FOR ARTBYJUDE

Ok, I’m tired of playing this game, adding my Bacon numbers to my movie reviews. Yes, I’ve received emails asking me just what the blue blazes is up with that and once I even tried to link a fellow writer (I’m not a name dropper so I won’t mention Gungian by name) to Kevin Bacon, but it was no go, I finally stumped the Oracle. But, then again, the above not mentioned writer wasn’t an actor – at least by that name (smile).

The Oracle was devised by two college students, Brett Tjaden and Glenn Wasson, who were working on their graduate degrees in computer science at the University of Virginia. A great concept, based on the famous “Kevin Bacon Game” aka “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon”, etc., etc.

The Oracle is tied into the computer data base of IMDB.com (Internet Movie Data Base) and within seconds will give you the appropriate link, or Bacon number, to any actor/actress that you enter in the search box. The highest number I have ever hit was a Bacon #5, but it was a really obscure actress from silent movies and it took me about three hours to come up with the name.

The one gripe I did have, early on every actor/actress I tried was linked to Kevin for his release in the 2001 movie Novocaine. Finally, I clicked over to IMDB to check this movie out, figuring it must star darn near ever person in Hollywood. Imagine my surprise when it showed that it was in ‘pre-production’ and the participants could change before production was completed. Unfair link up there, as far as I am concerned. Finally, the movie is released, I check it again – another surprise – sure enough, Bacon is in the movie but is uncredited – obviously only a cameo spot. See, that still rankles me a bit.

I understand there is one actor/actress that is a Bacon #11, and one a #10, but the boys aren’t giving up that information.

This is a truly ingenious project the boys took on, and one that has garnered them a bit of fame. Rated by Time Magazine as one of the top-ten rated spots in 1996, Tjaden was invited to appear on Discovery Channel’s Cyberlife and was afforded the opportunity to play The Kevin Bacon Game with Kevin himself, live and sans computer. Admitting although he has seen few of Bacon’s films, he was still entranced with the idea of The Oracle.

The Oracle resides on the University of Virginia’s web page and is still active to this day. Included with the Bacon game are the Elvis Game, Ernie Game and Star Links Game. Considering this was a program written by graduate students in computer science, the site is sinfully easy to navigate.

Another fun thing on The Oracle site is The Hall of Fame – those lucky lads and ladies that have come head-to-head with the Oracle and tried to stump it. Mostly consisting of Bacon #7’s & #8’s, there are a few (very few) above that. Some of the commentary from the people is really funny and not a one will give away a hint about the names they used to cross reference and obtain that lofty 7, 8, and higher. I am oh so envious!

Only once in the three years I have accessed this site, during different times of day and night, has it been down – or as I prefer to think, the Oracle was sleeping. Actually, it could have been a link to IMDB.com that was sleeping – who knows.

If you have ever dallied with the Kevin Bacon Game, you will certainly enjoy this site. It’s free, it’s enjoyable, it’s educational, and guess what – it is addicting! If you decide to take a trip and hit higher than a Bacon #5, please – PLEASE – email me and give me just one little hint. It’s only fair, I sent you there!

The Oracle can be reached at:

http://www.cs.virginia.edu/oracle/

Other than the handy actor/actress search box, here is a list of the other links provided on this site:

Related Games:
 Star Links - link any actor or actress to any other.
 Arnie Game
 Elvis Game
Interesting Facts:
 Bacon Numbers
 The Center of the Hollywood Universe
 The Oracle in the News
 The Hall of Fame
 Acknowledgements
 How it works

Now you tell me ……. IS Kevin Bacon the center of the universe?

Thanks,
Susi



Recommended: Yes