Usually, after the double-two-hour season openers of 24, they take it slow with hour five. But this year, they gave us some action, some reveals and one classic Bauer beatdown.
Year: 2007
Lookout Elvis!
So while doing some random surfing, I noticed that the US Postal Service is scheduled to introduce postage stamps commemorating Marvel Super Heroes.
As a fan, former collector and disgruntled stockholder, I think this is pretty cool–especially using the so-called Golden Age artwork and earliest versions of some of the characters.
Although the comics geek in me has two minor issues:
-While Wolverine remains one of the most popular X-Men, he wasn’t around for X-Men issue 1.
-I really didn’t know that Spider-Woman and Elektra (mediocre Jennifer Garner movie notwithstanding) were all that popular.
Now that I think about it, if they really wanted to get the attention of comics fans, they’d have multiple versions of each stamp, in varying chromium covers, wrapped in plastic selling for five dollars each.
Wholesome 24 Reading
The first edition of the Season Six Carnival of Bauer is now up.
How do you follow that up?
For those of you keeping score:
24: 2
Sledge Hammer!: 1
Jack’s Sixth Day
Today begins the sixth longest (in no particular order) day of Jack Bauer’s life.
Two things were different for me with this season premiere of 24. For all the years I’ve been watching the show, this is the first time I’ve seen a season opener live. Also, it’s the first time I’ve seen the show in HD, which, I have to admit is nice.
I’m glad FOX is continuing with airing the first two hours one night with the second two the following night. It spoils viewers for the rest of the season, but it also starts things off nicely for those of us who have gone seven months without a new episode of 24. While it was seven months for us, I bet it felt longer for those stuck in a Chinese prison.
Videos for nothing, Clips for free
After looking promising, the prospects for the concept of “music television” are bleak again, especially if you live in Columbus.
Actually, it’s been a few months coming, as my one-time favorite channel VH1 Classic has resorted to playing Flashdance 15 times a week.
But the straw that broke the camel’s back was the recent decision by the Columbus Fox affiliate to drop The Tube as it’s secondary digital channel. Apparently, the move was made because The Tube didn’t meet some new FCC requirement where all digital secondary channels had to carry the Emergency Broadcast System and carry three hours of educational hours per week.
Now, if I want random music videos on in the background, I have to either watch VH1 Classic the three hours a day they aren’t playing a documentary about Metallica or tune into MTV before the crack of dawn.
Thanks, FCC!
How to Talk Like Jack
The start of the sixth season is less than a week away and the King is getting ready.
I wholeheartedly endorse the recognition of January 15 as Talk Like Jack Bauer Day.
A Day That Will Live In Infamy
Thirty-four years ago today, my close, personal friend*, George Steinbrenner purchased the New York Yankees from the CBS media empire.
Steinbrenner didn’t keep his word of sticking “with building ships.” Steinbrenner purchased a team that had been neglected by its owners and (with help in the front office and the field) turned the franchise around to make the Yankees a team to be resepected in the late 70s.
While his actions and personnel moves in the 80s ranged between questionable and downright wrong, he paid the price on two fronts–the Yankees had their worst seasons ever (and I was at the stadium for many of those games) and he received a life suspension**.
The suspension of the early 90s allowed cooler heads to change the pace and priorities for the Yankees. This culminated in the dynasty of the late 90s, and led the path for the success of the Yankees to this day. Yes, they haven’t won a Worlds Series in six years, but they’ve never not been in contention. While some of Steinbrenner’s moves and actions may have been done for the “glorification of his massive ego,” unlike some other owners, he has always put everything into giving Yankee fans the team they deserve.
Over the past year, Steinbrenner has moved into more of a supporting role, letting General Manager Brian Cashman call the shots. Cashman has already erased some of the more questionable moves made recently and equipped the Yankees for the future.
Were Steinbrenner still running the Yankees like he did 20 years ago, I would not be writing this kindly about his ownership. And we don’t know how much longer his ownership will continue. But there’s nobody*** I’d rather see as owner of the Yankees.
*I have a signed letter from him, sending me his “Best Regards”
** Lifetime=Three years, give or take a few months
***Other than myself