Monday, February 20, 2006

How do we send a question to Ask Big D?

Thanks to AKG for submitting this question (the ironic implications of which are staggering). There are two ways to submit a question to Ask Big D. The first way is what you have done, which is to comment on a pre-existing question and write your question in the comment. Although I don't really recommend that, unless it is an on-topic follow-up question. What I prefer is the second way, which is quite simply by emailing me. This is explained on my site, but if one were to somehow come to this page independent of my site, I would expect them to view my profile, which shows my email address. I understand that it would be easiest on the reader if I were to just post these instructions on top of this blog, but I feel that taking the extra step to find my email address (or, as in your case, devising otherwise means of contacting me) separates the questions that don't matter from the ones that do. I also understand that this sentiment is undermined by the mere fact that I'm even explaining it, but I will quote the immortal words of the great David Brent, when he was told that his method of promising his employees no redundancies in order to maintain morale would only make the morale worse if there WERE redundancies despite his promise that there wouldn't be:

"They won't remember."

Cheers,
Big D

Friday, February 10, 2006

Where the fuck is the theme song in this Married... With Children DVD?

Starting with Season 3, the DVD sets of "Married... With Children" will not be containing the theme song ("Love and Marriage" by Frank Sinatra), because the rights were becoming too expensive. And rather than make the DVDs more expensive to cover those costs, the DVD guys have instead slapped a shitty instrumental soundalike at the beginning of every episode. And to add an extra sting to the pain of having to watch these episodes without the anthem that is now synonymous with the show, it's also the long version of the theme. This is not the only example of classic TV shows being ruined because of expensive music rights issues, but it is the most relevant to me right now. One way to deal with this problem is to simply skip the theme song, as the episodes all include a chapter stop right after it. But that's not really solving the initial problem, which is that watching an episode of "Married... With Children" without the true theme song is like making out with a mannequin-- it's not that bad, but it's not the same. I recommend somehow downloading the long version of the theme song, muting the fake theme song, and playing the real one every time you pop in an episode. Only then will you be able to enjoy this classic show as it was meant to be seen-- using good old Bundy American know-how.

Cheers,
Big D