Arcade Cavalcade

Posted Jan 30, 2007 by TBO.com

Updated Jan 30, 2007 at 04:27 PM

Here at Tater Central, we’ve made no secret about the fact that the Xbox 360 is our gaming console of choice. We love our Wiis and the PS3 has its merits, but nothing else touches the 360’s impressive array of titles and robust online service. Now 10 more downloadable games are coming to Xbox Live Arcade, starting in February. They include:

“3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures”: Putt your way through 36 holes of manic mini-golf action on wild courses that range from the Old West to outer space and feature crazy hazards and obstacles.
“Alien Hominid HD”: Side-scrolling, hysterical cartoon action with a quirky twist.
“Band of Bugs”: Fast-paced tactical strategy game that offers gameplay deep enough to satisfy tactical genre fans and friendly enough to appeal to casual gamers. Includes a built-in level editor!
“Castlevania: Symphony of the Night”: Faithful version of the classic side-scrolling vampire-hunting game.
“Catan”: Faithful remake of the immensely popular strategy board game.
“Eets: Chowdown”: Completely revamped version of the popular PC title, offering new items, levels and the exclusive debut of “Marsho Madness,” a high-adrenaline action game in which players must keep evil marshmallows at bay.
“LUXOR 2”: Action-puzzler in which players match and shoot their way through ancient Egypt.
“Paperboy”: Classic coin-op hit, specially enhanced for Xbox Live Arcade.
“Root Beer Tapper”: Scramble to keep thirsty patrons happy without dropping root beer mugs to earn the biggest tips.
“Worms”: Armies of adorable weapon-toting worms locked in tactical combat.

Most of those descriptions are taken straight from the press release, so if they sound absurd, that’s probably why.

We’re looking most forward to “Paperboy” and “Root Beer Tapper,” which we remember playing back in the day when arcades were real and not virtual. (And, no, you’re not crazy: The latter was originally just called “Tapper” and featured Budweiser beer.) They join an impressive list of coin-op classics already on Xbox Live Arcade, including “Pac Man,” “Joust,” “Robotron,” “Defender,” “Frogger,” “Galaga” and more.

We’re still waiting for “Zaxxon.” Which old-school favorites would you like to see on Xbox Live Arcade? Feel free to use your Buckner & Garcia LP for reference.

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More Idol Talk

Posted Jan 30, 2007 by Chris Kuhn

Updated Jan 30, 2007 at 04:18 PM

A number of Idol alum have been popping up in the news recently. Here’s where I’ve spotted them:

* Chris Daughtry (Season 5) recently performed on the premiere of a new national morning program from Fox, “The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet.”

* And this isn’t so much a recent sighting as it is a cool discovery. Have you checked out Taylor Hicks’ blog? Named appropriately “Gray Charles” (love it), it’s a great way to keep up with the crooner as he tours the country. I’m still trying to get seats to next month’s Tampa Theatre performance which apparently sold out in 3 hours. Be sure to check out this witty, interesting look at life on the road for the recently christened Idol - click here!

* Jennifer Hudson (Season 3) took yet another big acting award, this time voted in by her peers at SAG as best supporting actress for her Dreamgirls performance.

* Jonathan and Kenneth (Season 6 hopefuls) were the butt of Simon Cowell’s jokes only a week ago but they’ve already cashed in on their fifteen minutes, appearing on several morning programs and taking part in an interviewing gig for NASCAR.

* Elliott Yamin (Season 6) - ahem, MY favorite - appeared on TV Guide channel all last week in interview video bytes chatting about his upcoming album. For those, like me, who are Yaminions (as we are so aptly labeled!) the official date for the CD is March 20! And the first single to be listening for and requesting—- “Movin’ On.” I can’t wait!

*And speaking of new releases, the big news this week is Katharine McPhee (Season 6). If you experienced a case of McPhever last season, then you’ll want to check out her new CD that just released today. It’s called Katharine McPhee - original, huh? I haven’t heard any bits of it yet. Have you? But she will be performing next week on Jimmy Kimmel Live (Wednesday, Feb. 7).

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Happy Vista Day!

Posted Jan 29, 2007 by Wes Phillips

Updated Jan 29, 2007 at 07:15 PM

Ok, Windows Vista isn’t being released until tomorrow ... or tonight at midnight if you are hardcore, but the new operating system will be an inescapable force in your life over the next few months. Uncle Bill is planning on a media blitz and most new machines will be sporting the OS.

You can use the Vista Upgrade Advisor to determine whether your current machine is capable of making the jump. Me, I’m sticking to the old reliable XP until I know Vista won’t brick my desktop. Or maybe I’ll even give in to the call of my Apple-lovin’ friends who keep telling me that Vista is just a rip-off of Mac OS X anyway.

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The Apprentice: Los Angeles—- 01.28.07

Posted Jan 29, 2007 by Chris Kuhn

Updated Jan 30, 2007 at 04:33 PM

The group is still reeling from last week’s decision by Michelle to quit this season’s Apprentice: Los Angeles (Sundays/NBC) and goodie for them, the Donald decided not to fire anyone else on Arrow because of her unexpected departure. We get a good laugh watching the loud-mouthed Arrow team celebrate in their tents while boozing it up. Team Kinetic, on the other hand, are their usual reserved (aka boring) selves. I’m convinced that Arrow has more personality in their drinking hand then the whole Kinetic team put together.

Both teams get a surprise phone call from Trump. He’s upset that Michelle quit and wants someone from Kinetic to come over to Arrow to help them out. Surprisingly, three people from Kinetic volunteer and Aaron and the Arrows decide that Surya is their man. He seems level-headed and calm and these nuts know they need someone like that in their wacky mix of strong personalities. When he arrives at Tent City, he’s greeted with hugs and beer. And he then sits down with them and proceeds to read a list of rules to them that he’s put together. I’m seriously shocked that Frank hasn’t put out his cigar in Surya’s bushy hair. The last thing this team wanted was someone to come over and give them a scolding or talking to – something tells me that Surya won’t fit in to well with this zany bunch.

Shawn Yazbeck (below), last year’s James Bond and Apprentice winner is joining Donald this week as an observer. There’s no Ivanka tonight and I’m not sure why. She’s been a breath of fresh air in this year’s not-so-exciting season so far. It’s too bad she’s missing. This week’s challenge will require the teams to create, promote and sell a new version of El Pollo Loco’s new product, El Pollo Bowl. (What a horrible name!) I’m convinced that a crazy team like Arrow will hold the magic key to market crazy chicken.

 

Each team quickly comes up with their unique flavors for the new chicken bowls. Arrow goes with a tortilla-tinged version. Kinetic combines chicken with fruity tastes of pineapple and mango. Hmm…interesting. As a vegetarian, I wouldn’t eat either or even be in this establishment but on the surface, I’d say Arrow has the edge on the universal appeal factor. On Kinetic, Marisa and Derek are in charge of marketing and Marisa becomes quickly attached to the name Bravado Bowl, which iron-fisted Heidi vetoes right away. All four or five times Marisa calls and insists. Meanwhile, the other team makes a smart, swift choice – chicken tortilla bowl. It’s not flashy but you know exactly what you’re getting.

The teams start selling. Arrow is doing great driving quick interest in their new bowls. As an added sales strategy, project manager Aaron sends out Frank and Tim to drum up bulk sales but the group left behind struggles to keep up with their busy flow of existing traffic. It’s beginning to look like it might be a tactical error on Aaron’s part. But suddenly Frank and Tim score big. A business down the street wants 22 of the new bowls! They head back to the restaurant and Aaron is thrilled that this is their ticket to win. Stressed-out new teammate Surya just wants help behind the counter, but clearly this extra business could be really big in the final outcome.

Over at Kinetic, the team isn’t convincing too many patrons to try their Paradise Pollo bowls (they probably don’t know what they’re getting themselves into with that goofy name). They try giving out samples in the drive-through to spark some interest but it doesn’t look too promising.

The moment arrives to see who sold the most pollo bowls and the winner is… Arrow! I’m so excited for them. As a reward, they’ll get a personal concert by Andre Boccelli on the beach, an evening fireworks show and best of all, they get to move into the mansion. This is one fun bunch and jumping in the pool with their clothes on is just one sign of that. When Kinetic hits the tents, they are appalled with the living conditions. Hardened food on the pans, wads of hair in the outdoor sink and messes everywhere. I think it’s hilarious that they think this is the worst of it. Wait until they try to sleep and shower out here. Or better yet, get dressed up in their fancy duds the next morning outdoors. They’re going to love that!

The group enjoys their feast by the ocean and the lovely sounds of Bocelli. Italiano Frank is loving it especially because it reminds him of Sundays at home with the familia, the smell of pasta cooking in the kitchen and the sounds of Andre booming out in the living room. Tim dazzles everyone with his own piano-playing and Nicole’s noticing him big-time. He’s talented, a little cute and single. Hmm…maybe another Apprentice love connection this season? Team Arrow is so appreciative of the splendor of their victory while Kinetic wallows in a little self-pity and disgust. And in trash.

Back in the tent, Heidi’s trying to decide who she will take with her to the board room and it’s no surprise that Marisa is high up on her hit list. I’m wondering if she’ll only take one person in with her. Aaron gets to join in on today’s board meeting and from a few moments into the meeting, everyone’s jumping on Marisa’s case. Everybody on her team wants her fired. But observer Shawn, Aaron, even the Donald himself, like her spunk and spirit. Still, she makes the mistake of continually talking over everybody including Trump and she talks her way into a serious spot. Heidi takes Marisa and Amy, one of the drive-through cashiers, back into the board room. But Marisa quickly starts yapping away and talks herself into a firing. Donald sends her packing.

What did you think about Marisa getting canned? I found her more annoying than incompetent but I am so tired of Heidi. I really hope she goes home soon. She thinks much too highly of herself. At least next time we’ll get to see a new project manager emerge from their team. I wonder who will step up to the plate. Derek is a bit of a whiner too who contributed very little to this task. I wouldn’t mind seeing him leave soon.

Next week, everyone will be watching the Super Bowl, so they’re not wasting a new episode, but two weeks from tonight, we’ll get to see our aggressive candidates go up against some new foes: honeybees. Hmmm… if only Heidi would buzz off. Maybe she’ll get stung! Hey, a blogger can dream. Stay tuned…

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Beauty & The Geek—- 01.24.07

Posted Jan 29, 2007 by Chris Kuhn

Updated Jan 29, 2007 at 12:34 AM

We’re headed back to Geek Mansion on this week’s Beauty & the Geek (Wednesdays/CW) and Jenny and Niels are worried that Nate and particularly Cecille will hold it against them that they nominated them for elimination last week. Well, just Jenny is really worried since Cecille has already thrown her a few dagger looks already. But poor little Jenny, she’s got such a crush on Nate and is ecstatic to see him return after the elimination round. It’s really very sweet.

The gang is going on vacation to San Diego. But it’s not all fun and games. The ladies are going to learn and be tested on their knowledge of electronics and the men are going to be working those other muscles, putting together their own beach workout. Uh-oh. This is probably not going to be pretty.

On the way to their sunny destination, the pairs start studying on the bus. Jenny and Niels are barely on speaking terms after his controversial decision to try to oust Nate. Erin and Drew chat about his previous workout days. He thinks it was during the Clinton administration. Oy. Once the teams arrive at the resort, the ladies start training their fellas. Mario wants to bounce the big exercise ball. Nate does his best Arnold Schwarzenegger in the gym but he is so much cooler than Ah-nold. Partner Cecille just wants to sunbathe and finds studying too boring. Megan is really patient with Scooter and takes the time to show him the moves and guide him along nicely. And Jenny and Niels are starting to show some signs of strain in the gym. He’s got moves he loves to do. And yep, she hates every damn one of them.

The geek gang gets a little boat adventure out with the ladies. Jenny’s hanging all over Nate, Cecille’s making pointless threats to Niels and Erin does a bizarre Tawny Kitaen dance in her own little homage to Whitesnake on top of the boat in her high heels. She does everything but belt out “I’m the king of the world!” After the boat ride, Cecille continues her bad-mouthing tirades against Jenny and Niels. Sure, the champagne gets the best of her, but don’t let that fool you. This woman is insane, idiotic and bizarre stone-cold sober.

But it’s the moment I know I’ve been waiting for – the body by Geek workouts. Two gym gurus will judge from the sidelines while the men train the beauties. Drew sings and gets the ladies laughing but still working out effectively. Scooter is charming as always but doesn’t seem to know the moves too well without checking his notecards. Mario has his usual great sense of humor through the routine and he gets the ladies moving happily and easily. Niels intends to make everyone work out so hard they throw up and the ladies aren’t too keen with his request to hit the floor and crawl like a bear. Nate enters in his colorful latex but his goal of informing them while they exercise means he does more talking than exercising. I’d say that Drew or Mario will win this thing. But the verdict’s in and the gym experts think Scooter did the best.  So he and Megan will be safe from elimination this week and get to select one team to compete in the elimination round.

Now, it’s the ladies turn. They are given metal detectors and must find a treasure chest on the beach with walkie-talkie components in it, then assemble the device and call their partner for a code and the color of their kayak, finally rowing to their partner. Megan is the first to uncover her treasure chest and calls her buddy, Scooter, but can’t seem to connect with him. He hears her but she doesn’t hear him. Um, Megan, uh, you have to stop holding the button to hear the other side. Doh! Cecille and Nadia are next to find their walkie-talkies and get their kayak info from partners Nate and Mario, respectively. It’s a race between the two in the water – yep, Megan’s still onshore holding the button – but Cecille makes it to her partner first. Now, Cecille and Nate will get to pick a team for elimination. Gee, I wonder who Cecille will choose. Hmmm…

It’s time for the teams to make their elimination announcements. It’s no surprise that Cecille selects JennyLee and Niels. After all, they did nominate them last week. Megan and Scooter have only two other teams to choose from and they select – Erin and Drew. Awww, my Trekkie guy. I really like all of the guys left EXCEPT Niels. But I really like watching the little love thing blossoming between Nate and JennyLee. So I’m torn, but I guess I have no choice but to root for Erin and Drew. And the night before they’re headed into battle, Drew pulls a timeless quote from his favorite inspiration and my household’s source of universal wisdom, Star Trek. Everyone hugs and shares a nice pre-goodbye cry and remembers what this experience is really all about.

The final round is here. The ladies go head to head and JennyLee hammers Erin 2 to nothing. Drew steps up and misnames Ahr-nold’s classic blend of cheesiness and beefcake, Pumping Iron, as “Let’s Pump Iron.” Oh well. It’s live long and prosper for Niels and JennyLee and back to the holodeck, Drew and Erin. This dream is over.

What did you think of tonight’s episode? I am sad to see Drew go – Erin was okay but I liked JennyLee more. But it will be great to see the sweet reunion of Nate and JennyLee. Next week, it looks like he’s finally going to make his move on JennyLee. Stay tuned…

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