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2014/01/02

Neatorama

Neatorama

A Few facts You Might Not Know About the TV Series <i>Batman</i>

Posted: 02 Jan 2014 05:00 AM PST

Neatorama presents a guest post from actor, comedian, and voiceover artist Eddie Deezen. Visit Eddie at his website or at Facebook.

Batman, the TV series, made its debut as one of TV's first mid-season replacements on January 12, 1966. Featuring Adam West in the lead role and Burt Ward playing Robin, his co-crime fighter, the show became the breakout hit of the 1966 TV season.

Batman was everywhere and the show quickly developed into the biggest marketing campaign in television history, up to that time. Not only was every kid in America talking about Batman, but Batman magazines, t-shirts, costumes, posters, banners, records, etc. were everywhere- it was the biggest marketing craze since the Beatles themselves.

The series success was short-lived, however. It quickly became a huge fad that just burned itself out, like a meteor shooting through the sky. After a hugely successful initial run, the classic two-part cliffhanger-type episodes were dispensed with, Madge Blake ("Aunt Harriet") became ill and had to leave the show, and a new (and unsuccessful) character, Batgirl, was added. Batman now holds it's rightful place in TV history as a genuine TV "classic" series.

Let's take a look at a few facts you may not know about Batman.

* Before going on the air, Batman received the lowest test score ratings from test audiences in the history of the ABC network.

* Batman was originally planned to be a very serious show. Before the show went on the air, ABC held two test screenings, one with laugh track dubbed in and one with much additional narration. According to Adam West, both fell flat and the "campy" approach was eventually decided upon instead.

* 5 different Batmobiles were use during the series' run. (the car was actually a customized 1955 Lincoln Futura.)

* Batman's success as a TV series actually saved the Batman comic book from cancellation. Bob Kane, Batman's creator, has said the show's success gave the slumping Batman comics a much-needed huge boost in sales. Batman diehard comic fans, however, never liked the series because of it's campiness. After the show was cancelled, the Batman comics deliberately took a much more serious turn to placate upset fans.

* Alfred the butler had already been killed off in the comic book 18 months before the TV show originally aired. He was "brought back to life" (played by Alan Napier) for the show. After the show's huge success, Alfred was resurrected in the comics too.

* Alan Napier was the show's only cast member who had never heard of Batman and had no idea of who the character was before the show began filming.

* Lyle Waggoner was the other actor considered to play Batman, along with Adam West, who got the role.

* Burt Ward earned just $350 for the first season of Batman.

* When Burgess Meredith took the role of The Penguin, he hadn't smoked in 20 years. His trademark cigarette (in holder) irritated his throat, which caused him to ad-lib his trademark "quack, quack, quack" croaking voice.

* In the guy version of Barbara Eden having to hide her navel on I Dream of Jeannie, there was a huge controversy about both Adam West's and Burt Ward's "bulge in the crotch" during the show's run. Several different methods of crotch "inhibition" were used on West and Ward during the series' run, to fend off complaints from conservative and religious organizations.

* Adam West has admitted to Julie Newmar as Catwoman causing "strange stirrings in my utility belt", and Burt Ward also admitted that Lesley Gore (as Catwoman's assistant "Pussycat") caused him a great deal of intense male feelings, because she kept rubbing up against him (see previous factoid).


* During the show's third and final season, a new character "Batgirl" was added. The character never quite fit in and helped toll the death knell of the show. Ironically, Batgirl was added to try to get more female viewers, but Yvonne Craig and her skintight costume actually helped increase male viewers' interest.

* There is an urban myth that the Aunt Harriet character (played by Madge Blake) was added to the show to fend off viewers from thinking Batman and Robin were gay. According to most reliable sources, this story is, indeed, just a myth.

* Mickey Rooney was originally offered the role of the Penguin, but turned it down.

* Frank Sinatra was a big fan of Batman and actually expressed interest in the Joker role.

* Because of his great success as Batman, Adam West was offered the role of James Bond in the 1969 movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service. West declined, saying the role should be played by a British actor. Ironically, George Lazenby, an Australian, got the role.

Neatolinks: The Doge Ugly Sweater

Posted: 02 Jan 2014 04:00 AM PST

Nostalgic Short Film - FROM 1994

Posted: 02 Jan 2014 03:00 AM PST

(Video Link)

Reminiscing about the good old days has now begun to include the early 1990s, which officially makes those of us who are over 35 feel old. However, short films which utilize the 90s as a point of reference in the life of a kid aren’t all bad, and they're often quite relatable by people of all ages.

From 1994 is a short film by Casey Warren and Danielle Krieger that isn’t really about the 90s at all, the 1994 referring to a year when the main character's mother wrote him a farewell letter. This film is simple and straightforward, yet manages to be so touching you may tear up a bit by the end, especially if you've experienced the loss of a family member. But don't worry, it's not all sappy, and it's one of the best looking indie short films we've seen in a while.

Via Geek Tyrant

There's an App for That

Posted: 02 Jan 2014 02:00 AM PST

(Image: John McNamee)

You still feel incomplete? Then you must not have the updated version. Head back to the Apple store and buy one. Then go to Settings > General > Life's Purpose. Switch it to On. Then restart your iPhone.

Ice Fishermen Hand-Feed a Wild Fox

Posted: 02 Jan 2014 01:00 AM PST

(YouTube link)

This wild fox walks across a frozen lake near Saratov, Russia, to approach some fishermen. For his curiosity, he's rewarded with salami. This fox must have some previous experience with people, since you just don't expect one to come right up and beg unless they are starving. This one doesn't look like he's missed too many meals, for a wild animal. -via Daily Picks and Flicks

Shrimp Scampi Dip

Posted: 02 Jan 2014 12:00 AM PST

If you are a garlic lover who also happens to enjoy seafood, you almost certainly adore shrimp scampi. The butter, garlic and shrimp make for a heavenly trio of rich flavors your tongue just can't get enough of. 

When you're looking for a new way to enjoy this taste sensation, this shrimp scampi dip by Closet Cooking is a great way to go. On top of the usual scampi ingredients, this masterpiece adds in cream cheese, sour cream, mozzerella and parmesean for an unfortgetably complex, savory treat your party guests won't be able to forget any time soon.

A Cthulhu-Themed My Little Pony

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 11:00 PM PST

Isn't this little elder god just adorable? Bigshot Toyworks is developing a Cthulhu-themed My Little Pony named Maddie. She is one of the characters in their forthcoming toy and animation series called "Friendship is Maddness." She won't be the only newly-designed toy, but considering the name, the narrative will probably revolve around her character. See more pictures of Maddie at her Behance page.  -via Laughing Squid

The Finest Sweded Movie Trailers Of 2013

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 10:00 PM PST

(Video Link)

The one thing that always seems to make a movie trailer look even better is when it gets the sweded treatment, and 2013 was a very good year for both blockbuster films and sweded versions of movie trailers. From Iron Man 3 to Thor 2 to The Hunger Games Catching Fire, and every other over-the-top action title in between, here’s a recap of the year’s best sweded movie trailers brought to you by the good folks at Geeks Of Doom.

Watching these sweded trailers is like taking a bite of cheese you’ve been holding on to since last year- at first the whole thing seems a bit off, but as you surrender to the cheesy flavor you’re transported to a magical land where up is down, bad is good and people acting out scenes from movies while wearing homemade costumes are actually funny!

30 Ways to Make Grilled Cheese

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 09:00 PM PST

If your New Years Resolution is to enjoy more grilled cheese sandwiches (that's really a much better and more realistic goal than losing weight anyway), then the first place you should head is Momtastic, where you can learn how to make a new grilled cheese sandwich for every day of the month. These aren't just a matter of using cheddar instead of American either. These sandwiches are each vastly different than one another and the variety of flavors is rather impressive. Personally, I think I'd like to get started on the roasted strawberry, brie and chocolate one followed by the corned beef. 

Of course, if your resolution is to lose weight, this list is also a perfect excuse to quit your resolution early.

Xtra Cream Giant Cream Container

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 08:00 PM PST

Xtra Cream Giant Cream Container

Do you like a little coffee with your cream? The Xtra Cream Giant Cream Container is for you. This fun cream container is shaped like a supersized coffee creamer. 

The Xtra Cream Giant Cream Container is made of ceramic and features a snap-on silicone lid. 

Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Kitchen Stuff. 

Link

Ridiculously Cute Photos Of High Fashion Dogs

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 08:00 PM PST

High fashion dog models don’t have as much attitude as their human counterparts, and they don't mind sniffing butts or eating fattening foods whenever they can get their paws on some, but when photographer Sophie Gamand starts snapping shots these doggie divas strike a pose and try their best to look fierce.

Sophie stumbled upon the world of serious dog fashion while she was doing research for a photo series about New York City dogs, discovering a fashion subculture of designers creating garments specifically for dogs that are worth hundreds of dollars, and owners battling to get their little posing pooch into the spotlight.

Via 22 Words

<i>The Karate Kid</i> Bacon Sculpture

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 07:00 PM PST

In this sculpture by Instructables member shaneltl, Daniel LaRusso is ready to deliver his decisive blow against his rival, Johnny of the Cobra Kai dojo. It’s made of a pound of bacon, canned croissant dough, stove pipe wire and tin foil. Shaneltl arranged a wire frame and wrapped bacon around it. Then, true to the original film, he gave Daniel a gi made of dough.

I’m not sure if this sculpture should be eaten or placed in a museum. It should definitely win the All Valley Karate Championship.


(Video Link)

Scientists: Dogs Tend to Pee and Poop along a North-South Axis

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 06:00 PM PST

(Image: Vice)

Some mammals are sensitive to the Earth's magnetic fields. Several scientists recently published a study in Frontiers in Zoology asserting that dogs are among them. They discovered that when dogs are urinating or defecating, they tend to align their bodies along a magnetic north-south axis:

We measured the direction of the body axis in 70 dogs of 37 breeds during defecation (1,893 observations) and urination (5,582 observations) over a two-year period. After complete sampling, we sorted the data according to the geomagnetic conditions prevailing during the respective sampling periods. Relative declination and intensity changes of the MF during the respective dog walks were calculated from daily magnetograms. Directional preferences of dogs under different MF conditions were analyzed and tested by means of circular statistics. [...]

Dogs preferred to excrete with the body being aligned along the North-south axis under calm MF conditions. This directional behavior was abolished under Unstable MF. The best predictor of the behavioral switch was the rate of change in declination, i.e., polar orientation of the MF.

This discovery could have practical use. Let's say that you're lost in the wilderness. It's nighttime, so you can't gauge your direction by the sun. It's cloudy, so you can't see the stars. Give a dog some food (maybe food with glitter in it) and wait for nature to take its course. Then at least you'll narrow your direction down to a single axis.

-via TYWKIWDBI

How to Make A Rubber Toy Flash Drive

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 05:00 PM PST

You can always buy a cool flash drive, but they're never going to be totally unique and totally you. If you want to have something that no one else has, you have to go DIY. And as it turns out, making your own flash drive out of an old rubber toy is surprisingly easy and a great way to make something that is truly unique. 

Pink Stripey Socks has all the instructions you need to make your own one-of-a-kind flash drive that will be pretty hard to forget about. Best of all, these kinds of toys are super cheap so you can customize your drive for practically nothing.

Via Make

Cuphead Is What Video Games Would Have Looked Like In The 1930s

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 04:00 PM PST

(Video Link)

Stylistically speaking, the retro cartoon look has been done to death in short films, artwork and various animated series, but there’s one medium which hasn’t used this rubber limbed style of animation nearly enough- our old pals the video games.

Cuphead is an indie game from developer MDHR which is going to be hand drawn and inked in the style of 1930s cartoons. In it you will play Cuphead, who runs and guns his way through wacky levels and over 30 bosses that look like they stepped straight out of your favorite old timey cartoons.  

The game already looks like a breath of fresh air in a market flooded with quirky puzzlers and hyper realistic combat simulation games, and we are eagerly awaiting its release some time in 2014.

Via Cartoon Brew

Cat Has Markings Like a TIE Fighter

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 03:00 PM PST

Cats, as you might expect, fight for the Empire and the dark side of the Force. That's why Ella McConnell's cat sports markings that resemble a TIE starfighter from Star Wars. If she chases you, head for the asteroid field. She'd be crazy to follow you in.

-via Technabob

The Class of 1913

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 02:00 PM PST

Behold, the cosplayers of 100 years ago! These are the officers of the high school T.H.B. Boys club, whatever that is. You can see every page of the first yearbook published by the students of Texarkana High School in Arkansas, celebrating the class of 1913. It includes many of the customs still used in yearbooks in some places: quotes of "wisdom," nicknames, future plans, group pictures of clubs and teams, comics, and local advertising to pay for it.

Once you look through the pictures, a few things stand out. There are twelve seniors, and maybe twice as many juniors. The freshman and sophomore classes are each divided into A and B groups. That tells us that many of those younger students will drop out and get jobs or marry before they graduate. There are only four senior men -how many of them later fought in World War I? How many of these students succumbed to the Spanish Flu epidemic? With six students on each basketball team, who was the benchwarmer? And how did the president of the senior class get the nickname "Martha"?

The yearbook was originally posted by redditor averagedekutree, and you can peruse it in large format at Twisted Sifter. -via Digg

Steve Comes To Life In This Minecraft Themed Short Film

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 01:00 PM PST

(Video Link)

When someone says they made a live action short based on the video game Minecraft your mind probably goes straight to those block headed costumes and pixilated props you see every year at Halloween, but Benjamin Combes didn’t want to go the traditional route with his short film Pixel Passion.

Instead, he chose to imagine what main protagonist Steve would look like in real life, and how badass it would be if blood sprayed instead of pixels every time he killed a zombie.  

There are still some blocky stylistic elements, to keep the whole thing true to the game from which Ben drew inspiration, and the totally gnarly retro soundtrack by Arcade High makes the whole thing super rad to watch.

Via Kotaku

America’s Monument to Its Most Infamous Traitor, Benedict Arnold

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 12:00 PM PST

In the United States, the name of Benedict Arnold is synonymous with treason. In exchange for cash and a commission in the British army, Major General Arnold promised to betray his cause and hand over the American fort at West Point. When American leaders discovered the plot, Arnold fled.

But it’s important to note that Arnold gained his command at West Point by dint of his previous battlefield service. Arnold was a brave, daring and aggressive commander. He had helped seize Fort Ticonderoga, participated in the invasion of Quebec and led American naval forces at the Battle of Valcour Island.

General Arnold’s greatest moment came during the Saratoga campaign, which ended with the surrender of an entire British army. The senior American commander, Horatio Gates, was often indecisive and shy of battle. Arnold, in contrast, was eager for battle. He personally led a successful charge on a British redoubt. During that fight, Arnold was shot in the leg and his horse fell on him.

Had Benedict Arnold died that day, he would likely be known as one of the great heroes of the American Revolutionary War. There would be towns, counties and schools named for him.

But he didn’t die. Arnold lived on to betray his country.

Which brings us to the Saratoga battlefield and the scene of Arnold’s most heroic moment.

Part of the Saratoga battlefield area is a national park. On the grounds are assorted monuments to various leaders and events. These were, of course, all built well after Arnold’s betrayal. How does it address the critical and heroic role of America’s most infamous traitor in that battle?

Like this:

(Photo: Americasroof)

The monument to Arnold is known as the Boot Monument. That’s because it makes no mention of Arnold by name and honors the leg that was broken during the battle. The inscription reads:

In memory of the most brilliant soldier of the Continental army, who was desperately wounded on this spot, winning for his countrymen the decisive battle of the American Revolution, and for himself the rank of Major General.

John Watts de Peyster, a general in the New York State Militia during the Civil War, erected the monument in 1887. Perhaps de Peyster made it in response to the primary monument, which was erected a few years earlier. The 155-foot tall obelisk has niches for four statues. There are statues for three of the four great American leaders of the battle: General Horatio Gates, General Philip Schuyler and Colonel Daniel Morgan. The fourth niche is empty.

(Photo: Matt Jiggins)

P.S. Arnold’s name has not been completely erased from American military epigraphy. The monument for the Battle of Valcour Island mentions him by name.

The Adorable Comics of Liz Climo

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 11:00 AM PST

We've featured a few of Liz Climo'scomics before because they're both funny and cute, but we've never actually talked about the artist herself. As it turns out, she not only makes adorable comics online, you can find them at Hey, I'm Liz, that you've probably seen here and there, you've also probably seen her work on television.

That's because when she's not writing web comics, Liz is working at her day job -animating on The Simpsons. In fact, Liz just did her cute animal drawings for fun and was shocked when she started developing a real following.

Of course, with creations this silly and cute, it's no wonder to us that her work has taken off the way it has.

Via Bored Panda

Eat A Pickled Turnip, Don't Get The Flu

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 10:00 AM PST

When we think of flu prevention we normally think of shots, vitamins, and washing our hands before we eat. But what if you could make yourself unable to contract the influenza virus simply by eating a pickled turnip? Japanese researchers have discovered this possibility hidden in a commonly eaten food called suguki, a pickled turnip that is thought to be a “superfood” because of its health benefits.

When the Lactobacillus brevis bacteria found inside suguki was fed to mice it kept them from contracting the influenza virus, but the same bacteria has yet to be tested on humans. If it turns out to be a viable way to avoid getting the flu every year I’m sure people will start to appreciate the taste of pickled turnip much more!

Via Geekosystem

Cats and Bananas

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 09:30 AM PST

(YouTube link)

Despite the fact that you never hear of two things going together "like cats and bananas," there are quite a few YouTube videos that involve both. Some cats are terrified of bananas, other are disgusted. Shorty and Kodi like to play with them, and a very few cats even like to eat them. Enjoy a compilation of the best cat and banana videos. -via Tastefully Offensive

Ninja Throwing Star Range and Sake Bar Opens in Kentucky

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 09:00 AM PST

According to a well-designed but mysterious website (appropriate for ninjas, don't you think?), a new business in Lexington, Kentucky will offer the chance to drink sake and throw shuriken. It opens this spring.

The business, which is named Ninjas, bills itself as "Kentucky's first indoor throwing star range." I will defer to our own Miss Cellania on the veracity of that claim. If it's taken this long for Kentucky to get its first shuriken & sake business, then the state has fallen behind.

But let's check it out, shall we? Road trip!

-via Rocket News 24

If Star Wars Was A 1980 Anime

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 08:30 AM PST

(Video Link)

Bad dubbing, shaky animation, overly large and creepy eyes? Yes, this video by Nacho Punch has everything you'd expect to see in a cheesy 1980's anime, only with the added fun of the Dark Side, ewoks and Chewbacca. 

While there's no way this series would have ever gotten as big as the original movie trilogy if this was all Lucas released, it's possible they would have sold even more toys -just like the original Transformers cartoons did. And hey, we geeks still would have watched the show with wide-eyed wonder, we probably just wouldn't see as many Slave Leias at every comic book convention.

Via BoingBoing

Solve This Pzzlr: Filling the Tank

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST

Neatorama presents our collaboration with Pzzlr, a site where you can always find a riddle to exercise your brain. Can you solve this one?

A tank has three taps. The first can fill the tank in 4 hours, the second can fill the tank in 2 hours and the third can empty the tank in 8 hours.

How long will it take to fill the tank with all three taps operating at the same time? (You can assume the tank is empty to begin with).

Think you know the answer? Find out at Pzzlr!

Look for a new puzzle here at Neatorama every Wednesday, and check out Pzzlr for a puzzle anytime!

(Image credit: Cjp24)

World's Longest Beard

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 07:30 AM PST

World's Longest Beard (sold individually)

Have you always wanted an impressively long beard, but you just don't have the patience to grow your own? You need the World's Longest Beard from the NeatoShop. This fantastic beard with mustache is an astonishing 48 inches long. The adjustable strap means you can quickly get that wise and stately style you are looking for.  

Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more Mustache fun. 

Link

Wolverine Ups The Ante With His Uncanny Epic Split

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 07:30 AM PST

(Video Link)

First Jean-Claude Van Damme did the Epic Splits stunt in real life between two semi trucks, then an animated Chuck Norris outdid Van Damme with an Epic Splits stunt between two airplanes with a bunch of spec ops guys balanced on his head, Channing Tatum apparently did the splits too but I don't think anybody ever saw that one.

And now we have the only Epic Splits video that actually matters, besides the original that is because Van Damme's stunt was pretty darn cool, featuring some sweet action figure stop motion by Kyle Roberts- here's Wolverine doing the Epic Splits his way, complete with a grumbly little monologue and some Sentinel destruction.

Via Nerd Approved

The Entire Cast of <i>Futurama</i> in One Image

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 07:00 AM PST

The project took DeviantART member Unrellius 14 months. Inside is every character that appeared in the show, from Finn the Human to Liubot. To view a much larger version, go here, then click on the image. Warm up some Bachelor Chow, because it'll take a while for you to see everyone.

Is the Space Pope there? I can't find him.

-via Jeremy Barker

Internet Archive To Release Free To Play Retro Console Games

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 06:30 AM PST

Lovers of classic video games rejoice, the Internet Archive is about to make your new year a whole lot more fun! They’re releasing a beta version of their Console Living Room,  a playable console simulator that when coupled with their Historical Software Collection will make tons of games from the Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Magnavox Odyssey 2, Colecovision and Bally Astrocade free to play.

Soon you’ll be able to spend your days reliving a time when you were young, or time travelling to before you were born, while playing some great classic games like H.E.R.O., Yars Revenge and River Raid. So quit your job, plant your butt on a comfy chair and play your way through the 80s like a true retro gamer!

Via Joystiq

Patrick Stewart Demonstrates How to Moo Like a Cow with Different Accents

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 06:00 AM PST


(Video Link)

What does the cow say? Yes, it says, "moo." But cows, Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart explains, moo with different accents. For the National Public Radio show How to Do Everything, the Captain gave his impressions of Oxfordshire, Yorkshire, Nevada and Cockney cows. The Nevada cow, he explains, reflects American speech patterns:

Yeah, a much higher pitch and much more nasal because of course that's how you people talk and of course the cows are influenced by how you talk as you are influenced by the cows.

Bovine readers, share with us your pronunciation of the word "moo."

-via The Mary Sue
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