Rose Parade

[Ghoulish Delight]

Haven't seen anyone mention the Rose Parade.

Overall, meh. No more Stephanie Edwards, and I guess this may have been Bob Eubanks' last year as his contract is up. The addition of an "opening number" and song-filled parade stops are getting nauseating. And the float selection was by and large a big yawn (oh look more butterflies. Gee whiz, hummingbirds. Oh! That one has butterflies AND hummingbirds).

BUT

While on the whole it was unimpressive, there were a handful of standouts. The sea turtles were incredible, as was the reptile float. In a year whose theme led to even more animal-based designs than normal, those two really were the cream of the crop.

The Star Wars thing was...weird. Cool to see Endor, but 6 foot tall Ewoks didn't sit right. And the Naboo float seemed really dull and flat. Where were the vibrant colors? But squadrons of storm troopers marching (poorly) down Colorado Blvd. was pretty cool.

And, of course, the 2 biggies: Fire breathing dragons and jetpack.

The dragons was the best float in a LONG time. Goregous artwork, great animation, and freaking fire-breathing!

As for the jetpack, it was definitely one of the most exciting Rose Parade moments in memory...but I later caught a rebroadcast where I actually listened to the commentary and learned that the thing only holds enough fuel for a 30 second flight. Bleh, how disappointing.

[Tramspotter]

I always liked the Stealth bomber flyover.

[Alex]

I watched about 2 minutes of it (saw the Michigan marching band and a float of a very large woman and the float of some school east of LA). Then I shouted to Lani in the other room: "dammit! the Rose Parade is on three different channels" and then went to a movie.

But it was an improvement over my viewing experience last year when it was raining and I seemed to only catch marching bands while flipping through channels.

[€uroMeinke]

I understand it was a lot pinker - at least in the early showings. I hardly saw any of it, but I did take a break from frying bacon to see the jet pack. That was awsome and I'm glad I didn't hear the commentary - to think 40 years ago some guy was flying a jet pack in Disneyland and we still haven't advanced to a state where it would be a personal transportation choice. As cool as the segway is, I'd still rather have a jet pack. Perhaps a personal Zeppelin is still a possibility.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Maybe it was my tv, but did the monorail on the Anaheim float look like the monorail to you?

[Chernabog]

It didn't look like disneyland's monorail. We thought maybe it was a Las Vegas float until seeing the Angel's "A" and the giant oranges...

[Moonliner]

Maybe it was my tv, but did the monorail on the Anaheim float look like the monorail to you?

Actually I was sitting there thinking to myself, I didn't know that Anaheim had a monorail. :rolleyes:


So Yes. You can put me down for a "No, that did not look like the DLR monorail" vote.

[Snowflake]

I thought it was the tamest Rose Parade I've seen in years. I have to agree with GD's assesment, the Dragon float was incredible and the jet pack was very cool. Otherwise, snore, back to bed for me.

One of these years, I'd love to see it in person, or at least make it to pasedena to see the floats that won an award.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

See it in person and your perspective will change mightily. If you've only watched it on TV you have no idea of the scale of the thing. It's nutty.

Anaheim float - totally a DL Monorail rip off but diff enough to not get sued.

The sound mix was awful on KTLA. In the morning all we could hear was the parade noise, leaving the commentators unintelligible (without Stephanie I didn't care much). We watched a bit of the primetime broadcast and they had obviously tried to fix it, but then the commentators were drowning out the floats and bands. Lame.

I'm super pissed about Stephanie. They could at least acknowledge her many years of service. Instead they pretend she never existed. F'ckers. :mad:

[Babette]

As for the jetpack, it was definitely one of the most exciting Rose Parade moments in memory...but I later caught a rebroadcast where I actually listened to the commentary and learned that the thing only holds enough fuel for a 30 second flight. Bleh, how disappointing.
A few months ago, I heard a segment on the radio with the makers of the jetpack and knew that fact. I tried to tell you but you probably didn't hear me mumbling from under NA's covers and kitties. ;)

[Moonliner]

The sound mix was awful on KTLA.

I've been watching in on HGTV (http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_988/text/0,,HGTV_22056_39188,00.html?hp=whatsnew_roseparade ) for the last few years. They do it commercial free (for the most part) and one the hosts is their garden expert who actually knows something about flowers. Of course their "on the street" reporter introduced the "Oak ridge Brothers" and talked about "light swords" so I guess it's never perfect.

[mousepod]

I was glad that the Flaming Lips got to ride one of the Oklahoma floats (though their side wasn't on TV), because it forced them to play their New Year's Eve show in LA and their New Year's Eve Eve show (Dec 30) in San Francisco. And what a show it was.

[BarTopDancer]

I loved the dragons and the jet pack.

It's 2007. Where are my flying cars?

[Alex]

Am I the only one who doesn't want flying cars?

I can barely tolerate the idiots that can't competently move 4,000 pounds of metal and plastic in two dimensions. I can't imagine the horror if they were allowed three dimensions to screw around in.

[Moonliner]

Am I the only one who doesn't want flying cars?

I can barely tolerate the idiots that can't competently move 4,000 pounds of metal and plastic in two dimensions. I can't imagine the horror if they were allowed three dimensions to screw around in.

I'd expect that some sort of mandatory computer controlled flight path widget would have to come part and parcel with any consumer grade flying car.

[€uroMeinke]

Derigables! I tell you - what could possible go wrong with an airship?

I want my own private Hindenburg

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Derigables! I tell you - what could possible go wrong with an airship?

I want my own private Hindenburg

A non-hydrogen filled version, of course.

[Moonliner]

A non-hydrogen filled version, of course.

Actually hydrogen had very little to do with the Hindenburg disaster. Had the ship been filled with helium it would still have met the same fate.

The history channel had a very interesting documentary on this. It turns out that the skin of the airship had been doped with a compound that included powdered aluminium. It was included because it gave the skin extra strength. Of course powered aluminium (http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/moments/s1052864.htm)is also used in the solid fuel boosters for the space shuttle. Once a static charge developed on the skin and created a spark between two incorrectly grounded segments, KaBoom! Up it went.

[Alex]

There's quite a bit of controversy on whether the paint or the hydrogen was the major source of fuel for the fire.

Since at least half of hte documentaries on the history channel really suck it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't present it as just one of the theories (and somewhat minority one at that). You can read about the various theories at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LZ_129_Hindenburg).

[Kevy Baby]

It's 2007. Where are my flying cars?http://www.generalcarbuncle.com/gifs/pic_genlee.jpg

Am I the only one who doesn't want flying cars?

I can barely tolerate the idiots that can't competently move 4,000 pounds of metal and plastic in two dimensions. I can't imagine the horror if they were allowed three dimensions to screw around in.Absolutely!

[lizziebith]

Sad to see no outrage here about the dissing of the Star Wars fans (personified in the parade by the 501st) by Bob Eubanks. A lot of us had our special day wrecked by that dick. You can hate on the new flicks, but don't hate on us. :mad: I'll never be able to erase the sight of my son's sad and confused face when Mr. Eubanks made his STUPID remarks about SW geeks. GRRRRRRR!

[innerSpaceman]

Ya know, we were talking and gawking so much during that part that I didn't hear any of Bob's lame commentary.

The Star Wars section was majorly disappointing to me. I thought the two floats SUCKED, and the Stormtroopers, though I know they were drilled, couldn't march worth a damn ... even for the cameras. The contingent with the international flags was cool, though.

But one cool thing of five Star Wars elements was not good enough. And anytime I see George Lucas, I want to puke.


Otherwise, my assessment is exactly that of the O.P.'s. Yay, firebreathing dragons and jetpacks. Very good vegetation detail beauty work on the turtle float and the reptile float. The end. Meh.


No Stephanie? BAH!!!

[RStar]

Ya know, we were talking and gawking so much during that part that I didn't hear any of Bob's lame commentary.He lost me when he was naming the planets and called Jupiter "Juniper". As if there's a big evergreen planet out there! :eek:

Then the woman that was with him pointed out that Anaheim had all these atraction. Disneyland, Anaheim Stadium, and of course, Knott's Berry Farm!

Not that I expect everyone to be perfect and not make any mistakes. God knows I'd make plenty.

And the marching band from Louisiana was cool! Jazzy, animated, and spelled out 2007 in formation!

[Morrigoon]

Stop show stops! (dot com)

But seriously, I can understand a show stop to kick off the parade, though I would have preferred to actually HEAR Kristin Chenowith (stupid sound people), but beyond that, the show stops really need to, um, stop. This isn't the damn Macy's parade, whose floats have nothing more interesting about them so they have to do all the show stops to make it interesting. We've got our own thing going here with the flowers, why screw that up?

I knew Stephanie was in trouble when they had her on the street level last year, but I had no idea they'd get rid of her entirely this year! That totally blows, especially since Bob is such a dick.

I hope some other station picks Stephanie up. I'll watch them.

[innerSpaceman]

Stop show stops! (dot com)

And the marching band from Louisiana was cool! Jazzy, animated, and spelled out 2007 in formation!
There was some debate at our viewing as to whether marching band formations constitute show stops.

Technically, I suppose the answer is Yes ... but seeing that formations are what bands do best (with pure marching their most boring function), I rather like seeing a few cool formations in the parade. To me, it's not the same as some float stopping while someone sings a song.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

There was some debate at our viewing as to whether marching band formations constitute show stops.

Technically, I suppose the answer is Yes ... but seeing that formations are what bands do best (with pure marching their most boring function), I rather like seeing a few cool formations in the parade. To me, it's not the same as some float stopping while someone sings a song.
My peeve with stops is that there are people who do not get a good view of it. Formations do not look good to people sitting on the street. It's annoying enough when a band finishes a song just before they get to you and then just marches cadence past you.

This used to be a parade, and now it's a television show.

[innerSpaceman]

The first section of the parade is a huge set of bleachers, offering an aereal view of sorts, which perhaps can be seen to act as a sort of reviewing stand where certain things are done that are never again seen as part of the parade further along the route. I believe this is legitimate parade performance.

[Moonliner]

This used to be a parade, and now it's a television show.

Certainly the vast majority of people who enjoy the parade do so via a television set, so yes there are some elements of a TV show present. However I can't agree that the entire parade is a TV show. When they change the name to the Viagra Tournament of Roses parade or reroute the parade to exclude that pesky bridge (which limits float size) then I'll be on board with you.

[Alex]

This used to be a parade, and now it's a television show.

Which is ironic since parades make for awful television.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

The first section of the parade is a huge set of bleachers, offering an aereal view of sorts, which perhaps can be seen to act as a sort of reviewing stand where certain things are done that are never again seen as part of the parade further along the route. I believe this is legitimate parade performance.I wonder if they're doing these stops along the route. I had assumed as much but could be wrong.

Certainly the vast majority of people who enjoy the parade do so via a television set, so yes there are some elements of a TV show present. However I can't agree that the entire parade is a TV show. When they change the name to the Viagra Tournament of Roses parade or reroute the parade to exclude that pesky bridge (which limits float size) then I'll be on board with you.Good point, though I'm worried those advances are not too far away now.

Which is ironic since parades make for awful television.In your humble opinion. I have been watching the parade since I was very young and have always loved it, "boring" or not. I'm not going to chime in with all those above that say that most of the parade is boring. I love every bit of it, including the equestrian units. It may be that it's a comfort thing for me but I still say that the parade was entertaining in the early 80's and there's no reason it should have these lame changes.

Speaking of comfort - it's going to be hard to not watch KTLA next year, but I think I'll have to push through it. NA & € get HGTV, right?

[Alex]

I have been watching the parade since I was very young and have always loved it, "boring" or not.

Do you find other parades to be good television or just the Rose Parade? I'll admit I'm not a big fan of parades in person so it is no surprise that they are even worse on TV when the immediacy is lost. Unless I have a personal connection to the person I don't see what is interesting about the 3rd Distric Councilman waving to me from a rented Thunderbird or the marching band from a college I've never heard of playing the same songs every marching band in the country plays in.

Of course, I'm also ruined by having had to attend many really lame parades because my first wife was marching in them.

Plus, the "Rose Parade" is a Portland thing that I must insist was stolen by Pasadena 17 years before Portland thought of it. The sneaky bastards.

[€uroMeinke]

NA & € get HGTV, right?

I dunno - does it come with the basic Direct TV package?

[Not Afraid]

If parades were not television shows, I'd never see them. Macy's, Rose, all of the large events are primarialy television events to me. I've never seen the Macy's Parade in person.

[blueerica]

I've been lucky to see the 'big' parades in person. That said, it's nothing I have to see in person. For me, going to these types of things (a.k.a. things that are early in the morning and/or require discomfort of any sort) is not so much about the parade, but the company and everything else associated with going.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Stephanie Edwards speaks. (http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/local/article_1402856.php)Although she had been under contract to participate in KTLA's pre-parade coverage today, it was quietly decided months ago she would have no role whatsoever. She had wanted to do the pre-parade and the field reporting again this year, she said, and when management couldn't guarantee the latter, she asked to be let out of any obligation. So apparently she didn't want to be anywhere near Bob Eubanks.

A bit of fallout: (http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/local/article_1405018.php)The highlights, according to numerous sources: Bob Eubanks mistakenly referred to Michaela Pereira as "Stephanie" at least once; he compared the replacement of old parade horses to what happens to old parade commentators; and he referred to the end of his own upcoming contract, expressing his gratitude to viewers.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Do you find other parades to be good television or just the Rose Parade? I'll admit I'm not a big fan of parades in person so it is no surprise that they are even worse on TV when the immediacy is lost. Hmm. Well, as usual for young'ns that grew up sans personal TV, my tastes were heavily flavored by my parents' opinions. They never liked the Macy's parade. I remember wanting to see the big balloons but they'd always change it on me. I remember sneaking the Hollywood Christmas parade. I had to sneak it not because it was about Christmas but because my parents didn't know any of the celebrities. The little I've seen of the DooDah parade on TV (seems I always miss it) I've always enjoyed.

I like public spectacles and large crowd gatherings.

[Drince88]

Plus, the "Rose Parade" is a Portland thing that I must insist was stolen by Pasadena 17 years before Portland thought of it. The sneaky bastards.
Nah, it's the "Grand Floral Parade" in Portland!

I think the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Grand Floral Parade are good on TV because of the all-floral nature - other ones, not so much.

And Mardi Gras parades would (and do) make Horrid television. The floats are quite ugly on TV (and many are in person, too, for that matter) - and the main reason for floats is to hold riders who then throw throws. You don't get any of that on Television.

(But please don't make me give up Le Krewe D'Etat parade with potentially ugly floats but biting commentary!)

[Alex]

Ok, what is the DooDah parade?

[Alex]

Nah, it's the "Grand Floral Parade" in Portland!

I think the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Grand Floral Parade are good on TV because of the all-floral nature - other ones, not so much.

That is its official name but I don't know anybody who calls it that.

That's my problem with the Rose Parade (either one) on TV. The attraction is that the floats are all organic and yet that doesn't show up well on TV. Many of the floats they could just be painted and you'd hardly know the difference.

At least a giant balloon maiming people on the streets of New York has some drama.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Ok, what is the DooDah parade?

It's a parade (http://www.pasadenadoodahparade.info/) that doesn't take itself too seriously.

[mousepod]

Growing up, the only parade that we attended with any regularity was the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. We still have 35-year-old home movies that feature such highlights as the the conductor of the McDonald's marching band getting stuck on the straps on the giant drum float.... ah memories.

Once I got older (and moved to Manhattan from NJ), I realized that the parade looked just fine on television, and the truly fun "New Yawker" thing to do was to go up to the area around the Museum of Natural History, grab a cup of hot cocoa from a local deli, and stroll among the crowds while they blow up the giant balloons.

So far, I've only seen the Rose Parade on TV, and unless someone has a darn good reason to get me out to the parade route, that's how it'll probably stay.

[JWBear]

When I was a kid my family camped out on Colorado Blvd almost every year for the Rose Parade. Last time we did was in the late 70's (I was in high school). The last time I saw the parade in person was 1988, but I was in the bleachers.

[Ghoulish Delight]

he compared the replacement of old parade horses to what happens to old parade commentatorsI heard about that line. I wonder if he was thinking more of his own pending replacement or about Stephanie.

[innerSpaceman]

The attraction is that the floats are all organic and yet that doesn't show up well on TV. Many of the floats they could just be painted and you'd hardly know the difference.
I beg and plead to differ.

Perhaps it's because I've seen the floats up-close and personal many times, I can easily spot the use of vegetation and flora. The creative use of vegetation, in particular, really pleases me. That's why the turtle float and the reptile float were such clear winners. Not only were they beautiful, the cameras clearly displayed the detail of veggie matter used to convincingly recreate animal matter.

The hummingbird float (No. 1) and butterfly float (No. 6) were also very well designed, but - to my eye - used mostly floral elements to represent the avian and insect creatures.

Perhaps in the long shots, paint would do. But the advantage of TV is the close-ups offered. And I missed hearing (due to the crap sound mix or maybe Stephanie's absence) the descriptions of what materials were used on each float.

I've seen the parade twice live. The floats go whizzing by, but the veggie and floral nature is unmistakable. Still, the details are better presented by camera close-ups, and even better observed in the static displays of the floats for the ensuing 2 days.


The bands and equestrian units are much better live than on TV, but I'm with CP ... I love the Rose Parade and think it makes for fine television entertainment. I guess other people think so, too. What other event - besides being watched by millions around the world - is entirely replayed 8 times on the day it happens?

[BarTopDancer]

They had FIRE BREATHING DRAGONS and JET PACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kevy Baby]

I am totally with iSM!

[Alex]

I love the Rose Parade and think it makes for fine television entertainment. I guess other people think so, too. What other event - besides being watched by millions around the world - is entirely replayed 8 times on the day it happens?Last night millions of people watched Two and a Half Men so the two things don't necessarily correlate. As for being replayed eight times, New Year's Day is a day where ratings are so low (except for football) that non-football networks don't even try to schedule anything of interest so that most of the station staff can be allowed the day off.

And TV may be capable of closeups but the two floats I saw the other day the commentators (didn't realize it was Bob Eubanks and I have no idea who the Stephanie is that you keep lamenting) went on in painful detail about what was used to make parts of the float but at no time was sufficient close-up provided to actually see it (the University of Redlands float and some float of a really tall woman). So I knew what they used to make sand or the stucco on some building but didn't actually get to see it for myself. For the Univeristy of Redlands they spent most of their time focused on the mascot bulldog riding the float rather than the giant bulldog that was the float.

I'll readily admit though, that many people have different opinions than me on the interestingness of televised parades (or live parades for that matter), but I believe it is firmly established that in case of differing opinion, mine breaks the tie.

[innerSpaceman]

If you don't know who Stephanie his, perhaps you're watching some substandard, non-KTLA viewing where the narration doesn't match the visuals. (Though I'll admit Stephanie would often be talking about flax seed while the cameras showed tree bark).


And sorry, not buying it that the replays are simply because there's nothing else on the station schedule. That's absurd. Why isn't the same episode of The Twilight Zone played all day on Christmas? There's demand to see the Rose Parade on New Years Day by people who do not wake up by 8am, and in fact - thanks to traditional New Years Eve debauchery - by people who do not wake up till mid-afternoon!

I reiterate ... many broadcasts are watched by vast worldwide audiences, but no other is entirely repeated several times on the day of occurrence. That bespeaks a uniquely popular program, not the single non-scheduled television day of the year.

[Alex]

Do places outside of LA repeat it throughout the day? Up here in the Bay Area, so far I know it was only on once (at least I never stumbled across it later in the day) and same on Portland television stations when I was growing up.

And I'm pretty sure I've always seen the KTLA version I just don't watch long enough to care who is talking (since the talking is frequently just a commercial for whatever group is on screen, "the University of Redlands, where great minds go to be great!").

And many networks do show just one thing all day long on New Year's Day. Admittedly, not just one episode but the same show all day long.

Last year, when the Rose Parade was on January 2, did they still replay it a half dozen times?

[innerSpaceman]

I have no idea whether any other stations show the parade all day long. It's been so long since I've lived anywhere else, I don't recall. I know I never woke up by 8am on New Year's Day back east, but the 3 hour time difference would have let me see the parade LIVE nonetheless.

But it's no way like a TV marathon of different episodes. Though it would be kewl to have the current parade followed by repeats of previous Rose parades. Heheh.

[Kevy Baby]

Last year, when the Rose Parade was on January 2, did they still replay it a half dozen times?Yes

[Babette]

I feel like it is not the new year since I missed it and all of the replays this year. The new year must always start with the Rose Parade. You start watching whenever you wake up and then catch what you missed on the replays. Tradition, baby!

[Kevy Baby]

Why did you miss it? Had you been drinking or something?

:evil:

[Babette]

something :p

[Not Afraid]

Purple Panties!

[Kevy Baby]

Landing Strip

[€uroMeinke]

Genital Piercing

[BarTopDancer]

[no longer] jailbait

[Kevy Baby]

Yeah, the look on NM's face was EXACTLY what I was hoping for. Made my night!

[DreadPirateRoberts]

I understand it was a lot pinker - at least in the early showings. I hardly saw any of it, but I did take a break from frying bacon to see the jet pack. That was awsome and I'm glad I didn't hear the commentary - to think 40 years ago some guy was flying a jet pack in Disneyland and we still haven't advanced to a state where it would be a personal transportation choice. As cool as the segway is, I'd still rather have a jet pack. Perhaps a personal Zeppelin is still a possibility.


The jet pack (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7104898430798485644&q=Yves+Rossy&hl), or variant, is getting closer to reality.

[Kevy Baby]

The jet pack (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7104898430798485644&q=Yves+Rossy&hl), or variant, is getting closer to reality.They didn't show the one variable I was interested in: landing.

[Ghoulish Delight]

They didn't show the one variable I was interested in: landing.
Parachute. (I'm not being snide, he eventually just cut the engine and chuted down)

[Kevy Baby]

Parachute. (I'm not being snide, he eventually just cut the engine and chuted down)I figured as much. So, no practical take-off or landing capabilites. Cool toy, but not practical (yet).

I can't imagine the jet pack is in very good shape after a free-fall.

[€uroMeinke]

Leave it to the Swiss to beat us at our own game. Look for swatch jet packs as a bonus package to your smart car in the future.