Production Update

DriveTime has entered its annual New Year's hiatus. Thanks all for coming along for the ride in 2006. We've enjoyed all your suggestions and input!

The proverbial rubber will meet the road again in '07.

Episode Two.Nine

Ravi and Sonia bring some light into Studio-V for the shortest day of the year. Plus, a long-overdue dip into the DriveTime Glovebox and a visit from the Good Doctor B -- just in time for the holidays!

(QuickTime, 07:55, 32MB)

Episode Two.Eight

Ravi and Sonia greet the holidays in an overdue, overladened jam-packed episode featuring a DriveTime Remote Segment, a bonus holiday clip, and cameos by Santa and the Mayor. And that's all before guest James Hull -- the second guest ever on DriveTime -- returns to talk about the changes afoot at the Gallery at Green Street.

And if that weren't enough -- the DriveTime Digital Elves summon back the Digital Co-host (elevated to the driver's seat!) and Ravi jumps the curb in a shocking coda.

(QuickTime, 08:13, 33 MB)

Production Update

The DriveTime Production Elves are woozy from tryptophan and a little black & blue from early holiday shopping, so no DriveTime this week.

Ravi will be finishing up with this Wikake business this weekend and will get the DT going again next week (providing there are guests to be had!)

Update to the update: Said guest has been found! Next episode will be posted this weekend.

Episode Two.Seven

Ravi and Sonia welcome back DWCE alum Mitch Krpata to talk about a more "virtual" sport than footy: video games. Krpata, video game reviewer for The Phoenix, explains all the hubbub about two new video game platforms being released this weekend and offers his opinions on both.

Plus, in a spur of the moment DriveTime first, Ravi stops for a DriveTime Remote Segment to talk to some young lads waiting in line for the Playstation 3 and comes back with his own prize.

(QuickTime, 09:01, 33MB)

Production Update

Due to matters of law which I will elaborate upon next week, there will be no DriveTime this week (there was very little driving this past week, if that helps give a clue...)

BUT, the Wikake project moves along and voting for base cake/filling combo is still open!

Episode Two.Six

Ravi and Sonia return from their European jaunt and a hopped up, near unedited aesthetic takes form as DriveTime ramps up for November Sweeps. Ravi announces the first official spin-off of DriveTime: the Wikaklog component of his Wikake project, devised for the Art Cake exhibition at Cambridge's Axiom Gallery.

(QuickTime, 07:33, 31 MB)

Episode Two.Five

Ravi and Sonia mark the "true" one year anniversary of DriveTime and ponder, "What if you had an anniversary special, and nobody came?" They give an update on the mouse situation (or the cat situation) before welcoming their first ever one named guest: Chlorine, host of the western-themed, art-influenced game show, Art Show Down.

She spells it all out (sans four-letter words) and even brings a clip.

Before it's all done, Ravi and Sonia announce an international venture.

(QuickTime, 08:59, 40MB)

Episode Two.Four

It's a sweeps-worthy episode as Ravi and Sonia prototype the Sonia Cam, leaving Ravi free for a veritable DriveTime SpaceWalk. As if that weren't enough, long-time DriveTime telephone correspondent John Carrera from Quercus Press makes his corporeal debut in anticipation of the end of his decade long Pictorial Webster's project (and the end of his beard).

(QuickTime, 08:57, 43 MB)

Update:
Some loyal DriveTime viewers have expressed some difficulty in finding out the details of Johnny's big October 7th event. Read his official press release for details and here's a link for directions to the studio. Tell Johnny that DriveTime sent you!

Episode Two.Three

In the conclusion from last week's episode, Ravi and Sonia welcome Peter Houk, Director of the MIT Glass Lab. It's B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Bike) for the correctly pronounced Houk as he describes this weekend's Great Glass Pumpkin Patch event. The underlying bicycle subtext that began last week continues throughout this episode, culminating in a jaw-dropping crescendo.

On top of that, Sonia's URL divination gets an upgrade and Ravi gets a little Muppet Fever.

(QuickTime, 08:46, 36 MB)

Episode Two.Two

Ravi and Sonia get back into the swing of things in the first ever true widescreen DriveTime. Meddling mice and a prominent anniversary are discussed before the two cross the river into Cambridge in search of their guest, whose name pronunciation they both ponder.

Plus a sneak preview at next week's jaw dropper.

(QuickTime, 08:21, 34 MB)

Production Update

We are indeed "busy as beavers" to quote Dr. B. Thanks to all who have sent in guest recommendations... keep 'em coming!

We'll get back in the saddle for the next episode during this next week. And speaking of saddles -- for those of you in the Boston area looking for Saturday diversions -- I put in a plug for this event!

Update update: We've got the next episode "in the can." It may stretch into a two-parter that would make Steve Austin proud.

Episode Two.One

Ravi and Sonia turn to a new member of the DriveTime family -- Dr. B -- to answer some FAQs about DriveTime. Plus, Ravi puts a call out for guests and welcomes back the students to Boston.

(QuickTime, 06:25)

Labor Day Update

It's a return to the streets of Boston for this Labor Day Update. Ravi invites questions about DriveTime in gearing up for the next batch of episodes and Sonia provides navigation at multiple points of opportunity.

(QuickTime, 03:06)

DriveTime: RoadTrip: Pacific Northwest

Ravi and Sonia continue their summer vacation and take a spin around the Bremerton, WA area with the creator of the LiftPort Group, Michael Laine, who gives an update on the development of the space elevator.

Yes -- space elevator.

100 year old Russian notes, the Bible, robots and April 2018 are all discussed in a whirlwind episode.

(QuickTime, 09:13)

DriveTime: Seattle

Where to begin in describing the DriveTime Firsts of this episode?

• First episode shot outside the Boston area
• The debut of two new studios -- Studio R1 and StudioFR
• The first (and hopefully last) time Ravi is put into the backseat

Overall, everything is topsy-turvy as Ravi and Sonia enjoy a comfy ride around Seattle with Jacob Sayles, who describes his Free Ride Cabs concept.

(QuickTime, 09:49)

Endless Vacation

We continue on our endless vacation (if only!) -- we've even left the country.

But we're starting our "slingshot" back into the good old USA -- with a return to Boston to follow later this weekend.

We've had a couple of really nice drivetimes with some Pacific Northwest folks, which through the magic of the DriveTime Digital Elves will become proper DriveTime episodes -- we'll kick off the August doldrums with those next week.

DriveTime Summer Vacation Update

A reminder that there will be no new episode of DriveTime this week as we head out to blazing triple digit heat wave times in Seattle.

Thanks and a "See you soon?" to the Seattlites who dropped us a line with travel tips!

World Cup Edition: Nine

In bidding farewell to the World Cup and to DWCE, Ravi and Sonia share a taste of their experience watching the Final and ponder what they've learned. Plus, a sneak peak into what could be an unprecedented DriveTime first in the coming weeks.

And they answer the question, "Can a headbutt to the sternum really cause injury?"

(QuickTime, 04:49)

DWCE Update

Production Update:
Our big grand finale to DriveTime World Cup Edition will be posted Saturday.

World Cup Edition: Eight

Sonia and Ravi reveal the name of their "little buddy," curse some cellphone chatting jaywalkers and demonstrate the DWCE Header -- all in anticipation of Sunday's World Cup Final.

Special thanks to Larry Kelly for 2nd Unit camera work.

(QuickTime, 04:30)

World Cup Edition: Seven

Sonia kicks off a jam-packed DWCE by summoning name suggestions for the soccer ball from the mysterious DriveTime Magic Hat, which prompts the first instance of venturing into the DriveTime Cutting Room Floor. In the end, Ravi tabs two (or is it three?) finalists.

Plus -- in anticipation of the World Cup Quarterfinals -- Ravi and Sonia demonstrate the DriveTime Corner Kick.

(QuickTime, 05:32)

World Cup Edition: Six

Ravi and Sonia welcome a bouncy new member of the DWCE crew before entering the first ever DriveTime Flashback... to bearded days of yore and a chat with New England Cable News' Digital Media Advisor Steve Safran.

(QuickTime, 05:05)

World Cup Edition: Five

A brief tease signals changes afoot in a jam-packed DWCE. World Cup excitement is ratcheted up a few notches with contributions from Owen in Canada and Jeshii from Yamato Damacy in Japan.

And Ravi and Sonia do a little "jazz hands".

(QuickTime, 04:57)

World Cup Edition: Four

Ravi and Sonia look back on the first week of World Cup and dip into the DWCE International Glovebox which results in a firsthand look at one of the matches.

And Ravi decides it is time to get a soccer ball.

Original music by Hans Indigo Spencer (www.indigoinventions.com)

Match images and video courtesy of Tom from Germany.

(QuickTime, 03:12)

World Cup Edition: Three

DWCE's first guest, journalist Mitch Krpata, talks with Ravi and Sonia about his Boston Phoenix article, "Eat, drink, and be a hooligan: Twelve places to soak in the World Cup."

And the U.S. Team is lamented.

(QuickTime, 03:49)

World Cup Edition: Two

Ravi and Sonia recap the first weekend of World Cup and offer a crucial viewing tip.

(QuickTime, 02:15)

World Cup Edition: One

It's the official kick off to a whole new kind of DriveTime: DriveTime World Cup Edition. Ravi spells it out and explains how you -- the global DriveTime viewer -- can participate.

(QuickTime, 02:14)

Episode Thirty-One

The continuation of last week's near-heat stroke adventure culminates with a cleansing ritual. Chris Monks unveils a piece written exclusively for DriveTime: Donuts and the Car Wash. Peter Bebergal follows with a ribald reading from his collection, True Florida Stories: 1975-1980.

(QuickTime, 08:55)

Episode Thirty

Ravi and Sonia brave searing heat and the stifling confines of Studio-A for the official kick-off to the DriveTime Summer Season. Guest veterans Christopher Monks and Peter Bebergal descend into the inferno to talk about their participation in The Utter Wonder Humor Reading Series (Vol. I) this Sunday at the venerable Plough and Stars.

To provide a cool, cleansing arena for a reading by the literary duo, Ravi navigates the sweating mass of bodies to -- could it be? -- a car wash...

(QuickTime, 08:54)

Production Update

Another DriveTime first: a video-based DriveTime Production Update -- letterboxed, no less!

(QuickTime, 01:37)

Episode Twenty-Nine

For once it is all fun and games, as Ravi and Sonia welcome David Leschinsky from Eureka! into Studio-A to talk about games and puzzles.

Plus, Peter Bebergal belts himself in for an overloaded DriveTime Cultural Minute Package:

• Marvel's The New Avengers
• The Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LA's Desert Origins deluxe reissue by Pavement
• Tabula Rasa by Arvo Part
• The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology
• Ships by Danielson

(QuickTime, 09:17)

Production Update

The DriveTime Production Elves are still drying out from the floods-upon-floods that have inundated the Boston area.

Next episode (of DriveTime, not RideTime) will be posted later this weekend (probably Saturday).

Yankee Alert!

Thanks to the stateside commenters who've informed me that the legendary Beyond Tomorrow segment on "DriveTime TV" is now airing in the states....

And I mean right now -- at this moment!

It's on The Science Channel and is airing a couple of times today and again on Sunday according to their schedule on-line.

RideTime Episode One

Ravi and Sonia break away from gridlock, road rage and $3 a gallon gas -- and doff their helmets for the debut episode of RideTime.

After a jaunty recap of the Wake Up The Earth parade, the tandem-mounted duo welcome bicycle activist Doug Mink who fills them in on the upcoming Bike Week activities in Boston.

(Quicktime, 06:59)

Episode Twenty-Seven

The comments, votes and suggestions have been tallied and Ravi reveals whether he's with Beard or No Beard. But first, a video comment from "Down Under" is shared. Does it tip the scale?

With beard business out of the way, Ravi and Sonia brave an unrelenting rain to pick up Ching-In Chen, a freelance writer for Hyphen Magazine. Ching-In reveals the poet within and the DriveTime Poem Room is quickly christened. And before it's all over, Ravi chimes in with a limerick he wrote when he was 13.

(QuickTime, 09:10)

Production/Beard Update

Oh, how I've grasped the razor in recent days, only to put it down. Before picking it up again...

The next new episode will be posted Saturday.

Episode Twenty-Six

Ravi and Sonia read from the DriveTime Windshield before unveiling a new segment: Beard or No Beard. Aided and abetted by viewer comments, Ravi ponders his bearded ways. For good measure, Ravi and Sonia check in with some "Friends & Family" for their perspective.

And the end result?

(QuickTime, 08:56)

Production Update

Episode 26 will be posted later this afternoon.

I'd like to thank everyone who chimed in on the "Beard or No Beard" issue. Your thoughts and comments are duly noted and accounted for!

Beard or No Beard

Here's a chance for YOU -- the DriveTime audience -- to voice your opinion. Hot on the heels of this week's TGIF shoot, we'll be shooting a segment this afternoon that I'm calling "Beard Or No Beard."



We're going to weigh the pros and cons of my beard-dom, so chime in today if you'd like your vote to matter.

And if anyone has Howie Mandel's contact info, please pass along!

Episode Twenty-Five

It's a TGIF commute as Ravi and Sonia welcome the co-host to the venerable New England television news magazine Chronicle, Mary Richardson (as well as a trailing camera crew.) Plus, the first instance of road rage on DriveTime and an impromptu trek to the zoo.

(QuickTime, 08:50)

DriveTime Tax Holiday!

There is no new episode of DriveTime this week due to the April 17th tax deadline, which I think is actually April 18th for Massachusetts in lieu of the fact that there will be redcoats and minutemen battling at the crack o' dawn on Monday and thousands of human gazelles moving en masse from Hopkinton to Boylston Street.

Think of it as our simple gift for you -- instead of the 10 minutes spent watching DriveTime, you can crank out a 1040EZ!

Episode Twenty-Four

Ravi and Sonia usher in a one-two combo of colossal DriveTime events: the debut of sleek Studio-V and a new feature called Backseat Driver, an over-the-shoulder POV of the harrowing DriveTime route. Plus DriveTime Cultural Critic Peter Bebergal stops by to deliver a "mysterious package":

• Karl Blau's Beneath the Waves
  
• Destroyer's Rubies by Destroyer
  
• Kathryn Davis' The Thin Place

(QuickTime, 08:51)

Technorati Tag: videobloggingweek2006.

Episode Twenty-Three

Ravi and Sonia welcome writer and humorist Christopher Monks to talk about "the incident" generated by his blog utterwonder.com

It's an episode that pulls out all the stops: The DriveTime Glovebox (aka "DriveTime Mailbox"), an Aussie tribute, a minor collision, the return of the Digital Cohost, the emergence of the DriveTime Censoring Board, the return of the DriveTime Reading Room -- and if that weren't enough -- a peek into next week's unprecedented DriveTime Event.

(QuickTime, 08:57)

Episode Twenty-Two

Ravi and Sonia rejoice in a new running character: "Enna The Coffee Gal". They then welcome Marc Hodosh, chairperson of FIRST Boston, who describes the upcoming Boston Regional Robotics Competition -- and assures Ravi that the robots will not rebel. And "The Woz" is duly honored.

(QuickTime, 08:13)

Episode Twenty-One

Ravi and Sonia welcome their first "unknown" guest -- his identity shrouded by the grace of the DriveTime digital elves -- who explains his blog precogs.net. Ravi encourages him to embrace his anonymity with the aid of a paper bag... before revealing his true identity to the world.

And evening hours in the studio reemerge for the first time since October.

(QuickTime, 08:47)

Episode Twenty

Ravi navigates Studio-A to the auto shop, while Sonia pilots Studio-V behind him. After some worrisome moments apart, they reunite in the welcoming bosom of Studio-A... only to find themselves "Waiting for Mike Zirilli."

Finally -- in a DriveTime first -- Ravi gives up the driver's seat.

(QuickTime, 08:22)

Aussie Alert!

I've been informed by friends living "Down Under" that DriveTime will be featured on this week's episode of Beyond Tomorrow, the Australian science and technology program. It airs Wednesday night in Australia, which is who-knows-when in Boston (some time on Tuesday?!) I welcome any reviews from Australian residents.

Long-time DriveTime viewers will remember when Kim Watkins took a ride in Studio-A last November.

Update:
Read the official preview description on the Yahoo7 page (note the reference to the "ageing Audi").

Episode Nineteen

It's a chilly DriveTime Weekend Edition as Ravi and Sonia welcome Melanie Orndorff from LA to talk about her faith exploration blog, Uncommon Path -- as well as other "Godcasts".

Plus, a peek at next week's DriveTime Event.

(QuickTime, 08:52)

Episode Eighteen

Ravi bids farewell to Torino with another DriveTime Olympic Moment before he and Sonia welcome Toronto-based artist Chris Gardiner from the Great White North. Chris explains why he's traveled to Boston and shares insights about his work. Finally, cultural boundaries are erased when currency matters are discussed.

(QuickTime, 08:31)

Fever

Episode 18 will be delayed slightly -- up later this evening (or maybe Saturday a.m.) -- due to my fever... my Olympic Fever! (too much curling and ice skater gazing.)

Episode Seventeen

Ravi pays honor to Torino in a DriveTime Olympic Moment before he and Sonia welcome John Sullivan from the band James The Viking. Ravi whips out the air guitar to accompany the opening track from their new CD.

And a surprising -- yet familiar -- "bonus guest" pops in for the coda.

(QuickTime, 09:26)

Production update

Episode 17 will be posted later this evening -- a splendid President's Day weekend edition, complete with George Washington wigs.

Okay -- that's not true, but I like the sound of that... Damn! Sonia could have had the Washington wig and I could have played up my "Lincolnesque" qualities (a description granted to me by a high school teacher after my recitation of the Gettysburg Address).

iTunes not refreshing

For unknown reasons the latest episode has still not appeared up on the iTunes DriveTime page after three days. It usually takes a bit to appear, but never this long. It does download from iTunes if one is subscribed to the feed.

Coincidentally (or not so coincidentally,) I've added a little 'Subscribe with FireAnt' chicklet (above the iTunes chicklet no less!)

Update:
This has been fixed.

Episode Sixteen

Ravi and Sonia talk pandas and gorillas before an austere recap of their weekend in Washington D.C. Aaron Hurley, currently appearing "off Centre Street" in The Footlight Club's production of The Lion in Winter, visits studio-A to talk about acting in America's oldest community theater. And the three make their way to a car wash for a sweeps-ladened date with destiny.

(QuickTime, 09:49)

Episode Fifteen

Ravi and Sonia cut to the chase and welcome Huck Davies, Master of Ceremonies for the New England Belt Sander Racing Association (NEBSRA). Huck explains the concept of belt sander racing, Studio-A has a a near miss with a pair of red-light running rogues and Ravi attempts to start the buzz about February sweeps events.

(QuickTime, 08:28)

Episode Fourteen

Ravi and Sonia check in with Johnny Carrera about his odometer themed game and the camera takes an unexpected tumble. Plus, newly anointed Cultural Critic Peter Bebergal joins Ravi and Sonia for the DriveTime Cultural Minute and prepares this package of recommendations:

• A Short History of Myth by Karen Armstrong
  
• The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
  
• Animal Collective's album Feels

And Ravi does some air guitar.

(QuickTime, 09:09)

Episode Thirteen

Ravi and Sonia share a jaunty recap of their hiatus before opening up the DriveTime Glovebox, where a recommendation prompts a new segment: DriveTime Science Friday.

Original music by Hans Indigo Spencer (www.indigoinventions.com.)

(QuickTime, 09:20)

Production Update

"Lucky" Episode Thirteen will be posted on Saturday, as Sonia and I only returned back to the DriveTime studios this morning.

I thank you for your patience!

Episode Twelve

Guest host Stefan Economou welcomes the band Big Digits into spacious Studio-T to talk about their upcoming West Coast tour -- and discovers extra space where the back seat should be.

(QuickTime, 08:41)

Hiatus is over!

The official DriveTime 2005 Winter Hiatus is over. We're back from sunny climes and back "on the grid."

New episodes forthcoming!