Disney's Bright Idea?

Last week, Disney and Panasonic announced a deal where Disney would use Panasonic SD card to sell their movies in JAPAN.

Why is this news relevant?

Well, for one, the SD card movies will sell for $53 a pop. My friends told me that DVDs usually go for $30 something over there. It's $20 premium for the movies on SD cards.

Secondly, if this manages to be lucrative for Disney, perhaps they might start selling that format in the US. Personally, I think it's a horrible idea.

They'll first have to answer why can't people just download a film and put it on their own SD card? The companies advertised copyright protection but that feature services the company, not the consumer.

While it's nice that Disney is trying to stay ahead of the mobile entertainment curve, it is somewhat strange that their solution is to offer movies on a copyright-protected SD card. I can't see consumers being excited about this development. It's neither innovative nor exciting.

CBS & NBC - Love/Hate Relationship

Last month, CBS was pissed with NBC for canceling the TV show Medium (an NBC-produced show that is broadcast on CBS). For one thing, NBC wanted to produce fewer episodes than what CBS wanted and so NBC simply canceled the show altogether.

CBS was so outraged that it issued this unusually candid press release:
"NBC's cancellation of 'Medium' is inexplicable to us."

Then it got ugly: "The ratings don't lie. 'Medium' outperforms many of NBC's renewed shows. Despite inconsistent scheduling, 'Medium,' under the creative vision of Glenn Gordon Caron, one of the most preeminent producers in television, has always performed with distinction both creatively and commercially. Multiple-award-winning actress Patricia Arquette and the cast have delivered a stellar series for five consistent seasons. The awards and ratings speak for themselves. We believe the show has a significant future and await developments."

While, Medium created a rift between the two studios, NCIS is bringing them together to collaborate on the launch of a new NCIS - NCIS: Los Angeles.

USA Network (owned by NBC) struck a deal with CBS (who produces the show) to air two NCIS episodes from this past season that lead to the new spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles. It should be noted that episodes from a recent season's run of NCIS normally wouldn't be available on cable so quickly - but CBS saw an opportunity to market the spin-off early and NBC was happy to contribute.

Of course, the fact that NCIS is currently the top-rated off-net series on cable helps explain why the two big conglomerates are willing to work with each other...even if they don't necessarily like each other.

Philippines joins Hong Kong in celebrity sex scandal - Time to study Filipino Films!

As reported in the Hollywood Reporter, the Philippines joins Hong Kong in a celebrity sex scandal that has rocked the nation and upped the TV ratings.

Around mid-May, footage of Hayden Kho, a celebrity plastic surgeon, engages in sexual acts with 4 female patients.

While the number pales in comparison to Edison Chen, who's number actually hits double digits, it's still a source of major revenue for bootleg DVDs and VCDs. Unexpectedly, actress Katrina Halili has identified herself as one of the victims. It's unexpected because most people would rather choose some convenient, unbelievable excuses like: 1) a likealike 2) an evil twin sister. I admired Katrina Halili for coming forward and suing Hayden Kho.

Kho has suspended his medical activities [Geez, I wonder why?]. Now, for a surgeon, I'm not sure he's the smartest guy out there. For one, he admits to filming the tryst without the patient's knowledge. Combined with the fact that Halili has lost endorsements, modeling and film offers, and I say - case closed - he's going to get sued for millions of dollars. Bearing remarkable resemblance to Edison Chen, Kho denies having leaked the footages into the public domain.

Hopefully, he didn't make the same mistake as Edison Chen and brought his laptop loaded with pictures and videos to a computer repair shop [not the smartest move that Edison made, but then again, he's no doctor].

Again, in a sign that the good doctor may be lacking in good judgment, Kho explained to the Senate committee that "every time we saw each other, there was no conversation. It was all drugs and sex." Kho, of course, was asking the Senate committee to consider legislation that would strengthen laws against pornography and exploitation of women and children.

In some strange universe, Kho thinks it's fine to preach against pornography, but that it's perfectly okay for him to film his sexual escapades while high on drugs and without the other party's consent.

A celebrity surgeon indeed, but definitely not one that anyone should trust to operate or do any kind of medical procedures.