I <3 Mayor Bee

Ese episodio tuvo 22 millones de televidentes. Se estrenó como una serie regular en abril y duró seis episodios hasta el final de temporada a mediados de mayo. La primera temporada tenía siete episodios, que presentaron a los personajes principales del show. La segunda temporada se inició el 23 de septiembre de 1999, y ha sufrido la competencia de otros espectáculos. Después de sólo dos episodios de la segunda temporada, Family Guy fue sacado de la programación y mostrado de manera irregular desde entonces. La serie regresó en marzo de 2000 para terminar transmitiendo la segunda temporada que contiene 21 episodios. La tercera temporada de 22 episodios se inicia el 11 de julio de 2001.

Durante su segunda y tercera temporada, Fox trasladó con frecuencia el espectáculo a distintos días y franjas horarias, con poco o ningún aviso y, en consecuencia, el rating de la serie se vio afectado. Cuando Padre de familia fue mostrado en el Reino Unido y cuando se lanzó el DVD el 12 de noviembre de 2001, los primeros siete episodios de la segunda temporada se incluyeron en la primera temporada, manteniendo un equilibrio entre ellas, con 14 episodios cada una.

Hubo un gran debate y corrió el rumor durante la segunda y tercera temporadas de Family Guy acerca de si sería cancelado o renovado. Fox anunció públicamente que el programa había sido cancelado al final de la segunda temporada. En un intento de convencer a Fox para renovar la serie, los fanáticos consternados crearon páginas de Internet, firmaron peticiones, escribieron cartas; algunos incluso enviaron pañales y alimentos para bebés reales a la red para salvar a Stewie.

Un cambio en el poder en Fox dio lugar a la creación de trece nuevos episodios que forman la base de la tercera temporada. Siendo conscientes de la incertidumbre sobre futuro del show, los escritores hicieron referencia a esta incertidumbre en varios episodios, específicamente en The Thin White Line, donde Fox deja decir la palabra “fuck” (a las 15.55 en el episodio), por primera vez, sin que sea tapada por un ruido de fondo como una campana. Fue tapada por un pitido, por supuesto.

Durante la tercera temporada, Fox anunció que Padre de familia fue cancelado para siempre.

Video de los mejores momentos de Padre de familia

The Campaign for Liberty's Shadow Republican Convention is moving on up - to the Target Center! I'm so excited for all of us, and if I wasn't moving so close to the date, you bet I'd be there. I expect our revolution to light up Minnesota (to be clear, that's a metaphor).

My favorite part of the article linked above was where Paulites were described as "loud and sometimes rowdy, usually young, sign-waving blimp renters." They might as well have called us 'wacky, waving, inflatable, arm-flailing tube men.' I guess there are worse insults...

Whatever his strategy, Dr. Paul moved liberty from an ignored concept to a ridiculed concept. So, according to Schopenhauer, we're on the map! Now, we must face violent opposition, and finally acceptance. I sure hope I live to see that last one.

P.S. Did you hear Dr. Paul just received a huge advance for his memoirs? Congratulations, Doc; you deserve it.

Babada pupi

"What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a... ?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation; 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants - ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'

Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations' and great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates?' Think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts 'Associate Research Assistants.'

There is a baby on the show that talks like an adult. In this episode he had a flash-back of himself playing a basketball pick-up game on an outside court... He tripped one of the players going to the hoop.. and told him that he needed to back to his mommy and that this was his house... and nobody can mess with him on the court... I assumed the guy walked off the court... That one scene got me hooked on Family Guy.. I could not have have imagined that a cartoon would make me laugh so hard...

Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I brought Daddy a little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home.

My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!' My Mom waited, and sure enough, I walked down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she watched him drink it up.

Then she said, (as only a mother would know) "Did it ever occur to you that the only place that your daughter can reach to get water is the toilet?"

Arnel Pineda? I don't think so. Don't Stop Believin'

Yes....that's Stewie from Family Guy on this gentleman's throat (sighs).

More here.

Poster del capítulo de Padre de Familia - Star Wars

noun:
1. Soft, wet, miry land that shakes or yields under the feet.
2. A difficult or precarious position or situation; a predicament.

Quagmire is from quag, a dialectical variant of quake (from Old English cwacian) + mire, from Old Norse myrr, “a swamp.”

Increasing our vocabulary one day at a time, gigitty gigitty goo!!

"How are you, darling?" it said. "What kind of a day are you having?"

"Oh, mother," said the housewife, breaking into bitter tears, "I've had such a bad day. The baby won't eat and the washing machine broke down. I haven't had a chance to go shopping, and besides, I've just sprained my ankle and I have to hobble around. On top of that, the house is a mess and I'm supposed to have two couples over for dinner tonight."

The mother was shocked and was at once all sympathy.

"Oh, darling," she said, "sit down, relax, and close your eyes. I'll be over in half an hour. I'll do your shopping, clean up the house, and cook your dinner for you. I'll feed the baby and I'll call a repairman I know who'll be at your house to fix the washing machine promptly. Now stop crying. I'll do everything. In fact, I'll even call George at the office and tell him he ought to come home and help out for once."

"George?" said the housewife. "Who's George?"

"Why, George! Your husband! ... Isn't this 223-1374?"

"No, this is 232-1374."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I have the wrong number."

There was a short pause and the housewife said,

"Does this mean you're not coming over?"

They wanted a thoroughly professional job, so they hired an experienced biographer to research and write it. They warned him there'd be one problem - Uncle Willie, the black sheep of the family, who had gone to the electric chair for murder.

The biographer assured them that he could get around that difficulty with a little creative writing: "I'll just say that Uncle Willie occupied a chair of applied electricity at one of our leading government institutions. He was attached to his position by the strongest of bonds. His death came as a true shock."

As most of you may already know, Fox has created a Family Guy spinoff featuring Peter's neighbor Cleveland. The show is set to debut mid-season, or summer, 2009. 

Since announcing the spinoff, Fox has been both questioned and criticized for Cleveland's voice being provided by a white actor, Mike Henry. Henry, who is also the voice of characters Herbert and Greased Up Deaf Guy, has been a main factor behind Cleveland becoming so popular.

Nia Long (Lisa from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air), Sanaa Lathan, and Kevin Michael Richardson will voice the other main characters. Each of these actors is African American, and Fox blatantly stated their casting choices were not a result of the backlash to Henry's portrayal of Cleveland. Nia Long will portray Cleveland's step daughter, Lathan his wife, and Richardson will play Lester, called a 'redneck' by Fox. Kevin Reilly, Fox's chief of programming said it was important "to make an ethnically diverse show in front of and behind the camera, which we are."

I'm just happy to know the cast and who will be playing who. It's also nice to see a show with a diverse cast on one for the major networks that should immediately have a pretty large and dedicated audience.

Take for instance getting on the bus. I arrive each morning to the
Northgate Park & Ride (thanks to Morgan's advice this is much better than the Northgate transit center - small wording change, big difference in the number of people). It’s usually just after 7 when I join the group or sometimes stand there with the few who missed the last bus. Usually, a line starts to form to one side... except for those few who find it their duty to "wander" all the way into the crowd, completely disregarding the line. Now, I'm ok with the little old lady having problems walking, but the young dudes? Come on, there's a line!
The arrival of the bus and everyone's a flutter - finding their tickets (some $1.75 in nickels) and getting into battle formation to be the first on the bus. You think cutting in line is bad at an amusement park with teenagers? Try a King County bus! Being the ever aware, I pay attention to who was there first, and figure, they should be allowed on first and so forth. Not so for most passengers, if you’re early its no different than if you arrived at the last minute. The boarding line is fair game. And at this point in the buses route, its usually empty enough for the 10-15 people gathered to all get a seat (though not necessarily the preferable forward facing ones). At first I thought, this is silly, I'll just not push and get on just fine. Then I realized, you end up in the seat next to the fat &/or smelly person. I have learned to be ok with sitting sideways or sitting in the middle part of the bus that turns.

I see many of the same faces in the morning, the gay-Andy Bernard w/ his crazy color ties, button down shirt and pants that are too tight and too short, the lady with the legs so white I stared for a whole 3 minutes trying to determine if she was wearing white tights or not and of course, lets not forget the guy with the Louis Vuitton man purse (too small for a laptop, too big to be a wallet). Yes there are some normal people, and those who work at WaMu as well... all are interesting and I like to steal glances at those around between pages of my book.

Now that we are all settled on the bus, we make a few more stops and fill up whatever seats remain before all hell breaks loose at the transit center. There some 40 passengers "patiently" wait in line for the next bus. I'm not really sure what goes on in the bus driver’s mind sometimes. This dude/dudette drives a bus that comes every 4 minutes. Yes, that's right folks, 4 min. Not 10, not 30 - 4. Not exactly a long lapse of time. But EVERY time, he attempts to get those 40 waiting passengers onto the standing room only bus. Except for those middle of the bus turny seats, or the seat in the middle back - I've seen people choose to stand in 4" heels rather than sit in those. So there the rest of us sit, waiting, seeing butts and bags shuffle past our faces, ducking to miss the elbows - as the bus driver tells everyone to push back. People looking perplexed as there usually is no where else to push. But he lets the passengers keep boarding so that they are standing near the door, past that "do not cross" yellow line. By the time he finally turns someone away, the next bus (the same bus line) is behind us!! Really, did we need to load down like this? It definitely makes the bus go slower and inevitably that bus that pulled up behind us will pass us on the freeway and all those anxious pushy people will have made it there first. Where, I ask, is the logic in all this?

We have finally made it to the freeway. I'm grateful, as I usually pick those high up seats where my feet don't quite touch and the turns make it difficult for me to stay put. But by this point, I'm reading and the ride is decently pleasant. On the way to work, people are quiet and the only noise is the bus and those few who want to make sure they are deaf by the time they are 25. Rides home on the other hand, people must be awake and desperate to talk about their days. The 2 16-year-old discussing their friends' sex life, the girlfriend talking non-stop (she actually got to the point of describing all the items on her sandwich that day, the boyfriend didn't look amused and neither was I, her voice was extremely grating and loud, I heard her as she continued rambling on long after we got off the bus), or the young boys making a ruckus as they yell and then push their way off the bus... all the "pleasantries" I enjoy on the bus ride home. But the worst of all are the homeless people. Now I understand, for homeless, it’s a suitable way to get around downtown - ride free and its out of the elements... but to ride the bus from downtown to the 'burbs (or vice versa), seems incredulous to me. There were the 2 dudes who sat in the back, doing something unpleasant, causing 2 ladies to find new seats (even taking the middle bus ones), and then proceeding to tell everyone to close the windows - hot boxing with homeless stench - great. Today’s ride had to take the cake though. This morning as I sat between a nerdy dude and an Asian girl who looked like she was 12, I thought, oh, this guy smells a little, great, I sat next to smelly guy. Little did I know the who would soon be in the back? Older, definitely dirty and looking oh, so unhealthy, he reeked. Not just sweaty gross... but peeing pants gross. Yes, the smell of nerdy dude was far surpassed by the stench of urine. After watching a few people rub their noses at the foul stench, a man finally opened a window during the 20mph crawl on the freeway. I'm surprised that everybody didn't cheer, like in ‘What About Bob?’, when this guy got off... but they didn't, they just started breathing again.

Finally, arriving at the end of my journey, there is still the disembarking line up, which is just as competitive as the boarding. People stand up long before the stop is reached, swaying with the bus as they hold onto that precious spot in line. I can’t say that I’m not just as ready to get off the bus, and I've learned the only reason I really care to get off earlier (that's what...), is to catch the cross walk signal, which comes quite infrequently (again, that’s… ). Riding the bus with Morgan, he confirmed what I hated most about it and I was glad to realize I wasn’t the only person out there who thought the bus etiquette was sorely lacking. While, yes, the bus is cheap and convenient, all the crap that goes along with it really grinds my gears.

At this point in our lives (meaning NOT in college anymore) after a full day of drinking you can usually bet and win on a pretty slow if not passed out evening.  Honestly, there are only a few times a year when I can actually keep it going for a 14-16 hour binge, this was one of those events.  Now most of what transpired after the Reds game is a bit blurry so I’ll do the best I can.  We get back to Brumballs.  I can remember some people taking showers and getting ready, the Ohio State vs. Michigan game from last year on the TV and another round of bowling on the front porch while liberally setting of both roman candles and bottle rockets (in broad daylight).  Next thing I know there are multiple dips on the dining room table, pastel shirts everywhere with people I barely know, cheeseburgers already grilled, and word that Guddle is on his way from Columbus.  Really a lot had gone on that I didn’t realize (or was too 'tipsy' to understand).

 A fish called Guddle rolls up and immediately garners the title of ‘Olympic Trials Swimming Gambling Advisor’.  If this was some devious plan to get us watching swimming, well sign me up, those races were better than the first 3 rounds of the NBA playoffs in terms of gambling.  Wagers were placed on each race, this entailed Guddle telling us who will win and then someone getting ‘suckered’ into betting the field (Guddle’s advice was ALWAYS take the favorite; I guess if you are the best, you should win almost every time in swimming).  Well I took the field twice, over Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin, up $15 after all is said and done, I guess I can pay a cover to a bar in NYC now.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching the races though, it was exciting to watch 41-year old Dara Torres win the 100 free over swimmers who weren’t even born for her first Olympic appearance (even if she will definitely get busted for steroids in the months leading up to the games).  Now I don’t know at what point you cross into ‘debatable gambling problem’ but Olympic trials?  Not since regular season baseball lines has there been any more of a crapshoot for amateur gamblers (I mean in MLB baseball every game is +/- 1.5 and the best teams still lose 60 games a year).

The next occurrence that garners mentioning brings us to an ‘L’ squad staple.  Whenever, and I mean 100% of the time, a group of people we don’t know or feel comfortable around (i.e. parents, older people in general, respectable women, 5^th years, you get the idea), the ‘L’ squad will invariably find some dank, out of the way corner of the bar, basement, or a lonely table in a far corner of the house we are in.  This will then lead to a minimum of 60 minutes of what one could call ‘heavy’ drinking.  This use to involve playing some sort of quarters driven game (anchorman, 5 cup, spinny mug, etc.).  Generally the idea is to post up in a spot and not leave until you felt drunk enough to not feel out of place. 

As you can imagine, I snap back into consciousness in the basement by a pool table and a well stocked bar, obviously it's in the basement.  The most obvious part is the lack of anyone else, and Suncle creating a shot that is God-awful, but effective (and delicious at the time).  This night it happens to be the ‘oogely googley’ (said in an extremely slurred voice).  As I recall the shot was nothing more than Beam and sour mix (with a heavy dose of Beam), served by an angry, drunk Sunc.  As people would stop by the basement bar, we charged a ‘cover’ of taking one of these shots or become ridiculed until you leave.  This tended to do the job, most of the crowd just took a look at the squad engaging in these shots, felt better about their own lives, and proceeded to leave.  A few young ladies (who I don’t think anyone at Brumballs knew) attempted to take the shots but could only muster the strength to take a sip, the shots were not completed, and the girls did not hear the end of it.  They leave.

The culmination brings us center stage at the Haufbrau House in Newport, KY.  I think most of the party rolls there so we are about 30-40 deep outside in the beer garden.  I am attempting to piece together events, but mostly I am going off of the pictures on facebook.  The main attraction was the simple fact that anytime someone saw another member of our group you would yell to them:  ‘HAW HAW!’ and then immediately get a response of ‘HAW HAW!’ followed by an always increasingly aggressive cheers of the mugs.  I am going to put the over/under on broken mugs at 6.5.  The one moment I remember is this completely dejected bar back witnessing this occurrence and muttering in a completely monotone voice (to someone who was blacked out no doubt), ‘Excuse me, please do not drink out of that mug you might cut yourself.  Here is a trash can, please throw away the mug.’  His job then entailed picking up the rest of the broken mug and throwing it away for us.  If that wasn’t bad enough he even fetched a couple of the girls a free beer because they weren’t at fault.  This ‘HAW HAW!’ing went on legitimately the whole time we were at the Haufbrau, somewhere Peter Griffin is happy he became a pirate…

P.S. here is a link to the Family Guy episode that was the inspiration for the haw haw’ing, skip ahead to 4:30 in…

http://www.hulu.com/watch/18951/family-guy-long-john-peter

[Link]

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A “Family Guy” spinoff show featuring the character of Cleveland Brown is mixing up its voice cast, ethnically speaking.

Mike Henry, who is white, will continue to provide the voice for Cleveland on Fox’s new animated series. Joining Henry in the cast will be black actors Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long and Kevin Michael Richardson, the network announced Monday.

Fox programming chief Kevin Reilly said the casting wasn’t provoked by ribbing the network has taken for a black role voiced by a white actor.

Lathan will play Cleveland’s wife, Donna, while Long will voice the character of rebellious stepdaughter Roberta. In a colorblind casting move, Richardson will play the part of Lester, described as a “redneck.”

“Cleveland” follows the Browns as they move to Cleveland’s Virginia hometown and encounter neighbors including Lester, a family of bears and a British family enamored with the Victorian era, Fox said.

The show is set for a 2009 debut.

heads up : street knowledge