Monthly Archives: August 2010

TV Sports Instant Replay. Pop. Culture. History.

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From Alan H – Mr. Pop – Who came out with the first “replay” recorder for TV and when was it first used?

Mr. Pop History – Instant replay for sports began during the early 1960′s with conventional “quad” video tape recorders – but the process was cumbersome.

Seeing the problem, VTR maker Ampex came to the rescue in 1967 – with a dedicated replay device and that machine was first used by ABC Sports during the U.S. skiing championships.

These were not tape machines. Instead, they used a disc (analog) – a huge advantage when you want to call-up a replay. No rewinding. They came complete with variable speed/reverse plus stop motion. By 1971, some 100 Ampex color instant replay machines were in use by networks and larger TV stations.

Mr. Pop Culture Report – August 28… Busy Week For Paris… Interesting Facebook Suit… Glenn Beck Has All The Attention…

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Two Los Angeles County teenagers are suing Facebook, claiming the social network effectively sold their names and images to advertisers without parental per ission. The lawsuit challenges a Facebook feature that allows members to note that they like an advertised service or product. Facebook broadcasts those endorsements to the user’s friends. The lawsuit also claims minors unwittingly endorse Facebook when people typing their names in a search engine are steered to a Facebook sign-up page. The plaintiffs say Palo Alto-based Facebook is violating a California law that requires parental consent for children to make commercial endorsements. The teens seek unspecified damages. Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes says the lawsuit is meritless. He notes Facebook doesn’t allow users under 18 to let their profiles appear on public search engines.

More Paris – The socialite was arrested on the Las Vegas Strip late Friday after police saw a cloud of what they suspected was marijuana smoke wafting from the windows of a black Cadillac Escalade driven by her boyfriend, then found a small amount of cocaine in her possession. Lt. Wayne Holman said. The 29-year-old socialite and Las Vegas nightclub mogul Cy Waits were booked into the Clark County jail, police said. Hilton was released early Saturday morning without bail.

Remember – Earlier This Week – Socialite Paris Hilton called police on Tuesday after seeing a man wielding two large knives and banging on her windows, apparently trying to break into her Los Angeles home. “So Scary, just got woken up to a guy trying to break into my house holding 2 big knifes. Cops are here arresting him,” Hilton said in a Twitter message.

Syndicated radio host and Fox news’ Glenn Beck … and what many consider his boldest move yet: Saturday’s “Restoring Hour” rally (August 28) in Washington, D.C., which is  drawing around 500,000 conservatives. Not only has Beck courted controversy by scheduling this ostensibly “non-political” rally on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 “I Have A Dream” speech, he’s booked the same location: The Lincoln Memorial. Here’s a concise guide to the goings-on:

Mystery John F. Kennedy Film. Pop. Culture. History.

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From Craig V – Mr. Pop – I heard before JFK was assassinated, a rather odd home movie was made by him – showing his death.

Mr. Pop Culture – Such a movie was made on that Labor Day weekend in 1963. According to the book, “A Hero for Our Time” by Ralph Martin – the movie shows Kennedy leaving his Honey Fitz yacht and suddenly – clutches his chest then falls to the ground. Several people including his wife Jackie, are shown walking past his body like nothing happened.

Sounds more like a Frank Zappa music video.

No such film is in the archives at the JFK library – and – it is indeed a mystery.

Mariah Carey Low Point. Pop. Culture. History.

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From Jimmy H – Mariah Carey was a true superstar during the 1990′s, but hit rock bottom shortly thereafter. When?

Mr. Pop History – Due to her bizarre public behavior and sinking album sales, I’d say it was when Virgin Records dropped her. This was in 2002. She had a little comeback in 2005 with “The Emancipation of Mimi” and today – she’s there – but not really a shining star.