You remember that piece I did a couple weeks or so ago on how the media CEOs were giving us clouds of rose-colored smoke and mirrors in their optimistic projections of the future? And how I went off on Murdoch and Moonves for not seeing the handwriting on the wall? Well, I’m not alone in the pessimistic projections–dig the word:
“The financial implosion occurring on Wall Street will hit Madison Avenue by 2009 with a force that will take down some media companies and prompt many to seek financial relief in digital interactive solutions,” MediaPost.com editor-at-large Diane Mermigas predicted Thursday. She cited respected RGE Monitor economist Nouriel Roubini who recently warned of an 18-month recession in which stocks and housing will fall 40 percent even as corporate debt climbs, banks fail, and the FDIC goes bust trying to cover insured accounts. “This will inevitably lead to companies reducing expenses, including their advertising and marketing budgets,” Mermigas predicted. She cited a study by TNS Media Intelligence that spending by advertisers in the second quarter, even before the current financial crisis hit, was down 3.7 percent from last year, the steepest quarterly drop since 2001.
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Last week I expressed concern that It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia might be flagging a bit. Even though all the puzzle pieces seemed to be there, the magic formula that made the show so funny just wasn’t there.
My fears were somewhat alleviated by this week’s episodes, “America’s Next Top Paddy’s Billboard Model Contest” and “Mac’s Banging the Waitress.” While neither reached the heights of some of the show’s earlier 
classics, such as “Frank Sets Sweet Dee On Fire,” they were much funnier than the first two. Perhaps the show is, once again, hitting its stride.
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Daniel James, CEO of Three Rings Studios. has a post up on Penny Arcade on that most fascinating of topics, digital rights management.
That’s a lie, of course. Copy protection is snoozingly boring, and I’m guessing that the public’s interest is much lower than the amount of column inches that bloggers devote to it. On the flip side, Daniel James is a man who dresses like a pirate to work because it’s his company and he can dress however he feels like, so just on that alone you at least have to at least hear him out.
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The word is coming down from above that, due to expanding price structures and a lousy economy and the need to cover stock options that prices at the popular chain store will have to go up. Here’s the word from Studio Briefing:
Blockbuster plans to focus on in-store sales and rentals and is likely to boost prices to support store refurbishments and increased stock that will cost it some $20 million, Blockbuster CFO Thomas Casey has told a consumer conference in New York. “It’s reasonable and fair to understand that for what costs us more money, we should charge more,” he said. As reported by Video Business on its website, Casey indicated that a large percentage of new revenue will come from increasing rental fees for Blu-ray discs. “You have to figure out new ways to be fully in stock on Blu-ray because of the [higher] wholesale price,” he said.
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Advent Rising is the first part of the trilogy that never was. The story was co-written by Orson Scott Card, the writer of Ender’s Game. A well written and well made game, it never sold enough copies to merit the then planned sequels. Read more…
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After its return from the strike, The Office had a few lackluster episodes that worried me. After four strong seasons, was it beginning to lose its magic?
Turns out: nope. SPOILERS FOLLOW!
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The following dogs won this weekend: Oregon State, Maryland, Mississippi, Michigan, Navy and Houston. Oh yea, I forgot to add Fresno (you know, the Bulldogs).
The following dogs lost this weekend: Georgia ( the “other” Bulldogs).
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Ever since Michael Lohan, the patron of the Lohan tribe, entered the public eye due to that good old paternity scandal, the reason behind Lindsay Lohan’s behavior has become abundantly clear. “Daddy issues” might be a cliché, but it’s a cliché because it’s true. Michael is insufferable.
According to a “source,” Lindsay is “taking out an order of protection. He’s behaving so erratically that she’s terrified he’ll do something to her. She’s contacted her lawyer to arrange this.” The same source claims that sister Ali and mom Dina already have restraining orders against him.
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Remember that famous Lucille Ball story where she claimed to be receiving radio transmissions through her fillings? FYI, MythBusters tested that one and figured out that it was highly unlikely. I know nobody wants to call Lucille Ball crazy - or worse, a liar - but not only do fillings fail to pick up radio signals, the chances that your brain would be able to translate those signals into sounds are remote.
Plus, the FBI doesn’t appear to have any records of what Lucille claims to have done - discovered a secret Japanese radio station through her fillings.
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Some would say World of Warcraft is all about having the best stuff: The best gear, the best guild, the best PVP rating.
For those of you who include “the best mounts” in your endless pursuit of perfection, the expansion is going to have some new goals for you.
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