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
“Robocop” Remake Goes Viral With OmniCorp Website July 7, 2012We’ve seen almost nothing from the 2013 Robocop remake that stars Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Joel Kinnaman as the title character. Fortunately, MGM is changing that with a new viral website for OmniCorp, the company featured in the original series and now the reboot. Hit the jump for… Read More
Where’s Google? February 1, 2010February 1, 2010If you read my latest “What If?” based on Men In Black, you’ll see that one of the sections included using Google Maps Street View to find some wayward aliens. If you haven’t, then why not? Here is the link, now there is no excuse! Well, as is always the… Read More
Apollo 18: Viral Campaign Starts Back Up, New Poster and TV Spot Revealed August 6, 2011Unfortunately, the biggest thing Dimension Films’ Apollo 18 may be known for is it’s constantly changing release date, but there was a time when its viral campaign ruled the newsfeed. After taking a hiatus since March, the campaign is back in full force. See the latest updates after the break. 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.