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
Paranormal Activity 2: Creepy Phone Call Leads To Katie’s Voicemail October 19, 2010Briefly: While the viral marketing for Paranormal Activity 2 is not really streamlined or narrative in nature, it’s still fascinating. Dread Central got a phone call last night (which you can hear on the site) from what appeared to be a frantic Katie (from the first film) trying to get… Read More
10 Worst Super Bowl Commercials Ever February 4, 2010February 4, 2010We talked the other day about how Super Bowl commercials are viral videos. In fact, they are probably the original viral videos. Before YouTube, Facebook, and any other sharing medium online, people would stand around the cooler the next day and talk about the ads that aired during the big… Read More
Cloverfield Actor in Super Bowl Commercial February 8, 2010Cloverfield was an international phenomenon, but it didn’t exactly propel any of its lead actors into instant stardom. You may have seen them in guest spots on TV or in some bad movies (see: Odette Yustman in The Unborn, or rather, don’t see), but otherwise, they have yet to truly… 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.