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
“Prometheus” Viral Campaign Continues On With Recruitment At San Diego Comic-Con June 27, 2012August 4, 2012Normally a viral campaign would end when the film opens theatrically. But a new viral video for Prometheus has appeared online today that disproves that notion. Previous campaigns have focused on Elizabeth Shaw’s plea to Weyland to fund the fateful expedition, a description of a med pod, and a test… Read More
Disney’s “Wreck-It Ralph” Gets 80s Commercial and Poster October 8, 2012October 17, 2012Disney seems to have a penchant for for making classic commercials to promote their films about toys. For Toy Story 3, we got a 1983 commercial for the “Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear”, as well as a Japanese version. Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph opens in theaters on November 2nd, and they have released a… Read More
The Soapbox: Remakes And How People React To Them June 29, 2009June 29, 2009Recently, Ive noticed a certain amount of bitching stemming from announced remakes, such as ‘Flight of the Navigator’ and ‘Total Recall’. My question for the week is, why do people bitch about remakes? Remakes are both a good and a bad thing. On one hand, remakes allow talented filmmakers to… 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.