I think you have the wrong number.
Posted on February 4, 2008
I’ve been meaning to bring this up for awhile, after spotting this on my new Rockford Files DVDs. Note the phone numbers (Ghostbusters on top, obviously, and a close-up of Jim’s phone from the opening credits of the show.)
There’s no evidence that this is anything more than coincidence (or at least not that I’m aware of), but statistically, it would be a one in ten thousand chance that two prop masters, then years apart, would pick the same number. Plus, you have to take into account that while the commercial footage for that Ghostbusters TV spot was done in New York at the Hook and Ladder 8 firehall, the final video may very likely have been done in LA (which would be back on Rockford turf.) For the moment, I’m going to assume it’s a nod, mostly because it’s a better story than plain old chance. However, if anyone knows more, speak now.
[UPDATE] Ah ha! It turns out it’s a highly recycled number for film and television. That same number has been used as the phone number for;
- Baretta
- The Guiler residence in Close Encounters of the Third Kind
- Det. Sgt. Rick Hunter’s number in Hunter
- Kojak
- Jaime “The Bionic Woman” Sommers
And so on. Nobody knows where the number started, but that many 70s and 80s TV/movies suggests either shared props or shared set decorators, which could then lead to continuing references (the number was recently used it Memento, for example.) It appears, with some cursory checking, that the number is one of (if not the) most recycled fictional phone numbers (not counting the easy to pick repeats or thousands - ie 555-2222 or 555-1000)
Filed Under GB, MISC, NON-GB | 2 Comments
2% Milk 100% Murray
Posted on October 1, 2007
Hard to explain, but if you’re looking for comedy, Bill Murray, and a single Ghostbusters reference, this is for you. Thanks Brandon!
Filed Under MISC, NON-GB, VIDEO | 7 Comments
Get Ray on the Transformers DVD
Posted on August 30, 2007
I’m not a fan of online petitions - I don’t think they wield anywhere near the power or impact online fans think they do, but this one is just goofy enough that I’m intrigued. It’s a petition to get Frank “Ray” Welker added to the Transformers DVD as an alternate audio track to Hugh Weaving’s Megatron.
An exclusive ghost! Game sale! Whoo!
Posted on August 21, 2007
Octavirate, the makers of ExorSystems Inc. have extended a cool offer to PC readers - for starters, they’re offering a 15% discount on the ExorSystems core rules, just for being you. But wait! There’s more!
They’ve also furnished me with an exclusive ghost for the game - Vertigox (Class 2 Posthumous Ectoplasmic Phantasm). There is also a memo from the ExorSystems head office;
It has also come to our attention that some franchises are ignoring regulations regarding the keeping of free-roaming spirits as pets and/or mascots. Remember, the “friendly ghost” phenomenon has turned out to be false in all but a handful of cases. Do not take unnecessary risks: trap all ectoplasmic and paramortal entities as soon as possible. We do not want a repeat of the unpleasantness in Westchester…
The store discount is for a limited time, until the end of the August, but the exclusive ghost is forever.
“When you’re walkin’ down the street…”
Posted on August 8, 2007
A trailer for Be Kind, Rewind was shown at the San Diego ComicCon and it wasted no time making every geek in building howl with laughter, starting with a look at a terrible, amateur remake of a familiar supernatural comedy. And just to make things even better, the official web release of the trailer is now online, including HD versions (ignore the YouTube version - this is much better quality picture and sound.)
Filed Under GB, NON-GB, VIDEO | 10 Comments
Hudson speaks on the Democratic prez candidates
Posted on August 6, 2007
While attending the recent Democratic/YouTube debates at The Citidel military college in South Carolina on behalf of The Creative Coalition, Ernie Hudson spoke to some net bloggers about his thoughts on the Democratic hopefuls - Hudson was diplomatic on all of them, but expressed an extra level of support for Senator Joe Biden. Click here to see the clip.
Filed Under MISC, NON-GB | 2 Comments
Smith directs supernatural pilot, Reaper.
Posted on July 28, 2007
Every time a favorite show rides off into the sunset, I think, “Now what the hell am I going to watch?” But then someone decides to make a show I’ve been dying to see for, like, ever - I just didn’t know it. The new kid on that particular block is Reaper, stepping up on September 25th on The CW (which we can actually get in Canada!) Check out the extended trailer for the show pilot (directed by Kevin Smith), and tell me it doesn’t say, “Ghostheads stop here.”
Filed Under MISC, NON-GB, VIDEO | 7 Comments
Another GBI-style RPG - InSpectres
Posted on July 8, 2007
Nothing really compared to the original GB RPG by West End Games - recent supernatural investigation RPGs, like Buffy the Vampire Slayer were more stats heavy and modeled after episodic television. Others, like the d20 rules ExorSystems Inc., tap into a wealth of third-party d20 books, allowing GMs to create a game to match almost any movie or show, but d20 isn’t exactly newbie-fuzzy-friendly.
But now there’s a newcomer, InSpectres (”inspectors” Get it?) and even a quick look at the sample materials reveal the designer has Ghostbusters in mind and is more than a little familiar with the stripped-down, super-accessible d6 system WEG pioneered.
There are differences, most of which provide a bit more structure to how the game plays out compared to the very flexible, anything-goes attitude of the GBI RPG, but as I haven’t played with the system yet, I can’t really compare in detail. I just dig the art a lot.
Still, the idea of wacky characters, joining a spirit-hunting franchise wearing a uniform with a snazzy logo will be instantly familiar to GB fans. Basically a simple change of nouns will allow players who can’t find a copy of the old GBI game, to attempt some new GB-style fun.
Go here for an overview of the game and some sample materials - the game is available in print and PDF format.
Thanks to Toren for the heads-up. Toren has a new album. Everyone should buy a copy.
Filed Under GAMES, MISC, NON-GB | 3 Comments
He is Norbert! You are like the buzzing of flies to him.
Posted on May 23, 2007
Nearly sixty-seven years ago, Norbert Grupe was born to a Germany at war. Three years ago, with little to his name other than his dog and van, he died of cancer in Mexico. Between those two points he was Der Boxprinz (The Boxing Prince.)
We’re more familiar with him as Vigo the Carpathian in Ghostbusters 2 (or, for us older folks, a hapless terrorist in Die Hard), but the man was also an infamous boxer in the 60s and 70s. Not only was he a notable pugalist, he was also a bit of a party animal, leading to some minor scandal involving drugs and prostitution. All of this is covered in this 2002 documentary on the man we know as Wilhelm von Homburg.
If anyone is in Germany or any other European country were you may be able to find this DVD, please contact me.
Filed Under MISC, NON-GB | 8 Comments
24 years. Beauty, eh?
Posted on May 18, 2007
The CBC will be showing Strange Brew on its 24th anniversary, this Sunday. And afterwards there will be a one-hour special, with Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas reprising their infamous roles as Bob and Doug McKenzie. Check local listings, or, like, your favorite torrent site, if you’re not, like, in Canada.
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