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
Iron Man 2: Marvel Provides Tony Stark Letter April 7, 2010Marvel has provided a letter from Mr. Tony Stark himself regarding the relaunch of the Stark Expo. The letter doesn’t provide any new information on the event other than to explain some of the reasoning behind Stark’s decision to start it up again. Check out the letter after the jump. Read More
New “Riddick” Motion Comic Serves As Prequel To The Upcoming Film July 30, 2013Last we saw the criminal anti-hero Riddick, he had just defeated the leader of the Necromongers and been crowned their new Lord Marshall in The Chronicles of Riddick, sequel to the cult hit Pitch Black. In the upcoming third part of the trilogy, Riddick, we see that he has yet… Read More
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 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.