Some housekeeping:

- I did another video game talk show-y video for CollegeHumor, this time with Ben Schwartz. I'm still kind of feeling out this format, but I'm starting to get a better idea of what works and doesn't. I think next time I'd plan out what we're going to play a little more, and maybe try to trace a theme through a few different eras. Watch the video in all it's HD glory here.

Ben is unbelievably funny, both in his work and in person. His website, RejectedJokes.com, was nominated for a New York comedy award in the same category as CollegeHumor's CHTV so actually nevermind fuck him.

- Dave Fishel made another Dance Blog video. This is the third one I've participated in, and it's at least as fun as it looks. I was a little intimidated by the security guard yelling at us to stop, so I sorta half-danced for some of it. I guess I thought that the guard would be say, "Arrest them all! Except that one, he's just sort of bopping."

- It's tempting to link to every CHTV video, but you really must must watch Million Dollar Babies.

- Here's me and Amanda killing You Oughta Know karaoke at the company Christmas party. Someone said this was the first time a beer bong had been in a Frank Gehry building. I'm not sure if that's true, but it's almost certainly the first octobong.

- I had another million dollar idea. Lifesaver Toppers - a top for your Lifesavers that keeps your top lifesaver from getting all linty. It's adjustable and also fits Tums, etc. I figure I can sell them for $25.

All three seasons of Arrested Development are $30 on Amazon. Today only.

First pictures from Indiana Jones and the Blah Blah Blah Whatever.

Pizza!, originally uploaded by DrBaloney.

The Hanukkah gift Jessie knitted for me was blogged by Slice. In my world there is no greater honor than to be on the New York pizza blog and filed under "pizza weirdness."

I saw a guy on the subway with what appeared to be a jacket for people who worked on MTV's Oddville. I hadn't thought about Oddville in years!

I saw a guy on the subway with what appeared to be a jacket for people
who worked on MTV's Oddville. I hadn't thought about Oddville in years!

I still can't decide if the guy worked at MTV in the early 90's or was
homeless. I suppose it could be both.

Human Giant came over to the CH offices, and we played the original Halo. Here's the video. The game was a perpetual distraction, which led to some unusual conversations.

Obviously making the video was a blast, but I'm still not sure what it's like for you the home audience. Is this a format you guys would want to see more of?

BONUS FEATURES! Here's two deleted scenes on Vimeo.

Amazon is hosting three short films that serve as prequels for The Wire. One deals with Bunk and McNulty's first meeting in 2000, one features a young Omar in 1985, and the one features a young Proposition Joe (my favorite character) in 1962.

I'm pretty spoiler-phobic and I'm not sure if these are to be used in the fifth season, but I don't think so. I think we're safe. If you watch The Wire, you've already stopped reading this blog post and you're on your way to Amazon. I don't care about people who don't watch the Wire so I'm just going to stop writing.

Notes & Observations on the penultimate Kid Nation.

(as always, spoilers. Fun fact: my blog sees a fair amount of traffic from people Googling "Kid Nation Spoilers.")

- Meeting those Native Americans must have seemed pretty awesome to the town council, until they got back and saw the hot air balloons. Hope they like wisdom!

- This is by far the most incompetent council yet, and the first class featured both Mike and Taylor.

- Thimble-child Mallory has yet to have a reaction the editors didn't like.

- I can see why Jared's upset! Of all the characters who got any face time, he's the only one who didn't make it to the council or win a gold star. It's a shame too, I think I would have really enjoyed that teleporter.

- After Sophia chose the balloons, I was hoping the host would burn down the monument in front of the kids. Mallory's reaction would have been priceless.

- On a similar note, I wanted to see the town tear apart the arcade after it was closed.

- A lot of Kid Nation's pre-air hooplah focused on reports that one of the kids drank bleach. I guess it's not going to be on the show, so we'll have to speculate. My money's on Pharoh.

- To me, this show is only barely tolerable and it only scores that high because of DVR. I feel pity for anyone who has to watch the entire challenges. I noticed in the credits that Kid Nation has a separate 'Showdown Director.' CBS, fire this man.

- Alex's dad was the twist this episode needed. Did not see that coming!

- With next week's finale undoubtedly full of crying and flashbacks, this was in many ways the last true episode. The writers' strike will probably reap Kid Nation 2 before long, but I'm not sure I'll be watching. When does the new American Gladiators start?

- The Kid Nation Wikipedia page is more organized than it needs to be, though I do love color-shaded tables.

That Lauryn Hill video is now up in HD. Relive the magic!