Learn the Math Behind CBS Show Numb3rs Dan Koelsch, February 21, 2010 There are a lot of procedural shows on right now, shows in which a problem is introduced, investigated and solved all within the same episode (think CSI, Bones, almost every one hour show other than LOST). Many have gimmicks to try to separate them from the bunch (his partner is a psychic!), and one of my favorite gimmick procedurals is Numb3rs on CBS. There’s a nifty website created to supplement the show. The show centers on the Los Angeles branch of the FBI, where agent Eppes (rob Morrow) has a brother who is a math genius and professor at Cal Tech. Each episode has Professor Eppes (David Krumholtz) using advanced mathematics to help solve a case. For us regular folk, this stuff goes over our head, but if you are interested in the math, Wolfram (makers of software Mathematica) have teamed up with the show to help you out. Wolfram’s Numb3rs website goes through each episode and explains the mathematical principals the characters are using or talking about. The well designed site is meant to look like a case file being opened, and you can watch videos that show the math. For a much more detailed look at the science, each concept has a link to it’s own Wolfram page. It’s nice to know that the characters aren’t talking gibberish, and this kind of stuff can actually work. Numb3rs airs Fridays at 10/9c on CBS. Viral Marketing CBSNumb3rsNumbers
The Office: Jim & Pam’s Wedding Site and More! September 22, 2009September 22, 2009NBC’s hit TV show The Office is well known for being one of the modern pioneers of viral content in the television industry. The show’s webisodes have been a hit with it’s fans, some of the characters are on Twitter, and NBC’s page for The Office has always had additional… Read More
Castle: “Heat Wave”, the Novel From the Series, is Now Available October 15, 2009October 15, 2009Even we at MovieViral miss good viral news sometimes, and this is one that I am personally upset about not knowing. ABC’s hit show Castle is about a well-renown writer of detective novels (played to perfection by Nathan Fillion) who follows around a real detective (portrayed by Stana Katic) who… Read More
They’re Here: NASA Knows Something September 29, 2010The official They’re Here Twitter points to a YouTube video of someone typing “YOUARENOTALONE@NASA.GOV” into the They’re Here website. The tags for the video include “ufo”, “sci fi movie”, “aliens”, and “flying saucer”. What does NASA know? Maybe we’ll find out on 10/10/10 or sooner. Until then, watch the video… Read More
The show’s “Chain Factor” ARG is still my favorite example of integrating the viral with the tv show. Took the premise from the Primacy and extended it seamlessly (which is pretty difficult, after watching the episode’s resolution) onto the web and into the real world.