Here at ONEsite we've done a lot of work wrapping social interaction around media such as streaming video.  We've done everything from streaming video from webcams at kiosks in musuems to having OnAir DJs being able to stream audio/video while chatting with their listeners.

I really believe that as television and the Internet combine we'll see some really interesting mashups of reality programming and social interaction.  The consumers of media will increasingly be able to participate in the production process and alter the contents of the media itself.

Over the past week I had the pleasure of enjoying two different forms of Neil Gaiman's Stardust story. Although I have read and thoroughly enjoyed several Gaiman works, I am hardly a rabid fan, and had not yet read Stardust.

I saw the Stardust movie trailer several months ago and realized I needed to read the book before seeing the movie. However, the book languished in my Amazon shopping cart until my sister informed me that she wanted to see the movie. I informed her that it was based on a book and we hatched a plan for her to buy the book from B&N, share it with me the following Monday, and then I would read it and we would see the movie together.

(Un)fortunately, the book is a terrific bedtime fairy tale and it took me several nights to read the whole thing--this was no fault of the books, because it really is quite an enthralling tale, but primarily because I would begin it quite late each night. I have never been able to postpone the Sandman (ha...) and delay sleep--perhaps its my addiction to caffeine which makes it an impossibility.

Anyway, the book is phenomenal. It is very much an adult fairy tale and Gaiman is an excellent story teller. All the standard fantastical fare is present in the novel; however, Gaiman combines it in such a way that none of it is contrived fantasy. The world is not unique, but is enchanting nonetheless. The characters memorable even if they are archetypal. I am glad I borrowed my sister's copy because now I am considering buying the illustrated edition or the edition in comic form.

Now for the movie...

Although I quite enjoyed the movie, I do not believe it destined to be a classic fantasy film--neither by measure of box office receipts nor fantasy-lover fanaticism. Claire Danes put in a terrific performance, and overall the screenplay captured the heart of the novel, even while taking quite a few liberties. The movie could have used some more narration... to both bring out more of the Gaiman storytelling and to lighten up a few of the deader scenes in the first half of the film.

I felt Michelle Pfeiffer's acting in the movie was a bit leaden. This was in stark contrast to Robert Deniro's popping pirate persona which evoked Pirates of Penzance. Danes, however, was the star of the movie and it showed. She has been one of my favorite actresses since My So Called Life and Romeo + Juliet.

Altogether, in terms of fantasy movies, Stardust was more Labyrinth for me than A Princess Bride. Meaning while I might be equally predisposed to watching either movie on cable, David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, even in unforgettable performances, can't hold a candle to the fantastical love story which is A Princess Bride.

The television season is now over.  Lost has succeeded in drawing me back into its interminable, all-enveloping plot lines.  The hobbit from the show drowned tonight.  Not a vengeful drowning like Smeagol killing Deagol, but a fairly-moving sacrificial drowning.  I hope he moves on to bigger and better roles.  He's no Rudy, but he always was a nice hobbit.

The piece of the show I most enjoyed was when Jack from the future rocked out to Scentless Apprentice.  It was great to hear him indulging in some grunge, even if his future self was using a RAZR from the past.

American Idol concluded and somehow my DVR missed the last few minutes of the show.  I wasn't too bothered by missing the moment of truth.  I guess that sums up the whole season for me--it was rather uneventful through and through.  The Sgt. Pepper tribute was quite rad, though.

Thad informed me that votes for Sanjaya were cast from his household tonight.  Woe is me.  Woe is America.  At this point I'd like to see Sanjaya go up against the Crab-claw-arm executioner from 300 (which was a terrific movie, by the way...)

I believe that the final four will come down to Melinda, Lakisha, Jordin and Blake.  However, they might as well just hand the Idol crown to Melinda right now and start Big Brother early this year.  Melinda is proof positive of predestination.