 Cyberfolks Friendly Guided Web Site Tours
Couch Potatoes Jump Online: TV & Movie Websites
Host
Sandra L. Toney
The term, "couch potato," usually brings a specific image to mind: a
frumpy, lazy guy with a beer in one hand and a remote control in the other
-- lounging in front of the television set. The computer revolution, of
course, has taken many of those old couch potatoes and re-planted them …
in front of their computer screens.
Computer couch potatoes, however, have found the ultimate happiness --
television and movies have found a welcoming audience on the Internet.
There are so many television and movie sites to choose from, but the
following are some of my personal favorites. I hope the rest of you couch
potatoes out there agree!
Disney.com -- The Website for Families
Disney and family are almost synonymous with each other. For many
years, children and adults alike have been entertained not only by Walt
Disney's amusement parks, Disneyland, Disneyworld and now EuroDisney, but
also by Disney's movies and television specials.
Disney.com combines all of the Disney empire complete in one spot.
On their webpage, you can visit Disney's movies, t.v. shows, books,
computer software, adventures, radio shows, music, cruise lines, and even
special Disney clubs. You can download a screen saver or read an article
about learning disabilities. Fun AND educational -- that's Disney's
trademark specialty!
E! Online
The popular cable channel that is based on the entertainment industry,
it's no wonder E! made the move to online. At E! Online, you can read the
latest Hollywood gossip, popular award show coverage, t.v. and movie
trivia, celebrity chats, and just what to watch for on E! Television hour
to hour, minute to minute and, of course, even MORE Hollywood gossip.
The fans have the chance to speak their mind as well. A neat division
of the site is E! Online's Moviefinder. On this page, you can read the
latest movie reviews or take a chance on becoming the next Siskel or Ebert
by writing your own movie review. In case you often wonder if your opinion
really matters, go to the movies, visit E! Online, and write your own,
personal review for the world to read. What a great feeling!
GIST Communications
Whether it is soap operas, science fiction, news programs, comedy,
sports, or movies, GIST Communications will most likely be able to
tell you everything you need (or want) to know about life on your
television set.
What's going to be on each and every channel, including listings by
time zones, are at GIST TV. A categorized search engine will help you find
what you didn't even know you were looking for. GIST will also help you
decide what you SHOULD watch, if you are undecided, with a section called
"Today's Best Television Picks." Cruise over to GIST and find the perfect
television companion … for life.
MovieWEB
A first date. A New Year's Eve at home. A cheap baby-sitter. What
do all of these things have in common? One thing comes to mind -- they are
all perfect opportunities to watch a movie. Whether it's on the big screen
in a theater or on a 19-inch in your living room, movies are a great
way to entertain, learn, socialize and relax.
If you want to be the first to learn about the newest movies about to be
released, MovieWEB will be the place to start. With previews to the
hottest movies out there, each picture has an entire webpage devoted to it.
Movie studios such as Universal, New Line Cinema, Orion, 20th Century Fox,
Tristar, Columbia, and others are featured links at MovieWEB. Amaze your
friends -- visit this website and know EVERYTHING about America's favorite
pastime -- the MOVIES!
Mr. Showbiz
Mr. Showbiz is not only an informative source for entertainment news
and happenings, it's just plain fun to hang out at -- period! Of course,
it has the usual facts on what's playing at the movies, what you should
(and should NOT) be watching, headlines in Hollywood, celebrity bios, and
the ratings at the box office and on television.
But then the fun begins. Sponsored by ABC-TV News, the stuffy "news"
angle could be expected, but one trip to the game room or the water cooler
will change your mind. Did I say the water cooler? I sure did. Mr.
Showbiz has an unusually inventive section where you can vote about silly,
yet entertainment-related topics.
On 1/26/98, the "crucial" question for the day was, "Who is most
likely to be mistaken for dead next?" Multiple choice answers included
Willie Aames, Kirk Cameron, Mindy "Natalie" Cohn, Emmanuel Lewis, Kristy
McNichol, or Dana Plato.
Does it really matter? Of course not. But it sure is interesting
(and yes, maybe even a little sick) to ponder ...
T.V. Guide Entertainment Network a.k.a. TVGEN
Their presence on the web is no surprise. T.V. Guide has been *the*
source for television listings, reviews, and information for practically as
long as television has been in existence. Although still in the print
format, T.V. Guide Entertainment Network offers a lot more than the black
and white version ever could.
There is more information, more listings, more reviews, more advice,
more of everything -- literally. Chat forums for you to discuss your
deepest television secrets (maybe you watch Columbo reruns daily?) or your
utmost wishes for Mulder and Scully to FINALLY get together, TVGEN chat
forums will be there . . . 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Okay couch potatoes, it's finally time to watch yourselves grow . . .
on the Net!
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