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I remember turning to my friend with a quizzical look on my face when I first heard the lyrics to, “Somebody Told Me”:

“Is he singing about what I think he’s singing about?”

Yes, indeed and the catchy songwriting (along with the darling Brandon Flowers) has stayed with me since and made a fan out of me.

Clever, memorable lyrics, a New Wave sound with a synthesizer overlay, and (if you’re lucky enough to see them in concert) an involving, magnetic stage presence make The Killers hot. Their Sophomore album titled, “Sam’s Town” will be released October 3, 2006, but if you want a taste of “Sam’s” beforehand, tune into the making of The Killers’ new music video, “When You Were Young”, exclusively here on Google Video.

Today’s Highlighted Video

Click here to watch “The Killers Making The Video”
The making of the brand new video “When You Were Young” off of the sophomore album Sam’s Town in stores October 3rd
5 min 52 sec

More of “The Killers” on Google Video:

Click here to watch “THE BIOGRAPHY CHANNEL Planet Rock Profiles: The Killers”
Find out what all the ‘Hot Fuss’ is about as the stratospheric rise of the Las Vegas-based rockers is charted.
1 min 54 sec

Click here to watch “Interview with The Killers”
Watch the The Killers interview part 3 as seen on ManiaTV! “Artist of the Day”. This is a perfectly tailored new wave art rock sound with some boyish sex appeal.
2 min 50 sec

Click here to watch “KILLERS INTERVIEW FEATURE: Part 1″
This interview features the Killers at their most unpolished and the beginning of their careers.
4 min 6 sec

Share these videos with your friends using the “Send link to a friend” feature! Learn how here!

A little more about myself (as if my Backstreet Boys declaration wasn’t enough, right?):

I graduated high school in the year 2000 which made my friends and I one of the first classes of the new millennium. It sounds cool enough, but really, what does it mean?

I found the answer today and I thought I’d share it with you. According to the United Nations Millennium Campaign, we’re the first generation that can eradicate poverty. I just have to say it again because I didn’t think those two words would ever be in the same sentence: eradicate poverty. Can you imagine?

According to millenniumcampaign.org, “In 2000, world leaders from rich and poor countries alike committed themselves–at the highest political level–to significantly reduce poverty, illiteracy, inequality and disease in poor countries and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals.” What the Campaign is asking you to do is to remind our leaders of the commitment they made and to make them keep their promise about ending hunger, reducing child mortality, and promoting gender equality. So join the Campaign and accept No Excuses.

Today’s Highlighted Videos

Click here to watch “Voices Against Poverty - Shakira”
United Nations Millennium Campaign Voices Against Poverty PSA Series Shakira www.millenniumcampaign.org
59 sec

Click here to watch “Voices Against Poverty - Jane Goodall”
Jane Goodall www.millenniumcampaign.org
59 sec

Click here to watch “Voices Against Poverty - Lenny Kravitz”
Lenny Kravitz www.millenniumcampaign.org
59 sec

Click here to watch “Voices Against Poverty - Michael Douglas”
Michael Douglas www.millenniumcampaign.org
59 sec

Click here to watch “Voices Against Poverty - Alyssa Milano”
United Nations Millennium Campaign Voices Against Poverty PSA Series Alyssa Milano
59 sec

New videos appearing on the Google Video Movers & Shakers list for September 28, 2006:

2 (US). Click here to watch “LEGO Rocket Launcher - Shooting 4 targets [Front view]”
The LEGO Rocket Launcher pinpoints four targets and fires rockets at them. (C) 2006
20 sec

20 (US). Click here to watch “The LEGO Trebuchet”
Preparing and firing the LEGO Trebuchet.
2 min 17 sec

50 (US). Click here to watch “LEGO Rocket Launcher - Feeder mechanism close-up”
A close-up shot of the feeding mechanism using the LEGO stepper motor. The misiles get fired to the left in this view. (C) 2006
18 sec

Calling all LEGO fanatics, think you have an even cooler LEGO video? Upload it!

We’re excited to announce that Google Video launched in Australia today on the video.google.com.au domain, complete with a large range of fantastic local content Australian users will immediately recognise and enjoy viewing. Not only is there the usual treasure trove of user uploaded footage already on Google Video, but we have worked closely with great partners like ABC, AFTRS (the Australian Film, Television and Radio School), Channel 10, Film Australia, Fairfax and SonyBMG to enhance the overall experience for our Aussie users. Whether you want to laugh at comedy from the ABC’s We Can Be Heroes series, study some archival footage of Don Bradman at the crease courtesy of Film Australia or view some new material from Pete Murray thanks to SonyBMG, we’re sure you’ll find something that you’ll be forwarding to your friends in no time. Not to forget that you can still use Google Video to upload your own videos, share them with friends locally and globally, comment and rate other people’s content, download your favourites to your PC or handheld device as well as post videos to your own website (including MySpace and blogs). Happy Viewing Australia!

As an added bonus, you can now see the Top 100 videos being watched just by people from your own country. Or if you’re curious, see what videos are appearing in the Top 100 from the country next door. This new Top 100 by country is now available on all Google Video domains!

Nick Carter, from the Backstreet Boys, has everything he could want. Except for a normal family life. What will happen if Nick tries to make one happen for him, his brother, and sisters? This is the foundation for E! Entertainment’s new show “House of Carters.”

I’ll admit it (and I hope the following bold declaration will not turn you away, oh-faithful-blog-reader). I knew the lyrics to almost every single Backstreet Boys hit when I was a freshman in high school. But what I didn’t know was that Nick Carter, known as the heart throb of the band, was the eldest of five children and that his family suffered from a bitter divorce.

You see it plastered on the tabloids and you hear it dripping from the news that Hollywood is drama, drama, drama. It can be nauseating at times, and a guilty pleasure at others. In the world of reality tv, celebrities (and I use that term loosely) whine despite being rich, beautiful, and practically worshipped. At the same time, it’s captivating to watch these people, who we place on pedestals, suffer from normalcy such as sibling rivalries and a failing marriage. In “House of Carters,” the drama is real.

Watch the one hour premiere of “House of Carters” for free here on Google Video.

Today’s Highlighted Video

Click here to watch “House of Carters - Premiere Episode”
Like fame, controversy has followed Nick and Aaron Carter and their three sisters. Now they’re getting a second chance to put family first. Can the Carters put their rocky pasts behind them and come together as a family? Watch the entire full hour premiere episode right now.
43 min 41 sec

New videos appearing on the Google Video Movers & Shakers list for September 26, 2006:

5 (US). Click here to watch “Incredible tire running by itself”
You wouldn’t believe if the tire could make that sharp turn, right? It does something even more incredible.
44 sec

13 (US). Click here to watch “Best Gag ive ever heard. chinese takeaway. you HAVE to see this”
Best Gag ive ever heard. chinese takeaway. you HAVE to see this
2 min 49 sec

22 (US). Click here to watch “Don’t Lie by the Black Eyed Peas-Asian Backstreet Boys aka Asian BSB”
Asian BSB’s newest 6th video, Don’t Lie Hope you enjoy it!
3 min 47 sec

Share these videos with your friends using the “Send link to a friend” feature! Learn how here.

Could you imagine working in a high-volume, bulk-discount retailer where spaghetti sauce is sold by the gallons and you need a cherry-picker to reach the top shelf? Could you imagine trying to impress the girl of your dreams while wearing a vest on loan to you from the high-volume, bulk-discount retailer and sporting a mop to clean up the mess on aisle 12?

Whatever you imagine, I’d imagine that it’d be funny.

Today on Google Video you’ll find an exclusive clip of the upcoming movie “Employee of the Month” starring Dane Cook and Jessica Simpson.

Today’s Highlighted Video

Click here to watch “Employee of the Month - Surrender (Camp Freddy) Music Video”
Employee of the Month. In Theatres October 6th. Dane Cook, Jessica Simpson, Dax Shepard.
1 min 44 sec

New videos appearing on the Google Video Movers & Shakers list for September 25, 2006:

1 (US). Click here to watch “Magic of Freeride”
dropy, hopy, jumpy…
3 min 38 sec

3 (US). Click here to watch “Granny Shoots A Machine Gun”
Granny shoots a machine gun and says some funny stuff
30 sec

4 (US). Click here to watch “Crossover Trailer”
The clock strikes midnight, the ball hits the floor, the word has spread and the converted rail station is alive with basketball. They don’t play for a school and they don’t cheer for a pro team. They play for the street and it’s underground…way underground. Crossover is a gripping urban drama set against the thrilling world of streetball. The story follows two young hopefuls, Tech (Anthony Mackie) and Cruise (Wesley Jonathan), who must bring every move they have to the floor to unseat the reigning champions from the throne they have held for far too long.
There are no rules. Only the respect that comes with winning. In Theaters
2 min 36 sec

Share these videos with your friends using the “Send link to a friend” feature! Learn how here.

Don’t know what to do this weekend? Here are a couple options:

Based on Robert Penn Warren’s 1946 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “All the King’s Men” offers a superb cast including Sean Penn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, and Anthony Hopkins. Way, way, way on the other side of the spectrum is “Jackass: Number Two” where Johnny Knoxville spends an hour and 35 minutes behaving irresponsibly, per usual. And if you’re into World War I epics, “Flyboys” may be the movie for you. It’s the first World War I aviation film in over 40 years about the legendary Lafayette Escadrille.

Today’s Highlighted Videos

Click here to watch “All the King’s Men Trailer”
Watch the trailer for All the King’s Men, in theaters September 22.
2 min 41 sec

Click here to watch “Jackass Number Two Trailer”
Go Number Two on September 22nd
1 min 22 sec

Click here to watch “Flyboys”
They were ordinary boys who volunteered for the first World War looking for adventure, and in the process, they became heroes. Never before has a movie so accurately portrayed the thrill and danger of the aerial dogfights that played such an integral role in the Allied resistance.

New videos appearing on the Google Video Movers & Shakers list for September 22, 2006:

4 (US). Click here to watch “HowStuffWorks”
Learn how elevators, submarines and airplanes work in this action packed animation from the folks at HowStuffWorks!
2 min 1 sec

28 (US). Click here to watch “”Panic! At The Disco” at the Weenie Roast”
This is P!ATD’s complete performance at kroq.com’s Weenie Roast 2006.
27 min 57 sec

37 (US). Click here to watch “Arch Enemy - “Nemesis”"
Sweden melodic death metal hard rock music video KrankTV
4 min 28 sec

Share cool videos with your friends using the “Send link to a friend” feature! Learn how here.

So you know you can’t dance? Today’s Highlighted Videos from TotalVid will help you find your feet. Also check out today’s picks from Google Video’s Movers and Shakers list. The first two videos will hopefully coax a smile out of you and the third, well, coming from a self-proclaimed gamer as myself, it’s wii-derful. Okay, that was bad. But it’s a really awesome montage.

Today’s Highlighted Videos

Click here to watch “Anyone Can Dance - Salsa: Beginner — Preview”
Download the entire 29 minute video free at http://totalvid.com/index2.cfm?source_id=12157&v=55275680 In this video, you will learn the introductory skills to mastering the salsa
1 min 50 sec

Click here to watch “Anyone Can Dance - Hip Hop: Intermediate — Preview”
Download the entire 23 minute video free at http://totalvid.com/index2.cfm?source_id=12157&v=61789326 A high-energy video that breaks down the basics of break dancing and brings together today’s latest Hip Hop and Funk moves. With this program, you are going to sweat and have fun doing it!
1 min 53 sec

New videos appearing on the Google Video Movers & Shakers list for September 21, 2006:

1 (US). Click here to watch “A Man’s Favorite Tool”
A Man’s Favorite Tool
29 sec

4 (US). Click here to watch “Americans Get Quizzed On World Affairs”
A guy walks the streets of America and asks random people some pretty easy questions. A couple of these answers actually had me laughing out loud.
2 min 52 sec

11 (US). Click here to watch “Wii Montage”
Nintendo Wii Game Montage
5 min 20 sec

Share cool videos with your friends using the “Send link to a friend” feature! Learn how here.

Gosh, it feels like Christmas has come early this year. Yesterday, we announced Captioned Playback and today, it’s Public Page Views! One goody after another!

“Ever wonder how many times a video has been watched? Now you can see the all-time number of views of a video, right on the playback page. You can also see how many times the video was watched yesterday. The stats are updated daily, and include views on other sites that have embedded the Google Video player for that video. We’ll be adding more interesting stats in the weeks to come, so stay tuned!”

– Matthew Weaver, Software Engineer, Google Video

New videos appearing on the Google Video Movers & Shakers list for September 20, 2006:

2 (US). Click here to watch “Not a drink holder”
do not use your computer to hold coffee cups
26 sec

14 (US). Click here to watch “Cool robot dance”
Cool robot dance
1 min 39 sec

17 (US). Click here to watch “Joe’s Twin Turbo Ford GT”
Produced by IMV Films for www.turbofordgt.com. Much love to the crew @ IMV and HP Racing.
21 min 26 sec

Share cool videos with your friends using the “Send link to a friend” feature! Learn how here.

By now, you may have noticed that we’ve just introduced a small but significant new feature that many of us have long awaited: playback of captions and subtitles! If you haven’t tried it yet, you can go to this page, select a captioned video, and while playing it you can click on the symbol to turn captions on and off.

Although many of us are responsible for making this possible, it’s particularly meaningful to me because I’m not only an engineer fortunate enough to work on Google Video — I’m also deaf. In some ways this reminds me of when closed-captioning (CC) was first introduced; before that, little on TV made sense and the only movies worth paying for were foreign films, because those were the only ones with subtitles! I now have the same sense of hope that I did then, when you could finally see visible progress and knew for sure that however long it took to perfect things, we really were on the way.

But I won’t kid you — there are still light-years to go, and I’m painfully aware of how limited our first implementation is. For example, you’ll notice that it only works for videos using our Flash player (in a browser); US viewers may be bothered that our captions look more like subtitles than TV captions, and non-US viewers may be baffled by the [CC] symbol; and so on and on, not even counting the bugs that infect all new features. But most importantly by far, only a very small fraction of videos are currently captioned. Nor is the quality always good.

However, this is exactly the same problem faced by the early proponents of CC, and it is this very issue which has compelled us to start with baby mis-steps sooner, rather than a giant leap of perfection later. Now that viewers can see the results, we hope that more people will be inspired to caption more videos, and that other services will be encouraged to support similar capabilities. The potential applications here for search quality, automatic translation, and speech recognition should also become more obvious.

Every time I watch TV I’m thankful to all of the many people who first developed and brought closed-captioning to fruition, and wish I could have helped them. So it’s enormously gratifying that Google Video has given me an opportunity to help carry on their work into new domains.

And you, too, can help! Please do send us your comments, bug reports, or suggestions; whether or not you think they’re new, your collective feedback will be invaluable in helping us promote these capabilities and guide our decisions on which features need to be done next.

– Ken Harrenstien

Clay Aiken may not have won American Idol, but he’s not doing too shabby with a third album titled “A Thousand Different Ways” hitting stores tomorrow.

Today’s Highlighted Video

Click here to watch “Walmart Soundcheck: Clay Aiken Promo”
The project, Aiken’s first outing since 2004, combines 10 cover versions of well-known songs from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s with four brand-new songs. His fan base has only grown since his days on American Idol.
1 min 51 sec

New videos appearing on the Google Video Movers & Shakers list for September 18, 2006:

79 (US). Click here to watch “Save the Stingray - R.I.P. Steve Irwin”
Michael Hornby, the executive director of Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors conservation group, said he was concerned the rays were being hunted and killed in retaliation for Irwin’s death. “It may be some sort of retribution, or it may be fear from certain individuals, or it just may be yet another callous act toward wildlife,” he said. He said killing stingrays was “not what Steve was about.”
2 min 13 sec

83 (US). Click here to watch “Bush Bloddy Sunday”
Bush u2 mash
3 min 7 sec

85 (US). Click here to watch “NBP - “Somewhere I Belong” by Linkin Park”
We’re young, cheap & infamous. We’re “No Budget Productions.” Check out our website @ WWW.NBPVIDEOS.COM and don’t forget to sign the guestbook. Zeen!?
3 min 18 sec

Think you have an even cooler video? Upload it!