The Unknown Studio

It’s that time of year again, everyone. The time when Hollywood is abuzz… With gossip, wild speculation, and a genetically sperior African killer bee. Yes, it’s Oscar time, thirties of listeners.

If you’ve ever listened to our show for any reasonable period of time (say, about 5 minutes), you’ll likely have discovered that Scott and I thoroughly enjoy movies. From the most complicated and grueling bit of German Expressionism to the comedic stylings of Lloyd and Harry, we are like the obsessed fanboys of the medium of film. And with the 82nd Annual Academy Awards coming to a television set near you on Sunday March 7, we thought we’d share our thoughts, feelings and indulges with our listening public.

But we couldn’t do it alone. So we brought in David Berry, Vue Weekly arts writer and local freelance journalist.

In our Oscar episode, we’ll share our predictions, opinions (both informed and uninformed) and thoughts on the movies of 2009 that made the greatest impact. And we’ll even complain that Star Trek wasn’t nominated for Best Picture. Remember: fanboys.

Join us for the hilarity, the mystique, and the beeping out of swears! And be sure and share your thoughts in the comments as well.

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EDMONTON JOURNAL SPONSORS THE UNKNOWN STUDIO
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It’s true! After so much joking and tongue-in-cheek referrals to Edmonton’s newspaper of record on our show, the Edmonton Journal decided to put their money where our mouths are, by sponsoring the Unknown Studio for the month of February, and maybe even beyond. Particularly once they hear this show!

We’re helping EJ to promote their recently released Blackberry mobile launcher. You can check it out by clicking here on your Blackberry browser. If you have any comments about the mobile launcher or the Journal’s mobile site, let us know and we’ll pass it along!

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Download the MP3 of the Unknown Studio’s 18th episode

Popularity: 29% [?]

Attempting to cast a net around and harness that ethereal sense of nationalism and pride is a dubious exercise at best. Trying to make something with the intent of it going viral is seldom successful. Viral is successful when it’s clever, when it’s true and when it’s honest.

I don’t know what the boardroom discussions were like when Pepsi decided to make the “Eh Oh Canada Go” chant the chant of a nation, but I know this: it was a misguided, misinformed attempt to take the attributes of successful viral campaigns, and transform them into a full-on marketing machine. Other companies attempting to do something similar — to co-opt a sort of popular culture icon as simple as a “Go Canada Go” or “Ca-Na-Da” chant — would do well to learn from Pepsi’s experience. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 56% [?]

It’s Friday, and you know what that means. It means that in the absence of any kind of post from either Scott or myself over the last week — and I’m not sure what Scott’s excuse is, but this week, mine is TOO MUCH OTHER STUFF TO DO — our tens of readers can feast their eyes on the public flogging of those silly enough to post to FMyLife.com.

In our weekly installment of FML Friday, we take to task those individuals whose “woe-is-me” attitude makes them sound… well, like a bunch of whiny babies would happen to have internet access. It’s a way for us to vent about our own inadequacies without actually publishing them. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 21% [?]

Damn, this FML Friday is late. I chalk it up to me being incredibly busy, and simultaneously lazy. I really really wanted to take the piss out of these people yesterday, but just couldn’t get it together. Big things are afoot in my life, and I got distratced!

So we bring you this FML Friday on a Saturday: a day late and a dollar short. I hope it’s at least entertaining for you. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 20% [?]

For our Valentine’s Day episode, we decided to do something a little different. Rather than try and think of ways to provide people with advice on gifts or things to do, we thought we’d talk about one of the big things that may (or may not be) on people’s minds this V-Day: sex. And in order to do that, we spoke with Brenda Kerber, owner of Edmonton’s Traveling Tickle Trunk about sex toys, sexual health, the people’s attitudes and openness toward sexuality in general.

Brenda showed Scott and I some of the terrible, poorly made sex toys there are on the market. And they’re terrifyingly shabby. She also showed us some spectacular products that are top of the line (and some of them more resemble something you’d see Apple design than a sex toy manufacturer).

Brenda also shared her thoughts on North America’s attitude toward sex, and some of the more puzzling aspects of sex education, particularly in Alberta.

Finally, for listeners of the Unknown Studio who download and listen to the episode, you’ll hear a very special offer from Brenda to you for Valentine’s day… But you have to download the episode and listen through for details and take advantage of it before Valentine’s Day.

Check out our Flickr group for some photos of the sex toys Brenda showed us, and be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section!

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EDMONTON JOURNAL SPONSORS THE UNKNOWN STUDIO
===============================================

It’s true! After so much joking and tongue-in-cheek referrals to Edmonton’s newspaper of record on our show, the Edmonton Journal decided to put their money where our mouths are, by sponsoring the Unknown Studio for the month of February.

We’re helping EJ to promote their recently released Blackberry mobile launcher. You can check it out by clicking here on your Blackberry browser. If you have any comments about the mobile launcher or the Journal’s mobile site, let us know and we’ll pass it along!

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Popularity: 42% [?]

Yes, you read that correctly. After thinking about it awhile, I’ve decided to skip town and head down to Phoenix. But only for a little while. I’ll be back before you can say, “Hey, when’s that guy coming back? He said he was going to come back and he lied to us!”

The reason this week’s installment of FML Friday is late is because of all the loose ends I’ve had to tie up before I get accosted by a custom’s agent with an overzealous glove hand. But I’m still bringing it, in fine style as well. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 34% [?]