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
You Can Decide How “Terra Nova” Ends…If You Buy the DVD September 16, 2012I was one of the few fans of Fox’s sci fi series Terra Nova, and was obviously sad to see it cancelled after only 11 episodes. The show ended on a cliffhanger, but the time travel series came out on DVD this week, and if you bought a copy, then… Read More
The Office: Jim & Pam’s Wedding Site and More! September 22, 2009September 22, 2009NBC’s hit TV show The Office is well known for being one of the modern pioneers of viral content in the television industry. The show’s webisodes have been a hit with it’s fans, some of the characters are on Twitter, and NBC’s page for The Office has always had additional… Read More
The Home Alone Twitter Project December 25, 2009December 25, 2009One of my favorite holiday movies of all time is Home Alone. Whenever I hear “Carol of the Bells”, I always think of that movie. Well, for all those other fans out there, now you can follow the plot of Home Alone on Twitter! Yes, that’s right. Thanks to Twitter’s… 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.