Funny Promo

TBS is about to broadcast Gladiator (great movie). To promote the film, the station is running commercials which include clips of the film with a pretty funny voice over. The voice tells us (as we see Russell Crowe's character slice up his opponents) ,"If your name was 'Maximus Decimus Meridous' then you'd be ticked off, too". Then we see Crowe's character say, "My name is 'Maximus Decimus Meridous' ". Good stuff.

Random Thought

How many times do you see two people out at a restaurant who don't say a word to each other during the entire meal? A line in a movie recently (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) referred to it as the "Dining Dead".

Cheers And Jeers

Last week I posted about a Star Telegram "Jeer" to the paper for being "too gay". This week brought a couple of Jeers in response to the original Jeer: "Jeers: To Charles P. Lenard Jr. for his Sept. 17 jeer to the Star-Telegram for being 'too gay.' You don't speak for me, so please don't write: 'Your subscribers don't want to read about same-sex couples.' I want to read the news, and if that includes reading about same-sex partners, etc., so be it. You would be better off reading an alternative newspaper. Homophobe Times, perhaps? Anna Holyfield, Troy" "Jeers: To Charles P. Lenard Jr. for his mean and hurtful jeer. As a Christian, I believe that we're all equal and that God loves all mankind. The Star-Telegram has a responsibility to share views on all subjects, types of people and religions. That's what makes the newspaper so interesting to read. Kaye L. Harmon, Hurst"

Talk About A Short Fuse

The new TV show "Head Cases" looked awful - two young lawyers, one straight laced by the book and the other one "wacky". But it did have some actors with a track record: Chris O'Donnell and Adam Goldberg. Fox TV runs a tight ship. But they may not be "fair and balanced". After two episodes, "Head Cases" has been cancelled.

It's Panic Time

Bulls lose fourth in a row.

Puppies Are So Cute . . .

. . . especially when they do things like this.

If That's What You Want To Call It

There was supposed to be an "International Airshow" at Alliance Airport today featuring the Thunderbirds and the Army's Golden Knights. It was cancelled due to possible weather problems caused by Rita. To apologize for the cancellation, the show ran a 1/2 page ad today in the Star-Telegram. This caught my eye: "If you have purchased advance tickets, your donation is going to the Fort Worth Aviation Heritage Association."

Train Wreck

"NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Country singer Mindy McCready was hospitalized after overdosing on antidepressants early Friday following a quarrel with the father of her unborn child. "

Can We Have Some Common Decency?

This picture was distributed by news agencies this month after the lady received her card from the Red Cross as one of the evacuees. You can read the number can't you? I wonder if anyone tried to use the number for an unauthorized purchase. Yep.

Time Waste

Tickle someone here.

There Are Good Things About France

Hottest news woman ever. (More pics here)

This Is Big

A bus "exploded" on I-45 this morning as it headed away from the gulf coast. From news footage and reports, it looks like it was carrying a group of senior citizens. When WFAA took over the news from GMA at the bottom of the 7 o'clock hour, the in house reporter confirmed there was one dead and then threw it to the on scene reporter. I could have sworn I heard her say there were at least 20 dead. Update: The Morning News has put the "20 dead" figure on its website. (Photo from the CNN story).

I'll Say It Again: Barbaric

I posted this note last Sunday about a boxer who was in serious condition after a boxing match shown on HBO Pay Per View. There is a tragic update.

Do You Think It's Possible . . .

. . . there is at least one person out there who is actually concerned, considering that the hurricane is headed towards Houston/Beaumont, that Bud and Sissy will be OK?

Master Of The Obvious

The traffic jam getting out of Houston was incredible today. ABC News Tonight had a shot of one of the only gas stations open (at a Sam's Club) and Charlie Gibson said he counted 110 cars in line behind one of the pumps. Wow. Even at 5 minutes per fill up per car (which is ridiculously optimistic), that would be over a nine hour wait for car #110.

This World Is A Nutty Place

I wonder if there is a government in this world that would pay a person $11,000 to have a third child? Found one.

And This Is Just The "Regular" Chart

Talk about diversity. This week's Billboard Top Ten Album chart includes Kanye West (rapper), Trisha Yearwood (country), Paul McCartney (he was in a band once), and Mariah Carey (talk about a comeback).

Scapegoat?

Lynndie England, 22, is on trial again in connection with the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. (No, I don't know who the lady is in the picture with her - but I think she was always walking in and out of the courtroom with England during the first trial. And, no, I don't know if the court has a dress code)

Drifting?

The path might be headed more eastward. This link is updated throughout the day with the most recent landfall projections.

Hmmmmm

"FIRE CHIEFS PLAN FOR HURRICANE – Wise County fire chiefs meet tonight to go over plans for how to handle the remnants of Hurricane Rita, expected to bring high winds and heavy rains to Wise County over the weekend. " - The Update

JetBlue

Did you see the emergency landing of the JetBlue aircraft in Los Angeles? It's landing gear was screwed up and their was speculation its landing might not occur safely - possibly even disasterous. What's crazy is that the plane was equipped with satellite TV and each passenger viewing a screen attached to the seat in front of him. It was tuned to MSNBC which was broadcasting the story of the possibly doomed flight (at least until it was turned off for the final hour).

Homer Call

The SMU broadcast team got a little excited over the team's first touchdown against A&M in the first quarter. The Aggies would end up scoring 66 points.

The Movie: "Presumed Innocent"

Every time this movie comes on HBO (like tonight), I'm hooked. Actor Raul Julia (now deceased) may have been the coolest and smartest criminal defense attorney ever portrayed on the big screen. (The reason for changing his defense strategy mid-trial was, as he explained to his distressed client, based on "instinct"). And Judge Larry Little was great.

"The Office"

I saw this NBC show for the first time last night. Very funny. I was somewhat disappointed with "My Name Is Earl" (although I remain a big Jason Lee fan simply because of "Chasing Amy")

Taxicab Confessions

This HBO show is great. But it's been three or four years since it's been "really great". The shows from Las Vegas were absolute classics.

She's Baaaaaaaaaack

Anti-war activist, Cindy Sheehan, delivers a letter to the White House, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005, in Washington. Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq last year, is calling for the immediate return of troops from the region. Her 25-state tour is set to culminate Saturday with an anti-war march in Washington.(AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

Category 4

Uh.....No

Would you like your profile to be used as the basis for a wooden vase? A company can do it for you.

Dark

A technician secures a casket at the Southern Memorial Park in Biloxi, Miss., Aug. 30, 2005 after Hurricane Katrina ripped open mausoleums, sucked caskets out of their tombs, and flattened the offices. Company officials are trying to find all the missing caskets that were displaced due to the hurricane, but many are either buried under the debris, floated out to sea or possibly floated out and sank in the waters just off shore. (AP Photo/Rogelio Solis)

Well My Life Doesn't Look So Bad . . .

. . . when compared to a certain someone with an Ebay ad.

I Have To Get Me . . .

. . . this.

Trust Me On This - It's Not About Football

I was watching the NFL Channel last night and they were rebroadcasting the "NFL Game Of The Week" from November of 1974. Some of you are old enough to remember: It was Cowboys/Redskins and Clint Longley came off the bench to throw a game winning bomb in the last minute. So I'm watching the actual footage including the post touchdown celebration. And then I saw something that has made me laugh for a day. It was footage of a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader doing the craziest thing on the Texas Stadium floor. The clip is here - it's about 15 seconds - and it is pure gold. I just don't think you would see that today. (For those with high speed connections, a little better quality clip is here).

Taser Fun

I don't know why a guy would want to Taser a bull, but he decided to (video). By the way, you kids in FFA do not try this.

If You Ever Want To Go Insane . . .

. . . just watch and listen to this.

I Don't Think She'll Win Mother Of The Year

Mindy McCready: Pregnancy Led to Suicide Attempt

Now One For You Gun Lovers

A human automatic weapon. (Video).

I'm Surprised He's Not Issuing A December Deep Freeze Warning Just In Case

Gov. Rick Perry has learned from his neighbors. Today he said: "My fellow Texans, the latest projections for Hurricane Rita indicate it is likely to intensify and may make landfall in Texas late this week.This morning I issued a disaster declaration for Texas and asked President Bush to approve that declaration and 100 percent reimbursement for Texas communities responding."

A Picture Speaks A . . .

College Football Nuggets

Both Oklahoma and Nebraska are not in this week's AP Poll. The last time that happened was November 3, 1969. SMU is so giddy over its win over TCU, that you can buy a DVD of it. (Or so the Morning News told me I could at www.mustanglockerroom.com. But then I looked at the site and found it to be the worst commercial site in the history of ever - and I can't even find the DVD).

What Does That Mean?

In all the talk about the Careflite proposal, this small "fact" causes me some confusion: "CareFlite, a non-profit corporation based in Grand Prairie". I suppose they pay big salaries to their execs, and I suppose they charge big fees for their service. How are they different than a regular corporation?

I'm Confused

Story #1: STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Swedish clothing chain Hennes & Mauritz said Tuesday it will drop a planned advertising campaign with model Kate Moss after she admitted to recently using cocaine. Story#2: DALLAS, Texas - Michael Irvin, who served a probation for cocaine possession while playing with the Dallas Cowboys, was inducted before a cheering crowd into the Cowboys Ring of Honor last night.

I Think I Heard This In The Walmart Gun Section This Morning

From JohnKerry.com: If the president won't stand up and provide Americans with answers, then we must be willing to stand up and propose our own solution . . . . It's time for a fundamental debate about the choices we are making as a nation . . . . Katrina is a symbol of all this administration does and doesn't do . . . . The bottom line is simple: The "we'll do whatever it takes" administration doesn't have what it takes to get the job done. This is the Katrina administration.

How Did That Happen?

Bill Parcells is 57-0 when entering the fourth quarter with at least a 10 point lead. Uh, make that 57-1.

Jimmy Johnson's Was Saved From His Biggest Mistake

Every Cowboy fan worships Jimmy Johnson and considers him a drafting genius. But people have forgotten how he ended up drafting Emmitt Smith by accident. Jimmy moved up in the draft's first round to get Baylor linebacker James Francis. Once Francis was taken, he had to "settle" for Smith. But it interesting to remember that 16 players were drafted above Emmitt Smith. Source: Over-rated-over-self-promoting-Gil Brandt (who was there).

I Am So Offended By This . .

. . . that I refuse to post a picture of Paula Abdul arriving for the Emmys. Wait? Abdul? Could she be a terrorist? I will not let her win!

Man Fuel

Funny commercial from Dominos: The pizza delivery girl tells the man she has arrived with his "Steak Fanatic Pizza," the declaration of which brings the man to exclaim, "Man fuel! Cool." Then, from behind him, his friends shout, "Hurry up! There's only 22 figurines left!" (the Home Shopping Channel is in the background). Our manly man turns and shouts to his friends, "They're statues!" and then to the girl, more calmly and in a defeated voice, "They're statues".

Random Thought

As I was looking through the Morning News, I noticed a story of artist Sharon BuMann who (and I am not making this up) is creating an 800 pound sculpture of Elvis Presley - made out of butter - which will be displayed at this year's State Fair of Texas. The display will also include a sculpture of a hound dog (also made out of butter). This made two questions pass through my odd brain: (1) What did the line "you ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine" mean in that Elvis song? and (2) how much longer will the public be interested in a "state fair"?

I'm Past Football Hero Worship

. . . but obviously Aikman, Irvin and Smith were great. But the intangible factor that made them relate to the fans is that they were drafted by the Cowboys and spent their careers with Dallas. That day in the NFL has come and gone. Today we have Bledsoe at quarterback (free agent from Buffalo by way of New England), Keyshawn Johnson at receiver (from Tampa Bay by way of the Jets), Terry Glenn at receiver (from Green Bay by way of New England). Last year it was retreads Testaverde at QB and Eddie George at RB. The way players move around today, in and out of different teams and uniforms, I always appreciate Jerry Seinfeld's line: "When you really thinking about it, we are cheering for laundry".

Quirky. Witty. Odd.

I think Arrested Development is the funniest show on the thing called a TV set.

Funniest Lines From Last Night's Emmys

"I'd like to dedicate this to Britney and our baby." - Brad Garrett of Everybody Loves Raymond "Next to the Oscars, the Golden Globes, the People's Choice and the Grammys, it's television's most important night." - Conan O'Brien

Little Known. Very Good.

Patricia Arquette won an emmy last night for her work on Medium (which I've never seen). But it took me a while to figure out she was "Alabama" in Quentin Tarantino's first script: a great flick called "True Romance" starring Christian Slater.

This is a little involved but . . .

If you want to watch an incredibly moving interview about the Katrina disaster relief as seen on Meet the Press on 9.4.05 as well as a follow up story that casts doubts on this man's story, you have to check this out.

Sheesh

Ok, just to keep me from going crazy, let me issue this disclaimer. There appears to be a creative wise guy amongst us who is having fun with my name. He, very creatively I might add, makes Comments under the name BSG complete with the underlined hyperlink. It would give anyone the impression that I am the author. I am not. It started last night when I posted the Cheers and Jeers below about the amount of gay coverage in the Star Telegram. The first post was from "BSG" - not underlined - and not me - that read "Ok, I'm coming out of the closet." Very funny, I thought. I posted my BSG, with the underlined hyperlink (to authenticate my name), that said "Not me. Funny. But not me." And then I went to bed. Then this morning I awoke to find subsequent posts from BSG with an underlined hyperlink (I didn't know he could do that) which read, "Really, I am". Ok, funny stuff. But I am out of the Comments business. If you see a "BSG" it's not me. He won. I give up. I've been outsmarted. (Or she outsmarted me - probably an equal possibility).

Well At Least It Was Worth A Win

The Morning News has a fairly big story on Corey Fulbright (left in photo), the kid that broke his neck and became paralyzed in 2002, while making a tackle for Everman during a high school game. (He just completed some two year acting school). The story is a tragedy. But what struck me was this sixth paragraph of the story: "The hit was a turning point in the game. Burnet [the opponent] led 7-0, when Fulbright made the hit on Patrick Miller, breaking up a third down pass and forcing a punt. Everman went on to win, 35-14."

Kinda Makes You Miss The Guy, Doesn't It?

"Clinton launches withering attack on Bush on Iraq, Katrina, budget"

She Probably Came Straight From Sunday Night Services

Tess Smith arrives for the Emmy's.

Let Me Complain

Did I just hear some weather guy tell me it should get to 99 or 100 every day this week? I can't take it.

Another Cheers and Jeers

"Jeers: To the Star-Telegram for being too gay. Your subscribers don't want to read about same-sex couples, 'partners,' girl crushes, etc. Some of your writers would be better off working for an alternative newspaper. Charles P. Lenard Jr., Double Oak" (Sorry, but I know Blog readers just love any news involving gays)

Star Telegram Cheers and Jeers on Saturday

"Jeers: To the Aug. 28 Sports section. In the high school football scores from the previous Friday night, the Haltom-Mansfield score was listed under 1A games, not 5A games. I was at the game, and I assure you that these two schools play at a 5A level, not a 1A level. Ralph Kunkel, North Richland Hills" (Do you think the guy might be a little uptight?)

"But officer, I only had one beer!"

(Source)

Isn't Boxing Barbaric When You Really Think About It?

Some boxer named Leavander Johnson underwent brain surgery last night after collapsing after his boxing match with Jesus Chavez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He is in critical condition today.