Relive 2000′s Florida Voting Mess at the Grove

(Flickr pic by Moz1.)

To promote HBO Films’ telepic “Recount,” the pay channel has set up 12 actual Votomatic Florida voting machines — the ones used in the 2000 Presidential election — at the Grove today, starting at 10 a.m. According to the network, people can “re-enact the actual voting process and determine if they would have voted for their intended candidate and if their vote would have counted.”

I’m guessing the answer is yes, since you’ll be fully aware at this point of the confusing nature of the ballot. The point in 2000, of course, was that it was older folks who were confused, and whose votes — in the thousands, enough to tip the election to Al Gore — were miscounted. Eight years later, it’s still pretty upsetting to think about.

Relive 2000′s Florida Voting Mess at the Grove

(Flickr pic by Moz1.)

To promote HBO Films’ telepic “Recount,” the pay channel has set up 12 actual Votomatic Florida voting machines — the ones used in the 2000 Presidential election — at the Grove today, starting at 10 a.m. According to the network, people can “re-enact the actual voting process and determine if they would have voted for their intended candidate and if their vote would have counted.”

I’m guessing the answer is yes, since you’ll be fully aware at this point of the confusing nature of the ballot. The point in 2000, of course, was that it was older folks who were confused, and whose votes — in the thousands, enough to tip the election to Al Gore — were miscounted. Eight years later, it’s still pretty upsetting to think about.

Extra With "Extras" Star Ricky Gervais

One of the cool things about my day job? Occasionally getting on the phone and riffing with talent like Ricky Gervais. I talked to him soon after he was nominated for a Golden Globe, and even cracked him up at one point (he told me he’d thank “Dog,” rather than “God,” at the podium, and I quickly added, “Well, do be fair, you are dyslexic.” OK, it was funny at the time.)

Here’s what I wrote after speaking to him:

Even as critical acclaim and award recognition pile in for “Extras,” Ricky Gervais — nommed for both best TV comedy actor and best comedy series — remains steadfast that the series has run its course.

“It’s not coming back, there’s nothing to add,” he said. “It’s done and dusted. We’ve told a story as well as we could. You don’t want to overstay your welcome or repeat yourself. I don’t want to do TV just for the sake of doing it.”

Gervais said TV execs don’t even ask anymore about extending its run (or the run of predecessor “The Office”).

“They know deep down that it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

Gervais said he “couldn’t be prouder” of the recognition he’s received in recent years, including Thursday’s noms.

“You want to be respected by your peers and be respected in your field,” he said. “To be nominated for a Golden Globe or an Emmy, they’r eht ebiggest awards in the world. Well, there’s the Nobel Peace Price. But I haven’t been doing anything good for the world, so I am at a disadvantage.”

Gervais just finished shooting the movie “Ghost Town,” and is in pre-production on a second one. Next year, he’ll tour the U.S. for an HBO special and DVD. Beyond that, Gervais and frequent collaborator Stephen Merchant are developing an hour-long for television.

“What’s excited us lately is drama,” he said. “We’ve pretty much been as successful as we can be with comedy. I don’t know if there’s any point in doing it for a third time.”

Drama would revolve around a group of twentysomethings in the 1970s, who live in small town Britain and work for an insurance company.

Gervais said he’s been inspired by series like “The Sopranos” and “The Wire,” which “are beating movies when it comes to emotional content and dramatic content.

“That reality grips you every week for an hour,” he said. “I want to see if we can do that.”

Have you caught the final “Extras” special yet? BTW, Stephen Merchant shoulda been nominated as well.