Listen to 88.7 "The Wave" WPCD

WPCD is streaming! Here's where you go to listen to the Cobras this fall and Spring...

http://www.myspace.com/wpcd

Scroll down on the page, click on "click here to listen." Then click the next link and let it take you off site - don't worry about the security warning if you see one. That's normal.

Huge props to Scott and Eleni for making this streaming work so well. WPCD can be heard at 88.7 FM and now WORLD WIDE on the web!

The NBC Gamble

It looks like NBC's gamble on the Beijing Olympics is working in their favor. Skeptics had promised audience burn-out and eventual disinterest if the games were on (almost) 24/7 and on four or five different NBC-Universal networks. Thanks in part to telegenic events and dramatic results involving American competitiors, viewership is strong, with more than 34 million Americans around for the opening and good numbers since that point.

The least NBC could do would be to rename one of its networks for the athletes. Might I suggest "Phelps TV?"

Liberal CNN?

For years, media critics on the right pointed to the supposed liberal bias of CNN. It's odd that no one seems willing now to point out the clear lurch to the right that CNN has made in the last few years. If there is a liberal commentator on CNN, who is it? Lou Dobbs? Not. Well, then maybe Glenn Beck? No, he's another conservative. Even Nancy Grace is revealing herself to be a right-winger on most issues, especially constitutional rights for the accused. In the years since Ted Turner sold most of his interest in CNN, the network has not only slid to the right, but diminished in quality at the same time. There is so much talking-head babbling on CNN that there is now a noticeable absence of NEWS on what had once been the world's best news network.

Another Newcomer

Kalee Dionne is but the most recent in a series of SIU grads trying to make a ripple in the Champaign-Urbana TV market. She joined the WCIA staff with very little fanfare, in contrast to the idiotically over-hyped announcement of Adam Mikulich's recent arrival. While Mikulich is admittedly the front line sports anchor, Dionne may, as a weather-caster, prove to be the bigger audience draw. She seems reasonably competent, is undeniably attractive, doesn't seem too stuck on herself or her own importance (are you listening Ms. Roscoe?), and generally has a nice delivery. Good luck Kalee!

NBA Finals

The NBA, despite its scandals, anti-social behavior and general stupidity, has manged a win in the ratings game (the only game that really matters). ABC's 14 rating for the series was the best in years. Ironically, except for game 4, the series really wasn't all that interesting. It was nice to see the LA bunch turned aside again. While I really can't explain why, that chant of "Beat LA" pretty much sums up my feelings.

The "News Leaders" New Radar

WCIA-TV has tripped over its own power cord again, unfortunately leaving us in the dark. The self-proclaimed "news leader" has now given us the debut of its new "5X" doppler radar, and its early images are not at all impressive. The background color of the weather map is a medium brown, and the actual radar returns, blobbly and washed out, merge and mush into the background. The viewing range in the Thursday afternoon weather cast was either zoomed in so tightly that we didn't know what state was being shown, or alternately was zoomed out so far that the details amounted to smudges of color subsumed by the gaudy (too bright and to thickly drawn) watch boxes. Finally, the wizards at "your news leader" superimposed narrative text messages over the top of the whole map in a white font, effectively obscuring the map while giving us information that the weather caster could have done better by voice. What they were trying to do with this - other than a bells and whistles show - is beyond me. Perhaps the folks at channel 3 will actually read the manual for their spiffy new gadget and come back with a better weather product in the future. But don't bet on it.

Hooray for the Red, White, and Blue!

With the end of the Democratic primary (at last), Barak Obama can turn his full attention to a mission of several parts. First, he must bring as many of the Hillary supporters into his column as possible because he will need every one of them. He must also make clear and distinct his agenda regarding Iraq, energy costs, the economy, and domestic policy. He must screen and select, very carefully, a running mate. Among his other missions will be to carefully coat himself with Teflon so that the tar about to be hurled at him does not stick.

It is now a standard weapon in the Republican political arsenal to smear and belittle opponents, and always and everywhere to question their patriotism. The slander thrown at John Kerry four years ago was so beyond the pale that it now gives its name to the tactic: "swift-boating." I am aware as all Americans surely must be that John McCain served his country and loves it deeply. I respect McCain for his courage in acting as the leader of American POW's in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton," during which time he was brutalized, injured, and half-starved.

I am the proud son-in-law of a former POW. So, I admire this part of McCain's service more than I can adequately express. But even so, this aspect of John McCain's resume does not make him more qualified to be President than anyone else. One could even argue - albeit somewhat cynically - that psychologically McCain could never keep those POW years from severely clouding his judgment on other similar matters in the future.

Obama isn't a service veteran. Neither was Franklin D. Roosevelt. The test in the election ought to be presence of one's vision for the nation -- a vision of decency and progress that has been virtually non-existent for the past eight long and sad years.

But rest assured that every Republican speech shown on CNN will be cast in front of that "wall" of American flags first displayed in such gaudy abundance during the Reagan years. Flag lapel pins will be made an issue. Whether one sings the anthem well or with hand over heart will receive more than its due attention. Whether one owns a gun or not will be turned into yet another idiotic "test" as to whether, not how, a citizen loves the country or not. The Republicans will once again wrap themselves in the flag as they did four years ago; they will hope that Americans will simply be too distracted, or stupid, to notice the ruse.

Jim McKay

The death of ABC broadcaster Jim McKay marks the passing of one of the great voices and minds the sporting world has seen. McKay seemed to be governed by several distinct principles that could be observed in his body of work.

1) Even if you can't immediately explain what you see, describe it clearly and that will suffice for the moment.

2) Think about what you are saying and say it with skill, accuracy, and clarity. There are rules governing the use of the English language.

3) Know that you are not bigger nor more important than the sport or the event.

4) A well placed question is often better than the most adamant statement.

5) Speak in a normal manner. If your ideas are sound and interesting, your work will stand out without need for silly artifacts and affectations.

How grand it would be if more of today's sports broadcasters obeyed even one of McKay's better traits.

I Don't Care if You've Been Everywhere

In an earlier post this month, I opined that producers of TV commercials ought to stop using "O Fortuna" as background music.  Let me now add another to the "please do not use this music" list.  The Johnny Cash semi-hit "I've Been Everywhere" has now appeared in at least three different TV ad campaigns.  One was for a motel chain, one for gasoline, and one for something else (I forgot what it was because I was too preoccupied and annoyed by the music).   

Advertising ought to be a creative expression, not a retread of something else.

Softball World Series - ESPN

Coming off a very strong ratings performance last year, this years coverage has included the new voice of former major leaguer John Kruk.  Kruk has been involved in ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" program as a panelist/analyst.  I wasn't terribly excited to see him added to the roster for the WCWS coverage, but he has been changing my mind and, apparently, the minds of many others in the blogosphere.   He confessed to some nervousness at the outset, but he has seemed to find his groove.  It hasn't hurt ESPN nor Kruk that his partners in the booth have been Beth Mowins and Jessica Mendoza.  These two women, along with field reporter Holly Rowe, provided an exceptional series of broadcasts a year ago that ended with Arizona's amazing "upset" of Tennessee.  Mowins is articulate, smooth and smart on the mike.  Mendoza adds the player's perspective without being obnoxious or self-aggrandizing.  To his credit, John Kruk has displayed amazing restraint, not speaking unless he has something to say that helps the audience understand and enjoy the games.  Still, I can't quite get past the idea that ESPN thought this keystone women's sports championship somehow needed a male voice, and also thought that softball needed a voice from pro baseball.  Much of what softball fans love about their game is that it is NOT like baseball in ways that matter. 

Sweet Sue the "F Bomber"

Kudos to Sue Simmons of NBC channel 4 in NYC for her splendid use of the "F" word. Prime time, with gusto, fully audible, good articulation, and entertaining for millions. Well done Sue! You have instantly entered the broadcaster potty mouth hall of fame.

If any of our MLAOR readers wants to experience this momentous event in the video-verite mode, You Tube should be able to fix you up... at least until the station screams "copyright," and forces it off of the net.

Gumbel Grumbles

In his most recent HBO sports expose, Bryant Gumbel offered a snide swipe at Danica Patrick for an incident last week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He whined that after "hitting a member of another team" with her race car in the pit lane, she was neither contrite nor apologetic.

Gumbel, in the space of just a few seconds, further proved that which many of us already believe. Specifically, he knows nothing about motor sports, he is consistently arrogant and assumptive, and he is not about to let the facts get in the way of his chance to pronounce a verdict.

According to the AP's copyrighted story, "Patrick's incoming car knocked Dale Coyne Racing crewman Charles Buckman to the ground as it pulled into the pit. Buckman was taken to the hospital with a concussion and cuts to his face and scalp."

Patrick did indeed hit a pit crew worker from another team while that person was on pit road. However (and this is a big point), that crewman was in the wrong place and not paying close attention to what he was doing - he later admitted this. Patrick was in the right place, and doing exactly what she was supposed to be doing at that place and moment.

So what is she supposed to be contrite or apologetic for? Here's what she did say: "It's really, really unfortunate what happened today," Patrick said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Hopefully he can get back to the track soon and do what he loves." Her statement was both concise and caring. That Patrick, visibly still shaken over the incident, could manage to say even that much strikes me as both classy and appropriate. Immediately after the incident, ESPN deemed her to be non-apologetic, and I'd suspect that Gumbel simply plagiarized their analysis even though ESPN killed their own comment in its later editions. Why?

Perhaps the affiliation between ESPN and the IRL had something to do with it if you are a conspiracy maven. But the more likely reason is that the facts finally caught up with the story. The most pertinent fact being that Charles Buckman later stated that he wasn't paying attention as he should have been in a "hot-zone" pit area. Having spent considerable time in both the auto racing and air show businesses, my experience leads me to think that Buckman surely knows his fate could have been much, much worse.

The only apology due in this story is from the always snotty Gumbel for attempting to "take down" someone who is clearly a headline maker in her sport.

When Hillary, When?

Hillary Clinton has fought the good fight, even if her campaign style may have damaged hopes for unity within the Democratic ranks. She has campaigned with energy and determination and had, at one point, a genuine shot at becoming the first woman to head the United States government. One can easily understand how frustrated she must feel at coming so close, yet remaining so far from her ultimate goal. There is only one question to be asked of her at this point.

When will it be "over enough" for you to call it "over?"

Hideaway of The Woods

Continuing our superior series of insightful restaurant reviews, we now turn our attentions to Hideaway of The Woods in Mahomet. Located just off of I-74 at the Prairieview Road exit, the bill of fare offered is standard American cuisine served in a relaxed atmosphere. The facility is neat, clean and inviting, though the interior decor lacks imagination. The harsh acoustics are such that when the restaurant is busier, it is a rather noisy place -- almost too much so for guests to carry on a normal conversation without "involving" others nearby.

Our party was interested in catfish, so only that entrée was on the docket for our table this time around. It would turn out to be a good choice.

Our meal began with a trip to the salad bar for the usual "bag" salad and toppings. The few other available salad bar sides, a pasta salad, potato salad and seasoned cottage cheese were good, but one could not help but notice the scarcity of items on what had been (on previous visits) a more imaginative salad bar. The salad toppings were ample, fresh, and tasty. The clam chowder, however, was excellent. Spicy and full-flavored, it made up for the lack of other amenities.

The service was prompt and efficient. Plates arrived hot and in a very reasonable time. Glasses were refilled as needed, and extra rolls were not a problem. My only small reservation was the annoying habit that our 20-ish wait exhibited, constantly addressing an older mixed couple as "you guys." At Taco Bell that might be marginally acceptable, but at a medium priced sit-down restaurant, it's just a little too familiar, bordering on impolite. But the young man was friendly and attentive, so we let it go.

The large whole catfish served was fresh, well battered and cooked to perfection. The batter was fried to a crispy brown which suited well. The baked potato side was fully cooked and hot, and the warmed dinner rolls were fresh and served with honey butter and regular butter pats.

On previous visits we have enjoyed the French dip sandwich, the baby back ribs, the steaks, and salmon entrées. All passed the test.

Upon leaving Hideaway of the Woods, the deck-style Northwest-facing stairway proved to be the worst feature of the night. Very poorly lit, the first step down is almost invisible at night. One member of our party almost took a nasty tumble, and warned the rest in time. No broken bones this time, but the next person might not be so lucky.

The evening rated a solid B+ for overall quality and service. A little bit more item diversity on the salad bar would have made it an A-. With drinks, dessert, tip, and taxes, expect to pay around around $55.00 for two. Luncheon prices are of course lower.

Hideaway in the Woods is located at 809 South Prairie View Road Mahomet, Illinois. For information or reservations, call (217) 586-7722.

Good. Very Good. But Not Unbeatable

Team USA softball got a scare from the Oklahoma Sooners recently, surviving 2-0, thanks to the bat of Crystal Bustos. Team USA lost earlier this season to Virginia Tech after a no-hitter by the Hokies star pitcher Angela Tincher. Our national team is quite probably the best softball team in the world, and perhaps one of the best teams in the history of the game. That, in and of itself, guarantees nothing -- as the team has learned recently.

Nothing to Apologize For

Hanna Montana...OOH...AAH

OK.

Would someone please explain to the MLAOR readers what, exactly, the offenses committed by Mylie Cyrus really are? She violated no law. She didn't even come close. She was photographed beautifully by one of the nation's best photographic artists, Annie Leibovitz. A member of Cyrus' family was with her at all times during the photo shoot. She was not nude, nor even particularly close to it. The "sheet" photo was an attractive image of a young star, but nothing more. Another photo showed Mylie lounging with an obviously older man. We'd think he'd HAVE to have been older -- the man was her father.

Maybe it's the pseudo-Mormon cult case that fuels the current Cyrus outrage. But Mylie isn't pregnant, nor being ushered off into virtual cult slavery. She's a kid enjoying a type of fame that most kids never will. She is simply practicing the family trade as so many others have done before her. Dad is in the business, and it is quite reasonable that Mylie follow in that path -- if she so chooses.

It is right to be concerned about the "pornification" of our culture. But some measure of restraint is warranted for the critic as well as the criticized.

Direct TV

After a recent lightning storm trashed one of my satellite receivers, I was obliged to call Direct TV to obtain a replacement. Their service and helpful attitude was grade "A." At a time when video entertainment service providers are under more-or-less constant criticism for customer service, I think it is right to give a shout out to those who do well.

Just Shut Up!

My favorite A.M. sports talk duo, Mike and Mike (ESPN2) had a mock award they would offer to the athelete whose self-absorbed and vociferous tendencies were more irritation than anyone else could produce for the given week. They called it "The Just Shut Up Award."

If politics is in any way related to the sports world (though at times it more resembles a circus), we at MLAOR would like to borrow the award from M&M so it can be presented to the Reverend Jeremiah Wright.

Yes, we know he is enjoying his fifteen minutes of fame, and yes, we know he THINKS he has something important to say. But Jer, I'm beggin' ya' dude...

JUST SHUT UP!

A Call for A Moratorium on Carmina Burana

It would seem that every commercial producer in the last twenty years has turned to Carmina Burana when in need of music that sounds darkly satanic or at least mysterious. So who is Carmina Burana?

The answer is not so much a "who" but a "what."

In the 1930's German composer Carl Orff selected 24 poems from an early 19th century collection and set them to a musical score he called Carmina Burana. Today, it is an unfortunately over-adopted and "commercially" famous score, a tribute to a Roman goddess ironically named "Fortuna."

I'd think myself fortunate indeed if no commercial ever again resorted to the shtick of using "O Fortuna." You might not tumble to the tune just now, but you'll know it when you hear it. Just imagine a really pissed-off choir of a hundred voices damning the universe in Latin. Oh, yeah. THAT one. Still stumped? You must have flunked music appreciation 101.

Try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF7_PhB9coo

This composition has been used and over-used in movies and television commercials. It has hawked such delights as Gatorade, sports wear, automobiles, and heaven (or hell?) knows what else. The "League of Clutch" spots featured Payton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts and hockey player Sidney Crosby in situations ("Is it in you?") where a sports defeat was certain except for the intervention of the of the noble product. Then, the devils are quickly vanquished and the Gatorade-swilling gladiators stand tall as victors once again.

Ah yes, the real American way.

Escobar's

One of the newer and brighter lights in the chandelier of Champaign-Urbana dining is Escobar's at 6 E. Columbia Ave.Champaign, Illinois. The menu is South American in orientation, but other traditions are mixed in liberally. They call it "Nuevo Latino Cuisine." No problem. Call it anything, but I call it excellent! On my most recent visit, I enjoyed a "pork chop on a bed of roasted corn with pineapple-mango chow-chow and gingered sweet potato-carrot mash." Enjoyed understates the experience. All the flavors worked together at all points. The price was a very reasonable $16.00. The amazing vegetable sides were equal to the excellent quality of the chop, and were not afterthoughts as with so many contemporary menus. Others in the party also gave a rave about the salmon entrée and the beef kabobs. The wine list is extensive, the service is attentive without being distractive, the decor is warm and inviting, and the desserts are magical. The rum cheesecake, bananas flambé, and the coconut filled cake are just perfect. Would I lead you astray? Never. For reservations, phone: 217-352-7467.

Wilbon

Of all the sports talk shows, the best of the lot is PTI ("Pardon the Interruption") on ESPN. Michael Wilbon is brilliant, funny and unafraid of the truth. His co-host, Tony Kornheiser, knows how to grease the wheels of this good conversation machine and keep the show moving with his own insightful observations. It's good stuff. Give it a try.

Softball is a Funny Game...

"Sometimes one player has to carry another in order to win the big ones."

"She followed me to the game Mom. Can I keep her?"

Add your own captions in the comments section. Winning entry gets two FREE season passes to next years Parkland softball season.

Dancing with the Cowboys

Julianne Hough, the blond sweetie from ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," is not having an affair with her former dance partner and Indy Car driver Helio Castroneves, but she is now embarking on a new singing career. More country-styled than anything else, she actually doesn't sound too bad. Helio and Julianne won the DWTS championship last year, but to prevent a (boring?) three-peat, the shows producers paired her this time with media gadfly Adam Corolla. That did the trick for ABC and got Hough "on the road again."

Danica Makes Motorsports History

Kudos to native Midwesterner Danica Patrick for her win at Japan's Twin Rings Motegi over the weekend. It's sad that her historical win wasn't seen by more American viewers. The time zone delay was problem enough, but a wet track caused an event postponement until Sunday and thus a further erosion of the potential audience. ESPN Classic re-aired the race on Monday morning. But on Monday at 8 a.m., there wasn't much of a potential audience then either.

Patrick became the first and only women to win a major open wheel ("ain't got no finnders" for you NASCAR types) auto race. Louise Smith won a race or two in the nascent years of NASCAR, and both Shirley Muldowney and Angelle Sampay have won either multiple events or championships in NHRA drag racing.

Danica's win stood on the shoulders of many. Janet Guthrie was the first woman to start at the Indianapolis 500. Sarah Fisher showed that a woman could be ultra-popular with fans and race competently -- even if in a second rate car. Lynn St. James established herself in both sports cars and later at Indianapolis. But it fell to the diminutive young woman from Roscoe Illinois to get the job done. A combination of careful throttle management and a good car allowed her to pass up a late pit stop and pass by Helio Castroneves in the process.

The monkey is off her back. She won fair and square.

So can she win another? Or is it too soon for us to put the monkey back up there?

Reba? Oh Please!

"Big news" out of Bloomington-Normal is that country singer Reba McEntire is slated to perform at the whatever-the-brand-cellphone arena in B-N sometime this summer. Pardon me if I let this mountain top experience pass me by. Reba was among the knee-jerk opportuntists in country music and country radio who ripped into the Dixie Chicks for their analysis of the Crawford dimwit several years ago. Mega-dimwit Toby Keith was the ringleader of the Chicks haters, but Reba wasn't far behind.

Fun at the Old Ball Park

Parkland takes a double header from Danville at the Cobras' local field. A beautiful day (finally!) and hot bats got the job done. After the game, the team posed briefly for a shot by the MLAOR photographer...

The Fox Factor

Someone once said, "I have the Midas touch -- everything I handle turns to mufflers." Maybe the same can be said of the Fox Network. The once interesting Speed Channel was acquired by Fox some years ago and, as a result, is now occupied by pundits taking about racing, fans talking about racing, and third-tier drivers (and that's being generous) talking about racing. Does anyone remember back when Speed Channel made regular stops at small tracks and actually showed us racing? What a revolutionary concept.

When Fox/Speed isn't blathering about a sport we'd really rather watch for ourselves, it provides us (endlessly it seems) some dimwit car customizer from "Nuh Joy-Zee" snapping at his employees and trying to "talk soul" with his customers. As a further alternate, the Fox approach to sport gives us "Pinks," hosted by the totally obnoxious Rich Christensen. The shows motto is "lose the race and you'll lose your ride." After watching a few episodes, I thought I'd just lose my lunch. I am a former crew member on a professional drag racing team, yet to my amazement, Speed and "Pinks" consistently for me reduces this form of racing to a boring fax of the original.

We get this crappy programming from Fox mostly because it's cheaper to produce than actual racing event coverage, it doesn't get rained out, and the motor sports audience has few alternative sources for programming, and settles for such junk.

If one looks at other Fox takeovers, they similarly feature the dumber, cheaper, more often philosophy. Their coverage of baseball? Don't get me started.

Soccer Play By Play -- The Best?

I was watching an ESPN MLS broadcast tonight, and can't help but think that J. P. Dellacamera is the absolute best soccer broadcaster anywhere. He is amazingly accurate, fluent, and thorough. Soccer is a difficult sport to follow on TV, but J. P. makes it a pleasure to watch. At a time when so many sports broadcasters can only seem to call attention to themselves, Delacamera has the highest of skills: He make his viewers take interest in the game.

Katie Couric Out at CBS?

According to the authoritative Blog of Kelsey Alfredson, Katie Couric has perhaps figured out what the rest of us knew a long time ago - - She is a poor fit for the CBS Evening News. Check out Kelsey's work at:

http://kelseysmediaperspective.blogspot.com/

While I disagree somewhat with Kelsey's thesis that Couric is the right woman treated wrong by those male pigs at CBS (I mean, come on...she's getting millions for driving a once-proud news organization into the ditch), I will admit that Couric has some talent (for something - maybe?). But she was, is, and always will be incompetent as a journalist and a poor fit for the network of Cronkite, Murrow, Severeid, Rather, and Scheiffer.

I hope you're right K.A. The sooner she's gone, the sooner CBS can get serious about its professional recovery.

The "Mah-stuhz"

Is there any sports event more pretentious and less entertaining than the Masters? CBS seems proud to present this turkey every year, even though the ratings repeatedly inform us that, compared to the alternatives, nobody is watching. But the people who buy the 100 grand gas guzzlers ARE plopped in front of their HD sets, and THAT is what keeps the turkey flying.

The Big Ten Network

Rumors have abounded for weeks that the Big Ten Network is close to a deal with cable giant Mediacom. This might or might not be the case, but the irrefutable truth is that the Big Ten Network is having severe difficulty selling ad time -- and that's the life blood for broadcasters. Even a single hour of BTN viewing reveals the dirty little secret. Where the commercial breaks would normally be in BTN programming, we endlessly find instead the "view book brag" spots that used to be obligatory in halftime breaks back when Big Ten sports used to be on the real networks. You know the type. "Bogus State is proud to be America's number one ranked institution for the training of widget engineers...yadda yadda. This self-aggrandizing rot usually symbolizes nothing worse than institutional hubris. But in this present case, it symbolizes something else. The BTN needs to get off of it's ultra-high horse and establish some reasonable rates for the vending of its boring programming, or face economic extinction sooner than later. And there's no shortage of sports fans who'd be happy to see Jim Delaney's farce come to an abrupt end. Then the games move back to free TV or ESPN - channels that most people can actually receive.

Checking the Record...ahem.

OK, so I got the final four about as wrong as it is possible to be wrong. It was a very humbling exercise. It was fun also to observe the venom that the Champaign-Urbana fandom was heaping on Bill Self. After all, how dare he pack up and abandon a traditionally under-achieving program like Illinois for a basketball icon such as Kansas? The nerve of some people.

For the Record...

Kansas to lose to North Carolina, UCLA to take out Memphis, and the Wylie Wabbits from Westwood take the whole enchilada. There you have it...and I didn't say BAY-BEE even once. Oooops - my bad.

The Mighty Lou Dobbs

Most every afternoon, Lou Dobbs appears on CNN to whine about the "evils" of American liberal thought and to further bewail the perils of illegal immigration. Perhaps it's time to remind the blogosphere that Dobbs was originally booked onto CNN as an economics commentator, not a political pundit. But there he is, more opinionated and strident about the elections than ever. He does at times criticize the genius from Crawford, but only because even that goober isn't conservative enough for the illustrious Mr. Dobbs. Welcome to discourse in the American media, where crying for the audience -- even on a daily basis can be profitable. But then, in the 1950's, Jack Bailey hosted a program called "Queen for A Day" (no crude jokes here, please) where women won refrigerators and laundry equipment for boo-hooing their way through the best (or worst?) sob stories from their pitiable lives.

Chelsea Clinton

Chelsea Clinton has come out from behind her privacy screen to campaign for her mother. Good for her. She has something to say and says it to mostly receptive audiences. It's her right -- a very highly protected right -- to speak about politics, or anything else she choses. But recently, she decided that she wanted to make her select remarks without facing questioning from anyone she remotely suspected of being a reporter. A child named Sydney Rieckhoff, a reporter for a kid-newspaper asked "Do you think your dad would be a good 'first man' in the White House?" Clinton condecended with "I'm sorry, I don't talk to the press and that applies to you, unfortunately...even though I think you're cute." Ouch. Further, she determined that she need not respond to any questions pertaining to the last months of her father's presidency. She told one questioner that "it's none of your business."

Oh yes it is sweetie! If your mother is elected, your father won't be far away from her, nor far away from the center of American political decision making. We've seen Bill in action, both for better and for worse. Chelsea's opinions and recollections are relevant. Perhaps being a White-House daughter and a Stanford-educated rich kid has given her a self-induced sense of regal superiority.

Ms. Clinton, it's not complicated. Either answer the questions from whomever about whatever, or go back into your ultra-private snobby fetal ball.

NCAA and TV

The NCAA got its wish. The four number one seeds will meet in the final four for the first time ever this weekend. I will, with no humility whatever, predict here and now that this will NOT be the highest rated set of final four broadcasts. Why? It's simple. There's no George Mason, no Davidson, no Bradley, and no Drake left now. It's just the usual suspects. There's no underdog to root for. The NCAA itself is partially to blame for this circumstance. On selection Sunday they turned aside several very good teams with very good season records in favor of supposed marquee teams that, in some cases, were only slightly above .500. To make it worse, the six or so "mid-majors" who were allowed into the big dance were paired off against each other in the first round to assure the "big boys" that there would only be three instead of six of them left after round one. Conspiracy? Maybe. But rest assured that the "high majors" that find themselves playing those "little" schools in the tourney are thankful for vinyl upholstery on those sideline seats. It's a lot less tense for them if the insignificant riff-raff are left standing in the parking lot to begin with.

Ashley Alexandra Dupre

We now know the name of the Spitzer hooker. She is Ashley Alexandra Dupre. I have no further interest in the story (to the extent that there actually IS a story here) except to note that Hustler Magazine has offered the young working girl a tidy million to pose in her tidy birthday suit. There's a disturbing principle at work here. He (Spitzer) is punished severely for an idiotic crime that many think ought not to have been illegal in the first place. She, however, is potentially to be rewarded handsomely for her part in the same "crime."

Tornado!

The Mississippi State versus Alabama basketball game was, for a time, just an available hoops game on my dish, a game with an interesting subtext: Bubble team Alabama needed a win to get a NCAA tourney bid.

Then things changed. A tornado swept into downtown Atlanta, and created not only havoc in the streets, but one of the more oddly telegenic moments seen on the tube in a long time. You like reality TV? This was big time drama.

The spectators didn't seem to panic, moving in an orderly fashion to shelter and away from the debris falling from the interior roof. Broadcaster Tim Brando was not quite so composed, babbling without purpose and trying to fill the delay that followed the initial gust.

Ultimately, only minor injuries for the most part, and no serious injury problems inside the Georgia Dome.

Such A Deal...

Various sites on the Internet are now showing the photo of "Kristen," the hooker who sold her services to former New York governor Eliot Spitzer. While it's probably to late for Spitzer to ask for a billing adjustment, I still think the man was probably overcharged.

Not So Surprised

As most every blog on the Internet has yielded to the necessity to document the "rise and fall" of New York's Democratic Governor Eliot Spitzer, who am I to remain silent? So, OK, here's my commentary.

Are you surprised? Should any of this really surprise anyone? Did you think that people with power and money NEVER behave like this? Did you think that sex is NOT for sale to the rich and powerful? Did you suppose that young women would always chose a less risky lifestyle in preference to making as much as ten grand a night doing what their boyfriends used to get for free? Did you think that all people who promise marital fidelity and loyalty actually keep their promises? Look friends, if you add up our American divorces with all those who cheat and do not divorce, you'll have OVER half of all marriages failing to keep their flimsy promises. So why should anything about this story grab our attention? It is, sadly, a more normal day's business than any of us should want to admit. Feigned outrage in the press is just that - an obligatory gasp in phony amazement.

A Matter of Ratings

Well, ok then. It wasn't "just me." The overnight rating for the Academy Awards telecast reveals that it was the worst of all time, scoring 14% lower than the previous worst edition.

Academy Awards

Is it just me, or is the telecast of the Academy Awards more boring with each passing year?

The Rush to Rush

Isn't it odd how the mainstream media like to quote Rush Limbaugh? If he were a person of some political experience or leadership, I'd be a little less annoyed -- maybe. But people, he's a talk show host! He's just a talk show host. He says what he says and does what he does to attract attention to himself and make his program a suitable vehicle for advertising messages. That's how the American media work. After the nitwits at the New York Times did for John McCain that which he could not do for himself (gaining conservative support), Limbaugh, who had been very critical of McCain leaped to his defense.

It seems that the only thing conservative extremists hate more than a moderate Republican is the "liberal" press. In truth, Limbaugh would surely have eventually come back to McCain anyway, so the Times gaffe provided the right vehicle at the right time for him to get back on board with the mainstream of the GOP without having to say "oops."

On the other side of the political divide, talk show host Tavis Smiley was cranked out of shape because Barack Obama wouldn't leave the campaign trail to attend the "Black State of the Union" gathering that he, Smiley, had taken a leading role in producing. Smiley implied that there would be a political price to be paid for that grevious error.

Sheesh.

Give them a microphone and they think they are important.

Hillary's Snit Fit

After a cordial debate with rival Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton decided, less than 48 hours later, to go postal over some Obama campaign mailings that she considered disingenuous. She spoke like a ticked-off baby sitter howling "shame on you, Barack Obama!"

This telegenic moment seemed to draw the attention on the media, especially CNN. They can't get enough of it. The position stated in the mailings -- relative to national health insurance -- was known to the Clinton campaign for some time and merely duplicated remarks made by Obama during that cordial debate. So why then, does Clinton get in a huff so long after the fact? Maybe it's the telegenic thing.

#1 Versus #2

The Memphis State - Tennessee matchup last night was one of those games that was actually as good as the talking heads thought it would be. Bruce Pearl has brought to Tennessee a combination of energy and solid coaching that the Vols sorely needed. How long the great orange stay in their new perch as the nations #1 team remains to be seen, of course.

Nader? Oh Joy.

So the ego of Ralph Nader once again causes him to jump in front of the cameras to announce his candidacy for President. He has a right to do this, of course, but it leaves more questions than he'll likely answer. He resents being called a "spoiler," but what can he expect? While running as the Green Party candidate in 2000, he effectively blunted the election of the most "green" candidate ever, Al Gore, and he thus delivered us up to the onset of eight years of junior Bush instead. Will Nader take voters from Democrats, especially Barack Obama? I doubt it. Nader appeals to fifty-something ex-hippies who are more disconnected than change seeking. But the media will now focus, for a time at least, on Nader. He's a big story, but only on a very slow news day.

SAY WHAT ?????

New WCIA-TV sports anchor-robot Adam Mikulich let loose a real gem on the Friday afternoon newscast. While showing the game highlights from the Illinois overtime loss and snapping away yet again at Indiana basketball player Eric Gordon, he said that the hoosier freshman was so confused "He didn't know whether to spit or swallow."

Huh? Adam, if you keep surfing porn sites, you'll start talking like...oh never mind.

Super (?) Bowl

With the exception of the last 6 or so minutes, the latest Super Bowl wasn't really all that super. A low-scoring game, it was decided on plays that looked more like high school football. The commericals shown on uber-conservative Fox Network featured a fair amount of violence and sex (imagine that). Halftime with Tom Petty was the usual over-produced bilge with a performer who most of the people in the stands probably would not have otherwise paid money to see.

The worst part of the Giants win was that we will continue to hear the blather flowing from the '72 Miami Dolphins, still the only team to have an undefeated season.

Miss Virginia Takes On the Media (in the front seat)

If you missed the Miss America "competition" yesterday, you likely joined millions of others who did the same. But following miserable ratings over the last decade, pageant officials decided to "tart it up" a lot more this year and allowed, if not encouraged, the fab 50 to shake their darling booties as they did the "supermodel stomp" down the runway in their bikinis and pointy heels. "We get to show who we really are," said one contestant. Right you are, I guess. One charming young lady even discussed on camera how the miracle of "butt glue" kept her suit from riding up. No wedgies for these talented ladies!

http://www.queenschoice.com/pageant_butt_glue___firm_grip

Ah, yes...the newly revised image of "real" American women.

The evening gown competition became a combination of "Survivor," general campus hottness, clubby duds, "What Not To Wear" (thanks, Miss Iowa) and "Singled Out." And there's more - unfortunately.

The high point of the evening (well, anyway I thought she was high on something) came when Miss Virginia, having been asked what needed to be done to improve America's image in the world, replied that the problem was the media. Too many "negative messages."

And you thought "shoot the messenger" was just an idiotic cliché. Idiotic yes, but for some apparently a new approach to foreign policy. I wonder where she came up with such a dumb notion. Ahem.

Have You Seen It?

Among my recent favorite films is "Good Night, and Good Luck." The George Clooney gem of a film is faithful to both the mood and the history of the Edward R. Murrow years at CBS and the apex of Murrow's TV career during the McCarthy era. As I was a pre-teen during the 1950's, I saw his broadcasts regularly. As a result of those recollections of the great journalist, I found David Strathairn's Murrow to be fully real and absolutely stunning. Other commendable work is done by the versatile Jeff Daniels as well as a convincing Frank Langella as William S. Paley. The film is black and white and runs 93 minutes; it's from Warner Brothers.

Barrett-Jackson Auctions

Speed Channel has a major hit with the odd and energetic event consisting of people who have way more dollars than sense bidding enormous amounts of cash for vintage collector cars that I wish I could own. If I can't fantasize that I am the new owner of that snazzy '63 Vette, what is the point to living, eh?

The other thing about the annual arrival of the auctions to my living room is that I know when they appear on the tube in the weeks after Christmas, the start of Daytona Speed Weeks cannot be far behind.

I Still Can't Get Over This

Early last summer, the team from the University of Arizona defeated the University of Tennessee for the NCAA Women's Softball World Series Championship. The games were bitterly - but cleanly - contested and the games of the tournament were typically played as closely as the length of a finger nail, and in one case it was literally so. So what's the big deal you ask?

Just this - for the first time in the history of televised sport (so far as I can discern), a women's collegiate sports contest OUTDREW a men's professional championship playoff event (the Stanley Cup) on the tube.

If anyone knows of a prior instance of this sort, I'd like to know of it. Meanwhile, the pitcher for Arizona carried off two ESPY awards, and UA is ranked currently #1 going into the softball preseason drills.

Dickie V

Yes, I know he's sometimes a little bit irritating. And yes, he likes Duke a little more than the average Duke fan, but honestly now, is there anyone who pours himself into the game of college basketball more than Vitale? He is smart about the game and people in the game. And sometimes, he is the only one with the courage to say what really needs to be said. Dick has been ill and off the air this season, and I hope he mends fully and reappears very soon.

An Open Letter to WCIA Channel 3

Where to begin...

1) Someone please tell news anchor Dave Benton that our state is "Illinois," not "Ellinois." Yo Dave! The first syllable rhymes with "Swill" not with "Smell." Benton is generally an effective and telegenic anchor, but this exception is enough to drive one to watch Fox News. Ok, ok, maybe Benton's habitual gaffe isn't quite THAT bad.

2) Jennifer Roscoe (I am going to try to be gentle and diplomatic here, though I suspect I won't quite manage it), I have several suggestions for you: One, you don't need to express a chatty opinion after every handoff or transition. Just read the next news story. And truly, we don't care about your affection for the F'ing Illini. So you got your degree there. Big deal. Lots of people have degrees from the UI. And when it comes right down to fact, more people in your audience have degrees from elsewhere than from the UI. Maybe that, in part, is why your performances are so irritating to me. You seem to think you are more important than your audience.

3) Sports: There are many more sports events in the area than the U of I (do you see a pattern emerging in my critique?). Eastern, Millikin, Parkland, Danville JC, Illinois State, Illinois Weslyan are well represented by their numbers of alumni in your coverage area. So maybe covering those people might help? You bill yourselves as "Your Illini Station." You idiots! By doing this, you are sending hundreds of viewers running to the internet for streaming coverage and you dispatch them to their PC's and online papers like USA Today for stories or scores of their (as opposed to your) favorites. I don't necessarily expect or even want less coverage of the UI (although a three minute feature on some third-string tailback's favorite foods seems a little much), but rather just a little more inclusion of other schools.

As one former channel three anchor asked me, "remember when we at three used to do news?"

Excellence in Sports Play-By-Play

I am not an Illini fan. I suspect you've noticed that? It's an understatement, really. I have two favorite college teams: Illinois State and who ever is playing Illinois. With this is mind, let me dole out major props and kudos to Brian Barnhart, the PBP voice of the Illini. People in CU and around the midwest have the entertainment advantage of listening to the excellent work that he does on his broadcasts. What many do not know is that he is a generous and humble fellow who truly loves his work and the teams he represents. Excellence in broadcasting is increasingly rare these days, but in CU it's right under our noses -- and in our ear buds. Bravo, Brian!

Spicy

While dining at one of CU's finer Chinese restaurants last night, I became aware of the occasional tendency of menu writers to understate the realities a bit...or a lot. I learned, to my displeasure and eventual discomfort that when they say "spicy," it basically means that you can -- if you become less than sober or dutifully apply xylocaine to your throat and stomach -- survive the flames such as those that shot out of my ears, nose, and throat.

"Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?"

Best Burger

Is there a better hamburger in Champaign-Urbana than at Farren's? I doubt it, but if you have another nomination, I'll eat it. I mean, I'll listen.

The Soooooper Bowl

As the winning field goal dashed the hopes of Packer fans, NY Giants fans went crazy. They weren't alone. In New York and other media hubs, the Fox network execs and NFL bigwigs were delighted that their gigantic investment will most likely be of high interest to the Atlantic Northeast and its huge population base. New England versus New York figures to be a better ratings draw for the NFL and the network than the Packers and Chargers would have been. NE is already a 14+ point favorite to defeat the Giants.

Why Bother?

I suppose I should be a little apprehensive about posting to my new blog for the first time. I can't say that such is really the case. I have been considering a blog for some time, if for no other reason than to offer my somewhat peculiar or contrarian views of current events to further balance those of the mainstream press. I am not a press basher, really. Nor am I some kind of political extremist. In fact, I find myself frequently objecting to the amount of air time and column-inches that are given to discussion of the more radical perspectives. I am that most hated of all political beings, in that I am a centrist. Yes! A centrist (and here you thought we were extinct long ago!). The centrist is called apathetic by the idiots on the left because we won't follow them, and we're assailed with charges of liberalism by the toads on the far right -- people so conservative that they probably still suspect that Nixon was secretly a communist.