30 Years Ago, August 1, 1981

The birth of "music television":

Now look where it is today...GARBAGE.

Even the Dead Kennedy's are right about it!

Friday Jukebox 7.29.11

This week's Friday's Jukebox focuses on some more 80s goodness, this time-Evelyn "Champagne" King. In 1977, her first hit was "Shame." Five years later, "Love Come Down" was to me her second greatest hit.

Hideki Irabu Died.

Apparent suicide, aged 42.

Irabu came to the states in the late '90s with the Yankees after a successful career back home in Japan, one of the world's biggest baseball markets. After a few seasons he was traded to the Expos (Nationals) and then to the Rangers.

34-35 overall record, 5.15 earned run average until 2002, his last year at the Rangers. He had some off-field trouble that hampered his career.

Take a Risk, Take a Chance, Take a Dare...

A burglar Double Dare'd Alex Trebek, but unfortunately he suffered a ruptured achilles tendon that required walking in crutches. Burglar arrested, however I'm glad that burglar wasn't Marjorie Goodson. A big sign of relief for all of his fans, including me.

You Beauty!

The Australian Rules football mark. A BIG integral part of the game. No matter what level-AFL, SANFL, WAFL, etc. it's an important part.

From Alex Jesaulenko's Mark of the Year in 1970 to Gary Moorcroft's in 2001 and Ashley Sampi's in 2004, these are the moments that makes it spectacular.

Two of the best mark of the year contenders in the AFL:

Nic Naitanui against Carlton Round 14 (my pick of mark of the year):

And here's Andrew "1AW" Walker's against Essendon on Saturday in Round 18:

Both are spectacular. But here's the difference. Naitanui's mark got 110,000 hits while Walker's got 2+ million hits. Thanks Yahoo for getting more people in the states who don't know about it to expose them to the sport! But I wish we can see more of Nic Nat's mark! Six more rounds to go and who knows who top both Walker and Naitanui for a car? Stay tuned.

NFL: Now Open for Business.

If you haven't heard, on Tuesday, the lockout ended. Now it's the sights and sounds of training camp. We have a season.

Athletics Fight!

Check out the two French runners tangling after a race...one of them pulls a Zidane!

Not common to see a thing like this at an athletics event. 

I Think I Should've Gone to Rehab...

But you're now...DEAD, DEAD, DEAD!

Good riddance.

Friday Jukebox 7.22.11

This week I've been scouring music choices as to what I want to choose for this week's FJ. And I came up on this great 1979 masterpiece from Italian Gino Soccio called "The Visitors." Italo Disco at it's finest, especially at this stage.

Bellator 47 North of the Border eh?

This Saturday night marks the return of my favorite MMA promotion...BELLATOR! In the midst of their "Summer Series," the featherweight tournament is heating up! Now we're in semifinal action.

Nazareno Malegarie will take on Marlon Sandro in one semifinal match, while Pat Curran will take on Ronnie "Kid Ninja" Mann in the other.

In case you missed last month's Bellator 46, check out why Curran and Mann are this far into the $100k tournament...

And now you know why. Great stuff and finishers that you see more of in Bellator than in the ZUFFA universe!

CARD

Featherweight Semifinals

(145lb/65.25kg)

Nazareno Malegarie v Marlon Sandro

Ronnie Mann v Pat Curran

Also note that this is the promotion's first foray north of the border at CASINO RAMA in Ontario. Canada is a big MMA market, but basically it's legal except a few places, including the province of Saskatchewan.

LIVE on MTV2 this Saturday at 8pm USCDT.



Smooth & Creamy?

Is it just me or is Rupert testing out Jonnie Marbles' new concoction of an extremely foamy shaving cream? You decide.

Check out his wife (in pink coat) swatting toward him. And as a result, the comedian should now gain more followers on his twitter account (@JonnieMarbles).

All Good Things Must Come to an End.

Homare Sawa, winner of the Golden Boot (left), Abby Wambach winner of the Bronze Boot (right).

An exciting tournament that led to an exciting final, but who couldn't resist the toughness that coach Norio Sasaki put into his ladies throughout the tournament? The upset over Germany in the quarterfinals and defeated the US on penalty kicks.

This is a program that had to overcome adversity, despite the natural disasters earlier in the year. Reminds me of the Saints' Super Bowl win over a year ago in XLIV, just 4 1/2 years after Katrina flooded the city and torn off parts of the Superdome.

Well done Coach Sasaki. A great moment for sport in the continent of Asia period. However, I feel that US Soccer women will be back in full form at both the Olympics in London (you know there's qualifiers for the Olympics). Congrats to both teams. Homare Sawa got the Golden Ball (best overall on field performance) and Golden Boot (most goals in the tournament). Sawa scored a monumental goal in extra time that sent the final to penalty kicks.

In my honest opinion, the tournament is better than the men's last year. The difference in this final and the men's final between the Dutch and Spaniards last year-yellow cards. Fewer yellow cards in the Japan-USA women's final than the men's final last year. Not a bad thing, but a good thing.

Now on to the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The 2015 Women's World Cup-to take place north of the border-currently has seven venues-including the Skydome and the newly-rebuilt BC Place Stadium, site of the 99th Grey Cup/Coupe de Grey on U.S. Thanksgiving weekend. The Bombers' new stadium as well as Commonwealth Stadium, home of the Eskimos and the site of the 2001 IAAF World Championships in Athletics, are also proposed sites. Not sure if all eight CFL stadiums will be used, even though the CFL usually kicks off their season on Canada Day weekend. It might change.

Friendly Jersey Swap...

Remember the 1999 Women's World Cup final where after her winning goal on penalty kicks to win the World Cup for the US, Brandi Chastain took her jersey off showing her sports bra? We'll the sports bra is once again in the news, but 12 years later and this time again, it's in the Women's World Cup!

Watch as Jodie Oqvist and a German fan exchange jerseys after a match and you'll see why.

DISCLAIMER: Contains Sean Paul Henriquez music. Watch at your own risk.

Too bad ZDF blurred it out for no apparent reason. Where were they in July 1999 when Chastain scored the winning PK against China? Argh.

Friday Jukebox 7.15.11

Since the Fina World Championships is in Shanghai and Japan is in the Women's World Cup final, this seems an appropriate fit.

Anyway, in 1983, Ryuichi Sakamoto composed the theme from "Merry Christmas, Mr.  Lawrence" and in 1999, the tune re-surfaced into a trance classic by Watergate.

Fina World Championships in Aquatics 2011 is Here!

The biggest stepping stone to London in the waters at Shanghai begins this weekend, but with a scare.

There is a threat looming over Shanghai this weekend-contaminated meat. All the competitors are being warned about eating meat injected with clenbuterol. Clenbuterol is a substance that is deemed illegal under WADA standards. Basically every team is ignoring local meats, including US and Australia.

Why are these precautions taken? Just read the damn article.

And for the competition, it begins Saturday with some diving.  Water polo begins on Sunday morning at 9:30am local time with women's play as US takes on the Dutch. Also Synchronised swimming begins on Sunday too. The men's water polo takes to the pool with the first game on Monday between Montenegro and Hungary. Finally, the swimming portions begins, with open water on Tuesday and the actual swimming on Sunday the 24th.

For all the news (even some live results), go to their web site.

Primetime Emmy Nominations Out! **RANT!!**

Yes folks, the Emmy nominations were announced by the NATAS Thursday morning. And again it's the same old shit.

However there's some bright sides to this. If you're a fan of Mad Men like I am, the show gathered 19 nominations, including best drama, actor in a drama series (Jon Hamm), actress in a drama series (Elisabeth Moss), supporting actor in a drama series (John Slattery) and supporting actress in a drama series (Christina Hendricks).

On the other hand, a lot of people are pissed that the categories doesn't look right. I am one of those. Let's give some pointers here.

1. Best drama series. Dexter and Friday Night Lights, two of the worst drama shows on TV, are nominated. One show that should've been nominated: Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club-Redwood Original. Kurt Sutter is definitely pissed right now. I'm glad True Blood is not in that category. Just like Dexter and Friday Night Lights, just utter rubbish.

2. Best actress in a drama series. Once again, NBC has bought Mrs. Peter Hermann into that category for the umpteenth time (money talks people, it should be investigated *donk donk*), when there's even better offerings from the likes of Kyra Sedgwick and her full line of purses (The Closer), and Mrs. Kurt Sutter herself, Katey Sagal (SAMCRO)!

3. Best comedy/variety series. Where the fuck is Jimmy Kimmel and Chelsea Handler? Did the morons probably didn't nominate Kimmel or Handler in because of:
a. ABC or E! doesn't give a fuck about late night comedies, just ratings.
b. If Handler or Kimmel left their networks for-let's just say tbs, Comedy Central or FX they'd get nominated. Maybe.
c. ABC or E! lacked money and spent it on other projects.
d. Kimmel's recent attack on Canada after the Vancouver riots.
e. Handler's rant on the Amy Winehouse concert in Belgrade that caused Serbs to over react.
f. The morons think they're unfunny, but every late night host is equal in mediocrity, with George Lopez the worst.

Also note that SNL is nominated in this category. The show has been slowly dying since 2003, and died when Tina Fey left the show (she was co-head writer and co-anchor with Jimmy Fallon and Amy Poehler on my favorite part of the show-Weekend Update).

Bill Maher is more political than let's say, Kimmel, Handler, and the other late night hosts, even Stewart and Colbert. He shouldn't be there either.

Is it just me, or are the majority of NATAS members are brainless morons who probably don't know what a good show is like and waste their brain cells on eating too much KFC? Overweight 250+ lb. fat chicks who probably know what's good for themselves and not what is for the good of the industry. Maybe NATAS will change everything and allow the fans to vote online. Hopefully it will happen soon. End all award corruption now! After all, they're just a joke period.

Oh and for the record, the complete list of nominees.

The Open Championships 141 This Weekend!

No David Toms due to injury. Same with Tiger Woods. However, the champ is back. Louie Oosthuizen, who tees off on Thursday at 2:21pm local time (8:21am USCDT).

This year, The 141st Open Championships is at Royal St. Georges at Sandwich. Another one of the courses in the fine line of rough courses in the UK. Should be interesting.

NOTABLE TEE TIMES (7.14, 7.15)
**ALL TIMES LOCAL TO THE COURSE**
Jerry Kelly (6:30am, 11:31am)
Mark Calcavecchia (6:41am, 11:42am)
Mark O'Meara (7:14am, 12:15pm)
KJ Choi (7:47am, 12:48pm)
Stewart Cink (8:20am, 1:21pm)
Angel Cabrera (8:31am, 1:32pm)
Dustin Johnson (8:42am, 1:43pm)
Ernie Els (9:09am, 2:10pm)
Rickie Fowler (9:09am, 2:10pm)
Rory McIlroy (9:09am, 2:10pm)
Sergio Garcia (9:20am, 2:21pm)
Retief Goosen (9:31am, 2:32pm)
David Duval (9:42am, 2:43pm)
John Daly (9:53am, 2:54pm)
Rory Sabbatini (12:26pm, 7:25am)
YE Yang (12:59pm, 7:58am)
Lucas Glover (1:10pm, 8:09am)
Padraig Harrington (1:21pm, 8:20am)
Zach Johnson (1:32pm, 8:31am)
Graeme McDowell (1:43pm, 8:42am)
Jim Furyk (1:59pm, 8:58am)
Lee Westwood (2:10pm, 9:09am)
Charl Schwartzel (2:10pm, 9:09am)
Louie Oosthuizen (2:21pm, 9:20am)
Phil Mickelson (2:21pm, 9:20am)
Tom Watson (2:32pm, 9:31am)
Davis Love III (2:43pm, 9:42am)
Tom Lehman (3:38pm, 10:37am)

There's live scoring at the Open website! ESPN here in the states will have exclusive coverage all weekend long. Check local listings!

Great Comeback!

GOLAZO! AZO AZO AZO! One of the best matches in Women's World Cup history, in a match that was full of bad calls by those damn refs and wrongfully gave Rachel Buehler a red, costing her the rest of this year's World Cup after Marta took her down. Dead giveaway when Marta should've got the red. Anyway, 5-3 on PK's and the rest is history. On to the semis against France on Wednesday. Good thing US has two more days of football with the semis on Wednesday and either third place on Saturday and the final on Sunday.

Who would've thought it happened on a day, something happened which also was on that day 12 years ago...

GO US SOCCER!

Friday Jukebox 7.8.11

Some fun to end the week and get your mind off some of the shit that happened during the week. This is a masterpiece. Claudia Barry's "Boogie Woogie Dancin' Shoes," released in 1978. Enjoy.

Yao Retires!?

It was announced today. The question remains, if the China national team plays in London next July, will he be able to suit up for the games? All that and more are right here.

Oh, and for the record, I'll probably miss this...

'Dallas' is Back!

It's been 20 years since the series finale cliffhanger from the '90-91 season in which JR killed himself...or did he? Will the series finale from that season carry on when the pilot airs soon on TNT? Who knows? As for the cast, I'm not giving any spoilers here. Just read for yourself.

Tragedy at a Rangers Game.

**NSFW**

Man was doing something for his son. A firefighter who like other firefighters sacrificing lives for others is sacrificing his son. The ultimate sacrifice. May that man rest in peace.

A big terrible tragedy that not only affects Rangers fans, but the organization, even Nolan Ryan and Josh Hamilton are terrified.

As for the kid, who knows where he'll go from here. He must be terrified too.

Wow! A Great Fireworks Show!

Watch for yourself! **NSFW where applicable**

Some TV News You Can Use.

As much as I'm a fan of both (going back to seasons 2-9 of SVU), this will make a lot of their fans happy knowing they're back on the TV screen. Where they will be seen, we'll, just read the damn article here.

Joey Does it Again!

62 HOT DOGS!

An 84 degree Independence Day on Coney Island was the backdrop of the annual Nathan's Hot Dog eating competition, truly a 4th of July tradition unlike no other. Congrats Joey!

And the 2018 Winter Olympics Goes to...

The city of Pyeongchang, South Korea! The city was one of a few cities that tried to outbid Sochi, Russia for 2014, finally got their wish. The city beat out two others for the hosting, and the IOC announced Wednesday that it will get the 2018 games. Read the story here.

My take on all of this: South Korea's men and women's ice hockey will have a tough time against powers such as USA, Canada, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Also on the men's side, will the IIHF continue to let NHL players play in the Olympics? The IIHF will continue to do so for Sochi, but for Pyeongyang, that's a different story.

For Those That Missed Out On the Action... (RANT!)

Yesterday, the verdict was in. Casey Anthony found NOT GUILTY. A few pointers here...

1. Most people, like myself, don't give a shit.

2. Why is this overshadowing the Women's World Cup in Germany and other things happening to the world?

3. More things are happening worldwide than this bullshit.

I don't care what happens to her, now that she killed her daughter. She can go to hell for all I care. Now can we get back to the finer things in life?

Thank you.

Only in the CFL!

Check out this touchdown celebration after an interception return for a touchdown in the Bombers' season opener against the Ti-Cats!

In the NFL, it's a 15 yard penalty. Same in college, where celebrations used to be a norm until the early '90s.

This is why CFL, AFL (Arena) and UFL, even the old USFL and XFL are the best football leagues for fun!

Happy Birthday America!

235 YEARS OLD!

Born (and raised) in the USA for all my years!

Speaking of Born in the USA...check out Megan Rapinoe's cover (sort of) of one of the Boss' greatest hits ever!

Nothing beats the Boss!

Be safe on this Independence Day 2011!

Bring It On!

An annual Independence Day tradition. The stars of MLE and other competitive eaters testing their stomachs to see who will come on top at the Nathan's Hot Dog eating competition at Coney Island Monday afternoon.

Joey Chestnut has won the mustard belt the last couple of years, but since his chief competitor Takeru Kobayashi out due to contract dispute with IFOCE and MLE, he has no competition. Just look at the competition. The usual suspects even some new blood. Who knows who will show up? 11am Central on ESPN LIVE later today!

An End of an Era.

After 43 years of the free-to-air network for the Championships at Wimbledon, NBC was outbid...by ESPN. Read it here.

It seems that even though NBC will retain RG's, I think it will be a sign of an improvement because everyone, even myself, are angered over their "same time zone" shit that bothers people. Today isn't really that damn important anymore (same could be said for other morning shows-network or cable-because they're all useless), and that really killed this experiment that the network has done for years.

ESPN outbid Fox and NBC for the rights, but will they relegate some of the matches to be televised live on either Tennis Channel or FTA on ABC? Who knows? NBC needs tennis because tennis is an Olympic sport and All-England will be the tennis venue for the London games next July. But I really think it hits a network hard for all the years it has brought this grand slam event to America, even though they've fucked up the last few years.

The overall story is, who gives a fuck? Radio Wimbledon all the way!

Wimbledon Now in the Rear View Mirror.

The 125th Championships at Wimbledon is complete. Congrats to all the winners including Petra Kvitova, who scored her first grand slam championship on Saturday and Novak Djokovic, who is now the world's number one, and has a grand slam to boot as well!

So with all that in mind, that marks the 3/4 mark of the grand slam in 2011. The US Open Series will begin in a few weeks, and all will lead to the final grand slam of the year at the USTA Complex at Flushing Meadows in the NYC borrough of Queens in late August!

Friday Jukebox 7.1.11

On Monday, the US of A celebrates its 235th birthday! It's appropriate that a little Lee Greenwood must be played to make it more patriotic. I am proud to be an American-for all 28 years I've been on planet Earth!

Oh, and for those of you north of the border, happy Canada Day.

And one more note, regardless of where you'll be all weekend long, PLEASE be safe. If fireworks used (where applicable, but do some research because in some areas, it's outlawed this year because of the burn bans), please be careful. Overall, just be safe.

Out With the Old, In With the New.

Thursday was the last official day as a Division I school for Centenary College of Louisiana. Today, it's the first day as Division III level and as a member of the American Southwest Conference (ASC).

Every athletic facility on campus at Centenary-from Shehee Stadium to the Gold Dome-is undergoing makeovers, so all Summit stuff are probably thrown out or set on fire.

On a related note, more Centenary athletics news-new swimming schedule is out this week, so check out the Gents and Ladies meet schedules here and here, as the swimming program will compete in Division II and in the New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference. The Gents program will start off on September 9 on the left coast in a meet at Stanford, and both Gents and Ladies programs will also have a meet at TCU on October 7. Their first home meet will be on October 22 with Austin College-Hendrix, while their final home meet will be on November 5, their conference opener with Henderson State.

Jagr Returns to North America!

Yes! After a few years off to play over in the KHL (Russia), he is back in North America months before the 2011-12 NHL season begins, but what team does he chose to come back to? The answer is here.