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Five ways to get the person in the seat next to you to stop talking {Gadling}
Nov 24th 2009 10:30PM Window seat + sleep = WIN.
No one escapes Hogan's Heroes DVD mega-set {TV Squad}
Nov 18th 2009 9:05PM Another factor: Werner Klemperer (a Jew who escaped from the Nazis in 1935) only agreed to play Col. Klink on the condition that Klink HAD to be portrayed as a fool whose plans were never successful. I imagine that might have had something to do with the series pickup.
Galley Gossip: 5 tips for getting through airport security quickly {Gadling}
Nov 17th 2009 1:15PM I'd say the reverse is probably better advise - don't even think about moving up to the magnetometer until you see all of your possessions advance through the X-ray machine. Many TSA agents actually announce that instruction now (I suspect a liability issue at play?) but it's a wise precaution.
One thing I'd add to Heather's tips - if you're coming from/going to a colder climate and have bulky clothing on (a sweater, for example), be prepared for TSA to pat you down. You CAN opt to take your sweater off and run through the x-ray, but the pat-down is the faster option - and believe me, the TSA agent doesn't want to do it any more than you want it done to you.
@Johnny Jet - the shoe thing seems to vary by airport - some airports still like shoes in the bin. The best thing is to listen to the TSA barkers at the checkpoint - they'll tell you whether to keep shoes on the belt or put them in the bin.
One last thing - for anyone who travels with a computer frequently, I can't even begin to extol the virtues of an 'x-ray friendly' laptop bag. It seems like a small thing, but not having to take your computer out makes the checkpoint experience go much faster. I splurged on a Brenthaven bag with a 'butterfly' design, and even with the butterfly zipper open, I can still keep the bag on my shoulder while I ready my other items and then just lay it flat on the belt. On the other side, you just zip up and go. It's the little things...
Review: The Venture Bros. - The Revenge Society {TV Squad}
Nov 16th 2009 1:42PM Also, there's no chance that Sgt. Hatred's moment with Axe Body Spray was product placement, right? I mean, there was that Axe commercial in the immediate break...
On some other Adult Swim shows, I'd immediately assume it was a plug, but the fact that the next line was "...or it's CVS equivalent..." leads me to think Doc & Jackson were just referencing something familiar, much as they've done in the past - they've used "Fresca", "QuickTime", "Razzles" and other brand names in scripts without a hint of placement. They only tend to invent a product ("Busy Bee", for example) when it's integral to the plot.
Number one iPhone travel app developer announces TripDeck {Gadling}
Nov 13th 2009 1:28PM I love FlightTrack Pro, and I like the idea behind TripDeck (although doesn't TripIt's iPhone app already do most of this, albeit without the UI fanciness?), but given that I paid for FTPro, I'm not nuts about the idea of having to pay ANOTHER $10 for an app that doesn't add significant functionality.
NCIS's latest casting coup ... the Secretary of the Navy {TV Squad}
Nov 9th 2009 1:39PM Also, if memory serves, the SecNav character appeared on screen in last year's "Lee is a traitor" two-parter ("Cloak" and "Dagger", if memory serves). Granted, SecNav is a political appointment, and the person in the role could change, but NCIS has a history of making their universe fit reality as much as possible (ie: Kate used to be on W's protection detail).
Also, this wouldn't be the first time a major military figure appeared in a fictional TV show. Senior Air Force officers have appeared as themselves on "Stargate SG1".
Review: Stargate Universe - Earth {TV Squad}
Nov 7th 2009 4:49PM I'm not sure what this says about the episode in general, but my favorite moment in "Earth" was Eli identifying himself as "Phillip Fry" to his mother - Eli's a "Futurama" fan!
Travel professionals: stop going the extra mile {Gadling}
Nov 6th 2009 1:00PM This is dead on from the customer's perspective. A few years back I was flying from PHL to AUS (through O'Hare) to a conference; the outbound plane at PHL was delayed for repairs, and when it looked like I'd miss my Chicago connection (and a cancellation looked inevitable), I approached the gate agent. I politely mentioned that I had to be in AUS by a certain time; she answered back that she couldn't do anything until the flight was officially canceled, but she took my information and said she'd call me back up to the podium when she could act.
Fast forward about 90 minutes. The flight is officially canceled due to a mechanical. Everyone and their mother (literally) mob the podium to try and rebook. I patiently wait my turn while other passengers scream at the gate agent, hurling insults, threatening to complain to customer service, etc. I catch the GA's eye, and she asks me to step to the side while she helps a family of four rebook an unnecessarily complex itinerary to Salt Lake. 10 minutes later, she prints a set of boarding passes and hands them to me - she's rerouted me through DFW and upgraded me the whole way. She thanks me for my patience, I wish her good luck with the mob, and I'm on my way.
The moral of the story: the best thing you can do as a passenger is be nice to the gate agents and know when to step aside. You may be pleasantly surprised by the result.
Travel Channel to find new home {Gadling}
Nov 4th 2009 10:42PM The odd thing is that even though they were sold to Cox in 2008, Travel Channel still shares some production commonalities Discovery Communications' networks, including the format of the end credit roll. Hell, the Travel Channel logo still includes a spinning globe, which is the 'mark' of the Discovery networks.
TC belongs at Scripps, although I worry that some shows, like Man Vs. Food, will get poached for Food Network or cancelled outright for being too similar to existing Scripps properties.
Has Flight of the Conchords flown the coop? {TV Squad}
Nov 3rd 2009 8:09PM I'm a bit confused by all this - I read a long time back that FotC was ending at the end of season 2, so how is this news? (Also, the deportation at the end of the season finale sort of puts a kibosh on season 3.)
