Follow regarding the sex ed rant earlier, this was found in people magazine (here)
(SP is Palin)
"People: Has this changed how you talk about sex with your other children?
SP: I've always been a proponent of making sure kids understand – even in schools – they'd better take preventative measures so that they don't find themselves in these less than ideal circumstances. Perhaps Bristol could be a good example to other young women that life happens and preventative measures are, first and foremost, the option that should be considered –
People: Do you mean abstinence or contraception?
SP: Well, both. Ideally abstinence. But we have not been ones to say that students, should not know what preventive measures are all about. I've been taken aback by some criticism that mainstream media has thrown my way saying, Oh, what a hypocrite she is and she's now learned her lesson because she's been against sex education in the schools. And I'm like, when? Where? When have I ever said that there should be no sex education taught in our homes or even in our schools?"
10.23.2008
10.10.2008
How I'd fix Knight Rider
Like a glutton for punishment, I keep watching the new Knight Rider hoping that it'll get better. Why? Nostalgia for the past, perhaps. Wanting some mindless popcorn show (if you don't know what that means, ask Roger Ebert). Regardless, the show can do better.
First off, I'd ditch their reliance on the "KittCave." Now, I'm not saying that the cave itself is a bad idea, but so far they've returned to it several times an episode. It's like they can't have a mission that's farther than 100 miles from LAX (or wherever the undisclosed airport is). That was part of the appeal of the original series, that Michael was on his own. Related to that, note to bad guys (who are apparently technically sophisticated): keep an eye on the spy satellites and find the hangar that a black mustang keeps going in and out of.
Now, I thought the C-130 was a great spin on the semi from the original series, but they should bring the semi back. The C-130 is too impractical to always use for remote launches, and not exactly inconspicuous. Make the semi (and possibly even the C-130) a mobile KittCave. Also, KITT should not be spinning out everytime he pulls out of the plane. Think of the tires! Is it so hard to go the same direction? What a waste of kinetic energy.
Related to the KittCave and the team concept that appears to be working at the moment, Michael Knight should work alone. I'm not opposed to Sarah accompanying him on missions, and the tension there is fun, but this constant viewscreen crap is just that. First, its creepy that the driver and passenger can be watched at any time. Second, it's a great example of distracted driving and someone is going to get killed. Move the display to the center console like the movie.
The viewscreen gives me a chance to transition to my other peeve: KITT. Look, I get that he's a supercar. But he can do too much. We run the risk of what I'll call Superman syndrome. What's that you ask? Simply put: what can't Superman do. In the Golden Age of Comics, Superman turned back time and moved the sun. Suddenly, thug robbing bank is pretty insignificant. I'm all for cool new technology. Heck, I even let the transforming into a truck slide (although conservation of mass suggests that it should be a regular cab, not an extended cab). Hacking into a satellite, fine. Hearing a conversation over the next hill, less plausible. Embedded screen on the hood, fine. Creating a duplicate of a key which likely requires an RFID to work, um, no.
While I'm at it, why does everything have to be a voice command with KITT. Sure, that's cool and all, but let's say Sarah and Michael are both sitting in the car, is there a hierarchy of command in that case? Is someone calling from the KittCave able to activate it? Is it so darn hard to push a button! And a pet peeve: It's Pursuit Mode, not Attack Mode. KITT doesn't attack, he chases really fast. (I'd let Assault Mode slide, but not Attack)
Now, I don't have a problem with a team backing up Michael. To a point. If it's an opportunity to mix and match who goes with on a mission, great. If it's to provide childish or teenage humor, not so much. The original show wasn't a comedy, don't make this into one. And what's with the mysterious guy from DHS/FBI/I'm not sure. In the pilot they make it out to be a partnership with the FBI and Knight Industries. Suddenly, Michael is taking orders because he has to for no apparent reason. I can only hope the show gets awesome when Michael turns on him.
Like I mentioned before the show's plot needs work. Michael's past could be interesting, but not required every week, unless that's what the show wants to focus on. I don't need a perv (sorry, Billy), or a tease (sorry girl who teases Billy whose name I don't remember). Do your job, and if there's a chance to inject personality, we'll get there. I like girls in bikinis as much as the next guy, but that's not a plot. It's scenery.
Call me Hollywood, I'll help save the show.
First off, I'd ditch their reliance on the "KittCave." Now, I'm not saying that the cave itself is a bad idea, but so far they've returned to it several times an episode. It's like they can't have a mission that's farther than 100 miles from LAX (or wherever the undisclosed airport is). That was part of the appeal of the original series, that Michael was on his own. Related to that, note to bad guys (who are apparently technically sophisticated): keep an eye on the spy satellites and find the hangar that a black mustang keeps going in and out of.
Now, I thought the C-130 was a great spin on the semi from the original series, but they should bring the semi back. The C-130 is too impractical to always use for remote launches, and not exactly inconspicuous. Make the semi (and possibly even the C-130) a mobile KittCave. Also, KITT should not be spinning out everytime he pulls out of the plane. Think of the tires! Is it so hard to go the same direction? What a waste of kinetic energy.
Related to the KittCave and the team concept that appears to be working at the moment, Michael Knight should work alone. I'm not opposed to Sarah accompanying him on missions, and the tension there is fun, but this constant viewscreen crap is just that. First, its creepy that the driver and passenger can be watched at any time. Second, it's a great example of distracted driving and someone is going to get killed. Move the display to the center console like the movie.
The viewscreen gives me a chance to transition to my other peeve: KITT. Look, I get that he's a supercar. But he can do too much. We run the risk of what I'll call Superman syndrome. What's that you ask? Simply put: what can't Superman do. In the Golden Age of Comics, Superman turned back time and moved the sun. Suddenly, thug robbing bank is pretty insignificant. I'm all for cool new technology. Heck, I even let the transforming into a truck slide (although conservation of mass suggests that it should be a regular cab, not an extended cab). Hacking into a satellite, fine. Hearing a conversation over the next hill, less plausible. Embedded screen on the hood, fine. Creating a duplicate of a key which likely requires an RFID to work, um, no.
While I'm at it, why does everything have to be a voice command with KITT. Sure, that's cool and all, but let's say Sarah and Michael are both sitting in the car, is there a hierarchy of command in that case? Is someone calling from the KittCave able to activate it? Is it so darn hard to push a button! And a pet peeve: It's Pursuit Mode, not Attack Mode. KITT doesn't attack, he chases really fast. (I'd let Assault Mode slide, but not Attack)
Now, I don't have a problem with a team backing up Michael. To a point. If it's an opportunity to mix and match who goes with on a mission, great. If it's to provide childish or teenage humor, not so much. The original show wasn't a comedy, don't make this into one. And what's with the mysterious guy from DHS/FBI/I'm not sure. In the pilot they make it out to be a partnership with the FBI and Knight Industries. Suddenly, Michael is taking orders because he has to for no apparent reason. I can only hope the show gets awesome when Michael turns on him.
Like I mentioned before the show's plot needs work. Michael's past could be interesting, but not required every week, unless that's what the show wants to focus on. I don't need a perv (sorry, Billy), or a tease (sorry girl who teases Billy whose name I don't remember). Do your job, and if there's a chance to inject personality, we'll get there. I like girls in bikinis as much as the next guy, but that's not a plot. It's scenery.
Call me Hollywood, I'll help save the show.
