http://blaquesaber.com/blog

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

My Take On "The Graysons"

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The One Wet Reason Why No-One Needs To Be Afraid Of The Graysons [Those Who Forget Tv History Are Doomed To Remake It]

While we're somewhat... unexcited about the possibilities thrown up by newly-announced CW pilot The Graysons, there's one thing about the "It's Robin - before he's Robin!" project that everyone seems to be overlooking. Namely, the fact that we're probably never going to see The Graysons on television. Why? Because we've been here before, and it didn't work last time; has the world really forgotten legendary failed Aquaman pilot Mercy Reef?

Originally planned as a Smallville companion series by that show's creators Miles Millar and Al Gough in 2005, Mercy Reef (also known as both Tempest Keys and just plain Aquaman at various points in its development) followed the template of both Clark Kent's series and the planned Graysons pilot: Young version of DC Comics superhero faces both the forces of evil as well as the forces of growing up as he slowly changes from an annoyingly selfish/stupid/dickish character into the hero that we know and love. Like the lead in The Graysons, Aquaman's alter-ego was also given a "cooler" initialled version of his name to try and cover up his age (DJ Grayson, AC Curry).

But where The Graysons offers carnie courage and hi-jinks on the highwire, Mercy Reef had much more up its conceptual sleeve (Arguably, even more than Smallville); instead of just being destined to one day watch his parents be killed and team up with a psychopathic, violent detective with a rodent fetish, Mercy Reef's AC had a mysterious past - What had happened to his mother when she disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle when he was a child? - as well as a grander destiny as future king of Atlantis to face up to... and a cast list that was both impressive and crappy to help him do so (Ving Rhames and Lou Diamond Philips were both onboard should the show get picked up).

The pilot didn't get picked up, although it did get released - retitled as Aquaman - on iTunes (where it was the most successful TV show for awhile, surreally) and as a Best Buy-exclusive freebie for the poor deluded fans who thought that it was worth picking up the sixth season of Smallville on DVD in 2007. The actor who played AC, Justin Hartley, graduated from the pilot to become Smallville's Green Arrow (That show, of course, already had its own Aquaman), and the idea of a companion series to Smallville went away... until this week.

So, while I'm unconvinced that The Graysons is anything other than a way of trying to cash in on the success of The Dark Knight without stepping on Christopher Nolan's toes, I'm not that worried about it turning out to be another Birds of Prey, either; after all, history has shown that a pilot order means little, and that calmer heads at the CW have a way of prevailing when it comes to trying to create another Smallville.

Of course, I'm also someone who actually enjoys Smallville, so you may want to take everything I say with a pinch of salt.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

From The Department Of Horrendous Ideas: The Worst Smallville Clone Imaginable [The Graysons]

The CW is working on a show to replace Smallville if the young-Superman soap opera ends this year. The Graysons will focus on Dick Grayson before he became Robin and joined up with Bruce Wayne. In other words, it'll be about a kid hanging out at the circus with his acrobat parents, who are doomed to die due to trapeze sabotage. Or maybe not: apparently Smallville exec producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson have come up with a "unique take" on the character, now called D.J. Grayson. He'll deal with rivals, first love, and all that growing-up shit. But don't worry: McG is involved in developing the show as well. [Variety]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

There's Going to Be a Robin TV Series With No Robin

Is it me? Am I going fucking crazy? Based on all the folks who sent me this tip, I suppose I'm not, as we all seem equally baffled that the CW has ordered a pilot of The Graysons—a show starring young Dick Grayson...before he becomes Robin.

Let that sink in for a minute. A Robin show...with no Robin. Unlike Smallville, where Clark Kent had powers before donning his tights, Dick Grayson was just a kid before he became Robin. More specifically, he worked as a circus acrobat...with his family. So it's basically just a show about a young circus acrobat. If that sounds like a good idea for a TV series, congratulations—you're already a CW executive.

Oh, I kid—this pre-Robin Dick Grayson will almost certainly not be a circus acrobat, as producer McG—who seems to be in a race with Brett Ratner to see who can shit on 50 beloved nerd properties first—says there's a new take on the character, encapsulated by young Dick going by the name of "D.J." I shit you not. Says Variety:

In the one-hour "Graysons," which will be set in modern times, young DJ will face challenges involving first loves, young rivals and his family as he grows up.

Variety also says that this will inevitably replace Smallville, which will likely (mercifully) end after this season. So...yeah. "D.J." Grayson. Who isn't Robin. A full hour. I repeat: Am I crazy? What kind of brain damage is it necessary to have to believe this at all sounds like a good idea?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

RD 3 Wheels Vehicle Concept

RD concept car is designed for single passenger and best suited for large routes. The main feature of this car is that it works mainly through articulation that not only gives direction but also makes it capable of compacted during high traffic and low speeds. Therefore, this vehicle remains low at the high speed and also displays information required during a trip by voice command by the driver. RD would be very convenient in the busy roads and is perfect for traveling in suburbs or long distance areas. While driving, you are definitely going to feel speed, comfort and space.

(more…)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Electric Personal Vehicle Concept for 2020 by Sergio Luna

Are you still crazy about having long cars like Mercedes or BMW? This new car designer has introduced a car design that can save a lot of energy that is required to keep a car moving. According to the designer, it is a futuristic car for the year 2020. It is based on segway transport technology which is a complete solution for traffic as well as contamination problems. The car is powered by 4 electric motors i.e. two in each wheel and it also has batteries for keeping the energy. Car is really very small in size and runs on 2 wheels only with a seating arrangement for one person. If you are the only one to travel daily then why to purchase a family car, go for this one.

(more…)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Don't call him Dick - CW preps a pre-Robin show

"Smallville" exec producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson, as well as "Supernatural" exec producer McG, are behind "The Graysons," which has landed a put pilot commitment at the netlet.

Just as "Smallville" focused on Clark Kent in the years before he became Superman, "The Graysons" will follow the world of Dick "DJ" Grayson before he takes on the iconic Robin identity and aligns himself with Batman.

The worst that could happen is that the show ends up like Birds of Prey, swiftly put out of its misery. Or, from another standpoint, runs for years like Smallville (for the record, as full of plotholes, hokey and predictable as Smallville is, I still enjoy it as dumb entertainment). After all, Souders and Peterson are showrunners on that show now, and have been with it since season two.

One thing that makes me think that maybe the show could be a little better than it sounds is McG's attachment to it. Sure, he may be a bit of a liar or, more generously, confused when it comes to Terminator Salvation - which I still think looks good - but he's also had a hand in some pretty good TV shows. The OC was great...oh, come on, it was.... Chuck's enjoyable in a dumb way -

- but more importantly, he's involved in Supernatural which is probably the best TV show you're not watching. Smart, funny, occasionally scary with great chemistry between the two leads, it gets a bad rep because the two leads are good looking guys and because it's on the CW. If it's the first that puts you off, a lot of the guest cast are good looking women and if it's the second, well...give it a try.

Anyway - back to The Graysons. The only problem I see with this is that I suspect that Dick Grayson doesn't have the same name recognition as Clark Kent, especially in his civilian identity. Oh, and having it before he becomes Robin necessitates him living with his parents in a travelling circus.

Which, now that I think about it, could actually be kind of awesome...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

GRAYSONS: Learning to wear pants

McG and SMALLVILLE producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson are cooking up a new show for the CW called THE GRAYSONS and it's all about the youth of Dick "DJ" Grayson. Only a pilot has been ordered at this time, but the show is seen as a replacement for the long-running SMALLVILLE.

CW insiders said they also see the "Graysons" development as a validating gesture by Warner Bros. that the company is still behind its 50% investment in the netlet, particularly following this fall's strong openings for "Gossip Girl" and newbie "90210." They believe the studio wouldn't risk bringing one of its prized franchises to CW if it believed the net was in dire straits.

In the one-hour "Graysons," which will be set in modern times, young DJ will face challenges involving first loves, young rivals and his family as he grows up. Souders and Peterson have come up with an original take on the character.

What…no acrobat? We'd watch a show about a traveling circus family going around solving crimes! In TIGHTS.