YM Resource: hulu: watch shows and movies

Apparently hulu.com has gone public. I've been using it in the beta version for some time (a few months) and have really enjoyed the variety of material. And they have added more movies to the site, now that it is public.

My biggest complaint would have to be the lack of full episodes for some of the newer shows. Some have many clips, but no episodes. Besides that, there is a bunch to find on the site. I would recommend taking a look at it. The biggest plus is the ability to watch a show when I want to, not necessarily when it is on TV.

I've even found a few clips from older shows that I am planning on using in ministry (whether it be a promo for an event or part of a lesson)

to quote someone else: Marge Simpson (internet)

"I don't want to bother the internet with my problems."

taken from The Simpsons on 10.7.07 Midnight Towboy

This has to be a new favorite quote, esp. in regards to the internet.

So next time you want to Google something, stop and rethink if your "problems" are worth the internet's time.

The Simpsons Movie

The Simpsons Movie

For Simpsons fans, the long wait is finally over. The movie version has been made. And it seemed a little anti-climatic.

There were unexpected hilarious moments throughout the movie. On the other hand, there were a lot of moments that just did not seem to fit. For the longtime fan, the movie has some treats (like the ambulance smashed against the tree by the Springfield Gorge, from the episode Bart, the Daredevil). Not the mention all the characters that make appearances; some getting more airtime than almost the entire run of the show.

The movie is not solely based on having a working knowledge of The Simpsons, though. You do not need to know the episode numbers or the character names to enjoy this movie version. It can stand alone - and I think it does a great job of doing just that. As a minister, I think there are some great discussion starters throughout.

Here are a few of the discussion starters...

- the way the Simpsons stick together, as a family
- Bart's desire for a "better" dad
- Homer and Marge's marriage
- Can you really be completely seperated from the world?
- putting other's first
- "visions"

I would not say The Simpsons Movie is for everyone. But I do know that most of the students in your ministry have probably seen it. I know a lot of students in my ministry have seen it, and I didn't know most of them even watched the show.


Dec. 18 release of the movie on DVD

Discussion Starter: The Simpsons Burger King Commercial

Here is a Burger King commercial with the Simpsons. You'll notice its a tie-in with the simpsonizeme.com website. I like the commercial because its just fun, plus Ralph is in it.



Besides being a fun commercial, you can use it to talk about change. How do people see us differently when we change our attitude or a habit? When you become a Christian do you change so people notice? Is your change just on the surface? Have you truly become a new creation? Do you look more like Christ?

The Simpsons: Homer's Tonight Show Monologue

The Simpsons Movie hits theaters (in the US) today. If you can't make it to see the theater today or just want to see some more Homer - here is a clip for you. Its from Homer's Tonight Show with Jay Leno appearance.

The Simpsons: The Movie countdown

One more day until The Simpsons Movie opens in theaters. Though I haven't heard great reviews for it, I'm excited to go see it. I'm probably gonna go see it with a few of the students, so it'll be a bonus.

After I watch the giant Simpsons on the movie screen I'll let you know what I thought.

Are you going to see it?

The Simpsons: Kwik-E-Mart = 7-Eleven

7-eleven and The Simpsons are going to be connected this month. Some 7-Eleven stores will become Kwik-E-Marts. The rest will sell Simpsons' specific merchandise. Read the full story here.

If I was only closer to one of them :)

Also, there is a contest going on to become a character in an upcoming episode of the Simpsons. (again, if only I was closer)

Trivia Wednesday #17

answer #16 - Jeff Albertson
(he told Ned Flanders in Season 16, episode 8 "Homer and Ned's Hail Mary Pass")

question #17 - Name the New York city borough that was once an independent city.

Trivia Wednesday #16

answer #15 - rugs

question #16 - What is Comic Book Guy's real name? (bonus for who he told and what episode it was in)

The Simpsons trivia

If you are a Simpsons' fan, this Wednesday's trivia question is for you. Lets just see how much of a fan you are, shall we?

If you are not a Simpsons' fan, odds are that you have as much a chance of getting this one right.

The Simpsons: Season 10 DVD

I just found this great news over at TVshowsondvd.com that the Simpsons season 10 is due to be released August 7.

Episodes of note from Season 10:

1. Mayored to the Mob. Guest Star Mark Hamill (who appears to be in the commentary on the episode)

2. Simpsons Bible Stories. Bible stories told with a twist.

Plus there will be a Simpsons Movie DVD sneak peak. By the time this DVD is out, I'm pretty sure a good number of us Simpsons fans will have watched the movie a few times.

Now the wait for Season 10 officially has a countdown.

The Simpsons: 24 Minutes

Promo shot from the season finale of the Simpsons. It will air May 20 (2nd of 2 new episodes that night). Thought the promo shot was cool (obviously its a take on 24)

Hoping for something good to finish up the season before the movie this summer. Maybe they'll do a X-Files type movie where it goes with the storyline of the season (oh wait, they don't have a storyline).

Good Idea, Bad Idea: DVD Usage

Good Idea: Using clips from shows or movies to help illustrate a point. Previewing the clip to check for any inappropriate content. Setting the clip before class, thus avoiding showing the inappropriate content during class.

Bad Idea: Using a DVD player, without knowing that it shuts off after a certain amount of time and when turned back on will actually go back a few seconds on the DVD. Also TV's do not stay on "mute" if you turn them off and on again. All of which results in some of the class hearing Homer use a bad word.

new Simpsons trailer

I just got to watch the new episode last night. The episode was probably, in my opinion, the funniest one in a long time. It seemed to be funny from beginning to end. Plus anytime you get to see the Springfield adults as kids its good. Even Ralph made it in the episode (always a plus for me).

Anyway - the trailer. WOW! I told Amy that every time I see a new trailer it makes the movie that much more appealing. Not that I wouldn't go see it when it comes out anyway :) But it seems that the movie will not just be a bunch of fluff to fill time. I guess we'll find out this summer. But at any rate - I'm excited.

I think I'll go watch the trailer again. :)

EDIT*
I decided to find the trailer and post it here:

Lessons from the Simpsons

Watching the Simpsons the other day I watched an episode called "Lisa's Sax" There was one particular footage that hit me as both funny and sad at the same time. On the show it was funny, the connection to reality was sad.

Episode basically was about telling how Lisa got her sax, after it was smashed. At one moment in the flashback we see Homer looking at a new air conditioner (due to a heatwave hitting Springfield and the Simpson's air conditioner being broken). Meanwhile Lisa has crossed the street standing in front of a music store admiring the instruments. Earlier in the show we see a shrink tell Homer and Marge that Lisa has a gift and it has to be encouraged. So, while standing in front of the store, Homer says something like "musical instruments, is that a way to encourage a gifted child?" Then looking up he says "just give me a sign." Right then the store owner places a sign in the front window that says "musical instruments: encourage a gifted child." Homer "that works for me."

As I watched it, I was struck by how true that is. How many people, when searching for a "sign" from God, want to have things written out in the exact words we want?

I don't think God gives us signs like that. When we want to know if "Bob" is the right guy for me to marry (its just an example) don't we ask for a "sign" from God. Like Bob's name is written in your cereal or you hear his name on the radio a lot. We try to find signs we want to see.

As a youth minister, how can I teach the students to listen to God's voice (without speaking for Him)?

Mail lost in the system

I read a few articles this week about mail being delivered over 50 years after it was sent. And don't forget The Simpsons episode about the mailman frozen for something like 50 years and then his mail being delivered. I always think it would be weird to get mail like that.

Well, it finally happened. Sorta. Yesterday we got a piece of mail (actually a newsletter from the church) that was from last year. Ok, so it was Oct. 25. It was right around when we moved and the church hadn't put our new address in the system yet. So the mail never got forwarded to us and we just assumed we weren't going to get it. But yesterday it came :)

It does feel weird to get mail that is now old and outdated. Maybe someone will run a story on this. Anyway, I thought it was funny.

The office and youth ministry

I must say I don't watch much TV. A few reasons:

1. no cable (and the local channels don't all come in clear)
2. 2 small boys (which means there is more important things to do like cook pretend food and fix stuff with tools)
3. not many good shows on (in my opinion)
4. i'd rather read
5. I can find all the recaps online and can still know what is going on without actually watching :)

anyway...
There are 2 main shows I watch each week. The Simpsons and The Office. (back to the reason for the post)

I was watching a preview clip (sales team out in the field)for this week's episode of the office today with Amy and just started cracking up. Its classic Stanley (I think Stanley and Toby need more airtime). He goes with Ryan on a sales call and just "dumps" the presentation on Ryan to handle, while he does his crosswords. It was a great clip - at only a minute clip its worth the entire episode (especially the few seconds of them back in the car after the call is over). Anyway, I was thinking about the clip in reference to Youth Ministry.

In the clip, Stanley puts Ryan on the spot without any prewarning or prior knowledge. Ryan pretty much stands there dumbfounded and has no idea what to do. How many times in ministry do we (paid youth workers) put youth coaches in charge of things without really doing any training or help. I think the biggest concern for me is the Sunday School teachers. It seems we ask people to do it and if they say "yes" then we give them some curriculum (on a good day) and let them go. What a disservice to both the teacher and the students. If the adults who help in youth ministry feel anything like what Ryan looked like in the clip, then we need to rethink our whole process.

I want to make sure in my ministry that I don't just let people serve without being ready.

Have you found that training is best done before people start serving and then reinforced during their time of service?

I think this post is turning into a much longer post than I expected...maybe it needs to be multiple.

(i hope the show on Thursday is as funny as the few clips i've seen)