Back Yard of the Universe

The lovely people at Bioware are launching Mass Effect 2, which you may have guessed is the sequel to Mass Effect. Title originality aside, this looks to be an extremely good game and, according to the few reviews I’ve read, improves upon its predecessor in pretty much every way. So, what you waiting for, 360 and PC owners? Go forth and pre-order!

Below is the launch trailer in all its glory. Watch it and be amazed.

You can also find more information about the game at its official site.

The incredibly funny Peter Serafinowicz (surely the most hilarious man ever to have a show called The Peter Serafinowicz Show to not be renewed by the BBC) has added a new section to his web-site, showcasing the products, services and dubious business practices of entrepreneur Brian Butterfield. See it at http://www.peterserafinowicz.com/brian-butterfield/ and glory in its comedy genius.

This has been available for ages, but a sudden revisit to the BBC’s Look Around You homepage brought back memories of how funny it is. Diarrhea Dan is a spoof Spectrum game that manages to be much more entertaining than a lot of actual games from the 8-bit era. You can play the game by clicking the link here.

Look Around You was originally written and devised by Peter Serafinowicz and Robert Popper. Long may their genius continue. Thanks guys, thighs*.

*: This works better when read aloud, unfortunately.

On this very day in the year 1966, Star Trek first aired on NBC. The first episode shown was ‘The Man Trap’ (or ‘The One With the Monster That Sucks All the Salt Out of Your Body), though of course ‘Where No Man Has Gone Before’, guest starring Gary 2001 Lockwood, was actually the first to be filmed. Well, that’s if you don’t count the unaired first pilot ‘The Cage’ which featured Jeffrey Hunter rather than The Great William Shatner in the captain’s chair.

Happy birthday, then, to one of the best science fiction franchises the world has ever seen. Given the recent incredible success of JJ Abrams’s new film, Trek is also in better shape than it’s been in years. Let’s just hope they don’t do something stupid with the next film (no Khan, hey guys?).

To celebrate, watch this fantastic video that seamlessly combines some classic Trek clips with Monty Python…

There’s surreal and then there’s surreal, then there’s Spike Milligan in Q2, then there’s mind-squirmingly-mad surreal and then there’s this (definitely worth watching, though, if only for the Disco Chicken):

With thanks to @serafinowicz on Twitter for the link.