I have to say I was disappointed with the start to the second season of Alone, the TV reality show where people are left in a remote location and have to exist on their own. You all have probably seen it already but I've only just started watching. The first to tap out was a black guy by the name Desmond who wandered around for less than a day, did nothing apart from try to cut some wood, then he was out of there. What? He didn't even try to light a fire? Was he employed to flesh out the numbers was he?
Then in the same episode it ends with a female competitor cutting her hand. Her name is Mary. She couldn't even cut kindling. Give me a break, this is lame so far. The first season, that was interesting. But it was also tarnished by people giving up too easily, like the guy who packed it in just because he lost his Fero rod. Also I got the impression that many got out when they thought they'd done enough to promote themselves and their skills. However so far the so-called experts in the second season appear to be couch potatoes.
There is one woman competitor, the larger lady called Tracy, she looks useful. We'll have to wait and see how they get on, don't tell me the outcome.
March 31, 2018
March 30, 2018
Why Roseanne is no longer funny
Never try to bring things to life again, you just can't do it. That's my take after watching the first episode of the tenth season of Roseanne, the popular American television situation comedy.
Now I'll be honest, I didn't watch all of the first episode. I couldn't, simply because it was the old jokes rehashed a little and regurgitated. It was not fresh at all and did not reflect life in the US as it is now or in the modern world at large for that matter.
The actors are now older and better at their craft, that was obvious, apart from Roseanne herself who appears a little desperate to stay relevant. The new faces are okay as far they go, they did not stand out, perhaps because they're not meant to, this is a vehicle for Roseanne Barr after all.
Where I think they misfired completely is in imagining what the Conner family would look like today. Here is where I think they'd be at:
Roseanne Conner (Roseanne Barr) would be divorced from her husband and working at Walmart. She wouldn't be struggling that much because her house has been paid off and she'd won a minor prize in a state lottery. She sometimes takes Dan in from down the road when things get too noisy there.
Dan Conner (John Goodman) would be living two doors down with a biker chick twenty years his junior. She has two children to different fathers (neither of them Dan Conner) and is more interested in great sex and her next tattoo. The two get along but John has to deal with her 'friends' which are also business associates of hers and he decamps from time to time to be taken in by Roseanne.
Darlene Conner (Sara Gilbert) would be pretty much as she is portrayed but would work as a laboratory assistant after completing a diploma at the Community College.
Jackie Harris (Laurie Metcalf) would have become a lawyer, working now as a public defender. There would be a question over her role in defending a police officer accused of shooting a black suspect.
As it is, the jokes are set to be lame, more Trump vs Hillary vs Jill Stein stuff. Why does everyone stay working class forever in these shows? That's not real life, there is such a thing as upward mobility you know. While the old Roseanne was somewhat relevant and at times funny, it did pall from the middle of its run. It traded on its past success for quite some time. This effort is just more cashing in on the same.
And as an aside, don't start me on this Archie Bunker ground-breaking stuff. Archie Bunker wasn't even original; it is based off Till Death Us Do Part and the great Alf Garnett character. Have a look at the very first episode of it below. That's the real Archie Bunker, transmission began in 1965 !! Come on, Archie Bunker and Roseanne originates from there.
Now I'll be honest, I didn't watch all of the first episode. I couldn't, simply because it was the old jokes rehashed a little and regurgitated. It was not fresh at all and did not reflect life in the US as it is now or in the modern world at large for that matter.
The actors are now older and better at their craft, that was obvious, apart from Roseanne herself who appears a little desperate to stay relevant. The new faces are okay as far they go, they did not stand out, perhaps because they're not meant to, this is a vehicle for Roseanne Barr after all.
Where I think they misfired completely is in imagining what the Conner family would look like today. Here is where I think they'd be at:
Roseanne Conner (Roseanne Barr) would be divorced from her husband and working at Walmart. She wouldn't be struggling that much because her house has been paid off and she'd won a minor prize in a state lottery. She sometimes takes Dan in from down the road when things get too noisy there.
Dan Conner (John Goodman) would be living two doors down with a biker chick twenty years his junior. She has two children to different fathers (neither of them Dan Conner) and is more interested in great sex and her next tattoo. The two get along but John has to deal with her 'friends' which are also business associates of hers and he decamps from time to time to be taken in by Roseanne.
Darlene Conner (Sara Gilbert) would be pretty much as she is portrayed but would work as a laboratory assistant after completing a diploma at the Community College.
Jackie Harris (Laurie Metcalf) would have become a lawyer, working now as a public defender. There would be a question over her role in defending a police officer accused of shooting a black suspect.
As it is, the jokes are set to be lame, more Trump vs Hillary vs Jill Stein stuff. Why does everyone stay working class forever in these shows? That's not real life, there is such a thing as upward mobility you know. While the old Roseanne was somewhat relevant and at times funny, it did pall from the middle of its run. It traded on its past success for quite some time. This effort is just more cashing in on the same.
And as an aside, don't start me on this Archie Bunker ground-breaking stuff. Archie Bunker wasn't even original; it is based off Till Death Us Do Part and the great Alf Garnett character. Have a look at the very first episode of it below. That's the real Archie Bunker, transmission began in 1965 !! Come on, Archie Bunker and Roseanne originates from there.
March 27, 2018
Australia Cricket Cheats
Australia have been cheating at cricket for decades. Ban the whole team for a year, that'd sort the problem. Ban them all I say.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-in-south-africa/smiths-shame-australia-media-slam-rotten-cricket-culture/articleshow/63460950.cms
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-in-south-africa/smiths-shame-australia-media-slam-rotten-cricket-culture/articleshow/63460950.cms
March 26, 2018
Why Julie Anne Genter is Wrong (Mostly)
New Zealand Green MP, Julie Anne Genter is causing controversy by calling for old white men to be ditched in favour of others.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/03/old-white-men-should-make-way-for-others-julie-anne-genter.html
Some argument can be made for moving many of them on. Some old white men occupying positions of power are simply there serving time. They offer nothing and achieve little. But you do still need some of those old white men and I'll tell you why - they know where the keys are kept.
That's right, call it administrative memory or what you will. But these old timers know why something is done the way it's done and that can be very valuable information. It's valuable even if you want to challenge that very same information. It's better than stumbling around in the dark.
But I don't like the Greens and this issue is partly the reason why; they're really just socialists re-branded, Green is just a flag of convenience. The more they shoot themselves in the foot the faster voters can learn they're not to be trusted and move them out too.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/03/old-white-men-should-make-way-for-others-julie-anne-genter.html
Some argument can be made for moving many of them on. Some old white men occupying positions of power are simply there serving time. They offer nothing and achieve little. But you do still need some of those old white men and I'll tell you why - they know where the keys are kept.
That's right, call it administrative memory or what you will. But these old timers know why something is done the way it's done and that can be very valuable information. It's valuable even if you want to challenge that very same information. It's better than stumbling around in the dark.
But I don't like the Greens and this issue is partly the reason why; they're really just socialists re-branded, Green is just a flag of convenience. The more they shoot themselves in the foot the faster voters can learn they're not to be trusted and move them out too.
March 20, 2018
Shane Jones vs Air NZ
And the winner is...Shane Jones. Air New Zealand, what a dud, how many times have they gone bust...hmm?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102424489/shane-jones-continues-war-of-words-with-air-nz-as-chairman-hits-back
I've got to applaud Shane Jones for trying.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102424489/shane-jones-continues-war-of-words-with-air-nz-as-chairman-hits-back
I've got to applaud Shane Jones for trying.
March 17, 2018
Why Westbrook Should Have Left OKC
Have a look at the following video from ESPN. It covers the same ground addressed by me in earlier posts to this blog, pointing out that the Thunder have traded and got little back in return. The argument here is that's because the owner is too tight. Westbrook if he had any sense would get himself to the Lakers and a bigger media market - Los Angeles
http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=22760850
http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=22760850
March 14, 2018
Sexual Assault Allegations and Labour
Not so good news, Labour are still at it. I'm talking about the latest sexual assault allegations surrounding a 'youth camp' held by the New Zealand Labour Party at Waihi in February of this year. A 20 year old man is alleged to have assaulted at least three teenage girls aged 16.
This is not the first time folks, but it is the first time the matter has gained mainstream media attention, likely because of the current climate which is spotlighting abuse such as this. When I first heard the latest news, I commented, 'I wonder if the person doing this was the son of someone important?'
I say that because Labour tried to keep a lid on it. It appears they put pressure on the girls to not make a police complaint, and not to go public. This kind of pressure is never overt; it is usually implied in statements around doing what the victim wants, and making counselling available. The implication is that any complaint could result in the victim also being labelled or judged.
Not good enough Labour. The 20 year old is a man, not a boy being silly or inappropriate on a school camp and requiring corrective action be taken. He's a sex offender, pure and simple.
Will this sink Labour? No. Should Labour own this and deal with it appropriately? Yes. Will they? Let's wait and see.
Meanwhile Don Brash, libertarian and former National and Act Party serial underachiever has questioned whether this matter is newsworthy; it led the news across NZ yesterday. You're wrong this time Brash; this is a lead item as Labour tried to cover it up.
March 04, 2018
NBA: OKC's Playoff Chances
I'm still not convinced the Oklahoma City Thunder will make the playoffs. They're just barely hanging on to fifth place in the western conference. The Clippers and the Jazz could easily qualify in the top 8, and the Pelicans, Timberwolves and Nuggets are playing well at the business end of the season. I put the patchy form of OKC down to the Carmelo Anthony factor.
March 02, 2018
Labour Will Not Ban Rodeo
Finally some sense. There has been a concerted campaign in New Zealand these last few months, from groups opposed to rodeo. This worked its way through to the NZ government, but they've put a stop to the idea - rodeo will not be banned.
Phew is all I can say. Rodeo is very popular amongst the rural community in NZ. The only criticism of it from me is that it's an American affectation, rather akin to tractor pulling. NZ has its own traditional activities; eventing (horses), sheep shearing, wood chopping, fencing (of the farm fence kind, not sword fighting though some do this too), ploughing, baking, sheep herding, and so on. But some enjoy rodeo and the events are places for the often isolated rural communities to come together.
This is a classic town vs country debate that has been ongoing for decades. When Labour are in government, town is usually in ascendancy. It looks like the current NZ Labour government want to stay in power for a long time, as any ban of rodeo would have seen a widespread 'nanny state' backlash that would have been disastrous.
Phew is all I can say. Rodeo is very popular amongst the rural community in NZ. The only criticism of it from me is that it's an American affectation, rather akin to tractor pulling. NZ has its own traditional activities; eventing (horses), sheep shearing, wood chopping, fencing (of the farm fence kind, not sword fighting though some do this too), ploughing, baking, sheep herding, and so on. But some enjoy rodeo and the events are places for the often isolated rural communities to come together.
This is a classic town vs country debate that has been ongoing for decades. When Labour are in government, town is usually in ascendancy. It looks like the current NZ Labour government want to stay in power for a long time, as any ban of rodeo would have seen a widespread 'nanny state' backlash that would have been disastrous.