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
Find Your Temptation With “Tyler Perry’s Temptation” Tracker March 17, 2013March 19, 2013Tyler Perry’s Temptation is about a marriage counselor who gets bored in her own marriage and has an affair with an obsessive man, which leads to trouble. The film opens in theaters March 29th, but if you want to discover your own temptations, there’s an app for that. Read More
Dan’s High Five: 5 Sequels That Are Better Than The Original November 15, 2009November 15, 2009I’m continuing sequel month by going in the opposite direction of last week’s “High Five”by talking about good sequels. In fact, I’m going to list five sequels that were actually BETTER than the originals. Now, this doesn’t mean the originals were bad, so don’t get all mad. I also understand… Read More
New “Pacific Rim” Viral Poster Teases Where Jaegers Get Fixed [Updated] April 9, 2013April 9, 2013Pacific Rim has released some effective online teasers over the last few months that have offered a glimpse at the epic scale of the film without revealing any plot points or surprises. The movie’s Facebook page was recently updated with another such tease, but instead of newscast screenshots of Kaiju… 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.