Wednesday, January 25, 2006

WVA + DDR = Gym Class

I can just hear my old wrestling coach and health teacher, Jim Hess, screaming out loud, what in the world have we come to as he this article...
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Like many 11-year-old boys, K.D. Jones loves sports. But at 5 feet, 175 pounds, he found his weight and the asthma it caused an obstacle to enjoying many activities. His doctor wanted him to lose 50 pounds, and he's hoping a new health study using video games to fight obesity will help him get down to 125 by the end of summer in time to play football.

Jones is one of 85 children being recruited by the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency to participate in an at-home study using the video game Dance Dance Revolution to increase activity.

He lost about 10 pounds by changing his diet. Now after two weeks playing the game, he's lost another 10.

"I feel a lot better," he said. "It's a lot easier to play basketball now."

His enthusiasm has his mother, who struggles with her own weight issues, giving the game a try.

"It's a lot of fun," Joyce Jones said. "But I can only do it about two times for every four times he does."
Hey, whatever works you know...

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

And then there was five...

Looks like the WB and UPN are closing shop to become the CW network. Hmmm, the CW network huh? Any chance of bring back Hee Haw? Probably not. Here's what the article says...
The new CW network, to launch in September 2006, will be a 50-50 joint venture of UPN parent company CBS Corp. and Time Warner Inc., which controls the WB.

Tribune Co., which holds a minority stake in the WB, will not have any ownership interest in the newly merged broadcaster, which will combine such shows as UPN's "Everybody Hates Chris" and the WB's "Gilmore Girls" under one roof.

The WB practically invented the 12-to-34-year-old demographic of teens and young adults, with an emphasis on female viewers, though 18 to 34 is considered its advertising sweet spot. Besides "Gilmore Girls," its prime-time lineup includes "Smallville," "Everwood," "Supernatural," "Reba" and reality show "Beauty and the Geek."

UPN likewise has focused on a female-oriented 18-34 crowd, with many of its shows -- including current shows "Everybody Hates Chris," "Girlfriends" and "Eve" -- aimed primarily at an African-American audience.
Ehhh, so probably no Hee Haw then...