Two TiVos To Paradise

Inqlings: Soul-ful name for 'JJZ studio
By Michael Klein
Inquirer Columnist
Sports teams sell naming rights, but the Philadelphia Soul football franchise is going the other way.
Soul president Ron Jaworski and WJJZ (97.5) station manager Jim Brown tomorrow will announce that the smooth-jazz station will be broadcasting from Philadelphia Soul Studios. (Both entities dub themselves "the Soul of the City.")
It's part of a joint diversity program aimed at youth called Peace Through Music, which will send WJJZ's Michael Tozzi and Soul player Mike Brown into the community. Doubt that WJJZ will now play the music of Jon Bon Jovi, who owns the Soul with developer Craig Spencer.

(Though not mentioned, this franchise is in the Arena Football League.)

Patriots WR Donte Stallworth claims Martian alter-ego

Wonder if "Nicco" gets his own room and per diem on the road.
http://news.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1068167

Is this a cry for help, or a guy hoping for an ESPN2 reality show?

Academy Awards nominees announced

Analysis: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080122/ap_en_mo/oscar_nominations

Full list: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/oscar_nominations_list;_ylt=ApEJgx2Xvm_fuTtIcGb_nc.mG78C

Defamer's Oscar snubs:
http://defamer.com/347638/oscars-biggest-snubs-a-post+mortem

Tom Brady seen wearing walking cast on foot in NY

Quarterback says injury sustained in win over Chargers is 'nothing serious.'
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22773824/

Monday, January 21, 2008

The World's Strongest Celebrity

Coming to television, courtesy of the man who brought us "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire."
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117979424.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

I'm pretty sure the next game show/reality hybrid is going to be "Celebrity How Many Fingers Am I Holding Up Behind My Back?" with host Carrot Top.

ESPN True Hollywood Story: Tom Brady

Great Brady Bunch parody, starring Tom as the fourth Brady Brother.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2rcLzLpRgs

Super Bowl wagers could set Nevada record

New England Patriots favored by 13.5 over the New York Giants in the opening point spread. The over/under for total points scored is 54. http://www.lvrj.com/sports/13942862.html

Gold and Platinum awards for December

For CD sales. Ken Barnes of USA Today Reports:
http://blogs.usatoday.com/listenup/2008/01/riaa-awards-pla.html

Crime Fiction Writers using web for research

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUSN1711718820080117?sp=true

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Actress Suzanne Pleshette has died

She was 70. http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2008/01/19/2008-01-19_actress_suzanne_pleshette_dies_at_70.html?ref=nl&nltr_ct=1&nltr_id=Actress%20Suzanne%20Pleshette%20dies%20at%2070

Saturday, January 19, 2008

When 3rd on The Rich List isn't enough

Sheldon Adelsohn, Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp. which just opened Palazzo Las Vegas. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/17/business/17adelson.html?th&emc=th

Hotel website: http://www.palazzolasvegas.com/

Why is Friday Night Lights a bust?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/magazine/20wwln-medium-t.html?ref=magazine

"FNL" Stars know how to make a marriage work:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-ca-performance20jan20,1,3096609.story?coll=la-entnews-tv&ctrack=3&cset=true

Close contest could make John Edwards kingmaker

at Democratic Convention. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7979.html

Debbie Gibson Summer Camp

Sorry, Deborah Gibson.
I wanna go.
Beats the dopey camp I got sent to.
We never had counselors with top 40 hits.
Or posed for Playboy, for that matter.
Free plug: http://www.campelectricyouth.com/

Friday, January 18, 2008

Meet the man who makes the (point) spread

Las Vegas Sun: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jan/18/s-spread/

CNBC's Erin Burnett on Late Night with Conan O'Brien

The lovely Erin Burnett visits Conan; here's the complete video: http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=625282532

AP Preparing Britney Spears' obituary

Associate Press "(has) to be prepared." http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,323826,00.html

Tim Dorsey's Aromic Lobster

Book Description:
Why is everyone rushing to flee Tampa on a cruise ship to hell?
Serge is back with a bullet, torn between homicide and souvenirs. So is Coleman, torn between getting hammered and getting more hammered. Then there's good ol' Jim Davenport, the E-Team, the Diaz Brothers, and Johnny Vegas, the Accidental Virgin, cranking up the fevered action as the pot boils over on a street called Lobster Lane.
It's reunion time in the Sunshine State, and we're not just talking the family jamboree of that blood-soaked criminal clan, the McGraws, whose nastiest, meanest member is finally released from prison and heads south bent on revenge. On top of it all, the government is covering up a growing list of mysterious victims across Florida who may or may not be connected to a nefarious plot being hatched against national security.
But wait! There's more on the horizon! Who is the oddly familiar femme fatale named Rachael? Is Serge wrong that guns, drugs, and strippers don't mix? What sets the Non-Confrontationalists off on a rampage? What finally brings Coleman and Lenny together? Will they succeed in building the biggest bong ever? And can Serge surf a rogue wave to victory?
So batten the hatches, don the life jackets, and take cover as all these questions and more are answered in the latest adventure from the acclaimed author of Hurricane Punch.

Review: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080117/ap_en_re/book_review_atomic_lobster_1

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Lobster-Novel-Tim-Dorsey/dp/0060829699/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200698493&sr=1-1

Tim's website: www.TimDorsey.com

Seinfeld sends Manning complete box set

Eli can get his fix in Green Bay, after all. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080118/ap_en_tv/fbn_no_seinfeld

Wal-Mart eliminates 1000 magazine titles

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01182008/business/cleaning_the_racks_368974.htm?page=0

Fox Sports' Jeannie Zelasko recovering from thyroid cancer sugery

Fox Sports anchor/reporter Jeanne Zelasko continues to recover at home in Northridge after 4½ hours of surgery last Friday to remove a cancerous tumor from her thyroid gland. She said she dodged a bullet as her doctor told her Wednesday that the pathology report looked great and the cancer was localized. That the fact the gland did not attach itself to the muscle meant they did not have to remove lymph nodes. Next up: Radiation treatment. "I'm great," she said. "I will sooner suffer death by flowers than this cancer stuff. The love via the florist has been overwhelming. And so appreciated."

---Tom Hoffarth, media columnist
LA Daily News

Palazzo Las Vegas

Glitz, Glamour, Grandiosity:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2008-01-17-palazzo_N.htm?csp=Travel

Opening Signals Las Vegas' Upscale Turn:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2008-01-17-vegas-development_N.htm?csp=Travel

Jersey Boys, playing at the Palazzo: http://www.jerseyboysinfo.com/vegas/cast.html

Tiger Woods "lynching" controversy takes new turn

Now Golfweek has fired the editor who approved the cover art showing a noose and hightlighting the coverage inside the magazine. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/19/sports/golf/19magazine.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Television is going to be a "Circus" this summer

We could have dueling "Circus of the Stars" type shows.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117979261.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Jeff Buick's Delicate Chaos

Back in November, I had a chance to chat with Jeff via e-mail about his new book, DELICATE CHAOS. Since it is now available, I thought I'd share the info once again with a wider audience.

Here's what Jeff told me: "About Delicate Chaos. It features Leona Hewitt, a Washington DC banker, whose decision to okay a corporate restructuring is derailed when people start dying of unnatural causes. Like murder. If you liked African Ice, you’ll probably like this one as well, Dave. A lot of the book is set in Kenya, where Leona provides money to the villages through a non-profit organization. While the wheels are coming off in DC, they’re also going sideways really fast in Africa. The two storylines tie together at the end."

To order the book: http://www.amazon.com/Delicate-Chaos-Jeff-Buick/dp/0843960388/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200630529&sr=1-1

All of Jeff's books: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/104-4085863-1929538?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Jeff%20Buick

Jeff's website: http://www.jeffbuick.com/

Good Morning Cincinnati

Dance Party Friday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cJsw-XhDjc

Dancing With Myself - Dance Party Friday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMrsjicVBZw

Dance Party Friday - Christmas Edition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_nlLcC9e20&feature=related

A Low-Wattage Grammy Awards?

ANY show would be an improvement over the Golden Globes... though the Grammy folks were hoping for a BIG show for the 50th Grammys.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/17/arts/music/17gram.html

Nashville Star moves from USA to NBC

This summer: http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/james-hibberd/2008/01/nashville_star_moves_to_nbc.php

Santana deal before Spring Training?

Mets could be frontrunners in a three team battle that also includes the Yankees and Red Sox.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/13853476.html

Rick Reilly - Time off between SI and ESPN

How to turn the non-compete time between the end of your gig at Sports Illustrated and your new job with The Worldwide Leader into the best time of your life.
http://westword.com/2008-01-17/news/rick-reilly-loving-limbo/full

NFL to play another regular season game in London

Many Dolphins fans likely suggest playing the whole season at Wembley Stadium.
http://www.nfluk.com/news-display.php?id=2867

Marlins hire Glenn Geffner as #2 radio announcer

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/383405.html

Golfweek not letting "lynching" controversy end

Cover story rehashes Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman's ill-advised comments regarding Tiger Woods.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/2008-01-16-golfweek-cover-image_N.htm

EMI- Record label in crisis

The Rolling Stones will release their next album with another label; other artists threatening to withhold their new projects.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120052726399195785.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

"Stuttering" John Melendez movie

Picked up by National Lampoon for theatrical and home video distribution.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117979198.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Will Ferrell to Broadway?

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01162008/entertainment/theater/where_theres_a_will_______953566.htm?page=0

Fla. woman gets restaining order against Randy Moss

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-116randymoss,0,2090317.story

Tony Sparano: Dolphins Made Man

Fins' new Head Coach: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-sparano011608,0,2168739.story?coll=sofla_tab01_layout

Why Idol Changed Radio...

And Will Likely Continue To. Sean Ross writes: http://www.edisonresearch.com/home/archives/2008/01/why_idol_change.php

O.J. Simpson's bail doubled; gets a scolding

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080116/people_nm/simpson_dc_4

Coca-Cola, Ford, AT&T: $35M to sponsor "Idol"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080116/tv_nm/idol_sponsors_dc

American Idol Ratings

Good News: Top show of the season.
Bad News: Down 11% (4 million viewers) from last year.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080116/ap_en_tv/tv_american_idol

Analysis from TVByTheNumbers.com: http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/01/16/overnight-results-for-tuesday-january-15/2409#more-2409

Early live Beatles music to be released

A small label in Miami claims to have tapes from Germany in 1962, the oldest recordings to feature Ringo on drums. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003697074 Release date and info to come.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Katie Couric Caught On Tape

From Harry Shearer's My Damn Channel via Huffington Post.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/15/katie-couric-caught-on-ta_n_81594.html

Actor Brad Renfro dead at 25

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/celebrity/la-me-renfro16jan16,1,7818689.story?coll=la-celebrity-news

Writers Strike puts Grammy Awards in jeopardy

http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=549991

Oprah: The Network

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003696625

Monday, January 14, 2008

Baseball - 7 teams with unfinished business

Spring Training is weeks away and its time for some teams to get going. Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal writes: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7662484

Baseball's best teams in five key categories

Not an NL team in the bunch. Dayn Perry blogs: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7670694

A Grammys press conference, as well?

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2008/01/14/2008-01-14_grammys_fear_writers_strike_shutdown.html

FMQB interview with Bubba The Love Sponge

Of Sirius Satellite Radio, and concurrently, WHPT-FM/Tampa and WFYV-FM/Jacksonville.
http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=546159

American Idol- another preview

From Idolator: http://idolator.com/343796/the-new-american-idol-season-will-we-see-a-rebound-or-a-dead+cat-bounce

Las Vegas Sports Book weekend recap

Along with opening lines for this weekend's Conference Championship games.
http://www.lvrj.com/sports/13762657.html

Mets, Red Sox finalists for Johan Santana

As Yankees pull their offer. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3195926

Subway Squawkers Blog, NY Daily News: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/subwaysquawkers/2008/01/for-mets-johan-santana-is-lucy.html

Fake Jessica Simpson helps Giants beat Cowboys

A great moment in journalism for the NY Post.
The highlight- note that the look-a-like's last name is Nordstrom.
"I knew we were going to win when I saw her [Nordstrom]. I'm dead serious!" said Giant die-hard Anthony Triglia, 21, of Staten Island who cheered Big Blue in the heart of enemy territory.
"You have to come to Green Bay," Triglia told Nordstrom.
Then, in true Jessica, Chicken-of-the-Sea fashion, Nordstrom candidly responded: "What's Green Bay?"
Get some cameras- she's a reality show waiting to happen.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01142008/news/nationalnews/boys_seeing_double_409749.htm?page=0

Terrell Owens in tears after loss to Giants

Waaaaaaahhhhhhh. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-totears011608,0,5730300.story

ProFootballTalk.com, with video: http://beta.profootballtalk.com/2008/01/14/the-tears-of-a-clown/

Sweeps a patchwork in February

Due to the writers strike. http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/01/sweeps_a_patchwork_in_february.php

"Young, Smart, Sexy" Female Cable Newscasters

Okay, they listed 13. Why not 14 and include Contessa Brewer of MSNBC? Make it 15 and include FOX's Julie Banderas. MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell makes 16. This list could go all day. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/accent/epaper/2008/01/14/a1e_female_anchors_web_0114.html

The Daily Fix looks at the weekend's NFL action

http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2008/01/14/looking-back-at-a-wild-nfl-weekend/

Bryan Adams serenades an Audi

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080113/ap_en_mu/auto_show_audi_3

Reality TV saving networks during writers strike

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/business/media/14ratings.html?th&emc=th

NBC orders more American Gladiators: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978987.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&nid=2565

CBS orders three new reality shows: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978967.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&nid=2565

The return of American Idol, confident in Season 7

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/arts/television/14idol.html?th&emc=th

Amazon.com Super Bowl Promo: Free Downloads

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/technology/14clash.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

Amazon.com- the digital Pied Piper:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01142008/business/amazon_tries_on_role_as_digital_pied_pip_21944.htm

Sunday, January 13, 2008

American Idol's Back

Don't count on the seven year itch; the show could lose half of its viewers and be one of the most popular shows on TV, especially with the Writers Strike prematurely ending the season of many scripted favorites. http://www.nypost.com/seven/01132008/tv/idols_back_728958.htm?page=0

Comedy At The Edge

Richard Zoglin looks at the 1970s standup comedy explosion.
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/arts/2008/01/13/2008-01-13_comedy_at_the_edge_looks_at_70s_standup_.html

Amazon.com- http://www.amazon.com/Comedy-Edge-Stand-up-Changed-America/dp/1582346240/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200258270&sr=1-1

I Killed: True Stories of the Road from America's Top Comics:
http://www.amazon.com/I-Killed-Stories-Americas-Comics/dp/030738229X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200258362&sr=1-1

Palazzo at The Venetian, Las Vegas

A total of 7,128 hotel rooms, two casinos totaling more than 200,000 square feet, almost 1 million square feet of retail and 2.3 million square feet of meeting, convention and exhibition space. http://www.lvrj.com/business/13746717.html

Saturday, January 12, 2008

O.J. Simpson's Bail Bondsman: "He didn't pay a dime."

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2008/01/12/2008-01-12_oj_simpson_didnt_pay_says_bail_bondsman_.html

More from the bail bondsman, who has a theory on who was going to expose O.J.'s voicemail:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01122008/news/nationalnews/ojs_tap_trap_772764.htm?page=0

American Idol: Ratings up; sales down

http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN1232057720080112?sp=true

Clay Aiken reconsiders his Newsweek subscription

Waiting for updates on a possible "Time" magazine renewal.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/91541

Cardinals swap Scott Rolen for Blue Jays' Troy Glaus

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3193566

Vinyl gets its groove back

As a matter of fact, Bruce Springsteen's latest album was released on LP a week earlier than CD and on iTunes, so it would qualify for this year's Grammy Awards.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1702369,00.html

Brewing Battle: Starbucks vs. McDonald's

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1702277,00.html

Merv Griffin: Best Tombstone Ever (Final Jeopardy)

http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/01/merv-griffin-he.html?xid=rss-yahoogadget-todayslatest-20080111-Merv+Griffin+gets+the+%28eternally%29+last+laugh

American Idol to the rescue for Fox

Sure to steamroll through the midseason as usual, especailly facing reruns and unscripted fare.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978921.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Competing networks face the reality:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978912.html?categoryid=1019&cs=1&nid=2609

"Trying to get its groove back" - USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-01-10-idol-returns_N.htm?csp=Entertainment

Howard Stern on Late Show with David Letterman

UPDATED 1/14: On today's show, Howard announced that he's paid his "debt" to David, and announced his "retirement" from appearing on Letterman's Late Show.

Howard trashes Dr. Phil, "He went to the University of North Texas," and Imus, "I knew he was a racist back then," referring to when the two worked together at WNBC radio in the 1980s.

January 10, 2008: http://youtube.com/watch?v=N0KEZ_LqX2E

TiVo Down Under

I've always wanted to visit Australia; in fact I've got the Dividend Miles in my USAirways account to go round-trip, First Class. In fact, considering the the closest I can really claim to a second language is four years of high school Spanish, I really don't think I could function living outside of North America, with the exception of England and the aforementioned Australia. Tonight, however, I learned something so disturbing, and so shattering that I may have to eliminate the Aussie factor.

They don't have TiVo. Yet. They are taking applications to "beta-test" the service, with hopes that it may launch next year.

I may visit; but I'm not packing to move just yet.

http://www.tivo.com.au/testtivo/

If you thought the Heat lost 117-111 to the Atlanta Hawks on December 21, you may be in for a surprise; due to an offical scorer's error, the final 51.9 seconds will be replayed.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/sfl-0111heat,0,3052839.story

NY Daily News: Mets say Santana report is off the mark

The report doesn't deny that negotiations are ongoing; just that the Mets won't deal five top prospects, thereby wiping out their farm system.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2008/01/11/2008-01-11_mets_report_on_trade_offer_for_johan_san-1.html

NY Post- Just say NOHAN:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01112008/sports/mets/just_say_nohan_403040.htm

CBS hoping for Patriots-Colts rematch?

The Vegas sports books say they'll get their wish. I wonder how many viewers they'd lose if it were Chargers vs. Jaguars? http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080111/news_1s11mediacol.html