Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Continuing The Long "Proud" Tradition

Click here for larger…If you dare!

Here's a shot from http://www.cinescape.com/ from HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE. Rubert Grint (Ron) has managed to follow in the proud tradition of other former cute, red-haired child stars like Danny Bonaduce and Ron Howard, by souring with age. Dear lord this kid makes my belly ill.

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Fantasy Football & Dead Pool

Well, I won my fantasy football league, making me filthy stinking rich. I also get to keep the coveted XNCBL trophy for another year. Product 412 back-to-back. For those interested, here's my final roster with original draft picks in italics. Gotta ride that waiver wire.

Final Roster
M. Bulger (StL - QB)
J. Plummer (Den - QB)
K. Collins (Oak - QB)
R. Moss (Min - WR)
H. Ward (Pit - WR)
Ro. Smith (Den - WR)
M. Muhammad (Car - WR)
D. Patten (NE - WR)
S. Alexander (Sea - RB)
D. Davis (Hou - RB)
J. Bettis (Pit - RB)
M. Pittman (TB - RB) 
J. Jones (Dal - RB) 
R. McMichael (Mia - TE)  
D. Akers (Phi - K)
New England (NE - DEF)
Carolina (Car - DEF)

-----------

I'm doing a dead pool for the first time. I'm somewhat conflicted, as it appeals quite heavily to my pop culture heart, but yet, is quite ghoulish. Eh, they've had a good run.

I approached the draft very much like I do fantasy football in my style of preparation and execution. Unfortunately, if I do well in this, it will be a very sad year. Partially.

Round & Celeb
1 - Eddie Albert
2 - Richard Pryor
3 - Billy Graham
4 - Jerry Lewis
5 - Joseph Barbera
6 - Muhammad Ali
7 - James Brown
8 - Betty Ford
9 - Grandpa Al Lewis
10 - Queen Elizabeth II

Celebrity Fan Site Of The Week

http://www.sweetin.com/

The Jodie Sweetin Fan Club.



While known as a poor, retarded man's Scarlett Johansson, she will always be "Stephanie" to me.

Doesn't A Parody Of A Parody Simply Cancel Itself Out?

It should.

http://www.delltechforce.com/

I guess that pot smoking Dell kid got a job in the marketing division.

Monday, December 27, 2004

14-1



I can only imgaine how much the sign shop guy rolled is eyes at this job. But hey, gotta love them Steeler fans!

The road to the Super Bowl goes through PA. Pittsburgh and Philly each have top seed in the AFC and NFC respectively. I haven’t look it up, but I can’t think of the last time two teams played in the pre season, regular season and post season. But let’s not count those chicks quite yet…

The Steelers did look damn good and physically superior in Sunday’s big win. I’ve got to think Ben will be back for the first playoff game (most likely against San Diego). At least I hope so. The team was pretty quick to diagnose Townsend’s broken hand, but have been pretty vague about Ben’s rib/sternum situation.

Good seeing Plax back. At the start of the year I wasn’t sure he was going to be worth the money it may take to resign him. But it’s become clear they need to spend the money to keep him around, as he and Ben have an excellent rapport. I also think they need to redo Hines’ deal before he gets to camp.

Congratulations to The Bus who passed Eric Dickerson for 4th place on the all-time rushing list. The Pats held Martin in check, so going into the final week, Martin should pass Dickerson for 5th, but may not catch Jerome, for now.

Here’s my favorite post game quote:

Steelers outside linebacker Joey Porter was amused by Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs' depiction of the Ravens as the Steelers' kryptonite.

"Obviously they never watched any of the (Superman) movies," Porter said. "Superman always wins. I've watched all of them. They made like four or five of them and in every movie, he takes the kryptonite and comes back to win. You've got to watch to the end of the movie."

The Steelers have defeated the Ravens in six of the past eight games.

Click here to see Big Ben do one hell of a Superman impersonation.

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Six Steelers Selected To The 2005 Pro Bowl Squad



from steelers.com

PITTSBURGH— The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed six players on the 2005 Pro Bowl team announced today by the NFL.

It is the most Steelers players selected to the All-Star game since 2002 (the 2001 season). The Pro Bowl will be played Feb. 13, 2005 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

Steelers earning Pro Bowl recognition are: offensive guard Alan Faneca, inside linebacker James Farrior, center Jeff Hartings, safety Troy Polamalu, outside linebacker Joey Porter and wide receiver Hines Ward.

The Pro Bowl squads were selected by a combined voting of fans, players and coaches. ABC Sports will announce starting lineups for the Pro Bowl at halftime of the nationally televised Wild Card games Jan. 8.

Faneca and Ward have earned their fourth consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl, while Porter earned his second Pro Bowl bid after missing the team last year. Farrior, Hartings and Polamalu all are first-time selections.

The Steelers’ 1998 number-one draft pick, Faneca has established himself as arguably the best guard in the NFL. He played all 14 games so far this season at his familiar left guard position after bouncing from guard to tackle in 2003 because of injuries along the offensive line. Faneca’s outstanding blocking has helped the running game improve from 31st in the league in 2003 to third in the NFL in 2004.

Ward is producing another outstanding season and is on the verge of surpassing 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth consecutive year, becoming the first receiver in Steelers history to achieve that distinction. After 14 games, Ward has a team-high 75 catches for 972 yards and four TDs.

Porter has rebounded from his 2003 season in which he had to recover from a gunshot wound received a week before the season to earn his second Pro Bowl selection. After 14 games, Porter, a defensive co-captain, currently has 58 total tackles (41 solos) and is second on the team with seven sacks.

A defensive co-captain, Farrior is having the finest season of his eight-year career. He leads the Steelers with 108 tackles (72 solo), five forced fumbles and three recovered fumbles. Farrior has a career-high four interceptions this season, tying him for the most by a linebacker in the NFL, including one that he returned for a touchdown in Week 11 at Cincinnati — his first career touchdown. He also has recorded four quarterback sacks this year.

Hartings, who has been named a first alternate four times in the past five years, earns his first trip to Honolulu. He has been an integral part of the Steelers offensive line that has helped propel the team’s running game from 31st in the league in 2003 to third so far this year.

In his first year as a starter, Polamalu, the 2003 number-one draft pick, has emerged as one of the top safeties in the NFL. He leads all Steelers and is tied for fourth in the AFC with five interceptions, and ranks third on the team with 91 tackles (62 solo). Polamalu returned an interception for a touchdown in Week 4 against Cincinnati.

In addition, six Steelers have been selected as alternates to the squad. Rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, defensive end Aaron Smith, wide receiver Antwaan Randle El as kick return specialist, offensive tackle Marvel Smith, punter Chris Gardocki and fullback Dan Kreider.

----------

My guess is Alan Faneca will be named a starter when they make the announcement during Wild Card week. Not sure about who else. Porter possibly. Farrior certainly deserves it. But since it'll be a base 4-3, he may get the joust. But nobody has played better in the middle this year in the NFL.

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Lisa Loeb Stole My Idea...And My Heart



Dweezil & Lisa

So one day I'm hanging out with Lisa, shooting the shit. And I'm like, "This is fun, isn't it? You know what would be cool? If we did a cooking show!" She agreed and promised to call me. Oh, Lisa lies. Lisa lies when she cries. Cries wolf!

Years later this shows up on the Food Network. The delicious taste of betrayal. She tossed me aside like I was Nine Stories.

All I ask is for a special thanks in the credits. And a slice of that Almost Flourless Chocolate Cake.

Good I love this show.

13-1



Another hard fought win. But as the Miami/New England game showed on Monday, there are no walk overs in the NFL. And when you've got a team playing for pride and you're considered elite, the target on your back is as big as a house. Pittsbugh has found ways to win. Last night, New England did not.

The Steelers magic number is now 1.

The Steelers schedule is set for next season as the last of the AFC division champs was crowned.

As usual they have the Ravens, Bengals and Browns home and away. They'll play the Patriots, Jaguars, Titans, Bears, and Lions at home and the Texans, Colts, Chargers, Packers, and Vikings on the road.

The NFL will announce the dates in the spring.

Thursday, December 16, 2004

Dude, She's Been In A Movie Already. Hello? Hot Chick!

Joe Simpson, you sir, are a bit of an ass.

from IMDb

Ashlee Simpson's Dad Bans Her Lesbian Scenes

Pop beauty Ashlee Simpson's manager and father Joe Simpson has changed the gay plot in her movie debut Wannabe, because he's uncomfortable with his daughter playing a lesbian. The former Baptist minister fears the star's chances of breaking into Hollywood would be hampered if she played a homosexual, so he ordered movie producers to alter the romantic comedy's script, reports American gossip site Pagesix.Com. He explains, "I changed it. It doesn't work for her to be gay the first thing out. She said, 'But it's cool, it's edgy, it's different,' and of course the filmmakers were like, 'It's cool for a woman to be a lesbian.' She's going to be a huge movie star. She's like Meg Ryan or Cameron Diaz, with probably more depth. When we're done, she'll play it all."

Dear Lord, This Is So Wrong

from moviepoopshoot.com

THOUGHT YOU’D SEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE REALITY BARREL? LET FOX TAKE YOU EVEN LOWER

Father's Day will come early next year on Fox.

Net is finally taking the wraps off "Who's Your Daddy?," the potentially controversial paternity gameshow first revealed last summer by rival web head Jeff Zucker (Daily Variety, July 15).

"Daddy" will bow as a 90-minute special Monday, Jan. 3, at 8 p.m.; seven other episodes ordered will air later in the season as a weekly series or a series of specials.

Fox TV Studios is producing in association with exec producers Ken Mok ("America's Next Top Model") and the team of Scott Hallock and Kevin Healey ("Scare Tactics"). Soap vet Finola Hughes hosts.

FTVS primetime reality skein is the first for Fox since Angela Shapiro-Mathes took control of the studio.

"Daddy" takes an adopted woman who's searching for her father and puts her in a classic reality show elimination scenario. She's introduced to eight men. One is her real dad; the other seven are fakes, each of whose goal is to trick the woman into thinking they're her father.

If the woman successfully identifies her dad after three elimination rounds, she gets up to $100,000. If she doesn't, one of the seven faux papas -- all of whom are contestants -- get the coin.

Either way, each self-contained episode ends with a four-hanky reunion of father and child.

"It's the most emotional show we've ever put on the air," said Fox reality chief Mike Darnell. "I guarantee you: If you have any heart, you'll be bawling at the end of the show."

Zucker told a room full of reporters about "Daddy" and "My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss" as a form of retaliation against Fox, which Zucker felt was stealing his reality show ideas.

While all involved in "Daddy" are aware of its "What's My Line"-like deception, skein could still draw fire because the seven fake daddies all try to deceive the adopted woman. As a result, it's possible the woman could form a bond with a fake dad -- or grow to dislike her true father before she even knows who he is.

"Sometimes you'll wince at what happens," Darnell admitted, noting that in situations where the woman has ended up eliminating her dad, "she feels terrible."

"We're making people play a game to find one another," Darnell added. "But the game aspect takes a back seat to the emotions."

"Daddy" is not the first primetime reality skein to dabble in long-lost relatives.

Last summer's "Big Brother" featured "Project DNA," in which two contestants discovered on-air that they were half-siblings. NBC has also been developing LMNO Prods.' "Extreme Reunions" for NBC (Daily Variety, July 7). (As reported by VARIETY)

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Christmahannukwanza Is Saved!

from Eurogamer.net

Sony Airlifting PS2s to Europe and North America

Continued shortages of PlayStation 2 hardware at retail have led Sony to take the drastic step of hiring cargo planes to fly consoles directly into affected territories in North America and Europe, according to the firm.

Huge Antonov AN24 aircraft have been chartered to bring shipments of the new slimline PS2 from factories in China to airports in the UK and the United States, with each plane carrying around 40,000 consoles.

According to quotes published by news agency Reuters, Sony Computer Entertainment America claims that this situation has been ongoing "for some time", with the firm reportedly hoping to be meeting demand for the console by Christmas.

Here in the UK, the situation is even graver than in the USA, with Sony's own mistake in underestimating the demand for the "PStwo" redesigned console being compounded by a delay to a large shipment of hardware last month.

That delay was caused when an oil tanker became stuck in the Suez Canal in early November, holding up more than 100 ships in the first extended closure of the canal in almost 40 years.

However, despite Sony's efforts to improve the stock situation, a number of analysts are concerned that the lack of hardware will negatively impact the growth of the industry as a whole in one of the most important periods of the year.

NPD sales figures for the US videogame industry in November, released yesterday, showed only a 2 per cent overall rise in revenues - coming on the heels of a 23 per cent gain in September, and a 15 per cent gain in October.

Monday, December 13, 2004

The McKenna Chronicles

Oh

My

God

http://www.vinyl-visions.com/mckenna-chronicles.html

12-1



Good win over a playoff bound team. Brilliant call with the 438 Counter. It’s always brilliant when it works. (Ask the Vikings coaching staff what you’re called when plays like that fail…) But to me, it was the TD run later on that was truly impressive.

And while not as highly publicized as I think it deserved to be – incredible history was made. Two running backs broke the 13,000 yard mark in the same game, with Curtis Martin finishing with 13,046 career yards rushing, passing Jerome Bettis (who finished with 13,037) for 5th on the all-time rushing list. I feel comfortable is saying that will never, eeeeever happen again.

Too bad this is the AP photo used to capture the moment…


(click for larger)

Get a room fellas.

Friday, December 10, 2004

The Sequel To Get Shorty...Not Pulp Fiction

Be Cool Trailer

They had me and John and Uma dancing. Then boom - they hit me with Harvey Keitel.

Oh, and The Rock plays gay and Vince Vaughn plays wanksta.

Panna Blue Bird Of Happiness

My God this is brilliant!

Star Wars Zoology

Thursday, December 09, 2004

Ohio Recount Drives Metal Fan Bonkers

"Dimebag" Darrell Dead

The dude could play.

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

Bow Before Yari Coda!



Bought and played Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords last night. If you loved the first game, you'll love this one. If you hated the first game, you are wasting other people's air.

Played it in a basement with two friends. Three XBOX units, three games, three TVs, yummy brownies and many laughs. Call it what you will, but for me, that was time well spent.

Monday, December 06, 2004

11-1



The Good: Big Ben’s 158 passer rating. A big road win against a quality opponent who the Steelers have traditionally struggled against. A clutch kick to cap an excellently coached and executed last minute drive.

The Bad: Jay Riemersma suffered an ankle injury and was on crutches after the game.

The Ugly: 11 penalties for 82 yards, including several that extended Jacksonville drives.

For a Few Dollars More: Ex-Steelers played big. Jason Gildon had a sack, Troy Edwards had five catches for 90 yards and a TD, Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala picked up several first downs on short yardage, and Dewayne Washington had seven tackles.

Saturday, December 04, 2004

Soon. Very Soon. I Will Be Live.

New XBOX Live Update For Halo 2

Friday, December 03, 2004

Someone Should Tell Her About The Internet

from IMDb

Gwyneth Lands Martini Ad
Gwyneth Paltrow has signed up to appear in a sexy new Martini ad in Italy and Australia, in which she wears only a man's shirt. The Hollywood beauty is seen hopping over a bar to pour vermouth for locals in the commercial. She agreed to star in the ads after Martini bosses reassured her the campaign would never be seen in Britain or America.

Thursday, December 02, 2004

Tonight Tartarus Falls

Halo 2 Surpasses Halo Sales In Just Under 1 Month

Wednesday, December 01, 2004

Answer: She Ended Ken Jennings’ Jeopardy Win Streak

Who is Nancy Zerg?