By Mike Gray . . . the Holy Grail of artificial intelligence (AI) has always been human language. Because contexts and reference frames change constantly in ordinary life, speaking human language, like playing Jeopardy!, is not easily reducible to an algorithm. Could you pass the Turing Test—that is, “when an interrogating judge able to distinguish between a computer and a human being hidden behind a curtain”?
Taken 2—er, Unknown—finished at the top of the U.S. box office this weekend, bringing in about $3 million more than expected. The sci-fi thriller I Am Number Four did about $3 million worse than anticipated, finishing second. And Gnomeo and Juliet keeps on going strong. It’s gnome-eriffic. Why do Neeson’s crime thrillers do so well?
The final season of The Guardian is now available on DVD. All three seasons of this CBS drama starring Simon Baker (The Mentalist) can be purchased and are worth the investment. The story of a young, spoiled, high-priced Pittsburgh lawyer (Baker) who nearly ruins his life through drug abuse and then is forced to help others far less fortunate than he, under a court-ordered plea bargain in which he is required to serve as a child advocate, this is the most Dickensian TV series I’ve ever seen.
Two TV dramas reach important conclusions tonight. The series finale of the superb show Friday Night Lights premieres tonight on DirecTV at 9 p.m., and the season finale of the underappreciated Human Target is on Fox at the same time. The latter could end up being the series finale as well, which would be a pity. Both shows are well worth seeing; check your local listings for channel info.
“After upending the music and publishing industries, the digital revolution is poised to shake up TV in earnest this year. As more viewers watch TV and movies on the Internet, industry executives say a generation of TV watchers may never sign up for cable or satellite television, turning off the spigot of monthly fees that have helped support TV for over 30 years.” “Hulu Reworks Its Script as Digital Change Hits TV” – WSJ.com.
“Facing a 16 percent reduction in its budget, the BBC World Service said on Wednesday that it would close 5 of its 32 language services and reduce its work force by about a quarter, cutting around 650 jobs over the next three years. “BBC to Trim World Service and Lay Off 650 – NYTimes.com.
ABC-TV has announced that it’s renewing The Middle, Castle, and four other shows for next season. The Middle, starring Patricia Heaton, is an underrated show that deals with the problems of life in Middle America in a thoughtful and funny way, and Castle is a quirky police procedural that usually conveys laudable values.
Can comedian Seth Rogan serve as a plausible action hero? We’ll know this Friday when The Green Hornet debuts. The trailers don’t make it clear; from what they show, the film could either be amusingly fresh or downright awful. Check your local listings for theaters and times.
Turner Classic Movies brightens up the week with twenty-four hours of Laurel and Hardy movies, beginning Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were both brilliant comedians and quite simply one of the best comedy teams of all time. They could raise gales of laughter without resorting to obscenity or vulgarity, an important lesson for today. Schedule here.
The late Gerry Rafferty, who died today at the age of 63, was known for two classic rock songs–”Stuck in the Middle with You” and “Baker Street”–but he was a superb singer and songwriter responsible for quite a few excellent compositions. Unfortunately, Rafferty had a long battle with depression, alcohol, and drug abuse, to which he finally succumbed. We’ll miss him and listen to some of his albums today in remembrance. Story here.
One of the world’s great annual auto races, the two-week Dakar Rally, begins its 4000-mile journey across the back roads and wilderness of Argentina and Chile today. Daily highlights will be broadcast in the United States on Versus TV and on other channels throughout the world. For background on the event, S. T. Karnick’s article on Dakar is available here.
NPR, of all places, makes the case for good, old-fashioned entertainment in the movies. Without agreeing with all of the writer’s evaluations, it’s nice to see a populist look at the cinema. Story here.
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