thinking a photograph of some Liberian senator is a photograph of someone who died in the 18th century so critical thinking isn't exactly a skill of theirs (just to be clear, I'm not referring to Dead Prez themselves, as with many rap groups it's not clear to me they actually believe the stuff they rap). I thought at first from briefly glancing at the debunking video that this was John Hancock, who was I believe the President at the signing of the declaration and is in the bill but I don't think that's the case, he doesn't look particularly black in either the bill or the picture although some people may believe Hanson was the President at the time rather then Hancock. Based on the conclusion which has him circled and this Snopes forum discussion, I now believe there's someone else on the bill, who can look black if you're really looking for it because of the shading of the bill. He doesn't look particularly black on the picture however and our bill image isn't great resolution although from a rough look at the location (in the conclusion video for example, and also in the end of the earlier video I think) I can see someone who they may be referring to. I'm guessing this is the person APL mentions below. The 2 debunking videos probably provide a lot of useful info and I think discuss why he can look black in the bill, but as I mentioned above the audio is way too soft so you an annoying hiss if you just make it louder normally so I didn't bother to listen to it all and it's rather long anyway. Nil Einne (talk) 09:30, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Some more (all text this time) links [11] [12] [13]. Some of the comments in the videos are also revealing. So yeah, the guy they think is black and John Hanson is Robert Morris. They also seem to think he was the President of the Continential Congress at the time although why he was in such an unprominent position in that case I don't know. Some also seem to acknowledge that the guy in the original painting isn't black, why they think the guy in the $2 bill is black if the one in the original painting that the image for the bill was taken from isn't, again I don't know (someone in the US treasury trying to spread the truth?). Some even seem to think the $2 bill is being supressed because of this (um just make a new bill?) or that info on the contential congress presidents is being suppressed (of course we have an article, which they don't tend to like since it tells the truth). I'm sure some people are just pretending to believe this crap, but for the rest, well as I said conspiracy theorists are never masters or critical thinking. Heck they aren't even students :-P P.S. Seems Robert Morris was one of the ones involved in The Black Prince. Sadly it seems the other one William Whipple was just vandalism so I've reverted it. So at least something good came from this silly myth. Also I realised that I missed Benjamin Franklin above who was of course another abolotionist, as I didn't open him guessing correctly it wasn't him. Nil Einne (talk) 09:43, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Comment : On the back of the bill the crosshatching makes Robbert Morris look rather dark skinned, but he's never been president. APL (talk) 20:56, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Simpsons quote

Thank you, refdeskers, for your 100% streak on identifying my half-remembered quotes and songs.

I have another one -- I think it was Martin Prince. He's speaking in a low voice and maybe alludes to being fed some kind of hormones and all he wants to do is punch people now. How far off am I? 198.161.238.18 (talk) 23:36, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Francine, or Nelson, from Bye Bye Nerdie? Adam Bishop (talk) 04:21, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

That's a great thought, but I'm pretty sure not what I was "remembering". 198.161.238.18 (talk) 16:13, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

I'm fairly sure it is from "Brother's Little Helper", the kids are all in the playground talking about the drugs they have to take and Martin mentions the hormones he needs; it's certainly a Martin quote. Gran² 16:21, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Right you are! The scene is listed in an episode summary but not the exact wording. Thank you! 198.161.238.18 (talk) 16:40, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

"I take hormones to lower my voice. Now all I wanna do is fight. [Ralph walks by] What are you looking at?" You're wrong in that his voice isn't particularly low, maybe a little bit lower than usual. decltype (talk) 16:55, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Takk :) 198.161.238.18 (talk) 17:35, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

January 8

Help me identify an obscure music video from the 1980s

Can anybody suggest a music video where two people fall from the sky, and land in a convertible automobile? I think this music video aired in the mid to late 1980s, but I am just guessing. I don't know what band performed, nor do I know the name of the song. I am fairly certain the song is not a famous one, but I would still like to know who did it? They landed in the car toward the end of the movie, and the car is driving along on the highway. There's countryside around them. I don't think they are in the city, but out in the country. It's dry weather, possibly sunny, and very likely near sunset. Dexter Nextnumber (talk) 06:27, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Did the part where they fall into the car appear to be a modern film, or was it an older one? I'm asking because in the 1960s, Hertz Rent-a-Car ran ads showing someone dropping out of the sky and into a moving car ("Let Hertz put you in the driver's seat!")[14] and that video could have been either one of those old ads, or a takeoff on one. That doesn't directly help identify the video, but it might jog a memory somewhere. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 06:49, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for reminding me of all of those Hertz rent-a-car ads. So legendary and iconic, they even made their presence known in the caricatures of Hertz by the MAD magazine lampoons of the day. But I really doubt it was a vintage 1960s commercial somehow redubbed with 1980s music.

Rather, the video was in the 1980s, and the music was standard rock and roll. Electric guitar, drum, that sort of thing. I was born in 1958, and know the difference between 1960s music and 1980s music. This was a music video that aired on MTV prior to the creation of VH1, if that helps any.

I think it was a guy and a girl that landed in the convertible. No doubt an inside reference to a rather common theme of times long gone. Dexter Nextnumber (talk) 07:16, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Obviously 1980s music, but possibly laid over one of those 1960s ads, is what I was thinking. But from your description, the car scene also dated to the 1980s, and either purposely or coincidentally might have imitated the part of that ad clip that starts at about the 48 second mark. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 07:28, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Sounds like a ZZ Top video I dimly remember. Possibly Sleeping bag? --Dweller (talk) 10:46, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Numbers 1 to 10 in Proto-Afroasiatic language?

Can anybody conjecture what, in Proto-Afroasiatic, the numbers for 1 to 10 were? Or suggest a link to a website out of Wiki, that deals with this question? Dexter Nextnumber (talk) 07:07, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Would this be better on the Language Desk? Alansplodge (talk) 18:52, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Copied to Language Desk - look for answers there. Exxolon (talk) 21:00, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Movie titles

Why are some movies given different titles in different countries? Thanks NirocFX 41.193.16.234 (talk) 11:12, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

See the Market Based Title entry on TvTropes.org for a host of reasons from past movie releases. Generally it boils down to either a movie or tv show with that name already existing in that country (and there are either trademarks to buy or you just don't want a clash) or someone believing the target market won't understand an element of the title (such as not knowing what the Philosopher's stone is in a Harry Potter book/movie title or that Live Free or Die is a state motto in the USA which can be handily used for a Bruce Willis film). Generally it's just marketing fiddling but sometimes there are very good reasons. Nanonic (talk) 11:45, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

A while (that's a decade or two, probably) ago the Open University ran a program (presumably as part of a business or marketing course) about the branding of the James Bond films. It said that this was the first film series that was internationally marketed and that allowed local marketing people to decide how the property as a whole was sold in their area (rather than just imposing a uniform campaign from Hollywood, with just translation). For one particular film (I think we're talking late-Moore/early-Dalton) was marketed in the UK and US with a fairly violent trailer, in France and Italy with a trailer emphasising the sex, and in Germany with a trailer emphasising gadgets. In some countries the film's English language name was used, in some it was translated, in some it was utterly different, and in Japan it was very strange - something like "the snow falls from the autumn sky", which seemed to carry no resemblance to the actual (let's face it, wholly unpoetic) film. It also said that Bond was marketed in China as "The Iron Man", and the film posters for the Chinese market looked a lot like those of martial arts films. It seems the Bond series was a harbinger of the phenomenon that you report. It seems entirely a wise business idea to let the marketing people expert in a given market decide how to sell a film (at least of this kind) - maybe great art transcends borders, but tits-and-explosions films need to be tailored to the market, and the name is just a small part of that. -- Finlay McWalter • Talk 22:37, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

So it's basically just a way of marketing and sometimes not wanting to clash with other folks and depending on the type of audience/market that you're facing obviously it's all business at the end.

Thanks guys, (Nanonic, Finlay McWalter)

NirocFX (talk) 09:56, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Scottish tunes

Is there a musical relationship between any of the following tunes?

1. Bill Haley's Rockin' Through The Rye
2. Comin' Through the Rye
3. Common' Frae The Town
4. Auld Lang Syne
5. Durham Rangers
6. Durham Reel / Durham's Reel?
7. Bonnie Dundee
8. A Hundred Pipers ? Kittybrewster ☎ 12:02, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

In what way do you mean? Poss same age? Same Writer? Same chord structure? Do you suspect a link (and therefore what do you thnk it is?) or is this just all the Scottish Tunes you can think of? The more detailed the request, the better the response will be... Gazhiley (talk) 13:49, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

I went to Harry Robertson (composer) where it said Hoots Mon (1958) was obviously based on and a response to Bill Haley's Rockin' Through The Rye (1956) which in turn is based on Comin' Through the Rye. That seemed to me dotty as it sounds the same as A Hundred Pipers so I changed it. But maybe I am wrong or tune deaf or chord structure unaware. In any event I breached WP:OR. Comin' Through the Rye says it is based on Auld Lang Syne but doesn't sound like it to me. A Hundred Pipers referred to Durham Reel and Durham Rangers and Bonnie Dundee as if they are the same tune. My ears don't agree with that. So I thought to ask here. Kittybrewster ☎ 14:07, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

If it lacks a citation, it's probably an editor's personal opinion. And I certainly wouldn't say Comin' Through the Rye sounds very much like Auld Lang Syne. The last line of the chorus maybe sounds a little similar, but that's about it. Also, if you replace your hard-coded numbers with pound-signs, I think they will line up the way you typed them. :) [I took the liberty of changing them]. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 14:29, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Allan Sherman:

Do not make a stingy standwich / Pile the cold-cuts high

Customers should see salami / Coming through the rye

I know a man whose name is Lang / And he has a neon sign

And Mr. Lang is very old / So they call it Old Lang's Sign

I don't think those songs even have the same meter, let along the same tune. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 16:12, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Baltimore Ravens

Do you think the Ravens (NFL) can beat the New England Patriots and advance? MMS2013 21:04, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Do we think they can? It is possible, yes. But, to quote the top of this page, The reference desk does not answer requests for opinions or predictions about future events. Do not start a debate; please seek an internet forum instead. Comet Tuttle (talk) 21:16, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

"On any given Sunday, any team can beat any other team." Does that pretty well cover it? :) ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 23:53, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

The majority of the lines are around 3 for the Pats, which means that the public thinks the teams are roughly equal (no clue if the lines started out at -3; plus the lines aren't meant to judge the actual outcomes but to get equal wagering on both teams).--droptone (talk) 13:29, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

SF play/book/story about anti-terrorist dogs

A few months ago (which may mean a year or more) BBC Radio 4 broadcast a play (or perhaps simply a reading of book) of a science-fictionish nature. Can any refdesker identify it (which my googling has failed to do)? It took place in a near-future in which terrorism was endemic, and the terrorists had reacted to security measures by hiding explosives under their clothing. I think the authorities had in turn insisted that travellers wear translucent clothing, and in turn the terrorists had taken to sewing explosives into their bodies. This arms race was broken by dogs (trained, I think, by some ex-military bloke) which had unparalleled ability to detect these bombs (I think by some body-language method, rather than smell or some cyborg/magic type thing). The play was written with this all in the past, as a reminiscence about those black days before the dogs fixed terrorism. Given recent events this story seems yet more apt. Does this ring any bells with anyone? -- Finlay McWalter • Talk 22:12, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Well, I can tell you that you didn't imagine it, but I can't for the life of me find evidence of it online. Maybe I'm missing some key words. I seem to recall a rather dark ending with barking dogs approaching. 86.178.73.74 (talk) 00:00, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

January 9

NFL coach contracts

The compensation of coaches in the NFL is, for some reason, public knowledge in many cases. My questions: (a) Why is it public knowledge that a coach is being paid, say, US$3 million per year for each of the next 3 years? This is very proprietary information at other businesses with the exception of the CEOs of public companies, which is for reasons of transparency for shareholders, which is not a concern in the NFL. (b) If a coach is fired after 1 year, is he paid for the remaining years, as you'd expect in any other business? Or is there some coach-specific arrangement in the NFL that treats this situation in a specific way? Comet Tuttle (talk) 05:25, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

In the entertainment industry in general, it seems that salaries are or become widely known. This has been the case for a long time. Just why that is, is something I've wondered about also. You can see it for universities, especially those that are publicly-funded; but professional sports are private industry. As far as compensation after being fired, with both college and pro coaches (as well as pro athletes) that would be a function of however their contract reads. Typically, they would be. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 12:22, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Child actors

In the 1997 movie Full Monty, which contains strong language and adult themes, William Snape (born 1985) played the part of a prepubescent boy. Another example would be an episode ("Ten") of Men Behaving Badly where Dorothy's ten year old nephew comes to visit the main characters. In the episode, the boy discovers Gary's "lady book" (a porn magazine) and takes part in dialogue containing adult themes. I don't find this particularly offensive, but I'm just curious - where do producers find child actors for productions that most parents wouldn't let their children see, let alone be a part of? 88.112.62.154 (talk) 08:04, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Probably through professional Casting agencies, just like all the other actors. Consider that firstly, the non-linear and disconnected way that films and TV shows are routinely made means that actors aren't necessarily exposed to any shot that they're not actually in, so a Child actor need not see/hear anything in other parts of the piece than their own scenes, and need not see the completed film/show; secondly, clever editing could appear to juxtapose them with action/dialogue they were not actually involved in; thirdly, a prop that, in the storyline, is supposedly obscene (e.g. Gary's "lady book") may be an innocuous dummy in shots where the child is actually in contact with it; fourthly, both the child actors and their parents may be more liberal, worldly wise and professional in attitude than your personal standards might suggest; and finally, the employment of minors in acting is (at least in most of the First World) strictly regulated and supervised to avoid their exploitation, overwork, loss of schooling and so on (our Child actor article is regrettably sketchy and North American-centric in this regard), so any director who allowed transgressive treatment would run a serious risk of professional and legal sanctions. 87.81.230.195 (talk) 12:18, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for the answer. The "lady book" did feature, as far as I can remember, seminaked women in the cover (whether it was a prop or actual porn mag, I don't know) and since the show was made in the 1990's, I don't think they could've shopped it in that convincingly. The magazine was clearly seen held by the boy, so it couldn't have been a "stunt" either. I myself see no problem in this (as long as the children are not mistreated and I find the "lady book" scene really hilarious) as many parents are (in my opinion) excessively protective about swearing and non-sexual nudity, and I asked the question out of pure curiosity. Thanks for your comprehensive answer in any case! 88.112.62.154 (talk) 12:38, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

There's a scene in Kramer vs. Kramer in which a fully-nude JoBeth Williams comes out of Dustin Hoffman's bedroom into the hallway and runs into his young son (Justin Henry). She plays it as being startled, nervously covering up, etc. He reacts as blandly as if she were wearing a business suit. One would assume that there was some cinematic trickery going on there. Maybe someone knows? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 12:54, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

There's a scene in Clerks where Randall is ordering movies over the phone for the video store. A woman comes in with a young child in her arms and asks if he can get Happy Scrappy Hero Pup. Getting back to his phone conversation, he asks the distributor for a number of titles, all of them pornographic with various words in the titles which you'd rather a child didn't repeat at the school playground. If you pay attention though, you can see that the child is never in the shot while he's saying the most offensive stuff. The kid is there while he's saying things like "Yes, I'd like to order the following titles..." and there's a shot of the kid, without Randall in the shot although his voice was edited in later as a voice over, so again the kid didn't actually hear the words. And finally, you may be interested to know that Thora Birch was a minor when her nude scene was shot for the film American Beauty. Her parents had to agree to her being in the scene. And they, as well as child labor representatives, were present during the filming. And around here somewhere, unless it got deleted, is a list of films in which minors appear while nude. Dismas|^(talk) 13:36, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Phoebe Cates was not quite 18 when filming wrapped for 1982's Paradise (1982 film). While she showed plenty of skin, the more explicit (i.e. adult) stuff was done with doubles. More problematic, perhaps, was a very young Brooke Shields in 1978's Pretty Baby, filmed when she was only about 12. How they got away with that one is still a mystery. But I think she was shielded from the relatively explicit stuff. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 14:33, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

A bigger outcry was made over Tatum O'Neal's smoking a cigarette with her father when she was aged 9 - I think the movie was Paper Moon? --TammyMoet (talk) 16:18, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Christian Slater was 16 when his nude scene in The Name of the Rose was shot. I don't know what sorts of accomodations were made for him. Woogee (talk) 20:25, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

No. 1 rock and roll band in the land?

In 1977, who would have been the number one rock band in the United Kingdom? Arsectomy (talk) 10:37, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Depends on your criteria. Do you mean in terms of album sales, singles sales, popular impact or what? If you're talking about albums sales, it was probably someone like Pink Floyd, who put Animals out that year. In terms of popular and cultural impact, though, there can only be one answer. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 10:54, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

(after EC) Depends on your definition of rock, and also how you define "number one". By the standards of that time, Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd would have been Number One in terms of sales, concerts etc. However, punk rock was also popular and so maybe the Sex Pistols in terms of media coverage. And don't forget Elvis Presley and Marc Bolan died in this year, and so their sales went up accordingly. --TammyMoet (talk) 10:59, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

The Rolling Stones had also been playing for years by then and had built up quite the following. And on the other side of the longevity spectrum, The Clash had just released their first album which did very well for them. Dismas|^(talk) 11:26, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Thanks guys, I realise I have got the timing slightly wrong - I'm actually thinking of late October 1976, so a month before the Sex Pistols' first single came out.Arsectomy (talk) 12:55, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Okay, but you still haven't really given us a measuring stick by which to gauge "number one rock band". Do you mean sales? Or just general sense of hype and popularity? If so, we've pretty much supplied a number of good candidates. And limiting this according to when the Sex Pistols released their first single, are you therefore looking for punk bands that the Sex Pistols would be displacing? Dismas|^(talk) 13:21, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

(e/c) Certainly Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd would have been up there, as well as Queen, The Rolling Stones and The Who. With hindsight, it's easy to see punk rock as seeming to be much more dominant than it actually was at the time - it grabbed wide social attention, and attracted many of the teenagers of the time, but most "rock fans" even then were in their 20s and 30s, and the overwhelming majority of them (except for people like John Peel and, er, me.. as the first person in Exeter to buy a Sex Pistols record - true!!...) rejected punk as "unmusical". The top albums in the UK in 1976 - here - were from Abba, The Beach Boys, Glen Campbell (!), Slim Whitman (!!) and Queen. Ghmyrtle (talk) 13:22, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

PS: @Dismas - the Pistols didn't "displace" any punk bands in the UK - together with The Damned (whose first single came out in October 1976), they were the first. Ghmyrtle (talk) 13:57, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

PPS: Also honourable mentions for Wings and Rod Stewart - close to the top of many lists of "best artists" at the time. Ghmyrtle (talk) 14:50, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Yes, hype and popularity - thinking about in the popular imagination. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Arsectomy (talk • contribs) 14:40, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

In that case it would probably be Queen, who had played in Hyde Park, London to an audience of 150,000 that year. Zep didn't tour in 1976 because of Robert Plant's injuries sustained in a car crash in Greece. Floyd were recording the Animals album. --TammyMoet (talk) 16:15, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Were Queen bigger than Slade and Status Quo in late '76? Arsectomy (talk) 16:27, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Yes, definitely. Slade's peak had passed by then and the Quo were never more than a metal-lite band, albeit a good one. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 16:47, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

I agree. Slade were never regarded as a "rock band" - they were definitely considered "pop" (though good live, apparently). To clarify, given that they are described as a "rock band" in their article - over the years the definition of what is a "rock band" has grown wider than it was in the 1970s, when there was a fairly clear split between "rock bands" and "pop groups". One of the many contributions punk made was to blur or get rid of that distinction - the Pistols, Clash etc. were "rock bands" playing 2-minute songs. With hindsight, Slade can now legitimately be classed as "rock", but that's not how it seemed at the time. Ghmyrtle (talk) 17:19, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

David Goldstrom

Does anyone know where I can find out more about him? He's the ski jumping commentator on British Eurosport. —Preceding unsigned comment added by TammyMoet (talk • contribs) 16:09, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

There's a bio at http://equestrianentertainment.com/frame-bodytalentbank.htm#dg Dalliance (talk) 18:55, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Cool! A man of many talents! --TammyMoet (talk) 19:27, 9 January 2010 (UTC)