Lost season 4 finale...

Many people online consider this to be the best episode of Lost yet. I can't say that, but I definitely think it was a good one. I loved how so many things have been answered - even while so many more questions were brought up.

One thing I couldn't find online anywhere was what was said to Kate in the flash forward phone call she got. It was a backwards message and I went ahead and reversed it and put the reversed clip on my audio page.

Also, if you missed the commercial for Octagon Global Recruiting, here's a link to that website. It's mostly just a hype up for the ComicCom coming up this summer in San Diego. But it's worth checking out.

So when is the next new episode of Lost? Season five is scheduled to begin in January of 2009 on ABC.

The Mole returns Monday!

It's the return of the best reality show - The Mole!

No more celebrity editions, no more Ahmad Rashad as host, and not much more waiting either.

The new season of The Mole debuts Monday, June 2nd at 10pm on ABC (a week later than originally planned, but I'm sure it'll be well worth the wait).

Please watch it - I don't want my favorite reality show to get cancelled again!

THE MOLE info...

Season 2's Mole interview

"Reflections Of The Mole" from William McDaniel (Season 2's Mole)

Season 1 on DVD

Who's selling clothes now?

That would be Boy George.

His clothing line is called "B-Rude" and features lots of 80's style clothing. Recently he was spotted hanging out at a booth in a London mall selling his clothes.

But way more exciting than that, here's the video to my favorite Culture Club song. You can't get much more 80's than this...

Psyched for Lost season finale...

It's Thursday night (May 29th) at 9pm on ABC.

Here's a short video that was released before season four even started.

Now that we've seen a little of the Orchid station, this video makes more sense. Not a lot more sense, but definitely more than it did before.

Maybe it'll be explained Thursday...

Human Tetris!

Have you ever dreamed of playing Tetris.....with YOU being the Tetris piece?

Now it's possible! Fox is adapting the foreign version of the game into a new show called "Hole In The Wall". It'll be on their schedule sometime next season, but there's no word on a premiere date yet.

For now, check out a clip from the Denmark version of the game show. It's definitely interesting at first, but I can't see the show lasting for more than a few weeks. Watching people get knocked over by a moving wall gets old fast.

Equally as strange as a human Tetris game show, here's a human performance of Tetris.

I'm not sure what this says about humankind, but it can't be good.

Janet Jackson's phone number...

Not her personal number of course - I don't want to give that out! :)

She wants suggestions on what songs you want to see her perform on her upcoming tour. And if there's anything else you've ever wanted to say to Janet, here's your chance.

The number is 323-622-8139. This is not a 900-number type scam thing. The only thing you'll be charged is regular long distance charges.

And make sure you leave your number when you call. Her website says she MAY even call you back! Although I have a feeling you've got a better chance of winning the lottery than having that happen. But hey, you never know.

As for the tour, it appears the closest it'll be to Buffalo is at the ACC in Toronto on October 13th. No word on the on-sale date yet. Keep listening to the 80's After Work and I'll let you know when I hear anything.

Remember this late 80's show?

Season three of Charles In Charge came out on DVD today.

If something like that can get a DVD release, why can't quality 80's shows like Out Of This World be released?!

A job for people who love to rest...

NASA (yes, the government space agency) is looking for people who will stay in bed for 90 days straight. You can't sleep the whole time though - only 8 hours a day. But you will remain in bed.

In exchange, they'll pay you $17,000 for your time.

To do this, you'll have to go to Houston, TX, you'll have to pass the Air Force physical for flight duty, and you'll have to be willing to be bored out of your skull for three long months.

How will this help NASA? Thanks to a head down tilt bed, they'll be able to study people as if they were in space without gravity for three months. Long term bed rest is an easy way to simulate the effects of weightlessness on the human body without actually sending people into space.

So if you want to be a guinea pig for NASA, sign up at their website.

RIP: Midtown Plaza in Rochester (1962 - 2008)

For years, it's kind of been like Main Place in Buffalo - a forgotten mall. Which is sad because Midtown Plaza was the first indoor downtown shopping mall in the country.

But even with more stores than Main Place and a few really cool attractions, the end has come for Midtown Plaza.

As things are dismantled, two favorites from Midtown have found new homes...

• Clock Of Nations: The clock will go to the Monroe County Airport until 2012. After that, its new home will be at the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong. Here's a video of the clock being moved and restored.
  


• Totem Pole: It was just announced today that the totem pole will move to the Seneca Park Zoo.

Unfortunately, one Midtown attraction still hasn't found a home - the Monorail. The Strong Museum Of Play considered it, but couldn't find room. Hopefully soon, we'll learn what's to become of it.

This was one of my favorite malls in Rochester - I would always head straight to the Record Theatre and buy all the awesome 80's 12" singles that I still love today. Then I'd go to Scrantoms for some books and then just wander around the mall.

I even worked there for about five years at some of the radio stations that had studios there.

It's sad to see this go - but at least some of best parts of the mall will survive throughout Rochester.

Lions vs Buffalo vs Crocodiles...

The National Geographic cable channel aired the Battle At Kruger last night. It's an absolutely incredible look at nature at its most wild!

If you missed it, check out the YouTube video the show was based on. Don't let the length scare you away - this is one of the most amazing videos of nature I've ever seen.

And after watching it, try to catch "Caught On Safari: Battle At Kruger" when it's rerun.

Other recommended amusement parks...

If you’re going on a long road trip this summer and run across one of these parks, it’s definitely worth stopping...

CANOBIE LAKE
Location: Salem, NH
Distance: 7.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Fantasy Island. They've got a Frisbee, one of my absolute favorite rides right now. And even better, they run it well! In addition to that, there's a bunch of other great rides and three arcades, one which features about 30 pinball machines. I highly recommend this park!


LAKE COMPOUNCE
Location: Bristol, CT
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: May 10th
Similar to: Darien Lake.


SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND
Location: Agawam, MA
Distance: 6 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Darien Lake. While I love Darien Lake’s Ride Of Steel, this park’s version is different and is considered one of the best steel roller coasters in the country (and I agree). The new indoor roller coaster planned for 2008 has been cancelled. Nothing has been announced to replace it.


MOREY’S PIERS
Location: Wildwood, NJ
Distance: 8 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2008: New Freedom Flight seats for the inverted Great Nor'Easter roller coaster, giving you an even better view of the ocean as you ride! Cygnus X-1 (a newly themed Gravitron spin ride) and Magic Bikes (a family ride) also debut this year.
Similar to: The park itself reminds me of a gigantic Crystal Beach, except it’s all on three large piers overlooking the ocean. The boardwalk is super long and has all sorts of crazy shops.


KING’S DOMINION
Location: Doswell, VA
Distance: 9 hours
Opening Date: Now open
New for 2008: Dominator, the longest floorless coaster in the world. It was moved from Geauga Lake.
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland


BUSCH GARDENS: EUROPE
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Distance: 10 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: It's Canada’s Wonderland w/ more extreme roller coasters, fewer rides, and a lot more shops & restaurants.


HARD ROCK PARK
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Distance: 14 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2008: The entire park! Five roller coasters and six other music themed rides are planned to be up and running by the end of the year.
Similar to: Universal's Islands Of Adventure but all music themed.



BEECH BEND
Location: Bowling Green, KY
Distance: 10.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Fantasy Island.


HOLIDAY WORLD
Location: Santa Claus, IN
Distance: 10 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2008: Kima Bay, a monkey-themed water area with seven slides. Also new this year is the Star Spangled Carousel & Reindeer Games (a kiddie bounce ride).
Similar to: Darien Lake, but geared more to young kids.


DOLLYWOOD
Location: Pigeon Forge, TN
Distance: 11 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2008: River Battle, a water raft ride where you shoot water at targets along the way (including observer and other riders)! I couldn't find a picture of it, but here's an illustration from the website.
Similar to: Unique. Stores and restaurants outnumber rides here, but the rides are all good.


INDIANA BEACH
Location: Monticello, IN
Distance: 8.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2008: Steel Hawg, the park's 6th roller coaster.
Similar to: What Crystal Beach used to be.


MT. OLYMPUS
Location: Wisconsin Dells, WI
Distance: 12 hours
Opening date: Indoor park open now, outdoor park will probably open late May (exact date hasn't been announced yet).
New in 2008: The River Troy, being billed as a mythical themed journey on the world's fastest river ride.
Similar to: Unique. It’s an amusement park made up of nine long wooden go-cart tracks, seven roller coasters, and a gigantic indoor and outdoor waterpark. The entire town of Wisconsin Dells is a giant version of Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls. Nearby, the Timber Falls Adventure Park has an amazing wooden roller coaster called Avalanche. There’s also a puzzle-like adventure down the road called Wizard’s Quest which is definitely worth checking out.

Other New York Amusement Parks...

SYLVAN BEACH AMUSEMENT PARK
Location: Sylvan Beach, NY
Distance: 3 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: A smaller version of what Crystal Beach was. They've got Rock-O-Planes (my number one reason for wanting to visit the park this year).


THE GREAT ESCAPE
Location: Lake George, NY
Distance: 5 hours
Opening date: May 10th
New for 2008: Wiggles World, a Wiggles themed kiddie area featuring three new rides. Also, Mega Wedgie, a giant bowl-shaped waterslide.
Similar to: Fantasy Island. This is where the Crystal Beach Comet now is. It’s been modified a little, but it’s still a good ride.


MAGIC FOREST
Location: Lake George, NY
Distance: 5 hours
Opening date: May 17th
Similar to: Fantasy Island with all kiddie rides.


NORTH POLE / SANTA’S WORKSHOP
Location: North Pole, NY (near Lake Placid)
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: June 28th
Similar to: Unique. An amusement park for young kids themed to Santa Claus & his reindeer.


ASTROLAND
Location: Coney Island, NY
Distance: 7 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Unique and given another year!


DENO’S WONDER WHEEL AMUSEMENT PARK
Location: Coney Island, NY
Distance: 7 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island. It’s within walking distance of Astroland and has the world famous Wonder Wheel, a giant ferris wheel with some cars that travel on tracks and swing into and out of the wheel structure!


LONG ISLAND’S ADVENTURELAND
Location: East Farmingdale, NY
Distance: 7.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Fantasy Island

Ohio Amusement Parks...

Cedar Fair owns all the major amusement parks in Ohio. There used to be three giant parks, but they decided to close Geauga Lake (my favorite of the three) last year. So here's the info on Cedar Point and King's Island...

CEDAR POINT
Location: Sandusky, OH
Distance: 4 hours
Opening date: May 10th
New for 2008: Skyscraper (previously at Valleyfair and Dorney Parks) - this will be featured in the Challenge Park section of the park as an upcharge attraction. Also, Planet Snoopy, a new kiddie area with seven rides (all from Geauga Lake).
Similar to: Unique with 17 roller coasters. That’s more than any other amusement park in the world!


KING’S ISLAND
Location: King's Island, OH
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland with bigger roller coasters.

Pennsylvania Amusement Parks...

Pennsylvania is home to a bunch of old fashioned, family owned amusement parks.

KNOEBELS
Location: Elysburg, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2008: Wipeout, a disorienting spin ride pictured to the right. Also, the Flying Turns wooden bobsled roller coaster now holds the distinction of being the most anticipated new ride of 2006, 2007 & 2008! The track on this prototype ride is mostly finished - the trains are what's being worked on now. The park is hopeful this one-of-a-kind ride will open this season.
Similar to: Unique and highly recommended for all ages! Free parking, free admission, very reasonable prices, some of the best wooden roller coasters in the country, and a gigantic variety of rides for kiddies & adults!


WALDAMEER PARK
Location: Erie, PA
Distance: 2 hours
Opening date: May 10th
New for 2008: Ravine Flyer II, another highly anticipated wooden roller coaster. It'll feature three giant drops, six tunnels, and ten cross-overs. Check out that 90-degree banked turn - this is going to be an amazing ride! Go on the virtual ride here. And ride the real thing starting May 17th! And then on May 24th, check out this exclusive ride session you could sign up for through WNYCC.
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island


KENNYWOOD
Location: West Mifflin, PA
Distance: 4 hours
Opening date: May 3rd
New for 2008: Ghostwood Estate, an eight-room haunted ride. There will be over 200 laser targets to aim at throughout the ride. And it'll be completely trackless and guided by a computer system.
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland


DELGROSSO’S PARK
Location: Tipton, PA
Distance: 4 hours
Opening date: May 4th
Similar to: A small Fantasy Island


LAKEMONT PARK
Location: Altoona, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: May 17th
Similar to: Fantasy Island. Remember Roseland in Canandaigua? This is where the Roseland Skyliner wooden roller coaster now is. This is also the home of the world's oldest roller coaster, Leap-The-Dips (pictured).


IDLEWILD PARK
Location: Ligonier, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: May 22nd
New for 2008: Bigfoot's Mudslide - a three story tall, ninety foot long, three lane slide (which won't really be muddy).
Similar to: Fantasy Island. A unique feature of this park - it features Mister Rogers' Neighborhood of Make Believe, a life-size trolley ride through Mr. Rogers' world.


HERSHEYPARK
Location: Hershey, PA
Distance: 5.5 hours
Opening date: May 2nd
New for 2008: Fahrenheit, the park's 11th roller coaster, which features a 97-degree drop (the steepest in the US). Take a simulated ride here.
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland


DORNEY PARK
Location: Allentown, PA
Distance: 5.5 hours
Opening date: May 3rd
New for 2008: Voodoo, an inverted shuttle coaster. It's kind of U-shaped with twisted track on one end. It was formerly Steel Venom at Geauga Lake.
Similar to: Darien Lake


SESAME PLACE
Location: Langhorne, PA
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: May 3rd
New for 2008: Sunny Day Carousel.
Similar to: Unique. It’s an entire amusement park for kids based on Sesame Street!


CONNEAUT LAKE PARK
Location: Conneaut Lake, PA
Distance: 2.5 hours
Opening date: Things keep getting worse & worse for this park. In addition to the massive debt the park owes, an arsonist destroyed the park's historic Dreamland Ballroom recently and the abandoned Ultimate Trip ride building collapsed in on itself a few weeks ago. It'll be a miracle if Conneaut Lake Park manages to open this year. But the website is still being updated and there is some money coming in (a movie is filming at the park). So keep your fingers crossed - there's still hope.
Similar to: A smaller version of what Crystal Beach used to be.

Buffalo Area Amusement Parks...

Amusement park season is underway in Western New York and the northeast!

I've put together a list of what I consider to be the best parks to visit, what new rides they're getting this year, and all the info you'll need to get there.

This is not a definitive list of all amusement parks - just the bigger ones or the ones I feel are worth visiting. If you think I missed something, e-mail me and I’ll add it to the list.

Tomorrow I'll post the Pennsylvania parks. Then next week it'll be Ohio, eastern New York, and some others further off.

Click on the park name for the official website. And always check the park’s calendar before visiting, as each one starts and ends their daily schedules in a different way. All distances listed are from Buffalo...

DARIEN LAKE
Location: Darien Center, NY
Distance: 45 minutes
Opening date: May 3rd
New for 2008: Orange County Choppers MotoCoaster (the grand opening will officially be Friday, May 16th when the Teutul's of American Chopper visit the park - but the ride will really open with the park on May 3rd). There's also two new shows this year: Cirque Nouveau in the Galaxy Theatre (a new version of the Le Grande Cirque show) and Rhythmnicity (a dance show) in the Grande Theatre.


FANTASY ISLAND
Location: Grand Island, NY
Distance: 15 minutes
Opening date: May 10th
New for 2008: Flight, a 140-foot tall swing ride. Also, Grand Circus Menagerie, a kiddie carousel.


MARINELAND
Location: Niagara Falls, ON
Distance: 30 minutes
Opening date: May 17th


CANADA’S WONDERLAND
Location: Just north of Toronto, ON
Distance: 2 hours
Opening date: May 4th
New for 2008: Behemoth, Canada's biggest, fastest & tallest roller coaster! Take a virtual ride on it here.


MIDWAY PARK
Location: Bemus Point, NY
Distance: 90 minutes
Opening date: May 24th
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island with all kiddie rides.


ONTARIO PLACE
Location: Toronto, ON
Distance: 2 hours
Opening date: May 3rd
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island with mainly kiddie rides.


SEABREEZE
Location: Rochester, NY
Distance: 90 minutes
Opening date: May 17th
New for 2008: Music Express. Will be in the former Gyrosphere location.
Similar to: Fantasy Island