Tomorrow on 88SLIDE....

Join us tomorrow as Rachel studies for her first economics test! Yikes!

Dinner with Gordon Winston-Smythe

I met up with the host of GOODNIGHT BURBANK, Gordon Winston-Smythe, for dinner out in the Valley.


We talked shop, podcasting, sponsors, distribution, production...great fun.

We split this decadent BUTTERSCOTCH BOMB for dessert, which I rarely have - a little much, but delivious nevertheless. I had a Kobe beef burger at this place Mo's (which is my nickname) - it was 'aight, nothing too special.

Gordon's real name is Hayden Black, and he both created and now produces GOODNIGHT BURBANK, He has a British accent, but is from Ft. Lauderdale?!?

We're going to have Hayden ask the day's question in an upcoming episode in Gordon's character.

This week on 88SLIDE...

We're going BACK TO SCHOOL!

Plus, this Thursday we'll be giving away a 5 Megapixel Kodak EasyShare Digital Camera, courtesy of our pals over at Dealhack.com. Make sure to check 'em out!


MONDAY: Rachel waits for the school bus as we head BACK TO SCHOOL! Plus, we'll reveal Friday's winner!


TUESDAY: We're traveling to the University of Nebraska with a special guest to explore one of the most famous Cornhuskers of all time!

WEDNESDAY: Join us inside University of Nebraska's Memorial Stadium!

THURSDAY: Rachel studies for her economics test, and we'll be giving away a 5 megapixel Kodak EasyShare digital camera!

FRIDAY: It's test day - Will Rachel make the grade?

SATURDAY: Join us for all this week's outtakes and blooooooopers! It'll be hi-larious

Skype Me

First person to SKYPE ME gets a lil' shout out on the blog....Hit me up?

Tomorrow on 88SLIDE....

Rachel reenacts Lizzie Grubman's auto accident, minus the possible intoxication and documented screaming, as we explore this VERY important event in history...


Above: Lizzie's mugshot, sort of


Join us THURSDAY as we explore the eruption of Mount Vesuvius!

Check out Rachel in front of a dirt pile in LA, with a smoke filter applied to the top! Not to worry, we'll finish the illusion with some low-rez volcanic sound effects...plus, get ready for our most horrible PUN yet!

Referral Program, Working and eating at Rita Flora

Yo yo....so I finally got a laptop to work on 88SLIDE on the go. Remember when I brought the whole desktop to Washington, DC for the weekend?

Or when I brought the desktop AND monitor to my friend's place during the LA blackout?... No more...

I'm sitting here at Rita Flora on LaBrea Avenue where they have free WiFi. I've been here for about 2 hours, working on a presentation and drinking a lot of coffee...just had some vegetable soup for lunch.

Anywho people, today we implemeneted a great referral program. Thanks to Loren for putting this together...



Here's the deal...submit your answer via the Web site, and you'll land on the ANSWER CONFIRMATION PAGE. You'll be given a unique URL to share with as many friends as you like. Should they watch 88SLIDE via that URL, submit an answer an win - YOU'LL WIN TOO!

It's as easy as that.

We're developing some additional community functionality which I think you'll enjoy...in the meantime, help us spread the joy of 88SLIDE with our new referral program!

Noah at Rita Flora

Raw Footage of Blaine as a Bird

By popular request...raw footage of Blaine as a bird for the cutaway shot in last week's ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST episode...


Blaine actually found those $250 sunglasses on the street on his way over, which happened to work well for this bird impersonation. I think he hocked'em on eBay already.

Raw Audio of Contra Rebel Voiceover Session

So if you've already seen this week's episode, you've seen Blaine as the Nicaraguan Contra rebel fighter.


No, Blaine doesn't know Spanish that well...

You'll notice that Blaine's bandana covers his mouth...the Central American voice is my friend Andrew''s...all the way on the other coast in NYC...little tidbit: Andrew is originally from Guatemala, so the accent is somewhat accurate...not Spanish/Spain, not Spanish/Mexico...REAL...CENTRAL....AMERICAN.


Andrew, thanks for helping us out with this episode.

Here's a link to the raw audio of our voiceover session.


MP3 File
Enjoy!

You'll also hear the second option we did, which roughly translates into "SEND MORE GUNS! THE M16s! AND 12 CASES OF TAB.....YES MY FRIEND, ITS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND DOWN HERE!"

I use AUDIOBLOG for these phone voiceover sessions. I simply conference the person with this automated service, type in my pin, it records the conversation, and then posts the MP3 for me to pull and use in Final Cut Pro. It's proven useful time and again.

Some other quick tidbits from this scene:

1. Blaine is holding the cradle of this 1970's phone I have on my desk that I got at a flea market the other year...its supposed to look like one of those field radio-telephones in the scene.

2. Blaine is wearing the headphones I usually wear while shooting, but I obviously didn't need them for this shot as Blaine is simply mouthing along to Andrew....NOW, the headphones are actually connected to my iPod (off-screen), which I preloaded with Andrew's take, so Blaine could do his best to match.

3. We were gonna do this at dusk, but the timing didn't work out by about 10 mintues...so I drove over to Blaine's (I've mentioned he lives 3 blocks away before, but remember - this is LA)....told him to meet me outside "with that army color jacket you have"...I parked the car facing the sidewalk and kept the lights ont...The odd part about taping this scene is that here we are at 8 pm, Blaine sprawled out, wearing an army jacket, waving a fake gun and talking jibberish into the phone while I'm shooting the scene - RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SECOND MOST ORTHODOX JEWISH NEIGHBORHOOD IN LA...sort of bad timing with everything going on...we tried to do this as quickly as possible. P.S. I'm Jewish, Blaine isn't. I only go to temple twice a year though - Easter and Christmas. Old joke.

Good night gang.

88SLIDE now on AKIMBO

I'm pleased to announce that we've added yet another alternative distribution point to our growing network.

Folks, you can now watch us through the AKIMBO set-top box on your living room, dorm, or dungeon television set.


What is AKIMBO you ask? Well get ready for a quick copy & paste!


AKIMBO delivers digital-quality video-on-demand to any television via a broadband-Internet connection. In April of 2006, Akimbo Systems announced an agreement to offer their service to subscribers of AT&T’s Homezone TV service, scheduled to launch later this summer.

Welcome to our growing 88SLIDE family!

PodZinger Brings Video Search to 88SLIDE

Hey gang - I'm pleased to announce that we've teamed up with PodZinger
to implement a new functionality into our ARCHIVE section.

In short, all of our episodes are automatically transcribed and indexed - and you can now search not only for your favorite episode TITLES, but for specific WORDS within each episode.

Click on the ARCHIVE & OUTTAKES section to the left, and then type KENNEDY into the search box...you'll see two episodes, one where we mention RFK, and one where we mention JFK...Cool, right?

Now CLICK ON ANY OF THE WORDS in the sentences leading up to, and following the word KENNEDY, and the episode will start playing from that point. Now that is pretty cool.

What's with the overusage of "cool" in this post?

Here's a press release with more information about this partnership...

Borat Trailer

I'm not a shill for FOX - but I stumbled on this trailer for the BORAT movie on YouTube and wanted to share it with y'all....should be classic

My Man Iku!

I want to give some major props to my man Iku Annunaki, Founder of Spaceology.


If you recall, Iku joined us in Episode 22 and asked you to identify Claire Huxtible's occupation on the Cosby Show.

Iku joins us again as he introduces this special weeklong episode of 88SLIDE...

Check out Iku's band NIBIIRU on MySpace when you get a second...

As Iku proclaims, MAY ALL BE WELL...

Friday's 88SLIDE Winner...

Subject to verification, Friday's gift certificate goes to the randomly selected correct entry from Jaime Cummings, from Orange Park, Florida!

Thanks Blaine!

Viewer Email from David Silver...

I'm publishing this viewer email after seeking permission from the sender...

"Dear Rachel, Blaine and Noah...

First of all, I want to say that Rachel is the best host in this emerging vlogosphere...not only is she absolutely beautiful, but has the BRAINS to back it up - this sets her apart from the rest! 

Blaine is a nut. I look forward to his 3-5 seconds every day. What's in that record collection behind him? Does he take requests? Tell me - who and what is Blaine?

You guys need to keep up the great work...and you Noah, you're like a modern day Merv Griffin without Phillipino houseboys at your beck and call (or maybe I'm wrong?) What's next for you?

Although I haven't won yet, I've told everyone at work about 88SLIDE, and we usually all wait until the whole gang gets in before watching as a group, huddled around my computer. I usually sneak a peek before heading to work though!

THANS FOR STARTING OUR MORNINGS ON THE RIGHT FOOT!

David Silver
San Francisco, CA"

Thank YOU David, and yes - I have 6 houseboys (including Blaine) that I'm transitioning into editors and writers. 

Thanks again!

Braclay's New iPod

Hey gang...

Remember our first iPod giveaway back in May?

Anywho, here's a pic that I've been holding from viewer Barclay Gilland from Albuquerque, New Mexico - the winner of the iPod!


Enjoy Barclay, enjoy!!

VIEWER SPOTLIGHT: Dave Decker

It's time for another VIEWER SPOTLIGHT, and this time we're featuring (former winner) Dave Decker (below, dressed as Clint Eastwood) from Oakmont, Pennsylvania!

Here's what we found out about Dave, and what he had to say...

NAME: Dave Decker

AGE: 28

LOCATION: Oakmont, PA (just outside Pittsburgh)

OCCUPATION: Web Developer, Code Monkey, Geocacher, and husband

HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT 88SLIDE?: A fellow geocacher posted about it on his blog. He won an iTunes GC a few months back and I knew I had to take a stab at it. Once I saw the light-hearted nature of the production, I was hooked.

FAVORITE EPISODE: I have several... "LA BBQ Festival," "Banjo & Fiddle Fesitval," "Stalled Car," and "Simply Golf." Quite a list, huh?

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT 88SLIDE: I enjoy the consistency of the material. Each morning I read my blogs, check the news, catch up on my email, and check my work requests. Having something like 88Slide to break up that monotony is crucial to my mornings.

WHERE I WATCH 88SLIDE: I watch on my computer. Alas, my iPod isn't video enabled... you guys might want to think about giving one away. ;)

WHEN DO YOU WATCH 88SLIDE: In the morning. I load up all my blogs and news sites to check for updates while having my morning hot chocolate. 88Slide is always saved for last. Like a fine desert, it's worth waiting for.

ANYTHING ELSE?: I'm quite impressed with the consistency and longevity of the production. Even though I normally have no problem with the trivia, there are times when I need to consult Wikipedia and I end up learning something. To me, that's WAY more valuable than winning anything. I give major props to your sponsors for getting on board with something so simple and innovative. This is the type of entertainment that we are sure to have more of in the future of our changing mass media. Thanks so much for a great part of my day.



Thanks Dave! We appreciate your 60 seconds, daily - and are happy to have you as part of our family!

If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming VIEWER SPOTLIGHT, drop us an email!