Villalpando’s the name, Edgar Villalpando. Double-oh-one, licensed to sell.

As Hollywood plays a game of Brett Favre with James Bond (will they or won’t they make another picture?) I figure I’m as eligible as the next guy to step in and flex my quads as a super sleuth. After all, I’m conversant in the cloud and if you haven’t heard, the cloud is the new playground for spies.

Interesting coverage this week of Google TV's efforts to develop partnerships with Hollywood.    It was not surprising to find TV powers that be generally reluctant to give Google the ability to monetize their videos.    First, they see lower revenue per view on the Internet.   Second, Google TV has no real business model for them other than, "the way we do things now on the Internet."   And third, TV Networks sell ads for their shows.   To hand this over to Google feels scary.   Without an obvious gain in revenue or efficiency, why would they do it.

But again, none of this is really a surprise.

This TV Everywhere that’s popping up, well, everywhere, is a great idea. At least I think so, but then I’m a frequent flier, the windshield warrior, as they say. I spend more time in hotels, airports and, sad but true, restaurants dining alone where a good shot of television would be just the thing the boredom doctor ordered.

A Box is Just a Box … Unless it’s Something Else

Wow. This SUPER MARIO game really generates page views. You have to be quick.

So this is it! After over 18 months of talk, today we learn that the race to buy the UK's fifth nationwide terrestrial broadcaster, Channel 5, from RTL Group is in its final few days or so, with a shortlist of 3 potential buyers: Portland TV (UK), Channel 4 (UK), and either Timw Warner or NBC Universal.

A tie-up with Channel 4 is oft talked about, but C4's public service remit is not exactly a match with Channel 5's mainstream entertainment based fare.

Portland, owned by colourful UK based newspaper proprietor, Richard Desmond, currently operates only soft-core porn TV channels. Whilst the buy may thus face few regulatory hurdles guarantying a quick sale, we are in unchartered waters as to what viewers might end up with as a result!

The Internet’s ability to untether people has really changed the whole dynamic around what is entertainment and what is necessary and what is not.

Last week, sports news was more active—and interactive—than usual. Consider these events: The World Cup semifinals and finals, the LeBron James “Decision,” and, um, the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

• MSFT Can Fight GoogleTV and AppleTV
• Netflix Can Expand Beyond the US
• Hastings Can Be Groomed As Next CEO of MSFT

Just couldn't resist. Talk about personalized television. Is this for real? I guess Version 2.0 will have a hard drive, a mini-remote control on the headphone cord, and 4G connectivity? -- Tracy Swedlow [itvt]

This is a picture of a magic drawing pad (held by my mother) owned by my daughter. The screen is translucent and illuminated so the drawing appears as if it were neon. This is the 21st Century version of the Woobie from Winky Dink days.  -- Tracy Swedlow

A sci-fi video I made a few years ago. -- Tracy Swedlow, [itvt]