London 2012 Most Viewed Olympic Summer Games

   Complaining about Olympic coverage has been going on as long as they've been televised. In 2000 critics ripped NBC for what they deemed excessive use of tape delays.  Dick Ebersol, the then chairman of NBC Sports, complained that much of the moaning was coming from jealous journalists, "editors have a hard time getting used to the dominance of television in the Olympics," Ebersol said.  "Ratings are terrific by almost any objective measure," said Andrew Billings, a professor and sports broadcasting expert at the University of Alabama.  The first weekend of London 2012 Olympics averaged 35.8 million total viewers in prime time, according  to Nielsen, a media ratings company.  That is the best first weekend for any Olympics in history.  See also, http://www.nytimes.com/.

The Dark Knight Rises in IMAX

     An IMAX camera is bulky, approximately 10 times the size of a regular camera.  However, Warner Bros. says, Christopher Nolan shot nearly half of his Batman finale using, the still bulky, IMAX cameras.  Nolan also insisted that Warner Bros. release "The Dark Knight Rises" in at least 100 IMAX cinemas that can project it on film rather than the new digital format that is gradually replacing film.  See also, http://www.wired.com/.

Network Television And Cable Still Have a Large Presence At Comic-Con

     In recent years film has taken some of the air out of the TV coverage, but there is still a huge TV element to Comic-Con.  More than 80 television series courted the crowds at Comic-Con last year.  At this year's festival the numbers are just as high. "The intense relationship of the fans to the show, the passion people feel, that's what Comic-Con has turned into," says Linda Schupack, AMC's executive vice president of marketing.  See also, http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/.

Former Star of Two And-a-Half Men Interested in American Idol Gig

     In an interview on Ryan Seacrest's radio show, Charlie Sheen said, 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe mentioned his name, Sheen's, as a possible 'American Idol' judge.  Other names that have been considered as possible replacements include, Mariah Carey and former 'American Idol' runner-up Adam Lambert.  Charlie Sheen may not have music experience, but neither did Ellen DeGeneres before she was named a judge for, then, season number nine.  Sheen says, "FX and his 'Anger Management' teams would have to be into it."  See also, www.nytimes.com.

Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler Leave Idol

     After two seasons Jennifer Lopez will be leaving American Idol.  Other stars, including Steven Tyler, Ellen DeGeneres, and Kara Dio Guardi,  have also used the show to re-popularize themselves with American  pop culture. Analyst Adgate says, "they got back into the mindset of pop culture followers."  The day before Lopez announced her departure, Steven Tyler said he was leaving American Idol to concentrate on his role as Aerosmith's frontman.  Jennifer Lopez says, "I honestly feel like the time has come that I have to get back to doing the other things that I do, that I've put kind of on hold because I love 'Idol' so much."  See also, http://www.variety.com/.

Tom Cruise Cruises To a Divorce Settlement With Katie Holmes

  Some issues remain unresolved, but, for now, the couple appear to have reached a divorce settlement.  Lawyers for the two may enter courtrooms again, however, the focus of this first phase of the case was to keep the breakup out of the news.  "I don't think either of the high-profile celebrities want their dirty laundry aired in technically a public forum," said Russel I. Marnell, an East Meadow, New York-based divorce lawyer.  See also, www.nytimes.com.

The House Walt Disney Was Born In Still Not a Historic Landmark

   Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901, on the second floor of the house in the Hermosa neighborhood of Chicago.  Now a largely Latino community, the Disney home lacks a historic landmark designation, a campaign by preservationists stalled as early as 1991.  Getting homes landmark status can be a drawn-out process.  See also, http://www.chicagotribune.com/.

Leave It To Justin Bieber

        Justin Bieber is used to fans following him.  But, Friday July 6, 2012, something triggered his instinct that led to a speeding ticket for the teen idol.  Calls came in complaining of a freeway chase on southbound U.S. Highway 101 near Studio City, California.  The chase claim is backed by a credible eyewitness, Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine, called authorities after seeing Bieber's distinctive chrome Fisker Karma being chased by five or six other cars.  See also, http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/.

Quick Fix Eludes Power Outage Problems in United States

   Sweltering residents and elected officials are demanding to know why it takes so long to restring power linees.  "Its a system thats beginning to age, has been aging," said Gregory Reed, a professor of electrical power engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.  "We haven't expanded and modernized the bulk of the transmission and distribution network."  Maryland state Senator James Rosapepe says, "they obviously need to invest more in preparing for getting the power back on." Some people say rates are high enough and the utility companies should do a better job of trimming trees and branches that threaten power lines.  Though the country's infrastructure is reliable, it was mostly built between the 1930's and 1970's," said Reed of the University of Pittsburgh.  See also, http://hosted.ap.org/.

The New Spider-Man Snares $7.5 Million in Midnight Releases

     The new spider man, titled "The Amazing Spider Man," launched with a respectable $7.5 million ticket revenue count in its 12am debut Tuesday night.  That matches the amount "Spider-Man 3" took in from its first 12 am screening.  Midnight screenings have gained in popularity over the past five years, hitting a peak when fans shelled out $43.5 million for Harry Potter" last summer.  See also, http://www.spiderman.com/.

Smartphone Program Turns Phone Into Credit Card

     Still in its embryonic stage, smartphone payments, that allow users to pay via their smartphone and avoid the need to carry cash or credit cards, are on the rise.  The software that provides these wireless smartphone transactions, usually e-mails the user an electronic receipt for their records. Near frequency chip (NFC) technology will soon (within a year, or so) allow customers to pay by having his or her phone near a credit card terminal.  Various subway systems around the U.S. have already experimented with letting riders walk through turnstiles by having them wave their phones near a machine.  See also, http://www.wired.com/.