Comments on: The Nanny and the Professor http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:31:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: JB of Brisbane http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76786 JB of Brisbane Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:01:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76786 A bit of cast information - Nanny (Phoebe Figgerlily) - Juliet Mills (daughter of Sir John, sister of Hayley & Donna) Prof. Everett - Richard Long (remembered from The Big Valley) The Kids - who knows, who cares? Although Kim Richards (Prudence) turned up in a couple of other shows. And as for Battle Beyond The Stars - I liked that movie when I was about fifteen, before I found out it was just Seven Samurai (aka The Magnificent Seven) in space. A bit of cast information -

Nanny (Phoebe Figgerlily) – Juliet Mills (daughter of Sir John, sister of Hayley & Donna)
Prof. Everett – Richard Long (remembered from The Big Valley)
The Kids – who knows, who cares? Although Kim Richards (Prudence) turned up in a couple of other shows.

And as for Battle Beyond The Stars – I liked that movie when I was about fifteen, before I found out it was just Seven Samurai (aka The Magnificent Seven) in space.

]]> By: Dave Waalkes http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76785 Dave Waalkes Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:40:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76785 Ah. <i>Battle Beyond the Stars</i>. Yeah, I still have scars from that one, too. Ah. Battle Beyond the Stars. Yeah, I still have scars from that one, too.

]]> By: JediBear http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76784 JediBear Sun, 16 Mar 2008 08:22:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76784 Phil, I noticed that your page to comets which you helpfully linked to doesn't actually mention much about what a comet would look like. It's more aimed at how they move. In telescopic observations, a comet is basically a DFO - a dim, fuzzy object. Messier's catalogue of objects lists DFOs that Charles Messier had already identified that were not comets. A very useful tool for the comet-hunter. A comet that looked fiery, had a visible tail, and was visibly moving would be very close to the sun, and almost certainly close enough for naked-eye observation. Sadly, telescopes aren't quite THAT exciting. Phil, I noticed that your page to comets which you helpfully linked to doesn’t actually mention much about what a comet would look like. It’s more aimed at how they move.

In telescopic observations, a comet is basically a DFO – a dim, fuzzy object. Messier’s catalogue of objects lists DFOs that Charles Messier had already identified that were not comets. A very useful tool for the comet-hunter.

A comet that looked fiery, had a visible tail, and was visibly moving would be very close to the sun, and almost certainly close enough for naked-eye observation.

Sadly, telescopes aren’t quite THAT exciting.

]]> By: Lugosi http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76783 Lugosi Sun, 16 Mar 2008 02:39:47 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76783 I must admit to being confused. Did Nanny create the comet through her magical powers? If so, does that make her more powerful than God? And how can she be certain the comet she so recklessly created won't end up smacking into the Earth and wiping out humanity? And wouldn't the sudden introduction of another heavenly body into the solar system throw off the existing gravitational balances that govern the orbits of the various planets and assorter other components? Does the Professor end up putting the stones to her every night once the kids are asleep? I must admit to being confused. Did Nanny create the comet through her magical powers? If so, does that make her more powerful than God? And how can she be certain the comet she so recklessly created won’t end up smacking into the Earth and wiping out humanity? And wouldn’t the sudden introduction of another heavenly body into the solar system throw off the existing gravitational balances that govern the orbits of the various planets and assorter other components? Does the Professor end up putting the stones to her every night once the kids are asleep?

]]> By: Geoff http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76782 Geoff Sun, 16 Mar 2008 02:14:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76782 I identify Sam Jaffe with Lost Horizon the most. Not because I'm old (I'm not) but because I love movies more than tv. Day the earth stood still is a distant second. I can't even view that clip with a proxy. )-: I identify Sam Jaffe with Lost Horizon the most. Not because I’m old (I’m not) but because I love movies more than tv. Day the earth stood still is a distant second.

I can’t even view that clip with a proxy.

)-:

]]> By: Dave Macleod http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76781 Dave Macleod Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:42:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76781 Can't watch the video here in BC, but just wanted to mention that Sam Jaffee played Gunga Din in the 1939 version. A classic. Can’t watch the video here in BC, but just wanted to mention that Sam Jaffee played Gunga Din in the 1939 version. A classic.

]]> By: Mus http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76741 Mus Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:52:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76741 I watched that episode, some family guy episodes, and a couple of the Simpsons episodes, and I have yet to see ANY ads. Whether it's thanks to noscript or adblock plus (both firefox extensions), I am not troubled by those pesky ads. (ha ha ha, that sounded totally like an ad) I watched that episode, some family guy episodes, and a couple of the Simpsons episodes, and I have yet to see ANY ads. Whether it’s thanks to noscript or adblock plus (both firefox extensions), I am not troubled by those pesky ads.

(ha ha ha, that sounded totally like an ad)

]]> By: Quiet Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76778 Quiet Desperation Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:08:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76778 <i>Can’t watch it because I live in the wrong country.</i> Don't worry. Many people live in the wrong country. :-) ...no, I don't know what that meant either. <i>Silly me thinking Internet was international.</i> But many copyrights are not. Can’t watch it because I live in the wrong country.

Don’t worry. Many people live in the wrong country. :-)

…no, I don’t know what that meant either.

Silly me thinking Internet was international.

But many copyrights are not.

]]> By: StevoR http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76763 StevoR Sat, 15 Mar 2008 07:49:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76763 What no post / blogging on the new "seven Deadly Sins" silliness Phil? After all, most of the new ones are science related ... ;-) What no post / blogging on the new “seven Deadly Sins” silliness Phil? After all, most of the new ones are science related … ;-)

]]> By: Mark http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76779 Mark Sat, 15 Mar 2008 02:01:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76779 I can't believe I actually remember watching this episode when I was a kid! In fact, this very episode led to me asking for a telescope for my birthday. I ended up with a little reflecting scope from Sears catalog, couldn't figure out how to work it very well. I did use it to watch the moon a few times. I can’t believe I actually remember watching this episode when I was a kid! In fact, this very episode led to me asking for a telescope for my birthday. I ended up with a little reflecting scope from Sears catalog, couldn’t figure out how to work it very well. I did use it to watch the moon a few times.

]]> By: RamblinDude http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76780 RamblinDude Sat, 15 Mar 2008 01:37:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76780 Here’s a fine little coincidence for you. Not more than a few days ago, I was thinking about some episode I saw as a kid on some show about one of the young characters discovering a comet (or something) just before somebody else. I was especially thinking about the older man’s response. I was impressed at the time at how philosophical he was about losing out on being the first to discover the object himself—well, that’s just how science works sometimes. So out of curiosity, I click on this video, run forward a third of the way into the show, and…wow! It’s that same episode! I couldn’t have told you in a million years what the show was without seeing it again. Cool. Here’s a fine little coincidence for you. Not more than a few days ago, I was thinking about some episode I saw as a kid on some show about one of the young characters discovering a comet (or something) just before somebody else. I was especially thinking about the older man’s response. I was impressed at the time at how philosophical he was about losing out on being the first to discover the object himself—well, that’s just how science works sometimes.

So out of curiosity, I click on this video, run forward a third of the way into the show, and…wow! It’s that same episode! I couldn’t have told you in a million years what the show was without seeing it again. Cool.

]]> By: Lugosi http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76777 Lugosi Fri, 14 Mar 2008 23:48:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76777 <b>Trevor:</b> I just installed AdBlock Plus, but I'm still getting the commercials. Besides, aren't the ads part of the videostream itself? Trevor: I just installed AdBlock Plus, but I’m still getting the commercials. Besides, aren’t the ads part of the videostream itself?

]]> By: Peptron http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76776 Peptron Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:50:29 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76776 Can't watch it because I live in the wrong country. Silly me thinking Internet was international. Mmm... I feel like Hulu will die before it was even born... Can’t watch it because I live in the wrong country. Silly me thinking Internet was international.

Mmm… I feel like Hulu will die before it was even born…

]]> By: KaiYves http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76775 KaiYves Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:32:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76775 I liked it very much. Thanks for posting it, BA. I liked it very much. Thanks for posting it, BA.

]]> By: Yoshi_3up http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76774 Yoshi_3up Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:15:18 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76774 "Unfortunately this video is not available for your country or region. We apologize for the inconvienience." :( “Unfortunately this video is not available for your country or region. We apologize for the inconvienience.”
:(

]]> By: Charles http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76773 Charles Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:28:59 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76773 That was pleasant. One of these days I am going to stop the frame where you can see the math on Professor Barnhardt's blackboard. Being the geek that I am it occurred to me recently that I have never tried to decipher what he was up to on it. That was pleasant.

One of these days I am going to stop the frame where you can see the math on Professor Barnhardt’s blackboard. Being the geek that I am it occurred to me recently that I have never tried to decipher what he was up to on it.

]]> By: Kol http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76772 Kol Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:13:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76772 Wired recently posted and article describing ways to access higher quality vid on YouTube. Here: http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Watch_Higher_Quality_YouTube_Videos Wired recently posted and article describing ways to access higher quality vid on YouTube.

Here:
http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Watch_Higher_Quality_YouTube_Videos

]]> By: Michelle http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76771 Michelle Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:05:15 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76771 Curse my beady eyes and flapping head! Curse my beady eyes and flapping head!

]]> By: Trevor http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76770 Trevor Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:01:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76770 @Michelle: Unfortunately, Canadians stand out too well, so no - there's no hiding it. For everyone else: have you tried googling for a free proxy? Pick one in the US, of course... and if you're not far away, maybe the tubes will bring you happy hulu fun times. Obviously, I can't test to see if it'll work since I'm kind of already in the US... but good luck! Hulu is awesome! :-) @Michelle: Unfortunately, Canadians stand out too well, so no – there’s no hiding it.

For everyone else: have you tried googling for a free proxy? Pick one in the US, of course… and if you’re not far away, maybe the tubes will bring you happy hulu fun times. Obviously, I can’t test to see if it’ll work since I’m kind of already in the US… but good luck! Hulu is awesome! :-)

]]> By: Quiet_Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76769 Quiet_Desperation Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:34:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76769 <i>lily-white</i> I beg your pardon?? lily-white

I beg your pardon??

]]> By: Tim G http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76768 Tim G Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:29:20 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76768 Thanks Phil, that was pleasant. I am sorry that folks outside the U.S. cannot see it. I guess copyright laws are such a hassle. Thanks Phil, that was pleasant.

I am sorry that folks outside the U.S. cannot see it. I guess copyright laws are such a hassle.

]]> By: Nipper http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76767 Nipper Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:11:05 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76767 Oh, that was fun!!! I was having a bad day until I saw this. Thanks, man! Oh, that was fun!!! I was having a bad day until I saw this. Thanks, man!

]]> By: alfaniner http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76766 alfaniner Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:51:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76766 If they are the commercials that originally aired with the show they might be worth watching! If they are the commercials that originally aired with the show they might be worth watching!

]]> By: Michelle http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76765 Michelle Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:49:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76765 @Trevor: Okay, and now do you have a trick that can stop them from detecting my canuck nature so I can see the darn video? :P @Trevor: Okay, and now do you have a trick that can stop them from detecting my canuck nature so I can see the darn video? :P

]]> By: Yojimbo http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/comment-page-1/#comment-76764 Yojimbo Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:48:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/13/the-nanny-and-the-professor/#comment-76764 Ah! The original Zorba... Ah! The original Zorba…

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