Thinking of unfriending? Today's the day

I have a friend who shares a "deep thought" of the day as a Facebook status update, which I never really understand. Guess I'm too shallow. Then there's another friend who drops tidbits about his travels across the country—he's a flight attendant—while leaving out all the good parts, like the name of the celebrity who just behaved badly on a flight. Should I unfriend these people? I can't in good conscience, because in these cases, they're actually my friends, not my "friends." Jimmy Kimmel recently told fans during his late-night show to "pull some weeds" on Nov. 17 for National UnFriend Day. He made some valid points and even enlisted William Shatner in the cause. Sure, I know there's some fat in those 395 "friends," but I can't let any of them go. Could you? And how will you explain to your cubicle mate/brother-in-law/fourth-grade pal that you're no longer friends?

Past masters the Beatles leap into present

If you run Safari on a Mac, and you never changed your home page from Apple.com, then you've been seeing the image above whenever you've logged in to the Internet today. Click the photo, and you're directed to another iconic image (posted after the jump) with copy that reads, "In 1964 the band that changed everything came to America. Now they're on iTunes."
  We thought this day would never come. Asked by Reuters just four months ago whether the Beatles catalog might eventually be sold through Apple's digital empire, Yoko Ono replied, "Don't hold your breath … for anything." So, why the change of heart? With the enigmatic Ono as the band's acting mouthpiece, we may never know. Still, the more important question may be: How will this affect the Beatles' legacy?

What's the proper fan/celebrity etiquette in the age of social media?

I've lived in New York City since December 2003, and since then I've seen quite a few stars roaming around, trying not to be seen. (Local blogs like Gawker have made tales of such star sightings normal Web fodder.) I remember seeing Station Agent actor Peter Dinklage walking his dog on Broadway. I've seen a disheveled-looking Chris Noth (Sex and the City, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) walk by my office a few times. I saw Diddy walking through midtown with his entourage. Liv Tyler, one of the Olsen twins, John Malkovich, ex-Giant Michael Strahan. Seen 'em all. And countless others.
  Most recently, I was at lunch, and former Pittsburgh Steelers coach and current CBS football analyst Bill Cowher was sitting directly behind me. I wanted to go up and thank him for all the great Sundays and Monday nights he gave me over the years, but something stopped me. "What is proper fan/star interaction etiquette?" I asked myself.

Starz, Apple and Penguin teaming up for 'Pillars of the Earth' iPad campaign

There's nothing like 21st-century gadgetry to bring medieval England to life. And boning up on 12th-century cathedral architecture while listening to a Gregorian chant on your iPad on the subway? Well, that's beautifully retro/au courant. Starz, the pay cable network that's trying to make a splash with its original programming, has been working with Apple's white-hot iPad as a media and marketing partner for its epic miniseries The Pillars of the Earth, based on the bestselling novel by Ken Follett. The channel, Apple and Pillars publisher Penguin released an "amplified" version of the book for the iPad, with more than two hours of behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, music and making-of tidbits. Follett, a rock star in literary circles with a rabid fan following, created a multimedia diary that's also included.

You've everything else'd yourself. Now, the time has come to Hoff Yourself

This should be huge in Germany. "Hoff Yourself" is a promotional bit for the Comedy Central roast, airing this weekend, of former Baywatch/America's Got Talent star David Hasselhoff. Granted, it's not the most original approach, since you've probably already Elfed yourself, Scrooged yourself and Mad Men-d Yourself already. The whole avatar-creation game is getting a little long in the tooth. But if people keep uploading those pictures of themselves and their significant others/pets/frenemies, we'll keep seeing this tactic. (My personal favorite remains Black Dynamite Yo'Self, because my cat looks spectacular in a '70s 'fro.) As for The Hoff, you can show your pre-roast spirit by adding your photo to "Lifeguard Hoff" or "Fancy Hoff." The cable channel is also reminding potential viewers that there's a live Twitter feed happening during Sunday night's program, in case that would sway the fence-sitters who haven't already been captivated by Hoff's many charms. The special, by the way, will have Pam Anderson, Seth MacFarlane, Hulk Hogan, Jerry Springer and Gilbert Gottfried doing their best to find an insult that hasn't already been leveled against the guest of "honor."

Inception: the net's new 'Lost'?

Inception Trailer - Watch more Funny Videos

Scores of moviegoers have gone to see Christopher Nolan’s latest film Inception—and have left the theater, myself included baffled. The film, about different layers of dreaming and implanting ideas into one’s dreams, is a visually arresting masterpiece, wrought with gun battles, McQueenian chase scenes and elaborate dreamscapes. But the plot makes one wonder what the film’s executives said to Nolan when he pitched them the script. “WTF” comes to mind. Does this remind you of anything? Well, even before going to see the film, I’d heard it compared to ABC’s Lost in the sense that I would have to pay attention to every small detail in it to understand it at the end. And even after taking copious mental notes (and holding in an insistent bathroom break), I left the theater having no idea what the movie was about. My friend, a Lost fanatic who I used to bounce theories off of back in the days of the series, asked me: “So what do you think the ending meant?” To try and compensate for not having any idea, I shot out a theory, which made him wonder if his theory held any water. He then said, “I’m definitely hitting the blogs when I get home.” I concurred. If there’s one thing good about the Internet, it’s a sanctuary where sci-fi nerds like us can go to see what other sci-fi nerds like us have been saying about movies like Inception (and shows like Lost).

Is Facebook fatigue real?

Every pop culture phenomenon reaches a crossroads, a saturation point if you will, where the inevitable question is: What next? Facebook, launched in 2004 by founder Mark Zuckerberg, is officially at that stage. There's a movie set for release in October, The Social Network (view trailer here).  Written for the screen by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing), adapted from Ben Mezrich's book The Accidental Billionaires and directed by David Fincher (Seven). The film casts a pretty negative light on Facebook and social networking in general.  In a recent segment with ABC World News' Diane Sawyer, Zuckerberg admitted he wasn’t thrilled with the film’s message.

Who couldn't use a game of Robo-Pong?

I just clicked on my first banner ad in probably seven years, and who could blame me? Have you seen these ads for Newgy's Robo-Pong? The Ping Pong you can play by yourself!?
  "Play Ping Pong without a partner anytime you want!" reads the ad. So many things are great about this ad and product. First of all, I encountered this banner while reading about the Obama/McChrystal smackdown on Politico of all places. Talk about contextual relevancy. Way to go, Robo-Pong media team! I assume you bought this inventory directly from Politico's sales team, right? Second—and the best part—is that in the video on the company's site, a woman named Holly, who identifies herself as "a working parent with a hectic schedule," extols the Robo-Pong's virtues. According to Holly, among the reasons to enjoy Robo-Pong is that it's fun for the whole family, it helps you get better at Ping Pong, and best of all, it helps you get in better shape! Per Holly, with Robo-Pong, "you have a fitness partner in your home." Obesity problem solved, America.
  I know we just missed Father's Day, and Christmas is a long way off. Honey, can I have this for a Fourth of July present?

Site mashes radio, blogs for wanna-be DJs

Have you ever listened to talk radio and said to yourself, “I could do that.”  Or maybe imagined being the DJ of your own pirate radio station. Well, welcome to BlogTalkRadio. Launched in 2006 by founder/CEO Alan Levy, BlogTalkRadio today features tens of thousands of hosts and millions of listeners. The main appeal of talk radio, sports in particular, is that the hosts seem like normal people. It’s really nothing more that voicing your opinion, which most people love to do. Basically, if you have a computer and a phone – you’re capable of hosting your own show. Listeners can call in, and download pod-cast versions of their favorite segments. Best of all, it’s free: thanks to advertising support.  Levy just recently raised $1.9 million in funding from the Kraft Group and other partners. There are two premium host packages available as well, for about $40/month which gets you caller-screening and show placement on the BlogTalkRadio widget to drive listeners to your show. Some of the more popular UGC efforts include Radio Happy Hour with Comedian Eric Blake, The Doctor Is In (playing heavy metal music) and Fly Lady and Friends, a family show promising to de-clutter your life! So what format would your show be?

— Posted By Craig Russell

NBC will bribe you to talk about its shows

Man, that episode of Community last night killed! Señor Chang on a keytar? Annie making "the Disney face"? Jeff busting out Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants references? Brilliant! Can I have my swag now, NBC?
  Truth is, I really do like the Thursday-night sitcom—Joel McHale, you rock—but now it seems I can reap some rewards for saying so online. Not just me, of course. Anyone can join "Fan It," a reward program launching Monday that coincides with the network's upfront announcements. It works like this: Sign up for Fan It on NBC's website, chat about network shows on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter or MyNBC and rack up points that earn sneak previews of new series, merchandise and sweepstakes entries. Since people are more likely to listen to recommendations from friends vs. traditional marketing, it's only logical that brands and entertainment companies are continuing to look for evangelists. They might find just that with social-media programs like Fan It. Either that or memorabilia hounds with too much time on their hands and very active eBay accounts. At any rate, the word gets out.
  As always, it's up to you to consider the source and the motivation. But seriously, that taser scene in last night's Community? Genius!

—Posted by T.L. Stanley