Other Revelations in Joe Torre's Upcoming Book The Yankee Years
Which is not to be confused with the best-selling male adolescent sex guide, The Yanking Years.
Jan 30, 2009
NFL 2008 - Super Bowl XLIII
Come on, Steelers. You've got to win. For anything to make any kind of sense, ever again, you've just got to.
"The State" Reunion at SF Sketchfest
If I were able to travel back in time to witness one single event in the history of Earth, it would have been Night 1 of "The State's" reunion show. Please, please, for the love of God, please, put this show out on DVD. I'll do anything. Anything. Well, no... not that. Okay, that.—JM
Professor Uses Mathematics to Decode Beatles Tunes
Why couldn't math have been this awesome when I was growing up?—BK
Jan 29, 2009
"It's a Fat Free Food! Moo!"
Too much committee thinking and group input will invariably lead to the worst possible solution.
Steve Martin: Thinking "Pink"
I like to think the benefit of the Pink Panther remakes is that at least we get a bunch of Steve features and an appearance on SNL around the release date.—BK
Jan 28, 2009
Take Bacon. Add Sausage. Blog.
The internet-fueled rise of The Bacon Explosion. Lord help me, it looks delicious.—BK
Basketball Teams That Wear Long Pants? They're Out There
An interesting read, and remarkable in that it will most certainly be the last piece of writing in human history to address sports legwear length without bringing up President Obama's basketball "dork pants."—JM
Lonely hearts club band
Personal ads in the London Review of Books. We're all just looking for a little companionship. These people do it with dry wit and a charmingly antiquated spelling of "favourite."—JS
Inside the Actors' Studio
Newsweek's annual Oscar roundtable is always terrific, and with Robert Downey, Jr. and Mickey Rourke on hand, this one stays plenty interesting.—BK
Jan 27, 2009
You Got Served
A smart, reasoned take on that whole girls' high school basketball imbroglio down in Texas.—BK
Tuesday Morning Quarterback
There's not much football left this season (i.e., one game), which means there's not much Gregg Easterbook left this season. Read him while you still can!—JM
What, Exactly, Is Slumdog Millionaire?
It seems to take on different forms depending on what people want to project onto it.—JS
The Elements of Spam
If you're going to write spam, at least get these simple guidelines right.—JS
A Wonderful Day for Washington, D.C.
My daughter is really into Enchanted these days, which I bring up because I can no longer watch Timothy Spall in that movie without immediately thinking of Christopher Hitchens (and vice versa). Here, he (Christopher Hitchens, not Timothy Spall) offers an enjoyable, patriotic and – since it's Hitchens – cheeky take on the Obama inauguration.—JM
Jan 26, 2009
Monday Morning Quarterback
It's been a while since I linked to Peter King, but I figured if anybody would be able to make anything of the NFL's pre-Super Bowl off-week, it would be him.—JM
Microsoft Oval Office
Will President Obama have a personal computer in the White House? Recent history suggests he will not.—BK
How Much Is a Best Picture Nomination Worth?
Enough to make the costs of campaigning for one worthwhile.—BK
Jan 23, 2009
Possible Side Effects of Savella, the Newly-Approved Fibromyalgia Drug
Consult your doctor or pharmacist to learn whether these jokes may be right for you.
The Weekly Log - 1/23/09
Normally on Fridays in this space you get an NFL picks column out of me. Such a column is significantly more difficult to put together when there is no NFL football being played, so I debut a new Friday feature. I hope you like it.
One Final Toss For The Dooze
I am by no means a pet person, and I don't usually go in for the sentimental "my beloved dog" stuff. But, to paraphrase the great Bill McNeal, you'd have to be a robot not to cry at this.—JM
10 Fascinating Meetings in Modern History
Good stuff, though sadly the list does not include the time Scooby Doo and the Gang met the Harlem Globetrotters.—BK
Oscar Nomination Talking Points
A fun and flighty set of varied reactions to yesterday's Oscar announcements. (But he needs to get that cough looked at.)—JS
The Alaina Rautio Interview
It's hard to know what to make of this, but it's fanciful and fun to think about.—JS
Jan 22, 2009
Obama Takes Oath Again, Faithfully This Time
Also, on Tuesday, he started talking right after "I, Barack Hussein Obama," stepping on the Chief Justice's "...do solemnly swear." Apparently I'm the only person who remembers this, but, I'm positive George H. W. Bush did the same thing in 1989.—JM
The Cardinal Curse
Which team will really be the reason the Cardinals lose the Super Bowl next Sunday; the Pittsburgh Steelers... or the Pottsville Maroons?—JM
Ridesharing in the Future
An intriguing concept that responds to the economic forecast and even offers an opportunity for profit.—JS
Jan 21, 2009
All the 2008 Movies I Saw
I only saw 20; that's what happens when you start having kids, I'm afraid. But, out of those 20, there were surprisingly few dogs. Find out which one I liked best; I'm sure you're just dying to know.
How the Movies Made a President
It's less about Obama than it is about the changing ways Hollywood has portrayed black men over the last 50 years; but an interesting read nonetheless.—BK
25 Ailments That Can Be Cured By Having Sex
Well, alright... if it will help prevent tooth decay...—BK
New MLB Rules Cause Maple Bat Flap
Typical MLB crisis management: identify a problem long after it has become obvious to everybody, commission a half-assed study, refuse to share the resulting data, then institute unsatisfying new rules that piss people off.—BK
Why Hollywood Needs a New Model for Storytelling
A nice little piece of satire. But I'm also just fearful enough to believe some of it could eventually come true.—BK
Jan 20, 2009
How to Waste an Oscar
In which we examine some films that are shoo-ins for Academy Award nominations, and why they shouldn't (necessarily) be.
"...A Kid in Iowa Who Grows Up To Become President..."
We originally published this piece back in November, but it seems like a good fit for inauguration day. And, if you haven't read it, it's new to you!
"Supergraphics" Anger Tenants In L.A. Office Buildings
You see these giant, multi-story ads on the sides of buildings in Los Angeles, and I always thought, "boy, I would think it would be annoying to work in one of those offices." Turns out it really is.—JM
The Game
An ultra-high-end scavenger hunt goes wrong in the Nevada desert. Beware all activities that require a "liability waiver."—JS
Jan 19, 2009
Crisis-Aversion Index Cards That Get Me Through a Normal Day
It's good to have a support system.—BK
I Don't Want My Web TV
Another brave soul argues against the prevailing wisdom that, since two things have a screen on them, their functionalities should merge. I'm with him.—JS
Top Ten Worst Super Bowl Teams
This list was written before the NFC title game, so the Cardinals aren't on it. And even if the Cardinals win the Super Bowl, they belong on it.—JM
10 Questions We Hope Lost Answers This Season
Of course, answering these questions will create 343 new ones. So be careful what you wish for.—BK
Jan 16, 2009
Surprises Planned for the Obama Inauguration
It can't just be all swearing-in and speeches. It can't!
NFL 2008 - Conference Championships
Pretty much everyone went 1-3 last week; I went 2-2. So, at least that's something. Plus, I single-handedly fix the NFL's overtime problem.
Obama Returns Night-Owl Presidency
As a night-owl myself, I find this sort of thing fascinating.—BK
Winless, But Not Witless...
Much like I had to do seven days ago, The Sports Guy tries to pick up the pieces after an 0-4 weekend with the NFL picks.—JM
My Tape Measure - An Appreciation
Whenever there's a slow link day, you can count on Michael Ian Black.—JS
Jan 15, 2009
12 Underappreciated Comedy Actors and Actresses
These people are smart, funny, and hardworking. What do they have to do to get the recognition they deserve? Be smarter, funnier, and hardworkinger?
Rob Thomas and Company Get Ready to Party Down
Co-created by Paul Rudd and Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas! Featuring Ken Marino! And Jane Lynch! And Martin Starr! With a guest appearance by Enrico Colantoni! It's a veritable stew of underappreciated favorites! But it'll be on Starz. (Wait, I get Starz!)—BK
The Minnesota Recount Was Unconstitutional
Big surprise: in an election where 2.9 million votes were cast, and the "winner" "won" by 225, there's controversy surrounding the result!—JM
Hell to the Chief
Will Ferrell and Adam McKay prepare to take Ferrell's Bush impression to Broadway (and HBO! Woo-hoo!) for a one-man show farewell.—BK
Jan 14, 2009
"American Idol" Is Back, and I've Got It Covered
Now that "American Idol" is losing steam and getting desperate, to the point of adding a fourth judge to a panel that's been the same for seven years, I figure this is the perfect time to start writing about it on the internet.
How the City Hurts Your Brain
Interesting research regarding the impact of urban stimuli on our mental health.—BK
Is Obama a Real Post-Partisan?
Barack Obama, Bill Kristol, David Brooks, George F. Will and Charles Krauthammer sit down to dinner together... no, that's not the setup to a dirty joke whose punchline involves sodomy. It's what happened last night in Chevy Chase, MD.—JM
Homeland Security USA Reviewed
This occupies 60 minutes of ABC's airtime when we could be watching Pushing Daisies. It's enough to make a man don an explosive vest.—JS
Jan 13, 2009
A.V. Club Interview: Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement of Flight Of The Conchords
The hilarious New Zealand duo talk about the upcoming season of their HBO series.—BK
Film Critic Whores of the Year
The evidence is piled on, so skim liberally, but some powerhouse entries (like Peter Travers's baby-on-baby action) mustn't be missed. (I won't soon forget this instant-classic gem: "Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson are this generation's most engaging on-screen couple.")—JS
From Daguerreotype to Photoshop
An interesting look at the emerging field of photography-as-art-history. Sort of heady, but that's okay once in a while.—JM
Tuesday Morning Quarterback
The world's best, longest, and least-about-football football column is almost done for the year; don't miss it while it's still around!—JM
Ignorance is Not a Sportswriting Skill
Kaufman calls out baseball writers on their habitual disdain for statistical innovation. The man certainly knows how to curry my favor.—BK
They're Just Two Wild And Crazy Guys
Steve Martin turns up in a family home movie shot at Disneyland and starts a correspondence with its auteur. (Steve Martin completists, start around 20:19.)—JS
Jan 12, 2009
The Best Show On TV
The title goes back to "30 Rock"... and, since all that needs to be said about that show's principals has been said already, we take a bit of a look at the episodes written by the man who's written most of the best ones.
The Cobra
A look at movie marketing via a profile of one highly-skilled practitioner of that art. An utterly fascinating and depressing look at the state of modern studio moviemaking.—BK
40 For Cooperstown
I enjoy Baseball Hall of Fame debates, as long as we acknowledge that it's all just time-filling silliness. Because as long as Bert Blyleven isn't in (he was denied induction again today), no one can actually take this seriously.—JM
Let Freedom Ring: Busting the Myth of the Salary Cap
A solid argument against the idea that baseball desperately needs a salary cap to maintain competitive balance.—BK
Jan 9, 2009
Better Ways to Pick a College Football Champion
Anything's better than the system they have now. Am I right, ladies?
NFL 2008 - Divisional Playoffs
This is the week we turn it around. I feel good about things. I mean, if I can go 0-4 last week, I can just as easily go 4-0 this week. I mean, you'd think so, right?
The End Matter
For all the grammar nerds who've flocked to us following yesterday's posting of the "wherefore" rant and the spell-checker analysis, this will delight you.—JS
Found Objects: The Recently Deflowered Girl
If you've never read anything by Edward Gorey, consider this out-of-print 1965 parody of an etiquette book – written as Hyacinthe Phyppe, fake social expert – your introduction to his demented genius.—BK
National Mall Reflects Magnificence and Neglect
As millions prepare to descend upon D.C. for the Obama inauguration, the place where they will spend a good deal of their time is in disrepair.—BK
Gay-Tham for Statham
Oswalt makes the case for improving this year's award season movies with a little dash of Jason Statham.—JS
Jan 8, 2009
My Year of Flops Redundancy Case Files #127 and #128: The Big Bounce and The Big Bounce
A look at twin failed adaptations of the same Elmore Leonard novel. An entertaining read, even if you haven't seen either film (as I have not).—BK
Who Checks the Spell-Checkers?
A compare-and-contrast look at the various methodologies used by spell-check programs in word processing versus online search engines. What's that? It sounds boring? Well... you're boring!—JM
Putting an End to the Lebron-to-NYC Drama
I know next to nothing about the NBA, and even I can find a lot wrong this this piece. Still, it makes for a good read, as do most things dealing with the Lebron-to-New York topic.—JM
"Wherefore" does not mean where
Is there anything better than a good language rant? I submit that there is not!—JS
Jan 7, 2009
No Wonder Don Larsen Was Perfect
Kaufman watches this week's MLB Network rebroadcast of Larsen's World Series perfect game and wonders if it says more about the state of the game in 1956 than the pitcher himself.—BK
When Life is Just a Bowl of Freebies
Gift bag fever spreads into the BCS bowl games.—BK
Apples for a Nickel, and Plenty of Empty Seats
Looking back to the 1930s for clues about how baseball might weather the current economic downturn.—BK
Jan 6, 2009
Where Do the Lions Go From Here?
What can the Detroit Lions learn from eight other NFL teams that have suffered through disastrous seasons? Plenty.
Pat Hingle Dies at 84
Some nice details from a career that spanned five decades and, according to IMDB.com, nearly 200 different characters, including the guest spot I'll always remember him for: Colonel Daniel Webster Tucker in a classic April Fool's episode of MASH.—BK
First Person Plural
Studies indicate that when we fight our temptations we really fight with ourselves. Struggling to lose weight, quit smoking, or finish that novel? The good news is, either way you win!—JS
Clint Eastwood: What I've Learned
Pretty much what you'd expect – "in my day" this, "kids today are pussies" that – which is to say: awesome.—JM
Jan 5, 2009
The Nine Most Under-Appreciated Films of My Lifetime
I wrote this a few months ago, but it still holds true. Besides, if you haven't read it, it's new to you!
Resuscitation: A Q&A With the Creator of Scrubs
An interview with Bill Lawrence on the eve of the show's revival on ABC.—BK
Bleeping Expletives
Safire elucidates – as only he can – the pertinent distinctions among the terms we use to indicate foul language.—JS
Favorite TV Characters of 2008
Meets the minimum acceptable standard by listing Jack Donaghy, then exceeds it by including several Poop Reading favorites from Pushing Daisies, The Office, and How I Met Your Mother.—BK
A Series of Letters to the First Girl I Ever Fingered
Michael Ian Black strikes again.—BK
Jan 2, 2009
Better Uses for NBC's 10pm Time Slot Than Giving It to Jay Leno
Is it possible to burn a time slot? Or feed it to wolves?
NFL 2008 - Wild Card Playoffs
I would have sworn that it was "on a pile of money with many beautiful women," but, I looked it up and Brandon had it right. I shouldn't have doubted him. Anyway, here's some crap about football.
11 Words That Sound Offensive, But Aren't
Including helpful conversational tips and a few nice ways to spend fifty bucks. (Hat tip, Michael R.)—JS
Ravens' Pryce is a Screenwriter
A professional athlete and a burgeoning screenwriter. I suppose he also sleeps on a pile of money with many beautiful ladies.—BK
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