Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2011 February 7

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February 7

Scoring a single in Canadian football

Although I've read single (football), my American mind can't quite grasp the way in which it's scored. I understand that a single is scored if a field goal falls short, lands in the end zone, and bounces goes out the back, but that's the only bit that I'm confident about. What about a punt — if a punt is caught in the end zone and the receiver takes a knee, is that a touchback like in American football, or is that a single? Finally, would someone please try to provide a few simple examples (hopefully comparable to scenarios in American football) of other ways that singles could be scored? Nyttend (talk) 05:32, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

The touchback does not exist in Canadian football. Any kicking play (kickoff, punt, or FG attempt) where the receiver is tackled or kneels within his own end zone scores a single. The idea is that a kick that doesn't score a field goal should almost always be followed by a runback, which can be an exciting play because the players are spread out that the kick returner may be able to gain considerable yardage. (Note that Canadian football also doesn't have the fair catch rule, instead requiring the kicking team's players to stay back 5 yards from the player catching the kick.) Unfortunately, today the receiving team often prefers to kneel and concede the single point, so we don't see so many runbacks after failed FG attempts. In my opinion the line of scrimmage following a single should be changed to about the 5-yard line of the receiving team. --Anonymous, 07:54 UTC, February 7, 2011.

In effect, a single is recorded any time the ball is kicked into the opposite end zone and is not brought out by the receiving team. It can be on a punt or on a field goal attempt, but not on a kick-off. A missed field goal does not result in a single if the ball fails to reach the end zone. The receiving team can also kick the ball out of the end zone instead of running it out if it doesn't want to concede the single point; because such a kick usually results in great field position for the original kicking team, this option is only used when time is running out and the single point is crucial to the final score. Typically, most singles are recorded on missed field goals that end up in the stands or in the netting behind the end zone, however. --207.236.147.118 (talk) 15:35, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

There is one exception, I believe -- you don't get a single if a kickoff goes through the end zone. But otherwise, you basically get a point if you force the other team to take a touchback on a kicking play. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 01:08, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Mw is right and 207.236 is wrong -- you can indeed score a single on a kickoff. The exception that you don't get one if the ball goes clear through the end zone (when on other kicking plays, you would) has never made sense to me. --Anonymous, 09:08 UTC, February 8, 2011.

Query about The Way Back movie

In the film The Way Back, the Ed Harris character appears to pour something he's freshly molten into his boot, or down a hole in its lining at least. It's never referred to again, so I'd like to know what he's doing and why? Thanks. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Theediscerning (talk • contribs) 16:56, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

It's not gold or some other precious metal? Gold melts at quite a low temperature, and shoes are commonly used for hiding valuables. Maybe someone who's read the book knows more. --Colapeninsula (talk) 16:58, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

I've not seen the movie, but could it perhaps be gold dust rather than molten gold? Gold dust was commonly used as a means of transporting and storing gold, since it could more easily be molded to various containers than could buillion bricks or coins... --Jayron32 17:45, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Well it did appear to be metallic, but I wouldn't have thought pouring it direct into a boot one was still wearing was completely sensible, even though forced to do it in secrecy. It's not just what he was doing, but the frustration of it never appearing anywhere else in the film... — Preceding unsigned comment added by Theediscerning (talk • contribs) 09:27, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Off speaker Super Bowl Chrysler Commercial?

Hi, I am wondering who's the off speaker of the chrysler commercial with Eminem aired at the Super Bowl 2011. Here the link to the video. His voice is impressive and I think that he's more or less famous for it. If so, can you name him? --Pilettes (talk) 23:31, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

It's Kevin Yon from Rockford, Michigan, according to the Detroit Free Press. ---Sluzzelin talk 23:52, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Ah, that was quick. Danke schön! :) --Pilettes (talk) 13:07, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Identify old instrament

I am looking for a catalog that will help me identify my very old mandolin/banjo. It has no markings of any kind. It has 17 fret bars 8 string short neck. I am looking to see if I can fine and identify the inlay,neck top cut and bass cut and style. Can you direct me and help me? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.44.84.148 (talk) 23:48, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

These types of instruments often have a label inside the body, which you way be able to see by using a torch.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 11:02, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

Since the OP seems to be in the United States, we should probably say "flashlight" rather than "torch" to prevent the destruction of the instrument by combustion. Deor (talk) 13:02, 8 February 2011 (UTC)

You'll want to find a luthier in your community that specializes in old instruments. They are likely to know of ways to identify such instruments, and if they don't they can find someone who can. Use google or the local phone directory to find a luthier, and then start calling around to see if someone can take a look at it. --Jayron32 19:24, 8 February 2011 (UTC)