wilson g. tang

The 404 314: Where Tom Merritt hates fun

This weekend, Justin Yu made an appearance on Tom Merritt's and Roger Chang's podcast, East Meets West. Ostensibly, it sounds like a podcast about technology and Asian and Western cultures, right? Nope. Turns out it's half an hour where Tom and Roger ream Justin and The 404 for our use of "curse words."

Also in the news this weekend, "Adventureland" came out. Contrary to its marketing campaign, it's not a film in the vein of "Superbad," but is actually kind of deep. As for way less deep films, "Fast and Furious" topped the charts with a cool 72.5 million bones. Michael McCarthy, ace reporter Caroline McCarthy's little brother, joins the show today to lend us his opinion on movies and provide a laugh track.

Twitter, for all the problems that it's caused in the world, may have actually saved the life of a suicidal woman. Apparently, if you @reply Demi Moore, you can get saved. There's some more bummer technology stories in there, too.

In happier news, Rick Moranis might make an appearance in "Ghostbusters III." We just hope that Seth Rogan, Michael Cera, Paul Rudd, and Jonah Hill aren't the new Ghostbusters. Also, Queen Elizabeth II gets an iPod from Barack Obama filled with show tunes. And finally, Domino's gives away 11,000 pizzas, accidentally.

Listen to this episode of East Meets West and let us know what you think. We're available via voice mail at 1-866-404-CNET (2638) or via e-mail at the404 [at] cnet [dot] com. Does bad language really bother you? Does it make us juvenile? Or are we just getting lectured by padre?

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The 404 313: Where Dennis Crowley snowboards and bikes his way into our hearts

Dennis Crowley, inventor of many things good, including Dodgeball (the social Web tool, not the terrible movie or the gym game Justin and Wilson can't play because of their thick glasses), joins The 404 today to talk about some interesting stories from the Web and his latest social Web tool, Four Square.

Today, we go a bit back in Web 2.0 history with the first Twitter/Loopt social-networking tool, invented by Mr. Crowley, Dodgeball--from its inception, to its purchase by Google, to its eventual shutdown.

Not to be deterred, Dennis is back at it again with Four Square, another social-networking tool, where users can compete with one another and earn badges and points when they hang at certain places. It's available for both iPhone/iPod Touch, BlackBerry, and SMS. We encourage you to check it out and report back to us, whether it improves your social life or earns you a "Douchebag Badge."

Also on today's show, we get to some voice mails about Buzz Out Loud infringing a little too much on 404-territory. It's no surprise, given our general awesomeness. In actual stories, we've got Justin Yu's review of the new "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" movie that his "friend" let him watch through a telescope in another room.

We learn through the new Digg Bar that young, white males binge drink. You can thank the U.S. federal budget deficit for that wonderful, no-duh study.

Per usual, send us a voice mail, especially about your social life experiments with Four Square, at 1-866-404-CNET (2638). Or via e-mail, if you're international, at the404 [at] cnet [dot] com. More guests coming up, including an appearance by Dan the Mantern and Alison Rosen.

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The 404 312: Where Jonathan Coulton nude pics Obama iPhone

Internet superstar, singer, and songwriter Jonathan Coulton graces us with his presence on today's epic show. He instantly makes us a classy podcast when he plays a couple of tracks off of his new DVD concert album Best. Concert. Ever.

We thought it would be funny to have a SEO-friendly title today (SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization.) but we may have gone a little overboard. Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and a couple of other choice words that we're legally not able to write here at CNET weren't in the show title, so we can all be thankful for that.

More importantly, Jonathan Coulton plays his hit songs "Code Monkey" and "Re: Brains" live during the show--a first for The 404--which was actually very special for us. We talk a bit about what it's like quitting your day job at a technology company to go write funny songs for a living. With the recession giving everyone just a little bit more free time, Jonathan encourages us to take chances and write a song about IKEA bookshelves.

Also, Mr. Coulton promotes his upcoming concert album "Best. Concert. Ever." We promise that it's going to knock your socks off. You can buy it directly from him.

If you have any questions or comments, call 1-866-404-CNET (2638). Send us an email the404 [at] cnet [dot] com. Let us know what you think of today's show. Or if you're just lonely at night and need someone to talk to, leave a message, and we'll make fun of you the very next morning.

The 404 and Jonathan Coulton: Just one more reason to love your life.

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The 404 311: Where we're in constant need of Russ Frushtick's approval

Russ Frushtick of UGO joins The 404 again today for the fourth, maybe fifth, time? Who knows? Anyway, it's a video game heavy show with a lot of firsthand commentary from Mr. Frushtick on OnLive's new video game platform and Jack Black's new video game. You play as Jack Black, walk around for a few minutes before you have to sit down to rest, and then rock out old school.

We've also got some firsthand info on the new Batman game with Mark Hamill, yo! Apparently, it's da bomb digity. Also, the PS2 is $99, but who really gives a crap? We want a $99 PS3. Who can really afford to drop 400 bones on a game console without any games? Come on, in this economy?!

Yeah, yeah, we know it's April Fools' Day, but instead of playing along, we decide to just chill with all the gags and jokes. Doesn't mean that the rest of CNET and the Web are doing the same. Google's got a new feature that's suspiciously like SkyNet, and Wilson has a surprise for all those Loaded viewers out there. Plus, one of the greatest voicemails in 404 history, so stick around.

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The 404 310: Where BOL wishes it was The 404

There's been a lot of tension between Buzz Out Loud and The 404 for the last couple of months, but today, it's all on! We're sick and tired of the "Bore Out Loud" stealing our women (*ahem* Natali Del Conte) and our joke show titles. We've never been as crass as to have "urine" in one of our show titles. We got pretty bad, though, with having "tickling the Bonch." But we really did tickle CNET editor Bonnie Cha that day.

It's official! We. Are. The. Four. Oh. Four: High-tech, low-brow. That's right. That's the winner to our tagline contest. Also, here are the winners to our Justin Yu photo caption contest (in order) for a copy of Wheelman for the Xbox 360:

What, the Hubble Telescope is down?! Don't worry, just tell me what you wanna look at. The 404's Justin Yu was taken into custody shortly after molesting a lumberjack, a 90-year-old woman, and robbing a Radioshack in Chinatown last evening. Luckily, there was no evidence of d*cktopping at any of these crime scenes. All the single printers, all the single printers!

In today's episode, we've got proof that gamers who play action-oriented video games have better vision than non-gamers. A man dies after trying to get healthier with the Wii Fit. Chinese people are spying on your pr0n collection and the NSA. Let's hope the Conflicker doesn't end the Interweb before they find too much dirt. The Pirate Bay joins Facebook. And finally, Encarta dies a slow, painful death after being stabbed by Wikipedia.

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The 404 309: Where Tom Avery still can't feel his big toes

World explorer Tom Avery joins the 404 today to talk about how he's conquered both the North and South Poles of our great planet Earth. Boy, does it make Justin feel terrible about his life, Wilson know he'll be eaten like in the movie "Alive," and Jeff promise to beat Tom on his next journey.

Normally, The 404 is kind of a technology show, but more often it is not. Today is one of those days where we take a break from our virtual Wii Tennis game and get into the nitty gritty of life, man! Wanna know what it's like to run out of food in the middle of the cold artic? How to cross an ocean of constantly moving ice? What about having to decide whether to eat your dog or starve to death?

Well, Tom Avery tells us and you about his adventures, and we promise it's a good story. Apparently, when you fall through the ice into cold water, the first thing you should do is run as quickly as possible. Don't hold us to that, but that's what Mr. Avery says to do. No Twitter from the North Pole and no Santa Claus, either.

Our caption contest is still going on. Make your best caption for this photo of Justin. Call us at 1-866-404-CNET (2638), or shoot us an e-mail at the404 [at] cnet [dot] com. It's your chance to win a copy of Wheelman for the Xbox 360. Vin Diesel kicks some major boo-tay.

Here are some good entries:

Hey do I LOOK like a guy who's seen every episode of "Sex in the City?" Congratulations Mr Yu. You're going to be a father. Your printer's pregnant. Mr. Spaceman's superhero secret identity before changing in a phone booth. All the single printers, all the single printers! EPISODE 309 Download today's podcast |  Subscribe in iTunes |  Subscribe in RSS… Read more

The 404 305: Where Natali does not appear on 'Howard Stern'

Natali Del Conte joins the show today to talk about how she won't be making an appearance on the Howard Stern's show, though he is looking for a brand-new 3G, touch screen phone with a keyboard. Jeff and Wilson told her that she needs to wear a muumuu and a turtleneck if she ever goes on the show. Best of all, it's Jeff's birthday! He's legal, girls!

On today's show, we talk about how the homeless in this country actually carry around cell phones. How else are you going to be able to reach them? Corner of 4th and Ave A isn't really good contact info. Along those same lines, the recession apparently is causing "nakations" to become a big thing. That's right; it's a naked vacation. Natali points out that most people that go to nude beaches aren't exactly the fittest. That, and her skin should never get exposed to direct sunlight.

Twitter ends Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer's relationship. Find out from Natali why this is empowering women. And another form of empowerment is drawing a 60-foot penis on your parent's rooftop. Yes, an ingenious boy in the U.K. drew the large "willy" in half an hour. For six months, no one noticed--except for Google Earth and passing helicopters. In response to this story and on his birthday, Jeff invents a new word that we're not allowed to write here at CNET. Needless to say, it's priceless. Listen in and send us your comments at the404 [at] cnet [dot] com. Or leave us a message at 1-866-404-CNET (2638).

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The 404 304: Where this is the show that's caused global warming

MTI (also known as Mark Licea) joins the show today to replace Justin Yu, who's on vacation to Boston. We cover everything under the typical 404-sun: strippers, Playboy, Mexican-Korean truck food, Twitter, and Sweet Lou Bakalar.

Every one knows that the economy is in the tank. For a lot of people out there, that means spending hours every day listening to past episodes of the 404. For some it means that instead of using that Harvard degree, they are using the assets their momma gave them. In related news, Playboy has posted its entire back catalog online. Warning: This is totally NSFW. You can check out all the previous back issues of Playboy magazine online with a Silverlight-enabled browser.

Also, last Friday was the final broadcast of the landmark series Battlestar Galactica. Wilson, being the only fan of the show on The 404, has plenty to say--most of which seems to bore the hell out of Jeff and MTI. The show will be missed, and while the finale hit most of the right marks, there were a few things that gave plenty of pause--like the second ending. Check it out on iTunes or Hulu. Promise you're going to love Number Six in a red dress.

There's a food truck in Los Angeles driving around, Twittering, and making Korean-Mexican tacos? Finally, Sweet Lou Bakalar, Jeff's father, gives us his insight on the current state of texting and television buying. Stay tuned tomorrow for Eric Franklin!

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The 404 303: Where even we know not to get a bacon tattoo

Jeff, Wilson, and Justin recover from their hangovers with ace reporter Caroline McCarthy. We chat about Wilson's drunken debauchery and Caroline's bacon tattoo.

Some days on The 404, there isn't much news to report, so we do something we like to call "milking," and boy are we good at it! It's not for lacking of trying. We spend as much as 10 minutes every day looking for stuff on the Interwebs to riff on, and while we could talk about hackers taking apart Safari in seconds, it's really not that funny. And it's not 404-esque material. See how much text I've written, and really I haven't said anything!

In actual stories today, Caroline McCarthy tells us that there are bacon tattoos at SXSW. We think someone spammed our poll. President Obama makes a terrible, terrible 404-style joke about bowling and the Special Olympics. (We wish he would come on our show.) Google gives you an "Undo Send" feature in Gmail. We think it would be more effective if it had a five-hour, post-hangover undo-send feature. And we're really, really tired of Jason Seigel & Co. movies like "I Love You, Man." But it does bring up fond memories of Jennifer Love Hewitt in that teen classic "Can't Hardly Wait."

EPISODE 303 Download today's podcast |  Subscribe in iTunes |  Subscribe in RSS… Read more