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TigerDirect “sues” Apple for “Tiger” OS
In the category of misusing the legal system, online retailer Tiger Direct.com has apparently filed an injunction the day before Apple is to release its update to OS X — because it’s codenamed “Tiger.” Gee, what marketing geniuses.
It’s simple: Suing Apple generates “free” publicity. Any seemingly scandalous info relating to Apple gets immediate distribution by news sites, and hence makes people take notice of the controversy. Remember the recent “virus contest” which ended before it even started? Or the flack over Apple Stores pulling all books published by John Wiley & Sons in protest over the unauthorized bio of Jobs?
As proof, the initial news of this was actual via a press release from Tiger Direct.
Tiger Direct has no actual standing to sue, as they don’t make any software package/OS which competes with Apple’s offering. Furthermore, “Tiger” is a code-name, just as Microsoft’s “Longhorn” is. It’s properly 10.4. Thus, there’s no competition nor trademark dilution between the Mac OS, codenamed “Tiger” and a retailer called TigerDirect. (Incidentally, my alma mater, The University of Texas actually holds the registered trademark to “Longhorns” as well as the logo of the horns — shouldn’t they be suing Microsoft?)
Look for Apple to file a “summary judgement” to dismiss the case — which is scheduled for preliminary hearing on May 3, five days after Tiger’s release– but by then, Tiger Direct will have gotten what they want: attention.
NBC’s “The Office” Goes Out With a Hot Girl
The Office is the best comedy show on US television in recent memory. And it may become the shortest lived: only six episodes were ordered for this season, and now that they’ve aired, its future may be dim. The preview broadcast on Thursday, March 24 made a splash with over 11 million viewers, but since then, its Tuesday night ratings has been luke-warm.
The humor comes not in the overt sitcom format comedy people may be used to, but in the quiet nuances of self-realization (or lack thereof) and embarrassment. It’s something regular people face everyday, and is well represented here: saying dumb things without thinking; and doing stupid things because you get caught up in the moment. We’re all idiots from time to time, in our own way, and The Office illuminates that particular brand of idiocy that goes on in the white-collar world. There’s no laugh track, and we’re not even really sure why there’s a “documentarian” recording the goings-on for this seemingly dull office.
In stark contrast to NBC’s many other office comedies– most notably Newsradio and Just Shoot Me– The Office is not about goofy over-the-top schemes gone awry, where employees don’t seem to do any actual work. Here the corporate world is shown in its environment: bored, often pointless, and frequently demeaning. The subtlety of the humor may get lost on Americans expecting slapstick and pratfalls.
What I particularly like about The Office is that it straddles the line from absurdism to insightfully droll commentary on human behavior.
The latest (and possibly last) episode “Hot Girl” is directed by the ever-talented Amy Heckerling, who is best known for Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Clueless.
In it– among the various character vignettes– is Dwight Shrute, so taken by the arrival of an attractive woman, and with mounting frustration, storms into the room and demands to make a date with her– then slinks off when she says “No” to his advances. It’s a reaction of someone emotionally and socially stunted; and in rougher hands, could have been played more for laughs, than realism.
Also look for Pam (Jenna Fischer) putting on lipstick and getting embarrassed at being seen making herself look more attractive. It’s a small moment of character development, that speaks volumes about how she (an “average” woman) views herself when suddenly losing the attentions of the office males.
For those who can’t get enough of the little bit we’ve been given. Check out the extra deleted scenes at NBC.com
Some worthwhile (positive) reviews of The Office:
“The Office” has the potential to be a hit, though perhaps not overnight. It remains to be seen whether NBC finds the nerve to keep it on the air long enough to build an audience, the way ”Seinfeld” did. - The New York Times
It is ironic that this series, though an adaptation, is one of the most unique and creative new comedies on NBC in years. - Hollywood Reporter
It runs the risk of being “too hip for the room” but for those that are willing to change what they expect from a network comedy, it may be one of best surprises of the season. - IGN Filmforce Review