The new term for the part-time video game player is “mainstream.” In this week’s edition of Trigger Happy, I take a look at the online opportunites for those who want to play cheap, or free.

I also review Ghost Rider and Hotel Dusk 215.

In my semi-regular look at my favourite television commercials, I turn south of the 49th to highlight the Geico caveman.

Also making the cut were the new Bollywood Doritos ads, the Dairy Queen Flamethrower campaign, and the BCAA insurance ad in which a young man and his fiancee try to elope.

Get my take on them all, as well as links to online video of all the commercials, in this week’s Channel Changer.

EDIT

ABC announced today that the Geico caveman – and friends – are getting their own sitcom.

How’s that for a successful ad campaign?

Because it means I can do this.

I recommended Drive, the new series from Tim Minnear (Angel, Wonderfalls, Firefly), only to have it cancelled after four episodes.

It’s not my fault.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip returns to air, though, to at least finish its first-season run. There are six episodes left to broadcast.

No word on whether it will return for a second season, but it is unlikely.

Get the lowdown in this week’s Channel Changer.

This week’s Trigger Happy is a look at some of the summer’s big games, including God of War II, Crackdown, WarioWare: Smooth Moves, TMNT, and Lost Planet.

Get the low-down over here.