Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2007 July 31

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July 31

TV shows

Why do TV shows quit on air?

Why do they stop making particular shows after many seasons? It's usually one of two reasons. Either the show is no longer popular and it's ratings are so low that the producers don't want to make it anymore. Or the producers and actors want to stop making it because they don't want to jump the shark. In other words, they want to go out while they're still on top. You may find the article on Nielsen Ratings interesting. Dismas|^(talk) 12:57, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

Also, actors tend to ask for more money each time they have a contract renewal, which reduces profits for the producers. -- Kainaw^(what?) 14:28, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

A show can be quite successful and still not make money. It costs a lot more to shoot on location in Hawaii than some reality show in a house. Gzuckier 14:37, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

Some shows just reach a "natural conclusion". A show about childhood tends to end when the major characters graduate, a show about a romance tends to end after the marriage (or maybe first kid), etc. Also, main characters sometimes retire or die, which is why they tend to use people in their 50's or 60's dressed up to look like they are in their 80's, as opposed to actually using actors in their 80's (with a few exceptions). Also, sometimes the kids just aren't cute any more. StuRat 04:32, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

I would respectfully disagree. All the shows you mentioned were cancelled because of low (or declining) ratings. They have indeed run their course, but not because of logical storytelling elements. Viewers have simply grown bored or tired of the show which equates to low ratings. Most shows are cancelled because of the networks, not producers. Low ratings means networks can't charge as much for advertising. Therefore they replace the low performing show with something that could attract more viewers. Vary rarely do the producers actually decide to stop production.

EZ rollers Short change

Where can I listen to EZ rollers - Short change its a great song that is in Gta 2.I have tried to look for it on the internet but couldnt find it 194.144.17.7 12:04, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

There are several links in the E-Z Rollers article. Their albums are widely available on Amazon for example, so I don't know why you can't find them. Don't forget the hyphen--Shantavira|^{feed me} 15:48, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

Girl Extras

While I was watching My Dog Skip (film), I noticed two girls in two different segments. One girl was in the first movie house segment. The other girl was in the baseball bleachers. They were never credited. Both were sitting next to Caitlin Wachs who was playing Rivers Applewhite. Who are the two starlets? If more information is available, please let me know. Thank you so very much.72.229.130.76 17:19, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

If they didn't have speaking parts, then they were almost certainly, as your title suggests, extras, and their names were probably never recorded. The assistant director would just say "OK, girl in blue, you sit there and look interested" and that was their five minutes of fame.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 17:44, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

It was in the first movie house segment that Rivers and the first girl were sharing a little giggle when Skip selected the seat followed by Willie. But in the baseball bleachers segment, the second girl looked over at Skip past Rivers.72.229.130.76 18:36, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

The imbd can be good for this sort of query. Any listed at that link? Lanfear's Bane

I checked, and the two starlets weren't there. I also tried to contact Warner Bros. about the same thing, but they never got back to me. Who would know?72.229.130.76 17:20, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

You apparently believe that someone keeps track of the extras in movies. They are just "extras". They release all rights of their likeness in the film and nobody keeps track of who they are. Your only chance of finding out who they are is to randomly see them some day, recognize them, and have them tell you that they were the extra in the film. -- Kainaw^(what?) 17:24, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

I don't know what they'd look like nowadays since it's been nearly a decade. Who would know who the two starlets are?72.229.130.76 19:39, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

I imagine there must be employment records, if checks were issued. They might not be listed with any particular film in those records, though. I suppose if the police had a warrant for those records to try to track down one (say she was recognized as being a missing child), then they might be able to eventually track them down, after a great deal of work. StuRat 04:24, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

Release dates on IMDB

On IMDB, the release date of films is always given for the Netherlands, even if that is not the country where it was first released. Why is that? DirkvdM 18:28, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

They know where you live. Also, the calls are coming from inside the house, get out now!! Seriously, though, they are probably using an algorithm that determines where your IP address is based - like this page. When I look up a movie, it gives me the US release date. --LarryMac | Talk 19:08, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

Ah, could have thought of that myself. Thanks. DirkvdM 06:26, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

And knowing who you are, they likely can recommend daytime showings at a theater near you (as you aren't burdened by employment). :-) StuRat 04:18, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

Ah, things change my friend. Well, I'm not employed in the sense that I receive wages, but the Dutch government has 'put me to work' in exchange for the allowance I receive (help, I am no longer a gentleman). I now work at a radio station, radio mArt, where I am to completely redo the design of the website and expand and maintain the content. And all that in just two days per week. But you should be able to see a sudden improvement somewhere during the next few weeks. It's in Dutch, though, but I might squeeze in an English section just for you. :)

But yes, daytime showings are often cheaper and less crowded and therefore preferable. I once even had a private showing (the lady at the ticket booth had to tell the operator to start the film after all). As befits a true gentleman. :) And coincidentally, the best theatre in Amsterdam (photograph courtesy of me) just happens to be the one nearest to where I live. How did you know that? DirkvdM 08:21, 4 August 2007 (UTC)

CBS film critic

Who is the film critic for the Early Show?

Ugh, I can't think of his name. But he sure gives a lot of good reviews to films that don't deserve them. Seems like any time you see something like "A lot of fun!" on a crappy movie, it's from that guy.--SeizureDog 03:23, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Sounds a bit David Manning. Lanfear's Bane

Well, if that could be the case, shouldn't the Early Show get it's own film critic? By the way, what did that David Manning, and the Early Show have to say about My Dog Skip (film)?

UK Rap Sample

Hi guys, I just heard this song, "Time 2 Rise" by Noxcuse on Channel U. It contains a sample of a song, a pretty well-known one but i jiust can't put my finger on what song it is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaQb2oOb8AY is the song on YouTube. Any help would be appreciated.83.58.107.81 20:30, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

To me it doesn't sound like a sample, but it sounds similar to Eminem's Sing for the Moment / Dream On (Aerosmith song).  slυмgυм [ ←→ ] 21:36, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for your help i think that's the one!83.58.107.81 00:33, 1 August 2007 (UTC)