NBA Playoffs: Conference Semifinals Set!

After some great first round action with a few surprises, it's now time for the conference semifinals!

The Elite 8 of this year's NBA playoffs is highlighted by the strongest of all the matchups-Mavs/Lakers. A month ago, Jason Terry's hard foul on Steve Blake sparked an excursion. Could we see the same thing in this series? Time will tell!

Also in the West, it's the Seattle Sonics v Vancouver Grizzlies. A series whose teams are separated not very far from each other. The intensity of such a rivalry...oh wait, it's Memphis v. OKC. The Grizzlies finally won a playoff series in franchise history-in 6 games over the Spurs. A very interesting matchup to say the least.

Over in the East...Da Bulls survived the Pacers, but could they get through the Hawks? Celtics-Heat is the other series in the East, with the possibility of SHAQ returning to the court after calf injury!

So to recap...

WEST semifinals
(8) Grizzlies v (4) Thunder begin 5/1
(2) Lakers v (3) Mavericks begin 5/2

EAST semifinals
(1) Bulls v (5) Hawks begin 5/2
(2) Heat v (3) Celtics begin 5/1

Like "March Madness," playoff ball is so addictive.

Friday Jukebox 4.29.11

Time for a late '70s disco cut. Destination "Move On Up Suite." A cover of the 1970 Curtis Mayfield classic "Move On Up" that is heaps better than Mark Ronson's "Touch the Sky." This is from the trio's 1979 album From Beginning to End.  Also on the 54 (1998) Soundtrack.

Betty Draper Pregnant!

It's real. It's damn real.

So who could be the father? Even though I'm not up for the bullshit (the Padma Lakshmi baby circus a couple years ago is an example), since she was spotted out with the likes of other actors, even chef Bobby Flay, it could be one of them. It could be another actor. It could be a musician. It could be an athlete (Kobe, Big Ben, Tiger, et al? Are you listening?). It could be a politician! Or a gay couple wanted her to be a surrogate for them. Maybe Maury Povich wants to conduct this ceremony.

Hey Matt Weiner and his fellow co-horts. Please don't work this into the script. Didn't Don engage to another woman at the S3 finale? Uh...

Happy Birthday Dale!

Today would've been the "Intimidator"'s 60th birthday, so let's bask in and relive some of the 7-time Cup champ's most interesting wins ever...

Talladega July race 1983...last lap pass on DW for the win.

Talladega July race 1984...last lap pass on Texas Terry.

Atlanta Veteran's Day 1984...his 2nd win for Childress came at a price. A little past halfway in the race, Floridian Terry Schoonover crashed into the outside wall and in the infield banking. Safety crews cut out Schoonover from his car. He would later die of injuries in the crash. It was Schoonover's 2nd Winston Cup start. The final laps are here.

40th Daytona 500 1998. The drought is over. Also one of my favorite Daytona 500's I've ever seen. For one thing, I watched it live, but also only 3 cautions and no crashes. Fairly clean race.

Finally his final Winston Cup win, Talladega, October 2000. It doesn't hurt to have Kenny Wallace drafting you to the finish...

So all of that aside, had not for that day at Daytona on February 18, 2001, if he was still alive, would he still be racing in Cup? I say yes! I mean, guys like Bill Elliott and Mark Martin are still racing in Cup into their 50s. Harry Gant raced in Cup well into his 50s. Hell, even James Hylton is still racing stock cars in general in his 70s. Same with Hershel McGriff, who last year, ran a West series race at age 81.

Oh and for the record, the car dealership that bears his name will unveil the Intimidator Camaros today at DEI headquarters in Mooresville, NC. There will be a raffle there and two of those special edition Camaros will be given away. A cool deal to honor a champion. We still miss you Dale.

NHL Playoffs: Semifinals are Set!

It begins tonight with game 1 of the Western Semifinals between the Predators and the Canucks. The Canucks are fresh off of surviving their quarterfinal series with the defending Cup champ Blackhawks. The Preds, however, won their first playoff series in franchise history, in 6 games over the Ducks.

Also in the West, the Wings and Sharks begin their series Friday.

In the East, the Lightning are back into the postseason fold, surviving a 7 game series with the Pens. Their series with the top seeded Caps begin Friday. The Bruins, who on Horton's overtime game winner for the second time in the postseason, survived their series with the Habs to take on the Flyers, who took 7 games from a hungry Sabres team that looked depletive in game 7. That series begins Saturday.

So to recap...

WEST semifinals
(1) Canucks v (4) Predators begin 4/28
(2) Red Wings v (3) Sharks begin 4/29

EAST semifinals
(1) Capitals v (5) Lightning begin 4/30
(2) Flyers v (3) Bruins begin 4/29

There you have it folks. Also in other ice hockey news, the CHL Berry final between Allen and Bossier-Shreveport begins Friday. There's controversy surrounding the schedule at CTC, because on May 6, Josh Groban performs and on May 7, Steve Harvey performs. That's right, the comedian, radio host, and current host of the current syndicated version of Family Feud will be performing at CTC on May 7.

With that in mind...FUCK Josh Groban! He should move his show to the Municipal Auditorium.

It reminded me about what happened in 2009, when the Pepsi Center in Denver had a conflict between a Nuggets playoff game and WWE Monday Night RAW. I do believe the Nuggets got the best offer.

Game On!

No, not that game.

This game. It appears a judge gave way for a season. Yes, we will have a season.

And for the record, last week, the NFL's 2011-12 round-by-round fixture (week-by-week schedule) is out, including the TV schedules for CBS and Fox, as well as the primetime schedules for NFL Network and NBC, as well as ESPN, which is going into its 25th consecutive season broadcasting nighttime NFL games. That post is later.

Happy Easter!

That is all.

Anne Robinson, With Eight Votes...

And 11 years, including a US version in 2001, you are the weakest link. Goodbye.

Friday Jukebox 4.22.11

In the spirit of the Canucks' game 4 and 5 first round performance against the Hawks (and I was truly dissapointed at Luongo)...

No explanation needed...

Centenary Soccer, Volleyball 2011 Schedules Are Out!

The inaugural D-III season for the Gents and Ladies this upcoming fall is set.

Ladies' volleyball, with Jon Stenman and Jon Valiao returning as coaches, will start the season on 9/2 with a tournament at UT-Dallas. Their first regular action in ASC competition will be at LeTourneau on 9/6. UNO will play the Ladies twice-on 9/17 in New Orleans and on 9/28 in the Gold Dome. Here is their complete schedule.

Gents and Ladies football (soccer) also has schedules out, see them here and here.

The Gents will open on 8/15 in ASC play against Concordia. The first home game at Mayo field will be against Texas College. UNO will play the Gents on the 9th of September, and LSUS will play them on the 12th. They travel to Pineville to take on Louisiana College on September 22.

The Ladies open shop at Mayo against Texas College. ULM will play the Ladies on 9/7 at Mayo, and the Ladies will host LSUS on 9/12. They travel to Pineville to take on Louisiana College on the 22nd.

So there you have it, the other fall and winter schedules in the inaugural D-III season of Centenary Athletics will be released soon, please...please visit Gocentenary.com for more!

Globetrotters v Generals 4.17.11 at CenturyTel Center, with photos!

Some of the atmosphere at CTC on Sunday 4/17, between the Globetrotters and the Generals!

The Globetrotters and Generals were neck and neck all the way to the fourth quarter. The Trotters win. Did you know that the last time the Generals beat the Globetrotters was in 1971? That was a long time. 

And as a bonus...

Herb "Flight Time" Lang posing for pictures, signing autographs!!!

So did Hammer!!! That is him to the right of Lang. He got the nickname after MC Hammer. Can't touch that!

I took a lot of photos, but I might add a few more soon.

Friday Jukebox 4.15.11

RE: "Herb "Flight Time" Lang appearance at Gold Dome 4.13"...

If nothing gets you pumped up to go see the Globetrotters when they're in town, then this will!

NBA Playoffs 2011 Are Set!

"Win or go home," says the ad campaign from Turner Sports. The slogan Turner had for the NBA playoffs the past few years.

So now, we have the NBA playoffs and some interesting first round matchups.

In the West, the World Champ Lakers have the top seed, but keep an eye out on the Mavs. The Mavs, whose only NBA Finals appearance was in 2006 (lost in 6 to the Heat), could possibly be the only team in the West that could be tough competition to the Spurs or Lakers in the playoffs.

Speaking of the West, despite CP3 bouncing back from the injury suffered earlier this year, the Hornets are back in the postseason for the first time since '07-08. They also had some attendance problems, and the club will stick in NO for more years. It'll be a tough task for them in the first round, as they take on the Lakers.

The Grizzlies are back in the postseason as the 8th seed against the Spurs.

In the East, it's all about Da Bulls. Da Rose. Are they for real this year? Is the formula that worked in the '90s with Jordan, Pippen, etc. is catching up to this young club? What will we see from the '10-11 Bulls this year in the postseason? Stay tuned.

Just like the Grizzlies in the west, in the East, the Pacers and Knicks both return to the playoffs for the first time in eons. Takes us back to the '90s to an intense rivalry between both clubs.

So to recap the conference quarterfinals...

WEST quarterfinals
(1) Spurs v (8) Grizzlies begin 4/17
(4) Thunder v (5) Nuggets begin 4/17
(3) Mavericks v (6) Blazers begin 4/16
(2) Lakers v (7) Hornets begin 4/17

EAST quarterfinals
(1) Bulls v (8) Pacers begin 4/16
(4) Magic v (5) Hawks begin 4/16
(3) Celtics v (6) Knicks begin 4/17
(2) Heat v (7) Sixers begin 4/16

It all begins this Saturday (4.16). So tune in for the games on NBATV, TNT, ESPN, ABC, and probably the RSN's.

Where will amazing happen this year?

Herb "Flight Time" Lang appearance at Gold Dome 4.13, with pictures!

Harlem Globetrotter and Centenary alum Herb "Flight Time" Lang was at the Gold Dome on Wednesday, April 13, promoting the Globetrotters' game with the usual suspects (yes, the Generals), on this Sunday at CenturyTel Center.

I was there, so here are some pics!

Atmosphere before the event.

Herbert showing his stuff.

The participants of the four point shot. Included are Centenary President Dr. David Rowe, AD Jake Voskuil, Bossier mayor Lo Walker, Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover, Gents junior forward Maxx Nakwaasah, and Ladies senior center Anne Farrell. Also members of the media participated.

Mayor Glover attempting to shoot from 4.

Mayor Walker attempting shots.

NBC6 anchor/reporter Jenna Zibton's turn.

KTBS reporter Casey Ferrand tries her hand.

It's Anne's turn and she made three baskets!

Maxx tries the 4 point line. He makes two shots. 

Q&A with Herb. I asked him about why reality shows such as The Amazing Race and the Bachelorette? Also about his original plans after Centenary, such as continuing his career overseas or NBA. He mentioned about the NBA lockout of '98-99 which shortened the season.

And one more thing about the 4 point shot contest. Rule #1. Don't shoot with heels, which is what Amanda Joubert did. Joubert, the host of a locally-produced TV show called Your Hometown Show (a 10 minute informercial of sorts), was among the media contingent in the competition.

Don't forget, the Globetrotters at CenturyTel this Sunday against the Generals. A team with no history, just like the Clippers. Tip-off if 4pm and if you're a Globetrotter fan, this is a must! For tickets, contact CenturyTel box office, ticketmaster.com or 1 (800) 745.3000. Tickets are $19-27. Centenary students, faculty, etc. it's $21!

OLTL, AMC Cancelled. An In-Depth Analysis.

Agnes Nixon would be heartbroken to see her two soaps getting the axe by ABC on Thursday.

Impact players: Susan Lucci (Erica Kane, AMC, left), and Erika Slezak (Victoria Davidson Banks, OLTL, right)

The news came out on Thursday that both One Life to Live and All My Children are history after some point in September, according to officials at ABC. Both are produced in-house by ABC. In it's place, two reality shows, unlike NBC when Passions and Another World were cancelled a few years back, decided to give back it's hours to local affiliates. CBS did the same thing in 2009, almost, but when As the World Turns and Guiding Light got the axe from CBS, the network got two replacements: The Talk, a talk show in the style of The View, and the network TV return of Let's Make a Deal, with Wayne Brady as host, now in it's second season, with a third season of episodes on its way this fall. OLTL went on the air in 1968, and AMC two years later, in 1970. Agnes Nixon, the creator of both shows (still presently living), was a writer at AW, ATWT and GL in the 1950s and 1960s.

So where does the soaps world leave with now? Only four choices remaining.  Regardless of the cancellations of OLTL and AMC, still leaves General Hospital (1963) as the oldest still running. Days of Our Lives (1965), and The Young & the Restless (1974) are still active soaps to this day. So is The Bold & the Beautiful, who replaced Capitol as CBS's 30 minute soap in the spring of 1987.

My question remains is this? Will this new move for ABC daytime be good or bad? For some, especially those OLTL and AMC fans (my mom watches AMC), it will be heartbreaking to see them gone. But for me, who cares? As a male, I don't have the time, because I have the Internet and places to go to!

So why is ABC (and NBC) passing up on game shows, but CBS isn't? You see, the networks are wanting the local affilates to get time for them by airing early newscasts, syndicated shows for local ad revenue. The same could be said years back in the '80s when NBC and CBS had those powerful daytime game show lineups, and some affiliates decided that airing shit like Phil Donahue, or other syndie programming (or locally produced talk shows in large markets) instead of stuff like Scrabble, Classic Concentration, Hot Potato, $25,000 Pyramid, or Card Sharks, could give them more local ad revenue than network programming.

Also there is some questioning about the move by ABC and whether or not affiliates would want to take advantage of airing these shows or pre-empting for syndie and/or local produced shows. That is the burning question that is on the station programming directors in the months to come. Also, who knows what will be on the mend for syndicated programming in the fall now that Oprah is going off the air (thank God!). The natpe convention is in June in LA, and who knows what will be pitched for the fall. Stay tuned!

Playoff Time: NHL Style!

Here in my neck of the woods, the CHL semifinals will begin this week, but the focus of the ice hockey world is focused on the NHL conference quarterfinals.

In the West, the Canucks proved all season that they could be the favorites throughout the playoffs. Roberto Luongo (pictured) is always solid in goal, and the type of performance is what could get the Canucks into Cup mode. Remember, no Canadian franchise since the '92-93 Habs has hoisted Lord Stanley.

The defending Cup champ Blackhawks struggled, but managed to get in the playoffs after a loss on Sunday to the Wings, but had help when the Wild downed the Stars 5-3, eliminating the Stars from playoff contention for the third straight year.

In the East, the Lightning returns to the playoffs after poor seasonal records the past few seasons. They will be the fourth seed as they take on the Pens.

The Habs will be the other Canadian team in the postseason, as they'll be the 6th seed taking on the Bruins in the first round.

With that in mind...the matchups.

WEST quarterfinals
(1) Canucks v (8) Blackhawks begins 4/13
(4) Ducks v (5) Predators begin 4/13
(3) Red Wings v (6) Coyotes begin 4/13
(2) Sharks v (7) Kings begin 4/14

EAST quarterfinals
(1) Capitals v (8) Rangers begin 4/13
(4) Penguins v (5) Lightning begin 4/13
(3) Bruins v (6) Canadiens begin 4/14
(2) Flyers v (7) Sabres begin 4/14

Let the playoffs begin! Of course they'll be on CBC, TSN, Versus, NBC, and various RSN's and possibly NHL Network, so consult your local listings!

The Weekend That Was: April 8-10, 2011

Charl Schwartzel. Remember the name. What a round. The question was, what the fuck was wrong with McIlroy? Oh, and for the record, Mickelson 1 under, Toms 2 under.

The NHL Playoffs are set. Stars are done, more on that later.

Clijsters to miss the French Open? All because of an ankle injury suffered at a wedding.

And sadly, Sidney Lumet, the brilliant director of films such as "Network," passed away Saturday, aged 86. "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!"

So there you have it, the weekend that was.

Herb Lang returns to Centenary this Wednesday!

Herb "Flight Time" Lang, winner of the 1998 College slam dunk championship (and Centenary alumnus) returns to his stopping grounds, the Gold Dome on Wednesday. This is for a charity event sponsored by the Globetrotters, which begins at 11am.

Mayors Glover (Shreveport) and Walker (Bossier City) will be there, as well as the members of the Centenary community including David Rowe himself (yes) and the '10-11 Gents and Ladies hoops team. Three students will have the opportunity to shoot! Lang will take part in a four point shot, the newest innovation you'll only find with the Globetrotters (FIBA, NCAA, NBA, etc. are you listening?)! Also the Globetrotters will donate 50 tickets to Providence House and 40 to the city (of Shreveport's) mentoring initiative for Sunday's Globetrotters-Generals match at CenturyTel Center.

In addition, Lang will be there to lunch at the cafeteria for 45 minutes starting at 12:15pm.

BE THERE!

And for the record, let me remind you about his '98 college slam dunk title (he was senior at Centenary):

A Friendly Reminder...

2007 Brownlow medalist and 2x AFL premiership player Jimmy Bartel, now in his 10th AFL season, all at Geelong.

AFL is back on ESPN2 this weekend.

NOT Arena Football, the OTHER AFL. Australian Football League. Australian Rules Football. Tune in to ESPN2 at 11pm CT Saturday, midnight ET Sunday, as Geelong takes on Port. The Cats, despite losing Gary Ablett Jr. to the expansion Gold Coast club, have a new coach starting off his tenure at 2-0 early in this premiership season. The Cats are one of five unbeatens currently in the AFL after round 2 (West Coast, Adelaide, Collingwood, Sydney are the others). Port is also starting from scratch with a new coach, and the wooden spoon favorites are struggling after losses to Collingwood and the Eagles to start the season.

AFL.com.au has live timing & scoring and radio.

Friday Jukebox 4.8.11

This is really a song that I think will get me through what I want to do in the homestretch of the spring semester...

"All I Want to do is do It.

Big girl, big girl! (2x)

All I Want to do is do it.

Big girl! (10x)"

This is from the big screen version of a skit from a '90s BBC show called Harry Enfield & Chums, in which Enfield's Kevin (the teenager or adult?) and pal Perry (played by a woman) are partying in Ibiza, a well-known international clubbing spot, and encountering one of the best deejays in the world-Eyeball Paul! The movie was released in 2000.  

Excellent soundtrack too.

Take Your Pick!

Four shows. Two weeks. Exciting stage action in Shreveport-Bossier.

This weekend, three plays open. At Bossier Parish Community College, William Saroyan's Time of Your Life, directed by Ray Scott Crawford opened Thursday night, but continues until this Sunday the 10th, and again from the 14th to the 17th. $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, non-military, BPCC students and children. Call Jim at (318) 678.6021 for tickets and info. The play stars Brad Silman and Chelsea Hockaday, as well as the return of Blake Watkins and Matt Carroll to the BPCC stage.

Also this weekend, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, at LSU Shreveport Black Box Theatre. Just like Time of Your Life at BPCC, this is also a two week production, directed by Robert Alford. Crystal Selover, who graduated from BPCC in 2010 is among the cast. $5 to get in, free with LSUS id. Call (318) 797.5283 or theatre@lsus.edu.

And also this weekend, Shreveport Little Theatre's production of A.R. Gurney's The Dining Room, directed by Jared Watson. This Friday and Saturday. $10 adults, $6 children. Call SLT box office, or visit their ticket office on Youree and Ockley during their hours. Centenary senior Emily Mwakitawa is among the cast!

Last but not least, Big Love. The play by Charles Mee. The REAL Big Love, NOT the garbage TV show. The production, directed by Emily Heugatter, at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse is next weekend, from the 14th to the 17th. If you want tickets, ring Luke up at (318) 869.5242! Cast headed by Scott Gibbs, Jacob Bates, Chelsea David, Abigail Presswood, Sandy Rather and Josh Rabalais. Also has David Fitzgibbons, Lauren Morrison and Barry James "BJ" Acosta.

So there you have it. Four reasons why you must see these shows and support the local theater business!

A Tradition Unlike Any Other...

Now that this year's NCAA men's and women's tournaments are done (congrats to A&M and UConn), we welcome back another seasonal tradition-the first golf major of the season at Augusta National!

Will Phil do it again for the umpteenth time?

Here are the tee times for the first and second round. Phil goes out later, so does David Toms. Tiger also with a mid-draw.

And for live T&S, and Westwood One radio...Masters.com!

Friday Jukebox 4.1.11: Wink Martindale a singer? Not an April Fool.

Friday here on MWOATUB, it's Friday Jukebox. On Tic Tac Dough from 1978-85, Wink Martindale declares Friday as "hat day" as TTD fans send in a hat inspired by the dragon.

Not many of y'all know that the Wink Martindale was a singer before his string of hosting game shows. Now you do. And that's no April Fool's joke.

In 1959, he released his most famous single called "Deck of Cards."

He had a few songs released later, including this great tune.

April fools.