June 9, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Jason Landry

In case you missed it, Betty White–actress, comedian, and all-around legend–hit one out of the park on NBC’s Saturday Night Live last month. And at eighty-eight years old, she made it look easy.

White, of course, is no stranger to the comedy limelight. She made it big in the 70’s when she landed a starring role on the Mary Tyler Moore show, one of the most influential sitcoms in television history. It was that role that would eventually pave the way for White’s signature role in the 1980’s sitcom “Golden Girls.”

It had been almost twenty years since Golden Girls went off the air, but White has never been forgotten. She became a TV cameo all star, lending her talents to a wide array of programs. She showed up on dramas like Alley McBeal and The Practice. But mostly she played to her strengths in shows like Kind of the Hill, That 70’s Show, Malcolm in the Middle, and The Simpsons. And in 2007, she even did a stint on the soap opera The Bold and The Beautiful.

So why Saturday Night Live? Why now? Was it the appearance in last summer’s hit “The Proposal” with Sandra Bullock? Not so much. It was her Super Bowl commercial.

White’s hilarious spot in a Snickers Super Bowl ad launched a viral campaign on Facebook to draft the legendary actress as a Saturday Night Live host. SNL master Lorne Michaels was amused and motivated.

Her appearance was by far the highlight of the year for Saturday Night Live. It received the highest ratings since election season, 2008.

It had to be an encouraging sign for age activists in Hollywood, who have been complaining for years that Hollywood seniors have been put on the shelf. Actresses, in particular, are often ignored as they have gotten older and lost their notable beauty. White’s brilliance and popularity show that yes, there is indeed still a place for talented seniors in the entertainment world. Let’s hope we see more of this attitude in the months to come.

Jason Landry lives in the Northwest, where he enjoys blogging, building websites, parenting, and watching football.

Article Source: Jason Landry

Betty White Crushes it on Saturday Night Live

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June 4, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Jamie R Lyons

It is no surprise that the world’s greatest TV character has been voted as being none other than the one and only Homer Simpson from the hit television program The Simpsons. There are probably a hundred and one reasons why this is the case and we hope to discover just some of these reasons below. I think if we all think really hard we all know a Homer Simpson character in our own lives. Lets break it down as to why.

Homer really likes his beer and his food as so many men do however Homer takes it to the extreme. Sporting a nice beer belly Homer as so many other men do would rather swill beer and junk food down their necks rather than anything else.

Its no surprise that he doesn’t enjoy work. In fact Homer is terrible at work he doesn’t really understand his job and regularly gets into trouble. Whilst most men don’t like their jobs not everybody gets into trouble or cant carry out their job correctly as ultimately they wouldn’t be in the job for long and fact needs to separate from fiction somewhere. Typical realistic traits in Homers working like consist of always trying to find a way to do his job so he doesn’t have to think about it, spending longer on breaks than actually working and hiding his mistakes by blaming somebody or something else.

OK so not every man is as lazy as Homer and yes he does take it to the extreme but how many men out there can honestly say they fully pull their weight at home? If we could see a show of hands I am betting it isn’t very many. Most men are quite willing to let their wives run around after them whilst they in true Homer style sit in front of the telly eating and drinking beer.

Homer isn’t the most clever person in the world and ask any woman and she will probably agree that her man isn’t either. The men out there reading this will probably disagree with this statement.

So next time you are out and about take a good look around at the male population and look out for beer loving, food loving, lazy, work hating men and there you will have it your very own Homer Simpson. So to answer the original question about why has Homer Simpson been voted the world’s best TV character the answer is simply because there are so many men out there that can one hundred percent relate to him and even subliminally see themselves in the great man himself.

Written by Jamie Lyons on behalf of Bathshop321 and Tapshop321 UKs number 1 suppliers of the best Bathroom Suites and Basin Mixer Taps

Article Source: Jamie R. Lyons

Homer Simpson: The Worlds Greatest TV Character

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May 20, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Chester Branch

Communion

The same wine Jacob had Richard drinking from is the same wine he once drunk from. We hear his “mother” speaking in Latin as she passes the cup; then she says that they are the same. This is similar to Christ’s communion with the saints at the last supper and they become of one blood.

Jacob and Esau

The biblical Jacob and Esau were warring brothers but one was favored over the other. The Biblical Jacob stole Esau’s birthright. Lost’s Jacob and Esau parallel these characteristics. They were born at enmity with each other. Jacob was a momma’s boy and MIB/Esau was a man of the wild. MIB/Esau was originally meant to be the chosen protector of the island. This was his birthright and Jacob took it, just like in the Bible.

River of Light

When they visit the river that runs into the light, they were told of how this Eden like point of origin must be protected at all costs. There must always be someone to guard the light. This light is somehow keeping the world safe.

I Chose You All

Jacob gathers his surviving disciples for a last supper-ish dialogue where he explains everything he can. He continues to conflate the theme of free will and predestination by saying: by choosing you all I have given you the one thing I never had… a choice. This choosing of his predecessors is similar to that of Christ where he says… you didn’t choose me but I chose you.

Water into Wine

To paraphrase Sawyer, if Jack didn’t already have a God complex - he does now. When Jack originally came to the island, he didn’t see the light at the center. Jacob speaks Latin and turns water into wine. After Jack drinks from the cup he will presumably be able to see the light.

Christ Figure?

It is obvious that Jacob was the first Adam. He messed up. He made a mistake, unleashing a smoke monster that spews death. As the first Adam others wondered “why do we have to pay for your mistake?” But Jack appears to be the second Adam; he plans to defeat death once and for all.

Questions:

• How come Esau could see dead people?
• When he went into the river of light did he become his true self?
• When the woman made it so they couldn’t kill each other, did she make them yin and yang; good and evil?
• Where did the woman come from?
• Why does Esau want to go across the sea so bad?
• Other than hell, what could be worse than death?
• What did Ben mean when he said “I thought I was summoning the monster but he turned out to be summoning me”?
• On sideways world Desmond seems to be bridging the “real world” and the “unseen world.” What could he be up to?

http://parablestoday.blogspot.com/2010/05/lost-what-they-died-for-across-sea.html

Article Source: Chester Branch

LOST: What They Died For, Across the Sea

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April 12, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Robin L. Green

Have you ever wondered how the Presidents and CEOs of large business organizations work in order improve their company? If yes, Undercover Boss, a reality TV show will help us understand how corporate giants such as Churchill Down, White Castle and 7 Eleven manage to remain successful and bring in revenue.

There is no doubt that even large companies have issues that need to be dealt with. Lack of uniformity and training are two important factors due to which problems arise. Presidents and CEOs of various companies believe in getting to the core of the issue in order to solve it in the best possible way. Many of them go undercover and work in different departments to understand how every sector is being run.

For instance, after his undercover process, Dave Rife (owner of White Castle) concluded that problems at the workplace occur due to confusion caused by numerous people yelling out different commands. A protocol is very essential in order to keep everything organized at the workplace.

Apart from realizing the drawbacks, successful businessmen have also given importance to an employee’s accuracy and efficiency. They have not only appreciated their skills but also tried to implement the same in meeting company standards.

According to the CEO and President of 7 Eleven, Joe DePinto, a company can achieve great heights with the help of dedicated employees. He feels that employees are the main factor that provides customers with incentive to come back rather than the products sold by the company.

So, what is the common factor that makes employees belonging to different companies more competent? It’s the training provided to them that helps them perform in a better manner. There are many companies that don’t believe in the shadow method of training. In reality, shadow training can be efficient only when the employer instills trust in the seasoned employee in teaching skills to the newly hired candidate.

Business organizations need to realize the importance of training because it can help in laying the foundation of the company and building reputation. If the added expenditure is the problem, one can take advantage of online franchise training facilities that are cost effective. For instance, Coggno is a learning management system that helps companies customize the curriculum and provide up to date information to the employees. The schedule is flexible for the employees and maintaining uniformity in company’s rules and processes also becomes easy.

In short, large and successful organizations have banked on the benefits of training as it is important for preparing the employees and ensuring their health and safety. Companies waiting to reach the same level need to research about effective learning management systems and look for suitable interface and features.

There is no doubt that employees can be encouraged to perform better with the help of a positive training method and online training does the same. It is not only convenient and easy but also makes the process of training enjoyable. It is also extremely beneficial in the creation of a productive environment for the staff.

Coggno can provide you with a flexible and easy to use learning management system for your online training needs. Call Coggno now at 888-585-9978 and inquire about trying the system for free.

Article Source: Robin L. Green

Analyzing the Online Training Platform with the “Undercover Boss”

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March 26, 2010 by jameslucas.

By John R. Harrison

It used to be that cooking shows ruled the roost when it came to talking about television and food. After all, there have been a number of moguls who made entire careers out of teaching America to cook from their studio kitchens, from Julia to Martha and beyond. But today, food is very much the realm of those who aren’t so much teaching you how to prepare it as much as challenging you to a contest to see who can eat the most of it, often in the fattiest and most cholesterol-packed way possible.

The best example of this phenomenon on satellite TV is a series called “Man V. Food,” which is on the Travel Channel and seems to draw a fair share of viewers, many of whom must be impressed men in their late 40s. On “Man V. Food,” the food element is not so much about how to prepare a recipe as it is towards were the biggest burgers and most delicious apple pies are in the United States. The show’s host, Adam Richman, is an actor who enjoys eating almost as much as he seems to enjoy being in front of the camera. The premise is that he rolls into an American town where someone else is already known for making the best of something. It could be a cinnamon bun or it could be a hamburger. After exploring the other restaurants in town and finding out what the best foods are–or in some cases, the biggest foods, Richman then squares off against the local legend to see who can make the best version of what they are known for making the best of.

It is in this way that cooking shows finally managed to bring a bit of competition to satellite TV without getting as esoteric as something like “Iron Chef.” Richman, though occasionally a little hammy, is a likable enough guy, and he is definitely relatable for a majority of viewers. And thankfully, this is not the same old show where a guy just goes to greasy spoons and diners across the country, since he is a man interested in food. While there are definitely some comfort foods and close to 200 pound burgers here and there, there are also a whole lot of restaurants that are nationally rated and acclaimed for things other than just making the world’s largest meatball.

At the same time, “Man V. Food” brings a little bit of competitive spirit to cooking shows on satellite TV that makes it a lot more palatable for the kind of food viewer who doesn’t want to hear the entire history of a region that is responsible for a dish. And that’s completely okay, because at the same time, the show doesn’t dumb down cooking to its audience. When esteemed chefs and bakers have the chance to talk about their city and their specialties, it is a lot more engaging than your typical food exploration show, and that alone is reason enough to tune in.

So if you’ve been wanting a completely different approach to handling food from your favorite satellite tv channels, get away from the Food Network and explore the offerings over on the Travel Channel.

Getting all the channels you want is a lot easier with Direct TV packages on Direct TV.

Article Source: John R. Harrison

Man Versus Food: A Different Approach to Dining

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