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Tag: Howie Mandel

  • AARP's Horrible AI-Powered Mario Hologram, Explained [Update]

    AARP's Horrible AI-Powered Mario Hologram, Explained [Update]

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    The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is happening this week in Las Vegas and buried inside the massive convention floor—filled with new computers, a car you can drive with a PlayStation 5 controller, monitors, and other tech—is a strange, horrible, holographic Mario powered by AI and sponsored by AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons).

    Update 01/10/2024 at 10:10 p.m. EST: Proto and AARP confirmed with Kotaku that Nintendo was not involved with the hologram at CES and sent over this statement:

    The AI hologram animation briefly seen today is an unfinished proof of concept tested for a client to demonstrate technological capabilities and innovation. It is not intended for commercial release. AARP and Nintendo were not involved in the inadvertent showing today. The fact that so many gamers of the world have taken notice shows that they are the best fans in the world and we salute them.

    Original story continues below.

    As spotted and recorded by Twitter (or X, I don’t care) user Greggory on January 9, a hologram booth inside an AARP area at CES 2024 contained a short, 3D CG Mario. This familiar Nintendo character can answer questions and react to attendees. However, his stilted, robotic, monotone voice and delivery are very off putting and weird. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’d rather have Chris Pratt’s Mario over this holographic mess.

    At one point Greggory claimed an AARP rep at the booth told him to ask Mario how to buy a video game. Mario then proceeded to offer the helpful advice of going to Target to buy it.

    On an unrelated note: This particular holographic booth seems to be co-sponsored by Target, as the store’s logo is plastered on the machine.

    What is this thing and how is the AARP connected to it?

    While a robotic-sounding AI-powered Mario hologram is strange enough, it’s made even weirder by its connection to AARP. Why is this organization, primarily dedicated to advocating for elderly and retired people, showing off a holo-Mario? Well, it’s part of AgeTech, a larger technology push from AARP focused on meeting the needs of “the world’s aging population.” Yes, people who are familiar with Mario are getting old, us included. AgeTech includes various start-ups, investors, creators, and businesses.

    One of these members appears to be Proto Hologram, a company that designs and creates large holographic-like boxes that can be placed in stores or public areas and can be used to advertise stuff using life-like people or mascots. According to a blog from the AARP about its CES 2024 booth, Proto’s 3D holograms can also “help combat loneliness and improve telehealth.”

    In the lead-up to CES 2024, Proto and AARP have been hyping up a big showcase event featuring comedian, actor, and voice of Gizmo in Gremlins, Howie Mandel.

    Screenshot: AARP / Kotaku

    “3D Holograms allow you to beam there, when you can’t be there,” says the AARP on its CES 2024 website. “Come see how this next-generation Spatial Computing platform is transforming communication, combating loneliness and revolutionizing telehealth for older adults.”

    From what I can tell, this Mario experience isn’t being advertised or promoted by AARP or Proto. But I don’t think that’s because this is being done without Nintendo’s approval. There is no way in hell these companies and groups would go rogue at CES 2024 and feature Mario at a large booth. Instead, this is likely a way to get people at CES 2024 to walk over to the AARP booth and pay attention to it. Or maybe AARP thinks your elderly grandma would get a kick out of chatting with Mario?

    Kotaku has contacted AARP.

    In a recent post from Greggory on Twitter, the user says they are going back to see Mario again and asked folks for some questions. I have one: Ask Mario to sing “Peaches,” record it, and let’s all have a good time watching this bot butcher that song.

    .

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    Zack Zwiezen

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  • Lala Kent Reacts To Tom Sandoval’s ‘Weird F**king First Interview’ With Howie Mandel

    Lala Kent Reacts To Tom Sandoval’s ‘Weird F**king First Interview’ With Howie Mandel

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    By Corey Atad.

    Lala Kent is not impressed.

    In a series of posts on her Instagram Story, the “Vanderpump Rules” star reacted to co-star Tom Sandoval’s big interview on the “Howie Mandel Does Stuff” podcast.


    READ MORE:
    Andy Cohen Roasts Howie Mandel Over Tom Sandoval Interview

    “Alright, I’m on this plane, and I saw the smallest clip … of Sandoval lying some more, and I wanna go off, but there’s a lot of people around,” she said, while on a plane about to take off.

    On the podcast, Sandoval discussed his affair with co-star Raquel Leviss, and the fallout with ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix.

    After her plane landed, Kent shared another string of posts sharing her reaction to the interview.

    “I got through two minutes and 48 seconds of the Howie Mandel interview with Sandoval,” she said. “I can’t do it. I don’t know if my attention span is just not great, or if I’m just bored by him as a human being.”


    READ MORE:
    Tom Sandoval Claims Ariana Madix Considered Fertilizing Her Eggs After Their Split: She Was ‘Fully In Denial’

    She also acknowledged that “he called me out by name” in the interview for profiting off his scandal with her podcast.

    “No I’m not. I’ve profited off me saying funny s**t,” Kent said, before adding. “I profited off my own heartbreak, what makes you think I’m not about to profit off yours. Plus, Ariana’s fine with it.”

    Next, she shared her “biggest takeaway” from the interview: “Why was the lighting so ill on that show? It was like really bad. They should’ve done a light check.”

    Finally, Kent said, “It’s not that I don’t dig Howie Mandel. Dope, cool, got it, whatever, but what a weird f**king first interview,”

    She added, “That is so f**king random. Like, the game show host? The one who fist-bumps you because he’s scared of germs?”

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    Corey Atad

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  • Today in History: November 29, Warren Commission appointed

    Today in History: November 29, Warren Commission appointed

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    Today in History

    Today is Tuesday, Nov. 29, the 333rd day of 2022. There are 32 days left in the year.

    Today’s Highlight in History:

    On Nov. 29, 1947, the U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution calling for the partitioning of Palestine between Arabs and Jews; 33 members, including the United States, voted in favor of the resolution, 13 voted against while 10 abstained. (The plan, rejected by the Arabs, was never implemented.)

    On this date:

    In 1864, a Colorado militia killed at least 150 peaceful Cheyenne Indians in the Sand Creek Massacre.

    In 1910, British explorer Robert F. Scott’s ship Terra Nova set sail from New Zealand, carrying Scott’s expedition on its ultimately futile — as well as fatal — race to reach the South Pole first.

    In 1924, Italian composer Giacomo Puccini died in Brussels before he could complete his opera “Turandot.” (It was finished by Franco Alfano.)

    In 1929, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Richard E. Byrd, pilot Bernt Balchen, radio operator Harold June and photographer Ashley McKinney made the first airplane flight over the South Pole.

    In 1961, Enos the chimp was launched from Cape Canaveral aboard the Mercury-Atlas 5 spacecraft, which orbited earth twice before returning.

    In 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson named a commission headed by Earl Warren to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

    In 1981, film star Natalie Wood drowned in a boating accident off Santa Catalina Island, California, at age 43.

    In 1986, actor Cary Grant died in Davenport, Iowa, at age 82.

    In 1987, a Korean Air 707 jetliner en route from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok was destroyed by a bomb planted by North Korean agents with the loss of all 115 people aboard.

    In 2001, former Beatle George Harrison died in Los Angeles following a battle with cancer; he was 58.

    In 2008, Indian commandos killed the last remaining gunmen holed up at a luxury Mumbai hotel, ending a 60-hour rampage through India’s financial capital by suspected Pakistani-based militants that killed 166 people.

    In 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that New York City would reopen its school system to in-person learning, and increase the number of days a week many children attend class, even as the coronavirus pandemic intensified in the city.

    Ten years ago: The United Nations voted overwhelmingly to recognize a Palestinian state, a vote that came exactly 65 years after the General Assembly adopted a plan to divide Palestine into separate states for Jews and Arabs. (The vote was 138 in favor; nine members, including the United States, voted against and 41 abstained.) President Barack Obama had lunch with defeated Republican nominee Mitt Romney in the White House’s private dining room; the White House says they discussed America’s leadership in the world.

    Five years ago: North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet, claiming a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile that some observers believed could put the entire U.S. East Coast within range. “Today” host Matt Lauer was fired for what NBC called “inappropriate sexual behavior” with a colleague; a published report accused him of crude and habitual misconduct with women around the office. Garrison Keillor, who’d entertained public radio listeners for 40 years on “A Prairie Home Companion,” was fired by Minnesota Public Radio following allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior.

    One year ago: A federal judge blocked the Biden administration from enforcing a coronavirus vaccine mandate on thousands of health care workers in 10 states that had brought the first legal challenge against the requirement. Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey stepped down as CEO of the social media platform; he was succeeded by Twitter’s chief technology officer, Parag Agrawal. LSU hired Brian Kelly away from Notre Dame, a stunning move by one of the most accomplished coaches in college football jumping from the sport’s most storied program to a Southeastern Conference powerhouse. Arlene Dahl, a 1950s movie star who later remained prominent in television, died in New York at 96. Merriam-Webster chose “vaccine” as its 2021 word of the year.

    Today’s Birthdays: Blues singer-musician John Mayall is 89. Actor Diane Ladd is 87. Songwriter Mark James is 82. Composer-musician Chuck Mangione is 82. Pop singer-musician Felix Cavaliere (The Rascals) is 80. Former Olympic skier Suzy Chaffee is 76. Actor Jeff Fahey is 70. Movie director Joel Coen is 68. Actor-comedian-celebrity judge Howie Mandel is 67. Former Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano (neh-pahl-ih-TAN’-oh) is 65. Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is 63. Actor Cathy Moriarty is 62. Actor Kim Delaney is 61. Actor Tom Sizemore is 61. Actor Andrew McCarthy is 60. Actor Don Cheadle is 58. Actor-producer Neill Barry is 57. Pop singer Jonathan Knight (New Kids on the Block) is 54. Rock musician Martin Carr (Boo Radleys) is 54. Actor Jennifer Elise Cox is 53. Baseball Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera is 53. Actor Larry Joe Campbell is 52. Rock musician Frank Delgado (Deftones) is 52. Actor Paola Turbay is 52. Contemporary Christian singer Crowder is 51. Actor Gena Lee Nolin is 51. Actor Brian Baumgartner is 50. Actor Julian Ovenden is 47. Actor Anna (AH’-nuh) Faris is 46. Gospel singer James Fortune is 45. Actor Lauren German is 44. Rapper The Game is 43. Actor Janina Gavankar is 42. Rock musician Ringo Garza is 41. Actor-comedian John Milhiser is 41. Actor Lucas Black is 40. NFL quarterback Russell Wilson is 34. Actor Diego Boneta is 32. Actor Lovie Simone (TV: “Greenleaf”) is 24.

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  • ‘America’s Got Talent’ going global with all-stars version

    ‘America’s Got Talent’ going global with all-stars version

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    LOS ANGELES — A global version of “America’s Got Talent” that will bring together past contestants from the U.S. show and other countries is coming to NBC.

    “America’s Got Talent: All-Stars” will feature winners, finalists, fan favorites and viral sensations,” the network said Friday. The judges will be familiar: Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel, who are on “America’s Got Talent.”

    Terry Crews will pull double-duty as well, remaining host of the original series and the spinoff, which is beginning production this month and will debut in 2023, NBC said.

    The talent contest, created by Cowell, launched in 2006 in the U.S. and has been replicated in 70-plus local versions produced in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. Competitors range widely and have included singers, magicians, comedians and stunt acts.

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