Media Mindgasm.

I apologize for being a little MIA lately, but I've been a bit stressed with something (that I'm sure I'll bother you with later). So, in order to unwind a bit, Jenn brought the entire first season of AMC's The Walking Dead over yesterday.

After the pilot episode, I was hooked. I've always loved horror movies of every kind - slasher, aliens, paranormal, zombies, vampires, exorcisms, etc. This show is addicting, entertaining, and impressively creepy.

However, when I finished the first season, I started to wonder something. How come characters in every zombie movie (or, in this case, TV show) are so confused? Don't get me wrong. I completely understand why they are surprised, upset, devastated, terrified, etc., but why are they always confused? They act like they don't know what zombies are. They have no idea how to kill them and they don't understand that, once bitten, they join the zombie ranks.

Now, I'm no expert on the zombie apocalypse, but come on. Haven't these people seen Night of the Living Dead or any other George A. Romero classic? Just because they are characters on a TV show doesn't mean they aren't normal people in the 21st century. They should have the same access to media that we do, right?

This might be strange, but I often wonder what fictional characters know. How are they oriented within popular culture? When I watch a movie, I assume it takes place in the present day, unless otherwise stated or blatantly obvious (ex. True Grit). I also assume that they are able to know the same things we know, have seen the same movies and TV shows we watch, and listen to the same music as us. I believe this is a fair assumption because movie and TV characters often make pop culture references (ex. Back to the Future conversation in Knocked Up or the Rush concert in I Love You, Man).

So, here is a hypothetical for you: What happens if in Justin Timberlake's new movie, he is sitting in a restaurant and "Sexy Back" comes on? Mind blown.

Call me strange, but I think that is such an interesting idea, particularly when movies acknowledge it. For instance, in Ocean's 12, Julia Roberts's character Tess pretends to be Julia Roberts. Also, in Mr. and Mrs. Smith (which stars Brad Pitt), Adam Brody's character wears a Fight Club t-shirt, a movie which also stars Brad Pitt.

Can you think of any other examples of media nerdiness? At any rate, you have The Walking Dead to thank for this...and probably an eventual Man Meat Monday.