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July 13

Televised baseball

Regardless of the stadium, and regardless of the channel, it seems that televised Major League Baseball games always use the same default camera angle: behind the pitcher and slightly to his right. Of course it makes sense to view from behind the pitcher — you get a better view than from behind home plate, and any third angle would prevent you from seeing whether it's a ball or a strike — but why always from the right? Seemingly relevant articles, e.g. Major League Baseball on cable television, all focus on the broadcasting history and similar facts; I can't find anything about cinematography. Nyttend (talk) 01:53, 13 July 2016 (UTC)

One thing I can tell you for sure is that it's been done this way for a long time. (As with thes pictures[1][2] from 1960.) I've never seen it discussed as such. But one logical reason is that most pitchers are right-handed, so shooting over the right shoulder results in a better viewing angle of the pitcher's delivery much of the time. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 05:40, 13 July 2016 (UTC)

And it's not 100 percent. I google imaged the subject "first televised baseball game center field", and while it didn't give me precisely that answer, it gave a number of other examples of televising from center field. Here's one[3] where the camera is looking over the pitcher's left shoulder. But most of the other examples, from various times and places, are looking over the right shoulder. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 05:54, 13 July 2016 (UTC)

And here's one [4] that's looking straight over top of the pitcher, so you can see the batter well no matter the handedness of either the pitcher or the batter. These counterexamples suggest that another factor is where they can conveniently place the camera. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 05:57, 13 July 2016 (UTC)

Why not (usually) straight-on like in Bugs's example? Batter's Eye. 97.93.100.146 (talk) 11:39, 13 July 2016 (UTC)

The camera at Wrigley Field, for example, is at the left edge of the batter's background area (as seen from home plate). ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 17:08, 13 July 2016 (UTC)

For reference, this page shows the angle of the center field camera for all MLB stadiums as of 2015. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/ranking-baseballs-center-field-camera-shots-2015-update/ 209.149.113.4 (talk) 15:48, 13 July 2016 (UTC)

An excellent find. All of them either looking over the pitcher's right shoulder to a greater or lesser extent, or pretty much straight on - which makes it harder to see the plate. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 17:08, 13 July 2016 (UTC)

According to this article, most of the issue comes from cost. Setting the camera offset meant that you could have a lower viewing angle and place the camera in the bleachers rather than have to mount it ~45 feet above the field and directly in the batter's eye. uhhlive (talk) 16:34, 14 July 2016 (UTC)

Also Anglophones read left-to-right so it might seem less backwards. Sagittarian Milky Way (talk) 04:07, 15 July 2016 (UTC)

And it's not just baseball.[5] ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 15:50, 15 July 2016 (UTC)

Paranoid/steroid rap song

Today I heard a rap song on a radio at a park. The song rhymes "paranoid" with "steroids". In the chorus, it seems to say "shxky Mona", even though it could just be "shaking him on". At the end, it repeats the word "soldier" many times. The artist is male. Google apparently has never heard of this song: [6] What song is this? Enzingiyi (talk) 22:10, 13 July 2016 (UTC)

I tried a more focused search, also allowing for "steroid" to be singular, and one of the hits was something by Eminem called "8 Mile Last Tree Battle", at a site in Brazil that I will not link in case it was a copyright violation. This contains the lines:

This guy keeps screamin hes paranoid.

Quick someone get his ass another steroid!

However, despite the title, the fact that Google found it, and the presence of lyrics that may relate to actual wars, the word "soldier" is not in it, or at least not in this version of it.

--69.159.60.163 (talk) 04:23, 14 July 2016 (UTC)

Thanks, but this doesn't really seem to be the song I heard. Enzingiyi (talk) 21:53, 14 July 2016 (UTC)

July 14

doppelgänger or look alike?

Recently, I watched a rerun of Castle. In that particular episode, a woman was murdered before she fell down a flight of stairs. Her young daughter was accused of the crime. But it was later determined the girl's stepfather did the dastardly deed. The starlet who played the young daughter bears a striking resemblance to Troian Bellisario. Could that be her, or is it someone else? Anyone know?2604:2000:7113:9D00:81BD:5540:A903:DEEB (talk) 07:34, 14 July 2016 (UTC)

If you look her up on IMDB, which gives a list of all of the things she has appeared in, you will see that Castle is not on the list. Wymspen (talk) 08:06, 14 July 2016 (UTC)

I couldn't find that episode in List_of_Castle_episodes. If you can, we can use that info to find the cast in IMDB. StuRat (talk) 12:38, 14 July 2016 (UTC)

July 15

mistake correction

Regarding my last question, I made a mistake. It was in a rerun of Rizzoli & Isles that a young girl's mother was murdered before she fell down a flight of stairs. The stepfather did it. Please forgive my mistake. But who was the starlet who played the girl?2604:2000:7113:9D00:B81E:C008:E611:FADF (talk) 08:57, 15 July 2016 (UTC)

Well, in List of Rizzoli & Isles episodes, the only one where stairs are mentioned is "Shadow of Doubt". Looking at the IMDB's cast list for that episode, your answer appears to be Lexi Ainsworth, who does indeed bear some resemblance to Troian Bellisario. --69.159.60.163 (talk) 09:59, 15 July 2016 (UTC)

Thank you so much.2604:2000:7113:9D00:B81E:C008:E611:FADF (talk) 02:49, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

Long distance Online Learning of Stage Fencing

I am a Swiss citizen and live in a remote part of my country. I would very much love to learn stage fencing, because I have always been enthusiastic about it since I first saw movies than included fencing scenes (I do realize however, that these are not the traditional techniques and methods our ancestors used in actual combat). I searched for a teacher who could teach me theatrical fencing, yet the only one that I could found is located in Zürich, which is very far away from my home place and it would be too expensive for me to travel there just to get one lesson in a week (I do not own a car) that is around one hour long. I recently made an online diploma, because the schools around here don’t offer such opportunities (in astrophysics for example). Although the only martial art I have ever studied in my life was Jiu-Jitsu (and some basics of Kenjutsu), I was wondering whether it would be possible to learn stage fencing online. I have searched on Google, but was unable to find an online course. My question to you is as follows: is it possible to make an online course when it comes to stage fencing? And do you have a link for me?

Thank you for your kind responses

I wish you all the very best--2A02:120B:7FE:4300:719B:CB3D:D9F7:E0CB (talk) 13:37, 15 July 2016 (UTC)

Well, the technical aspects could certainly be taught online, like the difference between a parry and a thrust. However, without a sparring partner, you would seem to be limited to fencing with a dummy. That might do for a while, but ultimately you will need somebody to practice with. One option might be to learn all you can without a partner, from books, movies, etc., then go to an actual class just for the practice (and hopefully you can find an intensive training class, not just an hour a week, at that point, to limit travel costs). Another option is to find somebody willing to practice with you where you are. Note that when practicing with a partner, you will need the full equipment, for safety. As far as how to find somebody willing to practice with you, you could try posting an online ad, hopefully in a place people interested in fencing, or at least in the martial arts, in your area, will read. StuRat (talk) 21:37, 15 July 2016 (UTC)

It has been several months (at least) but this is the editor from Switzerland who has asked numerous questions about fencing over the years. Thanks for answering them StuRat. MarnetteD|Talk 22:26, 15 July 2016 (UTC)

Thanks. Internet videos might be another source of training, again for the early stages, with live instruction needed later on. StuRat (talk) 17:46, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

For general convenience, the article Stage combat might be of interest. I presume the OP is aware that Stage fencing is usually closely choregraphed for the purpose of a particular performance, and is not intended for free-form competitive combat – indeed it would be quite dangerous to use its techniques without the moves being carefully rehearsed. An acquaintance of mine, who as a fantasy writer had a parallel interest in competitive "fantasy/re-enactment" type combat, helped to develop a technique that could be used for unrehearsed competitive bouts for this precise reason. (I'm not giving her name here because her Article makes no mention of it.) {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 2.123.26.60 (talk) 20:05, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

Doctor Who - Changing sex/gender

Yet another of those items that are better answered elsewhere on the web
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
Why have fans of Doctor Who suggested that Regeneration could change sex or gender? I don't like the idea of men becoming women and I certainly don't like the idea of a female Doctor. I don't mind skin colour, but I don't like the idea of a black Doctor. 86.156.141.210 (talk) 14:25, 15 July 2016 (UTC) Why do you keep asking that require mind-reading to answer? Ian.thomson (talk) 14:32, 15 July 2016 (UTC) The Master has already regenerated as a different gender. It isn't just fans. It is the writers. The doctor can regenerate however the writers like. The doctor could even regenerate into the form of a previous doctor. If you don't like it, you aren't being forced to watch it. 209.149.113.4 (talk) 16:57, 15 July 2016 (UTC) Well, why have the writers suggested the idea, then? 86.156.141.210 (talk) 18:08, 15 July 2016 (UTC) I don't think anyone other than the writers themselves can answer that question. clpo13(talk) 18:11, 15 July 2016 (UTC)

Does this hand thing have a name?

One example is how these people stand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEY_wR_ZIZE , another is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1dy44jV8EM&t=72. Is it meant to be a neutral pose? Joepnl (talk) 22:31, 15 July 2016 (UTC)

There are some answers here though, since it is reddit, they need to be taken with a grain of salt. That is the only item that I can find at the moment so, hopefully, others will find more info. MarnetteD|Talk 22:54, 15 July 2016 (UTC)

The only link on Reddit happens to be about, out of millions of songs, the Major General Song! (my second example). Maybe Gilbert and Sullivan simply invented it? Joepnl (talk) 00:09, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

I can't confirm this yet, but my sense is that it was originally a way of choral singers having a uniform look, rather than having some with arms by their sides and others elsewhere. Then it caught on for solo singers, not least because it opens up the ribcage and allows the lungs to expand. It would still have that benefit today, but it became outdated a long time ago except in ironic performances (although I still observed the practice used in earnest in my younger days). -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 00:20, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Hah I had missed that coincidence :-) That clip sparked my memory of this delight. Ms Mulvey has in hands in several poses including the one in question. I look forward to what others will find to post here. MarnetteD|Talk 00:22, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

Oh good. I was hoping you would add what you know Jack. Many thanks. MarnetteD|Talk 00:22, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

Now you've got me curious. This hand gesture surely must have a name. My mind's eye can see it in opera parodies/spoofs, probably including What's Opera, Doc?. I wonder if this desk is influential enough to 'coin a word' -- how about "opera hands" (cf: "jazz hands"). --2606:A000:4C0C:E200:A1FA:194E:E841:B585 (talk) 18:08, 17 July 2016 (UTC)

...Here's an opera parody example from a commercial featuring "opera hands" (@16+ sec.):[7]. [same poster, different IP]:2606:A000:4C0C:E200:8558:6C31:688B:8595 (talk) 02:18, 19 July 2016 (UTC)

July 16

"Skin the cats"?

In several of Woody Guthrie's songs, he sings about "Warehouse guys and {teamsters/truckers} and guys that skin the cats/The men that run the steel mill(s), the furnace and the blast" -- my question is, who does the "skin the cats" phrase refer to? 2601:646:8E01:7E0B:3C7F:2FF2:C7EB:86D8 (talk) 01:58, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

"Skin the cat" is a gymnastics technique -- but I doubt that is relevant: [8]. 2606:A000:4C0C:E200:A99B:8185:FE40:CECC (talk) 03:59, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

Trappers and furriers were "manly men", at least before they got lazy. InedibleHulk (talk) 07:21, July 16, 2016 (UTC)

This says they're tractor drivers. It does fit better with the industrial sort of industry theme. InedibleHulk (talk) 08:58, July 16, 2016 (UTC)

Cat.com. InedibleHulk (talk) 09:01, July 16, 2016 (UTC)

Thanks! That makes sense -- "skin" (as in Mule skinner) the "cat"[erpillar]s. 2601:646:8E01:7E0B:348A:CFF6:793C:9074 (talk) 10:56, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

I'd thought skinning a machine meant covering it with your skin, but now I read mule skinners maybe got the name by whipping mules too hard. If you whip your tractor to drive it, you're doing it wrong. That's where I get lost on this analogy. InedibleHulk (talk) 11:42, July 16, 2016 (UTC)

See also: Worshipful Company of Skinners, which might explain the linguistic transition from furrier to livery to teamster to driver.^WP:OR -- Which is totally not related to Skinner-Union (which should redirect to SU Carburetor -uhmmm- which also should redirect to SU Carburettor). --2606:A000:4C0C:E200:A99B:8185:FE40:CECC (talk) 17:37, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

When I put those four words into the Googler, it spits out this list of old-timey jobs. Maybe not relevant to much (especially Principal Skinner), but fun to see how far we've come in leisure time since letting machines take the wheel. InedibleHulk (talk) 01:35, July 17, 2016 (UTC)

See Caterpillar Tractor. StuRat (talk) 17:42, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

Maybe cat-skinners are those who can do a job in more than one way. —Tamfang (talk) 20:43, 17 July 2016 (UTC)

remake spreading awareness

I saw on many entertainment news outlets, Wannabe (song) has been remade to spread awareness of women's and girls' rights. A video of the remake features young women from around the world. It was also said the video would be released to cinemas in July 2016. Well, this is the middle of July 2016. Could anyone identify anything as to what's going on, please? Thank you.2604:2000:7113:9D00:B81E:C008:E611:FADF (talk) 03:04, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

I'm not sure how or why a song video would be "released to cinemas". Maybe as an ad? However, the messages generated in response to the video will be "presented to world leaders during the U.N. Sustainable Development Summit in September this year". See here. Rojomoke (talk) 10:39, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

Strictly WP:OR (and possibly WP:POV), but, as a "captive audience" cinema goers are more susceptible to propaganda. --2606:A000:4C0C:E200:A1FA:194E:E841:B585 (talk) 18:28, 17 July 2016 (UTC)

July 18

Movie question

Which movie had one of the characters say the following line: "A lead zeppelin is your stairway to Heaven"? 2601:646:8E01:7E0B:258A:F94:7EFA:6739 (talk) 02:04, 18 July 2016 (UTC)

Tour de France potato chase

I'm just watching the Tour de France and the commentator used a French term for a chasing group that was chasing a breakaway from the pelaton but did not succeed in catching it and then got stuck between the breakaway and the pelaton. The commentator gave the phrase in English as potato chase. I did not quite catch the French phrase but I am sure it was not chasse de pomme de terre, or at least did not contain pomme de la terre, my understanding of French for potato. Anyone know what the French phrase is? SpinningSpark 14:01, 18 July 2016 (UTC)

According to this,[9] it's "chasse patate", which is a French idiom that would be better translated as "wild goose chase". ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 14:28, 18 July 2016 (UTC)

Just as a side note, the difference between "patate" and "pomme de terre" is somewhat dialectical. In some dialects (especially lower-class dialects of Quebec French), patate is commonly used for any potatoes while "pomme de terre" is marked as somewhat snooty; in other dialects, especially Standard French (i.e. European or "International" French), "pomme de terre" is reserved for starchy potatoes such as Russet potato or creamer potato, while the word "patate" is used mainly for sweet potato varieties. This brief forum post (in English) and this longer explanation (in French) explains the peculiarities and history of the two terms. --Jayron32 16:16, 18 July 2016 (UTC)

I'm going to start using "potato chase" instead of "wild goose chase" thanks to this. clpo13_(talk) 16:42, 18 July 2016 (UTC)

Apart from its literal meaning "potato", patate can also mean "fool". The term comes from six-day racing. Dutch wikipedia has an article on it: nl:chasse patate (six-day racing is popular in Flanders). In short: a chasse patate is in six-day racing a low-speed episode in the race where the team that's far behind can easily chase around the track to gain extra laps, without becoming a threat to the leaders in the race. These low-speed episodes often came after a (potato) meal, as people race less fast with a full stomach. The meaning of "pointless chase" later transferred from track cycling to road cycling. PiusImpavidus (talk) 17:33, 18 July 2016 (UTC)

Episode descriptions for TV shows

Re: Episode descriptions for TV shows. Does anyone know where they come from? I mean, for example, the episode descriptions that you read in a "TV Guide" type of magazine; or that you see on TV when you scroll through the TV version of the "TV Guide" channel; or even on the DVD packages. In general, who is responsible for drafting these episode descriptions? Are they "official", as in, are they from the producers? Or do some other third-party people take care of that, like, for example, at the syndicated TV stations? Is the task "contracted out" in the same way that, for example, closed-captioning or sub-titles are? Thanks. Joseph A. Spadaro (talk) 18:38, 18 July 2016 (UTC)

For DVDs/BluRay you will often see a separate set of credits for production of that version, along with the normal credits for the original version. StuRat (talk) 20:20, 18 July 2016 (UTC)

You might want to also ask about the descriptions on broadcast TV (when you hit the Info button, for example) or on cable/satellite. I've noticed they vary greatly in length and quality. Sometimes they are absent or only contain a general description of the series rather than the episode. At other times, it looks like somebody only watched the first minute and wrote the description based on that. StuRat (talk) 20:25, 18 July 2016 (UTC)

July 19

Laverne Cox

When is the release date of Laverne Cox upcoming tv/movie: Doubt_(TV_series) and Freak_Show_(film)? 209.53.181.73 (talk) 02:47, 19 July 2016 (UTC)

"Latest" from the CBS site CBS 2016-2017 Fall Premiere Dates Are Here! → Doubt : "Coming Later This Season" —There were development complications that presumably caused undetermined delays. (see:Variety article) --2606:A000:4C0C:E200:8558:6C31:688B:8595 (talk) 04:29, 19 July 2016 (UTC)