You Don't Know Jack

The folks at Jellyvision/Jackbox Games knows how to construct a game show. Rather it was USA Network’s “Smush” or ABC’s You Don’t Know Jack (okay… maybe not)

But Fibbage would easily work as a game show (5 contestants, tell fibs to one another, find the truth, avoid the lies)

But it got me thinking - what about a You Don’t Know Jack game show? But like, not like that version on ABC?

There are so many ways to take it, you could give 3 players screws and have a single contestant pick between 3 categories, for $1,000; $2,000 or $3,000 like the original PC edition

You could have it be like The Ride or 5th Dementia where they buzz-in for the amount for the question, while there is a woven story-based on a theme like “Censorship” or “Super Bowl”

You could do a mix of both like Louder-Faster Funnier

You could say “let everybody answer the question” like the Jackbox Party Pack editions ($2000 per question but it ticks away every second) or just a solid $1000 a question like in the recent edition.

And then what mini-games? Gibberish Question? Dis or Dat? Anagram Question? Bug Out? what about those?

So here’s JORDAN’S TENTATIVE YOU DON’T KNOW JACK FORMAT THAT WILL PROBABLY CHANGE IN A COUPLE MONTHS

The answer is simple - it’s everything!
The format, at least in my mind, is that we have 3 players, but NO screws in the beginning (wait for it)

Each episode is “themed” or has a base story, the host is addicted to a new sponsor, the questions are all about death, something.

The game lasts for 13 questions. 5 “Trivia” + 1 “Gimmick”, 5 Trivia + 1 “Gimmick” then the Jack Attack. The game follows protocol - correct answers win money, wrong answers lose money (and have clever insults)

When we start the game, all three players select between two categories, which is the first question that is a simple buzz-in for $1000.

That winning player then decides between two-categories, the old category or a new category for themselves, for $2000.

Then we go into the final unselected question for $3000 straight away.

(FIRST COMMERCIAL BREAK, maybe a nice fake ad as well)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5A6Knxrouc

Then we start the first “Everybody Plays” question for $2000 (with the ticking money clock)

Then a “gimmick” trivia question such as an Elephant Mustard Teddy Roosevelt or Dracula or Funky Trash or “Pissed About a Question” or the introduction to “Celebrity Collect Call” that is also on the clock for $2,000.

After this comes “a mini-game” - all three players select a value ranging from $0 to $10000, press your luck style. These could be combined to create the starting value of a Gibberish, or determine who has the highest value to play “Dis or Dat” (with the other two splitting money on any that they get wrong and they get right) or a bonus for completing Jack Bingo, Road Kill or Bug Out.

The lowest scoring player gets the one and only screw.

(SECOND COMMERCIAL BREAK)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh6Ma8X3XcA

In “Round 2” the values are double, obviously, but this time the player with the screw has the only “SCREW BUZZER”, this forces a player of their choice to answer the question. If they get it wrong, they LOSE the value of the question and they EARN the value of the question. However, if they get it right, that player earns the money, but the screwer LOSES the value instead.

Not only that, but this time, there are THREE CATEGORIES on the board to choose from, and the person with the screw gets to decide.

This question is worth $2000.

Then they have to choose one of the other 2 questions for $4000

Then the last question is worth $6000

(THIRD COMMERCIAL BREAK)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=254B_195eUY

and then the two “everybody plays” questions worth up to $4,000 each. (a screw here, stops the clock and forces one player to answer at the amount, if they fail, the clock continues for the remaining two players to get money)

One of these two is yet another “gimmick” question, even if it’s audio-visual or something to do with “the wrong answer of the game” ($1000 bonuses are allowed on certain questions)

Then we have everybody enter “the mini-game” yet again with the values determined yet again, but after this round - WE GO TO THE ATTACK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdfMBisVJN8

Now, the game has all three players looking at different monitors in a triangle style, between each other, almost like a stand-off. “Remember The Clue” with the clue being read… however unlike Jack-Attacks of Old. There is no words floating by…

If the clue is “Who’s Your Dog?” and the word “BART SIMPSON” is shown, the first to buzz-in to say “SANTA’S LITTLE HELPER” wins the money,

The first clue is worth $1,000 (+/-) and goes up to $2,000, then $3,000 all the way to the final clue worth $10,000. Whoever has the most money at the end of this round wins and takes their money home. Runners-Up… had fun?

And yes, there will be Segue songs, and one final “You Don’t Know Jack”

The first three questions in each of the rounds are played very fast, except for with set-ups and punchlines and category selection, When it gets to the next two where everybody plays, it sets up jokes and breaks up ties. The Mini-Games are what should eat up most of the time, but have the most variety.

I’m not putting consideration into hosting, because I am still up in the air over that, but I love all the variety of formats over the years, and just trying to keep it fresh is the important part.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gr0SDcmhp0

Reinventing The Wheel

Wheel of Fortune has been around for decades, a pride of American Game Shows, it’s pairing with Jeopardy on the Mid-Evening has made it a staple. A variant of hangman with the thrill of luck knowing any spin could wind up wiping out a players total. It’s a game show that you just relax too.

The format has changed over the years, from shopping, to returning champions, to having “pet lovers week” and wheels that half of the spaces are gimmicks ranging from “1/2 Car” to “Free Play” to add new twists to the game.

However, at least in my mind, the show… is stagnant, they offer $1,000,000 (granted you have to land on the space, call a letter, solve the puzzle, make sure you don’t bankrupt, and then spin the final round wheel so it lands on what would be the $100,000 space and solve the final round puzzle tow in)

The format goes like this
TOSS UP 1 is for $1,000. Contestants are on buzzers, first to solve as the letters build onto the thing wins the right to say hello to Pat Sajak First and talk about their pets and loving wife.

TOSS UP 2 is for $2000 and this time it’s for the right to spin first in ROUND 1

Round 1 has no frills, other than the 1/2 car, the featured prize.
Round 2 has the “mystery” wedge where two spaces on the wheel are worth $1000 x value or a 50/50 shot at $10,000 or a bankrupt
Round 3 has a Prize Puzzle and an Express wedge, whoever lands on it, can just keep calling letters until they solve the puzzle or bankrupt out.

Then TOSS UP 3 for $3000 for the ring to get “ding ding’d” as Pat spins the final spin

Round 4 has people calling letters one at a time, and then can solve it or pass and let the next two bozos screw up so they could get an advantage.

Then in the final round, the contestant picks their final category, and spins a wheel and that determines the final round prize.

You feel good watching the show, because the contestants are holding back on solving it early because they want more money, but you think “i am smart i know it before the contestants”

Jeopardy doesn’t really have to change it’s format, the screens and tech around it change, the values go up, but Wheel of Fortune, you just know “Buy a Vowel” and “Solve the Puzzle” and that’s about it.

So I decided, because I am pretty sure nobody would read this, nor would Sony Pictures Studios be looking at this post, that I would come up with ideas to make the game better (that’s not just throwing money at the problem, except in places where it’s needed)

1. DITCH THE PUZZLE BOARD

Yes, it’s fun seeing Vanna walk around touching letters, but it’s really unnecessary. Wheel 2000 was a screen with a CGI Playstation character, when a puzzle is solved the words show up, she doesn’t need to turn any letters anymore. It seems like they want to try things like “Crossword” as a new format, but with the current board as it is, you only get 4 letter words.

This would resort to having Vanna, who is the co-host serve as a prize model, and just somebody to bounce-off of. She would be the cheerleader and much like Tiffany on Let’s Make a Deal, serve as somebody to say “sorry” or “tough luck” along with the host as we see a large screen instead. Video Monitor would be nice, and would be nice (you don’t have to get rid of the “border” or theming in the background which still looks dark and bleek like most late 2000s game shows.

2. DITCH “BUY A VOWEL”

It is the big debate among the “Wheel Watchers”, people love the fact it’s $250 because it’s $1250 which speeds the puzzles along. Others would like the price raised to $1000 because then there is some strategy of what letters to buy again. Personally, I say “ditch it” altogether. The game will just be faster if right when it’s their turn, they spin and call a letter, even if that letter is “A” or “E”. Yes, vowels are more common in puzzles, which is where you will be “Throwing Money” but I love the game going fast.

3. FIX THE MONEY VALUES

I do not like the fact it’s like $500 base and still stuck at $900 before the big amount. I honestly think by getting rid of “Buy a Vowel” you could drop the values on the wheel back to a $200 and have them go up to $1000, Keep the Top Value at $2500, and ditch the $3500 space. In the 90s they had $1000 and $1500 spaces on the wheel. It would not hurt at all.

4. DITCH THE MILLION

I don’t like the bonus round in it’s current format. I think the spin is nice and all, but $34,000 because 34th season and it goes up. It doesn’t keep it fresh. There are 24 wedges on that bonus wheel, you could make a special “BIG MONEY WEEK” where you bring back the million, but I would rather see something where it’s 3 x $25,000, 3 x DOUBLE (Doubles Score), 3 x CAR, 3 x OTHER CAR, and the final 12 be amounts that go up to $250,000 (30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 100, 250)

When the million is activated, the game becomes less about the puzzle, and then becomes more about the contestant trying to “hang on” to the gimmick, I think it works if it’s in ONE round, but not for the duration of the program.

5. DROP GIMMICKS, MAKE GAMES

With the loss of buy-a-vowel, you don’t really need free play. There is 1/2 car in all three rounds, there is “prize puzzles” at certain areas. And to me - just as the wheel is spontaneous, so should the format.

I think Wheel of Fortune should take a cue from the Fremantle Library like “The Price is Right” and “Let’s Make a Deal” and make every Round feel like it’s own special game. Rather played with the puzzle itself or with the wheel itself and one gimmick, that’s randomly chosen for the game today. Mystery Round isn’t just Round 2, it could be Round 1 or 3. Express Wedge could be played in Round 1 or Round 2 as well. Prize Puzzle is a “game” in itself, not just attached to something else.

There are some already in the wheel library that can be “games” one for each round.

CROSSWORD - the puzzle is a crossword, no gimmicks on the wheel.

PRIZE PUZZLE - the puzzle itself is a clue to the prize you win automatically, no gimmick on the wheel

EXPRESS - in this game, one wedge is an express, you land on it, you can ride the express at $1000 a word, but be careful of bankrupt. No gimmick on the puzzle

FILL IN THE BLANK - the puzzle has a blank, fill in the blank to earn bonus money (or prize?)

MYSTERY - two wedges have $1000 on them, you can keep everything you have plus the value of the called letter OR flip the wedge and uncover a prize OR a bankrupt.

JACKPOT - the jackpot goes up the value of every spin, if you land on it and call a letter on it, you can solve the puzzle and win it.

Then you could elevate former wedges into games themselves

DOUBLE PLAY - there is a DOUBLE PLAY token, whoever calls a letter earns it and during this round can spin for DOUBLE the value of the space landed. If they keep it before the round ends, they just earn a spin of the wheel for double the value (like a single letter call, for free)

SURPRISE - not one, not two, but THREE wedges are surprises, all of them prizes, but you don’t know what they are until you call a letter and open the envelope. Is it a trip? Is it a car? Home Furniture?

BANKRUPT/$5000/BANKRUPT - taking back the million dollar wedge, the round has $5000 but only if you can land on the one wedge. Unlike the million dollar wedge, it’s not a “prize” and acts as a $5000 space on the wheel in the main game, so a good call could earn big money.

Now given the wheel changes each game and there is a video monitor, you could now do different games that could incorporate the game itself

STEAL - call a letter and steal a player’s total in the round, be careful, they could land on that and steal from you as well.

DOUBLE OR NOTHING - If you land on the DON wedge, your next spin counts as DOUBLE (like a Double Play) however if a letter isn’t in the puzzle, it acts as a BANKRUPT, if you land on the DON on the second spin, your score DOUBLES.

WHAT IS THAT? - With a clue like “Show Biz” or “80s Television”, the winner then gets to decide between 3 or 4 images, which one matches the description (Which of these is the headshot to the celebrity) for the bonus money.

LESS IS MORE - $26,000 can be won if you don’t spin the wheel, but $1,000 is taken away from the cash bonus at the end of the round. Whoever solves the puzzle banks the bonus money based on the amount of uncalled letters left in the puzzle. It encourages strategy with when to solve early.

REBOUND - Similar to “Jackpot” but for Bankrupt. Every time a player “Bankrupts”, it goes into the bank, and if you land on the REBOUND wedge and call a letter, you win it back (Big Bank style on Whammy!) Of course, there is no Lose-a-Turn this round, that becomes a bonus Bankrupt

RISK - If a player lands on “RISK” and call a letter, they get the option to either take $500 per letter OR for $1000 a letter add a ‘bankrupt’ to any space on the wheel, making it tougher for everybody.

SHOPPING SPREE - Every money wedge has a bonus gift card attached with small increments of money ($50-$100) at different stores, Similar to the “Gift Tag” wedge but not as large.

BIG WEDGE, LITTLE WEDGE - five wedges are used in this one, two side-by-side that say $500, one that’s a $50/$5000/$50 and the other that’s also a double $500. There is one small wedge that is worth double the value of the wheel. but can it be won?

I am not saying this is a sure-fire way to get more people interested, but with a featured prize already there, it’s possible you could just do this for Rounds 2 & 3 and continue making Round 1 the “Base Game” itself.

I think people would love more variety, and I don’t think the selling point should be the million dollars or the increase in money, it should be pacing and keeping contestants guessing until the last possible second of the round.

Thank you. <3

I don't know what's going on.

So, since I last updated, it was a week of just pure yuck. My computer AND my phone were factory reset. A few days between the other (note to self - just do what Kanye does and just do pin and make it 00000 next time)

 So all sorts of documents gone, it took a while, but I managed to get audacity working to edit a podcast.

Let's just say, it was frustrating. But luckily, I did save a bunch on the Google Drive and we are good to go!

I was originally gonna make a video of my new series, talking about Red Dead Redemption 2, and the 100 hour work week, and the strain it puts on developers and artists, but I think it is too late, people have the game. People like the game, what difference does it make? A video like mine in the sea of conservative vids calling people they don't like NPCs (was "cuck" too passe?) It just didn't feel right.

I was thinking if I'm gonna make these videos, even if it's just a blatant ripoff of charlie brookers  screenwipe again, I should just make it unlisted with the videos embed here. Give this place some CONTENT like all your favorite streaming services!

what have I been up to?

I played jackbox party pack 5, I think it's the best jackbox pack, so far, I love the games that are played, my favorite will always be you don't know jack.  

I am installing Soul Calibur 6 as we speak, because console gaming is somehow safe for the time being. I bet it will play "just fine" 

I cancelled VRV, but will be back with them in a few months time, I don't care much about anime, but I haven't been seeing much except talking toons on that platform. NOT EVEN FIGURE IT OUT helped me out. 

Instead I got CBS ALL ACCESS, because I'm a game show dork, and I can take The Price is Right and Let's Make a Deal with me wherever I go. So of course, I'm gonna be doing that! 

Finally, I donated to Podcast : The Ride's patreon called "The Second Gate" and it's a ton of fun, their first episode is about Disney Quest!

Other than that, Titans felt like a show that was rushed into production and at least to me, it's a hot mess, but audiences don't care as long as Dick Grayson is a cutie (he is) and they get all the fan service (FLYING GRAYSONS, Allusions to Ravens, etc.)  

I know there is an audience for this show, DC was confident to give it a second season before the pilot even launched... But looking at social media... It's not that big? It's not the size of Riverdale or even Legends of Tomorrow for that matter... Maybe they wanted to go for niche? 

I have no idea, I am trying to not hit a sad slump, one hit me Thursday/Friday and just wrecked yesterday until I was able to watch a baseball game... on television. Although I wouldn't mind an ice cream served in a baseball helmet.

 In conclusion, yeah, I just hit another speed bump, but hopefully things will be looking up soon. I have to hang on.

Promo

So, after my twitch has gone kaput, I have decided to go back to two things I do, pretty well - type stuff on the internet that i think is funny, and make videos where i talk on the internet.

so i made a bunch of promos on other websites, and decided because this is my home, i should just drop the character, and just speak from the heart of what makes this a bit terrifying for me (also, why i don’t think it’s necessary)

What now?

so I think I jinxed myself, my last two twitch streams have been an absolute mess, it was laggy, so much latency, and then looking back, it was almost unwatchable.

 As much as I do not care about the numbers of people, I do care about quality, namely in terms of how it looks and is presented.

But because things have been getting bad, I now  no longer can stream on twitch for the time being

 This time around, it is out of my hands, I can clean the computer, defrag, but I honestly just need a new computer at this point. I enjoyed gaming on a PC, but I think it's best to stick to consoles for the time being  and might just save up for a Mac again.

 I mostly use my computer to write, edit and watch stuff. Final Cut, Final Draft and Final Fantasy 7: The Spirits Within...

 There are a few games that are PC only, but I'm not so committed to video games to care anymore... I like video games, but I mostly am just playing on switch these days.

So now, I just gotta figure out  what's next?

With no more Night Night, for the time being, I can't stream Monday or Friday... So all I have left is a podcast to edit and record. 

   What's troubling to me, is figuring out my talents, and how to do something.

I have nothing going for me "offline" (in the real world) so I had twitch for a while to keep me talking to people and make cool friends. 

But now, I dunno...  

I do NOT want to go back to YouTube.   Social media has damaged all of us. So many of us are fictional versions of ourselves with the intent to sell that image with sponsored content or get a deal with some company.

I can't fake it. I can act it, but I'm not worthy of a parasocial relationship. 

I also dislike YouTube so much, algorithms give you the shittiest people, those with big subscriber counts get treated differently than those just starting out. And even then, you have to be this fake character for the rest of your "career" doing beauty tips or unboxing videos, or eating food... That's it, that's your life now. The guy who is excited about happy meal toys. 

From conservative nihilistic Nazis who hate lgbts to "cringe compilations"  of some teenager crying because she hates bullying. The internet, to put it nicely, is garbage.

I don't know what to do next. But something tells me, as much as I dislike it, I might have to return to my roots as a Charlie Brooker knockoff.

https://youtu.be/aaVhyURSfZU

 One of my all time favorite shows on television was Charlie Brooker Screenwipe, a program all about television. Even before I did the foolish thing of going "yeah television sounds great" Charlie was there going "is it though? Is it great? Are you sure?" And painted the dour, realistic look at television. He didn't sugar coat it, some shows are just plain terrible with no intention on being good for society, just as something to air in between commercials for car insurance.

For a good majority of my time online, I wrote much like his screen burn columns in the guardian, and had a few (failed) YouTube series that just stole the snarky asshole gimmick. 

But in today's YouTube landscape, EVERYBODY has an opinion, in fact there is a comment section where you can call people "gay" because they like a cartoon that you  don't. And they come in so many flavors, from angry Republican wanting his 15 minutes of Fame, to the Leftist spitballing Junior year Philosophy as if it's revolutionary.

The truth is, none of us are safe. All of us ARE a commodity, and it's all based on what you click and view. 

If I was to make a video tomorrow called "Analysis: Titans" maybe 12 people would watch it? But if I had a thumbnail of myself looking like I saw some breasts on the cover of one of the thousand "American Pie" movies with the caption "SJW TUMBLR MOB RULE CRINGE FAIL COMPILATION FORTNITE #69" no doubt it might get at least a thousand views. 

I took this photo while taking a dump. It's no different than maybe 75% of the reactionary thumbnails you see on most YouTube videos catered towards boys 18-24. 

Will I go back to YouTube? 

Maybe. I do not think my place is on YouTube anymore. However, there is this big empty void left in the world because Charlie Brooker is a bit busy making Emmy winning television shows that maybe he can't make it to the phone right now... That I have to leave that message? 

But honestly, it's too little too late. Media analysis is now "Cinema Sins" or groups of people talking about movies so you pretend that you are their friends while watching. 

I'm a guy...  

That's it. 

And no matter what I say, no matter if it's in text, or on video... It will be ignored. 

These companies do not give a shit about you.   They just want to please advertisers. 

Me, I don't know you. But I know I want to figure out what I'm really good at, and seeing, if what baby boomers have told me is true, I could get PAID for it.

But probably not. I'm not really fitting in any one group. So that's a toughie. 

But hey, I got a contact form now... and if I could figure out how to edit on Windows 10 (and my computer won't crap out on me) I could try and do it.

But who knows?

promotionals. 

I drank this, I don't know if there is caffeine, but it's really good. If I start blabbering on Twitter tonight, this would be the reason. But I do enjoy it. I found it at CVS.

I also have been watching The Price is Right and Let's Make a Deal  on CBS all access. I don't care much for their sitcoms, survivor is "just ok" in my book, but the fact I don't have to be sick from school to watch these shows and it can play on my phone or PS4 is so convenient. I might have to check out the new Star Trek show at this rate!

And finally...  TITANS.  i was thinking of writing a huge wall of text about it, but the truth is, all we got is the pilot. The pilot is ALWAYS bad. But there is some accent breaking with the actors, and it follows all the same tropes as all these DCTV shows (like arrow, flash, etc). It is set in Detroit, yet filmed in Canada... What? I enjoyed all the scenes with Starfire, but the ones involving Raven and even Dick Grayson needed work. Brenton is great in delivering the lines, he is presented as charming and witty, but very protective and introverted, it is the BEST of these live action dctv shows, but it's like picking your favorite "beanboozled flavor" from it's violence for violence sake, to "fuck for the sake of fuck" it's trying to be Daredevil on Netflix, but we know the direction of the show will be more like Riverdale. Expect more shirtless scenes and a love story about Starfire and Robin and the drama of balancing Romance with being a hero that saves the world, much like Oliver and Felicity on Arrow or Barry and Iris on The Flash... It is more of the same. I know I won't get different, but I'll take it. Now please give George Perez credit? 

B- 

October Surprise

I get to update this again, because that seems like fun. It's 12:35 on October 2nd when I started.

So first off - let's address the sad slump, I think it is a mix of two things. Sleep deprevation and caffeine.  

Sleep deprevation is caused by me on social media watching and binging all sorts of shows and then losing track of time (or in this case, writing an article) 

 Also, the caffeine in coffee and soda has messed with my head for  the longest time. I have to say decades.   

I did not know I was this weak with the stuff, it tastes good, I enjoy root beer floats, so many other things, but it just wasn't right. I couldn't write without hating myself or something else, and I know that isn't me... I had to make a stand and stop. 

I don't know how long until I get back into that, but it seriously effected me and my talent, and I can't do anything right and juggle and panic... 

So I stopped.   

September 24 was the day I had my last soda    and I posted about it on social media

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoH6rJUgYx3/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=dw77q7juefzz

 I am not expecting applause, or support, because even though I am trying to work on getting better, I gotta face the fact that I'm NOT an online influencer, or one of these big time YouTube people with hundreds of thousands of views, I know maybe 5 or 6 people might read this, 4 out of love, 1 out of malice, and 1 by accident (sorry guy who came by accident!)

The truth is - that is a struggle in my head, that I don't think will ever go away in terms of figuring out myself and what to do. Because I know I love hosting, writing, creating, comedy and acting... but everything is going online, and spending so much hours online in my teenage through today, I kind of loathe it.

I don't feel like I fit-in anymore, I feel like my job is just to "sell myself" and a lifestyle or brand and career to people, like it's a reality show character, and you have to be flat, one dimensional species. 

I can't do that. 

I get angry at Republicans because they are all morally bankrupt, because to them, it doesn't matter because it's in favor the Cardinal rule of capitalism - those with money, holds all the power (they are playing by the rules, but I find it scummy) 

I get angry at Democrats who see anybody suffering as a "feel good" story to share, but then forget about when the next bad thing happens. What happened to the Pulse Nightclub people? What about NAPL? Does Flint finally have drinking water? There are so many fires, and all I see is "VOTE", well, yeah voting is important, but it comes across like fire fighters periscoping their rescue... It doesn't matter unless you have footage and can "share" it.  You gotta hold for applause when you do that Trump takedown that FINALLY makes morally bankrupt people see "oh yeah I'm in the wrong"

I am simply not happy with any of this, and the quest for joy rests in figuring out ultimately what WOULD make me happy.

Thankfully, after waning off of carbonated sodas aimed at teenagers who love dirtbikes or fortnite, I have gotten way better at stopping myself from just going "you are wasting your time" I might be venty, but I am actually happy!

So here's what happened.   

i had to drop one podcast, I couldn't juggle it anymore, and I had to drop one day of my twitch show, as it also wasn't worth it. The time crunch of editing a podcast or recording, it was making the process not fun, and that SHOULD BE the important part of streaming to be  sharing what I love, so I find that love back.

Fun Time Calls is on ITunes (and others)

My twitch show is fun, so I extended those out to just Monday AND Friday, with the podcast moved to Wednesday, which I actually enjoy, I hope my new plan with these work out. 

But to reiterate - I'm not trying to be a social media star.   

I just think having that small crowd from my discord, and new people joining me here and there, or real life friends seeing what I'm doing and support me that one or two times, that's all I need. 

The problem is, I know that's not good. Unless I'm super talented in something, unless I have the social media klout, nobody would hear from me. That's the sad way of this industry. 

I don't have representation, I don't have an agent, I don't even know what to send on my reel - the twitch show where I talk to Alexa or the podcast where I sigh repeatedly at (really funny) bits and creative ideas my friends come up with... 

It's a feeling of being lost, and yes, a feeling of hopelessness, at least to me, I know I have the talent, but i think it's just luck, mixed with just poor timing that's led me to give up time and time again... 

I just gotta figure out that sense of belonging. 

So that's why I decided to make myself a routine to do EVERY DAY

yes, I could have embed a Twitter link, but I saved it to my phone for memory (it is also pinned) and this is explanation why...

  WATCH 1 GAME SHOW I am so happy to know so many people in the world of game shows, like any field, there are good months and bad months, but even though that struggle is there, I can't, CAN'T, lose my ability to love this genre of television. So rather it's a new UK format (like "Chase the Case"), a new reboot (like "Double Dare") or just an existing show right now (like a "Jeopardy") it's now a need, at least on my creative focus, from the game theory, to set design, to package and casting, I do break it down, and I know that feeling won't go away. (Hey game show friends who might read this, send me a positive message on Facebook sometime)

https://youtu.be/NNFV8QdRa5Q

READ 1 COMIC BOOK    I watched a bunch of taking toons and Rob Paulsen made it seem like voice over is the place to go. I had all these doubts about this, because I am not good at singing, I can't pronounce things correctly sometimes, I don't have a range and break accents as badly as a DCTV series with that good looking model... but then I read Voice-Over Voice Actor by Tara Platt and Yuri Lowenthal. I can't spoil that book, because it goes into detail about everything from auditions to microphones for private studio... but the book did offer one piece of advice - the important part isn't how many different voices you can do, but how you can practice with the ones you can do, even if it's just yourself. 

And you could line-read all you want, I think that's very helpful, but I have been reading PDF scripts since dial-up modems. From South Park to Batman 1989, screenplays were a thing online to find and read, tv shows or movies, it's kind of the fun that got me into screenwriting (over actual creative writing with chapters and essays)

But I figure, reading screenplays, while common, just isn't fun. Especially if it's movies I already know. So I figure the next best thing is comic books, you have multiple characters, faces describe emotion and action, there is narration, and reading it takes a good 20 minutes. (1 page per minute, much like a movie) 

Treat it like a storyboard, and just talk it out, it doesn't matter if I screw up accents, or can't do a good female voice, it's the fun of talking through a comic that makes it so much fun. 

(Hey DC, Quick idea for a format for your streaming service - get voice over actors to read out loud comic books, it's fun!) 

It's better than being a snob with microphones and switchboards, I just want to practice, I am not trying to land a part on Voltron (although hey, I am available 😉) 

 SAY NO TO CAFFEINE i haven't had a soda in a week, I haven't had a coffee or tea either, it was national coffee day on Sunday and I didn't even drink the free coffee drink I got for buying a cupcake. Yeah, I might say no to soda, but I know I need some sugar in my life or else I will crash and burn. Currently, all I have is some fruit punch Gatorade, I'm not doing lacroix, I don't want to burp, I just gotta find a alternative that will work for me, even if it just winds up being chocolate milkshake and orange smoothies or even protein drinks, I just can't handle it. It messed me up, and that's why I just say no.

JUST DO A BIT OF EXERCISE BECAUSE YOU'RE WORTH IT because of dehydration with water, cramping, not feeling focused, I just never got back into my rhythm with exercise, while it would look SUPER NICE to lose a few pounds and gain some muscle mass and abs, I know one thing and that's that it takes time and patience, and some people it's easier for, that much like what I'm doing - just do the fun stuff! Pick up weights and dance with them, do some wiifit, it doesn't matter if I'm not toned, toning comes with time, and if I go back in right now, it could be very dangerous, but hey, if casting needs "a sexy brooding cutie", I will gladly spend a few hours at the gym to fix things, but right now, I need to take care of myself, and I should do just the fun things!

DO SOMETHING NICE I am just sick of assholes trying to exclude women and minorites and queer people in things I enjoy. Rather it's Comic Books, Video Games or Movies. Every day, I browse around the Twitter and Discord. I see so many talented artists and writers, and it doesn't hurt to give them that retweet, or send them a comment letting them know even if it feels like this original project they are making is going nowhere - that it probably has already helped somebody struggling feel comfort that they haven't had. So many assholes trying to grift socially awkward, morally selfish individuals into thinking if it's not a straight white male, it's "feminists taking your toys away". Either thinking "everybody's already equal and now I'm going to be left out" or "it's about me not you, get a new hobby". And time and time again, I do see people hurt, I see people who  are in my shoes. Lacking confidence in themselves to continue drawing, to continue writing that next chapter in a story, because to them "I'm a nobody" or "Nobody wants to see a character that's (insert not-wasp trait here)" and even if it's to chime in to say "you never know unless you try" or simply finding a creator or writer of something you enjoy, and letting them know because of their projects from your childhood, it got you interested in something, you have no idea how much it would make them feel. 

Because, at least in my mind, if we are going to fucking live in a fucking reality show, you might as well come across as one of the "heroes" in the show, even if you get betrayed by a villain so they get ahead, even if you fail every challenge but have a smile on your face, never lose sight on optimism, and pointing out that the villains just want to take every advantage to win, and sometimes, it really is all about making friends. 

So do something nice, even if it's just helping your neighbor or friend get something. Even if they don't thank you, just know that maybe sometime in the near future, some stranger might help you out and change your life for the better! 

PROMOTIONS

I guess VRV got rid of running man, but I have been watching "Talking Toons with Rob Paulsen" I enjoy it still, but I recently just cancelled my subscription, luckily he does have the podcast on audio, and I definitely will just go back to it in December and just binge all 12 episodes I missed in a sitting. 

I also watched on Amazon Prime "DocuMental" a reality game show from Japan where 10 contestants pony up a million yen of their own money to prove they are the funniest person in the room, with one simple rule - you laugh you lose. I didn't know Japanese comedy was just how quickly it could trickle down to gay pornography I would find on PornHub, but sure! It is however very funny at the introspective on how to get comedians, who heard every joke there is, to laugh. 

Giant Bomb has a great new series called Jeff Gerstmann's Pro Skater where Jeff goes through every Tony Hawk game, and it's just so enjoyable to be so nostalgic over a video game I spent weekends playing.

I have been listening to Podcast the Ride, a theme park podcast in the same vein as Doughboys, but with theme park rides, and they have done a daily, 19  part, extremely necessary series talking about the stores, restaurants, and wonderful magic that make up Universal CityWalk Hollywood. There is a sector keeper that's a ghost, they didn't talk about the five towers stage, I think that's bullshit.

Also tonight I watched Cuplicated on Vioobu and I busted out laughing. Some of my favorite people in comedy (and podcasting) appear in this PERFECT satire of streaming services, as well as the trope of comedians doing dramas (complete with nods to Louie and Master of None, and totally didn't predict their awful behavior) . I seriously fell over laughing, the last time that happened was Hidden America with Jonah Ray. Be sure to find "Clip Cup" to find a great satire of clip show comedy shows. It is so fucking good!

And finally,  as much as I just faded out of wrestling, I still find amazing charm, comedy and entertainment when it comes to Bryan and Vinny show   on vimeo. I do not subscribe to the newsletter, I don't use the message board, but this podcast where they talk retro raw, retro wcw, and modern ppvs from New Japan, it just fascinates me, and is the same level of passion and enjoyment that I get from so many of my favorite podcasts. Producer Rob is fantastic and I hope Bryan Alvarez pays him enough from his gold boat that he can have a gold Sea-Doo, or maybe at the very least, a gold boogie board!

Now if you excuse me, I have to figure out why I still sweat too much before bedtime (and no, it's not honking one out) 

Have a Good Summer

hi friends, it's been a while, it's time for another update, I gotta do something with this more often.

anyway, night night in twitch has a cool set, I enjoy making it, however, i find myself fearful my computer might crash and that might end the run. I like the look and feel, but the problem is the last few weeks had no real news stories to discuss just videos to watch, and I just don't want this twitch show to be pinned down, if it gets political and talks about awful people trying to get diverse voices out of hobbies that have created consumer identities, or if it's just a fun loving show where I get excited about ice cream, who knows?  but I want to keep that going, but I might do Monday and Friday, but Wednesday was meant for catch up, so who knows? I hope you all like it, please use your twitch sub on me, I hope to be myself still.

Because the last two are the real juggles, kirbysclubhouse, while fun because I can get a bit more political and in depth of the game and nerdy stuff, I did it originally because I wanted something that had guests and friends talking and it would always rotate, but I'm finding fatigue most in something that takes the less amount of effort, maybe it is good to find a different date? Maybe something else eentirely.

The other podcast, fun time calls, is probably my favorite thing, it's me, and my friends Ian and Jack and it becomes a surreal show that's part bits, part fast conversation, and it just feels chaotic yet enjoyable... my problem stems with editing the show as I input sound effects and sometimes pull bad jokes or insert sfx and other jokes. It takes hours to make, but it seems like I don't advertise it that much... It's on iTunes! Check it out! 

 outside of internet stuff...

I finished Spider-Man for PS4, and it's a really good video game. I think it's the best Spiderman game by far, but some of my problems with Arkham Games are still in this, including my hate of stealth and jump scares. But I got Spiderman in their underwear on Avengers tower so that was really good!

the other thing I did was start watching VRV, I signed up a day BEFORE the announcement of 90s Nick shows showing up, and fell in love. Not only is it home to some of my favorite seeso shows (Hidden America, MY BROTHER MY BROTHER AND ME) but also some crunchy roll stuff (dragon ball super, Yuri on ice) and also I got a couple shows I watched and enjoy and felt the need to give them a great shout out, because I could!

  Hardcore Tabletop  by Rooster Teeth is very good, I only knew rooster teeth over a decade ago as a fan of Red vs Blue, but I barely know any of the people on the show, or the references, but the presentation is what sells it, as it's comedic yet also played like a high stakes game of Monopoly (as they play with real money, and there is a jail under the table) it's really really good, it makes me understand a bit of YouTube culture and wanting to "be with your friends on the internet"

Talking Toons with Rob Paulsen       from Nerdist is also on VRV and it's the most fascinating talk show as the guests themselves are voice over artists talking about the trade, how they got involved and the projects they love and the business they enjoy, Rob is very delightful, with plenty of stories from his decades in voice acting, and seeing the variations, from video games to anime to online content and the classic and modern cartoons you know and love. You get to appreciate what it takes in the industry (and he was successfully able to sell me into a few books here and there for my own selfish reasons)

Running Man is the last show to discuss, it comes from DramaFever, and it's a fascinating Korean "variety show" that is tough to describe except as "never-ending game show" each episode has a new game featuring celebrity guests, crazy outcomes and hilarious moments that could only be a cross between "Impractical Jokers" with the reactions and punishments and the ensemble cast and a game show like "The Amazing Race" with a new location every episode. The fact the show hasn't ended yet speaks volumes to the shows success and translates amazingly for Western viewers here in America. I assure you, if you love things like taskmaster, you would enjoy this game show!

Now I gotta go sleepy time! 

i am now on mastodon

https://mastodon.social/@jordanhass

I don't know what to do with this, but considering the massive shitshow twitter is becoming, I might as well give this website a try. I don't know what to do, if there is an app or anything, but join me there.

FUN TIME CALLS?

ITS ON ITUNES!
 

So, I decided to make a podcast on the internet again. I do not know if this is good or not, but I thought it was funny. I hope you enjoy this podcast that has a name, I think it is called "Fun Time Calls", there is no prank calls on this podcast, but I think the fun comes from the discussions in the calls, because that's why it's called fun time calls.

Also, I don't like skittles. I like sour skittles more.

DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST HERE

OR SCROLL DOWN AND ADD THE RSS TO YOUR PHONE

DOUBLE DARE: A REVIEW

Double Dare is a beloved American Children's Game Show that was big in the late 80s, early 90s. In which teams would compete against each other in a game of trivia, and a few physical challenges in the hopes to go through an obstacle course to win 8 prizes.

Variations would show up, including a "Super Sloppy" version, that took the games from the main double dare, and made them messy (water was now slime, or food)

Family Double Dare saw families of 4 compete against each other, and for some reason, they made the prizes a new car.

Then they tried and make a tournament for some reason, and bloop, it ended.

Fast-forward to 2000, and Double Dare 2000 hit. It was larger and messier, however, the game decided to have physical challenges that take up the majority of the time, and also a "triple dare" that usually made the game break. Also, calling the show "Double Dare 2000" would easily date the show, because, what if it wound up good, and lasted into 2001? or 2002?

With a revival in 2018? Has Nickelodeon learned from their mistakes?

To keep it short - yes, it's double dare. you wanted it, you got it. you might enjoy it.

To be a bit longer - yes, but it has an issue with audience.

Double Dare is hosted this time around by Liza Koshy, she's big on the YouTubes. Something tells me somebody casted her, because they did some algorithm where if 10% of her audience watches double dare, then there might be a guaranteed 400,000 viewers. (Based on Sub Count)

But do not fret, if you are a long-time fan of the show, as Marc Summers is still there, more or less as "The Harvey". But in this new Double Dare, they are practically Co-Hosts.

Marc Summers offers his classic Double Dare hosting style when it's needed, namely during a physical challenge. Otherwise, everything is on Liza, and she's a bit rough along the edges.

Liza, when doing ad-lib, such as an Obstacle Course run, is amazing. She is into the game, and encouraging. However, when it comes to the "Trivia" aspect of Double Dare. She is very rough along the edges. She gets into the "Game Show Host" role, complete with a different tone and just "THAT IS CORRECT" or "YEAH YOU ARE" as the defaults. As the show progresses, I can only hope Liza loosens up a bit, and keeps the show moving. YouTube is not hosting, even though both require addressing the camera at times, but her audience work is great! I have no doubt she will do a great job with this show, as soon as the producers loosen it up and give her the same ability to play with the props as Marc did.

Marc is there to say the answer to a question that was thrown out for a "physical challenge" and explain the value of the $200 or $400 physical challenge (no more triple dares) and provide the hosting commentary that was popular in the original double dare - but Liza is still there, and it seems they butt-into each other a bit. Liza is trying to do her comedy based on their teams and backgrounds, Marc is trying to say how close to the line they are, or how many they need left to complete the stunt.

The set, while very colorful, still feels very dark, compared to Double Dare 2000 or Family Double Dare, with the white background, this is going for the typical "dark", and while the video monitors show off the team names, and a graphic now displays "Dare" (complete with guitar sting) and "Double Dare" (complete with another guitar sting) and "Physical Challenge" (complete with that commercial bumper from the olden days) the team name backgrounds turn from their team colors to a dark black with slime... and i guess we are now treating it a bit serious?

The Physical Challenges, however dark the set might be, are creative and clever and fit with the show. Between Sticking Sponges with Shaving Cream, to Squirting "ink" to a large pen, the games range from "water messy" to almost-as-slimey as the Super Sloppy Days. There is no "drop the large vat of gak on your head" either due to clean-up time, regular game time, or because they just don't have it in the budget to waste $20 on a different colored slime.

The Trivia, also fits the beloved Double Dare trivia. Pop Culture Trivia about Riverdale, Childish Gambino, Shawn Mendes, and then it ramps up for the intentional dares and physical challenges. As you see "How many members of New Kids on the Block" in the 90s, and "Backstreet Boys" in 2000, expect one to ask about "BTS" in the near future.

In Round 1, the values are $50, and if you dare $100, and if double dare it's worth $200. If you decide to throw the question out for a physical challenge, it will be worth the $200.

In Round 2, the values double, so $100, and then $200 or $400.

But there is a new rule only the team with the highest score, keeps their money

And as a purist, this is something I don't like. I think both teams should be able to keep their money regardless of income, and it seems like another thing that they did to cheapen the budget (Why hand over another $800 or $750?)

In the two episodes from Monday's Debut, both episodes ended close with a $50 difference, both of which ended after the alarm horned right when the team about to come-from-behind got control. Did they decide to not waste one of the questions or not to interrupt in the result of a Dare-Double Dare, or they didn't want to make time to get another physical challenge?

As you know, television is more commercials now than television, eventually you are gonna see 20 minute shows seen as "30 minutes", which means 8 minutes are cut, so that means the gameplay is gonna be very reduced, you barely see two physical challenges in a single round, often you might only see two per game, maybe if we're lucky, you'll get three.

Whoever has the most money goes onto the obstacle course

The Obstacle Course, has some new, and some old. But with smartphones being common, you can't really give away stereos and VCRs anymore. The prizes are now more scooters, guitars, sports equipment, STEM toys, etc. They still give away trips to "Space Camp", and it seems that's all that matters.

My favorite new obstacle is "Unboxing" where a person must open a box that hides a box, that hides another box, that hides the flag, but there is others like Couch Surfing, that has a flag in a couch, or a teeter-totter, which I guess is the new version of "The Tank" (although I miss the tank)

Although, I am very upset they didn't have "Sundae Slide" either because they didn't have room, or decided it was similar to "Mount St. Double Dare" (which isn't just a small prop anymore) which is a foam ramp with slime lava that has a flag. 

Which comes to, once again, a complaint about budget - whipped cream and slime seems to be the only things going for it. In the "teeter totter" and a blue-plate special, we see "nacho cheese", and that seems to be the only food substance used on the course.

Everything has just slime, the nose has slime, the volcano has slime, the mouth has slime. Everything has some form of the same green slime. But on the original double dare, you had things like Soda Jerk, which was different colored soda, Sundae Slide, was foamy mashed potatoes made to look like ice cream. But here, it's green and white, and that's about it. 

Give me a ball pit, or a "molten lava cake" with chocolate sauce... it doesn't have to be old obstacles, just new messes.

But once again, I think it's budget. I wonder what they'll do with a season 2 and a bigger budget (pay the runners-up and afford the color "orange" for the lava?)

The direction of the game is really nice, although it seems the camera is a bit out-of-focus on the contestants, and really want to see that light scheme on the top of the set or the big graphic that says "DARE" when possible. When the camera is tilted at an angle pointing up, it looks "bigger", but the contestants and Liza are seen as smaller now.

Liza is really good when it's obstacle course, while marc loves talking strategy ("Obstacle 4, with X seconds left, they are needing to catch-up") Liza is all about explaining the obstacle and pointing out where things are to help them out.

I really love the challenges on this version more than the original, I do think the set design is way better (given technology), but it feels cheap in certain areas. 

Also, it doesn't know how much it wants to play off the "nostalgia" - it has Marc, it has the graphic package in the scoreboard, podiums, and timer, and then they say "your mom has heard of this" with the nose... and how much they want to make it for children today. 

As Double Dare in the 80s was pretty much doing stuff your parents told you not to do (play with food, pick your nose, etc.) this version of Double Dare is playing off the parents who grew up, and now have kids of their own, the next generation of kids, they will be entertained, but it's the same kind of shrug as when you tell a "dad joke". I mean, it's a big nose, that's silly...

In conclusion...

There are things that are unnecessary - "Dare" Graphics with stingers and "Cha-Ching" noises like Johnny Test episodes, TV monitors displaying original scoreboard graphics.

There are things that felt cheapened - obstacle course slime, the rulechange for runners-up, fast production

And there are things that are nitpicky - the dark set, casting demands for dances and dabs,  Liza's "YouTube tone" hosting. And something that is a likable change - the graphic package for questions and physical challenges (the question font and the red team/blue team timer for physical challenges or the obstacle course)

But ULTIMATELY

The heart and soul of double dare is STILL there. The game is as true as it was in the 80s as it was in the 2000s, as long as you can see smiles on children. The format is there, even if truncated for time, it is still exciting to watch. If kids aren't having fun, aren't experiencing joy, there is no point in having this. If the show loosens up the pageantry of a game show, and let's kids be themselves instead of just fake enthusiastic. You might be onto something.

I don't know if kids today are able to understand sincerity, in todays "whazzup guys" youtube world, but Double Dare, at least to me, was always on sincerity and letting kids just have fun, where even runners-up are winners, and it being true aspirational television.

Everything still feels "tense", at least in my eyes of the show, and Double Dare is like the flip-opposite of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. It should act that way, and there are signs it could still be.

I recommend it to any 80s and 90s kids who still have cable television
And modern kids who still have access to Nickelodeon for some reason (YouTubeTV?)

But with what looks like a rush in production, and done on the very cheap, it seems Double Dare's flaws come from a lack of faith in the show. But if Pyramid and Match Game did so well, i wonder what would happen if they went "all-in" instead of just having just dipping their toe in the water.

Double Dare's cast and crew definitely put their hearts into this production and it shows. I hope it becomes a success, but only time will tell.

7.0/10

UPDATE 06.28.2018-
I watched a few more episodes, and it seems that the physical challenges and obstacle courses do offer NEW messes!
I saw a physical challenge where they had to pour water, fruit punch powder and ice on themselves in 20 seconds, and another involving catching pancakes on a head. The messes are there!

Additionally, "The Tank" was back on the obstacle course, and some new messes were available, such as "hot dog" where the flag was hiding in a giant bottle of ketchup, mustard, or relish. And a "slime hydrant" where slime would spray all over the stage (really, all over the stage) and the flag in the center to grab. I think there are some more messes on the way, but I still don't know why we need to the ceiling of the Double Dare set. All the exciting stuff is on the floor, get more reactions of Liza, Marc, and the Contestants. More close-ups, if possible! And it's still too purple/dark.

But I think if they got a bit more money next season, you will see so many problems fixed.

8.0/10

LET'S UPDATE AGAIN

So, let's do some updating! 

 As you can see, webcomic is now here. I'm gonna do that sparringly, because Microsoft Paint is wonky.

Also, I do a show called NIGHT NIGHT that's on MONDAY, WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY around 8pm PST.

 We look at internet stuff, watch YouTube videos, analyse game shows and more.

 I paid money for this background!

Twitch.TV/JordanGames

That's the place to find it, subscribe and also I'm trying to get a discord going because that's what all the cool people are doing now.

But I'm trying to set a limit to keep out any bad eggs. 

 THIS IS WHERE TO GO TO HELP ME OUT

I want to update this more. But honestly, there isn't much that I haven't been saying on Night Night. 

I don't care about E3 anymore because it's just celebrating commercials for things to buy. 

But that being said I did scribble down some of my favorite games from E3

I pre-ordered most of them, others like Yakuza Kiwami 2 I already pre-ordered before E3... 

Here are a few bullet point notes as well

• As much as I'm excited about double dare being revived, I am concerned the production was rushed and it came across as cheap. 
• I've been binging on chapo trap house, and I think it's a very good Podcast in how they present the news and call bullshit to all the grifters
• Quick food review - Yoshinoya is 2 out of 5 stars
• Ready Player One is bad. Painfully bad. I like nerdy stuff, but it feels creatively bankrupt, and the sort of movie that would enable Funko Pop collectors and crypto mining. If it's 2045, why get nostalgic about 80s and 90s stuff? If it's "because we need the data for this Easter egg game", what if you don't care about this online game? What happened afterwards? Where is the 2020s, 2030s and 2040s nostalgia then? Should people get excited for North West?
• Abolish ICE

quick update

So, it's time for a quick update but here it goes...

 Night Night is doing great, I think I found the niche for the show, as I am trying to get a good rhythm. It's on twitch, the problem with stream is still the computer.

I updated my website to be just the blog, the about and "webcomic", webcomic the webcomic is something I've been doing on and off for nearly a decade, but I figured crude drawings and walls of text would make for something different so here you go. 

I also pulled the idea vault and portfolio, because those are pretty much for my eyes only or employers. But because nothing is happening right now, I'm just going to assume I'm bad for business. 

So now I'm trying to figure out how to fix that. If I have a podcast what would it be about? Should I do it fast or slow? I don't know what it should be even about. Would anybody even listen? Probably not. 

i was thinking about something recently. And it's going to be weird... but follow me on this  children's broadcasting.

I've been watching old Bill Nye and Nick News, and these shows got kids interested in science and current events and brought it down to a level for them to understand. 

Most parents just give their kids a iPhone and YouTube and expect Spiderman and Elsa doing the Harlem shake to babysit them, but the problem tests in auto play and it gets awful. 

I understand kids love PewDiePie and let's plays, but I'm finding it more fascinating looking at "today I found out", or "William Osman" and other people who just show their fascinations with things... That sense of Discovery. 

Last year, kids love slime videos, but rarely did anybody explain the chemistry that goes into creating non-newtonian fluid.

And sorry, but trying to find the videos usually leads to awful people who dislike any sort of social justice or progress... Which in my mind, defeats why we learn and grow and develop. 

Are there any good resources to get kids to know about STEM? What about the arts and humanities? is there somebody that can explain climate change? What does it mean to be Muslim? What did transgender mean? 

Mister Rogers taught us to love ourselves, and we are special by just being ourselves... But I don't see that today. 

I think that person is out there, but I doubt it could be me. Because I do have a very foul mouth. 

But I have a background in TV, I almost got all my education credits while in school. I could try. 

The simplest of things like algebra or the electoral college or scary things like divorce and death. 

Some say it's unnecessary, but I'm starting to be skeptical and think it's necessary now more than ever.

Here's to you Linda, Bill and Fred. 

I gotta confess

I don't normally vent here. But this is my website and I need to update it with SOMETHING. But lately, I've just been riding the wave, basically torn between production and writing and being just another person ranting about stuff on the internet.

 But one thing that's been stuck in my head, is that of reality television. I enjoy an "amazing race" and think "big brother" is the training wheels to get game show fans into reality competition.

But I haven't really said something that would get me pretty much blacklisted from every production house  I hate confessionals.

If you don't know what a confessional is, basically since the dawn of reality television with shows like "the real world" there have been "the confessional", where a character (because in the world of reality TV, they aren't human, they are characters) give their "honest thoughts" on the subject.

On reality competition, it's strategy and game plan, or the crappier "explain what's going on right in front of you" (so-and-so and I are hanging on to a bar for as long as possible) 

And some game shows, like Weakest Link or divided use them as well to show conflict... 

And the worst abuser of them all, is documentary. The kind of garbage you see like House hunters, to The Kardashian show of the week, to the one with dating people. 

It's horrendous. But mostly, at least to me, they only serve one thing - the producers. 

The producers already recorded all this footage of people in a game or eating dinner or something. Then they need to have "conflict" to have an episode. 

So, given all these hours of footage, they chop together stuff to make something sound coherent. 

Maybe so and so had a dinner conversation about wanting a dog, and somebody didn't want a dog that a perfect time to then a few weeks later get them into a green screen studio or a couch and have them say lines like "I want a dog, here's why" and "I don't want a dog, here's why" and then try and create a story about the compromise, maybe get footage at a rescue shelter, maybe show the guy angry stepping in dog shit, that's what we get. 

And honestly, I'm pretty sure at this point, audiences don't even believe these confessionals anymore. They are either staged to get the players to say what is necessary, or it's just rambling nonsense that's equatable to somebody angry on YouTube that Cartoon Network isn't the same as it was when they were a kid (this is a evergreen opinion, because CHILDHOOD vs KIDS THESE DAYS)

But the confessional, it's ANNOYING to me, it's ANNOYING on shows like The Office and Modern Family, it's ANNOYING when game shows try to do that to get some sort of sob story. 

It's just annoying. 

All it is, at least to me, is duct tape for a show to get something together. The same way when you see a documentary have just a talking head say something instead of showing it off. 

I am a firm believer in show not tell, and the confessional is pure tell.

An interview with people is fine if it's outside the boundary of the show. But it always feels pieced together in a way that makes it seem like we need a hero and a villain and a conflict.

Is this our future? Are we going to have confessionals on Wheel of Fortune?  People explaining why they bought a vowel? 

It's an instant turn off for me, and sometimes it pains me to see that used more and more in shows. I don't even like it on Bake-Off. 

I understand you want points of view and it helps in that regard, but it takes me immediately away from the action on screen. 

If you're going to tell me, it better be things the producers can't obtain or recreate.  

It's things like the confessional, that make me less motivated to be in this weird industry. 

I'm going to drink a coffee while somebody either says Something positive about me, something because about me or it's me talking about drinking the damn coffee that you clearly see.

Get rid of it, it's unnecessary.

Talking Taskmaster

As you know, game shows are sort of "my thing", the same way Nightwing is, or hamburgers, or awkward video game moments... Okay I might need to trim some of these down.

So I was excited to find out that Taskmaster, a popular (600,000 viewers on DAVE!) game show is coming to the US! 

 The show is split into two segments - on location and in studio.

 On each season (or series) 5 contestants, all of which are famous in the world of entertainment (mostly comedy, in various forms) are given a multitude of tasks (challenges) to compete with a time limit.

Some are straight forward like "find alex the fastest" (Alex is the Creator of the show, and in this show plays assistant and umpire, and data person)   to something that could require creativity ("Eat this egg the fastest") to ones that involve creativity ("create a movie that would look really cool in slow motion") 

After they were filmed and edited, they are all taken in studio, where they meet the Taskmaster for the first time, (Greg Davies, AND YOU WILL OBEY HIM, or not, he's pretty friendly actually) 

It is there they find out what they are played for in "the prize task", something each contestant brings in that fits a criteria (Recently: "best liquid", previously: "hippest headwear" "important document") to which Taskmaster ranks from best to worst for points (5/4/3/2/1) 

Then, one of the tasks are shown, sometimes split up by person, sometimes grouped up (sometimes in teams) as they look back at what they did, what strategies they were done, and if anybody broke the rules.

Concluding with a "Live Task" that all 5 compete in that's in studio (usually 100 seconds) with whoever scoring the most points that episode winning the 5 items from the prize task! 

  (In the event of a tie, a tiebreaker task is shown quickly)

The points are banked with the highest scorer of points throughout all the episodes winning the real grand prize - the Taskmaster Trophy (a bust of the Taskmaster) 

What makes the show work so well is the diversity in the casting, mixed with the budget, it's cheap!

But while on other game shows, cheapness is met with distain, Taskmaster uses it to their advantage, as anybody could theoretically get the same items at home and play the same challenges! (Without the scorn of Greg of course) 

There is lateral thinking in this show, where if the task involved limitations like "you may not touch the item", you could instruct Alex or a production assistant to touch the item for you. Or if they paid attention to the room, there could have been bonus points or loss of points, and that's rarely shown on television.

 So it's fun for me to come up with ideas for tasks on the show.

And it's fun to watch how others go through these challenges, some are just bad, others amazing, and you get everything in between.

Taskmaster is in its 6th season in the UK, and is currently airing.

I recommend watching this show for the mix of discussions and the tasks. 

Which leaves me to Taskmaster USA. A slightly truncated version of the game show, instead of 44 minutes, it runs 22 minutes, and only enough time to get through 2 video tasks and a live task.

Is it good? Is it bad? It's really whatever. 

There is no prize task anymore, instead one contestant out of the five brings in "something they don't want to lose" and it's a game of personal possessions. 

I'm going to say this WHENEVER PERSONAL POSSESSIONS ARE EVER USED IN A GAME SHOW, IT IS GUARANTEED TO GET CANCELLED

American audiences do not like seeing their stuff played for, they like to win, not lose, and even if it's played for laughs, never works out. Just look at FOX's BIG DEAL, MTV's TRASHED, or ABC's DOWNFALL if you need to know why. 

It sounds like during a pitch about this show - somebody brought up the prize task as "they bring in their own possessions" unaware that more often, they just buy something that is silly enough to fit a criteria for a joke. ("Bring in the most money" with foreign money or play money) 

It honestly should just be scrapped altogether, but if you needed "stakes" I guess that works? 

While it is only two tasks, they seem to break it into two types - a "rank" task (best wins) and a fastest/most task. 

Unlike Greg,  Reggie Watts does not play "authoritarian", but rather a heightened version of himself, he's regal, but with his judgements, he critiques as somebody who is an expert on creativity, almost like a cross between a Television Executive and the viewer at home wondering why they went a certain way. 

And I will say it - he is splendid as Taskmaster, he is somebody you enjoy as a leader and authority figure, even if some of the calls you might disagree with. And it is pretty American.

Which one is better? I would say the UK version, solely because of the hour long time limit.

Making it half the time, speeds up the tasks and you lose the banter and debate of the UK edition that makes it great.

The prize task, to me, is a quick insight on the contestants if you're new to the show, as you figure out their thoughts on simple suggestions., a lack of it, takes the fun out of it.

If you were going to do a new season of this and it needed to be half an hour, I would eliminate a prize task, with an actual "prize task" .

Before the game, each player suggested 4 things they want if they won (a vacation, a new car, etc)

And then each of those are sent to one of the opponents, (and predetermined on the show) 

So the final task isn't a live task, but a contestant seeing their prize task. (A contestant opens the envelope to see "present the winner with immortality in studio, you  have one month") to then the prize is revealed, even if it's slightly corrupted.

That's not to say it's bad, HOWEVER. given they put it on Friday Nights at 11 o'clock in back to back episodes, it sounds like they are burning off the show and giving it a fast cancellation. 

Which is slightly upsetting, but as long as it's still around on Dave, there isn't any hope lost!

 I'll leave you now with this task.

I'm Broke.

Okay, that's a very misleading headline. If that came across as clickbait, I'm sorry. 

 I make "an ok amount" of money, i have enough to get by, but when it comes to economics, I don't think I have as much of a disposable income as others.

And that's what today's subject is about - disposable income.  As technology changes we have so many subscription services that PER MONTH, you get stuff, physical or not.

You might have heard some of these from time to time, as they are podcast sponsors.

Netflix, Hulu Plus, WWE Network, Crunchyroll, YouTube Red, Amazon Prime, and soon, stuff from Disney and DC Comics

And that's not including any of the subscription box services, that just involve some variation of "a shirt and a Funko" 

But it's getting out of control, and because I like to be honest, I am going to tell you, the reader, all my subscriptions! 

Cable Subscription - Spectrum   (With HBO and showtime)   

Because as much as I would love to cut the cord, I'm a firm believer that we might see a new television Renaissance real soon, as cable TV gave us niche, and internet gave us whatever you wanted, you're going to see Television, almost turn into a Twitch style with tons of live programming and more revivals of shows you vaguely remember.

Netflix 

It seems every day, they have something new, and they rotate out the content that isn't their own, but they gave a platform to the new Mystery Science Theater, they have Arrested Development, and if I wanted to, I could watch a couple movie classics.

They also have The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale, so I have to subscribe, now somebody can watch weird Television with me! 

Hulu   

This one might be on my unsubscribe list soon, as the last thing I saw was the documentary on The Dana Carvy show, and they really have nothing I watch.

Reality Shows aren't game shows, my friend. And I hate confessionals way more than you think.   It's ticky-tacky for editors to create a story out of nothing. AND I MIGHT WANT TO VENT ON THAT SOON

Patreon 

I don't have a Patreon myself, I thought about it, but I honestly don't know what to put up that makes it "worth it", a podcast? More articles? I don't know!  But if you have any ideas, send them to me on patreon. Let me know what you enjoy.

But for me, I think Patreon is the place to go for content creators, so I dropped a few dollars to Bob Mackey and Henry Gilbert's "What a Cartoon" and "Talking Simpsons" podcasts

Because as I said earlier - I really love when people share their love of stuff with the world, and I think they deserve the love as well. The episode about Steven Universe is really good (as Henry talks about a personal connection with the show) 

And Two Bad Neighbors episode of The Simpsons, where Bob chats with a couple people from Chapo about politics that make it hilarious! 

 I would love to donate to more people, and unfortunately this is why I get frustrated sometimes. I want to help so many people, but man, I could barely afford a $60 at launch these days!

F4W Video 

So I recently unsubscribed to the WWE Network, because it's mostly terrible. I usually just subscribe from Royal Rumble through WrestleMania (about 3 months) and move on afterwards.

But my guilty pleasure show has to be The Bryan and Vinny Show on Figure 4 Weekly

Originally, an audio podcast, they have moved into video, where now you can see facial reactions to their recap of pay per views, speaking out of experience, and in entertainment.  

Every week, they have 3 episodes:   Retro Raw and Nitro (from "the 90s", and spoilers - it's terrible!) With their funny friend Craig! A modern episode of NXT (WITH GRANNY!) and a Sunday Grabbag, that is either an 80s WCW show or the most recent pay per view event.

Giant Bomb

Giant Bomb has been the first subscription service I've used, I love Unprofessional Fridays as a show, but the video game content at Giant Bomb remains my favorite.

I don't really watch that many "let's plays" or twitch streamers, but something about building a robot in Nintendo Labo, Garfield Video Games, 50 Turn Mario Party Match-Ups and Killing each other in The Sims 4, that just makes it exciting! 

The guy who got married at a Taco Bell and the White Guy from The Blinking White Guy meme went though all the Metal Gear Solid games!

Amazon Prime

When it comes down to it, I'm happy with the shipping, and the bonus of a place where I could watch all the star wars movies. 

I enjoy all the snack of the month ideas, but ultimately, I like being in control of my destiny, and I choose what dumb stuff I want to buy. 

I liked Nick Box, but everything was plushes, which are cheap to make

I liked loot crate, but it felt like I wasn't getting my money's worth (or what if I don't care for Harry Potter?) 

Ultimately, I'm happy just pre-ordering stuff, ignoring it until it shows up to my doorstep and I get surprised. 

   AM I SAYING IT'S TOO MUCH?

Yes and No, excluding cable, and you are looking at about $900 a year  (hey, $10 a month at 12 months is $120, give or take)

Additionally, while I love video games, I'm getting annoyed by DLC, lootcrates and ways video games just can't come up with a proper ending (this includes sequels)

But much like confessionals, I'm saving "say goodbye" for a later date. 

But it seems that is a new business tactic, movie pass did well, but now they are pulling the strings to make sure you don't take advantage (4 a month!) 

GameStop was going to have a rental service, but that seems to be missing... 

And all I have to figure out is. 

"Ah damn it, I forgot Xbox Live and PLAYSTATION plus, oh well, no going back to edit that list now" 

This is the new way of business, some companies want you there as long as possible (Netflix) while others want to make sure you forget they exist and collect per month (Hulu) 

Others want to disappoint you, or surprise you. 

But ultimately, if you think it's worth it, then go for it! 

But I'm just a bit weary about what this means in, everything. 

Is it capitalism? Is it silicon valley? I don't know. 

No Video Games Here

It's snacktacular Jordan here, reminding you that chips have a high sodium content that could lead to dehydration - so drink plenty of water!

I haven't updated this blog in a few weeks because I barely had much to talk about. Nothing new happened. No new movies no new video games, I've just been watching YouTube videos and trying to get sleep.

While I see the benefit of this blue filter night light, it hasn't done much on assisting me in getting more sleep. A real struggle recently is coming up with a nice sleep pattern, which hasn't been achievable.

The most recent video game I played was Kirby Star Allies, which I will say is "alright", on my current financials, I have roughly $100 to spend on entertainment (if we deduct Netflix and all that, it's about $60) . Which means I could just about buy ONE video game a month.

 Yakuza 6 looks very fun, as does the most recent God of War, but my computer is very laggy and I might just need to save up, so I could get better equipment for writing or making games.

But right now, E3 is looking and that means  hyping everything until you lose interest 

And I dislike it, it should also be the time to watch movies like Avengers : Weekend At Thanos or Deadpool 2, either way it has Josh Brolin.

 But instead, I'm just in a wormhole.

I'm watching The Crystal Maze and Theme Park YouTube. 

Most of you already know The Crystal Maze is one of my favorite game shows from the UK. It incorporates this fantasy style of game show that's like a game of Dungeons and Dragons, mixed with quick activities that are speedy.

Completing challenges warn the mcguffin , Failing earn nothing, but taking too long, and you could lose that mcguffin.

It could be trivia, it could be a skill based show, or just a basic physical challenge, or a simple puzzle, the variety makes it great. And it's one show I wouldn't mind coming over here. 

They recently received the show in the UK, although more formatted as the host/producers determine the games, and there is a limit of just 10 games (2 per player, up to 2/3/3/2 in the four zones) that makes the game feel slow and treats it like a game show that nobody wanted to participate in, which in turn makes it so the audience should have no investment in.  

Even if the stakes are low, a good host can make everybody seem invested in  the game. Richard O'Brien is great at this, because even if a contestant is doing badly, he is entertaining you into continuing.

It's an absolute delight and I would probably spend more time on this, because imagine a Wild West,  Space, Dock/Warehouse and the classical Medieval to expand the world.

It's a show I'm just binging on. 

Also, I've been really enjoying that of Theme Park YouTube. I finished up the Defunctland series and each episode is self contained to tell a story of a new Attraction at the theme park, the creation, the launch and eventually, it's failure. What worked and didn't work with a bit of humor, like the idea of Pleasure Island having "A Magical TGI Friday's"

If it's one thing I enjoy on YouTube, it's people making videos with knowledge and passion, and theme park YouTube comes from this pure love of attractions, and it's just something that is missing in this world. 

As I said in an earlier post, the way to fight all this negative and hate is with positivity, and even though we are looking at shortcomings and failures, each episode is coming from a place of admiration, rather than spite!

You could find various videos from other people enjoying their theme park day and sharing it on YouTube

One such channel is that of Magic Journeys that goes through all the food at Disneyland (and Walt Disney World) and while the average person will go "wait, a churro is HOW MUCH", they aren't seeing the theme park in rose (gold) colored glasses, and if something is just not up to par, they will tell you.

These people do Disney, pretty much how I would do Disney, and it makes me happy seeing videos like this. Not because "hey I'm not alone in my weird antics" but also because these come from a place of love.

WE NEED MORE HAPPY VIDEOS PLEASE. 

I'm still hoping something good happens here soon, but "nothing much" so far.

I might not do much on the internet these days, but man it's so much fun seeing what others are doing. 

I was also in the most recent "I'd Rather Not" podcast, which you could listen here

  If you have any questions, feel free to ask over at:

curiouscat.me/JJordanHass

I now leave you with me holding an ice cream

Weekend Ideas

I'm not going to promote this post, but this weekend I'm probably going to just go to Salt and Straw and finally try some fun flavors. I haven't been but wish me luck!

 I spent the last few days messing around with a few image editing apps and did some pretty bad memes (which you could see from the image above)

The slump is kicking in again where i do feel like I'm running out of ideas and when that happens, I panic, so that means I'm going to try something new, and I think that's why I did that. 

Also, please look at Ballotpedia.org so you can make an informed choice at the ballot box. 

I should probably see The Last Jedi or Ready Player One or Love, Simon among other movies, there is a huge backlog for me.

Ugghhhhhh! 

also, should I actually go to Denny's and try these items? It seems silly, but something I would do, as I do enjoy Han Solo, and I am kinda sorta looking forward to his movie.

But right now, my brain feels melty, and I am watching what I missed at WrestleMania because of a stomach flu...  

But I think something good is going to happen soon, I just don't know when or what! 

Lost on the Internet

So, it's been a weird few weeks. I have had a stomach flu, I've been having sad slumps, and trying to figure out what to do next.

Currently, I've been twitch streaming, but I don't know how long I can keep that up, which I know is important. I think it's boring, I don't have much to bounce off of, and my computer is lagging a bit even on loading websites. 

The less I get involved online, the less I know the current events. But recently, I saw drama unfold with something I'm familiar with. In 2011, I had a website that sad pretty mean things about a few internet reviews, at the time, I didn't know any better, I was REALLY DEPRESSED, friends went away, I didn't know how to deal with bisexuality, and I messed up. .. I barely spoke about it, except in passing, because I was embarrassed by the content and language.  But recently, a bunch of content creators came forward with problems they had with the website, some left years ago, others as recent as today.  But I didn't know what to do. I felt that other times, it wasn't right, but this time, because it was more personal, and people I've grown to know as friends were in situations that I couldn't believe we're happening even back when I was a jerk.  I have to apologize to all those I messed with in my past, and I would like to believe I've gotten better, but this event is really my ultimate test. .. and so far, all I could do is say these content creators deserved better! I wish I had the power to make a better website to fix this, to make sure the content creators had a place to promote their Patreon and entertaining reviews and retrospectives and just factual videos among other things. But, ultimately, I know all I could do is sit in the sidelines and tell jokes with the actual people that should matter - these victims.  I know I can not reverse the actions of myself from almost a decade ago, but I do know I can be a better person by hearing them out, sharing their content and actually caring.

If it's one thing that's missing not just online, but in the real world - it's people lacking empathy.

We do not care about our neighbor anymore, we have decided being selfish is all that matters, and if I screw you over - it's your fault, not mine.  

I think we need to show kindness, we need to show positivity, even though things might look bad, I think the way to fight all this evil, all the garbage, is simple WITH LOVE 

It's so easy to say things are bad or terrible or sucks... But it's more rewarding to fight that with positive, things that are good. 

Looking at these content creators now - it's no longer "fuck this piece of shit" and somebody having a fake meltdown, it's people showing stuff they love, even if it's quirky, out of their own interests. 

But that's the secret - love and passion for their hobby. Not "identify by my hobby" and see things as threats, but being welcoming to New ideas, or crazy ideas, and even if they flop, what made them interesting in the first place! 

I'm this weird theory I have if you give love, you will get love back.

This means, it's perfectly okay to shout into the void, because most likely, in this big internet that we talk with, you'll find somebody that loves that thing as much as you do... And have friends!  

And it doesn't have to be a big major thing like Sonic the Hedgehog or something obscure as Mario Party. 

I honestly didn't know there was a Game Show fanbase until i had the internet. No matter how obscure, there is somebody there. 

And if there isn't, I know if you post about it, somebody will find that fascinating. 

Everybody has an interest, the secret is to not let it be your identity, and not let it over take you that you need to gatekeep who "isn't a true fan" and who "is killing video games".

I think there are people who haven't quite figured that out yet, and just sit on the sideline and wait til somebody on YouTube "destroys" that person, they want to be passive or stay in the center...

But those people, are quite boring, and most likely are your typical edgelord contrarian looking to capitalize on the popular thing, by saying, maybe it's bad???

You had a harassment campaign a few years back where people gatekeep people's opinions on games (turns out people hate it when you speak about progressive ideology like "body positivity" or "queer protagonists")  and if you are a developer making a game with such things, you are "shoving it in our throats" which is crazy hyperbole, because nobody is forced to play anything...

And this continued with comic books, where they harass women who work at marvel, or when comic books provide storylines that -gasp- are political! And not just political - PROGRESSIVE! 

And at no point, did somebody wonder why they like comic books in the first place? Why instead of trying to ruin something that gives people of color inspiration (like black panther) they look at the books they do enjoy? (I'm guessing it's Frank Miller?) Nobody is taking away that past, you can't get in a time machine and make the 1990s WWF Attitude Era go away.

If you hate the modern WWE for having somebody like Finn Balor promote something like acceptance for LGBTQ+, you can rewatch the same five minutes of triple h telling the godfather's to "suck it" , because that's what you love... 

Focus on the stuff you love and get rid of the hate, and life will be better.

You don't need to spite somebody to get that "checkmate", you just need to celebrate the stuff you love. 

There wouldn't be a High Times magazine if somebody wasn't interested in it. 

There wouldn't be unboxing videos on YouTube if someone didn't enjoy the unknown. 

Speaking from experience, there is no joy in harming others, it only makes you feel good temporarily, but eventually you either lose all remorse, or you figure out that  that's not you. 

So if this becomes a website where I write about Nightwing or Game Shows or Board Games, then do be it.

Because it's better to do something out of love, than ever out of petty. 

And I hope you join me for the ride, or at the very least, this fast article.

The Black Velvet Cupcake

I really miss the Black Velvet Cupcake at Sprinkles. It was chocolate on chocolate and it was really good. I wish I had one on my birthday. But I think it will be back for Halloween.  It's my favorite cupcakes.

The Untiled Clip Show

In2016, I made a clip show that lasted two episodes because it took too long, and nobody really cared for it, but I decided to mark it as unlisted and put them up here on my website.

Come see the poor audio levels on the clip, and okay delivery of ADR

In this episode, we look at dips, clips, and survivor

and in this episode, boxes, reality arcs and robin

Let's Get Political!

It has come to this, a political blog post, something that hasn't been done ever on the internet...

There used to be a saying "Never talk about politics or religion in polite company", but as it turns out, being apolitical is still Political (which it is) as is any sort of piece ever created.

Roseanne Season 10 debuted last night, with impressive ratings, unsure if it's because of nostalgia for Barr or just because John Goodman's character didn't actually die like we thought...

I enjoyed this finale, it ended on a depressing note, but one that was a bit optimistic... So when I heard they brought it back, it was questionable.

Roseanne ran as Green Party and then as Trump surrugate, tweeting against transgender people in 2012. 

 But I gave it the benefit of the doubt, and it follows the same notes as Roseanne, in a new neurotic atmosphere with the family divided because of the election. Economic Anxiety being the reason for one, while the social behavior of a Little Donnie being too much for the other.

That to have an episode where a character wants to wear whatever they want to wear (THE BOY WHO WANTS TO WEAR GIRL CLOTHES, IN THIS AMERICA?) is just weird in this world of gender dysphoria, non-binary acceptance and the constant fashion trend of androgyny.

The characters aren't as well rounded as they used to, and are almost seen as the one dimensional characters, with Dan playing the good husband trying to just live day to day oblivious of the disasters in the household.

If Fuller House could work, so could Roseanne...   for better or worse.

The main talking point I keep seeing from the Smug Grumpingtons of the world is that "It's a good show BECAUSE it's speaking positively about Trump and it's a show against the LIBERAL BIAS"

I hate to say this, but everything has a bias. Social Studies, which is Geography, History, Sociology, etc is actually intended for you to understand different cultures and the mistakes people have made, and lessons on frustration, it's not meant to be patriotic, every leader had flaws...

Nobody is pure, everybody has faults.

I say this because, while we are always championing and fighting for "good", there will always be somebody that you want to be as your ally, but then has a share of fuck ups.

The severity of this depends, they might still call things "gay", they might actually have fucked over people in labor, or worse. 

The problem with liberals, self flagellation in finding that perfect bean, when you know you've also fucked up, and trying to appeal to everybody, when you have ACTUAL FACTS ON YOUR SIDE.

The problem with conservatives, not accepting responsibility for their own actions and being selfish in caring about themselves and nobody else. 

I, have fucked up, many, many times. I said hurtful things to people online, and not been a better ally to people, I know I could get better, others don't.

  When others don't, that's when they stay stagnant, and where the status quo shows up.

There was marching for civil rights on the 60s, but nobody took steps to give minorities that step up, let alone getting rid of the toxic behavior of the clan.

Women fought for the right to vote and be in the workplace, but then when pay gaps happen, or sexual harassment happens, they turned away. 

And don't be coy and say "is complimenting somebody harassment"? For Christs sake Seth, you're single and have complained about not having a girlfriend every day for six years, you are one dick pic away from HR reprimanding you, that is if HR actually does something. 

Most of the people fighting now, get mocked online and on television, because in some circles "well we did everything", but honestly, when you had an AIDS epidemic and did nothing...

And yes, it's mostly FOX News. 

The Nazis in Charlottesville, they are just practicing their free speech, BUT HOW DARE THESE PARKLAND KIDS SPEAK AGAINST GUNS

We need to respect the President of the United States, unless it's Obama, then we need to undermine his presidency because he has a different skin color than me, or screw it, throw Muslims under the bus as well, because they do this praying on a carpet and speak an arabic prayer WHICH ISN'T AMERICAN ENGLISH, AND DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THE HEBREWS.

What I mostly see is failed actresses and comedians looking to finally get that last break in entertainment, so they decide conservativism is the way to go. They love jokes about stereotypes! WHO SAID REPUBLICANS CAN'T DO COMEDY? (many people, actually)

And it works, just ask every contrarian complaining about how people losing their parents to ICE, or being assaulted for being LGBT or just having a pizza place is "playing the victim", while crying foul because an educated college student knows you're only there for publicity through spewing hate.

Treating "Socialism" like it's the devil, yet celebrating programs LIKE Military and Police for keeping our country safe.

Blaming "public schools" for the kids sharing their toys instead of buying two, or public libraries for giving people access to literature, both fictional and factual, and the internet.

We have fire fighters, we have playgrounds and maintenance, and hopefully, environmental protection so there is safe water to drink. 

No singular party has control over who loves their country most, but what you see is patriotism disgusted as a cultured identity, which Peter Coffin talks about on YouTube and in his book 

We spend so much time encouraging kids to go to college, that we've made degrees practically worthless. 

We've spent so much time telling people to join a military, and never took the time to take care of them if they return. 

Generations have good intentions, but sometimes fails, and instead of blaming things like the capitalist system we have (you think Bezos could maybe give his employees healthcare?)  and the electoral system that got Don elected (he was a champion for popular vote originally!)

We decided to blame "the kids". 

Kids are eating avocado toast to get a house. 

Kids get degrees with little value like ART or HUMANITY than BUSINESS

And that's not true, the kids who got degrees got fucked over just as much as those that dropped out or never showed up to college in the first place. ..

They can't afford healthcare let alone car iinsurance, and if they did, it's for Uber or Lyft.

We have resorted to Kickstarter for our dreams and passions.

We look towards gofundme for our disasters and slipups

Our creative culture is now a tip jar known as patreon and ko-fi.

And even then, it's not enough to survive.

the icon, at the top of the page, is the symbol for politics - A Bernie Sanders Funko Pop.

Bernie Sanders had a campaign on Democratic Socialism, where the top 1% isn't helping out the rest, and to celebrate - here's a piece of plastic that costs $10 that you can keepsake like a Hallmark ornament so you can go "oh yeah I remember him", much like Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy or WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan.

Our economy is based on consumers, and our politics have become consumer identity. 

Much like how you "aren't a true fan" of a band unless you get a concert tee, you aren't a true MAGA unless you get the RCoD (Red Cap of Deplorable)

You know who is the truly oppressed? Gamers. That's why you need to riot at Polygon for not giving that AAA video game you enjoy (and also part of your brand) a score that's less than 9.5!   It's apparently just as bad as apartheid in South Africa!

And if you're thinking "these are shitty", it's okay, I understand, feminism, that's why you need to buy this "#YASQUEEN"  shirt to really SHOVE IT TO THESE GUYS

Mockingbird had this cover, and it was controversial because little biddy boys are upset it's spreading "the social justice" (which is just another term for human rights, but)

But hey, because of that negative, mockingbird gets attention, and then a group of people will spend money to "make a point"

Granted, most marvel stories, hell most comic book stories are slanted to be "leftist propaganda", because as it turns out, Superman was an illegal alien from Krypton and the X-Men is nothing more than civil rights debate because mutuants are no different than humans, but because of that sight difference, might be "scary".

With the lesson being don't be scared of people's differences, be scared of a world full of hate. 

But to flip it, hatred was a video game that came out a few years back that had a dull edgelord shoot up and kill a neighborhood of people.

People took offense (this was pre-vegas and Orlando) so similarly, it gets publicity it normally wouldn't want, and dipshits buy it to illustrate a point.

And honestly, that's the new normal

The "marketplace of ideas" is just attention now

The economy is all about spending money on "your politics" , which is also just a company brand that you can stand behind.

Boycott companies for unfair treatment, but ultimately buying because you can't find cheaper. 

Getting rid of Facebook, but keeping it up because of your images and contact with Grandma.

Venting at Twitter for not having better moderation, yet still using the service because there isn't a competitor.

(No, this isn't a "HATE CAPITALISM BUT USE SMARTPHONE" argument, but you know if they got rid of minimum wage in this country, we would see States competing for the bid to get apple to build their tech here for literally pennies) 

The sad part is, there is no way to fix this, with Trump it really is a war on intelligence and facts. ..

The base will be willing to eat tide pods if it means upsetting somebody with intelligence to know "hey that's bleach, don't eat that" 

They don't care, they have nothing to lose, except the guns they  bought under Obama out of fear he'll take them away.

He didn't, and now a few hundred have died since he left office...

The economy, is bad.

And it's not illegals to blame, it's not Muslim Americans, and it's unfortunately not MAGApatriot73747477 on Twitter who may or may not be a Russian Bot. 

It's our capitalist system and our lack of retraining those laid off, and giving solutions that have longevity

The "Trickle Down" isn't trickling, there isn't incentives for them to do so.

The Tax System is broken where we're going to end up having to take care of each other, while those that could afford to drop $5,000,000 for new offices and hires keeps it for themselves because of loopholes.

The manufactures and miners, can't be in something else. 

And if Blockbuster is replaced by Netflix, and Borders is down,  what will happen to Barnes and Noble?

Is MoviePass going to help the movie industry? 

Is Real Estate going to burst again? 

What about another dotcom bust? 

In reality, everybody is on credit, and we're paying with credit (and some debit) online and on a wing and a prayer that we could someday pay it all off!

 And we, could all get better...

We just have to take care of each other, even if they are different than us by race, gender, sexuality and, yes, politics...

Unless you're a piece of shit, in which case go fuck yourself.   

EDIT: and the solution is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as the new requirements in school, and encouraging Arts & Humanities (which includes literature and writing) on the side, and the need for trade.