(From YEA!.org)
YOUTH EDUCATION IN THE ARTS (YEA!) will be setting up in four locations ON THE ROAD to watch THE 2005 DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Head out with YEA! and watch the ESPN2 DCI BROADCAST next TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH!
[After all, "life is an open road." Thanks BRYAN ADAMS.]
The broadcast, a mainstay on PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS for the past 30 YEARS, will feature highlights from the 2005 CHAMPIONSHIPS in FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS.
The highlights will be drawn from the competitive performances of the elite corps competing for the coveted DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY.
Included in the telecast will be "BEHIND-THE-SCENES" FEATURES providing captivating insights, profiles and perspectives of this highly competitive and unique display of world-class ATHLETICISM and extraordinary MUSICAL TALENT.
YEA! will be watching from FOUR LOCATIONS:
NEW YORK CITY
Big City Bar and Grille
1600 3rd Avenue
CLIFTON, NEW JERSEY
Pub 46
1081 Route 46
ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
Rookie's
1328 West Tilghman Street
KING OF PRUSSIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Fox And Hound
211 Mall Boulevard
There is no charge for admission.
Drinks and food will be available for purchase.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH AT 10 PM.
Please RSVP by September 2nd to KBoyd@yea.org.
See you at the show!
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
BRITS Driving AUSTRIANS Bonkers Over Rude Village Name
(From YahooNews.com)
BRITISH TOURISTS have left the residents of one charming AUSTRIAN VILLAGE effing and blinding by constantly stealing the signs for their oddly-named village.
While BRITISH are finding it hilarious, the residents of F---ING are failing to see the funny side, THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH NEWSPAPER reported.
Only one kind of crimimal ever stalks the sleepy 32-house village near SALZBURG on THE GERMAN BOARDER -- cheeky BRITISH TOURISTS armed with a sense of humour and a screwdriver.
But the local authorities are hitting back and with the signs now set in concrete, police chief KOMMANDANT SCHMIDTBERGER is on the lookout.
"We will not stand for THE F---ING SIGNS being removed," the officer told the broadsheet.
"It may be very amusing for you BRITISH, but F---ING is simply F---ING to us. What is this big F---ING JOKE? It is puerile."
Local guide ANDREAS BEHMUELLER said it was only THE BRITISH that had a fixation with F---ING.
"THE GERMANS all want to see THE MOZART HOUSE in SALZBURG," he explained.
"Every AMERICA seems to care only about THE SOUND OF MUSIC (the 1965 film shot around SALZBURG). The occasional JAPANESE wants to see HITLER's birthplace in BRAUNAU.
"But for THE BRITISH, it's all about F---ING."
Guesthouse boss AUGUSTINA LINDLBAUER described the village's breathtaking lakes, forests and vistas.
"Yet still there is this obsession with F---ING," she said.
"Just this morning I had to tell AN ENGLISH LADY who stopped by that there were no F---ING postcards."
Gordon Fenwick, thanks for the F---ING post.
BRITISH TOURISTS have left the residents of one charming AUSTRIAN VILLAGE effing and blinding by constantly stealing the signs for their oddly-named village.
While BRITISH are finding it hilarious, the residents of F---ING are failing to see the funny side, THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH NEWSPAPER reported.
Only one kind of crimimal ever stalks the sleepy 32-house village near SALZBURG on THE GERMAN BOARDER -- cheeky BRITISH TOURISTS armed with a sense of humour and a screwdriver.
But the local authorities are hitting back and with the signs now set in concrete, police chief KOMMANDANT SCHMIDTBERGER is on the lookout.
"We will not stand for THE F---ING SIGNS being removed," the officer told the broadsheet.
"It may be very amusing for you BRITISH, but F---ING is simply F---ING to us. What is this big F---ING JOKE? It is puerile."
Local guide ANDREAS BEHMUELLER said it was only THE BRITISH that had a fixation with F---ING.
"THE GERMANS all want to see THE MOZART HOUSE in SALZBURG," he explained.
"Every AMERICA seems to care only about THE SOUND OF MUSIC (the 1965 film shot around SALZBURG). The occasional JAPANESE wants to see HITLER's birthplace in BRAUNAU.
"But for THE BRITISH, it's all about F---ING."
Guesthouse boss AUGUSTINA LINDLBAUER described the village's breathtaking lakes, forests and vistas.
"Yet still there is this obsession with F---ING," she said.
"Just this morning I had to tell AN ENGLISH LADY who stopped by that there were no F---ING postcards."
Gordon Fenwick, thanks for the F---ING post.
It Ain't Just A Halftime Show -- Now The SHOW Is The GAME!
DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL (DCI), the world leader in producing and sanctioning touring marching music competitions, announced that its award-winning WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TELEVISION PROGRAM will be broadcast on ESPN2 on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH at 10 PM EDT.
The television event, featuring highlights from the 2005 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS which took place on August 13th in FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, is the first PRIME-TIME broadcast of the program on COMMERCIAL TELEVISION, and will be available to more than 88 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS.
Tune next Tuesday at 10 pm on ESPN2 for THE POWER, THE PRECISION, and THE PAGENTRY.
The television event, featuring highlights from the 2005 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS which took place on August 13th in FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, is the first PRIME-TIME broadcast of the program on COMMERCIAL TELEVISION, and will be available to more than 88 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS.
Tune next Tuesday at 10 pm on ESPN2 for THE POWER, THE PRECISION, and THE PAGENTRY.
Empty VMAs
(From The Hartford Courant -- By Roger Catlin)
Is there any question that Sunday's 2005 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS (VMA) was by far THE WORST EVER?
[Whew, I thought so too. But I also thought I was getting old.]
The dud who calls himself DIDDY had no monologue and didn't even introduce half of the presenters. But he made sure you knew he really was giving away a watch to an audience member by doing it twice. And he apparently had a hand in making an awards show where ROCK was patronized the way HIP-HOP once was.
He reached into is usual career-saving bag by resurrecting THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. one more time for an overblown production number. He kept promising surprises, saying "anything can happen." And it was surprising, I guess, that nothing actually did.
[DIDDY had said during the VMAs and in pre-interviews that if a woman wanted to walk naked across the stage, that was "cool" cause "anything could happen." I was at least half-expecting something outragious like that. Nada. Nothing.]
You couldn't hide the looks of boredom or contempt of entertainers forced to sit through the debacle. Who could defend R. KELLY's stupefying lip-synching of his tuneless, incomprehensibly bad soap-opera narrative?
50 CENT wasn't much better, muttering along to his own recording in his performance. And M.C. HAMMER, seen for a moment, was held up as some sort of pioneer rather than the '80s blip whose easy-come, easy-go career is being satirized in TV ads.
For all the shout-outs, talk of expensive jewelry and inordinate focus on fashion (which will result in endless future FASHION DON'T COLUMNS), it seemed more divorced from reality than most award shows.
Despite the fact that the dominant winner of the event was GREEN DAY's AMERICAN IDIOT, a politically charged work, there was nary a word of politics or advocacy from young people in wartime.
It only pointed out the emptiness of a culture on A FORMER MUSIC CHANNEL that's far more focused now on the forced, unreal gloss of THE REAL WORLD and LAGUNA BEACH.
Is there any question that Sunday's 2005 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS (VMA) was by far THE WORST EVER?
[Whew, I thought so too. But I also thought I was getting old.]
The dud who calls himself DIDDY had no monologue and didn't even introduce half of the presenters. But he made sure you knew he really was giving away a watch to an audience member by doing it twice. And he apparently had a hand in making an awards show where ROCK was patronized the way HIP-HOP once was.
He reached into is usual career-saving bag by resurrecting THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. one more time for an overblown production number. He kept promising surprises, saying "anything can happen." And it was surprising, I guess, that nothing actually did.
[DIDDY had said during the VMAs and in pre-interviews that if a woman wanted to walk naked across the stage, that was "cool" cause "anything could happen." I was at least half-expecting something outragious like that. Nada. Nothing.]
You couldn't hide the looks of boredom or contempt of entertainers forced to sit through the debacle. Who could defend R. KELLY's stupefying lip-synching of his tuneless, incomprehensibly bad soap-opera narrative?
50 CENT wasn't much better, muttering along to his own recording in his performance. And M.C. HAMMER, seen for a moment, was held up as some sort of pioneer rather than the '80s blip whose easy-come, easy-go career is being satirized in TV ads.
For all the shout-outs, talk of expensive jewelry and inordinate focus on fashion (which will result in endless future FASHION DON'T COLUMNS), it seemed more divorced from reality than most award shows.
Despite the fact that the dominant winner of the event was GREEN DAY's AMERICAN IDIOT, a politically charged work, there was nary a word of politics or advocacy from young people in wartime.
It only pointed out the emptiness of a culture on A FORMER MUSIC CHANNEL that's far more focused now on the forced, unreal gloss of THE REAL WORLD and LAGUNA BEACH.
From Chichi To Trashy, KELLY Can Change Her Look
(From The Hartford Courant -- By Pat Seremet)
KELLY CLARKSON, the adorable, wholesome girl who charmed the nation as a 20-year-old waitress from TEXAS and won the first AMERICAN IDOL contest in 2002, won an MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARD (VMA) Sunday night.
[Way to go Kelly! We love ya!]
But what a difference there was from the stunning, stylish, oh-so-chic Clarkson who arrived at the show in MIAMI in a nearly-strapless and backless gown to the COURTNEY LOVE eye-makeup-smeared, tongue-wagging look she had when she performed. She won BEST FEMALE VIDEO for SINCE U BEEN GONE.
[We like Kelly both ways -- NAUGHTY and NICE.]
GREEN DAY may have walked away with THE MOST AWARDS (SEVEN), but the show, to many of us, is really about the fashions, not those old rockers.
GWEN STEFANI, looking a little like MADONNA with her full red lips, wore a form-fitting leopard dress with white coquettish straps and bodice top.
FERGIE of THE BLACK EYED PEAS, wearing a fetching yellow ruffled trailing gown, trimmed in bright green, looked more like a freshly husked ear of butter-and-sugar corn than any black-eyed pea.
The high drama took place early Sunday when rapper SUGE KNIGHT, 40, founder of DEATH ROW RECORDS (now THA ROW), was shot in the leg at a party at THE SHORE CLUB HOTEL given by KANYE WEST and attended by JESSICA ALBA, EDDIE MURPHY, PARIS HILTON and THE GAME. Screaming guests fled, streaming outside or taking cover in other parts of the hotel. Police were at the hotel at the time.
It wasn't Knight's first encounter with gunfire. In 1996, TUPAC SHAKUR was shot and killed while riding in the passenger seat of Knight's car after the two participated in the beating of a gang rival in A LAS VEGAS HOTEL. This resulted in Knight's going to prison for violating his probation from a 1992 conviction for assault and federal weapons counts.
Bad boys, bad boys, what-cha gonna do?
Knight is reportedly doing well.
For more pictures, behind the scenes escapades, to view the list of winners, or to watch the 2005 MTV VMA's on MTV OVERDRIVE
("remixed" in whatever order you choose), check out MTV.com.
KELLY CLARKSON, the adorable, wholesome girl who charmed the nation as a 20-year-old waitress from TEXAS and won the first AMERICAN IDOL contest in 2002, won an MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARD (VMA) Sunday night.
[Way to go Kelly! We love ya!]
But what a difference there was from the stunning, stylish, oh-so-chic Clarkson who arrived at the show in MIAMI in a nearly-strapless and backless gown to the COURTNEY LOVE eye-makeup-smeared, tongue-wagging look she had when she performed. She won BEST FEMALE VIDEO for SINCE U BEEN GONE.
[We like Kelly both ways -- NAUGHTY and NICE.]
GREEN DAY may have walked away with THE MOST AWARDS (SEVEN), but the show, to many of us, is really about the fashions, not those old rockers.
GWEN STEFANI, looking a little like MADONNA with her full red lips, wore a form-fitting leopard dress with white coquettish straps and bodice top.
FERGIE of THE BLACK EYED PEAS, wearing a fetching yellow ruffled trailing gown, trimmed in bright green, looked more like a freshly husked ear of butter-and-sugar corn than any black-eyed pea.
The high drama took place early Sunday when rapper SUGE KNIGHT, 40, founder of DEATH ROW RECORDS (now THA ROW), was shot in the leg at a party at THE SHORE CLUB HOTEL given by KANYE WEST and attended by JESSICA ALBA, EDDIE MURPHY, PARIS HILTON and THE GAME. Screaming guests fled, streaming outside or taking cover in other parts of the hotel. Police were at the hotel at the time.
It wasn't Knight's first encounter with gunfire. In 1996, TUPAC SHAKUR was shot and killed while riding in the passenger seat of Knight's car after the two participated in the beating of a gang rival in A LAS VEGAS HOTEL. This resulted in Knight's going to prison for violating his probation from a 1992 conviction for assault and federal weapons counts.
Bad boys, bad boys, what-cha gonna do?
Knight is reportedly doing well.
For more pictures, behind the scenes escapades, to view the list of winners, or to watch the 2005 MTV VMA's on MTV OVERDRIVE
("remixed" in whatever order you choose), check out MTV.com.
He Didn't Need DR. PHIL To Help Seal This Deal
(From The Hartford Courant -- By Pat Seremet)
The son of TV psychologist DR. PHIL -- quite possibly the most annoying man in television -- has landed himself a big one.
JAY McGRAW, 26, is engaged to former PLAYBOY playmate ERICA DAHM (in the middle of the picture at the right), one of THE TRIPLET DAHM SISTERS.
The younger McGraw got engaged to Dahm in DALLAS, CHANDLER HAYES, a spokesman for PHIL McGRAW, said Monday.
Dahm exclaimed, "Oh gosh, is this real?" after the proposal, Hayes said.
The couple will wed in LOS ANGELES; the date was not revealed.
Jay McGraw designed the 5-carat diamond, emerald and platinum engagement ring.
He told the syndicated TV show THE INSIDER -- "I asked her father for her hand in marriage first. I finally told my parents, and they are ecstatic. She's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with."
Dahm, 27, and her two sisters appeared in THE DECEMBER 1998 PLAYBOY. The trio were featured on FOX's reality show RENOVATE MY FAMILY, which was hosted by McGraw.
Jay McGraw is a best-selling author of self-help books himself.
They include CLOSING THE GAP and THE ULTIMATE WEIGHT SOLUTION FOR TEENS.
Identical triplets NICOLE, ERICA, and JACLYN DAHM (born in that order on December 12th, 1977 in MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA) are the only TRIPLETS to be featured in THE AMERICAN EDITION of PLAYBOY to date.
They are each 5 feet 8 inches in height (34C-25-34). All are blonde.
The son of TV psychologist DR. PHIL -- quite possibly the most annoying man in television -- has landed himself a big one.
JAY McGRAW, 26, is engaged to former PLAYBOY playmate ERICA DAHM (in the middle of the picture at the right), one of THE TRIPLET DAHM SISTERS.
The younger McGraw got engaged to Dahm in DALLAS, CHANDLER HAYES, a spokesman for PHIL McGRAW, said Monday.
Dahm exclaimed, "Oh gosh, is this real?" after the proposal, Hayes said.
The couple will wed in LOS ANGELES; the date was not revealed.
Jay McGraw designed the 5-carat diamond, emerald and platinum engagement ring.
He told the syndicated TV show THE INSIDER -- "I asked her father for her hand in marriage first. I finally told my parents, and they are ecstatic. She's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with."
Dahm, 27, and her two sisters appeared in THE DECEMBER 1998 PLAYBOY. The trio were featured on FOX's reality show RENOVATE MY FAMILY, which was hosted by McGraw.
Jay McGraw is a best-selling author of self-help books himself.
They include CLOSING THE GAP and THE ULTIMATE WEIGHT SOLUTION FOR TEENS.
Identical triplets NICOLE, ERICA, and JACLYN DAHM (born in that order on December 12th, 1977 in MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA) are the only TRIPLETS to be featured in THE AMERICAN EDITION of PLAYBOY to date.
They are each 5 feet 8 inches in height (34C-25-34). All are blonde.
Crossing JORDAN
(From The Hartford Courant)
The traffic-stopping glamour girl with the single name and THE DOUBLE-F CHEST is getting married.
JORDAN, who met former pop star fiance PETER ANDRE while canoodling in a hammock on the show "I'M A CELEBRITY...GET ME OUTTA HERE," is making wedding plans.
The couple will get married at HIGHCLERE CASTLE in NEWBURY, ENGLAND on September 10th.
Bridesmaids will include GIRLS ALOUD's SARAH HARDING, ex-pop singer KERRY KATONA and singer CHARLOTTE CHURCH, who will sing at the event.
Celebrities invited to the event include MANCHESTER UNITED footballer WAYNE ROONEY and girlfriend COLEEN McLOUGHLIN, model RACHEL HUNTER and illusionist URU GELLER.
The couple has signed deals with OK! MAGAZINE and ITV, which is expected to net them more than $3.5 MILLION.
Jordan, 27, has said she wants to get in THE RECORD BOOKS by having THE LONGEST TRAIN ON HER DRESS -- the current record is 2,545 FEET, held by A DUTCH BRIDE.
The wedding cake will be a likeness of JORDAN's 35FF BREASTS. The cake makers have been working on A SECRET RECIPE to make sure the cake doesn't SAG IN THE MIDDLE.
The traffic-stopping glamour girl with the single name and THE DOUBLE-F CHEST is getting married.
JORDAN, who met former pop star fiance PETER ANDRE while canoodling in a hammock on the show "I'M A CELEBRITY...GET ME OUTTA HERE," is making wedding plans.
The couple will get married at HIGHCLERE CASTLE in NEWBURY, ENGLAND on September 10th.
Bridesmaids will include GIRLS ALOUD's SARAH HARDING, ex-pop singer KERRY KATONA and singer CHARLOTTE CHURCH, who will sing at the event.
Celebrities invited to the event include MANCHESTER UNITED footballer WAYNE ROONEY and girlfriend COLEEN McLOUGHLIN, model RACHEL HUNTER and illusionist URU GELLER.
The couple has signed deals with OK! MAGAZINE and ITV, which is expected to net them more than $3.5 MILLION.
Jordan, 27, has said she wants to get in THE RECORD BOOKS by having THE LONGEST TRAIN ON HER DRESS -- the current record is 2,545 FEET, held by A DUTCH BRIDE.
The wedding cake will be a likeness of JORDAN's 35FF BREASTS. The cake makers have been working on A SECRET RECIPE to make sure the cake doesn't SAG IN THE MIDDLE.
All It Needs Is SINATRA
(From The Hartford Courant -- By Pat Seremet)
GEORGE CLOONEY promises his new LAS VEGAS HOTEL will add a touch of class to the gambling mecca when its doors are opened.
Clooney has teamed up with CINDY CRAWFORD's husband, RANDE GERBER, and two LAS VEGAS REAL ESTATE COMPANIES for the anticipated SPANISH-THEMED $3 BILLION LAS RAMBLAS, which will include a boutique hotel, a casino and residential units.
The 44-year-old actor says the new development will bring some OLD GLAMOUR back to the city.
"We have this romantic notion of a place where you put on a jacket or a dress to go to dinner," Clooney said. "We will have some sort of dress code so that it will feel like you are walking into a more FORMAL LAS VEGAS of a different age or a classic MONTE CARLO CASINO. I may be the novice of this group of investors, but I have a good idea of what I like in LAS VEGAS, and it is all about CLASS."
GEORGE CLOONEY promises his new LAS VEGAS HOTEL will add a touch of class to the gambling mecca when its doors are opened.
Clooney has teamed up with CINDY CRAWFORD's husband, RANDE GERBER, and two LAS VEGAS REAL ESTATE COMPANIES for the anticipated SPANISH-THEMED $3 BILLION LAS RAMBLAS, which will include a boutique hotel, a casino and residential units.
The 44-year-old actor says the new development will bring some OLD GLAMOUR back to the city.
"We have this romantic notion of a place where you put on a jacket or a dress to go to dinner," Clooney said. "We will have some sort of dress code so that it will feel like you are walking into a more FORMAL LAS VEGAS of a different age or a classic MONTE CARLO CASINO. I may be the novice of this group of investors, but I have a good idea of what I like in LAS VEGAS, and it is all about CLASS."
MORMONS Found Their Inner NERD, And On The Cheap Too
(From The Hartford Courant -- By Pat Seremet)
The star of the cult hit NAPOLEON DYNAMITE said that making the film gave him the chance to "celebrate THE NERD within me."
JON HEDER, 27, who plays the film's curly haired, awkward namesake, appeared with AARON RUELL, 29, who plays Napoleon's older brother KIP, at OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY in COLUMBUS Sunday.
They said they could relate to the movie, which follows IDAHO outcasts trying to find their place in the world.
The movie also has opened new opportunities for Heder and Ruell, both MORMONS who met at BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY's FILM SCHOOL.
Heder stars alongside REESE WITHERSPOON and MARK RUFFALO in JUST LIKE HEAVEN, which is to be released September 16th.
"We created KIP and NAPOLEON from ourselves and from people we knew and experiences we had," said Heder, 27.
The movie's LOW BUDGET -- it was made for $400,000 over 22 days -- forced the cast and crew to improvise.
"All of our clothing came from THRIFT STORES or WAL-MART, and we did our own stunts," said Ruell, 29.
NAPOLEON DYNAMITE grossed more than $45 MILLION at the box office and has made more than $104 MILLION in DVD sales.
The star of the cult hit NAPOLEON DYNAMITE said that making the film gave him the chance to "celebrate THE NERD within me."
JON HEDER, 27, who plays the film's curly haired, awkward namesake, appeared with AARON RUELL, 29, who plays Napoleon's older brother KIP, at OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY in COLUMBUS Sunday.
They said they could relate to the movie, which follows IDAHO outcasts trying to find their place in the world.
The movie also has opened new opportunities for Heder and Ruell, both MORMONS who met at BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY's FILM SCHOOL.
Heder stars alongside REESE WITHERSPOON and MARK RUFFALO in JUST LIKE HEAVEN, which is to be released September 16th.
"We created KIP and NAPOLEON from ourselves and from people we knew and experiences we had," said Heder, 27.
The movie's LOW BUDGET -- it was made for $400,000 over 22 days -- forced the cast and crew to improvise.
"All of our clothing came from THRIFT STORES or WAL-MART, and we did our own stunts," said Ruell, 29.
NAPOLEON DYNAMITE grossed more than $45 MILLION at the box office and has made more than $104 MILLION in DVD sales.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, And Pot
(From The Hartford Courant -- By Pat Seremet)
Singer ART GARFUNKEL, who pleaded guilty last year to POT possession in NEW YORK, was charged again Sunday after A MARIJUANA CIGARETTE was found in the ashtray of his car in WOODSTOCK, NEW YORK, state police said.
Woodstock? Wasn't the show, like, about 36 years ago?
The 63-year-old Garfunkel, who lives in MANHATTAN, was charged after being pulled over for failing to stop his vehicle at a stop sign, THE DAILY FREEMAN of KINGSTON reported Tuesday.
Upon approaching Garfunkel's car, a trooper noticed a strong odor of marijuana, and a subsequent search turned up A JOINT in the ashtray, the newspaper reported, citing police.
He was issued a ticket and is due in WOODSTOCK TOWN COURT on September 22nd.
Singer ART GARFUNKEL, who pleaded guilty last year to POT possession in NEW YORK, was charged again Sunday after A MARIJUANA CIGARETTE was found in the ashtray of his car in WOODSTOCK, NEW YORK, state police said.
Woodstock? Wasn't the show, like, about 36 years ago?
The 63-year-old Garfunkel, who lives in MANHATTAN, was charged after being pulled over for failing to stop his vehicle at a stop sign, THE DAILY FREEMAN of KINGSTON reported Tuesday.
Upon approaching Garfunkel's car, a trooper noticed a strong odor of marijuana, and a subsequent search turned up A JOINT in the ashtray, the newspaper reported, citing police.
He was issued a ticket and is due in WOODSTOCK TOWN COURT on September 22nd.
DOWNEY Has Wedding Of GOTHIK Proportions
(From The Hartford Courant -- By Pat Seremet)
Actor ROBERT DOWNEY JR., the OSCAR-NOMINATED star of CHAPLIN whose struggles with drug addiction drew attention in the late 1990s, married producer SUSAN LEVIN on Saturday.
Downey, 40, and Levin, 31, met in 2002 on the set of the film GOTHIKA, which Levin co-produced, and were engaged in 2003.
The marriage is Downey's second. He and actress DEBORAH FALCONER have an 11-year-old son, INDIO.
Downey was forced to scrap his original plan to hold the ceremony at friend ELLEN BARKIN's MANHATTAN ESTATE because the location was leaked to the press. Then the couple were expected to tie the knot in
THE HAMPTONS at the legendary RON PERELMAN-OWNED CREEKS MEDITERRANEAN VILLA. But at the last minute, they decided to move the nuptials to a 5.2-acre compound overlooking the bay in a ritzy part of AMAGANSETT, NEW YORK.
The couple said "I do" under a gazebo specially built for the occasion.
The compound is THE WINDY DUNES ESTATE, owned by wealthy PALM BEACH socialite LUCY SPRUNGER.
After the ceremony, the celebration continued with dinner on red-and-gold accented tables while STING and BILLY JOEL performed under a clear-topped tent so the guests could enjoy the sunset while they toasted the happy couple. KEANU REEVES arrived by motorcycle.
"It's my turn...to luck out," Downey told ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT of his relationship with Levin.
Actor ROBERT DOWNEY JR., the OSCAR-NOMINATED star of CHAPLIN whose struggles with drug addiction drew attention in the late 1990s, married producer SUSAN LEVIN on Saturday.
Downey, 40, and Levin, 31, met in 2002 on the set of the film GOTHIKA, which Levin co-produced, and were engaged in 2003.
The marriage is Downey's second. He and actress DEBORAH FALCONER have an 11-year-old son, INDIO.
Downey was forced to scrap his original plan to hold the ceremony at friend ELLEN BARKIN's MANHATTAN ESTATE because the location was leaked to the press. Then the couple were expected to tie the knot in
THE HAMPTONS at the legendary RON PERELMAN-OWNED CREEKS MEDITERRANEAN VILLA. But at the last minute, they decided to move the nuptials to a 5.2-acre compound overlooking the bay in a ritzy part of AMAGANSETT, NEW YORK.
The couple said "I do" under a gazebo specially built for the occasion.
The compound is THE WINDY DUNES ESTATE, owned by wealthy PALM BEACH socialite LUCY SPRUNGER.
After the ceremony, the celebration continued with dinner on red-and-gold accented tables while STING and BILLY JOEL performed under a clear-topped tent so the guests could enjoy the sunset while they toasted the happy couple. KEANU REEVES arrived by motorcycle.
"It's my turn...to luck out," Downey told ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT of his relationship with Levin.
Blog Wild -- Internet Development Touches Upon Sports World
(From Sports Business Daily -- By John Show)
BLOGS continue to be the buzz within politics, technology and entertainment, and now increased offerings in THE SPORTS INDUSTRY are forcing leagues, teams and the media to adapt to the new form of communication.
While some professional sports leagues have developed BLOG NETWORKS on their Web sites, media outlets have been more apt to embrace the concept and meld it into existing operations.
"The thing to watch here is not whether blogs will have the same effect in SPORTS as in POLITICS, but what sort of effect they will have on THE MEDIA," said ECHODITTO CEO NICCO MELE, who served as the leading Internet strategist on HOWARD DEAN's 2004 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.
ESPN OUT FRONT
ESPN.com has been the most aggressive with blogs, the common name for WEBLOGS, and has moved some of its more prominent writers into blogging under the ESPN INSIDER PAY SERVICE, which costs $6.95 a month. The content in these frequent filings differs from standard daily form to include notebook-type nuggets of information and commentaries that would seem out of place in a normal column due to tone or length. Bloggers also provide online links and comments to national stories. ESPN.com has one blogger for each of the major sports it covers, as well as fantasy sports and sports business, but don't expect every writer to start filing a blog. "We have to identify the people who have the right amount of time and the right voice for this," said ESPN.com Executive Editor PATRICK STIEGMAN. "Some people are much more comfortable in a more structured contemporary column format; other people are a little more comfortable writing in this informal style."
FREE BLOGGING
SI.com, SportingNews.com, FoxSports.com, and CBS SportsLine.com also have added blogs in some form, all free. SPORTING NEWS columnists KEN ROSENTHAL and SEAN DEVENEY and radio personality RICK BALLOU have all added blogging duties to their regular work. SI.com features THE DAILY BLOG written by BILL SYKEN, and NFL writer PETER KING this year filed training camp diaries in blog format. Likewise, some newspapers have added a blogging function to their online offerings that feature columnists and beat writers, and some leagues and teams have adopted blogging as an entertainment feature.
BASEBLOG
MLB earlier this year launched MLBLOGS, which now features more than 60 blogs written by notables such as TOMMY LASORDA Lasorda and BROOKS ROBINSON, as well as by fans, players and members of the broadcast media. "Fans and newsmakers alike use self-publishing tools to reach millions of people every day," said DINN MANN, MLBAM Senior Vice President and Editor-In-Chief. "And any major site that doesn't offer them or have a strategy to add them and build upon them is doing its visitors a disservice.”
NBA
The NBA's BLOG SQUAD appears in five languages on the league's Web site and taps a wide range of personalities, including GMs, coaches, players, broadcasters and actors. "We will be expanding our stable of regular bloggers as well as using blogs to cover events,” said STEVE GRIMES, NBA Senior Director of Internet Services.
NHL
The NHL has focused on the entertainment value of blogs, but also monitored fan blogs during the lockout to identify issues that later formed the basis for specific market research studies, said BERNADETTE MANSUR, NHL Vice President/Group Communications. "These blogs might not have existed before, and the majority of them won't exist for a long time, but those that will have become really important voices," said Mansur. "It's another opportunity through better technology to communicate with your fans and understand what they like and what they don't like." With the lockout over, the NHL plans to continue monitoring blogs and to take advantage of their entertainment value with player and fan blogs.
NFL
NFL.com had a blog around this year’s draft in which analysts provided real-time analysis. The league also expects to incorporate blogs into fantasy football programming and other areas of NFL.com.
CUBAN USES BLOG MAVERICK TO DISH ON DIFFERENT ISSUES
The most well-known blog among pro sports owners is MAVERICKS Owner MARK CUBAN's BLOG MAVERICK, which started in March 2004. Cuban uses the platform to chime in on everything from media coverage to ticket scalpers, as well as topics unrelated to the NBA. Cuban stresses the importance of monitoring individual blogs from the franchise level, writing in an email, "If someone in management isn't doing it now they are making a big mistake.”
THE PLACE FOR FANS TO VENT
But the main application of blogs is still being felt at THE FAN LEVEL. One of the more enterprising team-specific efforts is SPORTSBLOGS, which has a network covering 25 MLB TEAMS and has attracted the interest of OAKLAND A's General Manager BILLY BEANE and new owner LEWIS WOLFF, who have each offered exclusive interviews for the A's forum, ATHLETICS NATION. But despite his interest in covering the team in depth, SPORTSBLOGS President TYLER BLESZINSKI, who operates THE ATHLETICS NATION SITE, doesn't believe the line will ever blur between bloggers and traditional journalists. "I don't think that’s ultimately what blogs are about," said Bleszinski. "The newspapers do a fine job of covering the games on a day-to-day basis, and that's what their strength is. The blog has a tendency of looking at the big picture, and that’s what is appealing to people."
MORE TO COME
SPORTS BUSINESS DAILY, in conjunction with sister publication SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, this week examines blogs and their relevance in the sports world. Monday introduces blogs, Tuesday profiles a blog created by WHITE SOX Vice President/Communications SCOTT REIFERT, Thursday covers A PODCAST published by THE BLACKHAWKS and Friday discusses SportsBlogs.com. On Wednesday, we launch a new weekly feature, called BLOG HOUNDS which offers a sampling of some of the subjects being discussed by SPORTS BLOGGERS.
BLOGS continue to be the buzz within politics, technology and entertainment, and now increased offerings in THE SPORTS INDUSTRY are forcing leagues, teams and the media to adapt to the new form of communication.
While some professional sports leagues have developed BLOG NETWORKS on their Web sites, media outlets have been more apt to embrace the concept and meld it into existing operations.
"The thing to watch here is not whether blogs will have the same effect in SPORTS as in POLITICS, but what sort of effect they will have on THE MEDIA," said ECHODITTO CEO NICCO MELE, who served as the leading Internet strategist on HOWARD DEAN's 2004 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.
ESPN OUT FRONT
ESPN.com has been the most aggressive with blogs, the common name for WEBLOGS, and has moved some of its more prominent writers into blogging under the ESPN INSIDER PAY SERVICE, which costs $6.95 a month. The content in these frequent filings differs from standard daily form to include notebook-type nuggets of information and commentaries that would seem out of place in a normal column due to tone or length. Bloggers also provide online links and comments to national stories. ESPN.com has one blogger for each of the major sports it covers, as well as fantasy sports and sports business, but don't expect every writer to start filing a blog. "We have to identify the people who have the right amount of time and the right voice for this," said ESPN.com Executive Editor PATRICK STIEGMAN. "Some people are much more comfortable in a more structured contemporary column format; other people are a little more comfortable writing in this informal style."
FREE BLOGGING
SI.com, SportingNews.com, FoxSports.com, and CBS SportsLine.com also have added blogs in some form, all free. SPORTING NEWS columnists KEN ROSENTHAL and SEAN DEVENEY and radio personality RICK BALLOU have all added blogging duties to their regular work. SI.com features THE DAILY BLOG written by BILL SYKEN, and NFL writer PETER KING this year filed training camp diaries in blog format. Likewise, some newspapers have added a blogging function to their online offerings that feature columnists and beat writers, and some leagues and teams have adopted blogging as an entertainment feature.
BASEBLOG
MLB earlier this year launched MLBLOGS, which now features more than 60 blogs written by notables such as TOMMY LASORDA Lasorda and BROOKS ROBINSON, as well as by fans, players and members of the broadcast media. "Fans and newsmakers alike use self-publishing tools to reach millions of people every day," said DINN MANN, MLBAM Senior Vice President and Editor-In-Chief. "And any major site that doesn't offer them or have a strategy to add them and build upon them is doing its visitors a disservice.”
NBA
The NBA's BLOG SQUAD appears in five languages on the league's Web site and taps a wide range of personalities, including GMs, coaches, players, broadcasters and actors. "We will be expanding our stable of regular bloggers as well as using blogs to cover events,” said STEVE GRIMES, NBA Senior Director of Internet Services.
NHL
The NHL has focused on the entertainment value of blogs, but also monitored fan blogs during the lockout to identify issues that later formed the basis for specific market research studies, said BERNADETTE MANSUR, NHL Vice President/Group Communications. "These blogs might not have existed before, and the majority of them won't exist for a long time, but those that will have become really important voices," said Mansur. "It's another opportunity through better technology to communicate with your fans and understand what they like and what they don't like." With the lockout over, the NHL plans to continue monitoring blogs and to take advantage of their entertainment value with player and fan blogs.
NFL
NFL.com had a blog around this year’s draft in which analysts provided real-time analysis. The league also expects to incorporate blogs into fantasy football programming and other areas of NFL.com.
CUBAN USES BLOG MAVERICK TO DISH ON DIFFERENT ISSUES
The most well-known blog among pro sports owners is MAVERICKS Owner MARK CUBAN's BLOG MAVERICK, which started in March 2004. Cuban uses the platform to chime in on everything from media coverage to ticket scalpers, as well as topics unrelated to the NBA. Cuban stresses the importance of monitoring individual blogs from the franchise level, writing in an email, "If someone in management isn't doing it now they are making a big mistake.”
THE PLACE FOR FANS TO VENT
But the main application of blogs is still being felt at THE FAN LEVEL. One of the more enterprising team-specific efforts is SPORTSBLOGS, which has a network covering 25 MLB TEAMS and has attracted the interest of OAKLAND A's General Manager BILLY BEANE and new owner LEWIS WOLFF, who have each offered exclusive interviews for the A's forum, ATHLETICS NATION. But despite his interest in covering the team in depth, SPORTSBLOGS President TYLER BLESZINSKI, who operates THE ATHLETICS NATION SITE, doesn't believe the line will ever blur between bloggers and traditional journalists. "I don't think that’s ultimately what blogs are about," said Bleszinski. "The newspapers do a fine job of covering the games on a day-to-day basis, and that's what their strength is. The blog has a tendency of looking at the big picture, and that’s what is appealing to people."
MORE TO COME
SPORTS BUSINESS DAILY, in conjunction with sister publication SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, this week examines blogs and their relevance in the sports world. Monday introduces blogs, Tuesday profiles a blog created by WHITE SOX Vice President/Communications SCOTT REIFERT, Thursday covers A PODCAST published by THE BLACKHAWKS and Friday discusses SportsBlogs.com. On Wednesday, we launch a new weekly feature, called BLOG HOUNDS which offers a sampling of some of the subjects being discussed by SPORTS BLOGGERS.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Storm Coverage -- "Bearing Witness" Or Overdone Stunt?
(From The Philadelphia Inquirer -- By Gail Shister)
Reporters flying from flagpoles during hurricanes have become a cliche, says NBC's BRIAN WILLIAMS.
"There's a danger that all these images start to look alike to viewers," Williams said Monday via cell phone from NEW ORLEANS' SUPERDOME, his base of operations for HURRICANE KATRINA COVERAGE.
"It's an accepted TV news style that can fall into a pattern. I'd like to avoid it. We've all done shots like that. But it's still the best way to tell another human being, 'This is what 80 miles an hour feels like.'"
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS' Williams is the only A-LIST BROADCAST ANCHOR reporting from THE GULF COAST. CBS EVENING NEWS interim BOB SCHIEFFER and CHARLES GIBSON, ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT'S principal fill-in, stayed in NEW YORK.
Williams' presence "speaks to everything in the network landscape having been churned up," says NBC NEWS Senior Vice President STEVE CAPUS, a WARMINSTER NATIVE and TEMPLE GRAD. "Nothing is normal, except over here."
Capus labels wind-blown reporters as "stupid human tricks" that put the journalists in harm's way and make viewers anxious.
"At some point, it looks kind of silly if you go overboard. You don't need to sit in the middle of the ocean to know how powerful the TSUNAMI is. It's reckless to put yourself in 150-mile-per-hour winds."
Williams did live reports on TODAY and MSNBC Monday from outside a partially protected area of the dome. He later went inside, joining about 9,000 storm refugees.
"It would have been very easy to put Brian in some area that would appear to be the end of the world, and he was one gust from being blown away," Capus says. "We're not in the business of SHOWBOATING."
Does that mean that CBS's high-flying DAN RATHER, who never met a hurricane he didn't like, was A SHOWBOAT?
"I don't think Mr. Rather was reckless," Capus says.
Says Williams, "Just as they broke the mold when they made him in TEXAS, I think they broke the mold for his type of hurricane coverage when Dan retired."
CNN's ANDERSON COOPER, who fought the elements Monday in BATON ROUGE before driving parallel to the storm, to JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, used to make fun of flagpole-fliers. "I thought, 'Why don't they just go indoors?' It's common sense."
Once Cooper began covering hurricanes, however, he did a 180. "I believe in being on the front lines of stories, whether it's BAGHDAD or NIGER or HURRICANES.
"There's a value to bearing witness to what hundreds of thousands of people are going through. I see nothing wrong with a reporter going through it with them. I've never pretended to grab onto something. The audience knows when something's real and when it's not."
After NBC's charter to NEW ORLEANS was diverted to BATON ROUGE Sunday, Williams and his crew managed to drive to THE BIG EASY in time to report -- by phone -- for NIGHTLY NEWS and MSNBC.
Williams says he and NBC's braintrust had decided Saturday night to set up at THE SUPERDOME "because I knew this would be the shelter of last resort in this city. I thought it would be a fascinating angle to see how this many people came together."
By the "quirk" of that decision, Williams says, he "stumbled upon one of the stories of this day," when KATRINA blew off pieces of THE SUPERDOME ROOF.
"We were listening to horrible noises. Pieces of the roof were banging against each other, but there was never any fear for safety or fear about the structure."
Fear's a funny thing, CNN's Cooper says. "Anyone who says they're not afraid at the time of a hurricane is either a fool or a liar, or a little bit of both."
KATRINA turned out to be a lucky move for new FOX NEWS CHANNEL hire BILL HEMMER. He debuted a day early, coanchoring the 8 pm hour Sunday.
When Hemmer tossed to SHEPARD SMITH in NEW ORLEANS, Shep welcomed the CNN exile and told him he had "impeccable timing."
Hemmer anchored four hours of coverage Monday.
Reporters flying from flagpoles during hurricanes have become a cliche, says NBC's BRIAN WILLIAMS.
"There's a danger that all these images start to look alike to viewers," Williams said Monday via cell phone from NEW ORLEANS' SUPERDOME, his base of operations for HURRICANE KATRINA COVERAGE.
"It's an accepted TV news style that can fall into a pattern. I'd like to avoid it. We've all done shots like that. But it's still the best way to tell another human being, 'This is what 80 miles an hour feels like.'"
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS' Williams is the only A-LIST BROADCAST ANCHOR reporting from THE GULF COAST. CBS EVENING NEWS interim BOB SCHIEFFER and CHARLES GIBSON, ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT'S principal fill-in, stayed in NEW YORK.
Williams' presence "speaks to everything in the network landscape having been churned up," says NBC NEWS Senior Vice President STEVE CAPUS, a WARMINSTER NATIVE and TEMPLE GRAD. "Nothing is normal, except over here."
Capus labels wind-blown reporters as "stupid human tricks" that put the journalists in harm's way and make viewers anxious.
"At some point, it looks kind of silly if you go overboard. You don't need to sit in the middle of the ocean to know how powerful the TSUNAMI is. It's reckless to put yourself in 150-mile-per-hour winds."
Williams did live reports on TODAY and MSNBC Monday from outside a partially protected area of the dome. He later went inside, joining about 9,000 storm refugees.
"It would have been very easy to put Brian in some area that would appear to be the end of the world, and he was one gust from being blown away," Capus says. "We're not in the business of SHOWBOATING."
Does that mean that CBS's high-flying DAN RATHER, who never met a hurricane he didn't like, was A SHOWBOAT?
"I don't think Mr. Rather was reckless," Capus says.
Says Williams, "Just as they broke the mold when they made him in TEXAS, I think they broke the mold for his type of hurricane coverage when Dan retired."
CNN's ANDERSON COOPER, who fought the elements Monday in BATON ROUGE before driving parallel to the storm, to JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, used to make fun of flagpole-fliers. "I thought, 'Why don't they just go indoors?' It's common sense."
Once Cooper began covering hurricanes, however, he did a 180. "I believe in being on the front lines of stories, whether it's BAGHDAD or NIGER or HURRICANES.
"There's a value to bearing witness to what hundreds of thousands of people are going through. I see nothing wrong with a reporter going through it with them. I've never pretended to grab onto something. The audience knows when something's real and when it's not."
After NBC's charter to NEW ORLEANS was diverted to BATON ROUGE Sunday, Williams and his crew managed to drive to THE BIG EASY in time to report -- by phone -- for NIGHTLY NEWS and MSNBC.
Williams says he and NBC's braintrust had decided Saturday night to set up at THE SUPERDOME "because I knew this would be the shelter of last resort in this city. I thought it would be a fascinating angle to see how this many people came together."
By the "quirk" of that decision, Williams says, he "stumbled upon one of the stories of this day," when KATRINA blew off pieces of THE SUPERDOME ROOF.
"We were listening to horrible noises. Pieces of the roof were banging against each other, but there was never any fear for safety or fear about the structure."
Fear's a funny thing, CNN's Cooper says. "Anyone who says they're not afraid at the time of a hurricane is either a fool or a liar, or a little bit of both."
KATRINA turned out to be a lucky move for new FOX NEWS CHANNEL hire BILL HEMMER. He debuted a day early, coanchoring the 8 pm hour Sunday.
When Hemmer tossed to SHEPARD SMITH in NEW ORLEANS, Shep welcomed the CNN exile and told him he had "impeccable timing."
Hemmer anchored four hours of coverage Monday.
Web Coverage Of KATRINA Blew Away TV News
(From The Kansas City Star -- By Aaron Barnhart)
Ever since DAN RATHER put his body between HURRICANE CARLA and mainland GALVESTON, TEXAS, in 1961, TELEVISION and MOTHER NATURE have enjoyed a tempestuous, but fruitful, relationship.
But with Monday's all-day coverage of HURRICANE KATRINA, it appears severe weather has a new suitor -- THE INTERNET.
No longer is it a novelty for A TV REPORTER to stand in the fury of a hurricane, telling the viewers what they already know. It's become more like a ritual, something viewers demand, even if the video from the latest megastorm is no different than the last. Only the locations and color of the rain parkas seem to change.
But as TV cameras struggled to capture video of the rare CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE, NEWS WEB SITES and AMATEUR BLOGS offered snapshots and analysis of KATRINA that were arguably better.
Millions flocked to them with MSNBC.COM reporting an all-time record for streaming video requests -- nearly 6 MILLION by mid-afternoon Monday.
Meanwhile, when KATRINA slammed into THE GULF COAST a number of TV journalists couldn't make their standups. CNN's live truck, HURRICANE ONE, was damaged and couldn't send out live video. A FOX NEWS REPORTER had to stay holed up in his hotel because it was too dangerous to venture outside.
NBC's BRIAN WILLIAMS and his crew tucked themselves inside THE NEW ORLEANS SUPERDOME with thousands of other non-evacuees. They got an enviable perspective on the morning's biggest story -- interior shots of the holes that KATRINA had torn into its roof.
Later, on the NBC NIGHTLY NEWS, Williams had tape of KATRINA at full force pounding on THE SUPERDOME's ROOF. "It sounded like A NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY TRAIN," Williams observed on the newscast, which he anchored outside under a calm sky.
The powerhouse CBS affiliate in NEW ORLEANS, WWL, delivered a commendable amount of content, including one of the day's most
eye-opening clips -- a man being rescued from his car after foolishly driving into deep water.
By contrast, TV coverage seemed actually worse this time. Some of this was beyond the networks' control.
Still, anyone with Internet access had little reason to turn on the TV, except if they needed to see FOX's STEVE HARRIGAN, CNN's ANDERSON COOPER or THE WEATHER CHANNEL's JEFF MORROW doing standups in the mother of all rinse cycles. A number of blogs like LostRemote.com and TVNewser.com were keeping track of cable news coverage all day, and even had links to the key video streams.
Just as it did with BLOGGERS during the 2004 CAMPAIGN, CNN tried to
co-opt THE NET. It aired camera-phone shots emailed by amateurs in a segment pompously entitled CITIZEN JOURNALISTS.
One problem -- because television offers a lower-resolution picture than a computer screen, the pictures looked awful. If DARYN KAGAN hadn't said we were looking at a picture of the hole in THE SUPERDOME, we might have mistaken it for a UFO, or BIG FOOT at night.
Ever since DAN RATHER put his body between HURRICANE CARLA and mainland GALVESTON, TEXAS, in 1961, TELEVISION and MOTHER NATURE have enjoyed a tempestuous, but fruitful, relationship.
But with Monday's all-day coverage of HURRICANE KATRINA, it appears severe weather has a new suitor -- THE INTERNET.
No longer is it a novelty for A TV REPORTER to stand in the fury of a hurricane, telling the viewers what they already know. It's become more like a ritual, something viewers demand, even if the video from the latest megastorm is no different than the last. Only the locations and color of the rain parkas seem to change.
But as TV cameras struggled to capture video of the rare CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE, NEWS WEB SITES and AMATEUR BLOGS offered snapshots and analysis of KATRINA that were arguably better.
Millions flocked to them with MSNBC.COM reporting an all-time record for streaming video requests -- nearly 6 MILLION by mid-afternoon Monday.
Meanwhile, when KATRINA slammed into THE GULF COAST a number of TV journalists couldn't make their standups. CNN's live truck, HURRICANE ONE, was damaged and couldn't send out live video. A FOX NEWS REPORTER had to stay holed up in his hotel because it was too dangerous to venture outside.
NBC's BRIAN WILLIAMS and his crew tucked themselves inside THE NEW ORLEANS SUPERDOME with thousands of other non-evacuees. They got an enviable perspective on the morning's biggest story -- interior shots of the holes that KATRINA had torn into its roof.
Later, on the NBC NIGHTLY NEWS, Williams had tape of KATRINA at full force pounding on THE SUPERDOME's ROOF. "It sounded like A NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY TRAIN," Williams observed on the newscast, which he anchored outside under a calm sky.
The powerhouse CBS affiliate in NEW ORLEANS, WWL, delivered a commendable amount of content, including one of the day's most
eye-opening clips -- a man being rescued from his car after foolishly driving into deep water.
By contrast, TV coverage seemed actually worse this time. Some of this was beyond the networks' control.
Still, anyone with Internet access had little reason to turn on the TV, except if they needed to see FOX's STEVE HARRIGAN, CNN's ANDERSON COOPER or THE WEATHER CHANNEL's JEFF MORROW doing standups in the mother of all rinse cycles. A number of blogs like LostRemote.com and TVNewser.com were keeping track of cable news coverage all day, and even had links to the key video streams.
Just as it did with BLOGGERS during the 2004 CAMPAIGN, CNN tried to
co-opt THE NET. It aired camera-phone shots emailed by amateurs in a segment pompously entitled CITIZEN JOURNALISTS.
One problem -- because television offers a lower-resolution picture than a computer screen, the pictures looked awful. If DARYN KAGAN hadn't said we were looking at a picture of the hole in THE SUPERDOME, we might have mistaken it for a UFO, or BIG FOOT at night.
Relevant Information Is Missing
(From The Miami Herald -- By Leonard Pitts)
And then BOB COSTAS said no.
Maybe you didn't hear about it. There's so much news to keep track of, after all, what with PARIS HILTON maybe or maybe not getting married, ANEGLINA JOLIE maybe or maybe not sleeping with BRAD PITT and SEAN "P. DIDDY" COMBS announcing to a breathlessly waiting world that henceforth he will be known simply as "DIDDY," because the "P" was "getting between me and my fans."
So maybe you missed Costas' modest stand for principle. It seems he was scheduled to serve as guest host for LARRY KING's program on CNN on a night when the agenda included yet another discussion of NATALEE HOLLOWAY, the ALABAMA teenager who disappeared in ARUBA.
When he found out the program's planned focus, Costas asked the producers if they would find another topic. They refused, and Costas declined to do the show.
"I didn't think the subject matter of Thursday's show was the kind of broadcast I should be doing," he said in a written statement.
That's as specific as Costas has chosen to be in explaining why he wouldn't do the show, which leaves plenty of room for conjecture.
You'll pardon me if I take advantage of it.
See, I like to think that Costas was mindful of THE RACIAL AND SEXUAL BIAS inherent in the news media's recent fascination with missing persons cases. If you are not white, young, female and pretty, you can go missing all you want -- CNN won't come looking for you. There will be no anchor persons setting up camp at the place you were last seen, no morning show interviews with your tearful parents, no urgent updates even when there is nothing to update.
But most missing persons don't fit the media's preferred pretty-white-damsels-in-distress profile. Most are MEN, a large percentage are BLACK and the majority, like the majority of any group, are of AVERAGE APPEARANCE.
LATOYIA FIGUEROA is the exception that proves the rule.
She's THE PREGNANT PHILADELPHIA WOMAN -- later found murdered -- whose disappearance received a measure of media attention after Internet bloggers pressured media to address the institutional bias of their missing persons coverage. Figueroa was, glory hallelujah, black. She was also young, female and pretty.
You might call that PROGRESS. I'd choose other words.
But for all that, I hope Costas was thinking about more than bias when he declined to do the show. I hope he was also passing judgment on the movie of the week mentality that has overtaken TV news, this obsession with news as story arc, complete with thrilling premise, attractive protagonist, surprising plot twists and satisfying denouement.
It has always been part of the news business, I suppose, this thing of making people's miseries into soap operas for the rest of us. But it feels as if it's reached a suffocating zenith in recent years, as if between LACI PETERSON, ELIZABETH SMART, JONBENET RAMSEY, THE RUNAWAY BRIDE and dozens of others made famous because they were victims or fools, between a new trial of the century every week and constant bulletins on TROUBLED HOLLYWOOD MARRIAGES, news media are drowning us in a tide of TABLOID TRIVIALITY.
"Pure white sugar, addictive and without nutrition." That's what MARTY KAPLAN, Associate Dean of THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ANNENBERG SCHOOL FOR COMMUNICATION, called it last year in THE WASHINGTON POST.
I can't improve on that.
Hey, I like an occasional TWINKIE as much as the next guy. But can we really live on them? Shouldn't the news be about the things that affect us, instead of just those that titillate us? Shouldn't it satisfy more than our need to gape at car wrecks?
I like to think Costas would say yes and that's why he told CNN no.
Not that it made a difference.
They got another host, and the show went on as planned.
And then BOB COSTAS said no.
Maybe you didn't hear about it. There's so much news to keep track of, after all, what with PARIS HILTON maybe or maybe not getting married, ANEGLINA JOLIE maybe or maybe not sleeping with BRAD PITT and SEAN "P. DIDDY" COMBS announcing to a breathlessly waiting world that henceforth he will be known simply as "DIDDY," because the "P" was "getting between me and my fans."
So maybe you missed Costas' modest stand for principle. It seems he was scheduled to serve as guest host for LARRY KING's program on CNN on a night when the agenda included yet another discussion of NATALEE HOLLOWAY, the ALABAMA teenager who disappeared in ARUBA.
When he found out the program's planned focus, Costas asked the producers if they would find another topic. They refused, and Costas declined to do the show.
"I didn't think the subject matter of Thursday's show was the kind of broadcast I should be doing," he said in a written statement.
That's as specific as Costas has chosen to be in explaining why he wouldn't do the show, which leaves plenty of room for conjecture.
You'll pardon me if I take advantage of it.
See, I like to think that Costas was mindful of THE RACIAL AND SEXUAL BIAS inherent in the news media's recent fascination with missing persons cases. If you are not white, young, female and pretty, you can go missing all you want -- CNN won't come looking for you. There will be no anchor persons setting up camp at the place you were last seen, no morning show interviews with your tearful parents, no urgent updates even when there is nothing to update.
But most missing persons don't fit the media's preferred pretty-white-damsels-in-distress profile. Most are MEN, a large percentage are BLACK and the majority, like the majority of any group, are of AVERAGE APPEARANCE.
LATOYIA FIGUEROA is the exception that proves the rule.
She's THE PREGNANT PHILADELPHIA WOMAN -- later found murdered -- whose disappearance received a measure of media attention after Internet bloggers pressured media to address the institutional bias of their missing persons coverage. Figueroa was, glory hallelujah, black. She was also young, female and pretty.
You might call that PROGRESS. I'd choose other words.
But for all that, I hope Costas was thinking about more than bias when he declined to do the show. I hope he was also passing judgment on the movie of the week mentality that has overtaken TV news, this obsession with news as story arc, complete with thrilling premise, attractive protagonist, surprising plot twists and satisfying denouement.
It has always been part of the news business, I suppose, this thing of making people's miseries into soap operas for the rest of us. But it feels as if it's reached a suffocating zenith in recent years, as if between LACI PETERSON, ELIZABETH SMART, JONBENET RAMSEY, THE RUNAWAY BRIDE and dozens of others made famous because they were victims or fools, between a new trial of the century every week and constant bulletins on TROUBLED HOLLYWOOD MARRIAGES, news media are drowning us in a tide of TABLOID TRIVIALITY.
"Pure white sugar, addictive and without nutrition." That's what MARTY KAPLAN, Associate Dean of THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ANNENBERG SCHOOL FOR COMMUNICATION, called it last year in THE WASHINGTON POST.
I can't improve on that.
Hey, I like an occasional TWINKIE as much as the next guy. But can we really live on them? Shouldn't the news be about the things that affect us, instead of just those that titillate us? Shouldn't it satisfy more than our need to gape at car wrecks?
I like to think Costas would say yes and that's why he told CNN no.
Not that it made a difference.
They got another host, and the show went on as planned.
No Time To Stand PAT
(From The New York Daily News -- By Rush And Malloy)
Don't blame MICKY MOUSE the next time the REV. PAT ROBERTSON mouths off.
Robertson's wacky suggestion that the U.S. should put a hit on VENEZUELAN President HUGO CHAVEZ forced DISNEY-OWNED ABC FAMILY CABLE NETWORK to put DISCLAIMERS at the start and finish of his 700 CLUB SHOW -- making it plain that Robertson's opinions are his own.
The left-wing watchdog group MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA pressed DISNEY to pull THE 700 CLUB, but the network told the group it's contractually obligated to air the program.
"FAMILY FRIENDLY PROGRAMMING certainly shouldn't include death threats," says MEDIA MATTERS' PAUL WALDMAN.
Don't blame MICKY MOUSE the next time the REV. PAT ROBERTSON mouths off.
Robertson's wacky suggestion that the U.S. should put a hit on VENEZUELAN President HUGO CHAVEZ forced DISNEY-OWNED ABC FAMILY CABLE NETWORK to put DISCLAIMERS at the start and finish of his 700 CLUB SHOW -- making it plain that Robertson's opinions are his own.
The left-wing watchdog group MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA pressed DISNEY to pull THE 700 CLUB, but the network told the group it's contractually obligated to air the program.
"FAMILY FRIENDLY PROGRAMMING certainly shouldn't include death threats," says MEDIA MATTERS' PAUL WALDMAN.
STEVE RONDINARO To Host ESPN2 DCI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
(From ShopTalk)
STEVE RONDINARO will be seen around the country on TUESDAY NIGHT SEPTEMBER 6TH AT 10 PM on ESPN2 doing something a bit unusual for a career TV news guy. Rondinaro is hosting THE DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMER MUSIC GAMES.
While it's Rondinaro's 27th year to host the broadcast, it has been shown on PBS until this year.
"The half time show is now the game. We're excited to have one air date and time for the entire UNITED STATES and Steve is the perfect guy to help us make the on-air transition from PBS to ESPN2," says DCI's DAN ACHESON.
ESPN2 reaches more than 88-MILLION U.S. HOMES. The two hour broadcast includes highlights and behind the scenes features from this year's championship at THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS' GILLETTE STADIUM in FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS.
"What these young people do on the field today is downright amazing," says Rondinaro. "We were pretty good in our day with THE WATKINS GLEN SQUIRES, but the activity has taken a quantum leap forward since I hung up my marching shoes in the mid 70's."
STEVE RONDINARO and his wife TAMMY currently own and operate a television station in BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA. Prior to that they built up and sold a three station radio group.
Rondinaro previously anchored and reported TV news in MIAMI and ORLANDO, FLORIDA.
STEVE RONDINARO will be seen around the country on TUESDAY NIGHT SEPTEMBER 6TH AT 10 PM on ESPN2 doing something a bit unusual for a career TV news guy. Rondinaro is hosting THE DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMER MUSIC GAMES.
While it's Rondinaro's 27th year to host the broadcast, it has been shown on PBS until this year.
"The half time show is now the game. We're excited to have one air date and time for the entire UNITED STATES and Steve is the perfect guy to help us make the on-air transition from PBS to ESPN2," says DCI's DAN ACHESON.
ESPN2 reaches more than 88-MILLION U.S. HOMES. The two hour broadcast includes highlights and behind the scenes features from this year's championship at THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS' GILLETTE STADIUM in FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS.
"What these young people do on the field today is downright amazing," says Rondinaro. "We were pretty good in our day with THE WATKINS GLEN SQUIRES, but the activity has taken a quantum leap forward since I hung up my marching shoes in the mid 70's."
STEVE RONDINARO and his wife TAMMY currently own and operate a television station in BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA. Prior to that they built up and sold a three station radio group.
Rondinaro previously anchored and reported TV news in MIAMI and ORLANDO, FLORIDA.
CREATIVE Gets MP3 Player Interface Patent APPLE Wanted
(From Arstechnica.com -- By Eric Bangeman)
DIGITAL MUSIC AND VIDEO PLAYER manufacturer CREATIVE was recently awarded a PATENT for an interface for A DIGITAL MUSIC PLAYER. Granted on August 9th, the user interface described in the patent sounds suspiciously like the IPOD's.
"A method of selecting at least one track from a plurality of tracks stored in a computer-readable medium of a portable media player configured to present sequentially a first, second, and third display screen on the display of the media player, the plurality of tracks accessed according to a hierarchy, the hierarchy having a plurality of categories, subcategories, and items respectively in a first, second, and third level of the hierarchy."
I just looked over at my IPOD, and yep, the above description just about covers it.
APPLE has attempted to patent the IPOD's USER INTERFACE (UI), but has had their patent applications denied.
APPLE's request was submitted in late 2002, but was turned down based on an application filed by one JOHN PLATT earlier that year.
CREATIVE's patent filing appears to beat both PLATT's and APPLE's, as it was filed for in JANUARY 2001. The interface first appeared in THE CREATIVE NOMAD JUKEBOX MP3 PLAYER, which began shipping in September of that year. The IPOD appeared just over a year afterwards.
Where does this leave APPLE?
Unable to unleash a world of legal hurt on competitors who incorporate the interface into their own digital music players, for one thing. It is also possible that CREATIVE may try to put the squeeze on APPLE by enforcing the patent and requiring APPLE to LICENSE IT.
Either way, this destroys any hope APPLE had to lock up the IPOD's popular USER INTERFACE.
Bill Smallfield, thanks for the post.
DIGITAL MUSIC AND VIDEO PLAYER manufacturer CREATIVE was recently awarded a PATENT for an interface for A DIGITAL MUSIC PLAYER. Granted on August 9th, the user interface described in the patent sounds suspiciously like the IPOD's.
"A method of selecting at least one track from a plurality of tracks stored in a computer-readable medium of a portable media player configured to present sequentially a first, second, and third display screen on the display of the media player, the plurality of tracks accessed according to a hierarchy, the hierarchy having a plurality of categories, subcategories, and items respectively in a first, second, and third level of the hierarchy."
I just looked over at my IPOD, and yep, the above description just about covers it.
APPLE has attempted to patent the IPOD's USER INTERFACE (UI), but has had their patent applications denied.
APPLE's request was submitted in late 2002, but was turned down based on an application filed by one JOHN PLATT earlier that year.
CREATIVE's patent filing appears to beat both PLATT's and APPLE's, as it was filed for in JANUARY 2001. The interface first appeared in THE CREATIVE NOMAD JUKEBOX MP3 PLAYER, which began shipping in September of that year. The IPOD appeared just over a year afterwards.
Where does this leave APPLE?
Unable to unleash a world of legal hurt on competitors who incorporate the interface into their own digital music players, for one thing. It is also possible that CREATIVE may try to put the squeeze on APPLE by enforcing the patent and requiring APPLE to LICENSE IT.
Either way, this destroys any hope APPLE had to lock up the IPOD's popular USER INTERFACE.
Bill Smallfield, thanks for the post.
NOAH's ARK Game
This is fun, but it will drive you nuts!
Click on THE ARKS and see how many ANIMALS you can pair up before THE FLOODS come.
Noah's Ark Game
Click on THE ARKS and see how many ANIMALS you can pair up before THE FLOODS come.
Noah's Ark Game
Have You Seen My Monkey?
(From MSNBC.com)
The bulletin issued by police in the southwest OHIO town of SPRINGDALE describes the subject as two feet tall, weighing eight pounds, clad only in blue pants and prone to sleeping in trees.
DILLION, a circus monkey, fled into a nearby woods early on Monday after being frightened by A TRAIN WHISTLE from tracks near where the circus was performing in SPRINGDALE, in northern HAMILTON COUNTY.
Trainer PHILIP HENDRICKS, who is part of THE HENDRICKS BROTHERS CIRCUS, says Dillion, who has a white face, brown body and is wearing a leash, is usually confident in new surroundings but the train whistle sent him scurrying.
The circus is leaving town Thursday morning and Hendricks is worried that his monkey won't be found before then.
Hendricks suggests that anyone who spots Dillion try to lure him with food. He's fond of apples, oranges, nuts, berries -- and KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN.
[DILLION will have to fight TOM BEERS off for the food.]
Scott O'Leary, thanks for the post.
The bulletin issued by police in the southwest OHIO town of SPRINGDALE describes the subject as two feet tall, weighing eight pounds, clad only in blue pants and prone to sleeping in trees.
DILLION, a circus monkey, fled into a nearby woods early on Monday after being frightened by A TRAIN WHISTLE from tracks near where the circus was performing in SPRINGDALE, in northern HAMILTON COUNTY.
Trainer PHILIP HENDRICKS, who is part of THE HENDRICKS BROTHERS CIRCUS, says Dillion, who has a white face, brown body and is wearing a leash, is usually confident in new surroundings but the train whistle sent him scurrying.
The circus is leaving town Thursday morning and Hendricks is worried that his monkey won't be found before then.
Hendricks suggests that anyone who spots Dillion try to lure him with food. He's fond of apples, oranges, nuts, berries -- and KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN.
[DILLION will have to fight TOM BEERS off for the food.]
Scott O'Leary, thanks for the post.
It Appears KATRINA WON Over ONE
(From CNN.com)
CNN's GARY TUCHMAN tooled around in something called HURRICANE ONE, beaming back barely legible SATELLITE VIDEPHONE IMAGES, until parts of a hotel sign busted the SUV's windshield.
Then an 8-by-12 foot chunk of wooden fence landed on top of the truck, finishing off the windows.
The crew abandoned the unit and retreated to a nearby hotel.
"It appears to have totaled the vehicle," reports Tuchman.
Tim Harmon, thanks for the post.
CNN's GARY TUCHMAN tooled around in something called HURRICANE ONE, beaming back barely legible SATELLITE VIDEPHONE IMAGES, until parts of a hotel sign busted the SUV's windshield.
Then an 8-by-12 foot chunk of wooden fence landed on top of the truck, finishing off the windows.
The crew abandoned the unit and retreated to a nearby hotel.
"It appears to have totaled the vehicle," reports Tuchman.
Tim Harmon, thanks for the post.
NFL, SAINTS Waiting To Gauge Extent Of Damage To SUPERDOME
(From Sports Business Daily)
The NFL's "belief is that there WILL NOT BE A PROBLEM" with THE SAINTS' first home game on September 18th, "no matter how much damage was done to THE SUPERDOME" as a result of HURRICANE KATRINA, according to THE NFL NETWORK's ADAM SCHEFTER.
Schefter -- "THE SAINTS will be able to play September 18th against THE GIANTS in NEW ORELANS."
NFL Vice President/Public Relations GREG AIELLO said of THE SUPERDOME, "Our game operations people are monitoring it. We'll have to see what the extent of the damage is. If THE SAINTS want to relocate for the week of practice before their opener against THE PANTHERS in CAROLINA, that's up to them, and we'd obviously help them out."
In SAN ANTONIO, TOM ORSBORN reports THE SAINTS spoke with city of SAN ANTONIO officials "about moving the game to THE ALAMODOME."
ALAMODOME Director MIKE ABINGTON -- "We would love to have them. A lot of our citizens would love to watch them."
Orsborn notes SAN ANTONIO has never hosted A REGULAR-SEASON NFL GAME.
SAINTS Owner TOM BENSON was once a car dealer in SAN ANTONIO and "still has strong ties to the area."
THE SPORTING NEWS' DAN POMPEI -- "If the SAINTS do have to play somewhere other than THE SUPERDOME, the most likely candidate is going to be SAN ANTONIO, THE ALAMODOME. That might even be a dry run because there's been some talk that they could be interested in moving there if things don't work out in NEW ORLEANS."
An NFL spokesperson said that "various options are being studied" should the SUPERDOME not be ready by September 18th, but "neither THE L.A. COLISEUM nor THE ROSE BOWL are among them."
ESPN's CHRIS MORTENSEN noted that in addition to THE ALAMODOME, LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY'S TIGER STADIUM or playing the game as a road game in GIANTS STADIUM are possibilities.
With the team training at SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY and playing THE RAIDERS in OAKLAND in a preseason game Thursday, SAINTS Linebacker COURTNEY WATSON said, "I don't know if we can go back to NEW ORLEANS or if we're going to CAROLINA."
SAINTS Quarterback AARON BROOKS, on KATRINA's impact on NEW ORLEANS -- "It’s not A 9/11 DEAL, but it has the feeling of it."
GIANTS Vice President/Communications PAT HANLON said, "Our concern right now is for the well-being of the people along THE GULF COAST, not where we might play a game in almost three weeks."
LSU is scheduled to play THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS (UNT) at 7 pm CT Saturday at TIGER STADIUM, which "sustained no visible damage" from the storm.
LSU Assistant Athletic Director HERB VINCENT -- "We wouldn't think we'd have to postpone the game."
In BATON ROUGE, SCOTT RABALAIS reports TIGER STADIUM and the "rest of THE LSU ATHLETIC COMPLEX appeared to fare well during the storm. No 'significant damage was apparent during a visual inspection by members of the LSU ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT.'"
LSU Senior Associate Athletic Director DAN RADAKOVICH -- "It's in as good a shape as can be expected."
Construction crews on Sunday suspended work on a $60 MILLION renovation project, which was "expected to be mostly usable for LSU's first two games and completely finished for its third game" September 24th.
Meanwhile, TULANE UNIVERSITY, which plays its home football games at THE SUPERDOME, is scheduled to play its first home game on September 17th against MISSISSIPPI STATE. Tulane is scheduled to visit THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (USM) this weekend, but in JACKSON, TIM DOHERTY writes it appears USM for the second consecutive year "will have to postpone its home football opener because of a hurricane."
USM Athletic Director RICHARD GIANNINI said that he will talk with CONFERENCE USA and TULANE OFFICIALS today, "with a decision reached no later than Wednesday morning."
The NFL's "belief is that there WILL NOT BE A PROBLEM" with THE SAINTS' first home game on September 18th, "no matter how much damage was done to THE SUPERDOME" as a result of HURRICANE KATRINA, according to THE NFL NETWORK's ADAM SCHEFTER.
Schefter -- "THE SAINTS will be able to play September 18th against THE GIANTS in NEW ORELANS."
NFL Vice President/Public Relations GREG AIELLO said of THE SUPERDOME, "Our game operations people are monitoring it. We'll have to see what the extent of the damage is. If THE SAINTS want to relocate for the week of practice before their opener against THE PANTHERS in CAROLINA, that's up to them, and we'd obviously help them out."
In SAN ANTONIO, TOM ORSBORN reports THE SAINTS spoke with city of SAN ANTONIO officials "about moving the game to THE ALAMODOME."
ALAMODOME Director MIKE ABINGTON -- "We would love to have them. A lot of our citizens would love to watch them."
Orsborn notes SAN ANTONIO has never hosted A REGULAR-SEASON NFL GAME.
SAINTS Owner TOM BENSON was once a car dealer in SAN ANTONIO and "still has strong ties to the area."
THE SPORTING NEWS' DAN POMPEI -- "If the SAINTS do have to play somewhere other than THE SUPERDOME, the most likely candidate is going to be SAN ANTONIO, THE ALAMODOME. That might even be a dry run because there's been some talk that they could be interested in moving there if things don't work out in NEW ORLEANS."
An NFL spokesperson said that "various options are being studied" should the SUPERDOME not be ready by September 18th, but "neither THE L.A. COLISEUM nor THE ROSE BOWL are among them."
ESPN's CHRIS MORTENSEN noted that in addition to THE ALAMODOME, LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY'S TIGER STADIUM or playing the game as a road game in GIANTS STADIUM are possibilities.
With the team training at SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY and playing THE RAIDERS in OAKLAND in a preseason game Thursday, SAINTS Linebacker COURTNEY WATSON said, "I don't know if we can go back to NEW ORLEANS or if we're going to CAROLINA."
SAINTS Quarterback AARON BROOKS, on KATRINA's impact on NEW ORLEANS -- "It’s not A 9/11 DEAL, but it has the feeling of it."
GIANTS Vice President/Communications PAT HANLON said, "Our concern right now is for the well-being of the people along THE GULF COAST, not where we might play a game in almost three weeks."
LSU is scheduled to play THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS (UNT) at 7 pm CT Saturday at TIGER STADIUM, which "sustained no visible damage" from the storm.
LSU Assistant Athletic Director HERB VINCENT -- "We wouldn't think we'd have to postpone the game."
In BATON ROUGE, SCOTT RABALAIS reports TIGER STADIUM and the "rest of THE LSU ATHLETIC COMPLEX appeared to fare well during the storm. No 'significant damage was apparent during a visual inspection by members of the LSU ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT.'"
LSU Senior Associate Athletic Director DAN RADAKOVICH -- "It's in as good a shape as can be expected."
Construction crews on Sunday suspended work on a $60 MILLION renovation project, which was "expected to be mostly usable for LSU's first two games and completely finished for its third game" September 24th.
Meanwhile, TULANE UNIVERSITY, which plays its home football games at THE SUPERDOME, is scheduled to play its first home game on September 17th against MISSISSIPPI STATE. Tulane is scheduled to visit THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (USM) this weekend, but in JACKSON, TIM DOHERTY writes it appears USM for the second consecutive year "will have to postpone its home football opener because of a hurricane."
USM Athletic Director RICHARD GIANNINI said that he will talk with CONFERENCE USA and TULANE OFFICIALS today, "with a decision reached no later than Wednesday morning."
ABC, ESPN Agree To Show College Field Goal Net Sponsor
(From The USA Today)
ABC and ESPN have agreed to show ALLSTATE-SPONSORED FIELD GOAL NETS during national college football telecasts, according to MICHAEL McCARTHY of THE USA TODAY.
Thirty-nine NCAA DIVISION I-A SCHOOLS have sold sponsorship rights for the nets to ALLSTATE, which will pay ABC, ESPN and each school for those rights.
ALLSTATE CMO JOE TRIPODI declined to give dollar figures but said the special nets cost $3-5 MILLION.
Tripodi -- "This is the kind of media placement that will generate a lot of buzz. People will say, 'Why didn’t I think of that?'"
ABC and ESPN have agreed to show ALLSTATE-SPONSORED FIELD GOAL NETS during national college football telecasts, according to MICHAEL McCARTHY of THE USA TODAY.
Thirty-nine NCAA DIVISION I-A SCHOOLS have sold sponsorship rights for the nets to ALLSTATE, which will pay ABC, ESPN and each school for those rights.
ALLSTATE CMO JOE TRIPODI declined to give dollar figures but said the special nets cost $3-5 MILLION.
Tripodi -- "This is the kind of media placement that will generate a lot of buzz. People will say, 'Why didn’t I think of that?'"
ABC Touts SUPERBOWL In "Dress Rehearsal" From FORD FIELD
(From Sports Business Daily)
ABC earned a 6.7/11 OVERNIGHT NIELSEN RATING for THE RAMS/LIONS MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (MNF) PRESEASON GAME last night.
No comparable overnight from last year's TITANS/COWBOYS GAME was available.
In DETROIT, JOHN SMYNTEK noted last night's game marked the first MNF BROADCAST from FORD FIELD in DETROIT, giving ABC "a dress rehearsal" for SUPERBOWL XL.
ABC SPORTS Vice President/Media Relations MARK MANDEL -- "Any network that does the SUPERBOWL wants to have experience in the stadium where the game is going to be played, so we did request A DETROIT GAME."
Smyntek added that ABC SPORTS Executive Producer MIKE PEARL was expected to be at the game, "somewhat rare for an event that doesn't really count."
ABC Vice President/Production Operations ROBERT BRAUNLICH said of FORD FIELD, "Until you actually do a game there, and you start to get a feel for how the place operates, and how the camera cable works, and where you go, and access for things; until you actually start to work, that's when you find some nuances. So this is really important to us to have a dry run."
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS adds that the game also "provided a chance to test a camera pairing that's not even NFL-APPROVED yet. Instead of one zooming SKY CAMERA along the sideline, the ABC TEAM is thinking of TWO. It tried the idea Monday, with positive results."
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Director DREW ESOCOFF -- "We hope it will provide some cinematic-type shots. We're experimenting with that camera; we're not really sure what we're going to get, whether it's going to be something we want to pursue for THE SUPERBOWL."
SUPERBOWL XL Host Committee Chairman ROGER PENSKE appeared on MNF last night to discuss DETROIT hosting SUPERBOWL XL.
Penske said when people arrive for the game, "they're going to see a city with a lot of pride. We're going 20 years-plus now to get to our new game coming up in 2006 and I can tell you we're going to be ready. It's going to be safe, it's going to be fun and we're going to have a great game in the one of the greatest stadiums in the country."
ABC's AL MICHAELS -- "I always thought if I had a company and I needed a BOD, the first guy I'd put on is Roger Penske."
Earlier in the broadcast, ABC's JOHN MADDEN, after a clip of him calling SUPERBOWL XVI between THE 49ERS and BENGALS in JANUARY 1982 at THE PONTIAC SILVERDOME, the first and only SUPERBOWL to be played in DETROIT, said, "Everyone said 'DETROIT' and 'THE WEATHER' and 'WHO WOULD HAVE A SUPERBOWL HERE?' –- It was one of the most enjoyable SUPERBOWLS I've ever attended."
ABC earned a 6.7/11 OVERNIGHT NIELSEN RATING for THE RAMS/LIONS MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (MNF) PRESEASON GAME last night.
No comparable overnight from last year's TITANS/COWBOYS GAME was available.
In DETROIT, JOHN SMYNTEK noted last night's game marked the first MNF BROADCAST from FORD FIELD in DETROIT, giving ABC "a dress rehearsal" for SUPERBOWL XL.
ABC SPORTS Vice President/Media Relations MARK MANDEL -- "Any network that does the SUPERBOWL wants to have experience in the stadium where the game is going to be played, so we did request A DETROIT GAME."
Smyntek added that ABC SPORTS Executive Producer MIKE PEARL was expected to be at the game, "somewhat rare for an event that doesn't really count."
ABC Vice President/Production Operations ROBERT BRAUNLICH said of FORD FIELD, "Until you actually do a game there, and you start to get a feel for how the place operates, and how the camera cable works, and where you go, and access for things; until you actually start to work, that's when you find some nuances. So this is really important to us to have a dry run."
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS adds that the game also "provided a chance to test a camera pairing that's not even NFL-APPROVED yet. Instead of one zooming SKY CAMERA along the sideline, the ABC TEAM is thinking of TWO. It tried the idea Monday, with positive results."
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Director DREW ESOCOFF -- "We hope it will provide some cinematic-type shots. We're experimenting with that camera; we're not really sure what we're going to get, whether it's going to be something we want to pursue for THE SUPERBOWL."
SUPERBOWL XL Host Committee Chairman ROGER PENSKE appeared on MNF last night to discuss DETROIT hosting SUPERBOWL XL.
Penske said when people arrive for the game, "they're going to see a city with a lot of pride. We're going 20 years-plus now to get to our new game coming up in 2006 and I can tell you we're going to be ready. It's going to be safe, it's going to be fun and we're going to have a great game in the one of the greatest stadiums in the country."
ABC's AL MICHAELS -- "I always thought if I had a company and I needed a BOD, the first guy I'd put on is Roger Penske."
Earlier in the broadcast, ABC's JOHN MADDEN, after a clip of him calling SUPERBOWL XVI between THE 49ERS and BENGALS in JANUARY 1982 at THE PONTIAC SILVERDOME, the first and only SUPERBOWL to be played in DETROIT, said, "Everyone said 'DETROIT' and 'THE WEATHER' and 'WHO WOULD HAVE A SUPERBOWL HERE?' –- It was one of the most enjoyable SUPERBOWLS I've ever attended."
Total WNBA Regular Season Attendance Dips Slightly In 2005
(From Sports Business Daily/The Los Angeles Times)
The WNBA, whose PLAYOFFS begin tonight, DREW 1,806,362 IN TOTAL ATTENDANCE for the 2005 REGULAR SEASON, DOWN from 1,899,106 in 2004, according to MIKE TERRY of THE LOS ANGELES TIMES L.A.
WNBA attendance figures represent a combination of tickets sold and complimentary tickets used.
WNBA ATTENDANCE PEAKED AT 2,391,972 IN 2002. In 2003, when the league went from 16 to 14 teams but increased the number of games from 32 to 34, the total FELL to 2,100,630. The league eliminated one more team prior to the 2004 season, reaching its current alignment of 13.
Terry noted THE SPARKS' average attendance this season FELL to 8,838 per game from 10,428 last year.
SPARKS President JOHNNY BUSS said, "Our attendance has leveled off. It would be one thing if it leveled off with the same interest. But it is diminished interest, and that concerns me."
Buss added, "I see a lot less interest in the WNBA. There's the upside that people believe the league is here to stay and will catch a game at some point, but not so like they did when they first supported the league. Before they supported it in greater numbers for its existence."
WNBA President DONNA ORENDER said after the playoffs, "we will sit down and strategically map out what we want to do regarding attendance. We want filled arenas. How we map out that process will take a little time."
The WNBA, whose PLAYOFFS begin tonight, DREW 1,806,362 IN TOTAL ATTENDANCE for the 2005 REGULAR SEASON, DOWN from 1,899,106 in 2004, according to MIKE TERRY of THE LOS ANGELES TIMES L.A.
WNBA attendance figures represent a combination of tickets sold and complimentary tickets used.
WNBA ATTENDANCE PEAKED AT 2,391,972 IN 2002. In 2003, when the league went from 16 to 14 teams but increased the number of games from 32 to 34, the total FELL to 2,100,630. The league eliminated one more team prior to the 2004 season, reaching its current alignment of 13.
Terry noted THE SPARKS' average attendance this season FELL to 8,838 per game from 10,428 last year.
SPARKS President JOHNNY BUSS said, "Our attendance has leveled off. It would be one thing if it leveled off with the same interest. But it is diminished interest, and that concerns me."
Buss added, "I see a lot less interest in the WNBA. There's the upside that people believe the league is here to stay and will catch a game at some point, but not so like they did when they first supported the league. Before they supported it in greater numbers for its existence."
WNBA President DONNA ORENDER said after the playoffs, "we will sit down and strategically map out what we want to do regarding attendance. We want filled arenas. How we map out that process will take a little time."
Your IPOD Has A Built-In EQUALIZER
(From Apple.com)
Did you know that your IPOD has a built-in EQUALIZER?
It's true. In fact, the EQUALIZER in IPOD has the same number of presets (22) as the one you'll find in ITUNES itself.
TO FIND IPOD's EQUALIZER PRESETS, turn your CLICK WHEEL to SETTINGS and select EQ.
TO HEAR THE EQUALIZER's EFFECT, play a song, navigate back to the EQ settings, and give your CLICK WHEEL a spin.
In some cases the audio difference will be subtle; in others, more dramatic. Your ears will help you decide what EQ setting works best.
Or you can set IPOD to use the same EQ setting you assign to a song in ITUNES.
Find out how by reading "IPOD -- ABOUT THE EQUALIZER" in APPLE's KNOWLEDGE BASE.
IPOD -- About The Equalizer
Did you know that your IPOD has a built-in EQUALIZER?
It's true. In fact, the EQUALIZER in IPOD has the same number of presets (22) as the one you'll find in ITUNES itself.
TO FIND IPOD's EQUALIZER PRESETS, turn your CLICK WHEEL to SETTINGS and select EQ.
TO HEAR THE EQUALIZER's EFFECT, play a song, navigate back to the EQ settings, and give your CLICK WHEEL a spin.
In some cases the audio difference will be subtle; in others, more dramatic. Your ears will help you decide what EQ setting works best.
Or you can set IPOD to use the same EQ setting you assign to a song in ITUNES.
Find out how by reading "IPOD -- ABOUT THE EQUALIZER" in APPLE's KNOWLEDGE BASE.
IPOD -- About The Equalizer
Quote Of The Week -- KINKY FRIEDMAN
The only two good balls I ever hit was when I stepped on a garden rake.
KINKY FRIEDMAN, Texas gubernatorial candidate, commenting live to WOLF BLITZER about a fund-raising golf tournament
[With a name like KINKY FRIEDMAN, we think he'll get elected, especially in TEXAS.]
KINKY FRIEDMAN, Texas gubernatorial candidate, commenting live to WOLF BLITZER about a fund-raising golf tournament
[With a name like KINKY FRIEDMAN, we think he'll get elected, especially in TEXAS.]
Breast Of CNN
(From The New York Post)
CNN President JON KLEIN should watch his own network before he complains to THE NEW YORK TIMES about FOX NEWS CHANNEL being "meaningless nonsense."
On Monday -- the day before Klein was quoted in THE NEW YORK TIMES -- CNN's LARRY KING interviewed busty PAMELA ANDERSON. King asked Anderson a whopping 13 questions about her breasts, including, "What size are your breasts?" and, "They expand on camera?"
A FOX INSIDER snickered, "King only got 926,000 viewers, proving that nothing on CNN can get a rating -- news or trash. Maybe if she took her top off, they would have had higher ratings."
A rep for CNN said -- "Jon believes that Larry has earned the right to pick his own topics."
CNN President JON KLEIN should watch his own network before he complains to THE NEW YORK TIMES about FOX NEWS CHANNEL being "meaningless nonsense."
On Monday -- the day before Klein was quoted in THE NEW YORK TIMES -- CNN's LARRY KING interviewed busty PAMELA ANDERSON. King asked Anderson a whopping 13 questions about her breasts, including, "What size are your breasts?" and, "They expand on camera?"
A FOX INSIDER snickered, "King only got 926,000 viewers, proving that nothing on CNN can get a rating -- news or trash. Maybe if she took her top off, they would have had higher ratings."
A rep for CNN said -- "Jon believes that Larry has earned the right to pick his own topics."
WCBS-2 Punches Up Its Forecast
(From The New York Daily News -- By Richard Huff)
WCBS launched a new weather tool this week -- DOPPLER 2 MILLION -- and at the same time took a creative, yet unusual, jab at WABC's weather ace, SAM CHAMPION.
"What does it take to beat THE CHAMPION," WCBS's Weathercaster, JOHN BOLARIS, says in a funny promo the station is airing to highlight the new system.
Bolaris is in a boxing ring, surrounded by his WCBS weather colleagues, and all are wearing boxing robes.
[I sense a WEST SIDE STORY ending in this. Not pretty.]
The hook is, Bolaris' opponent is a guy seen only from behind with blond hair that is cut to look like CHAMPIONS's.
To deliver the punch, the spot's producers have a shot of THE FAUX CHAMPION in the ring getting his hair blow-dried just before the fight.
[As RICH GOODE would say, he's "gayer than a tangerine."]
The spot is unusual because it's rare for one station to take on another in such a way, and even rarer to focus on one rival on-air person.
WABC officials wouldn't comment, or should we say, counterpunch.
[Oh, that humorous writing class IS paying off...]
In the WCBS commercial, the two weathercasters fight -- with RADAR LOVE playing in the background (get it?).
[Yes, we got it. Thanks.]
No surprise, Bolaris wins.
[What? No surprise ending...well, after all, it IS WCBS's promo.]
"You can't be the real champ without THE DOPPLER 2 MILLION DOLLAR BABY," Bolaris says.
[Hmmm. Are they trying to refer to it as their MILLION DOLLAR BABY -- ala the recent boxing movie? Did you get it?]
Unfortunately for Bolaris, that was the most exciting part of this week's launch of DOPPLER 2 MILLION, a weather radar system that allows weathercasters to pinpoint storms in specific neighborhoods.
"This is like CHRISTMAS for us, right here," Bolaris said the first night out while showing viewers an overhead look at his boyhood home.
"We can go right into your house, so keep the shades down," he said.
[Er, that's ok John.]
"If there's a heavy storm in your neighborhood," he said, "we can pick that up."
Trouble is, there wasn't a storm on the horizon to help demonstrate the technology.
And without a storm in the forecast, it was as if Bolaris got A CHRISTMAS PRESENT without the batteries.
[Maybe the CBS affiliate in NEW ORLEANS could've used THE DOPPLER 2 MILLION, eh?]
[I missed all this CBS-2 DOPPLER 2 MILLION hoopla this weekend. I was tube-side with THE WEATHER CHANNEL for their HURRICAN KATRINA COVERAGE. Can't beat SHARON RESULTAN.]
WCBS launched a new weather tool this week -- DOPPLER 2 MILLION -- and at the same time took a creative, yet unusual, jab at WABC's weather ace, SAM CHAMPION.
"What does it take to beat THE CHAMPION," WCBS's Weathercaster, JOHN BOLARIS, says in a funny promo the station is airing to highlight the new system.
Bolaris is in a boxing ring, surrounded by his WCBS weather colleagues, and all are wearing boxing robes.
[I sense a WEST SIDE STORY ending in this. Not pretty.]
The hook is, Bolaris' opponent is a guy seen only from behind with blond hair that is cut to look like CHAMPIONS's.
To deliver the punch, the spot's producers have a shot of THE FAUX CHAMPION in the ring getting his hair blow-dried just before the fight.
[As RICH GOODE would say, he's "gayer than a tangerine."]
The spot is unusual because it's rare for one station to take on another in such a way, and even rarer to focus on one rival on-air person.
WABC officials wouldn't comment, or should we say, counterpunch.
[Oh, that humorous writing class IS paying off...]
In the WCBS commercial, the two weathercasters fight -- with RADAR LOVE playing in the background (get it?).
[Yes, we got it. Thanks.]
No surprise, Bolaris wins.
[What? No surprise ending...well, after all, it IS WCBS's promo.]
"You can't be the real champ without THE DOPPLER 2 MILLION DOLLAR BABY," Bolaris says.
[Hmmm. Are they trying to refer to it as their MILLION DOLLAR BABY -- ala the recent boxing movie? Did you get it?]
Unfortunately for Bolaris, that was the most exciting part of this week's launch of DOPPLER 2 MILLION, a weather radar system that allows weathercasters to pinpoint storms in specific neighborhoods.
"This is like CHRISTMAS for us, right here," Bolaris said the first night out while showing viewers an overhead look at his boyhood home.
"We can go right into your house, so keep the shades down," he said.
[Er, that's ok John.]
"If there's a heavy storm in your neighborhood," he said, "we can pick that up."
Trouble is, there wasn't a storm on the horizon to help demonstrate the technology.
And without a storm in the forecast, it was as if Bolaris got A CHRISTMAS PRESENT without the batteries.
[Maybe the CBS affiliate in NEW ORLEANS could've used THE DOPPLER 2 MILLION, eh?]
[I missed all this CBS-2 DOPPLER 2 MILLION hoopla this weekend. I was tube-side with THE WEATHER CHANNEL for their HURRICAN KATRINA COVERAGE. Can't beat SHARON RESULTAN.]
M Is For Mega
I'm not wild about the new MEGA M&M COLORS of MAROON, TEAL, BLUE-GRAY, BEIGE, GOLD, and BROWN that are aimed at ADULTS.
MASTERFOODS USA, the food, snack, and pet-care arm of MARS INC., chose the colors because they are "SOPHISTICATED" and would appeal to the target audience of adults, a company spokesperson says.
Give us those familiar PRIMARY COLORS, I say, although the new size has its advantages.
PLAIN MEGA M&M's are about 60% LARGER than REGULAR M&M's, while MEGA PEANUT M&M's are 45% LARGER. That's more chocolate and crunchy coating (and more CALORIES, but whose counting?) in each bite.
The 12.6-ounce bag costs $2.79.
The 19.6-ounce bag costs $4.15.
MASTERFOODS USA, the food, snack, and pet-care arm of MARS INC., chose the colors because they are "SOPHISTICATED" and would appeal to the target audience of adults, a company spokesperson says.
Give us those familiar PRIMARY COLORS, I say, although the new size has its advantages.
PLAIN MEGA M&M's are about 60% LARGER than REGULAR M&M's, while MEGA PEANUT M&M's are 45% LARGER. That's more chocolate and crunchy coating (and more CALORIES, but whose counting?) in each bite.
The 12.6-ounce bag costs $2.79.
The 19.6-ounce bag costs $4.15.
Sky High
There's a world of difference between meals served in COACH CLASS and those cooked up for BUSINESS and FIRST-CLASS PATRONS.
But at least on long flights, passengers are still served a hot meal.
Want to see what people at 30,000 feet are eating these days?
Check out AirlineMeals.net, where visitors have posted pictures and descriptions of AIRLINE MEALS they've been served.
But at least on long flights, passengers are still served a hot meal.
Want to see what people at 30,000 feet are eating these days?
Check out AirlineMeals.net, where visitors have posted pictures and descriptions of AIRLINE MEALS they've been served.
New Uses For AOL Software CDs
Ever get those AOL SOFTWARE CDs constantly sent to you in the mail? I do. I get a ton of them that I regularly just flip in the trash.
You also see them everywhere -- at fast food restaurants, book stores, etc. Enough already!
Well, here's a use for them that might have you picking up a few the next time you're out.
GARDENERS have found that these CDs loaded with AOL software help to SCARE AWAY BIRDS FROM GARDENS.
Gardeners have suspended these CDs on string or fishing wire from their porches and fences. It seems the CD's reflective side scares away birds from plots -- acting as a natural SCARECROW.
Hmmm. Pretty cool.
Another practical use I've seen these AOL SOFTWARE CDs used for was to act as a knife in cutting a PIZZA into slices. Well, that was in college. But it worked like a charm.
You also see them everywhere -- at fast food restaurants, book stores, etc. Enough already!
Well, here's a use for them that might have you picking up a few the next time you're out.
GARDENERS have found that these CDs loaded with AOL software help to SCARE AWAY BIRDS FROM GARDENS.
Gardeners have suspended these CDs on string or fishing wire from their porches and fences. It seems the CD's reflective side scares away birds from plots -- acting as a natural SCARECROW.
Hmmm. Pretty cool.
Another practical use I've seen these AOL SOFTWARE CDs used for was to act as a knife in cutting a PIZZA into slices. Well, that was in college. But it worked like a charm.
Quote Of The Week -- ANNE SOPHIE SWETCHINE
The chains which cramp us most are those which weigh on us least.
ANNE SOPHIE SWETCHINE, Russian-French Author, 1782-1857
ANNE SOPHIE SWETCHINE, Russian-French Author, 1782-1857
News Media Grapple With Peril Storm Poses
(From The Baltimore Sun -- By Nick Madigan)
With the exception of war and its deadly unpredictability, HURRICANES probably pose more danger to the journalists covering them than any other kind of story.
As the behemoth KATRINA headed toward the coasts of LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI and ALABAMA Monday, reporters and their editors were confronted again with a fundamental problem -- HOW TO COVER A LETHAL STORM WITHOUT GETTING KILLED.
"The first thing we tell them is 'Don't be a hero.'" said NANCY LANE, CNN's News Director, as she concluded her fifth conference call of the day yesterday in preparation for the storm. "We don't need any heroes."
CNN was typical of news organizations that saw no choice but to deploy reporters and camera crews into the heart of an area sure to be pummeled by KATRINA, a hurricane 400 miles wide, without knowing how and when their stories might emerge, and whether the journalists would be safe.
"You have to consult with your troops," said Lane, whose network deployed more than 70 people to the coast as KATRINA churned in THE GULF OF MEXICO.
"Safety is always the first thing. If they didn't feel safe, they'd get on the road," she said.
Some local NEW ORLEANS STATIONS were doing just that.
In the newsroom at FOX affiliate WVUE, an employee who answered the telephone yesterday morning said he and others were preparing to leave the station's headquarters on JEFFERSON DAVIS PARKWAY en route to their sister station, WALA, in MOBILE, ALABAMA, 143 miles to the EAST.
Other NEW ORLEANS TELEVISION STATIONS, such as WGNO, WWL and WDSU, likewise decided to move some of their reporters and their expensive satellite trucks out of town, most to BATON ROUGE, about 80 MILES TO THE NORTHWEST, and in at least one case to JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, 195 MILES NORTH.
Early yesterday afternoon, CNN editors decided to move AMERICAN MORNING anchor MILES O'BREIN from NEW ORLEANS to BATON ROUGE, not so much because of safety concerns but so that the network would have someone on the air at the time of KATRINA's expected landfall early today in NEW ORLEANS, where power was expected to be out and conditions deplorable.
"We want to make sure we can maintain our presence on the air and not have everybody sitting in NEW ORLEANS, where the likelihood of getting knocked off the air, or, in the worst case, somebody getting hurt, is pretty good," Lane said. "The odds go up in a storm like this."
Another CNN anchor, ANDERSON COOPER, was headed for BATON ROUGE by plane yesterday afternoon.
On his CNN.COM BLOG, O'Brien wrote that he had initially planned to stay in NEW ORLEANS throughout the storm.
"The hotel location near THE FRENCH QUARTER in NEW ORLEANS was good for our personal safety," he wrote. "We could operate out of the fourth floor in an interior hallway during the worst of it, but parking the satellite truck would be a problem. Since the streets of NEW ORLEANS sit mostly below sea level, it would very likely become a satellite submarine as the storm water surges into the city."
Using satellite phones was an option, O'Brien said, "but even that was not assured." So O'Brien, who doubles as the network's space correspondent, called SEAN O'KEEFE, the former NASA ADMINISTRATOR and now chancellor of LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY IN BATON ROUGE, who said he would steer the CNN crew to THE CAMPUS TV STUDIO and its recently installed FIBER-OPTIC LINK.
"We can go set up our satellite truck there and stay on the air throughout the storm," O'Brien wrote on his BLOG. "We will be close enough to cover the story, but far enough to stay on the air and remain safe."
Other CNN CORRESPONDENTS, including JOHN ZARRELLA and DAVID MATTINGLY, remained in NEW ORLEANS, evidently with the intention of riding out the storm. But in the absence of the network's satellite truck, Zarrella, who was staked out at the Superdome, went on the air by borrowing the equipment of HOUSTON's NBC AFFILIATE, KPRC, a gesture for which CNN anchor FREDERICKA WHITFIELD expressed thanks from her desk in ATLANTA.
Mattingly, at THE NEW ORLEANS WATERFRONT, had to settle for A SATELLITE PHONE -- also known as a digital newsgathering kit -- which transmits a grainy, jerky image through a computer.
There is little doubt that some reporters get a thrill from tackling dangerous assignments, although most will acknowledge at least some fear.
On August 24, 1992, as HURRICANE ANDREW was lashing MIAMI and THE FLORIDA KEYS with gusts of 160 mph, WTVJ-TV reporter KERRY SANDERS and photographer STEVE SCHNEIDER took cover on the floor of their news van parked under a railway overpass.
"The way we were rattling back and forth, it almost felt that 15 men were on the front bumper and 15 men were on the back bumper, all jumping up and down and shaking the van," Sanders said later, according to an article the next week in ELECTRONIC MEDIA, a trade publication.
The pair could have recorded what was going on outside the van, the article said, but chose not to.
JIM CANTORE, a reporter for THE WEATHER CHANNEL who has covered "two dozen, maybe three dozen" hurricanes since ANDREW in 1992, advised caution.
"When you have a 140- mile-an-hour hurricane, it's important to be in a place where we are in position to cover the storm but can stay out of harm's way," he said in an interview with THE PENSACOLA NEW JOURNAL published June 6th.
[Of course Sunday as KATRINA rolled into town, SPORTSCENTER's 50 STATES IN 50 DAYS crew chose to be in (where else) LOUISIANA covering a festival. I wonder if they all got out safe and sound. Another good choice.]
With the exception of war and its deadly unpredictability, HURRICANES probably pose more danger to the journalists covering them than any other kind of story.
As the behemoth KATRINA headed toward the coasts of LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI and ALABAMA Monday, reporters and their editors were confronted again with a fundamental problem -- HOW TO COVER A LETHAL STORM WITHOUT GETTING KILLED.
"The first thing we tell them is 'Don't be a hero.'" said NANCY LANE, CNN's News Director, as she concluded her fifth conference call of the day yesterday in preparation for the storm. "We don't need any heroes."
CNN was typical of news organizations that saw no choice but to deploy reporters and camera crews into the heart of an area sure to be pummeled by KATRINA, a hurricane 400 miles wide, without knowing how and when their stories might emerge, and whether the journalists would be safe.
"You have to consult with your troops," said Lane, whose network deployed more than 70 people to the coast as KATRINA churned in THE GULF OF MEXICO.
"Safety is always the first thing. If they didn't feel safe, they'd get on the road," she said.
Some local NEW ORLEANS STATIONS were doing just that.
In the newsroom at FOX affiliate WVUE, an employee who answered the telephone yesterday morning said he and others were preparing to leave the station's headquarters on JEFFERSON DAVIS PARKWAY en route to their sister station, WALA, in MOBILE, ALABAMA, 143 miles to the EAST.
Other NEW ORLEANS TELEVISION STATIONS, such as WGNO, WWL and WDSU, likewise decided to move some of their reporters and their expensive satellite trucks out of town, most to BATON ROUGE, about 80 MILES TO THE NORTHWEST, and in at least one case to JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, 195 MILES NORTH.
Early yesterday afternoon, CNN editors decided to move AMERICAN MORNING anchor MILES O'BREIN from NEW ORLEANS to BATON ROUGE, not so much because of safety concerns but so that the network would have someone on the air at the time of KATRINA's expected landfall early today in NEW ORLEANS, where power was expected to be out and conditions deplorable.
"We want to make sure we can maintain our presence on the air and not have everybody sitting in NEW ORLEANS, where the likelihood of getting knocked off the air, or, in the worst case, somebody getting hurt, is pretty good," Lane said. "The odds go up in a storm like this."
Another CNN anchor, ANDERSON COOPER, was headed for BATON ROUGE by plane yesterday afternoon.
On his CNN.COM BLOG, O'Brien wrote that he had initially planned to stay in NEW ORLEANS throughout the storm.
"The hotel location near THE FRENCH QUARTER in NEW ORLEANS was good for our personal safety," he wrote. "We could operate out of the fourth floor in an interior hallway during the worst of it, but parking the satellite truck would be a problem. Since the streets of NEW ORLEANS sit mostly below sea level, it would very likely become a satellite submarine as the storm water surges into the city."
Using satellite phones was an option, O'Brien said, "but even that was not assured." So O'Brien, who doubles as the network's space correspondent, called SEAN O'KEEFE, the former NASA ADMINISTRATOR and now chancellor of LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY IN BATON ROUGE, who said he would steer the CNN crew to THE CAMPUS TV STUDIO and its recently installed FIBER-OPTIC LINK.
"We can go set up our satellite truck there and stay on the air throughout the storm," O'Brien wrote on his BLOG. "We will be close enough to cover the story, but far enough to stay on the air and remain safe."
Other CNN CORRESPONDENTS, including JOHN ZARRELLA and DAVID MATTINGLY, remained in NEW ORLEANS, evidently with the intention of riding out the storm. But in the absence of the network's satellite truck, Zarrella, who was staked out at the Superdome, went on the air by borrowing the equipment of HOUSTON's NBC AFFILIATE, KPRC, a gesture for which CNN anchor FREDERICKA WHITFIELD expressed thanks from her desk in ATLANTA.
Mattingly, at THE NEW ORLEANS WATERFRONT, had to settle for A SATELLITE PHONE -- also known as a digital newsgathering kit -- which transmits a grainy, jerky image through a computer.
There is little doubt that some reporters get a thrill from tackling dangerous assignments, although most will acknowledge at least some fear.
On August 24, 1992, as HURRICANE ANDREW was lashing MIAMI and THE FLORIDA KEYS with gusts of 160 mph, WTVJ-TV reporter KERRY SANDERS and photographer STEVE SCHNEIDER took cover on the floor of their news van parked under a railway overpass.
"The way we were rattling back and forth, it almost felt that 15 men were on the front bumper and 15 men were on the back bumper, all jumping up and down and shaking the van," Sanders said later, according to an article the next week in ELECTRONIC MEDIA, a trade publication.
The pair could have recorded what was going on outside the van, the article said, but chose not to.
JIM CANTORE, a reporter for THE WEATHER CHANNEL who has covered "two dozen, maybe three dozen" hurricanes since ANDREW in 1992, advised caution.
"When you have a 140- mile-an-hour hurricane, it's important to be in a place where we are in position to cover the storm but can stay out of harm's way," he said in an interview with THE PENSACOLA NEW JOURNAL published June 6th.
[Of course Sunday as KATRINA rolled into town, SPORTSCENTER's 50 STATES IN 50 DAYS crew chose to be in (where else) LOUISIANA covering a festival. I wonder if they all got out safe and sound. Another good choice.]
Quote Of The Week
Busy bees gather the most honey. Some days it is best to simply be a drone and get things done even if that seems dull. Remember, there must be a reason bees hum all the time.
SHARAPOVA Launches New Fragrance Line
(From Sports Business Daily)
ANDY RODDICK attended a NEW YORK event for the launch of MARIA SHARPOVA's NEW SIGNATURE FRAGRANCE LINE by PARLUX and said his own fragrance "is in the works. The bottle is done, the scent is done, so it should be out for SPRING 2006."
Roddick also has a deal with Parlux.
THE NEW YORK POST's PAGE SIX reports Roddick said he attended Sharapova's event to "support his friend."
But while Roddick called his relationship with Sharapova "strictly platonic," his friends say that "they are an item."
A source said, "They are together." But when asked if she was dating Roddick, Sharapova said, "No."
A source added, "Her manager and his manager agreed that Andy and Maria weren't going to be photographed together. They insisted."
ANDY RODDICK attended a NEW YORK event for the launch of MARIA SHARPOVA's NEW SIGNATURE FRAGRANCE LINE by PARLUX and said his own fragrance "is in the works. The bottle is done, the scent is done, so it should be out for SPRING 2006."
Roddick also has a deal with Parlux.
THE NEW YORK POST's PAGE SIX reports Roddick said he attended Sharapova's event to "support his friend."
But while Roddick called his relationship with Sharapova "strictly platonic," his friends say that "they are an item."
A source said, "They are together." But when asked if she was dating Roddick, Sharapova said, "No."
A source added, "Her manager and his manager agreed that Andy and Maria weren't going to be photographed together. They insisted."
Painting The Town ORANGE -- SYRACUSE Pushing Teams In NEW YORK
(From The Syracuse Post-Standard)
THE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY (SU) ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT is putting up an 18-by-120-foot billboard in TIMES SQUARE that "touts SU as "NEW YORK'S COLLEGE TEAM,'" according to DONNIE WEBB of THE SYRACUSE POST-STANDARD.
The ad includes the school's new "BLOCK S LOGO, a secondary campaign message called 'ORANGE IS IN THE APPLE,' a web site address and two small billboards at the base with head football coach GREG ROBINSON and his team."
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY Athletic Director DARYL GROSS said that the ad, which is scheduled to stay up for about a month, "cost him little because of some exchange he negotiated with the advertising company."
Gross -- "We're so close to NEW YORK and we have so many Syracuse people in New York. Recruiting wise, it's huge for us in New York. Visibility wise and TV contracts and all those things, impression wise, we can drive traffic in New York."
Webb added Gross is trying to land a radio affiliate in New York to carry broadcasts of SU football and basketball games.
Webb reported that SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY is "adopting THE BLOCK S as its primary logo" for all of its athletic teams. The logo, which is based on the school's original athletics letter issued in 1893, "replaces THE NIKE-DESIGNED interlocking SU logo" launched in 2004.
That logo "is demoted as a secondary mark."
Webb noted the interlocking SU was "panned by some fans for looking too much like SJ."
THE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY (SU) ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT is putting up an 18-by-120-foot billboard in TIMES SQUARE that "touts SU as "NEW YORK'S COLLEGE TEAM,'" according to DONNIE WEBB of THE SYRACUSE POST-STANDARD.
The ad includes the school's new "BLOCK S LOGO, a secondary campaign message called 'ORANGE IS IN THE APPLE,' a web site address and two small billboards at the base with head football coach GREG ROBINSON and his team."
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY Athletic Director DARYL GROSS said that the ad, which is scheduled to stay up for about a month, "cost him little because of some exchange he negotiated with the advertising company."
Gross -- "We're so close to NEW YORK and we have so many Syracuse people in New York. Recruiting wise, it's huge for us in New York. Visibility wise and TV contracts and all those things, impression wise, we can drive traffic in New York."
Webb added Gross is trying to land a radio affiliate in New York to carry broadcasts of SU football and basketball games.
Webb reported that SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY is "adopting THE BLOCK S as its primary logo" for all of its athletic teams. The logo, which is based on the school's original athletics letter issued in 1893, "replaces THE NIKE-DESIGNED interlocking SU logo" launched in 2004.
That logo "is demoted as a secondary mark."
Webb noted the interlocking SU was "panned by some fans for looking too much like SJ."
Some Talented Artists And A Cool Website
(From The Avid Yahoo User's Group/Stephen Hullfish)
I've been checking out this website for years. It is updated with a new theme weekly and is run by one of my old VEGGIETALES buddies.
Each week a group of very creative artists and illustrators riffs on a new theme. There are several weeks of these themes up on the website and this week is a classic.
If you love ILLUSTRATION and want to see some beautiful and very funny art, check out this website below. (And if you need illustrators, this is like a very cool "demo reel.")
The artists just do this for each other and they can't believe anybody else would care to see it, but they're GREAT and often hilarious! (I love THE THREE LITTLE PIGS re-visited as the guys from PULP FICTION.)
Hope you enjoy this diversion from your regularly scheduled programming.
DrawerGeeks.com
I've been checking out this website for years. It is updated with a new theme weekly and is run by one of my old VEGGIETALES buddies.
Each week a group of very creative artists and illustrators riffs on a new theme. There are several weeks of these themes up on the website and this week is a classic.
If you love ILLUSTRATION and want to see some beautiful and very funny art, check out this website below. (And if you need illustrators, this is like a very cool "demo reel.")
The artists just do this for each other and they can't believe anybody else would care to see it, but they're GREAT and often hilarious! (I love THE THREE LITTLE PIGS re-visited as the guys from PULP FICTION.)
Hope you enjoy this diversion from your regularly scheduled programming.
DrawerGeeks.com
Quote Of The Week -- HOWARD COSELL
There are two professions that one can be hired at with little experience. One is PROSTITUTION. The other is SPORTSCASTING. Too frequently, they become the same.
HOWARD COSELL
HOWARD COSELL
LITTLE LEAGUE's Sizzlin Series Finale Makes Extra Move
(From The USA Today -- By Michael McCarthy)
It wasn't quite THE HEIDI GAME, that infamous sports TV moment in 1968 when NBC cut away from the ending of A NEW YORK JETS/OAKLAND RAIDERS GAME to show the film HEIDI -- causing football fans around the country to hurl stuff through their TV sets.
But for viewers of THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP GAME between EWA BEACH, HAWAII and CURACAO it was pretty close.
With the game tied 6-6 and heading into extra innings shortly after 6 pm ET, ABC play-by-play announcer BRENT MUSBURGER informed viewers that, with the exception of THE WEST COAST and HAWAII, the network was cutting away to coverage of HURRICANE KATRINA menacing NEW ORLEANS and THE GULF COAST.
The rest of the country, Musburger said, would have to switch to ESPN2 for the ending, which occurred in the bottom of the seventh when HAWAII WON ON A HOME RUN. (WEST COAST AFFILIATES also had the option of switching away from the game, ABC/ESPN spokesman MARK MANDEL said Sunday night.)
"ABC NEWS has the authority to go to news when it's something this important," explained Mandel. "We're very pleased we had this option where sports, in this case THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES, could move to ESPN and fans could see the conclusion."
Before the move, viewers were treated to a spectacular game filled with dramatic homers, great catches, fanatical fans and nail-biting tension. Analyst HAROLD REYNOLDS was everywhere, providing color commentary and starring in instructional shorts. Reporter SAM RYAN interviewed players, coaches and parents while kibitzing with the fans.
Reynolds made sense of it all, too, explaining how the 11 and 12-year-old players were swinging at the equivalent of major leaguers' 99 mph fastballs due to the smaller field dimensions.
Reynolds related the best back story of THE SERIES about MYRON ENOS SR., the father of one of THE HAWAII PLAYERS. Told he wasn't allowed to take time off from his truck-driving job to watch his only son play in THE WORLD SERIES, Enos quit, took out a $12,000 loan and flew the family to WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.
"Give him a job when he gets back," Reynolds said.
It wasn't quite THE HEIDI GAME, that infamous sports TV moment in 1968 when NBC cut away from the ending of A NEW YORK JETS/OAKLAND RAIDERS GAME to show the film HEIDI -- causing football fans around the country to hurl stuff through their TV sets.
But for viewers of THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP GAME between EWA BEACH, HAWAII and CURACAO it was pretty close.
With the game tied 6-6 and heading into extra innings shortly after 6 pm ET, ABC play-by-play announcer BRENT MUSBURGER informed viewers that, with the exception of THE WEST COAST and HAWAII, the network was cutting away to coverage of HURRICANE KATRINA menacing NEW ORLEANS and THE GULF COAST.
The rest of the country, Musburger said, would have to switch to ESPN2 for the ending, which occurred in the bottom of the seventh when HAWAII WON ON A HOME RUN. (WEST COAST AFFILIATES also had the option of switching away from the game, ABC/ESPN spokesman MARK MANDEL said Sunday night.)
"ABC NEWS has the authority to go to news when it's something this important," explained Mandel. "We're very pleased we had this option where sports, in this case THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES, could move to ESPN and fans could see the conclusion."
Before the move, viewers were treated to a spectacular game filled with dramatic homers, great catches, fanatical fans and nail-biting tension. Analyst HAROLD REYNOLDS was everywhere, providing color commentary and starring in instructional shorts. Reporter SAM RYAN interviewed players, coaches and parents while kibitzing with the fans.
Reynolds made sense of it all, too, explaining how the 11 and 12-year-old players were swinging at the equivalent of major leaguers' 99 mph fastballs due to the smaller field dimensions.
Reynolds related the best back story of THE SERIES about MYRON ENOS SR., the father of one of THE HAWAII PLAYERS. Told he wasn't allowed to take time off from his truck-driving job to watch his only son play in THE WORLD SERIES, Enos quit, took out a $12,000 loan and flew the family to WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.
"Give him a job when he gets back," Reynolds said.
F-Bomb Dropped On FOX's SHEPARD SMITH
(From WorldNetDaily.com)
During FOX NEWS coverage of HURRICANE KATRINA this afternoon, a man being interviewed by SHEPARD SMITH dropped THE F-WORD BOMB on the reporter.
Smith, who was reporting via telephone from THE ROYAL SONESTA HOTEL on BOURBON STREET in THE FRENCH QUARTER OF NEW ORLEANS, noted that people were still drinking and gambling at video-game machines as the hurricane was approaching.
When he asked one man what he was doing there at the hotel, the man responded, "None of your f---ing business."
Smith, who anchors cable TV's top-rated evening newscast, noted that was a good answer, having been broadcast on international television, and then added, "It's none of my business, which it really isn't."
An anchor in the studio apologized for the remark's broadcast.
As WEATHER EXPERTS continued to give forecasts for potentially catastrophic damage, Smith stated, "There will be a lot of dead people in NEW ORLEANS if they're right."
[This is exactly why I turn to CNN for news coverage and not FOX NEWS.]
During FOX NEWS coverage of HURRICANE KATRINA this afternoon, a man being interviewed by SHEPARD SMITH dropped THE F-WORD BOMB on the reporter.
Smith, who was reporting via telephone from THE ROYAL SONESTA HOTEL on BOURBON STREET in THE FRENCH QUARTER OF NEW ORLEANS, noted that people were still drinking and gambling at video-game machines as the hurricane was approaching.
When he asked one man what he was doing there at the hotel, the man responded, "None of your f---ing business."
Smith, who anchors cable TV's top-rated evening newscast, noted that was a good answer, having been broadcast on international television, and then added, "It's none of my business, which it really isn't."
An anchor in the studio apologized for the remark's broadcast.
As WEATHER EXPERTS continued to give forecasts for potentially catastrophic damage, Smith stated, "There will be a lot of dead people in NEW ORLEANS if they're right."
[This is exactly why I turn to CNN for news coverage and not FOX NEWS.]
Ego Overdrive
(From The New York Post)
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES hottie EVA LONGORIA is walking a fine line with her bosses at ABC.
Longoria taped a segment of DATELINE NBC last week, angering ABC brass.
"Stars of ABC shows like DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and LOST are supposed to give other ABC shows like GOOD MORNING AMERICA, PRIMETIME LIVE, or 20/20 first crack," says an ABC source.
"This is A MAJOR BREACH OF PROTOCOL. We think it was done because DATELINE focused only on her and no one else on the show."
[By the way, did anyone see what Eva was wearing on the MTV MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS on Sunday? Wow!]
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES hottie EVA LONGORIA is walking a fine line with her bosses at ABC.
Longoria taped a segment of DATELINE NBC last week, angering ABC brass.
"Stars of ABC shows like DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and LOST are supposed to give other ABC shows like GOOD MORNING AMERICA, PRIMETIME LIVE, or 20/20 first crack," says an ABC source.
"This is A MAJOR BREACH OF PROTOCOL. We think it was done because DATELINE focused only on her and no one else on the show."
[By the way, did anyone see what Eva was wearing on the MTV MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS on Sunday? Wow!]
MARK SHAPIRO -- Comments From Around The Net
MIXED EMOTIONS it seems are felt for MARK SHAPIRO -- THE ESPN PROGRAMMING EXECUTIVE who will leave the world of AROUND THE HORN and COLD PIZZA to join DAN SNYDER's AMUSEMENT PARK ADVENTURE.
At least he already has some experience MAKING PEOPLE SCREAM.
MARK SHAPIRO's legacy at ESPN is DEBATABLE. The Vice President for Programming and Production made ENTERTAINMENT FIRST and EVERYTHING ELSE A DISTANT SECOND. In so doing HE CATERED TO THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMENATOR, showering us with bad made-for-TV movies and insisting on replays of players, managers and coaches mouthing obscenities too graphic to miss.
Shapiro leaves October 1st for DANIEL SNYDER's RED ZONE LLC.
So, tell us, CHRIS BERMAN, about his impact.
"He was given the keys to a lot of cars here as time went on, and he drove them in directions we hadn't been before. He's very decisive. At times in our history, we have been a little bit inert, and he certainly didn't stand for inertia, which is good. He branched us off in directions we might not have even tried let alone be successful at. But ESPN was a very successful place before he was here, and it will be very successful after. He certainly made a mark. No pun intended."
Kevin Burns, thanks for the post.
At least he already has some experience MAKING PEOPLE SCREAM.
MARK SHAPIRO's legacy at ESPN is DEBATABLE. The Vice President for Programming and Production made ENTERTAINMENT FIRST and EVERYTHING ELSE A DISTANT SECOND. In so doing HE CATERED TO THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMENATOR, showering us with bad made-for-TV movies and insisting on replays of players, managers and coaches mouthing obscenities too graphic to miss.
Shapiro leaves October 1st for DANIEL SNYDER's RED ZONE LLC.
So, tell us, CHRIS BERMAN, about his impact.
"He was given the keys to a lot of cars here as time went on, and he drove them in directions we hadn't been before. He's very decisive. At times in our history, we have been a little bit inert, and he certainly didn't stand for inertia, which is good. He branched us off in directions we might not have even tried let alone be successful at. But ESPN was a very successful place before he was here, and it will be very successful after. He certainly made a mark. No pun intended."
Kevin Burns, thanks for the post.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Early Ratings For New ESPN2 Programs Off To Modest Start
(From Sports Business Daily)
ESPN2's ESPN HOLLYWOOD is averaging a 0.2 CABLE NIELSEN RATING through five shows, FLAT compared to programming that aired in the same time period for the 6-8 weeks prior to the show's debut, but DOWN 33.3% compared to a 0.3 AVERAGE for THE WORLD SERIES OF POKER hour-long re-airings in 2004.
Meanwhile, ESPN2's QUITE FRANKLY WITH STEPHEN A. SMITH has AVERAGED A 0.2 (197,000 HOUSEHOLDS) through 15 episodes, DOWN from a 0.3 (249,000 HOUSEHOLDS) from the time slot's July 2005 AVERAGE. But VIEWERSHIP AMONG MALES 18-34, 18-48 and 25-54 IS UP 22.0%, 7.1% and 4.4%, respectively.
In NEW YORK, BOB RAISSMAN notes A PRINT AND TV AD for ESPN HOLLYWOOD features a picture of YANKEES Shortstop DEREK JETER and the blacked-out silhouette of a woman with the text, "JET-SETTING JETER! A NIGHT ON THE TOWN WITH NYC's MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR."
YANKEES Director of Media Relations RICK CERRONE said, "This is very puzzling and troubling. I'm totally befuddled that ESPN would position one of its shows as A LOW-RENT TABLOID. In the ad they insinuate they are out with JETER, with his permission, or they are following him. Give me a break. Neither is true."
Cerrone added of ESPN HOLLYWOOD, "I've had players say to me -- 'Don't ever ask me to do anything for them.'"
But ESPN ORIGINAL ENTERTAINMENT Executive Producer MIKE ANTINORO noted JETER will appear in an upcoming segment on the show about THE MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELORS IN THEIR SPORTS and said, "Our goal with the advertisement was to GRAB PEOPLE and GET THEIR ATTENTION."
In MIAMI, BARRY JACKSON writes while viewers have seen the "loud, very opinionated, sometimes overbearing" Smith on QUITE FRANKLY, they have also seen "a more calm, thoughtful Smith."
Jackson writes of ESPN HOLLYWOOD, "It's questionable if there's enough MEATY MATERAL to sustain a 30-minute program five nights a week. Some pieces HAVE MERIT. But asking RAIDERS CHEERLEADERS their thoughts on THE RANDY MOSS TRADE -- AN INCREDIBLE WASTE OF TIME -- seemed to be ESPN's WAY OF JUSTIFYING SHOWING CLIPS FROM A RAIDERETTES PHOTO SHOOT."
Jackson writes of the 50 STATES IN 50 DAYS SPORTSCENTER TOUR -- "Now here's proof that GIMMICKS can work."
ESPN2's ESPN HOLLYWOOD is averaging a 0.2 CABLE NIELSEN RATING through five shows, FLAT compared to programming that aired in the same time period for the 6-8 weeks prior to the show's debut, but DOWN 33.3% compared to a 0.3 AVERAGE for THE WORLD SERIES OF POKER hour-long re-airings in 2004.
Meanwhile, ESPN2's QUITE FRANKLY WITH STEPHEN A. SMITH has AVERAGED A 0.2 (197,000 HOUSEHOLDS) through 15 episodes, DOWN from a 0.3 (249,000 HOUSEHOLDS) from the time slot's July 2005 AVERAGE. But VIEWERSHIP AMONG MALES 18-34, 18-48 and 25-54 IS UP 22.0%, 7.1% and 4.4%, respectively.
In NEW YORK, BOB RAISSMAN notes A PRINT AND TV AD for ESPN HOLLYWOOD features a picture of YANKEES Shortstop DEREK JETER and the blacked-out silhouette of a woman with the text, "JET-SETTING JETER! A NIGHT ON THE TOWN WITH NYC's MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR."
YANKEES Director of Media Relations RICK CERRONE said, "This is very puzzling and troubling. I'm totally befuddled that ESPN would position one of its shows as A LOW-RENT TABLOID. In the ad they insinuate they are out with JETER, with his permission, or they are following him. Give me a break. Neither is true."
Cerrone added of ESPN HOLLYWOOD, "I've had players say to me -- 'Don't ever ask me to do anything for them.'"
But ESPN ORIGINAL ENTERTAINMENT Executive Producer MIKE ANTINORO noted JETER will appear in an upcoming segment on the show about THE MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELORS IN THEIR SPORTS and said, "Our goal with the advertisement was to GRAB PEOPLE and GET THEIR ATTENTION."
In MIAMI, BARRY JACKSON writes while viewers have seen the "loud, very opinionated, sometimes overbearing" Smith on QUITE FRANKLY, they have also seen "a more calm, thoughtful Smith."
Jackson writes of ESPN HOLLYWOOD, "It's questionable if there's enough MEATY MATERAL to sustain a 30-minute program five nights a week. Some pieces HAVE MERIT. But asking RAIDERS CHEERLEADERS their thoughts on THE RANDY MOSS TRADE -- AN INCREDIBLE WASTE OF TIME -- seemed to be ESPN's WAY OF JUSTIFYING SHOWING CLIPS FROM A RAIDERETTES PHOTO SHOOT."
Jackson writes of the 50 STATES IN 50 DAYS SPORTSCENTER TOUR -- "Now here's proof that GIMMICKS can work."
OLN Not To Have An EXCLUSIVE NHL NIGHT
(From Sports Business Daily)
In LOS ANGELES, LARRY STEWART reports OLN "WILL NOT HAVE AN EXCLUSIVE NIGHT" as part of its NHL NATIONAL TV DEAL until the 2006-2007 SEASON.
In LOS ANGELES, LARRY STEWART reports OLN "WILL NOT HAVE AN EXCLUSIVE NIGHT" as part of its NHL NATIONAL TV DEAL until the 2006-2007 SEASON.
LAX Approach
(From Sports Business Daily)
MEDIAWEEK reported that OLN is negotiating with THE NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE (NLL) for a deal to "TELEVISE ONE NATIONAL GAME OF THE WEEK on Saturday or Sunday," beginning with the season's start in December.
NLL Commissioner JIM JENNINGS said that OLN's advantage over ESPN is that it has "AVAILABLE WEEKEND WINDOWS TO AIR THE GAMES LIVE."
He added that a deal with OLN "would WORK PARTICULARLY WELL" because NHL and NLL TEAMS in six markets SHARE ARENAS, so OLN could already have cameras in place for NLL GAMES.
However, OLN Senior Vice President/Programming and Production MARC FEIN "declined to define what OLN may try to acquire next."
Fein -- "Every time a property comes available, you have to ASSESS THE ECONOMICS OF IT. You have to assess HOW IT WILL FIT IN WITH OTHER PROGRAMMING."
MEDIAWEEK reported that OLN is negotiating with THE NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE (NLL) for a deal to "TELEVISE ONE NATIONAL GAME OF THE WEEK on Saturday or Sunday," beginning with the season's start in December.
NLL Commissioner JIM JENNINGS said that OLN's advantage over ESPN is that it has "AVAILABLE WEEKEND WINDOWS TO AIR THE GAMES LIVE."
He added that a deal with OLN "would WORK PARTICULARLY WELL" because NHL and NLL TEAMS in six markets SHARE ARENAS, so OLN could already have cameras in place for NLL GAMES.
However, OLN Senior Vice President/Programming and Production MARC FEIN "declined to define what OLN may try to acquire next."
Fein -- "Every time a property comes available, you have to ASSESS THE ECONOMICS OF IT. You have to assess HOW IT WILL FIT IN WITH OTHER PROGRAMMING."
Double Team -- SI Looking For TV Partnership With OLN
(From Sports Business Daily)
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (SI) is "EYEING A PARTNERSHIP" with COMCAST's OLN that would give the magazine A TV PLATFORM more than THREE YEARS after CNN/SI went off the air, according to two sources cited by
TIM ARANGO of THE NEW YORK POST.
Executives at TIME INC., SI's PARENT COMPANY, "have been holding INTERNAL DISCUSSIONS" about a deal, but talks between COMCAST and TIME "have not yet begun in earnest."
Arango notes the two corporations ALREADY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP, as OLN licenses the name "OUTDOOR LIFE" from TIME, which publishes a magazine under that title, and the organizations have worked together on PROGRAMMING.
Also, TIME WARNER and COMCAST are INVESTORS in THE METS' new REGIONAL SPORTS NETWORK (RSN) set to launch next year.
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (SI) is "EYEING A PARTNERSHIP" with COMCAST's OLN that would give the magazine A TV PLATFORM more than THREE YEARS after CNN/SI went off the air, according to two sources cited by
TIM ARANGO of THE NEW YORK POST.
Executives at TIME INC., SI's PARENT COMPANY, "have been holding INTERNAL DISCUSSIONS" about a deal, but talks between COMCAST and TIME "have not yet begun in earnest."
Arango notes the two corporations ALREADY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP, as OLN licenses the name "OUTDOOR LIFE" from TIME, which publishes a magazine under that title, and the organizations have worked together on PROGRAMMING.
Also, TIME WARNER and COMCAST are INVESTORS in THE METS' new REGIONAL SPORTS NETWORK (RSN) set to launch next year.
ROLLING STONES Concerts Leave Damage To FENWAY PARK Field
(From Sports Business Daily)
Friday night's TIGERS/RED SOX game will start at 8 pm ET, AN HOUR LATER THAN ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED, because of THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE FENWAY PARK PARK FIELD by two ROLLING STONES CONCERTS, according to DAN SHAUGHNESSY of THE BOSTON GLOBE.
FORTY THOUSAND SQUARE FEET OF OUTFIELD SOD IS BEING REPLACED.
RED SOX Groundskeeper DAVE MELLOR said, "It's THE MOST DAMAGE I've seen from a show IN 20 YEARS."
RED SOX President and CEO LARRY LUCCHINO -- "We will not forget that we are first and foremost A BASEBALL TEAM as we plan for the next NON-BASEBALL EVENT at FENWAY."
Lucchino added of the field condition, "I wouldn’t say we're EMBARRASSED. I think we're a little DISAPPOINTED IN OURSELVES that we didn't give ourselves A LARGER WINDOW and more FULLY ANTICIPATE THE DEMANDS of THE STONES or the type of concert they wanted to run.
I think the idea of AN ANNUAL FENWAY CONCERT is still a good idea and this DOESN'T PURSUADE ME OTHERWISE, but it does convince us that we need to RESTRAIN THE ACTS or select acts that have a somewhat LOW LEVEL OF PRODUCTION DEMANDS."
In BOSTON, JAY FITZGERALD reports THE RED SOX ARE SELLING 18-INCH BY 9-INCH CHUNKS OF SOD FROM LAST YEAR's FIELD AT FEWAY PARK FOR $150.
RED SOX Special Assistant to the President and CEO JONATHAN GILULA -- "MLB OVERSAW IT LIFTED OUT OF FENWAY, so it has been AUTHENTICATED.
Friday night's TIGERS/RED SOX game will start at 8 pm ET, AN HOUR LATER THAN ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED, because of THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE FENWAY PARK PARK FIELD by two ROLLING STONES CONCERTS, according to DAN SHAUGHNESSY of THE BOSTON GLOBE.
FORTY THOUSAND SQUARE FEET OF OUTFIELD SOD IS BEING REPLACED.
RED SOX Groundskeeper DAVE MELLOR said, "It's THE MOST DAMAGE I've seen from a show IN 20 YEARS."
RED SOX President and CEO LARRY LUCCHINO -- "We will not forget that we are first and foremost A BASEBALL TEAM as we plan for the next NON-BASEBALL EVENT at FENWAY."
Lucchino added of the field condition, "I wouldn’t say we're EMBARRASSED. I think we're a little DISAPPOINTED IN OURSELVES that we didn't give ourselves A LARGER WINDOW and more FULLY ANTICIPATE THE DEMANDS of THE STONES or the type of concert they wanted to run.
I think the idea of AN ANNUAL FENWAY CONCERT is still a good idea and this DOESN'T PURSUADE ME OTHERWISE, but it does convince us that we need to RESTRAIN THE ACTS or select acts that have a somewhat LOW LEVEL OF PRODUCTION DEMANDS."
In BOSTON, JAY FITZGERALD reports THE RED SOX ARE SELLING 18-INCH BY 9-INCH CHUNKS OF SOD FROM LAST YEAR's FIELD AT FEWAY PARK FOR $150.
RED SOX Special Assistant to the President and CEO JONATHAN GILULA -- "MLB OVERSAW IT LIFTED OUT OF FENWAY, so it has been AUTHENTICATED.
SIX FLAGS Up For Sale In Hopes Of Preventing SYNDER Takeover
(From Sports Business Daily)
THE SIX FLAGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS will put the company UP FOR SALE, "raising the stakes in its ongoing battle" with REDSKINS Owner DANIEL SNYDER for CONTROL OF THE COMPANY, according to SHIN AND HEATH of THE WASHINGTON POST.
Snyder "would be invited to PARTICIPATE IN THE AUCTION."
SIX FLAGS CEO KIERAN BURKE "urged shareholders to REJECT SNYDER's RECENT REQUEST TO OUST MANAGEMENT AND REPLACE IT WITH HIS OWN SLATE OF EXECUTIVES," including himself, outgoing ESPN Executive Vice President/Programming and Production MARK SHAPIRO and NVR Inc. Chairman DWIGHT SCHAR.
Sources said that Snyder "plans to continue his bid to UNSEAT MANAGEMENT."
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS said Shapiro would have "DIVIDED LOYALTIES," because as CEO of Snyder's RED ZONE LLC, he will have "FINANCIAL INCENTIVES to act to benefit RED ZONE and Mr. Snyder, regardless of whether his actions also benefit the company and its stockholders."
PRUDENTIAL EQUITY GROUP analyst KATHERINE STYPONIAS wrote of Thursday's move, "We view this as an attempt by SIX FLAGS to force Mr. Snyder to ENTER THE AUCTION PROCESS and buy the full company."
INTERNATIONAL THEME PARK SERVICES President DENNIS SPEIGEL said, "They realize they are at A POINT OF NO RETURN, and they want to get THE BIGGEST PAY DAY THEY CAN GET."
But SIX FLAGS Spokesperson DAN KATCHER said that the sale of the company "is designed not to BLOCK SNYDER, but to 'DELIVER MAXIMUM VALUE TO ALL STOCKHOLDERS.'"
In LOS ANGELES, COLKER AND HIRSCH report "at least TWO POTENTIAL BIDDERS emerged" for SIX FLAGS -- CALIFORNIA-BASED VISION MAKER and LOS ANGELES-BASED investor RON BENSION.
Also, a source said that SIX FLAGS "COULD BE ATTRACTIVE" to THE OHIO-BASED amusement park company CEDAR FAIR. But analysts "were hard-pressed to name other possible buyers, ruling out" DISNEY and GENERAL ELECTRIC (GE).
Styponias -- "THE LARGER MEDIA CONGLOMERATES are looking to get into GROWTHIER BUSINESSES such as THE INTERNET and CABLE. At this time, we don't see any other likely bidders in the market."
THE SIX FLAGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS will put the company UP FOR SALE, "raising the stakes in its ongoing battle" with REDSKINS Owner DANIEL SNYDER for CONTROL OF THE COMPANY, according to SHIN AND HEATH of THE WASHINGTON POST.
Snyder "would be invited to PARTICIPATE IN THE AUCTION."
SIX FLAGS CEO KIERAN BURKE "urged shareholders to REJECT SNYDER's RECENT REQUEST TO OUST MANAGEMENT AND REPLACE IT WITH HIS OWN SLATE OF EXECUTIVES," including himself, outgoing ESPN Executive Vice President/Programming and Production MARK SHAPIRO and NVR Inc. Chairman DWIGHT SCHAR.
Sources said that Snyder "plans to continue his bid to UNSEAT MANAGEMENT."
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS said Shapiro would have "DIVIDED LOYALTIES," because as CEO of Snyder's RED ZONE LLC, he will have "FINANCIAL INCENTIVES to act to benefit RED ZONE and Mr. Snyder, regardless of whether his actions also benefit the company and its stockholders."
PRUDENTIAL EQUITY GROUP analyst KATHERINE STYPONIAS wrote of Thursday's move, "We view this as an attempt by SIX FLAGS to force Mr. Snyder to ENTER THE AUCTION PROCESS and buy the full company."
INTERNATIONAL THEME PARK SERVICES President DENNIS SPEIGEL said, "They realize they are at A POINT OF NO RETURN, and they want to get THE BIGGEST PAY DAY THEY CAN GET."
But SIX FLAGS Spokesperson DAN KATCHER said that the sale of the company "is designed not to BLOCK SNYDER, but to 'DELIVER MAXIMUM VALUE TO ALL STOCKHOLDERS.'"
In LOS ANGELES, COLKER AND HIRSCH report "at least TWO POTENTIAL BIDDERS emerged" for SIX FLAGS -- CALIFORNIA-BASED VISION MAKER and LOS ANGELES-BASED investor RON BENSION.
Also, a source said that SIX FLAGS "COULD BE ATTRACTIVE" to THE OHIO-BASED amusement park company CEDAR FAIR. But analysts "were hard-pressed to name other possible buyers, ruling out" DISNEY and GENERAL ELECTRIC (GE).
Styponias -- "THE LARGER MEDIA CONGLOMERATES are looking to get into GROWTHIER BUSINESSES such as THE INTERNET and CABLE. At this time, we don't see any other likely bidders in the market."
The AVID TIGER Party
[Our old friend, KRAIG BAILEY went to the AVID TIGER PARTY last evening in CALIFORNIA. Below are his tales from the evening.]
Went to THE AVID TIGER PARTY last night. Packed. Realized every person there was COMPETITION and tried to figure a way to kill them all (except for THE ATTRACTIVE WOMEN). Was unsuccessful. There were quite a few attractive female editors there.
[Ok, Kraig. I know I have to come to LA -- at least to visit! I'd love to meet me a nice, attractive single female editor.]
In the lobby the was A HUGE FISH TANK. Inside was A GIRL IN A BIKINI "sunning" herself. Actually she was watching a movie on A PORTABLE DVD PLAYER. Yup. You gotta love HOLLYWOOD. I tried snapping a picture on my phone but it was too awful to try to send. You'll just have to trust me on this.
I guess I'll be buying EXPRESS PRO at the end of the year for MAC as it will allegedly be equal to THE PC VERSION then. THE AVID GUYS are excited about APPLE's move to INTEL as it will make their lives MUCH EASIER. And the company seems to be committed to staying with MAC -- which is great as far as I'm concerned.
To me the coolest thing wasn't the fact they're using APPLE's CORE IMAGE TECHNOLOGY to do effects. No, it was the fact that you could use THE NEW MOUSE to scroll through your TIMELINE and if you have 20 BINS OPEN you could see them all with ONE CLICK using EXPOSE'.
Oh, yeah. Last demo got A FREE HAT. This one A FREE T-SHIRT.
Love THE SWAG.
Kraig Bailey, thanks for the post.
Went to THE AVID TIGER PARTY last night. Packed. Realized every person there was COMPETITION and tried to figure a way to kill them all (except for THE ATTRACTIVE WOMEN). Was unsuccessful. There were quite a few attractive female editors there.
[Ok, Kraig. I know I have to come to LA -- at least to visit! I'd love to meet me a nice, attractive single female editor.]
In the lobby the was A HUGE FISH TANK. Inside was A GIRL IN A BIKINI "sunning" herself. Actually she was watching a movie on A PORTABLE DVD PLAYER. Yup. You gotta love HOLLYWOOD. I tried snapping a picture on my phone but it was too awful to try to send. You'll just have to trust me on this.
I guess I'll be buying EXPRESS PRO at the end of the year for MAC as it will allegedly be equal to THE PC VERSION then. THE AVID GUYS are excited about APPLE's move to INTEL as it will make their lives MUCH EASIER. And the company seems to be committed to staying with MAC -- which is great as far as I'm concerned.
To me the coolest thing wasn't the fact they're using APPLE's CORE IMAGE TECHNOLOGY to do effects. No, it was the fact that you could use THE NEW MOUSE to scroll through your TIMELINE and if you have 20 BINS OPEN you could see them all with ONE CLICK using EXPOSE'.
Oh, yeah. Last demo got A FREE HAT. This one A FREE T-SHIRT.
Love THE SWAG.
Kraig Bailey, thanks for the post.
Facilities Management Software Solutions
(From The Avid Yahoo User's Group)
[I saw this post on the AVID YAHOO USER'S GROUP and found it interesting.]
WHAT SOFTWARE ARE YOU RUNNING TO MANAGE BOOKINGS AND STAFF?
We use SCHEDUALL and find it ANNOYING AND UNDFRIENDLY.
Looking for a simple, flexible and nimble alternative.
Some alternative suggestions were:
ELECTRONIC FARM
Saw them at NAB this year. Had a very interesting total solution.
Very expensive.
www.electronicfarm.com
STUDIO SUITE
Don't know much about them.
The few folks I've seen use this seem to love it.
www.studiosuite.com
NOW-UP-TO-DATE AND NOW CONTACT
We can schedule both people and rooms.
Everyone sees changes immediately at their desktops. It's great!
www.nowsoftware.com
[I saw this post on the AVID YAHOO USER'S GROUP and found it interesting.]
WHAT SOFTWARE ARE YOU RUNNING TO MANAGE BOOKINGS AND STAFF?
We use SCHEDUALL and find it ANNOYING AND UNDFRIENDLY.
Looking for a simple, flexible and nimble alternative.
Some alternative suggestions were:
ELECTRONIC FARM
Saw them at NAB this year. Had a very interesting total solution.
Very expensive.
www.electronicfarm.com
STUDIO SUITE
Don't know much about them.
The few folks I've seen use this seem to love it.
www.studiosuite.com
NOW-UP-TO-DATE AND NOW CONTACT
We can schedule both people and rooms.
Everyone sees changes immediately at their desktops. It's great!
www.nowsoftware.com
Editor Quote The Week
(From The Avid Yahoo User's Group)
As to CLIENTS who treat you like A MUSHROOM or play "I HAVE A SECRET" -- they are HARD ON THE PATIENCE but BILLABLE BY THE HOUR.
As to CLIENTS who treat you like A MUSHROOM or play "I HAVE A SECRET" -- they are HARD ON THE PATIENCE but BILLABLE BY THE HOUR.
Editing Quote Of The Week
(From The Avid Yahoo User's Group)
[I thought this was a perfect comment from a fellow Avid editor.]
Heck, you should hear me at the weekly Monday 8 am PROJECT MEETINGS. I typically have to just get up and leave before I start THROWING THINGS. I've been known to bring REFEREE WHISTLES, BOXING FIGHT BELLS and TRACK STARTER PISTOLS in an effort to help "MOVE THINGS ALONG" as it were.
I usually brought those K-TEL INFLATABLE BOXING GLOVES.
Management was less than amused.
[I thought this was a perfect comment from a fellow Avid editor.]
Heck, you should hear me at the weekly Monday 8 am PROJECT MEETINGS. I typically have to just get up and leave before I start THROWING THINGS. I've been known to bring REFEREE WHISTLES, BOXING FIGHT BELLS and TRACK STARTER PISTOLS in an effort to help "MOVE THINGS ALONG" as it were.
I usually brought those K-TEL INFLATABLE BOXING GLOVES.
Management was less than amused.
Good XSAN Story
(From The Avid Yahoo User's Group)
Below is an excellent story on XSAN, APPLE's version of MEDIA MANAGER for FINAL CUT PRO (FCP) and how it its being used at ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL (ALBANY, NEW YORK).
XSAN Powers Student Filmmakers' Success
What is interesting about APPLE is that they seem to have A HUGE PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT THAT PUBLICIZES EVERY LITTLE SUCCESS THEY HAVE, turning it into a magnificent, unique, ACHIEVEMENT.
I know of a few UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, and even HIGH SCHOOLS that have CENTRAL STORAGE SYSTEMS with FILE SERVERS networking STUDENTS STATIONS. A lot are running AVID XPRESS DV V2.
Sadly, AVID doesn't even know about most of them.
Bravo APPLE.
Below is an excellent story on XSAN, APPLE's version of MEDIA MANAGER for FINAL CUT PRO (FCP) and how it its being used at ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL (ALBANY, NEW YORK).
XSAN Powers Student Filmmakers' Success
What is interesting about APPLE is that they seem to have A HUGE PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT THAT PUBLICIZES EVERY LITTLE SUCCESS THEY HAVE, turning it into a magnificent, unique, ACHIEVEMENT.
I know of a few UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, and even HIGH SCHOOLS that have CENTRAL STORAGE SYSTEMS with FILE SERVERS networking STUDENTS STATIONS. A lot are running AVID XPRESS DV V2.
Sadly, AVID doesn't even know about most of them.
Bravo APPLE.
BOB MOOG Dies
(From Millimeter Magazine)
The sad news out of ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, is that synth pioneer BOB MOOG died of BRAIN CANCER there on August 21st.
Besides being A GREAT GUY (I had the pleasure of meeting him many years ago and I found him to be warm and genuine), he was, obviously,
A GIANT IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC -- a man whose name became synonymous with ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS.
Anyone who has ever used AN ELECTRONIC KEYBOARD to create sounds for MUSIC or SFX LIBRARIES owes Moog at least A SMALL DEBT, for HIS GROUNDBREAKING WORK IN SOUND SNYTHESIS PAVED THE WAY FOR MANY OF TODAY'S ADVANCED ELECTRONIC TOOLS.
There are SCADS OF COOL ALBUMS that were COLORED MORE BRIGHTLY by actual MOOG SYNTHESIZERS (by everyone from THE BEATLES to HERBIE HANCOCK), and even though the enormously popular MINIMOOG is now generally regarded more as a piece of CLASSIC GEAR than
A CURRENT ITEM, its "RETRO" SOUNDS continue to enchant and be embraced.
So raise a toast to a very classy guy -- beloved by all who knew him -- and put a copy of WENDY CARLOS' SOUNDTRACK for A CLOCKWORK ORANGE in the ol' CD player.
Bob Moog will indeed be missed.
The sad news out of ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, is that synth pioneer BOB MOOG died of BRAIN CANCER there on August 21st.
Besides being A GREAT GUY (I had the pleasure of meeting him many years ago and I found him to be warm and genuine), he was, obviously,
A GIANT IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC -- a man whose name became synonymous with ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS.
Anyone who has ever used AN ELECTRONIC KEYBOARD to create sounds for MUSIC or SFX LIBRARIES owes Moog at least A SMALL DEBT, for HIS GROUNDBREAKING WORK IN SOUND SNYTHESIS PAVED THE WAY FOR MANY OF TODAY'S ADVANCED ELECTRONIC TOOLS.
There are SCADS OF COOL ALBUMS that were COLORED MORE BRIGHTLY by actual MOOG SYNTHESIZERS (by everyone from THE BEATLES to HERBIE HANCOCK), and even though the enormously popular MINIMOOG is now generally regarded more as a piece of CLASSIC GEAR than
A CURRENT ITEM, its "RETRO" SOUNDS continue to enchant and be embraced.
So raise a toast to a very classy guy -- beloved by all who knew him -- and put a copy of WENDY CARLOS' SOUNDTRACK for A CLOCKWORK ORANGE in the ol' CD player.
Bob Moog will indeed be missed.
Big Payoff For Milk-Drinking Batboy?
(From MSNBC.com)
An unidentified FLORIDA MARLINS BAT BOY -- SUSPENDED FOR TAKING A MILK-DRINKING DARE from a player -- is finding A FINANCIAL BOON may come with his SUDDEN FAME.
The batboy was SUSPENDED BY THE TEAM FOR SIX GAMES for accepting
A DARE from DODGERS Pitcher BRAD PENNY to DRINK A GALLON OF MILK IN AN HOUR WITHOUT THROWING UP. Penny used to pitch for THE MARLINS. According to Penny, the boy drank the milk in the allotted time, but could not keep it down.
In the wake of the suspension, THE MILK PROCESSOR EDUCATION PROGRAM is offering to pay the batboy $500, THE ORIGINAL PRIZE OF THE DARE, plus any LOST WAGES that resulted from the suspension, ESPN reported on Thursday. According to the report, the batboy MUST AGREE TO DRINK THREE GLASSES OF MILK A DAY, but not all at ONE SITTING.
Also, according to ESPN, THE TWINS' MINOR-LEAGUE TEAM in FORT MYERS, FLORIDA has offered to have the boy as AN HONORARY BATBOY during their game on Monday.
"Similar to A REHAB STINT, we want to help this kid STAY ON TOP OF HIS GAME," FORT MYERS MIRACLE General Manager STEVE GLINER told ESPN. "Instead of CRYING OVER SPILT MILK, we decided to offer him THE HONORARY POST."
[Ok, that line was bad.]
According to THE MIAMI HERALD, Penny was angry about the suspension.
"It's kind of RIDICULOUS that you get A 10-GAME SUSPENSION FOR STERIODS and A SIX-GAME SUSPENSION FOR MILK," Penny told the paper.
Penny pitched for THE MARLINS from 2000 until the middle of last season, when he was TRADED TO THE DODGERS.
"It's ridiculous that they worry about stuff like that," Penny told THE HERALD. "It shows they (THE MARLINS ORGANIZATION) don't know anything about the game. That kind of stuff goes on everywhere. It didn't affect the way he worked, the way he did his job."
[See Beers, you CAN turn competitive eating into a business. Got milk?]
Scott O'Leary, thanks for the post.
An unidentified FLORIDA MARLINS BAT BOY -- SUSPENDED FOR TAKING A MILK-DRINKING DARE from a player -- is finding A FINANCIAL BOON may come with his SUDDEN FAME.
The batboy was SUSPENDED BY THE TEAM FOR SIX GAMES for accepting
A DARE from DODGERS Pitcher BRAD PENNY to DRINK A GALLON OF MILK IN AN HOUR WITHOUT THROWING UP. Penny used to pitch for THE MARLINS. According to Penny, the boy drank the milk in the allotted time, but could not keep it down.
In the wake of the suspension, THE MILK PROCESSOR EDUCATION PROGRAM is offering to pay the batboy $500, THE ORIGINAL PRIZE OF THE DARE, plus any LOST WAGES that resulted from the suspension, ESPN reported on Thursday. According to the report, the batboy MUST AGREE TO DRINK THREE GLASSES OF MILK A DAY, but not all at ONE SITTING.
Also, according to ESPN, THE TWINS' MINOR-LEAGUE TEAM in FORT MYERS, FLORIDA has offered to have the boy as AN HONORARY BATBOY during their game on Monday.
"Similar to A REHAB STINT, we want to help this kid STAY ON TOP OF HIS GAME," FORT MYERS MIRACLE General Manager STEVE GLINER told ESPN. "Instead of CRYING OVER SPILT MILK, we decided to offer him THE HONORARY POST."
[Ok, that line was bad.]
According to THE MIAMI HERALD, Penny was angry about the suspension.
"It's kind of RIDICULOUS that you get A 10-GAME SUSPENSION FOR STERIODS and A SIX-GAME SUSPENSION FOR MILK," Penny told the paper.
Penny pitched for THE MARLINS from 2000 until the middle of last season, when he was TRADED TO THE DODGERS.
"It's ridiculous that they worry about stuff like that," Penny told THE HERALD. "It shows they (THE MARLINS ORGANIZATION) don't know anything about the game. That kind of stuff goes on everywhere. It didn't affect the way he worked, the way he did his job."
[See Beers, you CAN turn competitive eating into a business. Got milk?]
Scott O'Leary, thanks for the post.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Rethinking What Kind Of Gonzo Man I Want
(From The Orlando Sentinel -- By Marisol Novak)
I've had a pretty BLEAK WEEK. Not bleak as in -- "It was gray outside, threatening afternoon torrential rainstorms we're famous for in FLORIDA." Although it did rain -- a lot. And I don't mean bleak as in A SERIES OF
ILL-TIMED AND HUMORLESS BLIND DATES WITH DOLTS DISCUSSING POND SCUM. Although there was that one guy.
I certainly don't mean bleak like the last HARRY POTTER BOOK, which has taken me weeks to recover from and realize things will get better, just as they did for HAN SOLO after that stupid EMPIRE STRIKES BACK movie. Although I'm definitely praying that there are no TEDDY BEARS in THE LAST HARRY POTTER BOOK.
No, this week has been bleak because it has been rather INTROSPECTIVE -- all MARISOL, all the time. See, for once I FOLLOWED MY OWN DATING ADVICE. I followed my tips for happiness from LAST WEEK'S COLUMN, and I have to say, without a shadow of a doubt, that I give some of THE MOST TRITE, BANAL, MUNDANE ADVICE IN THE KNOWN DATING UNIVERSE. Sit down; meditate; contemplate; actually see yourself for who you are, and decide what you want?
What am I writing, A SELF-HELP BOOK?
But you know, the funny thing is I do feel better this week. I do feel like I'm ABOUT TO HIT PAY DIRTY IN THE DATING DERBY. Of course, notice the key words in that sentence -- "ABOUT TO." I'm still MISSING A STEP.
Oh, I meditated on all THE ROTTEN RELATIONSHIPS OF MY PAST.
I contemplated why I dated THE WRONG GUY, and WHAT MADE ME STAY, and why I was SO SICKENINGLY SAD WHEN IT WAS ALL OVER. In fact, I did so much work on myself that I figured out the age-old question of WHY GOOD GIRLS GO FOR BAD BOYS. OK, maybe not why all good girls go for bad boys, but I did figure out why this good girl went for so many bad boys -- I was LOOKING TO DATE MY MUSE. I was LOOKING TO DATE MY HERO. I was LOOKING TO DATE MY POP-CULTURE ICON. I was looking for HUNTER S. THOMPSON.
And I don't mean JOHNNY DEPP as Thompson in FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS. I truly mean the real, balding, '70s-sunglass-loving gonzo journalist himself. I know it's A LEAP, but look at it logically. Let's look at the past couple of men in my life.
MISOGYNISTS -- had a couple of those. Boys who didn't want to grow up, or shut up -- yep, a few of those, too. ALCOHOLICS, been there and definitely done them, I mean, that. DECADENTS WHO NEEDED AN AUDIENCE? Self-obsessed, spotlight-loving EGOMANIACS? WRITERS WITH A NEED TO HEAR THEIR OWN VOICE IN PRINT? Sounds like final results of THE PERSONALITY TESTS for the last four or five guys I've let into my life.
What I needed to know before dating these BORDERLINE MEGALOMANIACS is that no other man can be DR. HUNTER S. THOMPSON. No other man can measure up to the good doctor's life. I don't think any man on EARTH could shoot so many rounds (um, of ammunition), do so many DRUGS or WRITE SO MANY WORDS IN ONE LIFETIME other than Thompson. And so I've decided that the only way for me to have a normal relationship, the only way to START ATTRACTING MEN WITHOUT CIGARETTE HOLDERS OR RUM DIARIES -- is to SAY GOODBYE TO THE GOOD DOCTOR once and for all. This will be THE END OF MY INTELLECTUAL AFFAIR WITH HUNTER S. THOMPSON.
And you wonder why I loved this man? Even in death, he has created CRAZINESS, caused A SPECTACLE, having HIS ASHES BLASTED FROM A CANNON and SCATTERED AROUND HIS COLORADO ESTATE. I'm thinking of driving out there, 2,500 MILES AWAY, on A PILGRIMAGE. That will provide me endless hours to form in my head A NEW, STRONGER, MORE REAL, LESS SURREAL BLUEPRINT OF A MAN I want to attract. Someone ATTAINABLE. Someone who'll fit MY NEEDS. Someone LESS LARGER-THAN-LIFE THAN THIS IDEAL.
Maybe JOHNNY DEPP will be suddenly SINGLE?
I've had a pretty BLEAK WEEK. Not bleak as in -- "It was gray outside, threatening afternoon torrential rainstorms we're famous for in FLORIDA." Although it did rain -- a lot. And I don't mean bleak as in A SERIES OF
ILL-TIMED AND HUMORLESS BLIND DATES WITH DOLTS DISCUSSING POND SCUM. Although there was that one guy.
I certainly don't mean bleak like the last HARRY POTTER BOOK, which has taken me weeks to recover from and realize things will get better, just as they did for HAN SOLO after that stupid EMPIRE STRIKES BACK movie. Although I'm definitely praying that there are no TEDDY BEARS in THE LAST HARRY POTTER BOOK.
No, this week has been bleak because it has been rather INTROSPECTIVE -- all MARISOL, all the time. See, for once I FOLLOWED MY OWN DATING ADVICE. I followed my tips for happiness from LAST WEEK'S COLUMN, and I have to say, without a shadow of a doubt, that I give some of THE MOST TRITE, BANAL, MUNDANE ADVICE IN THE KNOWN DATING UNIVERSE. Sit down; meditate; contemplate; actually see yourself for who you are, and decide what you want?
What am I writing, A SELF-HELP BOOK?
But you know, the funny thing is I do feel better this week. I do feel like I'm ABOUT TO HIT PAY DIRTY IN THE DATING DERBY. Of course, notice the key words in that sentence -- "ABOUT TO." I'm still MISSING A STEP.
Oh, I meditated on all THE ROTTEN RELATIONSHIPS OF MY PAST.
I contemplated why I dated THE WRONG GUY, and WHAT MADE ME STAY, and why I was SO SICKENINGLY SAD WHEN IT WAS ALL OVER. In fact, I did so much work on myself that I figured out the age-old question of WHY GOOD GIRLS GO FOR BAD BOYS. OK, maybe not why all good girls go for bad boys, but I did figure out why this good girl went for so many bad boys -- I was LOOKING TO DATE MY MUSE. I was LOOKING TO DATE MY HERO. I was LOOKING TO DATE MY POP-CULTURE ICON. I was looking for HUNTER S. THOMPSON.
And I don't mean JOHNNY DEPP as Thompson in FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS. I truly mean the real, balding, '70s-sunglass-loving gonzo journalist himself. I know it's A LEAP, but look at it logically. Let's look at the past couple of men in my life.
MISOGYNISTS -- had a couple of those. Boys who didn't want to grow up, or shut up -- yep, a few of those, too. ALCOHOLICS, been there and definitely done them, I mean, that. DECADENTS WHO NEEDED AN AUDIENCE? Self-obsessed, spotlight-loving EGOMANIACS? WRITERS WITH A NEED TO HEAR THEIR OWN VOICE IN PRINT? Sounds like final results of THE PERSONALITY TESTS for the last four or five guys I've let into my life.
What I needed to know before dating these BORDERLINE MEGALOMANIACS is that no other man can be DR. HUNTER S. THOMPSON. No other man can measure up to the good doctor's life. I don't think any man on EARTH could shoot so many rounds (um, of ammunition), do so many DRUGS or WRITE SO MANY WORDS IN ONE LIFETIME other than Thompson. And so I've decided that the only way for me to have a normal relationship, the only way to START ATTRACTING MEN WITHOUT CIGARETTE HOLDERS OR RUM DIARIES -- is to SAY GOODBYE TO THE GOOD DOCTOR once and for all. This will be THE END OF MY INTELLECTUAL AFFAIR WITH HUNTER S. THOMPSON.
And you wonder why I loved this man? Even in death, he has created CRAZINESS, caused A SPECTACLE, having HIS ASHES BLASTED FROM A CANNON and SCATTERED AROUND HIS COLORADO ESTATE. I'm thinking of driving out there, 2,500 MILES AWAY, on A PILGRIMAGE. That will provide me endless hours to form in my head A NEW, STRONGER, MORE REAL, LESS SURREAL BLUEPRINT OF A MAN I want to attract. Someone ATTAINABLE. Someone who'll fit MY NEEDS. Someone LESS LARGER-THAN-LIFE THAN THIS IDEAL.
Maybe JOHNNY DEPP will be suddenly SINGLE?
DCI On ESPN 2 -- Tune In On SEPTEMBER 6TH
(From DCI.org)
It's THE ICING ON THE CAKE of a great season, really.
[Especially if you're A CADET FAN, like myself.]
ESPN2 will air A DCI BROADCAST on SEPTEMBER 6TH FROM 10 PM TO MIDNIGHT EASTERN TIME, bringing to close a memorable, exciting season both on the field and in the stands.
THE POTENTIAL AUDIENCE FOR THE BROADCAST IS STAGGERING -- ESPN2 IS AVAILABLE IN 88 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS AND MORE THAN
80 PERCENT OF ALL U.S. HOUSEHOLDS.
And putting together the broadcast will be A STABLE OF DCI BROADCAST VETERANS –- producer TOM BLAIR and commentators STEVE RONDINARO and DENNIS DeLUCIA.
Veteran producer Blair noted that THE ESPN2 BROADCAST WILL ALLOW DRUM CORPS FANS TO TUNE IN COMMUNALLY.
"Perhaps the biggest single benefit of being on ESPN2 is something that seems so SIMPLE. 'Tune in for THE DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, SEPTEMBER 6TH, AT 10 PM EASTERN TIME, COAST TO COAST.' Because PBS STATIONS are all INDEPENDENT, we've never been able to say that. THE ENTIRE COUNTRY WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH DCI TOGETHER," Blair said.
"DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL (DCI) wanted to bring its EXCEPTIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAM to as many people as possible, in PRIME TIME, so that we can have A LARGE AUDIENCE WATCHING THE PROGRAM SIMULTANEOUSLY, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE," said DAN ACHESON, Executive Director of DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL. "ESPN2 is available in over 88 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS AND MORE THAN 80 PERCENT OF ALL U.S. HOUSEHOLDS, and can certainly help us to ACHIEVE THAT GOAL."
DCI BROADCAST VET Rondinaro is anticipating THE DCI BROADCAST on ESPN2 as well. "It's going to be quite a change after all of those years of saying 'You're watching DCI ON PBS,' but I think this is really exciting. The potential is huge for the activity. We're not live, but at least everyone will know that for two hours on SEPTEMBER 6TH they can watch DCI ON TV. THE NUMBERS MAY SURPRISE PEOPLE."
Blair is delighted with broadcasting DRUM COPRS on ESPN2. "I am very excited by the prospect of putting DRUM CORPS in front of a new and potentially LARGER AUDIENCE. THE ESPN AUDIENCE is one that loves to see competition -- and DRUM CORPS IS COMPETITION, not just on
A PHYSICAL LEVEL, but AN ARTISTIC LEVEL AS WELL. MENTAL TOUGHNESS, A STRONG WORK ETHIC and THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE are the achievements of any WORLD-CLASS COMPETITOR, and DRUM CORPS is very much in that league."
Blair elaborated on the format he'll use to INDOCTRINATE THE MASSES TO DRUM CORPS. "Like we have for the past few years, I think that we need to produce a program that will be ACCESSIBLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE NON-DRUM CORPS FAN. What is DRUM CORPS? Where does it come from? How do they do it? And, most importantly, WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT IT? These are all questions that we need to answer for this NEW AUDIENCE. THE SPORTS-MINDED ESPN VIEWER NEEDS TO KNOW THIS AIN'T HALFTIME, IT'S THE GAME!" Blair said.
Blair also noted the potential for DCI SPONSORS that the broadcast will bring about. "It's also a great opportunity for the long-term sponsors of DCI commercially. PBS has always been COMMERCIAL-FREE. Now the sponsors can put their message directly in front of THEIR AUDIENCE.
Blair said the program will be ONE TO REMEMBER. "The show will be
FAST-PACED AND EXCITING. We have a great BROADCAST TEAM and we're all looking forward to getting in the game!" Blair said.
CHUCK McCURDY, an at-large member of THE DCI BOARD OF DIRECTORS, said, "ESPN has long been known as THE WORLDWIDE LEADER IN SPORTS PROGRAMMING. ESPN will afford DCI their NATIONAL CABLE PRESENCE to INCREASE THE EXPOSURE AND RAISE THE AWARENESS OF COMPETITIVE DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS. For LONGTIME DRUM CORPS FANS, CORPS MEMBERS and ALUMNI, the opportunity is obviously ENORMOUS, and DCI will introduce THE PASSION, POWER, AND PAGENTRY OF DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS TO A PRIME TIME NATIONAL CABLE TELEVISION AUDIENCE IN BOLD FASHION."
BRIAN SETZER, also an at-large member of THE DCI BOARD OF DIRECTORS, said that THE ESPN BROADCAST IS THE CAPSTONE OF 10 YEARS OF GROWTH. "The efforts of DCI to position THE DRUM CORPS ACTIVITY on ESPN should be a sign to all DRUM CORPS FANS as to how far the organization has grown in the past decade, and of HOW EXCITING OUR FUTURE IS. DCI provides DRUM CORPS MEMBERS and FANS with THE FINEST PERFORMANCE VENUES, the ability to USE THE INTERNET TO DOWNLOAD/STREAM AUDIO AND VIDEO CONTENT, and now everyone's dream -- TO WATCH DCI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON THE PREMIER CABLE TELEVISION SPORTS NETWORK AT AN ESTABLISHED DATE AND TIME. The DCI BOARD OF DIRECTORS, executive committee, and the member corps will continue to focus on our goal to EXPAND OUR REACH TO NEW AUDIENCES and to ensure THE LONG-TERM SUCCESS OF THIS ACTIVITY that we all hold so dear -- DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS."
It's THE ICING ON THE CAKE of a great season, really.
[Especially if you're A CADET FAN, like myself.]
ESPN2 will air A DCI BROADCAST on SEPTEMBER 6TH FROM 10 PM TO MIDNIGHT EASTERN TIME, bringing to close a memorable, exciting season both on the field and in the stands.
THE POTENTIAL AUDIENCE FOR THE BROADCAST IS STAGGERING -- ESPN2 IS AVAILABLE IN 88 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS AND MORE THAN
80 PERCENT OF ALL U.S. HOUSEHOLDS.
And putting together the broadcast will be A STABLE OF DCI BROADCAST VETERANS –- producer TOM BLAIR and commentators STEVE RONDINARO and DENNIS DeLUCIA.
Veteran producer Blair noted that THE ESPN2 BROADCAST WILL ALLOW DRUM CORPS FANS TO TUNE IN COMMUNALLY.
"Perhaps the biggest single benefit of being on ESPN2 is something that seems so SIMPLE. 'Tune in for THE DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, SEPTEMBER 6TH, AT 10 PM EASTERN TIME, COAST TO COAST.' Because PBS STATIONS are all INDEPENDENT, we've never been able to say that. THE ENTIRE COUNTRY WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH DCI TOGETHER," Blair said.
"DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL (DCI) wanted to bring its EXCEPTIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAM to as many people as possible, in PRIME TIME, so that we can have A LARGE AUDIENCE WATCHING THE PROGRAM SIMULTANEOUSLY, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE," said DAN ACHESON, Executive Director of DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL. "ESPN2 is available in over 88 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS AND MORE THAN 80 PERCENT OF ALL U.S. HOUSEHOLDS, and can certainly help us to ACHIEVE THAT GOAL."
DCI BROADCAST VET Rondinaro is anticipating THE DCI BROADCAST on ESPN2 as well. "It's going to be quite a change after all of those years of saying 'You're watching DCI ON PBS,' but I think this is really exciting. The potential is huge for the activity. We're not live, but at least everyone will know that for two hours on SEPTEMBER 6TH they can watch DCI ON TV. THE NUMBERS MAY SURPRISE PEOPLE."
Blair is delighted with broadcasting DRUM COPRS on ESPN2. "I am very excited by the prospect of putting DRUM CORPS in front of a new and potentially LARGER AUDIENCE. THE ESPN AUDIENCE is one that loves to see competition -- and DRUM CORPS IS COMPETITION, not just on
A PHYSICAL LEVEL, but AN ARTISTIC LEVEL AS WELL. MENTAL TOUGHNESS, A STRONG WORK ETHIC and THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE are the achievements of any WORLD-CLASS COMPETITOR, and DRUM CORPS is very much in that league."
Blair elaborated on the format he'll use to INDOCTRINATE THE MASSES TO DRUM CORPS. "Like we have for the past few years, I think that we need to produce a program that will be ACCESSIBLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE NON-DRUM CORPS FAN. What is DRUM CORPS? Where does it come from? How do they do it? And, most importantly, WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT IT? These are all questions that we need to answer for this NEW AUDIENCE. THE SPORTS-MINDED ESPN VIEWER NEEDS TO KNOW THIS AIN'T HALFTIME, IT'S THE GAME!" Blair said.
Blair also noted the potential for DCI SPONSORS that the broadcast will bring about. "It's also a great opportunity for the long-term sponsors of DCI commercially. PBS has always been COMMERCIAL-FREE. Now the sponsors can put their message directly in front of THEIR AUDIENCE.
Blair said the program will be ONE TO REMEMBER. "The show will be
FAST-PACED AND EXCITING. We have a great BROADCAST TEAM and we're all looking forward to getting in the game!" Blair said.
CHUCK McCURDY, an at-large member of THE DCI BOARD OF DIRECTORS, said, "ESPN has long been known as THE WORLDWIDE LEADER IN SPORTS PROGRAMMING. ESPN will afford DCI their NATIONAL CABLE PRESENCE to INCREASE THE EXPOSURE AND RAISE THE AWARENESS OF COMPETITIVE DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS. For LONGTIME DRUM CORPS FANS, CORPS MEMBERS and ALUMNI, the opportunity is obviously ENORMOUS, and DCI will introduce THE PASSION, POWER, AND PAGENTRY OF DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS TO A PRIME TIME NATIONAL CABLE TELEVISION AUDIENCE IN BOLD FASHION."
BRIAN SETZER, also an at-large member of THE DCI BOARD OF DIRECTORS, said that THE ESPN BROADCAST IS THE CAPSTONE OF 10 YEARS OF GROWTH. "The efforts of DCI to position THE DRUM CORPS ACTIVITY on ESPN should be a sign to all DRUM CORPS FANS as to how far the organization has grown in the past decade, and of HOW EXCITING OUR FUTURE IS. DCI provides DRUM CORPS MEMBERS and FANS with THE FINEST PERFORMANCE VENUES, the ability to USE THE INTERNET TO DOWNLOAD/STREAM AUDIO AND VIDEO CONTENT, and now everyone's dream -- TO WATCH DCI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON THE PREMIER CABLE TELEVISION SPORTS NETWORK AT AN ESTABLISHED DATE AND TIME. The DCI BOARD OF DIRECTORS, executive committee, and the member corps will continue to focus on our goal to EXPAND OUR REACH TO NEW AUDIENCES and to ensure THE LONG-TERM SUCCESS OF THIS ACTIVITY that we all hold so dear -- DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS."
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