RANDOM THOUGHTS:
The following were on my mind between Monday, March 5th and Thursday, March 8th:
- Peyton Manning expected yet still surreal release from the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday is a prime example of just how merciless of a world the NFL can be, much like the time in the early '90s when Joe Montana was traded from the 49ers. In the NFL, it's all about doing what's best for the team now, when teams and coaches cut and trade any player without remorse. It doesn't matter what you did, all that matters is what you're doing now and what you're expected to be. Manning is a prime example of this. A mere year ago, the idea of Manning (a four time MVP who never missed a start, led the team to two Super Bowls and had one of the most consistent stretches of excellent play in the league's history by a quarterback since 2000) getting cut from the Colts seemed crazier than the sky falling. But then he had two additional next surgery while the team stunk to the point that they were granted the #1 pick in this year's draft (a.k.a. the Andrew Luck pick), which led the Colts to where they are now: releasing what is possibly the greatest player that they've ever had (this depends on how you feel about Unitas) and willing to bet that Luck will be a respectable replacement overtime.
Anyways, now we get to the really fun part of this whole story: finding out which team Manning is going to be playing for next. It's not quite like Lebron James' free agency in 2010 as it doesn't involve a player in his prime, but the future Hall of Famer still has 2-3 years of solid football left, so you know that pretty much every possible playoff team with an average QB or worse is going to be out courting him in the next few days. As of now, the Seahawks, the Cardinals, the 49ers, the Jets, the Redskins, the Chiefs the Dolphins, the Titans, the Texans, and Broncos all seems like the front-runners to get him. If this ESPN report is true, the next week should be pretty wild with the latest Manning gossip.
- While I support Kony 2012 in their efforts to raise awareness of Joseph Kony and what he's doing in Uganda, the people behind it in Invisible Children should've picked a better name. Don't they know that there are assholes like me who will use it in election-related jokes?
- As an outsider to this Republican presidential primary, I am really looking forward to the possibility for their being an actual brokered convention in Tampa this August, simply because I just want to see one with my own two eyes. I'm tired of seeing these conventions all being nothing more than mere pep rallies. I want to see some delegate voting that matter, as well as all the drama that comes as a result of it. I want to see fiery debates, the back room deals unfolding, and the surprise candidates, just like in the good old days!
- Lebron James really has to start making those last second shots at the end of games if he wants his critics (hi there!) to stop constantly bringing it up.
- I have been a fan of college basketball for nearly a decade, yet seeing the players of all those mid-major teams reacting to losing their conference tournament chanpionship game (usually their only chance at an NCAA tournament bid) still remains as one of the most heartbreaking sights in all of sports for me.
- With pretty much all of the winter shows winding down their seasons and plenty of other shows of note returning within the next few weeks ("Mad Men," "Community," and "Game of Thrones" come to mind), I figure that it's time to bring back the TV Top Ten with a brand new installment. As always, here were my ten or so favorite TV shows to have aired since the last time I did this list:
10 (tie). "Downton Abbey" (position previously held by "Raising Hope")
10 (tie). "Fringe" (position previously held by "American Dad")
9. "Chuck" (position previously held by "Happy Endings")
8. "Luck" (position previously held by "The Simpsons")
7. "Key and Peele" (position previously held by "South Park")
6. "Happy Endings" (up from #9, position previously held by "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia")
5. "30 Rock" (position previously held by ""Boardwalk Empire")
4. "Parks and Recreations" (down from #1, position previously held by "The Daily Show/The Colbert Report")
3. "Archer" (position previously held by "Homeland")
2. "Justified"
1. "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"/"The Colbert Report" (up from #4, position previously held by both "Parks and Recreations" and "Community")
Up from Last List (December 2011): Pretty much every show but "Parks and Rec."
Down from Last List (December 2011): "Parks and Recreations," "Community," "Homeland," "Boardwalk Empire," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "South Park," "American Dad," "The Simpsons," "Raising Hope"
New From Last List (December 2011): "Downton Abbey," "Fringe," "Chuck," "Luck," "Key and Peele," "Archer," "30 Rock," "Justified"
Just Barely Missed List: "American Dad," "Raising Hope."
A few other thoughts:
a. For the first time in over a year, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" has finally reclaimed the top rank in the TV Top Ten, with the help of his good buddy Stephen Colbert. Honestly, this shouldn't come at a surprise to anyone. It's an election year as we all know, and that's the time when both of these men typically shine.
b. It's not so much that I think "Parks and Recreations" has been off its game lately that I dropped it to its lowest spot in two years. It's just that the four shows above it were on fire in quality.
c. After a solid end to their series run, I've decided to put "Chuck" at the list for one final time. R.I.P., Bartowski and pals.
d. Some of you may be surprised to see the new sketch comedy show "Key and Peele" ranked so high on the list, especially considering that it has only aired six episodes. Hear me out: I'm a big fan of sketch comedy shows, and so far there is currently none better on TV right now than this. Some of the formulas they play with may be the same, but the different ways they do it are very clever and oftentimes brilliant. Also, the fact that it also stars two of my favorite castmembers from the later years of "Mad TV" (a show that I was once a fan of) certainly helps also.
e. Shows that I didn't watch in these past four months: "Shameless," "Eastbound and Down," "Life's Too Short," "The Good Wife."
f. Shows that you might see pop up next time: "Bob's Burgers," "Community," "Mad Men," "Game of Thrones," "Girls," "Veep."
See you for more random thoughts this Monday! Until then, have a pleasant weekend.
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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