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
MovieViral.com – Part of District 9’s Viral? July 27, 2009June 6, 2010So Christopher, our Alien about town, has a new tweet on his twitter (here). Usually it’s nothing of particular interest, but this time it’s a video clip of a protest towards MNU that was held at LAST years Comic-Con. Here is the clip: Old news, but check out who’s Youtube… Read More
Contests “Doctor Who” Informercial For TARDIS December 26, 2010December 26, 2010The BBC’s hit show Doctor Who has a pretty big cult following, so the contest they are doing is a perfect fit. The contest, hosted at WhereIsTheTardis.com, asks you the fan to create your own TARDIS (the time machine from the show), place it in a public location, and upload… Read More
3 Short Prequels To “Dawn of the Planet Of The Apes” Explain 10 Year Gap After “Rise” July 1, 2014Tucked in the credits of Rise of the Planet of the Apes was what descended the earth into a viral epidemic. This so-called Simian Flu is what wiped out most humans and left the apes in a very strong position at the beginning of Dawn of the Planet Of The… 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.