Comcast Buys NBC-Universal

Image from source, New York Times

Aaaannnd media consolidation gets even more consolidated-ier. I guess "trust busting" just ain't gonna happen anymore? I'm sure 30 Rock will get some humor out of the situation, assuming of course that NBC gets to stay at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. I wonder if Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow will be allowed to opine about this on MSNBC? Or shoot, what'll even happen to MSNBC. Yikes.

[Excerpt]

Comcast Gets NBC From G.E. in Deal

After nearly nine months of negotiations, Comcast, the nation’s largest cable operator, announced an agreement on Thursday to acquire NBC Universal from the General Electric Company. . .

Read more at: New York Times

Texas Governor's Mansion Up in Flames: Arson

Image from source, KXAN

I don't have a huge affinity for Texas (after having spent a sweltering summer in San Antonio; yuck), but it is always sad to see a chunk of history wiped out. OK, yeah, I was a bit more broken up about Universal Studios losing the Back to the Future set, but still. . .

[Excerpt]

Fire destroys Governor's Mansion: Intentionally Set

The smell of heavy smoke blankets downtown Austin, TX as firefighters manage hot-spots from a fire that has completely gutted the Governor's Mansion.

The Texas Fire Marshall's Office says it has evidence that arson may be the cause of an overnight fire which has gutted the state's Governor's Office.

Paul Maldanado from the state Fire Marshall's Office says agency is reviewing eyewitness reports and surveillance video. Maldanado says there is "evidence that somebody was here" and possibly started the fire, but declined to offer any further details. . .

Read more at: KXAN

Universal Studios in Flames

Top photo by Editor
Bottom photo from source, AOL News

Wow. I was so steeped in Democratic Presidential primary politics (picked a peck of pickled peppers, anyone?), I was flabbergasted to see the reports of Universal Studios on fire. Like lots of other pop culture fans, I've been to Universal on vacation, a few times in fact. And honestly, one of my favorite sites is the "Clock Tower"--actually more of a courthouse--from the Back to the Future movies.

The shot at the top of this post is from my visit in 1991. On a previous visit, the building and its grounds were still decked out as "future Hill Valley" from Back to the Future Part II. Obviously, by the time of the photo, they redressed it to appear normal, so that it could be used in other films and TV shows. Part of the "magic" of Universal has always been being able to see sets and buildings from famous movies and shows, so losing this building (and whatever else has been consumed) is kind of sad. Sure, they can rebuild it, but then it won't be "real." Oh, you know what I mean. . .

Hopefully, they got some enterprising cameramen there stat to capture it for Backdraft II.

[Excerpt]

Blaze Erupts on Universal Studios Lot

King Kong's roar was silenced, and Marty McFly won't be going back to the future anytime soon.

A raging fire ripped through a lot at Universal Studios on Sunday and destroyed some of Hollywood's most familiar backdrops, including the courthouse square from "Back to the Future" and a streetscape featured in "Bruce Almighty," ''Spiderman 2" and "Transformers. . ."

Read more at: AOL News

Big Quake in California on the Horizon?

Photo from source, Huffington Post

So, Eli Stone was right? They've been predicting "the big one" forever now, it seems. I remember growing up in the 70s and 80s, that there were always dire predictions of "the big one" happening by "the year 2000." In the meantime, Universal Studios created an amusement ride (based on their 70s disaster movie) called Earthquake: The Big One. Very cool too. And there was even a San Francisco talk radio station called The Quake. Makes you wonder how seriously California takes the threat, doesn't it?

[Excerpt]

Scientists: Big Quake Likely in Calif.

California faces an almost certain risk of being rocked by a strong earthquake by 2037, scientists said Monday in the first statewide temblor forecast. New calculations reveal there is a 99.7 percent chance a magnitude 6.7 quake or larger will strike in the next 30 years. The odds of such an event are higher in Southern California than Northern California, 97 percent versus 93 percent. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post