Tag: TV
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Tonight, On Top Gear….
From 2002 to 2015, Top Gear was one of the BBC’s most popular shows across the world. What started as a ‘serious’ show about cars and car reviews slowly morphed over time into what is best described as “Monty Python meets Motor Trend.” One of the continuous gags throughout the show was that of their…
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The Original Non Sequitur
Monty Python’s Flying Circus was a legendary British sketch show, running from 1969 to 1974. It launched the careers of the original Pythons through its absurdist and boundary-pushing comedy. Originally made for the BBC and broadcast in England, the show was picked up by PBS affiliates in the 70’s. For huge chunks of America it…
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Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #208
First quoted by Grand Nagus Zek, this rule of acquisition is actually a solid leadership principle. Knowing when to ask the right question is a key trademark of successful leaders. Curiosity is what keeps us fresh, keeps us engaged, and keeps us learning. Curiosity also killed the Cat. Sometimes there are questions where it’s better…
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Now Here’s a Guy
John Madden (1936-2021). This quote was used as the title of his primer about football, written in 1986. I own a copy somewhere, and it’s a wonderful read whether you know nothing about football, or everything. John Madden was football. No one else shaped the NFL like him, which is especially fascinating considering he never…
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Basil!
If you travel a lot for work or fun, at some point you have to commit to certain brands. It is an epic choice to make in the travel game, one taken very seriously by like 15 people on the internet. Fawlty Towers was the next program John Cleese worked on after wrapping up Monty…
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Resume your Disorder.
I use this phrase both earnestly and sarcastically. It doesn’t make much sense either way if you haven’t seen the show. Star Trek: Voyager S6E18
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But you don’t have to take my word for it.
“Take a Look, It’s in a Book, A Reading Rainbow.” Much like Sesame Street before it, Reading Rainbow taught a generation of kids about reading. Produced and Hosted by Levar Burton, and building off his fame in Roots and Star Trek: The Next Generation, each week PBS brought a celebrity and a book into the…
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I get my suits at Garak’s Clothier’s, on the Promenade.
Another of the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition. And also a pretty good piece of general advice.
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He’s Dead, Jim.
In the original run of the Star Trek television show (1966-69), the writers had a nasty habit of introducing a new character in the episode, usually all part of the security or engineering teams who wore red uniforms. Our heroes would gallivant off to some dangerous planet or situation with these new friends, who subsequently…
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There’s a Rule for Every Conceivable Situation.
“Every Ferengi business transaction is governed by 285 Rules of Acquisition to ensure a fair and honest deal for all parties concerned… well most of them anyway.” It’ll take far too long to explain the Ferengi, The Grand Nagus, and The Rules. Go watch more Star Trek. But nothing says a fictional race of capitalist…