Uh... can I take it all back?

Let me first say I do not like Roger Clemens as a baseball player. He's arrogant. He's an egomaniac. He's all about creating that legendary persona so that people can worship later and be in awe of him when he has to eventually retire from baseball. When the Yankees played against the Marlins in the World Series, he made such a spectacle of it being his last year pitching, he had a long drawn out farewell tour that entire season, he took about 5-10 minutes to salute the crowd and the players for what was seemed to be his last game, only to come back the following year and the year after that and the year after that. He really likes people who love to kiss his ass.

So this is why I found the 2nd Baseball Congressional hearings to be so fascinating as well as so despicable. Fascinating, because you have this guy trying to salvage an extraordinary career dangling on a thread... who many thought (myself included) to be playing on borrowed time and playing too well for someone that old. Despicable, because it involves steroids again, and didn't we already do this in Congress many years ago with this guy below (among others)?



So it's amazing how it all went down today. In an election year, when we are about to pick another president, this hearing, at times, became divided along political party lines. What I find more interesting was the line of questioning (granted from both parties).

"You seem to be the same size in all those photos"

Thank you for your service to the New York Yankees.

What uniform will you be wearing upon induction to the Hall of Fame?

"All I can say Mr. Clemens, is I'm sure you're going to heaven"

And now you see why people think the government is wasting it's time and the people's money on something that would not seem as important as health care, the economy, or the war in Iraq. The members of Congress didn't seem to take it seriously. They were all kissing Clemens' allegedly injected ass.


On the drive home from work today, I was listening to sports radio which I do on occasion. They were talking about the hearings today and how Clemens might be brought up on perjury charges. And why not? Every player in Senator Mitchell's report on steroids in baseball, who was named for taking steroids or performance enhancing drugs, came forward and admitted to taking drugs... except for Roger Clemens. Players who were friends with Clemens named him in sworn affidavits. It just seems someone is in utter denial.

I don't need to rehash any more about what was covered today. You can read it yourself to the extent that you desire. But this is my soapbox, and all I have to say is this.


Roger Clemens might be a great human being, a great father, a great husband, and a great friend to some. But he was the biggest asshole in his sport, a guy who would lose his temper, and a guy who thought he was better than anybody. Like Barry Bonds, I hope he can sleep at night in all that denial, because after all this is over, it's all he'll have left.

The legacy he achieved and desired is no more. It is merely a figment of his own imagination.

LeeZy

Unstoppable

Hey, did you watch the Super Bowl?

Pretty amazing wasn't it? I have to give it to Eli Manning... I did not expect him to pull that win out... I was expecting a coronation of the New England Patriots and not expecting much of a game.

I was wrong on both accounts.

So congrats to him and the New York Giants for denting the mystique of the Patriots. 18-1 record and didn't even win the Super Bowl... I like the sound of that.

But the other reason to watch the Super Bowl are the commercials. So today, I have some gems that I really liked with links and some that I really didn't like at all. Apparently, the Super Bowl commercials are like pizza toppings. Not everyone likes the same thing. Just keep that in mind.

A link to most of them... but read on for my take on some.


Really Bad Commercials - Racism never sells

Sales Genie 2008 SB Commercial 1 Ramesh
Sales Genie 2008 SB Commercial 2 Ling Ling

Honestly, where do I start with what's wrong with these commercials.

The guy with the heavy Indian accent and he has seven kids. Really classy.

The pandas speaking in broken english, named Ling Ling and Ting Ting, calling their fortune teller for financial advice and direction... did I mention the broken english... This ad really annoyed the piss out of me.

Super Bowl Commercials are supposed to be memorable for the price that they cost. How does Sales Genie do enough business to have a budget for these commericals?

Go Daddy - Danica Patrick exposure

I feel so dirty for thinking Danica Patrick was somewhat sexy.


Bad Commercials - I expected more for something that cost so much

Pepsi Nodding Off Commercial

I'm pretty sure that after a few months of seeing this commercial, everyone will get really suck of it. Now realize that it's a one minute commercial, as opposed to the 30 second variety. I also understand the idea which is based on the SNL skit and the Night at the Roxbury movie, but not everyone will get it and find it just strange.

Under Armour - The New Prototype

This simply does not make sense to me... and it's also a minute long... money to burn... money to burn

Sobe Life Water - Thrillicious

The point of advertising is to sell something... or at least make me remember what they were selling. While trying to recall this commercial (15 minutes after seeing it), I was thinking it might have been for Geico.

Planter's Nuts - Perfume

I have a feeling, after multiple viewings, I'll hate this commercial as much as those Jared galleria of jewelry commercials. Thought I give credit to them. Unibrows are funny.

Ice Breakers - Carmen Electra

Maybe I would like this commercial more had I found Carmen Electra slightly more attractive than the woman in the previous spot for Planter's Nuts.

Bud Light - Language of Love

Carlos Mencia is not worth the jokes he actually writes himself.


Good Commercials - Those that made me smile

Bud Light - Fire breather

I liked how the mood of the spot was light and romantic and very cool with the lighting of the candles. And I have a cat allergy so I could relate it.

Bud Light - Wine and Cheese

Having been introduced to wine recently, this commercial was right up my alley. And I couldn't have found a better use for a box of Chablis.

Budweiser - Rocky

This commercial won me over when the music started... you really can't lose with animals...

Toyota - Sleeping Badgers

Like I said, these commercials made me smile.

T-Mobile - Wade makes the Five

Though this spot went on for a while and I got a little bored, it's exactly what I thought would happen when you get what you want. And Charles Barkley is phenomenal talent. Can I get in your five?

ETrade Baby
ETrade Baby and Clown

These spots work, because the baby does not look creepy. And it's pretty memorable. There seems to be a lot of cute this year...


Commercials from one company that were the best - Coca Cola

Coca Cola - Jinx
Coca Cola - It's Mine

Coca Cola was by far, the most effective advertising campaign this year. From Mean Joe Greene to the buy the world a Coke, the Coca Cola company knows how to make a commercial memorable. With James Carville and Bill Frist hanging out all day and discussing things like two human beings, resonates in an era, an election year era when we must all come together.

The balloon fight between Stewie and Underdog and eventually Charlie Brown, brought together three cartoon icons from different decades. Once again, very memorable image, and very lasting commercial. My only question is how the hell did they get the rights?


The three commercials I liked the best

3) Careerbuilder - Queen of Hearts

Yeah I must admit, I thought her boob popped out, or her implant popped out, or something... did not think it was her heart. Once I get past that, the commercial was brilliant and the message resonated with anyone who thought their boss was a prick. There was no mistaking the message and it was memorable. All pluses for me.

2) Wall-E - Movie Trailer

So if you're Disney/Pixar, how would you make a commercial that would capitalize off all your prior success and make a commercial, a Super Bowl commercial that would get people excited about your movie. With Woody and Buzz Lightyear, you have complete genius. And Wall-E is awesome, even though he does remind me of Johnny 5.

1) Fed-Ex - Carrier Pigeons

What's not to love? Pigeons with GPS and night vision. Large pigeons that can carry large crates but inevitably drop them (as I thought they would). Large pigeons acting like regular pigeons and looking for food in semi trucks. Large pigeons grabbing cars and depositing them anywhere. All that was missing was how the large pigeons poop. And I'm very glad they didn't go there. All in all... a very memorable spot and I am going to laugh when they replay it for the 50th time.

LeeZy

A new year... which is more of the same...

Hello.

Just wanted to remind you that my favorite links are located on the right side in case you wanted something to look at and wanted to be amused by "the funny" of the internet...

ok... that's enough for a post... check back in a few months.... bye!

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...

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ok, I'm kidding. So what's up? Lots has happened since I last wrote an entry in this blog. Don't think I haven't noticed.... or had comments.


1) The Writers Guild of America Strike

This is probably the one thing that has me pretty mad. Around late November / early December, all my TV shows ran out of new original episodes since the writers went on strike. I absolutely support them and you should too. But it really really sucks that in the meantime, I have nothing else to do, except play Scrabulous around on facebook.


The writers are pretty much people like you and me, they might make more than us... but they do provide creative writing skills that turn into TV scripts and good TV and give us that escape that we all need when we come home from a hard day at work. And what are they fighting for? A share of the revenue that is created from the shows streamed on the internet amongst other things on the web. I really don't see the problem. Watch some youtube videos... will ya?

Seth McFarlane speech for the WGA

The Office is Closed

and finally...

Why we fight

It's bullshit... the corporate pigs... seriously... I'm not joking. So be strong WGA! But in the meantime... I get to look forward to shit like this.

and whatever this horseshit is...

Oh joy...

But at least... I found out about some shows that I really like thanks to the strike.

Chuck - The guy reminds me of Jimmy Fallon, but far less annoying... and a good show should have someone pretty and smart on it... check and check... (talking about Yvonne Strahovski)

30 Rock - I thought this show was only good because it was force fed on us by NBC... boy was I wrong... the most creative writing, sight gags, and humor that I've seen.

And now sadly, I've watched all the episodes available to me in the above links, and now I have to go back to Scrabulous... until Lost comes back later this month... for just 8 episodes...


2) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Remember when I said that the morning radio show I listened to while becoming awake, played some spoiler ringtones that pretty much spoiled the ending of Harry Potter? Well I finally read the book and it still did, sort of... but at least one thing I remembered wasn't true... but pretty much else I kind of remembered. If you want to hear those stupid ringtones, I finally found them... but don't say I didn't warn you if you didn't read the book yet.

Woody Show - Harry Potter Spoiler Ring #1

Woody Show - Harry Potter Spoiler Ring #2

All in all, I won't say much here about the book. But apparently my prediction of Harry and Ron finding true love wasn't true. But apparently someone else might be gay... still you probably shouldn't read that link if you haven't read the book either. But I have no complaints... at least none that I can talk about.


3) Good Movies

By the way... the above picture of Roger Ebert was found on this gem of a website... it reminds me of this.

Lastly, since I have no new TV to watch and finished the book I was dieing to read, I really have nothing else to do except to watch a good movie or three.

Here are some good ones you might find interesting...


Death at a Funeral - An English film, and the movie poster above says it all... very funny film... I know at a funeral... who knew?


Shoot 'Em Up - Do you like violence? Do you like guns blazing? Do you like sex? Do you like Monica Bellucci? How about Paul Giamatti? I know you live Clive Owen... why are you there still reading... go see this movie!!!!


Futurama - Bender's Big Score - If you liked the original TV show that was canceled... Well it's back; in a full length made for DVD movie and as a TV show again later this year. A must for all fans of Matt Groening.


Well I think that's all I got for this blog entry... hopefully it won't be nearly as long for me to churn out the next one. Happy New Year and take care of yourself.

LeeZy

Very Good TV

Now on to the good stuff...

Shows I love

How I Met Your Mother, CBS - Monday 8 PM - I've talked about this show once and I have no problem talking about it again. This show reminds me of Friends, before it got stale and before all the men on the show became completely emasculated. Basically you have this guy named Ted and how he met his future wife, as told in the future by Ted to his 2 kids. It's a great premise, and leaves you wondering who this future wife is... this season they gave a hint and I can't wait to see what else will happen. The cast of this show is also great and the comedy and the one liners are hilarious. The people on this show actually feel like buddies you might have at a bar or hang out with once or more a week. Always a good sign when looking for a likable show.


Lost, ABC - This show is not on right now, but that doesn't mean I can't write about how much I like it. I actually prefer this faux reality show over the reality show that it's based on (Survivor). The mystery and the clues to this mystery seem to be reason enough for me to watch, but now I'm going to be afraid to go on a plane in that part of the world. A friend of mine can't stand how the guys always have a constant 5 o'clock shadow instead of a stringy ugly beard, but I don't notice that. I notice the magical numbers, the polar bear, the voices, and healing powers of the island. I also like how everyone looks so clean and pretty and that might annoy some people, but I just like it and I really want to know what happens to this group of stranded survivors in the South Pacific.


Family Guy, FOX, Sunday 9 PM - A couple weeks ago, Family Guy had it's season premiere and they made an hour long episode in homage to Star Wars Episode 4. This is why I watch this show. I love pop culture. I'm in tune to what is going on in entertainment and this show rewards you with non-sequitor pop culture references throughout the episodes. Things from the Kool-Aid man to Grey Poupon to a remade music video remake of "Take On Me" by A-Ha done in the sketch art. Funny, doesn't begin to describe how good this show is. But it's not everyone's cup of tea. However, this show was brought back from the dead by all of its adoring fans, which says a hell of a lot.


It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, FX, Thursday 10 PM - Imagine if you were watching Seinfeld, except the Elaine character in the group would try and seduce and convince a priest to leave the church who she also knew had a crush on her, the Jerry character has a gigantic ego and thought he could manipulate anyone to do what he wanted while waxing poetic about wanting to be a veterinarian, the George character wanted to be sexually molested by his grade school PE teacher so he could feel better about himself, and the Kramer character couldn't read or write, is completely dishonest, and faked having cancer so he could sleep with a waitress. Then you would have "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia". This show is horrible yet I keep watching because I can't believe they get away with showing this on TV. I feel like such a bad person.


Scrubs, NBC, Thursday 9:30 PM - This is entering its last season, and it's one of my favorites. Unlike the other medical shows out there, this show doesn't take itself way too seriously. It's a comedy and has its fair share of non-sequitor moments like Family Guy. But this show also has a lot of heart. They also deal with real issues that you and I might deal with (off and on relationships, dating in the workplace, marriage, having children, dealing with a horrible boss, dealing with death, and one's career)... not what you would expect from a comedy show that takes place in a hospital, huh? The main character is currently riding my last nerve, but I still find this show good for a laugh.


Anthony Bourdain No Reservations, Travel Channel, Monday 10 PM - This was my new favorite show this summer. Especially since I haven't been traveling anywhere, this show serves as an excellent escape to far away places that I hope to visit someday. The show stars the ever sarcastic, hating on Food Network chef, Anthony Bourdain, author of a book called Kitchen Confidential which I really need to read one of these days. He has a great approach towards travel and experiencing other cultures. If you are given something to eat that someone made for you, you eat it graciously and ask for seconds. If you don't like what you were served, you eat it graciously and ask for seconds. To say something like that is easy. To actually follow through with it... is something else entirely. This guy did manage to eat wart-hog anus prepared by natives in Namibia but in a rare display of defiance, refused to eat a mayonnaise cake in South Carolina. He's my hero, and going on a tangent... I found a video of him explaining cricket. He's so cool.


Pushing Daisies, ABC, Wednesday 8 PM - This show premieres tonight and I must say, you have to watch it. If anything for the cinematography, the artistic direction, the lush colors, and the feel of utter fantasy as you watch it. It's reminds me of Wonderfalls which coincidently, one of the creators of Wonderfalls helped create Pushing Daisies as well. Pushing Daisies is the story of a man who can bring anything to life with the touch of his finger. I can't say any more because it would ruin it for you... but if you crave sexual tension between characters on a TV show... you've seen nothing yet. Please watch the preview and watch the show... it's pure magic... in an Amelie kind of way.


The Office (US Version), NBC, Thursday 9 PM - Last but most certainly not least, is my favorite TV show. Now some people think this show sucks because it was a British import chopped to bits and regurgitated into the US version, but I find no problem with it at all. In fact I enjoy this version more than the British version. Sometimes Americans do things a little differently than the British and that's a good thing. So sometimes I need my jokes spelled out a little more obviously, and the drama to be a little more over the top. If it wasn't like that, then I really wouldn't find it so hilariously funny at times. Working in an office is something many people do and I'm surprised no one thought of this premise as an idea for a TV show. One memorable moment included role playing various ethnicities in the workplace for some HR training thing, and the African American guy was randomly chosen to be Black. Oh and they didn't know what they were... these ethnicities were written on pieces of paper and taped to their forehead. Comedy gold I tell you...

I especially love the interaction of the two characters above, Jim and Pam. Until this season, their admiration and flirting with each other was somewhat subtle and only obvious to the camera/audience. This year began a whole new stage of their relationship in the open that I'm afraid will wipe away the magic of before. I often wonder what happens when you get something you want.... like what eventually happens. I guess we will all find out soon enough.

LeeZy

P.S. The baseball bet ended somewhat dramatically in an 11-11 tie. My guy won his last 2 games. He doesn't suck that much after all... so yes... no softball game for now.

P.P.S I just found out today, another show I loved from 1999 is being brought back... watch the original pilot (starting from part 2/5) on youtube. What can I say, this show struck a cord with me.

Bad TV

So begins another TV season and a bunch new and old shows are out to get hooked on.... again

I get enough crap about how much TV I watch, so I've decided to only watch one new show this year... more on that next time...

(speaking on the guy who gives me crap on that, the baseball bet has gotten a little closer and this could end in a tie... stay tuned)

So today, I'd like to talk about some shows that I really disdain... I mean I really do and there's a good reason. Next time, I'll talk about my favorite shows. Onto the crap...

Shows I disdain


24 - This show was innovative, exciting, and on the edge of your seat entertainment... but many of the things that made the show great, no longer are present on the show now. Plus I don't know why Jack Bauer never seems to go to the bathroom, or stop to eat something... The plots are formulaic and predictable, and I don't like how they treat middle eastern ethnicities or the Chinese for that matter. It has become so cliche it's not even funny (especially with the fear in the media today) From what I read, the new season is supposed to be more personal and gripping. Whatever... just make sure Kiefer stops drinking himself silly.


The Real World - This show genre was the pioneer in reality show programming... before Survivor was ever a twinkle in Mark Burnett's eye, this show kicked major ass. There was the first season in New York, there was the season in San Francisco and it's focus on AIDS and HIV and becoming familiar with someone on TV who had it. It was truly revolutionary. It was thought provoking. It was a breath of fresh air. But now? Sex. Fighting. Sex. Fighting. Nudity. Promiscuity. More Nudity. Fighting. Crying. Semi transparent/Opaque shower doors. Sex in the shower. Oh and they are in an exotic locale which is really superfluous because the house really looks the same every year. I don't know when this show took its nose dive into everything raunchy. But I have a problem with people who whore themselves out for attention. I see that enough in real life, and don't need it in my TV show viewing. In general, I really am starting to disdain reality TV that doesn't involve food and competition.


Grey's Anatomy - This show is by far the most tired, boring, unimaginative piece of crap I've seen in some time. I was sucked in because many people at work love it. And when I say people, I mean the women, and one guy who really should stop watching it but has to because his wife does. Anyway, I watched it long ago and then stopped for 2 seasons or so. The women would talk about it and I didn't know what they were talking about, so I started to watch it again and lucky for me, I got to watch one of the worst seasons. You know a show is bad, when the main character is in a life threatening situation plot and about to die, and you kinda hope she does. Another thing I hate is the dialogue and it bears repeating what I saw 1 minute last night when the two off again - on again characters where about to break up again. This is how it sorta went...

McDreamy: So we are breaking up...
McMeredith: We are breaking up...
McDreamy: We are breaking up...
McMeredith: We are breaking up...

I'm sorry, can someone please put them out of their misery? I turned the channel and to my dismay this morning when I wanted to know what happened after that?... It was breakup sex. (but I'm sure the stimulating pillow talk was great as well) I'm sorry but if you still like this show... aren't you tired of the run around? This couple is light years behind the 'tug on heart strings' nature of Ross and Rachel, or even Pam and Jim (more on those two in the shows I like blog entry). These two are not at all likable and this is why the show failed with me. In addition, I've never seen such bad acting, bad story telling, bad dialogue, and just bad characters on a supposedly popular TV show.


Desperate Housewives - Now for those people who can't take the intellectual complexities of a hospital on Grey's Anatomy. Never fear. Because there's another show on ABC that will entertain you with the use of fewer brain cells. That show is Desperate Housewives. Granted, I've only watched like 3 episodes (if that many), so this is based on a small sample size. But honestly, if you watch any more than that... I think you might need to go to a doctor (preferably not one from Seattle Grace on Grey's Anatomy). Know what the problem with this show is? Name one actress from this show. Did you say Eva Longoria? There in lies the problem. For a good show, the first person mentioned varies. That's a sign of a great ensemble cast. Eva Longoria is a good actress, but so are Felicity Huffman, Teri Hatcher, Nicolette Sheridan, and my favorite Marcia Cross. But it seems that I only can recall Eva Longoria... or maybe it's because I follow basketball and she's always watching her husband Tony Parker play all the time. Anyway, it's a slippery slope when your show is only about one person... case in point.

Show with an ensemble cast


Show all about one guy

That's not a good thing.

And from the files of, I liked this show when it was on the first time... I really hated that it was pulled off the air and now it's back as a horrible clone...


Moonlight - whatever... you are just filler for small headed, big haired Jennifer Love Hewitt's show. I much preferred ...



Angel - Now that's a vampire show...

The last show I want to bring up, isn't really a show, but really a person. A person that has been force fed down our throats, burned into our retinas, and made to believe is a talented cook... Oh yes my friends, you definitely know where I am going with this... the queen of Yum-O herself.


Rachael Ray - Yeah, not much I can say about her...

Except that I really don't understand how she has like 3-5 shows on TV. She doesn't know how to tip on that one show. She cooks meals in 30 minutes on that other show, which I wouldn't want to eat in the first place. She tries to act like she's much younger than she is with phrases like "Yum-O" which only makes her look pathetic and not sexy and definitely not cute. I could write an essay on why Rachael Ray is bad but it could be worse...


...A LOT WORSE.

Next time... shows I just love.

LeeZy

Coddling

By now, you might have seen the famous video of Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy yell at Oklahoman newspaper sports reporter Jenni Carlson. If not... here it is...

Basically, Ms. Carlson wrote an article on why the star quarterback to the football team was benched when he was probably the best player on the team. Ms. Carlson appears to be a legit sports reporter for the Oklahoman and has a blog where she writes down her thoughts about the Oklahoma State football team. The article in question... (wait... have you read the article yet?) is what caused the football coach to blow up and get all upset about the media (or namely, Ms. Carlson) who verbally attacked a harmless, good kid.

Kid huh? Let's look up his stats... born December 1985... that would make him 21 years old. Yeah, whatever... he's a football player... legal drinking age... adult in the eyes of the law... I'm sure he can take the criticism... it's called character building, it's called building your personal resolve, it's called getting thick skinned, it's called growing up!

So if one has read the article, one will read that Ms. Carlson made a bunch of comments (from observations or other sources) that sheds some light on why everyone is defending Bobby Reid, the football player that got clowned in the article.


It's pretty funny stuff. Not only has the coach reacted like Will Ferrell which is comedy gold (in a youtube video that will be the most viewed video this week), but the article is hilarious... I mean the guy is still being fed by his mother.

Yes, you read that right... here's a quote:

" Bobby Reid stood near the team charters last Friday night, using his cell phone, eating his boxed meal. It would've been normal post-game activity but for one thing. His mother was feeding him chicken."

I certainly hope he washed down that chicken with a nice glass of his mother's breast milk... oh what am I saying... I'm sure he still gets it straight from the source... the fresher the better.


Now I understand that coach Mike Gundy doesn't want to have the confidence of quarterback Bobby Reid, shrivel up to the size of a lima bean, or worse, a chicken drumette. The person is young and this is his future and everything... but if what was said, is true... this is freaking hilarious... a grown man (yes you can be a grown man at 21), still being fed by his mom... you were asking for it... fear the bloggers!


That's what's missing from the coverage of this article, the response, and the youtube video goodness.

I just needed to say that... okay... as you were...

Here comes the airplane....
it's doing a loop the loop.....
weee!!!! ...
it's flying and now it's diving....
up and down... side to side...
oh oh...
it needs to land....
I think someone needs to open up the hangar...

Now that's mommy's good boy... yes he is... he's the most special quarterback in the world...

LeeZy