Crap, I meant to post this last week and never released it. It’s never too late to give to the kids, though, so here you have it:

www.childsplaycharity.org

For three years now, we’ve set up and organized a charity called Child’s Play. We set it up because we were angry the media decided to blame all the world’s problems on games and gamers. Basically they said that gamers were bad people, and we thought that wasn’t right. Apparently, you guys agreed: through Child’s Play you sent over a million dollars in toys, games, and cash to the sick kids in children’s hospitals around the world.

That was awesome. You guys have proven over and over again that you are an overwhelming force, and you really came through and made a real difference to the millions of kids that children’s hospitals care for each year. So we’re doing it again this year, only this time we’ve expanded Child’s Play to more hospitals around US and the globe so you can send toys to a hospital a little closer to home.

I just ordered up my annual gifts through Amazon. I think this is the third time I’ve participated. Child’s Play have done nearly a half million dollars over $750,000 in giving this year already. Items range from just a few bucks to a few hundred bucks. I usually do a couple of books or DVDs, but there’s always a need for something, and there are hospitals all across the country and the world for you to choose from.

Variety.com - ‘Idol’ champs fill bill

It appears that a victory on “American Idol” is worth about 300,000 in album sales, and if you want a No. 1, you need to make sure the competition is sparse.

“Idol” season-five winner Taylor Hicks got the good news and bad news Wednesday when his debut sold 298,000 but came in at No. 2 behind Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy, whose sophomore disc “The Inspiration” (Def Jam) sold 352,000 copies in the week ended Sunday.

As sales go, Hicks wasn’t that far behind the debut of season-four winner Carrie Underwood, whose “Some Hearts” sold 315,000 in its first week.

Hicks’ self-titled disc barely edged the debut of Kelly Clarkson, whose “Thankful” moved 297,000 copies when it was released in April 2003.

The top dog among the “Idol” champs is Ruben Studdard, who sold 417,000 copies of his debut when it was released in December 2003.

Bringing up the rear for debut discs is Fantasia, whose sophomore effort got off to a shaky start last week, selling 133,000 copies to open at No. 19. Her debut, “Free Yourself,” sold 239,000 copies when it came out in November 2004.

In other words, Taylor won’t come in at #1, but he will arrive at a very strong #2. And he’ll still have sold a boat load of CDs that he wouldn’t have without IDOL.

I keep forgetting to mention this one –

Coverville is one of my favorite podcasts, and the one I’ve been listening to the longest. It was one of the first I ever listened to, and the only one I’ve never unsubscribed from in two years. It’s a thrice-weekly show that plays cover songs. The host, Brian Ibbott, is a comics fan and even lists Pipeline on the front page of his site.

In any case, I recorded a generic song introduction for him, which he used on a recent show. Go download episode #274 and fast forward to about the 15 minute mark. Between the two songs, you’ll hear my voice. Pretty cool.

Thanks, Brian!

New York Daily News - TV and Radio - ‘Idol’ plans a midseason bang

“American Idol” executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz promises a big event midway through the coming season of the red-hot talent show - but she won’t say what it is.

“If there’s one thing that makes ‘American Idol’ so big, it’s a huge event,” she told the Daily News.

“Something we’re working on is a big-event show, sometime in the middle of the season, something that will blow America away,” she added.

I’m naturally cynical about these kinds of events, but still curious. It can’t possibly live up to even this little bit of hype, but it’s something to look forward to.

• Happy Tenth Birthday, CSS!
• They’re making a sequel to War Games in Canada right now. (Previous two links via Slashdot.)
• Wikipedia presents: Origins for names of SIMPSONS characters.
• Mozilla Thunderbird got an update recently.
• Those delightful folks at 24 have put together 24th, the 24-inspired story of Santa. Hilarious two minute video.
• Gizmodo has a video tour of the new Wii Weather Forecast channel. It was nice to come home last night to the blinking blue glow of my Wii alerting me to the new feature.
• And if you’ve installed it, your Madden NFL games will reflect your local weather. Cool!

hypebot: Amazon To Enter Crowded Download Market With MP3 Only Store

Late last week Amazon began circulating contracts to labels aiming for a late 1st Q ‘07 music  store launch. Rumors of an Amazon entry have been circulating all year, but died down as attention shifted first to the URGE launch and then to Microsoft’s ZUNE.

What is most surprising (and exciting) about Amazon’s new store is that the online giant is apparently telling labels that they will only sell DRM free mp3’s and will offer variable pricing.

I like iTunes and enjoy my iPod and all, but DRM-free music would be a big draw for me.  The variable pricing isn’t terribly annoying, but it depends on how they choose to decide the prices.

We can sue it out of existence!

EETimes.com - Are you suffering from ‘Mouse Rage Syndrome?

A phenomenon as monumental as the Internet should have an ailment of its own. Indeed, the Web appears to be breeding its very own disease, a medical syndrome recognizable by a quickening of the heart, profuse sweating, and furious clicking and bashing of the mouse. In extreme cases, the ailment can be identified by loud screaming at video screens.

It’s Mouse Rage Syndrome, and it infects all Internet users sooner or later, according to a study[…]

What’s the root cause of Mouse Rage Syndrome? It’s primarily caused by badly designed and hosted Web sites, according to the research center.

lost - LOST to Return Early?

Apparently, amid fears that the ongoing string of critically challenged replacements will bury ABC’s chances of regaining its Wednesday footing, execs at the alphabet network have dropped in on the LOST crew with the following proposition: how much money do you need to get LOST on the air early… […]

If it is done, LOST would return January 10th or January 17th, three to four weeks earlier then previously expected.

Twas the week before Christmas, and look at what’s out.

• American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile (Unrated) (widescreen) (2006)
• American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile (Unrated) (full-frame) (2006)
• American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile (full-frame) (2006)

Really, if you’re the type of person likely to buy this direct-to-DVD masterpiece, what are the odds that you’ll want the rated edition in full-frame? I’d think that would be kinda low.

• The Bituminous Coal Queens of Pennsylvania (2005)

That right there is my DVD title of the month, if not the year.

• Gene Simmons Family Jewels: Season One (2-disc set)

What, the Osbournes weren’t enough of a train wreck for you? Ah, well, at least Gene is a comics fan.

• Jet Li’s Fearless: Unrated Edition (Huo Yuan Jia) (widescreen) (2006)
• Jet Li’s Fearless: Unrated Edition (Huo Yuan Jia) (pan-and-scan) (2006)

I admit it — I’d like to see this one. Does that make me a bad person?

• The Lady in the Water (widescreen) (2006)
• The Lady in the Water (full-frame) (2006)

Remember when people cared about M. Knight Shyamalan’s movies? I still haven’t watched THE VILLAGE and I own the DVD.

• The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines (2006)

It’s funny that this is out the same week as another season of ER. Noah Wylie stars in both.

• Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

It’s the hottest, hippest indy movie of the season.

• My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006)

Uma Thurman plays a superpowered woman who doesn’t take getting dumped too well. Reviewers didn’t much care for it, as I recall.

• Police Story: Special Edition (Ging chaat goo si) (2-disc set) (1985)

Jackie Chan, right?

• A Scanner Darkly (2006)

More rotoscoped animation from the people who brought you WAKING LIFE.

• The Simpsons: Season Nine (4-disc set)

Can’t go wrong here, can you?

• Step Up (2006)

Saw this one in the theaters. It’s all so very familiar - two people from opposite sides of the track dance for love. More or less. Guys, if you get stuck sitting through this with your girlfriend, don’t sweat it - the lead chick is cute.

• The Wicker Man: Collector’s Edition (2-disc set) (1972)
• The Wicker Man (widescreen) (2006)
• The Wicker Man (pan-and-scan) (2006)

Nicolas Cage remakes a 70s movie.

Next week: Brian DePalma’s latest bomb, THE BLACK DAHLIA.

The Opera browser for Wii launches just in time for the holidays

Opera Software today announces that a trial version of its Web browser for Nintendo’s new game console, Wii, will be available on December 22, 2006. The trial version of the Opera browser for Wii is available for download, free of charge from the the Wii Shop Channel.

Avril Lavigne’s New Album is ‘The Best’ : Soul Shine Magazine

Avril Lavigne has just wrapped up recording her new album and wanted her fans, at least the ones on Myspace, to be the first to know about it.

The newly married Mrs. Deryck Whibley posted a blog on her official Myspace page after doing some press for her new song “Keep Holding On” from the soundtrack to the movie Eragon, “I keep getting asked about my record and what it is called….so I wanted to give u guys all the info directly….so…. I’m calling the record “The best Dam Thing”…..and the first single is called “Girlfriend”… the single comes out February….and the record in April…….”

• Justin Guarini cut his hair short. Pics at the link.
• This is not a shocker: Best Buy reports huge windfall from unused gift cards. I never have a problem using mine, mind you, but it isn’t surprising that some people just never get around to using them.
• Check out Digg.com’s new look, complete with new video and podcast categories! (You can now Digg the Pipeline Podcast.)
• Wired’s look at the new Photoshop CS3 beta. Complete with screenshots. Looks very cool.
• Celebrity Nintendo Wii Mii Contest Results. Some eery likenesses in there.

LinkSys announced its iPhone today.

This, of course, sent the Hardcore Mac Faithful into fits today, wailing about what Apple might do next now that the name of its next product has been taken so cruelly from it.

Whoa, back up there a bit! Apple has never publicly said they were working on a phone.  It’s no doubt coming, as the business trade magazines are running well-sourced stories on it now.  But to assume that “iPhone” has been anything but an internet shorthand to refer to the device is an act of pure hubris.  And as has been previously discussed, Apple couldn’t lay claim to that trademark if they wanted to.  They have to come up with something different.  (”The PodPhone?”  “iTalk?”  “iPodChat?”  Who knows?)

At least with the iTV, the Mac Faithful have had an announcement from Apple to mull over.  Even then, Steve Jobs said up front that “iTV” is just the behind the scenes code name for the project. It won’t be named that when it comes out.  Besides which, eyeTV might have something to say about that.

So just calm down. It’s almost Christmas.  Then MacWorld starts.  THEN you can get excited for all the new announcements.  Take the holiday off.

• Wikipedia list of Paradoxes. (”Paradice”? “Paradoxen”? Whatever.)
• Hi-Res image of latest space walk. Beautiful shot with the earth marble a bright blue in the background.
• Wii Rumor Du Jour: Katamari Damacy?
• Will we never need to save our work again?
• A moment of silence, please: The Shat’s game show has been axed.
• It may not be doing well all hacked up on cable here in the States, but they’re planning a spin-off from MI-5 over in the UK : Rogue Spooks.
• Apprentice champ Bill marrying E! hottie.
• Veronica Mars is now on iTunes. I’m almost halfway through season two on DVD, and I don’t think I could wait till the third season DVD set comes out to start watching it. Thank goodness for iTunes!
• Lots of links today stolen from TVTattle, a great site for your daily TV news, usually updated early in the afternoon, East Coast time.

The answer below comes from Adam of MythBusters fame.  There’s more at the link.  Hilarious.

How long in the freezer to chill a Coke from 89F to 35F? | Ask MetaFilter

That would be about 20-25 minutes in a freezer. If you put it in a bucket of ice, that would halve that time. If you put water in that ice, it’d be cold ( - 5c) enough to drink in about 4-6 minutes, if you put salt in that water, you’d reduce the chill time to just over 2 minutes. Agitating the can in the water, rolling it around, reduces the chill time even more.The fastest possible way is to grab a CO2 fire extinguisher and unload that sucker on the can.

Funny thing is, I just saw a product at the mall the other day that promises to quickly chill a can of soda.  It looked to spin the can around quickly while pouring cold water on it.   Final cost: $90.