A lot of interesting storylines in week 4. The Lions, Bills, and Packers are all trying to remain as the league's only undefeated teams, while Michael Vick returns onto the field after suffering an injury (hand) for his second straight game last week against the Giants, the Texans and Raiders try to prove that they're true contenders, the Vikings and Chiefs try to see which 0-3 team is slightly less worse, and more. So, if you don't mind, I'm going to just skip the usual monologue and head straight to the picks (F.Y.I., both mj50 and I finished last week at 9-7, putting our combined records at a dead-even 31-17). As always, the game starts are based on the Central time zone.
Let's begin:
Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys (-2): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Detroit
In two of their first three games, Detroit had to win by coming back in the 4th quarter, so at some point you'd figure that their luck would run out. Fortunately for Lions fan, I don't think that it will this week. The Dallas offensive line should give a good matchup for the motivated Ndamukong Suh, and I don't think that Megatron Calvin Johnson will have a problem against any of Dallas' corners. A 4-0 start for the Lions: whodathunkit?
mj50's pick: Dallas
New Orleans Saints (-7) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: New Orleans
Drew Brees and the Saints offense have basically man-handles every defense they've faced so far this season, from the Packers in week 1 (34 points) to the Texans last week (40 points). With weather conditions in Jacksonville expected to be a perfect 76 degrees and sunny, expect to see this trend this week as they take on a Jaguars team with eighth injured defensive players and an offense that averages less than ten points a game.
mj50's pick: Jacksonville
San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-9): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Philadelphia
I would say its because of the Mike Greenberg Theory, but San Francisco showed last week that they are capable of defeating that theory with a win in Cincinnati last week. Also, it's not like the Eagles are the clear heavy favorites in this one. Currently, San Francisco has won more times in the first three weeks than Philly, and have the least amount of serious injuries on their team, with Michael Vick, Jeremy Maclin and Steve Smith being listed in the injury report this week. So why with the Philly pick? Because the Eagles aren't the Seahawks or the Bengals (the teams that the 49ers defeat at this point in the season.
They're more packed with good players. They're more talented on both sides of the ball. Their rushing attack has been outstanding so far, averaging over 180 yards per game. They don't have Alex Smith. Basically, they have the team and the homefield advantage to defeat this West Coast team. However, they've been the paper team on paper throughout the season and have only won once, so...
mj50's pick: Philadelphia
Washington Redskins (-2) vs. St. Louis Rams: Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: St.Louis
Because it would be very Redskin-y for the team to lose to a Rams team that's trying to prove to everyone that they're not as terrible as they've shown themselves to be at this point in the season. Also, the real Sam Bradford has to come out of his sophomore slump shell at some point, and I have a feeling it will come against this Washington defense, who has given up, on average, 240 yards per game.
mj50's pick: St. Louis
Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns (EVEN): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Tennessee
It's a strange sight, indeed, when the Tennessee Titans are 2-1 despite the team averaging a dead last in rushing. Instead, they've been doing it with Matt Hasselbeck looking rejuvenated, averaging 300 yards a game and its defense leading the league with the least yards allowed per game (and since they did it while playing Baltimore this season, this stat can't be considered a fluke). Anyways, I've learned this season that Cleveland really can't be trusted to win whenever they're supposed to. They've been favored in all three games they've played, lost one of them and almost lost the other. Since Tennessee is a better team than any of the previous three that the Browns faced, I see the Titans coming out of it with a rather surprising 3-1 record.
mj50's pick: Cleveland
Buffalo Bills (-3) vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Cincinnati
Look, I like the Buffalo Bills. I really do. I was extremely impressed with the way that they were able to come back down 21-0 against the Patriots, a team they haven't beaten since 2003, to win the game on a last second field goal (with the defense intercepting Tom Brady four times, the most the quarterback has been picked in a game since 2006). I'm also very happy for the city and its fanbase, who have the best chance they've ever had on getting to the postseason since their last appearance in the Music City Miracle twelve seasons ago thanks to a high-flying offense, a sneaky good defense, and an efficient running back in Fred Jackson. That said, I'm just not ready to buy into this team contending all season long just yet because of this short amount of games that we've seen them play. Personally, I'd much rather see how they do this October against the Eagles, Redskins, Jets and Cowboys before making a decision.
Anyways, onto this game specifically...I feel like this is going to be a major trap game for Buffalo. They're coming off this emotional win at home against this team that they badly wanted to defeat in dramatic fashion. Then, there's the rather interesting schedule that they have in the weeks ahead (mentioned earlier). With that said, I see it being much like the Ravens/Titans game two weeks ago in which the Bills fill the role of Baltimore and the Bengals filling the role of Tennessee.
mj50's pick: Cincinnati
Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears (-6): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Carolina
Before I explain my pick, there were rwo fantastic moments that occurred in the NFL last week involving both of these teams. The first came in Carolina when the Panthers faced the Jaguars and the great monsoon of rain that swept through the field. The best thing about it was when the field was being turned to mud instantly while the seats had so much water pouring, it created this great water fall that flowed to the team sidelines, row by row. The rain was so strong, at one point, that you could barely see anything. Football is forever associated with sub-degree temperatures at game time and snow that fall from beginning to end, but massive rain during a game ranks right up to those two for me. Besides, it just make long runs like the one Maurice Jones-Drew had look much, much cooler.
The second came at the end of the Chicago-Green Bay game. It was late in the 4th quarter and the Packers were leading 27-17, ready to punt it to the Bears on 4th down. As the ball was in the air during the punt, Devin Hester looks up in the air as if he was about to catch the ball, and the majority of the special teams players from both sides were rushing to protect and/or tackle Hester as a result. However, what not many people knew was that the ball wasn't being directed to Hester, but rather to Johnny Knox, who was on the other side of the field. So Knox caught the punt and then, with no one in his way because everyone was at the side Hester was in, he went into the endzone rather easily in a moment that was so surprising, that even the FOX cameras didn't know what was going on until two or three seconds after Knox began his return.
The touchdown wasn't counted, as the refs called an unfortunate flag for holding on the Bears in some sort of delayed karma for the Calvin Johnson non-touchdown in week one of last season. Still, holding or not, that was still one of the most brilliant. It needed a bunch of factors to work, such as the presence of the NFL's greatest kick returner ever, Devin Hester, but also for the others Bears players to act as if the ball way going his way and for the Packers to simply not look at the ball...and it worked stupendously! And for that, there's nothing else to do but to credit Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub, for getting the idea in his head, practicing it with his team, and then decided to use it in such desperate times as this one. My only problem was that it came at a time he did it too early in the season. Now, the rest of the year, the opposite side is going to remember this and try to make sure that this doesn't happen again for quite a while.
So, where was I? Oh, yeah, the Ron Rivera bowl! Well, I picked the Panthers for two simple reasons. The first is because of Cam Newton. He has played really well against passing defenses as erratic as the Bears have been this season when not bothered by crazy amount of falling liquid. Meanwhile, Jay Cutler and the Bears offensive line have struggled in the two games following their Atlanta victory, and I'm not sure that they can get their groove back, if you will, against a Panthers defense that is about as even as the defenses he faced during the two previous weeks. Expect Rivera, the former Bears defensive coordinator to get some sweet revenge over his former boss, Lovie Smith. Now, let's scroll back up to watch that sweet special teams play again!
mj50's pick: Chicago
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Houston Texans (-3.5): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Pittsburgh
I don't care if the Texans are at home and the Steelers have been struggling! They have yet to show me over the past few years under Gary Kubiak that they could win a big game that isn't against the Colts, and I won't pick them until I am proven otherwise.
mj50's pick: Houston
HALFTIME! This week's clip of sweet, stand-uping goodness comes from "Tosh.0" creator and star, Daniel Tosh. Love him or hate him, I think we can all agree that this bit is pretty funny.
Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Minnesota
Minnesota: the kings of second half meltdowns! Each of their first three games have featured a lead at halftime, and each game has seen the team blowing the lead away somehow (even outscored a combined 64-6 through these first three games), mostly because head coach Leslie Frazier realized that he has the best running back in NFL, Adrian Peterson, in the backfield and has thus used him sparingly. Also, Donovan McNabb continues to be terrible. So how will the Vikings do against fellow 0-3 team Kansas City? In one word: better. The Chiefs offense is still bad, averaging a league low 9 points per game while Jamaal Charles is still ruining people's fantasy teams with his injury. Plus, if you're betting a matchup against two bad teams, why wouldn't you pick the one that has the dangerous Jared Allen constantly attacking Matt Cassel?
mj50's pick: Minnesota
Atlanta Falcons (-4.5) vs. Seattle Seahawks: Sunday- 3:05 p.m.
mj15's pick: Atlanta
Come on, Atlanta! Don't make me look even more like an idiot for picking you to go to the NFC Championship than I already am!
mj50's pick: Seattle
New York Giants (-1) vs. Arizona Cardinals: Sunday- 3:05 p.m.
mj15's pick: New York
The Cardinals have lost two weeks in a row to both the Redskins and the Seahawks, and now they're going up against a New York Giants team coming off a big win in Philadelphia and much better than the former two. It's as simple as that.
What's that? Why yes, I am rushing to finish this column up. Why do you ask?
mj50's pick: New York
Miami Dolphins vs. San Diego Chargers (-7): Sunday-3:15 p.m.
mj15's pick: San Diego
Things have not been going well with the Miami Dolphins, to say the least. They're 0-3, a record that less than 10% of teams in the history of the NFL has seen overcome to make the postseason. In, addition, they're averaging a below-mediocre 17.7 points per game, their defense (the only good thing about them last season) is ranked in the bottom three, and Tony Sparano's hot seat is no longer a hot seat, but a boiling pot as fans have grown increasingly restless and at lost of hope with the direction that the team is being taken under his own watch. Will they overcome their struggles this week to beat the Chargers under desperate circumstances? I don't think so. Phillip Rivers has averaged just below 300 yards per game at home in his last seven games at Qualcomm Stadium, and from past experiences (Dallas and Minnesota last year, for instances) situations where teams have a coach with one foot out of the door does not end well.
mj50's pick: San Diego
Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers (-12): Sunday- 3:15 p.m.
mj15's pick: Green Bay
What can I say? The Packers are just the most consistently good team this season, better than any other franchise in the National Football League in 2011, and I see their good play continue this week against a mediocre Broncos team.
mj50's pick: Green Bay
New England Patriots (-5) vs. Oakland Raiders: Sunday- 3:15 p.m.
mj15's pick: New England
This should be interesting. New England is coming off a self-destructive loss to Buffalo, trying to avoid back-to-back games for only the third time in six seasons, while Oakland is relevant once again, coming off a statement win against the Jets and hoping to prove to the country, once again, that they are for real. I'm reserved to not pick the Raiders in this one. New England's pass rush may be awful, but their offense has done more than making up for it, averaging 34 points and a league-leading 540 games per game, and I doubt that either the Raiders or their fans will be able to stop them. Meanwhile, Darren McFadden is suffering through a groin injury, and I think this could have a negative effect on the league's current #1 rushing attack. That said, Jason Campbell should have a good day and Richard Seymour will try as best as he can to exact revenge on the team that traded him away last year, so while I think the Patriots are going to win, they're going to do it with an earned effort.
mj50's pick: Oakland
New York Jets vs. Baltimore Ravens (-3.5): Sunday- 7:25 p.m.
mj15's pick: Baltimore
For the second year in a row, Rex Ryan will play against the team he used to defensive coordinate. And, for the second year in a row, I have a feeling that the exact same result will occur, with the Ravens winning in a defensive struggle. New York's cornerstone, their defense, has struggled this season, even giving up over 234 yards on the run versus Darren McFadden. I'm not so sure that they will rebound against another great running back, Ray Rice.
mj50's pick: Baltimore
Indianapolis Colts vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-10): Monday- 7:30 p.m.
mj15's pick: Tampa Bay
I've read a few articles this week from writers saying that last week's near victory against the Steelers means that their is still some hope this season for the Colts. With all due respect to each of them, I will strongly disagree. They've onlyt come back from an 0-3 deficit to make it in the playoffs only once in team history (1988), and Jim Irsay has stated that there's a good chance at this point that Peyton Manning might not play at all this season, let alone in the first three months. They also have a pretty tough schedule, with the Saints, the Titans, the Falcons and the Patriots in their rear-view mirror. Their a team with no hope whatsoever this season, and that includes this week against the resilient Bucs.
mj50's pick: Tampa Bay
RECAP
The Undertaker at "WrestleMania" Lock of the Week: Packers over Broncos
The "Lion Kind 3D" Winning the Box Office Two Weeks in a Row Upset of the Week: Cincinnati over Buffalo
The "Mad Men" vs. "Breaking Bad" "I'm Not Sure" Pick: Carolina over Chicago
And...that's gonna do it! I remind you once again to stop by next week around the same time for a recap of how I did this week, along with the predictions for week 5. Until then, enjoy the weekend, and enjoy the games, too.
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you just have any suggestions or tips for my next blog entry, e-mail me at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mails are greatly appreciated.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
The MLB Regular Season Finale: A Random Thoughts Special
Evam Longoria celebrates with teammates after his game winning, playoff clinching home run in the bottom of the 12th Wednesday against the Yankees.
RANDOM THOUGHTS:
Two wild card races coming down to the very end (and in extras). One National League outfielder trying to become the first player in forty four years to win the Triple Crown. A World Series winning manager leaving his team of eight years to play in sunny South Beach. All these, and more, transpired in what will go down as one of the most exciting regular season conclusions to an MLB season in recent memory. And for that reason alone, I have decided to bring back the Thursday random thoughts after a long seven-and-a-half month hiatus: to give my take on the past four to five days in baseball that was. Enjoy!
- Wow. Last night...was...awesome! I have been a fan of the game since I was a wee innocent seven year old, and even I could not recall any ninety minute period in MLB history that was as exciting, as suspenseful, and as riveting as when both wild card races were were coming to an end. Here's a quick recap of how the two wild card races played out in game 162:
6:10 p.m.- Both the Red Sox (vs. the Orioles), the Tampa Bay Rays (vs. the Yankees), and the Braves (vs. the Phillies) all begin their respective games, with the Cardinals (vs. the Astros) set to start in one hour.
6:18 p.m.- Phillies draw first blood thanks to a Ryan Howard double in the top of the first, scoring Hunter Pence.
6:20 p.m.- Yankees score the first major run of their game with an RBI single by Robinson Cano, scoring Curtis Granderson.
6:26 p.m.- Chipper Jones counters for Atlanta in the bottom of the first with a Chipper Jones sacrifice fly, tying the game at 1-1.
6:48 p.m.- Red Sox score off a Dustin Pedroia RBI single down the middle, scoring Mike Avila.
6:53 p.m.- Grand slam by Mark Texeira in the Yankees/Rays game off of David Price, who was not having any good stuff when he needed it most. All of a sudden, it's 5-0 New York in Tropicana.
7:02 p.m.- With Cole Hamels pitching his first relief effort of his career for the Phillies after the team had Joe Blanton start, Braves second baseman Dan Uggla (better known as the guy who had that unexpected 33 game hit streak over the summer) hits a two-run HR to left-center field, scoring himself and Martin Prado to have his team go up 3-0.
7:06 p.m.- The Red Sox only consistent pitcher during their September choke job, Jon Lester, pitching on three days rest, gives up a two run home run to J.J. Hardy. Both the Rays and the Red Sox are trailing.
7:10 p.m.- With the Braves still leading 3-2, the Cardinals finally are under way in their game against the Astros (of which Chris Carpenter is starting for them). They got off to a great start, with Albert Pujols scoring John Jay thanks to a smash to the left-field scoreboard.
7:13 p.m.- Orioles pitcher Alfredo Simone balks, scoring Marco Scutaro who was at third. Red Sox and Orioles are tied 2-2 in the top of the 4th inning.
7:14 p.m.- The Cardinals completely man-handle Astros starting pitcher Brett Myers. Right after Pujols scored St. Louis' first run of the game, the next batter (Lance Berkman) hits an RBI single of his own. This was followed in the same inning by three more runs scored by David Freese, Skip Schumaker, and Nick Punto, respectively, one inning in, and St. Louis is up 5-0.
7:35 p.m.- Another home run by Mark Texeira! Meanwhile, in Baltimore, Dustin Pedroia delivers once more, with his 21st (and most important) home run of the season. Currently, the Red Sox lead 3-2 while the Rays are behind 7-0. Obviously, Boston has a major advantage at this point.
7:54 p.m.- So far so good for both the Braves and the Cardinals. Braves starter Tim Hudson holds the Phillies to five straight scoreless innings, keeping their 3-1 lead in check, while Chris Carpenter helps his team on the offensive side of the game as well, scoring David Freese from second on an RBI single. The Cardinals now lead 6-0, and looking very comfortable (much like the Yankees in their game).
8:10 p.m.- An error by shortstop Jack Wilson (a man usually known for his great defensive plays) helps the Phillies get their second run of the game, with Raul Ibanez scoring. Tim Hudson was commanded to sit as a result. Luckily for Atlanta, the next batter, Shane Victorino, grounded into a double play, so they still preserve the lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.
8:30 p.m.- With the Braves still leading a close 3-2 game in Turner Field, the Cardinals are simply cruising in Minute-Maid Park. Schumaker has his second RBI of the day, increasing St. Louis' lead to 7-0, while Chris Carpenter is pitching than any of the eighth starters that were asked to pitch in tonight's four big games, with five scoreless innings and an impressive eighth strikeouts. He is certainly playing much like the ace he was supposed to be this year, and not the pitcher who struggled for the earlier parts of the season.
8:33 p.m.- Rain in Baltimore, so the Red Sox-Orioles game had to be delayed for the time being with Boston still up 3-2 in the middle of the seventh inning. With their team up and the Rays losing big, Red Sox fans must be feeling pretty good about how the rest of the night is going to go down.
8:45 p.m.- In the NL Wild Card race, both scores remain the same. The only difference is that the Braves-Phillies game is heading to the top of the ninth inning at this point, three outs away from a victory. Craig Kimbrel, who has 46 previous saves in the bag this season, is going to try to close it out.
8:55 p.m.- Major developments in Atlanta. With two outs and bases loaded for the Phillies, Chase Utley ties the game up on a sacrifice fly, scoring P.J. Orr from third, and Philadelphia ties the game at 3-3. Back in Houston, Cardinals players and fans are cheering the recent developments east of where they are.
9:10 p.m.- The Braves are unable to score in the bottom of the ninth, and this Atlanta-Philadelphia game is heading into overtime. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are heading to the ninth themselves, with a much more comfortable 7-0 lead. Obviously, it is the team with the red bird that currently has the edge right now.
9:14 p.m.- On NESN, Boston Globe writer and unapologetically terrible writer Dan Schaunnesgy, proclaims live on-the-air that the Red Sox will "live to play another day." Hmmm...
9:18 p.m.- Cardinals left fielder Alan Craig hits a towering 426 feet home run, increasing his team's lead to 8-0 heading to the bottom of the ninth.
9:20 p.m.- This is where things start to get truly insane in the AL Wild Card race. It's the bottom of the eigth inning in Tampa Bay and the Rays are still down 7-0 to New York. First, with the bases loaded, Sam Fuld walks, scoring Johnny Damon from third. Second, Sean Rodriguez gets hit by a pitch, scoring in another Rays run. Third, B.J. Upton scores the Rays third run in the inning on a sacrifice fly. All of a sudden, it's 7-3 Yankees. But then...
9:23 p.m.- Three-run home run by Evan Longoria! The Yankees lead has been trimmed down to 7-6 with one more inning left to play in regulation. As all this was happening, everyone in the New England area were watching these developments in fear with their team still in a rain delay.
9:25 p.m.- In the bottom of the ninth with two outs in Houston, Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez grounds out and the Cardinals post the first major final score of the night, winning 8-0 and tentatively holding a 0.5 game lead in the NL wild card race. Chris Carpenter finishes the game with a complete game shutout, and a season high eleven strikeouts. The Cardinals now wait for the final results in Atlanta, where the Braves and the Phillies are still playing in extra innings.
9:47 p.m.- As the tarp was being taken away in Camden Yards and both the Red Sox and the Orioles set to resume play, pinch hitting first baseman Dan Johnson (Dan Johnson!) hits a miraculous solo home run to the very edges of right field. In a span of forty minutes, the Rays had gone from being down seven to tying it up and taking the game to extra innings, someting unthinkable at one point. It's the second extra innings game among tonight's four big ones. Meanwhile, Dan Schaunnesghy is either really worried that he may have just jinxed the outcome of the night, or really excited to have a much better "Red Sox choke" column to write.
10:00 p.m.- No major developments yet. The three games still playing have yet to change scores while the Cardinals are still waiting to see what happens in Turner Field. Boston and Baltimore have gone back to playing, with Daniel Bard filling in for Jon Lester, and the Yankees had a runner at second in the tenth inning, but that's about it.
10:26 p.m.- With runners on the corner, and two outs in the top of the thirteenth inning, Hunter Pence does what the Phillies brought him to do on the team, by softly hitting the ball between first and second, scoring Brian Schneider. Philadelphia has come back to lead 4-3 heading into the bottom half, while Atlanta is three outs away from completing the first of two potential collapses tonight.
10:31 p.m.- Potential NL ROY winner Freddie Freeman steps up to the plate for Atlanta in the bottom of the 13th inning with one out and a runner (Uggla) at first. With the count full, he grounds the ball into what would become a 3-6-3 double play. The final score: Phillies- 4, Braves -3. The St. Louis Cardinals officially celebrate as they officially win the NL Wild Card after an 18-8 September to counter the Braves 9-18 record this month. Atlanta goes from up 8.5 games in the race as of September 6th to pondering what in the world just happened in the past twenty-two days.
10:35 p.m.- One playoff spot clinched tonight, one more to go...
10:44 p.m.- The situation in Camden Yards (with the Yankees and Rays still playing extra innings): Top of the ninth. Bases loaded. One out. Red Sox are still up 3-2 with the bases loaded...and catcher Ryan Lavarnway grounds it to the shortstop (Hardy) and the Orioles stop any run insurance for Boston. To the bottom of the ninth we go, with Jonathan Papelbon closing...
10:59 p.m.- Save opportunity over for Papelbon, as he gives up a ground-rule double base hit to Nolan Reimold with two outs on a 2-2 pitch, scoring pinch-runner Kyle Hudson from second. 3-3 tie. Its the third time tonight that a team has given up a lead in the ninth inning with two outs. Midnight, the witching hour, strikes all across the East Coast.
11:02 p.m.- And that's the end of that chapter. Orioles second baseman Ronnie Andino hits the pitch from Papelbon to left-center field, scoring Reimold. Baltimore wins it 4-3, and for the first time since the early parts of the season, the Red Sox are trailing in the wild card race, awaiting the results in Tampa to find out whether the get to play in a one-game playoff, or end their season for good.
11:03 p.m.- As expected, Rays fans celebrate the Red Sox loss in Tropicana. It's the bottom of the twelve inning now, with one out, and their game still tied 7-7. Advantage: Tampa. And now, up to the plate, comes Evan Longoria...
11:05 p.m.- Ballgame over, AL wild card race over. Evan Longoria hits a solo shot off of Scott Proctor, and the Rays win their game 8-7 mere moments after the Red Sox loss. Tampa Bay advances into the playoffs, while the Red Sox officially complete their historic collapse by going 7-20 in the month of September (thanks in large part to the team's 7.08 ERA by their starters) and giving up their once nine-game lead. A sad day for Boston sports fan , indeed, while a joyous day for Northern Florida sports fan and Red Sox haters everywhere.
If you can name a better set of game 162s, good luck.
- The MVP of last night's actions, for me, has to be the MLB Network for their outstanding coverage. As I mentioned earlier in the blog, I am a true new-comer to the network as Dish Network only officially added this to their list of channels as of September 1st. So, this month was actually the first time that I got a chance to watch it in my very home. And, boy, am I glad that I did! Their coverage of the games is fantastic, none better than last night, in which they showed all of last night's major development in real time and on one place. Plus, you just gotta love when the announcers and analysts covering the games get just as excited of whats happening as the viewer...
- Moving on, playoff predictions! Here's how I think the postseason will go down this October:
ALDS:
Rays over Rangers in 4
Tigers over Yankees in 4
NLDS:
Phillies over Cardinals (in 5)
Brewers over Diamondbacks (in 5)
ALCS:
Tigers over Rays (in 7)
NLCS:
Phillies over Brewers (in 6)
World Series:
Phillies over Tigers (in 7)
Let's just hope that the postseason can at least be half as great as what we all saw last night.
- Quick thoughts on Ozzie Guillen leaving the White Sox (my favorite team) to become the new manager of the Florida Marlins: while I love Ozzie, had him on the top of my list as my favorite manager and character in Chicago sports for the past fifteen years, and will always thank him for leading the team to the World Series in 2005, their first in 88 years, a move in the managerial position needed to be done. After all, two division titles in eight years just doesn't cut, especially for a team with as big of a payload as the White Sox had these past few years. Sure, a lot of that has to do with Kenny Williams picking up these players, but that doesn't mean that Guillen had absolutely nothing to do with their lack of playoff appearances. The team under him never had great second halves, and they would usually struggle to win within the mid-August mark after competing for the division title most of the year. I do, however, wish Guillen luck in Florida, and hope to see the same unusual managerial tactics and colorful press conferences that I saw while he was here in this city. Now, Jerry Reinsdorf, bring me Terry Francona (if the rumors of his Boston departure is true) now!
- Kind of interesting how on the seventeenth anniversary of Ted Williams refusing to sit out the final game of the Red Sox 1941 season in favor of getting the .400 avg the old fashion way, through a bit hitting day to finish the year at .406, that Jose Reyes decided to sit out the final game of the season after one at-bat to preserve his NL batting crown with a .337 AVG.
- Maybe its because I feel sorry for the Dodgers fans and the state their team is in, or maybe its because I had him on my championship-winning fantasy team this season (more on that later), but I think that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp should win the NL MVP over Ryan Braun. The guy basically carried a mediocre team by himself with arguably the best statistical season by any National League player in the past decade not named either Barry Bonds or Albert Pujols. Not only did he come close of finishing the year with a Triple Crown (1st in HRs with 39, 1st in RBIs with 126, 3rd in AVG with .326), but also a 40 HR/40 SB season. To put it in perspective, the closest Dodger in home runs was catcher Rod Barajas with 16 jacks while the closest in RBIs was James Loney with 65 driven in and the only guy with an average above .295 was shortstop Dee Gordon (who had 378 fewer at-bats). In addition, he finished the year with 115 runs scored (1st in NL), a .399 OBP, a .586 slugging %, an OPS just below the 1.000 mark (.986), and an astounding 10.0 WAR rating (highest since Bonds' 12.4 WAR in '04). Braun was great as well this year, but he always had someone as good as a Prince Fielder batting right after him, something that can't be said for Kemp.
Other postseason awards thoughts:
AL MVP: Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox)
NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) in a slight edge over Roy Halladay (Phillies), though I would understand if it went the other way around.
AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander (Tigers), naturally.
NL Rookie of the Year: Vance Worley (Phillies)
AL Rookie of the Year: Marc Trumbo (Angels)
- Speaking of Albert Pujols, he came one RBI and one hit away from becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, and a .300 average in a season for eleven years straight. Instead, he's just going to have to settle with a pesky 37 HR, 99 RBI, .299 AVG season. Let's just say that the $250 million + contract people have been predicting that he would get this offseason will stand for whoever decides to be his free agency suitor (Cardinals, Cubs, Yankees, whatever).
- In more selfish news:
It happened again, ladies and gentleman! My ESPN Fantasy Baseball team, the Chicago Sox-Cubs, have just won their second league title in franchise history (and its second in three years, with the first coming in 2009)! Here's the link to check it out. (http://games.espn.go.com/flb/clubhouse?leagueId=22519&teamId=6) Behold by various amount of good free agency moves and prudent draft picks!
/walks self out in shame
And...that's all I have for now. I hope you enjoyed this special all-MLB edition of the RTs and look forward to seeing you return this coming Monday for more. Now, bring on the damn playoffs!
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
To e-mail any thoughts, suggestions or tips to mj15, make sure to address it to mj1599@aol.com. I would very much like it if you did.
6:10 p.m.- Both the Red Sox (vs. the Orioles), the Tampa Bay Rays (vs. the Yankees), and the Braves (vs. the Phillies) all begin their respective games, with the Cardinals (vs. the Astros) set to start in one hour.
6:18 p.m.- Phillies draw first blood thanks to a Ryan Howard double in the top of the first, scoring Hunter Pence.
6:20 p.m.- Yankees score the first major run of their game with an RBI single by Robinson Cano, scoring Curtis Granderson.
6:26 p.m.- Chipper Jones counters for Atlanta in the bottom of the first with a Chipper Jones sacrifice fly, tying the game at 1-1.
6:48 p.m.- Red Sox score off a Dustin Pedroia RBI single down the middle, scoring Mike Avila.
6:53 p.m.- Grand slam by Mark Texeira in the Yankees/Rays game off of David Price, who was not having any good stuff when he needed it most. All of a sudden, it's 5-0 New York in Tropicana.
7:02 p.m.- With Cole Hamels pitching his first relief effort of his career for the Phillies after the team had Joe Blanton start, Braves second baseman Dan Uggla (better known as the guy who had that unexpected 33 game hit streak over the summer) hits a two-run HR to left-center field, scoring himself and Martin Prado to have his team go up 3-0.
7:06 p.m.- The Red Sox only consistent pitcher during their September choke job, Jon Lester, pitching on three days rest, gives up a two run home run to J.J. Hardy. Both the Rays and the Red Sox are trailing.
7:10 p.m.- With the Braves still leading 3-2, the Cardinals finally are under way in their game against the Astros (of which Chris Carpenter is starting for them). They got off to a great start, with Albert Pujols scoring John Jay thanks to a smash to the left-field scoreboard.
7:13 p.m.- Orioles pitcher Alfredo Simone balks, scoring Marco Scutaro who was at third. Red Sox and Orioles are tied 2-2 in the top of the 4th inning.
7:14 p.m.- The Cardinals completely man-handle Astros starting pitcher Brett Myers. Right after Pujols scored St. Louis' first run of the game, the next batter (Lance Berkman) hits an RBI single of his own. This was followed in the same inning by three more runs scored by David Freese, Skip Schumaker, and Nick Punto, respectively, one inning in, and St. Louis is up 5-0.
7:35 p.m.- Another home run by Mark Texeira! Meanwhile, in Baltimore, Dustin Pedroia delivers once more, with his 21st (and most important) home run of the season. Currently, the Red Sox lead 3-2 while the Rays are behind 7-0. Obviously, Boston has a major advantage at this point.
7:54 p.m.- So far so good for both the Braves and the Cardinals. Braves starter Tim Hudson holds the Phillies to five straight scoreless innings, keeping their 3-1 lead in check, while Chris Carpenter helps his team on the offensive side of the game as well, scoring David Freese from second on an RBI single. The Cardinals now lead 6-0, and looking very comfortable (much like the Yankees in their game).
8:10 p.m.- An error by shortstop Jack Wilson (a man usually known for his great defensive plays) helps the Phillies get their second run of the game, with Raul Ibanez scoring. Tim Hudson was commanded to sit as a result. Luckily for Atlanta, the next batter, Shane Victorino, grounded into a double play, so they still preserve the lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.
8:30 p.m.- With the Braves still leading a close 3-2 game in Turner Field, the Cardinals are simply cruising in Minute-Maid Park. Schumaker has his second RBI of the day, increasing St. Louis' lead to 7-0, while Chris Carpenter is pitching than any of the eighth starters that were asked to pitch in tonight's four big games, with five scoreless innings and an impressive eighth strikeouts. He is certainly playing much like the ace he was supposed to be this year, and not the pitcher who struggled for the earlier parts of the season.
8:33 p.m.- Rain in Baltimore, so the Red Sox-Orioles game had to be delayed for the time being with Boston still up 3-2 in the middle of the seventh inning. With their team up and the Rays losing big, Red Sox fans must be feeling pretty good about how the rest of the night is going to go down.
8:45 p.m.- In the NL Wild Card race, both scores remain the same. The only difference is that the Braves-Phillies game is heading to the top of the ninth inning at this point, three outs away from a victory. Craig Kimbrel, who has 46 previous saves in the bag this season, is going to try to close it out.
8:55 p.m.- Major developments in Atlanta. With two outs and bases loaded for the Phillies, Chase Utley ties the game up on a sacrifice fly, scoring P.J. Orr from third, and Philadelphia ties the game at 3-3. Back in Houston, Cardinals players and fans are cheering the recent developments east of where they are.
9:10 p.m.- The Braves are unable to score in the bottom of the ninth, and this Atlanta-Philadelphia game is heading into overtime. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are heading to the ninth themselves, with a much more comfortable 7-0 lead. Obviously, it is the team with the red bird that currently has the edge right now.
9:14 p.m.- On NESN, Boston Globe writer and unapologetically terrible writer Dan Schaunnesgy, proclaims live on-the-air that the Red Sox will "live to play another day." Hmmm...
9:18 p.m.- Cardinals left fielder Alan Craig hits a towering 426 feet home run, increasing his team's lead to 8-0 heading to the bottom of the ninth.
9:20 p.m.- This is where things start to get truly insane in the AL Wild Card race. It's the bottom of the eigth inning in Tampa Bay and the Rays are still down 7-0 to New York. First, with the bases loaded, Sam Fuld walks, scoring Johnny Damon from third. Second, Sean Rodriguez gets hit by a pitch, scoring in another Rays run. Third, B.J. Upton scores the Rays third run in the inning on a sacrifice fly. All of a sudden, it's 7-3 Yankees. But then...
9:23 p.m.- Three-run home run by Evan Longoria! The Yankees lead has been trimmed down to 7-6 with one more inning left to play in regulation. As all this was happening, everyone in the New England area were watching these developments in fear with their team still in a rain delay.
9:25 p.m.- In the bottom of the ninth with two outs in Houston, Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez grounds out and the Cardinals post the first major final score of the night, winning 8-0 and tentatively holding a 0.5 game lead in the NL wild card race. Chris Carpenter finishes the game with a complete game shutout, and a season high eleven strikeouts. The Cardinals now wait for the final results in Atlanta, where the Braves and the Phillies are still playing in extra innings.
9:47 p.m.- As the tarp was being taken away in Camden Yards and both the Red Sox and the Orioles set to resume play, pinch hitting first baseman Dan Johnson (Dan Johnson!) hits a miraculous solo home run to the very edges of right field. In a span of forty minutes, the Rays had gone from being down seven to tying it up and taking the game to extra innings, someting unthinkable at one point. It's the second extra innings game among tonight's four big ones. Meanwhile, Dan Schaunnesghy is either really worried that he may have just jinxed the outcome of the night, or really excited to have a much better "Red Sox choke" column to write.
10:00 p.m.- No major developments yet. The three games still playing have yet to change scores while the Cardinals are still waiting to see what happens in Turner Field. Boston and Baltimore have gone back to playing, with Daniel Bard filling in for Jon Lester, and the Yankees had a runner at second in the tenth inning, but that's about it.
10:26 p.m.- With runners on the corner, and two outs in the top of the thirteenth inning, Hunter Pence does what the Phillies brought him to do on the team, by softly hitting the ball between first and second, scoring Brian Schneider. Philadelphia has come back to lead 4-3 heading into the bottom half, while Atlanta is three outs away from completing the first of two potential collapses tonight.
10:31 p.m.- Potential NL ROY winner Freddie Freeman steps up to the plate for Atlanta in the bottom of the 13th inning with one out and a runner (Uggla) at first. With the count full, he grounds the ball into what would become a 3-6-3 double play. The final score: Phillies- 4, Braves -3. The St. Louis Cardinals officially celebrate as they officially win the NL Wild Card after an 18-8 September to counter the Braves 9-18 record this month. Atlanta goes from up 8.5 games in the race as of September 6th to pondering what in the world just happened in the past twenty-two days.
10:35 p.m.- One playoff spot clinched tonight, one more to go...
10:44 p.m.- The situation in Camden Yards (with the Yankees and Rays still playing extra innings): Top of the ninth. Bases loaded. One out. Red Sox are still up 3-2 with the bases loaded...and catcher Ryan Lavarnway grounds it to the shortstop (Hardy) and the Orioles stop any run insurance for Boston. To the bottom of the ninth we go, with Jonathan Papelbon closing...
10:59 p.m.- Save opportunity over for Papelbon, as he gives up a ground-rule double base hit to Nolan Reimold with two outs on a 2-2 pitch, scoring pinch-runner Kyle Hudson from second. 3-3 tie. Its the third time tonight that a team has given up a lead in the ninth inning with two outs. Midnight, the witching hour, strikes all across the East Coast.
11:02 p.m.- And that's the end of that chapter. Orioles second baseman Ronnie Andino hits the pitch from Papelbon to left-center field, scoring Reimold. Baltimore wins it 4-3, and for the first time since the early parts of the season, the Red Sox are trailing in the wild card race, awaiting the results in Tampa to find out whether the get to play in a one-game playoff, or end their season for good.
11:03 p.m.- As expected, Rays fans celebrate the Red Sox loss in Tropicana. It's the bottom of the twelve inning now, with one out, and their game still tied 7-7. Advantage: Tampa. And now, up to the plate, comes Evan Longoria...
11:05 p.m.- Ballgame over, AL wild card race over. Evan Longoria hits a solo shot off of Scott Proctor, and the Rays win their game 8-7 mere moments after the Red Sox loss. Tampa Bay advances into the playoffs, while the Red Sox officially complete their historic collapse by going 7-20 in the month of September (thanks in large part to the team's 7.08 ERA by their starters) and giving up their once nine-game lead. A sad day for Boston sports fan , indeed, while a joyous day for Northern Florida sports fan and Red Sox haters everywhere.
If you can name a better set of game 162s, good luck.
- The MVP of last night's actions, for me, has to be the MLB Network for their outstanding coverage. As I mentioned earlier in the blog, I am a true new-comer to the network as Dish Network only officially added this to their list of channels as of September 1st. So, this month was actually the first time that I got a chance to watch it in my very home. And, boy, am I glad that I did! Their coverage of the games is fantastic, none better than last night, in which they showed all of last night's major development in real time and on one place. Plus, you just gotta love when the announcers and analysts covering the games get just as excited of whats happening as the viewer...
- Moving on, playoff predictions! Here's how I think the postseason will go down this October:
ALDS:
Rays over Rangers in 4
Tigers over Yankees in 4
NLDS:
Phillies over Cardinals (in 5)
Brewers over Diamondbacks (in 5)
ALCS:
Tigers over Rays (in 7)
NLCS:
Phillies over Brewers (in 6)
World Series:
Phillies over Tigers (in 7)
Let's just hope that the postseason can at least be half as great as what we all saw last night.
- Quick thoughts on Ozzie Guillen leaving the White Sox (my favorite team) to become the new manager of the Florida Marlins: while I love Ozzie, had him on the top of my list as my favorite manager and character in Chicago sports for the past fifteen years, and will always thank him for leading the team to the World Series in 2005, their first in 88 years, a move in the managerial position needed to be done. After all, two division titles in eight years just doesn't cut, especially for a team with as big of a payload as the White Sox had these past few years. Sure, a lot of that has to do with Kenny Williams picking up these players, but that doesn't mean that Guillen had absolutely nothing to do with their lack of playoff appearances. The team under him never had great second halves, and they would usually struggle to win within the mid-August mark after competing for the division title most of the year. I do, however, wish Guillen luck in Florida, and hope to see the same unusual managerial tactics and colorful press conferences that I saw while he was here in this city. Now, Jerry Reinsdorf, bring me Terry Francona (if the rumors of his Boston departure is true) now!
- Kind of interesting how on the seventeenth anniversary of Ted Williams refusing to sit out the final game of the Red Sox 1941 season in favor of getting the .400 avg the old fashion way, through a bit hitting day to finish the year at .406, that Jose Reyes decided to sit out the final game of the season after one at-bat to preserve his NL batting crown with a .337 AVG.
- Maybe its because I feel sorry for the Dodgers fans and the state their team is in, or maybe its because I had him on my championship-winning fantasy team this season (more on that later), but I think that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp should win the NL MVP over Ryan Braun. The guy basically carried a mediocre team by himself with arguably the best statistical season by any National League player in the past decade not named either Barry Bonds or Albert Pujols. Not only did he come close of finishing the year with a Triple Crown (1st in HRs with 39, 1st in RBIs with 126, 3rd in AVG with .326), but also a 40 HR/40 SB season. To put it in perspective, the closest Dodger in home runs was catcher Rod Barajas with 16 jacks while the closest in RBIs was James Loney with 65 driven in and the only guy with an average above .295 was shortstop Dee Gordon (who had 378 fewer at-bats). In addition, he finished the year with 115 runs scored (1st in NL), a .399 OBP, a .586 slugging %, an OPS just below the 1.000 mark (.986), and an astounding 10.0 WAR rating (highest since Bonds' 12.4 WAR in '04). Braun was great as well this year, but he always had someone as good as a Prince Fielder batting right after him, something that can't be said for Kemp.
Other postseason awards thoughts:
AL MVP: Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox)
NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) in a slight edge over Roy Halladay (Phillies), though I would understand if it went the other way around.
AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander (Tigers), naturally.
NL Rookie of the Year: Vance Worley (Phillies)
AL Rookie of the Year: Marc Trumbo (Angels)
- Speaking of Albert Pujols, he came one RBI and one hit away from becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, and a .300 average in a season for eleven years straight. Instead, he's just going to have to settle with a pesky 37 HR, 99 RBI, .299 AVG season. Let's just say that the $250 million + contract people have been predicting that he would get this offseason will stand for whoever decides to be his free agency suitor (Cardinals, Cubs, Yankees, whatever).
- In more selfish news:
It happened again, ladies and gentleman! My ESPN Fantasy Baseball team, the Chicago Sox-Cubs, have just won their second league title in franchise history (and its second in three years, with the first coming in 2009)! Here's the link to check it out. (http://games.espn.go.com/flb/clubhouse?leagueId=22519&teamId=6) Behold by various amount of good free agency moves and prudent draft picks!
/walks self out in shame
And...that's all I have for now. I hope you enjoyed this special all-MLB edition of the RTs and look forward to seeing you return this coming Monday for more. Now, bring on the damn playoffs!
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
To e-mail any thoughts, suggestions or tips to mj15, make sure to address it to mj1599@aol.com. I would very much like it if you did.
Monday, September 26, 2011
The Awesomeness of "Breaking Bad," Michele Bachmann and Choking in MLB
RANDOM THOUGHTS:
The following were on my mind between Monday, September 19th and Monday, September 26th:
- Those last ten minutes of last night's "Breaking Bad"...
Those last ten intense...haunting...glorious minutes...
(This is the time where I tell those that have yet to watch "Breaking Bad" to skip ahead to the next paragraph, because these next three paragraphs will have many spoilers. However, if you aren't a viewer and would like for me to get into specific details on why I love the show, you may proceed)
Ever since Jessee went on the trip with Mike in the appropriately titled episode "Shotgun," it just seems that Vince Gilligan and the brilliant cast and crew of "Breaking Bad" have just made an effort to try to constantly top itself with every episode and to prove just why there are the unanimous holder of the title "Best Show of Television" (and with "Mad Men" not returning until late winter-early spring, the "Best Show of 2011. Period."). First came the episode "Cornered" in which Walt gave his angry, profound speech in "Cornered" (featuring his proclamation "I am the one who knocks!," which is easily the show's best quote so far). Then came the episode "Hermano," which was highlighted by a suspenseful flashback into Gus's old days as a nervous, ambitious meth-dealing newcomer, and the tragic moment involving Max, the other hermano of "Los Pollos Hermanos," in the cartel leader's pool. Two episodes later came the rage-filled fight between Walt and Jesse (a fight very similar to another memorable TV fight between two friends between Stringer Bell and Avon Barksdale on "The Wire"), followed by Gus single-handily killing off all his cartel enemies in another fantastic scene poolside at Don Eladio's home at the end of last week's "Salud."
But none of them could compare to the ending of last night's episode. From Jesse and Walter's relationship further becoming strained and Gus taking Walt to the desert just to threaten him and tell that he's finally been replaced to those final images of Marie crying to Skyler through the phone in fear about Hank's danger while Walt sat lying on his home's ground floor, laughing like a mad man at the realization on how much he had really gotten into, that ending was simply all kinds of amazing (arguably the greatest final scene on a show with many memorable final scenes over the years). Not only that, but they managed to end the Ted Beneke storyline in a way that, while abrupt, felt pretty organic and led to the new troubles of the White family presented in that final scene. It really is amazing that there are only two more episodes left this season and eighteen more episodes total (AMC announced a sixteen episode final season of "Breaking Bad" nearly a month ago). From what transpired in the past few weeks, it really does feel that the show is ending in the coming days!
And a lot of that credit really does go to the people working on the show. Vince Gilligan and the rest of the writing staff have done an exceptional job once again in their improvisational writing, creating all these little plotpoints in the beginning of the season and have them all start to culminate as the end approaches. The acting has also been outstanding, from Bryan Cranston (who is poised to win his fourth Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series award during next year's Emmys) to Aaron Paul and Giancarlo Esposito, neck-and-neck when it comes to the battle of the show's best supporting actor this season. And of course, the art direction and cinematography have been great, too, but really, who hasn't said that already about the show? There's only four more episodes left this season, and I am very much looking forward to watching it play out, as I have absolutely no clue as to how this story is going to head towards hiatus.
- I don't know what's the dumbest thing that Michele Bachmann has said this month: the fact that she actually said during Thursday's Republican debate that there should be absolutely no taxes in this country, or that HPV shots are really bad. I'm starting to think that the woman is there simply to make Rick Perry and Mitt Romney look like coherent and intellectual speakers.
- Wolf Blitzer: Such an awesome name for someone who least deserves it.
- I don't feel like getting invested in "Terra Nova," because I'm worried that if I do, I will just spend the entire time worrying about the major plot holes of the show, like the destruction of the universe's current space-time continuum (UPDATE 09/26: Apparently, they've traveled through some kind of time rift with the STC, so I guess that solves my problems with this issue...I think), or how those Terra Nova pilgrims are going to help save their current planet by going 85 million years in the past despite the fact that, around 65 million years ago, there will come a time where most of the species on Earth become extinct, including the humans that will still live in Terra Nova.
- A poignant final word on Troy Davis and the death penalty from Lawrence O'Donnell on "The Last Word" one week ago. Makes me actually consider watching his show more:
- I just want to give a big thanks towards the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves. Both of your chokes in the past four weeks have significantly changed the MLB pennant chase from what was mostly a bore where every chase seemed to be decided already to an interesting ending where at least two playoff spot are going to go down to the very end (currently Boston has a one game lead in the AL Wild Card over Tampa Bay while Atlanta has a one game lead in the NL wild card over the St. Louis Cardinals). This thanks especially goes to Boston, who were thought to be a 100-win team and being compared to the 1927 Yankees mere months ago and now are pulling their own version of the team's 1978 season. Can't wait to see which one of you teams actually complete an '09 Tigers in the next three days!
- If PETA's goal with their ads is to get me to think of them as a softcore porn organization more than animal rights group, they have succeeded.
- So far, not that really impressed with the new slate of fall shows network TV has debuted. The only three shows that I seeing as being okay and having potential are "The New Girl," "Up All Night" and "Pan-Am," while the rest (especially shows like "Whitney" and "The Playboy Club") have been either forgettable or just plain bad. The one bright side, though? Those three shows that I currently like are three times more than the amount of new shows I liked last fall, so this new TV season is off to a better start.
More random thoughts to come...well, I haven't that yet. Maybe I will bring back the Thursday RTs, maybe not. Either way, I hope you come back to this blog to see when that next edition does come. Until then, enjoy the rest of your workweek!
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you just have any suggestions or tips for my next blog entry, e-mail me at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mails are greatly appreciated.
The following were on my mind between Monday, September 19th and Monday, September 26th:
- Those last ten minutes of last night's "Breaking Bad"...
Those last ten intense...haunting...glorious minutes...
(This is the time where I tell those that have yet to watch "Breaking Bad" to skip ahead to the next paragraph, because these next three paragraphs will have many spoilers. However, if you aren't a viewer and would like for me to get into specific details on why I love the show, you may proceed)
Ever since Jessee went on the trip with Mike in the appropriately titled episode "Shotgun," it just seems that Vince Gilligan and the brilliant cast and crew of "Breaking Bad" have just made an effort to try to constantly top itself with every episode and to prove just why there are the unanimous holder of the title "Best Show of Television" (and with "Mad Men" not returning until late winter-early spring, the "Best Show of 2011. Period."). First came the episode "Cornered" in which Walt gave his angry, profound speech in "Cornered" (featuring his proclamation "I am the one who knocks!," which is easily the show's best quote so far). Then came the episode "Hermano," which was highlighted by a suspenseful flashback into Gus's old days as a nervous, ambitious meth-dealing newcomer, and the tragic moment involving Max, the other hermano of "Los Pollos Hermanos," in the cartel leader's pool. Two episodes later came the rage-filled fight between Walt and Jesse (a fight very similar to another memorable TV fight between two friends between Stringer Bell and Avon Barksdale on "The Wire"), followed by Gus single-handily killing off all his cartel enemies in another fantastic scene poolside at Don Eladio's home at the end of last week's "Salud."
But none of them could compare to the ending of last night's episode. From Jesse and Walter's relationship further becoming strained and Gus taking Walt to the desert just to threaten him and tell that he's finally been replaced to those final images of Marie crying to Skyler through the phone in fear about Hank's danger while Walt sat lying on his home's ground floor, laughing like a mad man at the realization on how much he had really gotten into, that ending was simply all kinds of amazing (arguably the greatest final scene on a show with many memorable final scenes over the years). Not only that, but they managed to end the Ted Beneke storyline in a way that, while abrupt, felt pretty organic and led to the new troubles of the White family presented in that final scene. It really is amazing that there are only two more episodes left this season and eighteen more episodes total (AMC announced a sixteen episode final season of "Breaking Bad" nearly a month ago). From what transpired in the past few weeks, it really does feel that the show is ending in the coming days!
And a lot of that credit really does go to the people working on the show. Vince Gilligan and the rest of the writing staff have done an exceptional job once again in their improvisational writing, creating all these little plotpoints in the beginning of the season and have them all start to culminate as the end approaches. The acting has also been outstanding, from Bryan Cranston (who is poised to win his fourth Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series award during next year's Emmys) to Aaron Paul and Giancarlo Esposito, neck-and-neck when it comes to the battle of the show's best supporting actor this season. And of course, the art direction and cinematography have been great, too, but really, who hasn't said that already about the show? There's only four more episodes left this season, and I am very much looking forward to watching it play out, as I have absolutely no clue as to how this story is going to head towards hiatus.
- I don't know what's the dumbest thing that Michele Bachmann has said this month: the fact that she actually said during Thursday's Republican debate that there should be absolutely no taxes in this country, or that HPV shots are really bad. I'm starting to think that the woman is there simply to make Rick Perry and Mitt Romney look like coherent and intellectual speakers.
- Wolf Blitzer: Such an awesome name for someone who least deserves it.
- I don't feel like getting invested in "Terra Nova," because I'm worried that if I do, I will just spend the entire time worrying about the major plot holes of the show, like the destruction of the universe's current space-time continuum (UPDATE 09/26: Apparently, they've traveled through some kind of time rift with the STC, so I guess that solves my problems with this issue...I think), or how those Terra Nova pilgrims are going to help save their current planet by going 85 million years in the past despite the fact that, around 65 million years ago, there will come a time where most of the species on Earth become extinct, including the humans that will still live in Terra Nova.
- A poignant final word on Troy Davis and the death penalty from Lawrence O'Donnell on "The Last Word" one week ago. Makes me actually consider watching his show more:
- I just want to give a big thanks towards the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves. Both of your chokes in the past four weeks have significantly changed the MLB pennant chase from what was mostly a bore where every chase seemed to be decided already to an interesting ending where at least two playoff spot are going to go down to the very end (currently Boston has a one game lead in the AL Wild Card over Tampa Bay while Atlanta has a one game lead in the NL wild card over the St. Louis Cardinals). This thanks especially goes to Boston, who were thought to be a 100-win team and being compared to the 1927 Yankees mere months ago and now are pulling their own version of the team's 1978 season. Can't wait to see which one of you teams actually complete an '09 Tigers in the next three days!
- If PETA's goal with their ads is to get me to think of them as a softcore porn organization more than animal rights group, they have succeeded.
- So far, not that really impressed with the new slate of fall shows network TV has debuted. The only three shows that I seeing as being okay and having potential are "The New Girl," "Up All Night" and "Pan-Am," while the rest (especially shows like "Whitney" and "The Playboy Club") have been either forgettable or just plain bad. The one bright side, though? Those three shows that I currently like are three times more than the amount of new shows I liked last fall, so this new TV season is off to a better start.
More random thoughts to come...well, I haven't that yet. Maybe I will bring back the Thursday RTs, maybe not. Either way, I hope you come back to this blog to see when that next edition does come. Until then, enjoy the rest of your workweek!
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you just have any suggestions or tips for my next blog entry, e-mail me at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mails are greatly appreciated.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
End of the Week: 09/18/11- 09/24/11
END OF THE WEEK:
Welcome back to The mj15 Blog's coverage of the best that was from the previous week that was! We've got a lot to cover this week, from executions of the innocents to big ratings for the undeserving, mullet contest winners to mugshot Hall of Famers. So, with that in mind, here we go:
Mugshots of the Week: Andy Huynh, Nicholas Kalscheuer and Nicholas Fiumetto of Covina, California
for these three glorious mugshots, each taken after the three of them were arrested Wednesday on charges of robbery, resisting arrest and assault with a deadly weapon after they stole a 30-pack of Tecate beer:
According to the Los Angeles Time's report of the story, the first man brought to justice was Kalscheuer (right) after he got knocked down by a few of the store's employees. After another employee successfully stopped the other two from driving away by jumping in front of the car's hoodie, Fiumetto was caught by two policemen running through an operating carwash while Huynh later turned himself in after authorities found an ID of his that he dropped. Both of them are in prison with $50,000 bail each at the moment, but that doesn't really matter. I mean just look at those mugshots, so awesome in many different ways, with Huynh for looking like the lead singer for an emo pop band, Fiumetto for looking like a spoiled twelve year old upset that mommy didn't give him "Gears of War 3" to go with the new XBOX-360 Kinect that she bought for his birthday, and Kalscheuer for looking as like a self-loathing trailer park resident. Should be interesting to see if their suburb kids boredom will bring them back in the penitentiary in the future.
Stories of the Week:
-The Actual Story of the Week: Troy Davis Executed After Appeal Denied by Supreme Court
This is just a story that just makes your blood boil and once again rethink the way the U.S.'s judicial system works. At around 11 p.m. Tuesday night, the 42 year old Davis was executed in a Georgia penitentiary after waiting over three hours for a a Supreme Court ruling which basically refused to postpone and/or reject his death row sentence. Twenty years earlier, Davis was convicted of murdering Mark Allen McPhail, a police officer. However, in the years since, seven of the nine witnesses that the prosecution used recanted their statements, saying that they were lying and that their previous testimony was due in part to intimidation from other police officers. Not only that, but there was no DNA evidence of fingerprints linking Davis to the scene of the crime. Maybe if she was a white brunette women, things would have been different. Either ways, may this man R.I.P., hopefully will now be in a better place than the one he was in for the past two decades.
- The Tiger Woods Saga of '09 Memorial Story of the Week: Irish Pensioner's Death in Fire Caused By Self-Combustion
I think I just found an cool idea for a limerick!
Internet Meme of the Week: First Place Mullet Winner- 1994
Why do I have a feeling that this little boy grew up to be a pawn shop owner?
Break-up of the Week: R.E.M.
And somehow all teenagers of the '90s just died a little inside.
Video of the Week: "What Does It Feel Like to Fly Over Planet Earth?"
This just in: watching things from space is really cool.
Battle of the Week: Rick Perry vs. Mitt Romney II in Thursday's Republican Presidential Debate
In response, former Utah governor John Huntsman and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum said that they were just happy to watch it all unfold in person.
TV Premiere of the Week: 'Two and a Half Men" with Ashton Kutcher
for attracting an average audience of 28 million curious viewers (the largest season premiere for any scripted show since the season 2 premiere of "Desperate Housewives" in 2005) during their season 9 premiere Monday, the show's first with new cast member Ashton Kutcher after former star Charlie Sheen was fired earlier this year because of...well, you know. In it, the show spent the episode's first ten minutes bashing and humiliating Sheen's character on the show, Charlie Harper, as a form of payback (giving him an closed casket funeral, a death by explosion and even appearances by several ex-girlfriend describing all the STDs he gave them) while the other twelve were spent complementing Kutcher's penis. It was cruel, it was crude, it had a lot of fart jokes; basically, it was a typical episode of "Two and a Half Men," just with a bearded Kelso from "That 70's Show."
Kutcher's debut also resulted in a major halo effect for the rest of CBS's comedy line-up, which included over 12 million viewers for the one-hour season premiere of "How I Met Your Mother" (the most watched episode of the show ever) and 19 million viewers for the series premiere of "2 Broke Girls" (the largest premiere ratings for any new comedy in the past ten years). Meanwhile, much better and smarter sitcoms like "Community" and "Parks and Recreations" could barely muster 4 million viewers for their season premieres. There's a point that I want to make of this, but quite frankly, I'm just too angry to think of one. Let's just hope that ratings for this show decreases continually within the coming months.
Persons of the Week: Fans of Autumn (like me!)
The best season of the entire year returned this Thursday, and all that comes with it. In entertainment, the first week of the 2011-2012 TV season began with the premieres of a ton of new network shows like "2 Broke Girls," "New Girl," "Revenge," "Person of Interest," "Prime Suspect," and "Whitney" (some better than others, obviously) and the return of some beloved favorites like "Community" and "Parks and Recreations" (mentioned above), "The Office" post-Steve Carell, "Fringe," and (later tonight) "Boardwalk Empire." In sports, the NFL is well into their season, and college football is just starting to heat up. Meanwhile, in baseball, we are in the final week of the regular season, and two of the eight playoff spots (the AL and NL wild cards) are still being determined, with the Boston Red Sox currently 1.5 games up on the Rays and the Braves 2 games up on the Cardinals. And in movies, all of the major and independent studios are beginning to bring out their top guns, releasing movies that they feel will be critically praised and possibly result in Oscar buzz in the months to come. It's the season changing leaves, Thanksgiving, and temperatures so nice that all you need to wear most of the time is a light jacket, and it's back in our lives, baby! POP POP!
-Runner-up: HBO boxing analyst Larry Merchant
for making the ending to the Mayweather-Ortiz fight last Saturday night even more infamous with this trash-talking session to Mayweather after the fight, telling him that he wished he were 50 years younger so that he can kick his ass. The thing is, I see that Mayweather-Merchant fight happen more than I see the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.
And that's the way it was! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Now, here's some famous R.E.M. song to end the post in honor of the band's break-up.
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you just have any suggestions or tips for my next blog entry, e-mail me at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mails are greatly appreciated.
Welcome back to The mj15 Blog's coverage of the best that was from the previous week that was! We've got a lot to cover this week, from executions of the innocents to big ratings for the undeserving, mullet contest winners to mugshot Hall of Famers. So, with that in mind, here we go:
Mugshots of the Week: Andy Huynh, Nicholas Kalscheuer and Nicholas Fiumetto of Covina, California
for these three glorious mugshots, each taken after the three of them were arrested Wednesday on charges of robbery, resisting arrest and assault with a deadly weapon after they stole a 30-pack of Tecate beer:
According to the Los Angeles Time's report of the story, the first man brought to justice was Kalscheuer (right) after he got knocked down by a few of the store's employees. After another employee successfully stopped the other two from driving away by jumping in front of the car's hoodie, Fiumetto was caught by two policemen running through an operating carwash while Huynh later turned himself in after authorities found an ID of his that he dropped. Both of them are in prison with $50,000 bail each at the moment, but that doesn't really matter. I mean just look at those mugshots, so awesome in many different ways, with Huynh for looking like the lead singer for an emo pop band, Fiumetto for looking like a spoiled twelve year old upset that mommy didn't give him "Gears of War 3" to go with the new XBOX-360 Kinect that she bought for his birthday, and Kalscheuer for looking as like a self-loathing trailer park resident. Should be interesting to see if their suburb kids boredom will bring them back in the penitentiary in the future.
Stories of the Week:
-The Actual Story of the Week: Troy Davis Executed After Appeal Denied by Supreme Court
This is just a story that just makes your blood boil and once again rethink the way the U.S.'s judicial system works. At around 11 p.m. Tuesday night, the 42 year old Davis was executed in a Georgia penitentiary after waiting over three hours for a a Supreme Court ruling which basically refused to postpone and/or reject his death row sentence. Twenty years earlier, Davis was convicted of murdering Mark Allen McPhail, a police officer. However, in the years since, seven of the nine witnesses that the prosecution used recanted their statements, saying that they were lying and that their previous testimony was due in part to intimidation from other police officers. Not only that, but there was no DNA evidence of fingerprints linking Davis to the scene of the crime. Maybe if she was a white brunette women, things would have been different. Either ways, may this man R.I.P., hopefully will now be in a better place than the one he was in for the past two decades.
- The Tiger Woods Saga of '09 Memorial Story of the Week: Irish Pensioner's Death in Fire Caused By Self-Combustion
I think I just found an cool idea for a limerick!
Internet Meme of the Week: First Place Mullet Winner- 1994
Why do I have a feeling that this little boy grew up to be a pawn shop owner?
Break-up of the Week: R.E.M.
And somehow all teenagers of the '90s just died a little inside.
Video of the Week: "What Does It Feel Like to Fly Over Planet Earth?"
This just in: watching things from space is really cool.
Battle of the Week: Rick Perry vs. Mitt Romney II in Thursday's Republican Presidential Debate
In response, former Utah governor John Huntsman and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum said that they were just happy to watch it all unfold in person.
TV Premiere of the Week: 'Two and a Half Men" with Ashton Kutcher
for attracting an average audience of 28 million curious viewers (the largest season premiere for any scripted show since the season 2 premiere of "Desperate Housewives" in 2005) during their season 9 premiere Monday, the show's first with new cast member Ashton Kutcher after former star Charlie Sheen was fired earlier this year because of...well, you know. In it, the show spent the episode's first ten minutes bashing and humiliating Sheen's character on the show, Charlie Harper, as a form of payback (giving him an closed casket funeral, a death by explosion and even appearances by several ex-girlfriend describing all the STDs he gave them) while the other twelve were spent complementing Kutcher's penis. It was cruel, it was crude, it had a lot of fart jokes; basically, it was a typical episode of "Two and a Half Men," just with a bearded Kelso from "That 70's Show."
Kutcher's debut also resulted in a major halo effect for the rest of CBS's comedy line-up, which included over 12 million viewers for the one-hour season premiere of "How I Met Your Mother" (the most watched episode of the show ever) and 19 million viewers for the series premiere of "2 Broke Girls" (the largest premiere ratings for any new comedy in the past ten years). Meanwhile, much better and smarter sitcoms like "Community" and "Parks and Recreations" could barely muster 4 million viewers for their season premieres. There's a point that I want to make of this, but quite frankly, I'm just too angry to think of one. Let's just hope that ratings for this show decreases continually within the coming months.
Persons of the Week: Fans of Autumn (like me!)
The best season of the entire year returned this Thursday, and all that comes with it. In entertainment, the first week of the 2011-2012 TV season began with the premieres of a ton of new network shows like "2 Broke Girls," "New Girl," "Revenge," "Person of Interest," "Prime Suspect," and "Whitney" (some better than others, obviously) and the return of some beloved favorites like "Community" and "Parks and Recreations" (mentioned above), "The Office" post-Steve Carell, "Fringe," and (later tonight) "Boardwalk Empire." In sports, the NFL is well into their season, and college football is just starting to heat up. Meanwhile, in baseball, we are in the final week of the regular season, and two of the eight playoff spots (the AL and NL wild cards) are still being determined, with the Boston Red Sox currently 1.5 games up on the Rays and the Braves 2 games up on the Cardinals. And in movies, all of the major and independent studios are beginning to bring out their top guns, releasing movies that they feel will be critically praised and possibly result in Oscar buzz in the months to come. It's the season changing leaves, Thanksgiving, and temperatures so nice that all you need to wear most of the time is a light jacket, and it's back in our lives, baby! POP POP!
-Runner-up: HBO boxing analyst Larry Merchant
for making the ending to the Mayweather-Ortiz fight last Saturday night even more infamous with this trash-talking session to Mayweather after the fight, telling him that he wished he were 50 years younger so that he can kick his ass. The thing is, I see that Mayweather-Merchant fight happen more than I see the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.
And that's the way it was! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Now, here's some famous R.E.M. song to end the post in honor of the band's break-up.
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you just have any suggestions or tips for my next blog entry, e-mail me at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mails are greatly appreciated.
Friday, September 23, 2011
2011 NFL Predictions: Week 3
This was quite the week regarding the NFL's hypocrisy toward injuries and player safety. First, there was the case of the Atlanta Falcons' Dunta Robinson. On Monday, the league fined Robinson $40,000 for his hit Sunday night on Jeremy Maclin, which was weird because it's $10,000 less than the fine-worthy hit he gave on DeSean Jackson last season (one of the brutal hits from week six of last season that caused the NFL to go on an anti-violence crusade/overreaction the following week after), and it looked more brutal than the Jackson hit. Plus, with Robinson being a second-time offender, common sense would dictate that his punishment would be larger than the first, just like what MLB does to players who continue to take steroids, yet it was not the case. Then, there was former NFL player and current CBS NFL analyst Boomer Esiason complaining to USA Today about the Cowboys medical staff that cleared Tony Romo to come back onto the field in Sunday afternoon's game against the 49ers despite him suffering a punctured lung, questioning whether their efforts to improve player safety is all purely lip service.
And then , there was this image of Jamaal Charles that people going to NFL.com would have seen on their front page early Thursday morning, one that you can currently see on the top of this article. It's an image of Charles being driven away from the field into the team's locker room after suffering an ACL tear that would soon put him on injured reserve and out for the season. I could name so many things wrong with this that it would possibly require a separate post, but I'm just going to just say the obvious: in a league that has been trying desperately to limit injuries, to establish rules within the game that would severly punish individuals causing violent hits, and instituted a new set of suspensions towards violent hits, why would they suddenly then use the images for something as exploitative as a fantasy football ad?
Look, I understand what they were trying to do. Jamaal Charles was a great player that got hurt real bad, and his fantasy owners were just as sad about this injury as Chiefs fan. But just because I understand it doesn't mean that I think it was okay to do it. This was, after all, an ACL tear the man suffered, one that may have drastic effects in his health and playing ability for the future. And you want to use the image of his pain and frustration to promote some stupid game that you, for some reason, are still creating new 12-team leagues for? NAMBLA has better market strategies than this!
Thankfully, the NFL ended up taking this down on their front page. However, what this and the other two things that I mentioned teaches us is that, with that violent week 6 from last season approaching a year old, the league is still showing cognitive dissonance when it comes to how they treat player injuries. They fine players, suspend them and would even castrate them if they could (especially if they did it to a great QB) if they perform a violent hit on a player, and yet they sell photos of said violent hits. They consider a major injury to be a public relations nightmare, yet they use it to promote their official fantasy football website. Argue what you will about Boomer Esiason's statements, but he kind of does have at least one point in that USA Today argument. You either glorify a player for coming into a game with the situation that Romo had Sunday night, or you can try to improve the safety of players, but you really can't have both.
(H/T to Awful Announcing, by the way)
Anyways, let's get down to business, shall we? Last week's results? Well, last week was a pretty exceptional week for myself when it came to predicting games, as I finished with an overall record of 13-3, one game better than the record mj50 had (whose week you might also call admirable), at 12-4. Through the first two weeks, we are both tied with an overall record of 22-10.
So, what shall we in week 3? Which of the seven 2-0 teams will remain undefeated? Are the Seahawks, Colts and Chiefs still under serious contention for the worst record in football? Will players like Cam Newton, Tom Brady and Darren McFadden continue what have been impressive starts to the season? How will players like Tony Romo and Michael Vick perform in their first games back from suffering what some might call serious injuries? Is Ryan Fitzpatrick still a QB that used to play at Harvard? Time will tell, but first: the picks!
Let's begin (Note: All game times are based on the Central time zone):
New England Patriots (-7.5) vs. Buffalo Bills: Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: New England
Holy Cow, you guys! A non-week one Patriots-Bills game that actually matters! And the Bills might actually win it, with the team's offense ranked #7 in the league (and averaging roughly 40 points) through two games and taking on a Patriots passing defense at home that has given up the second most yards on average. However, and this is the part where reality comes in, the Bills have yet to defeat to defeat New England since week 1 of the 2003 season, and as far as I am concerned, the Patriots offense, ranked #1 through two games, are still good enough to make up for their poor pass rush (so far, at least). Plus, those first two Bills wins came against Kansas City and Oakland, so take those games with a little grain of salt. New England will win, they will be the one to make it out 3-0, and peace and order will be temporarily restored.
mj50's pick: New England
San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Cincinnati
The Mike Greenberg Theory trumps all!
mj50's pick: Cincinnati
Houston Texans vs. New Orleans Saints (-4): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: New Orleans
Like the Patriots game is for Buffalo, this game against New Orleans match-up will be the first true test for the currently 2-0 Houston Texans, specifically for their pass rush which is surprisingly ranked #1 in least yards allowed thus far (proving that the defensive coordinator position is where Wade Phillips truly belongs), as Saints QB Drew Brees has averaged 330 yards thus far. Also, like the Bills, I see the Texans losing their week 3 matchup. While I do feel that this matchup will go down to the wire, New Orleans' has the slight edge in both defensive front seven (4 sacks per game through the first two weeks) and quarterback to get past them in this one.
mj50's pick: Houston
New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-8.5): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Philadelphia
I could just say that Michael Vick is scheduled to play, and that will be the end of it. But there's more reasons to like the Eagles in this one. For starters, Eli Mannning has played in his trademark Eli Manning manor thus far: 245 yards per game (in a league where 17 quarterbacks have averaged at least 250 yards per game, an interception pass every game (putting his consecutive games streak with an interception at 6) and an 82 passer rating (worse than Andy Dalton, Jason Campbell and Colt McCoy, to name a few). The Eagles also have a six game win streak going again for them against the Giants (including their spectacular comeback from last July). Vick, Kafka, or even Young, I was going to pick the Eagles either way.
mj50's pick: New York
Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns (-2.5): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Miami
Miami's the team that redefined what it meant to have "homefield advantage" since 2010, going 1-9 at home since last season while 6-2 on the road. Also, the Browns have started off the season losing to the Bengals, a team they should've beaten, and just barely defeating the pitiful Manning-less Colts. In other words, I expect to see that Miami is going to come out of this game with their first win of the season once all is said and done.
mj50's pick: Cleveland
Denver Broncos vs. Tennessee Titans (-6.5): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Tennessee
Was it any surprise at all that Chris Johnson, a man who skipped an entire preseason and training camp just so he could receive a $54 million contract, is struggling so far (2.2 yards per carry, with worse rushing stats than Danny Woodhead and Chad Henne and just slightly better than Roy Helu)? Better question, when was the last time that you could ever recall a high profile RB doing well immediately after missing long periods of action? With that said, Johnson is in luck as he gets to face a team that has given up an average of 130 yards rushing per game. Expect his early-season struggles to come to an end this week. In addition, the Broncos are coming into this game plagued with injuries, with Elvis Dumervil and Marcus Thomas ruled ou
t of the game and both Champ Bailey and Knowshown Moreno considered questionable at the moment. Advantage, Tim Tebow fans.mj50's pick: Denver
Detroit Lions (-3.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings: Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Detroit
The Lions are actually going to go 3-0 people! The Lions! Yay, parody! Changing the subject, Peter King is still terrible. Here's the veteran Sports Illustrated writer giving his reasons for picking the Lions to win in his predictions column:
"Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford's former high school baseball teammate, Clayton Kershaw, wins his 20th game and becomes a leading candidate for the National League Cy Young. Meanwhile, Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer get shut down for the rest of the season. A coincidence? I think not!"
Did I mention that this man won National Sportswriter of the Year mere months ago?
mj50's pick: Detroit
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Carolina Panthers (-3.5): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Carolina
"Cam Newton: bust, or greatest bust? Time will tell."- mj15, May 2nd
What a f*cking idiot!
mj50's pick: Carolina
HALFTIME! This week's installment comes from the mind of the legendary Rodney Dangerfield. Take it away, Rodney!
Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers (-15): Sunday- 3:05 p.m.
mj15's pick: San Diego
The Chiefs have been outscored 89-10 and are now officially without Jamaal Charles. I don't know about you, but I'd say that picking San Diego to win would be a safe bet.
mj50's pick: San Diego
Baltimore Ravens (-4) vs. St. Louis Rams: Sunday- 3:05 p.m.
mj15's pick: Baltimore
For Baltimore, last week's loss to the Titans was nothing more than the case of a team being emotionally worn down after a monumental win the week before against divisional rival Pittsburgh. Expect to see the Ravens back in top shape this week against a Rams squad minus Stephen Jackson.
mj50's pick: Baltimore
New York Jets (-3.5) vs. Oakland Raiders: Sunday- 3:05 p.m.
mj15's pick: Oakland
Never underestimate an underdog Raiders team at home (I, for one, have learned this lesson many times in the previous two seasons). Averaging 29 points per game and ranked 8th in the league in rushing up until this point, the Raiders have the offensive weapons to potentially challenge this Jets defense. Meanwhile, the Jets have Pro-Bowl center Nick Mangold injured. The Raiders should be able to take advantage of this, and pressure Mark Sanchez as a result.
mj50's pick; Oakland
Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5): Sunday- 3:15 p.m.
mj15's pick: Atlanta
Yeah, yeah, I get it: Josh Freeman is still good in the 4th quarter. I've known that for nearly two years. Still doesn't mean I'm going to pick the Buccaneers over the Falcons. Matt Ryan, after all, is a great young QB himself, and he just came off a big win (at least where morality is concerned) against his team's former franchise QB (yes, Vick had to leave the game because of a concussion, but still...). Expect to take that confidence to Edward James Stadium and leads the Falcons in a close football game.
mj50's pick: Atlanta
Arizona Cardinals (-3.5) vs. Seattle Seahawks: Sunday- 3:15 p.m.
mj15's pick: Arizona
You know that things are bad in Seattle where Seahawks fans are actually lamenting not having Matt Hasselback as their starting QB. 8.5 points per game, one shutout last week, less than 200 yards total offense, less than 50 yards rushing, Tavaris Jackson having twice as many turnovers as touchdowns, and Ben Obomanu of all people leading the team in catches with six (six!). I know that Arizona's defense has struggled to stop the pass thus far, but if there was any time for them to actually allow less than 20 points, it would be against this very team they're about to face.
mj50's pick: Seattle
Green Bay Packers (-3.5) vs. Chicago Bears: Sunday- 3:15 p.m.
mj15's pick: Chicago
Coming into this NFC Championship rematch, Green Bay is boasting an average an offense that is looking just as good, if not better, offensively as they were last year, and (of course) the momentum knowing that they won these two teams last meeting. Meanwhile, Chicago is coming off a bad loss over the Saints, one in which Drew Brees deconstructed their cover two offense with wonderful precision, and the offensive line was putrid once again, allowing six sacks to Jay Cutler. And yet. Chicago's at home with motivation (trying to prove that they could still beat Aaron Rodgers), Lovie Smith still has a good career track record against the Packers, and the Green Bay secondary has been exposed to their flaws, allowing 400+ yard games from both Drew Brees and Cam Newton. Call it a homerist pick all you want. I'm still taking Chicago to win in an upset.
mj50's pick: Green Bay
Pittsburgh Steelers (-10.5) vs. Indianapolis Colts: Sunday- 7:20 p.m.
mj15's pick: Pittsburgh
Another reason to hate Peyton Manning's absence. Had he been healthy enough to play, this game might have been exciting to watch. Without him and Kerry Collins starting for another game in a row, this game looks like it will get real ugly for Indianapolis real quick.
On another note, with teams like the Colts, the Chiefs, the Seahawks and the Vikings struggling with their quarterbacks, why wouldn't any of these teams consider trying to acquire David Garrard from free agency (unless, you know, they're committed to stick with the team they've got and put their hat in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes)? After all, it's not like he's some kind of risk to add onto your team. In the past five years, he's proven himself to be a man capable of at least a solid 60% completion, 2,500 yard, 15 TD season, a leader on the football field and a player that could lead team to important victories (see his 2007 AL Wild Card performance against Pittsburgh). Still a better option than Brett Favre.
(By the way, I wonder if the Jaguars are still feeling good about dropping Garrard before the season started in a cost-saving move after Luke McCown's performance last week (highlighted by a 1.1 QB rating). Considering how they have high hopes for Blaine Gabbert, who is starting his 1st career game on Sunday, my guess is: not yet.)
mj50's pick: Pittsburgh
Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys (-5): Monday- 7:30 p.m.
mj15's pick: Washington
Tony Romo is playing this game after his street-cred boosting game last week in which he came back into the game after suffering a punctured lung (earlier reported to be broke ribs) to lead Dallas to a come-from-behind, overtime victory over the 49ers. How did he recover in four days, you ask? Well, that secret currently lies somewhere in the Cowboys facilities, but in the meantime I'm just going to speculate that it involves a combination of Jerry Jones' influence, suspicious substances, toad guts, and the devil. That being said, my gut feeling tells me that the Redskins are going to end this game 3-0. Dallas is still too depleted with injuries, and I think that Rex Grossman should piss off some more Bears fans with another solid outing.
mj50's pick: Dallas
RECAP
The Undertaker at "WrestleMania" Lock of the Week: San Diego over Kansas City
The Virginia Commonwealth over Kansas at the 2011 Elite Eight Upset of the Week: Washington over Dallas
The "Mad Men" vs. "Breaking Bad" "I'm Not Sure" Pick: Oakland over the New York Jets
And that's gonna do it! Be sure to stop by next Friday for the week 3 recap and my predictions for week 4. Until then, have a great weekend, and enjoy all these glorious games!
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you just have any suggestions or tips for my next blog entry, e-mail me at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mails are greatly appreciated.
Monday, September 19, 2011
The History Channel, Larry Merchant, Some More Emmys Thoughts and My Annual Fall TV Predictions
RANDOM THOUGHTS:
The following were on my mind between Monday, September 12th and Monday, September 19th:
- With last night's live blog, you'd figure that I would have had enough to say already about the 2011 Emmys. Well, guess what? I have one more:
I don't understand what the Emmys are implying by the awards they gave out in the drama category. Does "Friday Night Lights" have terrific writing and a great leading man, but not great anything else? And why is "Mad Men" considered the best drama on TV when they didn't win another award at all during the evening? If they don't have the best writing, the best directing, the best cinematography, the best acting, etc., then why didn't they win Outstanding Drama in the first place? Were the votes split between the other top contenders that "Mad Men" just happened to get on top of the vote count as a result? At least the voters were pretty consistent when it came to the comedy, variety and miniseries/TV movie awards. Their thoughts on the past year in drama is pretty difficult to decipher.
- Anyone else disappointed that the new Madden NFL game doesn't have a CBA negotiations mode?
- Now that the Emmys are over, TV viewers now begin to divert its attention towards the brand-new, 2011-12 TV season. Tons of new shows are set to debut in the next few years, fighting to be one of the few renewed for another year through a period of TV natural selection. Personally, looking at the list of new shows, I really don't see a lot of absolute hits out of the bunch. However, in terms of having the most success, I see "2 Broke Girls," "Person of Interest," "The New Girl" and of course "The X Factor" being the most successful over the course of the year. As for the shows that I see becoming the biggest failures and becoming lead contenders in the race for the first cancelled show the season, I have a toss-up between The CW's "H8R," ABC's "Charlie's Angels" re-make, and NBC's "Free Agents" ("H8R" because of its God-awful reviews, "Charlie's Angels" because of its poor time slot and bad success of TV show re-makes outside of "Hawaii Five-O," and "Free Agents" because it was a poorly-promoted show over the summer that had a rather underwhelming pilot and had first episode ratings that were very disappointing. The ratings? A 2.1 demo rating, according to TV By the Numbers, which is really bad considering that its lead-in, "Up All Night," which I think has some potential, had a 3.7 rating). But then again, I'm a man who thought that "Lonestar" was going to be a big hit last fall, and look how that turned out.
- Hey look, everybody! It's 1994 again! (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3274&p=.htm)
- I'm not sure what was the worst part about week 2 of the NFL season: the officials at the Bears-Saints game considering tackling the quarterback as a flag multiple times, the quarterback play in the Jets-Jaguars game, all the injuries to people like Michael Vick and Jamaal Charles, or the realization that a Michael Irvin reality show has been more successful in producing talent this past decade than Notre Dame.
- Some "History" Channel! Just look at the network's schedule for this past Wednesday: Mystery Quest, UFO Files, Nostradamus Decoded, and Ancient Aliens, to name a few (and that doesn't even include all the shows they have set in swamps and pawn shops). I hate to say it, but I actually miss the days when they were made fun as the WWII 24/7 network. At least that lived up to its actual channel name!
- Only in boxing, folks. Only in boxing.
More random thoughts to come next Monday. Enjoy the start of your week!
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you just have any suggestions or tips for my next blog entry, e-mail me at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mails are greatly appreciated.
The following were on my mind between Monday, September 12th and Monday, September 19th:
- With last night's live blog, you'd figure that I would have had enough to say already about the 2011 Emmys. Well, guess what? I have one more:
I don't understand what the Emmys are implying by the awards they gave out in the drama category. Does "Friday Night Lights" have terrific writing and a great leading man, but not great anything else? And why is "Mad Men" considered the best drama on TV when they didn't win another award at all during the evening? If they don't have the best writing, the best directing, the best cinematography, the best acting, etc., then why didn't they win Outstanding Drama in the first place? Were the votes split between the other top contenders that "Mad Men" just happened to get on top of the vote count as a result? At least the voters were pretty consistent when it came to the comedy, variety and miniseries/TV movie awards. Their thoughts on the past year in drama is pretty difficult to decipher.
- Anyone else disappointed that the new Madden NFL game doesn't have a CBA negotiations mode?
- Now that the Emmys are over, TV viewers now begin to divert its attention towards the brand-new, 2011-12 TV season. Tons of new shows are set to debut in the next few years, fighting to be one of the few renewed for another year through a period of TV natural selection. Personally, looking at the list of new shows, I really don't see a lot of absolute hits out of the bunch. However, in terms of having the most success, I see "2 Broke Girls," "Person of Interest," "The New Girl" and of course "The X Factor" being the most successful over the course of the year. As for the shows that I see becoming the biggest failures and becoming lead contenders in the race for the first cancelled show the season, I have a toss-up between The CW's "H8R," ABC's "Charlie's Angels" re-make, and NBC's "Free Agents" ("H8R" because of its God-awful reviews, "Charlie's Angels" because of its poor time slot and bad success of TV show re-makes outside of "Hawaii Five-O," and "Free Agents" because it was a poorly-promoted show over the summer that had a rather underwhelming pilot and had first episode ratings that were very disappointing. The ratings? A 2.1 demo rating, according to TV By the Numbers, which is really bad considering that its lead-in, "Up All Night," which I think has some potential, had a 3.7 rating). But then again, I'm a man who thought that "Lonestar" was going to be a big hit last fall, and look how that turned out.
- Hey look, everybody! It's 1994 again! (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3274&p=.htm)
- I'm not sure what was the worst part about week 2 of the NFL season: the officials at the Bears-Saints game considering tackling the quarterback as a flag multiple times, the quarterback play in the Jets-Jaguars game, all the injuries to people like Michael Vick and Jamaal Charles, or the realization that a Michael Irvin reality show has been more successful in producing talent this past decade than Notre Dame.
- Some "History" Channel! Just look at the network's schedule for this past Wednesday: Mystery Quest, UFO Files, Nostradamus Decoded, and Ancient Aliens, to name a few (and that doesn't even include all the shows they have set in swamps and pawn shops). I hate to say it, but I actually miss the days when they were made fun as the WWII 24/7 network. At least that lived up to its actual channel name!
- Only in boxing, folks. Only in boxing.
More random thoughts to come next Monday. Enjoy the start of your week!
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you just have any suggestions or tips for my next blog entry, e-mail me at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mails are greatly appreciated.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
The 2011 Emmy Awards LIVE! Blog Post
The following post was a live blog of the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, held on the night of September 18th, 2011. It was written between 6:15 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. central standard time.
The top personalities in the television business are all gathering inside the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at this very moment, which can only mean one thing: it's officially Emmys time! No more wait, no more predicting, and no more speculating in general. Time to finally see which shows and individuals the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences decided to honor this year with awards that, if used as a weapon, could really kill another person with its pointy wing edges, with some self-congratulatory praises thrown in between. "Glee" star Jane Lynch, who herself is nominated for an award tonight, is hosting the festivities, while I will be sitting on a couch some 2,000 miles away with labtop in hand giving you, precious reader, live updates of every major proceedings for the next four hours. As always, feel free to share your own opinions in the comments section.
We're officially less than an hour away from the show starting! Let's begin:
6:15 p.m.- If any of you seriously are in need of a pretty people in expensive dresses fix, FOX, and E! are all hosting their own red carpet shows. Twenty-four year old Evan Rachel Wood just admits that she's a big Justin Bieber fan. We're off to a fantastic start!
6:16 p.m.- I don't think that capturing a bunch of photos of Blake Lively is the best use of the Samsung 360 degree cam, E!. But then again, you're the network that is still giving Chelsea Handler a job, so I'm not really all that surprised.
6:17 p.m.- Breaking news: Zooey Deschanel is still adorable.
6:23 p.m.- Before I go any further, here's one final look at the Emmys prediction that I did back in July:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
So far, I'm 7-5 with 23 more awards left to be decided. Alan Cummings is wearing his red pajamas to the show. Either he doesn't think that he's going to win, or he just doesn't give a crap. Either way, I approve!
6:28 p.m.- Taking a break from all this red carpet watching to switch over to NFL RedZone. No offense to E!, but I'd much rather watch the Cowboys-49ers game play in overtime than seeing Ryan Seacrest give Gwyneth Paltrow a minute to talk about how awesome she is.
6:31 p.m.- It's official: Cowboys win in overtime after being down by ten points late in the fourth quarter. Jessee Holley is one happy guy right now. Now back to red carpet shows...ooh! Hello there, Sofia Vergara!
6:35 p.m.- Watching Ryan Seacrest's interview with Rob Lowe, I get an even better sense as to why the guy suspiciously nominated himself for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
6:37 p.m.- What are the odds of Jane Lynch being involved in a "Glee" parody for the award show's opening? I'd give it a 540% chance.
6:45 p.m.- Fifteen more minutes! And now it's time for me to remind everyone reading this that no matter how bad the winners are, no matter how many undeserving accolations shows like "Harry's Law" and "Glee" get (which it might, you never know), to not be angry at the Academy of Television for any of their selections. After all, this is the Emmys we're talking about, an award show voted on by people working in television who for the better part of the year do not watch a lot of television. Grant it, they're not Hollywood Foreign Press bad, but still bad enough to give, say, more awards to "Flash Forward" than "The Wire" or have "The Big Bang Theory" nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series. Reserve your frustrations for something more important, like the economy or Jay Leno.
6:49 p.m.- Nina Dobrev is so hot, I would like to take her out to dinner and tell her how intelligent she is!
6:51 p.m.- Both of the red carpet shows are winding down, which means we're now edging ever so close to the FOX broadcast of the show. Speaking of attractive looking ladies, the fact that I did not see Christina Hendricks once on either FOX or E! makes both of their red carpet shows officially a failure in this viewer's opinion.
6:55 p.m.- FIVE MOTHERF@CKING MINUTES LEFT!
6:59 p.m.- ONE MOTHERF@CkING MINUTE LEFT!
7:00 p.m.-
7:01 p.m.- And we're off (at last)...with Jane Lynch talking to Leonard Nimoy! You talk about a grand opening, that was the epitome of!
7:03 p.m.- Even at the Emmys, the characters of "The Big Bang Theory" need to actually use a laugh track to hide the fact that their jokes are not funny at all.
7:05 p.m.- So, in the past three minutes we saw Ron Swanson (oh, why is this the only time we will hear him mentioned!), the "Mythbusters" guys, the casts of "Friday Night Lights" and "Mad Men" featuring Don Draper in disgust-mode, the meta-nod in which Jane Lynch recognized the fact that only the mediocre shows (like "Glee") are cash cows. While this opening number has been pretty dull with some bad, predictable writing, it certainly has had its few moments of awesome. I think that I just might be able to tolerate these next three hours. I think...
7:07 p.m.- As expected, Betty White gets the most love from the show's audience. Her "In Memorian" is going to break millions of applause records when she finally passes away in 2325.
7:08 p.m.- Oh, Joel McHale and Zachary Levi! Both of you are talented guys. Why must you degrade yourseldf by singing along with the so-called "Emmy-tones" with Meredith from "The Office" and Wilmer Valderrama? Why?
7:09 p.m.- Now that's we're done with Lynch's opening number and monologue, it's time to finally get down to business, starting with the comedy awards (Ed. note: not to be confused with Comedy Central's Comedy Awards). As I write this, they're showing a highlights of the year in the genre. Such a shame that this is the only time that "Community" is ever going to be mentioned.
7:12 p.m.- I see that the show dropped Jon Hodgman as its announcer tonight. Too bad, simple as that.
7:13 p.m.- After the two late night Jimmys (Kimmel and Fallon) "fought" each other on stage for Fallon's acceptance speech envelope, we were finally treated to our first winner of the night. And that winner is..."Modern Family's" Julie Bowen for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series! Wait, what? Seriously? The one that played the least likeable "Modern Family" character from season two? Wow, I actually did not see that one coming, especially considering how White and Lynch were all nominated for the same award. Good speech by Bowen, though, highlighted by her joking that she will have nothing to talk about to her therapist.
7:16 p.m.- Another bright side about Bowen's win: a main cast-member of "Happy Gilmore" that's much more talented than Adam Sandler has won an award in their lifetime.
7:18 p.m.- Another "Modern Family" win, and to someone on the show I actually like from the show! This time it goes to Ty Burrell for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. A wonderful speech by Burrell, talking about how his late father would react to winning an award acting in a funny and light-hearted matter. This and Bowen's win means that "Modern Family" is now officially half-way through to giving each of their adult actors an award.
7:19 p.m.- The "Modern Family" Emmys brought to you by "Modern Family" is taking its first commercial break. The voiceover lady just posed the question of whether Jim Parsons or Steve Carell will win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, officially ending any of the other four nominees' chances of winning.
7:26 p.m.- At last, Ricky Gervais (a.k.a. my favorite Emmys presenter) has made his annual appearance at the show, and once again it was brilliant. Making fun of his Golden Globes hosting stint back in January, Gervais is introduced in a "pre-recorded" bit (because he's not allowed in the country anymore, apparently) in which the award show "edited" every single controversial thing that he said, including "And I want to thank God for making me an...absolute idiot." Seriously, can this guy just host every awards show on the planet?
7:33 p.m.- More "Modern Family" love! Michael Alan Spiller wins an award for Outstanding Director for his work directing the episode "Halloween." while Steve Levitan and Jeffrey Richman win Outstanding Writing for the episode "Caught in the Act." This little show that could continues to strike gold. Seriously though, why doesn't the show just go ahead and give them the award for Outstanding Comedy Series right now instead of just prolonging the award to the very end? It's not like anyone else actually believes that they're going to lose at this point.
7:35 p.m.- I can't wait to see Jon Hamm's face when he sees "Modern Family' win Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series instead of him.
7:36 p.m.- Tip of the night: go to your nearest 7/11 right now and buy a lottery ticket. Enter the numbers MODERN FAMILY. I'm sure that you will some money.
7:37 p.m.- Wanna hear another "Modern Family" joke while we're waiting for commercials to end? Okay! (clears throat): I wonder if ABC is counting tonight's Emmys as a season three episode of "Modern Family" or not.
7:39 p.m.- Why do I hint the taste of tiger blood all of a sudden?
7:40 p.m.- Awww, look at Sheen being all humble and whatnot! It's like that entire February never happened (cue Edna Krabbapel saying "He's faking it"). And now it's time to see who wins Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series? Will this finally be Steve Carell's year? God, I hope so!
7:41 p.m.- WHAT?!?! JIM PARSONS?!?! OK, I know I told you guys an hour ago to not be angry, but this rule is officially suspended in this case. That, in all seriousness, was complete and utter BS. Maybe if he was an actor on "Modern Family" instead...
7:44 p.m.- Seriously. No Emmy for Steve Carell...at all. Are you telling me that the Emmy voters watched this man play the role of Michael Scott brilliantly for six years and not once decided that he deserved the award?!?! Not even now, when it was this guy's last chance and after he submitted his wonderful performance in "Goodbye, Michael"?!?! BOOOOOOO!
7:48 p.m.- I got so angry at Carell not winning tonight that I forgot that the show was going on. Anyways, after a great moment in which all of the nominees came up on stage once their name was called, Melissa McCarthy wins the awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for "Bridesmaids," I mean "Mike and Molly." The good news about this is that we won't get to see Laura Linney accepting this award, the bad news is that we should all just prepare ourselves for a Kathy Bates victory in the coming minutes. Watching tonight's show, it seems more like a lock to happen with the passing of each award given.
7:51 p.m.- I find it a bit suspicious that a promo for "Bridesmaids" on DVD came right after McCarthy's acceptance speech. Conspiracy, anyone?
7:55 p.m.- Roger Sterling, Jessee Pinkman, and Leslie Knope are just some TV characters that were involved in a funny bit featuring the cast of "The Office" dealing with those characters as their new co-workers. It was pretty funny, but I'm a little sad now knowing that none of these scenarios will actually happen on the show, especially the Creed-Pinkman friendship. That, if done right, could be the greatest work of fan fiction come to life.
And now, with Outstanding Comedy Series moved back to the end of the show, time to focus our attention to the Reality/Variety Series genres...
8:01 p.m.- "The Amazing Race" wins the award for Outstanding Reality Competition Program. Strange. i figured that their reign of supremacy was over when "Top Chef" beat them for the award last year. looks like that was just a one time thing, apparently.
8:02 p.m.- Sorry, new Emmys announcer guy, but no matter how sarcastic tyou try to be you will still never be as good as Jon Hodgman ever was. Just stick to your day job from now on, whatever that is.
8:05 p.m.- As we head to commercial, we find out that "The Daily Show" wins the award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety, Music or Comedy Series. Will this be the only time we see this show win tonight? Only a few more minutes until we find out!
8:11 p.m.- "Lonely Island...Michael Bolton..." Oh hells, yeah!
8:12 p.m.- The old people in the audience must be really confused right now.
8:13 p.m.- Abortions for some, humping William H. Macy for everyone else!
8:14 p.m.- In all seriousness, this Lonely Island performance was pretty spectacular. Although, it really would've been better had the entire audience sung along to the chorus of "I Just Had Sex."
8:18 p.m.- After some guy from "Saturday Night Live" won the award for Outstanding Directing in a Variety, Music or Comedy Series, "The Daily Show" picked up the big award in the category for the ninth year in a row. While I do enjoy the show, if there was any case to retire nominees after a certain point, it would be this show, mostly because I would really like it for shows like "The Colbert Report" to finally get their due credit. Also, first he undeservedly gets a Golden Globe nominee and then he ruins the fun by saying that "The Daily Show" was going to win before Anna Paquin even opens the envelope. Scott Caan, why do you keep trying to make me not like you even more?
8:28 p.m.- From the Reality/Variety genres, we now direct our attention to the drama awards. Interesting how "Hawthorne," "Private Practive," "White Collar, "Hawaii Five-O," and "NCIS: Los Angeles" get mentioned but "Sons of Anarchy" gets shut out of the montage for another year in a row (those who read my 2010 live blog would remember me mentioning how the show was shut out of last year's montage). Kurt Sutter and the ATAS members should all just sit down in one room and work out their frustrations, couples therapy style. It's clear that there is not love lost between the two sides at this point.
8:30 p.m.- Very interesting. Jason Katmis just picked up the awards for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series for "Friday Night Lights" despite Matthew Weiner being the clear frontrunner in the category before the show. With this and the TCA giving the show its "Program of the Year" award, could it be a sign that this little show set in Dillon, Texas shocks everyone and upsets both "Mad Men" and "Boardwalk Empire" to win Outstanding Drama? Hmmm...
8:31 p.m.- Margo Martindale wins the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance on "Justified.' Not a surprise. She's a class act that deserves every single award for the amazing performance she gave on that show this past season, including this one. Take all the time in the world to complete your speech, Margo! Now, if there was ever a way for the show's writers to bring you back to life in season three...
8:34 p.m.- As you might be able to tell, my overall thoughts on the way this show is going has changed pretty quickly in the past fifteen minutes. Also, halfway through! Yay!
8:39 p.m.- In honor of Scott Caan, I'm just going to say right now that Martin Scorsese won Outstanding Director in a Drama Series without even finding out if he did indeed win.
8:40 p.m.- Yup.
8:42 p.m.- Kind of funny how it took Scorsese 21 films to win the Oscar for Best Director but just one episode of a TV show to get an Emmy.
8:44 p.m.- Peter Dinklage wins! Boy, no matter how bad the Emmy voters are picking out winners in the comedy awards, they sure do make up for it when it comes to drama. I mean, come on! Four deserving wins in a row?!?! Award When was the last time that you've ever seen such a streak? It's just a shame that this streak will probably end in moments when they name Kathy Bates Best Drama Actress.
8:52 p.m.- Outside of Carell not winning, this New Jersey sketch is by far the worst thing about the show thus far.
8:54 p.m.- Ha, take that hypothetical Kathy Bates victory that I didn't believe would happen until an hour ago! For it is Julianna Marguiles (wearing what appears to be window drapes) who picked up the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series! A good wife, and a good winner to boot (although I felt that Elisabeth Moss had the better submission episode).
8:55 p.m.- The chances that I think the new "Charlie's Angels" will survive past its first season? I'd give it 25%.
8:57 p.m.- Whoa, you guys. I think that "Friday Night Lights" might seriously win Outstanding Drama. First, it won Outstanding Writing and now its lead actor, Kyle Chandler, just defeated Jon Hamm despite Hamm submitting what was by far the best acting performance of the entire year. I'm not sure how I should feel about this. On the one hand, I thought "Mad Men" was the best show on TV when it aired. On the other, I've heard nothing but good things about "Friday Night Lights" from friends, family members and TV critics that I respected who did watch it.
Also, I guess that these two victories mean that I should finally start getting caught up on "Friday Night Lights" as soon as possible. It's instantly available through NetFlix Streaming, after all.!
8:58 p.m.- And now this is the part of the program where I eat some crow after seeing Kyle Chandler win two months after I declared that he's the only actor, I repeat, the only actor, that I saw without a shot of winning the award. In my defense, though, it seemed like Hamm's year (he did submit the best performance, after all) up until Jason Katmis won for Outstanding Writing. Besides, even Chandler didn't think he was going to win. The man didn't even have a speech prepared, for goodness sakes!
8:59 p.m.- Also, the fact that "The Suitcase," a.k.a. the best episode on TV during the past year, picked up zero awards has to make it the biggest bust in Emmys history, right? And what about Jon Hamm? If he couldn't win it this year without Bryan Cranston as a contender, what chance does he have in the next few years to come?
9:00 p.m.- One more hour before the 2010-11 TV season comes to an abrupt conclusion. Will "Friday Night Lights" shock everyone to win Outstanding Drama? Who will win Outstanding Miniseries/TV-Movie: "Mildred Pierce" or "Downton Abbey"? "Modern Family"...will the Emmys still know of its existence? Let's watch! Also, for those of you that don't feel like watching the ceremony anymore, click on over to AMC right now. "Breaking Bad," a.k.a. the best show on TV right now, is on. Or hey, how about Falcons-Eagles? You're an American that loves football, right?
9:03 p.m.- The reaction that the Emmy-tones gave to LL Cool J singing is probably the same reaction that everyone 50 and up watching is having.
(Yes, I know this is my second old people joke. What's your point?)
9:05 p.m.- "A lot of people are confused about why I'm a lesbian. Ladies and gentlemen... the cast of 'Entourage'!" Jane Lynch with the line of the night.
9:08 p.m.- So now here comes the part of the show where "Downton Abbey" battles "Mildred Pierce" for the most awards in the Miniseries/TV Movie category. 'Abbey' throws the first punch with a writing award giving to the show's creator, Julian Fellowes, and an Outstanding Supporting Actress Award for Maggie Smith. And now, once more, we divert our attention to the reason why television is a business first and foremost, the commercials...
9:16 p.m.- Hooray, accountants! Now can we please move onto the pretty people, please?
9:21 p.m.- A quick recap of all the awards given out during the past five minutes:
Outstanding Directing in a Miniseries or TV-Movie: Brian Perkins, "Downton Abbey"
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries of TV-Movie: Barry Pepper, "The Kennedys" (really?)
9:22 p.m.- I think this is the part of the show where I mention which show had more Emmys in this night than "The Wire" did in five seasons to prove how much of a joke the Emmys are: "Mike and Molly," "The Kennedys," "Modern Family" and "The Big Bang Theory."
9:24 p.m.- "In Memoriam" time. The bad news? All of these (I assume) good people passed away in the past year. The good news? There was so few this year that they actually stopped showing the list before the song ended, and we are reminded once more how great the Stephen J. Cannell production company card was, so there's that...
9:32 p.m.- A half an hour to go, and we're down to about seven or so more awards to go. We start with the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries/TV-Movie, which went to Guy Pearce. If you're counting at home, that's three wins so far for "Downton Abbey" and just that one for "Mildred Pierce." Not as close so far as I thought it would be. Also, Guy Pearce loves talking and joking about how he played a character who has sex with Kate Winslett. I don't blame you, Guy. I'm sure that the majority of the male population would be doing the same thing if put in your shoes.
9:36 p.m.- Kate Winslett wins the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or TV-Movie to the shock of no one. That makes it three wins tonight for 'Abbey,' two wins for 'Pierce.' Which of these two will come out on top in the end?
9:38 p.m.- Female announcer: "Coming up next: will 'Friday Night Lights' tackle 'Dexter' on its way to Emmy stardom?" Does this mean that these two shows finished with the most votes? If so, then this will go down as an extremely disappointing year for "Mad Men," and AMC in general.
9:41 p.m.- The jazz version of "Hey Ya" is still better than the version of "Hallelujah" that was sung during the "In Memoriam."
9:45 p.m.- And we're back! Don Cheadle comes onto the stage to present the award for Outstanding Miniseries or TV-Movie. And the Emmy goes to..."Downton Abbey"! Ha, take that "Mildred Pierce," you dull, dull show!
9:47 p.m.- This is going to be interesting...
9:49 p.m.- Huh, would you look at that! Despite "Friday Night Lights' having the late momentum, winning two awards leading up to this moment, it's instead "Mad Men" who ends up receiving the award for Outstanding Drama Series despite not winning ANY OTHER AWARD BEFORE IT (a pretty rare feat, to say the least). It's the fourth consecutive win in this category for the show. Can't say that I disagree. While I would not have mind seeing shows like "Boardwalk Empire," "Game of Thrones" and "Friday Night Lights" coming out on top, the multiple-time winner did have the better season out of all the other five nominees. However, with "Breaking Bad" being awesome in its fourth season and "Boardwalk Empire" expected to have a better sophmore season than its first, I feel that this actually was the last time that we will ever see Matt Weiner and the cast accept this award in the near future.
9:51 p.m.- We're now finally down to the last award of the evening: Outstanding "Modern Family," I mean Comedy Series. So, what's it going to be: "Modern Family," or the field? Gwyneth Paltrow is on the stage with the envelope set to announce the winner any second. Here we go...
9:53 p.m.- Please be "Parks and Rec." Please be "Parks and Rec." Please be "Parks and Rec."...
/knows that its hopeless
//doesn't care
///keeps hoping regardless
9:55 p.m.- Alas, it's the show that has won four times previously on the show, the one that the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences just cannot seem to stop adoring: "Modern Family." Congratulations to the cast and crew, I guess. Sure, I think it's an overrated show that does not belong in the discussion of even the ten best comedies on TV, but hey: it's wildly popular, and it's not like it's downright terrible. Besides, who cares in this case what I think about the show. All that matters is what the Emmy voters love, and what they love (a lot, actually) is this.
A words of warning to Steve Levitan and company: enjoy these awards while you can. Word is that there's another ABC show coming out next spring that just might give you a run for your money. It's called "Work It," and it's a comedy that the TV critics who have already watched it just can't get enough of.
9:59 p.m.- Jane Lynch signs off, taking us to the credits featuring some of the show's highlights, officially marking the end of the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards. Overall thoughts? Well, most of the winners in the comedy category were kind of a joke, not only because of the domination of "Modern Family," but also because Steve Carell officially ends his time on "The Office" without a single Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actor (because when Jim Parsons is nominated, apparently there's no better option to choose). However, I actually believe that the rest of the ceremony turned out alright.
Jane Lynch was stellar as the host, and the majority of the non-awards entertainment (outside of the bit where they made fun of all the New Jersey-centered shows) were pretty good and/or funny. Also, the awards given out in the drama, variety, and miniseries/TV-movie to the right people, for the most part. In the miniseries/TV-movie genre, we saw "Downton Abbey" rightfully beat "Mildred Pierce" for the majority of the top categories. Meanwhile, in drama, we saw wins for not only Margo Martindale, but also for Peter Dinklage, Julianna Margulies, "Mad Men" and (in a rather big surprise) "Friday Night Lights." In other words, I tend to look at this show more in a glass half-full kind of way. Oh, and I finished over .500 in my Emmy predictions (20-15, to be exact), so there's that, too!
Thanks for reading this year's live blog of the Emmys! I hoped to do two things this year with this live blog: finish with a better predictions record than the one I had last year and write a live blog that was more entertaining than any of the ones from the previous two wins. Unfortunately, I failed to do the former (2010: .586 win pct., 2011: .571 win pct.). But the latter? Well, that's up to you to decide. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a repeat of tonight's all-new "Breaking Bad" to catch...
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you just have any suggestions or tips for my next blog entry, e-mail me at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mails are greatly appreciated.
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