Hitler billboard, A Reddit user uploaded it to the website saying he had spotted it eat of southbound 405 in Culver City.
Many users said that the kettle looks like Hitler.
“I saw this yesterday and my bf told me I was crazy, now I feel better that I’m not the only one who saw this,” said one.
Asked why there’s a blurry photo accompanying the clear one, one user responded:
“Because it doesn’t really look like Hitler unless you squint your eyes, see it in abstract and are told that it looks like Hitler. We see what we want to see, not what is really there.”
Home » Archives for 05/28/13
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Kasey Kahl sentenced
Kasey Kahl sentenced, Kasey Kahl, a former contestant on TV's "The Bachelorette," has been sentenced to three years of probation and community service in connection with a fight outside a California bar.
The Fresno Bee reports () Kahl was sentenced Tuesday in a Fresno County courtroom.
The 30-year-old Kahl pleaded no contest to a felony assault charge in March as part of a plea deal that saw another assault charge dropped. He was accused of breaking a man's nose and hitting the man's girlfriend during a fight in the early morning hours of Jan. 15, 2012, at Club Habanos in Fresno.
Kahl's lawyer, Gerald Schwab, says Kahl could get the charge expunged if he follows the sentencing rules.
The Fresno Bee reports () Kahl was sentenced Tuesday in a Fresno County courtroom.
The 30-year-old Kahl pleaded no contest to a felony assault charge in March as part of a plea deal that saw another assault charge dropped. He was accused of breaking a man's nose and hitting the man's girlfriend during a fight in the early morning hours of Jan. 15, 2012, at Club Habanos in Fresno.
Kahl's lawyer, Gerald Schwab, says Kahl could get the charge expunged if he follows the sentencing rules.
Danica patrick wreck
Danica patrick wreck, Danica Patrick may have slammed into the back of defending Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski’s vehicle during the Coca-Cola 600 on May 26, but according to a report, her boyfriend Ricky Stenhouse Jr. may be the perpetrator.
Danica and Brad sustained significant damage and had to take their cars behind the wall for repairs, according to Us Weekly.
Surprisingly, Brad took the fall for the crash and apologized to Danica in a follow-up interview. ”I was three-wide with Danica and didn’t know it and I cut her off and wrecked her and myself,” he said. “I feel bad for her and I send my apologies to her. It’s just a long night for the Miller Lite Ford. We’ll move on. That’s all you can do.”
Brad finished 29th overall.
As far as Danica, 31, and Ricky, 25, are concerned, let’s hope what happens on the track, stays on the track. The couple has been openly dating since Danica’s divorce from physical therapist Paul Hospenthal earlier this year.
“I am sad to inform my fans that after seven years, Paul and I have decided to amicably end our marriage,” she wrote on Facebook on Nov. 20. “This isn’t easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this. He has been an important person and friend in my life and that’s how we will remain moving forward.”
Danica and Brad sustained significant damage and had to take their cars behind the wall for repairs, according to Us Weekly.
Surprisingly, Brad took the fall for the crash and apologized to Danica in a follow-up interview. ”I was three-wide with Danica and didn’t know it and I cut her off and wrecked her and myself,” he said. “I feel bad for her and I send my apologies to her. It’s just a long night for the Miller Lite Ford. We’ll move on. That’s all you can do.”
Brad finished 29th overall.
As far as Danica, 31, and Ricky, 25, are concerned, let’s hope what happens on the track, stays on the track. The couple has been openly dating since Danica’s divorce from physical therapist Paul Hospenthal earlier this year.
“I am sad to inform my fans that after seven years, Paul and I have decided to amicably end our marriage,” she wrote on Facebook on Nov. 20. “This isn’t easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this. He has been an important person and friend in my life and that’s how we will remain moving forward.”
Hal Mcclure dies
Hal Mcclure dies, Hal McClure, former correspondent for the Associated Press, dies at age 92. McClure dies Sunday at a Laguna Hills hospital following surgery to relieve a blood clot on his brain from a recent fall. McClure spent 21 years overseas for the Associated Press beginning in the mid-1950s.
McClure spent time in the Air Force, where he served as a pilot and flight instructor. But his real passion was journalism. McClure longed to be a reporter at the Associated Press.
After the Air Force Hal McClure became a general assignment reporter in Central California and finally moved on to report for the Associated Press. He married Dorothy McClure and the marriage lasted 50 years.
His first foreign assignment at the Associated Press took McClure to Singapore, and afterward McClure was appointed correspondent in Malaysia. One of the big stories he covered at the time was the 1961 disappearance of Michael Rockefeller, son of New York governor and presidential hopeful Nelson Rockefeller. He went on to cover the Arab-Israeli war.
McClure had hired Marcus Eliason and trained his protégé.
"Hal was a firm but kind employer and a good friend," said Eliason, now an international editor with AP in New York. "He was steeped in the fundamentals of journalism - accuracy, fairness, speed, directness of prose, alertness to both sides of every story. He sought to instill these qualities in all the journalists who started out in his bureau, and having himself gotten into the profession on the bottom rung, he was generous in giving other neophytes opportunities to cover big stories."
McClure retired from the AP and became a film documentarian, traveling around the world with his wife to produce films about their treks.
When they weren't traveling, the couple gave lectures and presented their short films to audiences around the U.S. He continued to work into his 90s, publishing the autobiography, "Adventuring," last year.
Much of his work was featured in Travel Adventure Documentary magazine, where he was an editor. His list of films include:
McClure spent time in the Air Force, where he served as a pilot and flight instructor. But his real passion was journalism. McClure longed to be a reporter at the Associated Press.
After the Air Force Hal McClure became a general assignment reporter in Central California and finally moved on to report for the Associated Press. He married Dorothy McClure and the marriage lasted 50 years.
His first foreign assignment at the Associated Press took McClure to Singapore, and afterward McClure was appointed correspondent in Malaysia. One of the big stories he covered at the time was the 1961 disappearance of Michael Rockefeller, son of New York governor and presidential hopeful Nelson Rockefeller. He went on to cover the Arab-Israeli war.
McClure had hired Marcus Eliason and trained his protégé.
"Hal was a firm but kind employer and a good friend," said Eliason, now an international editor with AP in New York. "He was steeped in the fundamentals of journalism - accuracy, fairness, speed, directness of prose, alertness to both sides of every story. He sought to instill these qualities in all the journalists who started out in his bureau, and having himself gotten into the profession on the bottom rung, he was generous in giving other neophytes opportunities to cover big stories."
McClure retired from the AP and became a film documentarian, traveling around the world with his wife to produce films about their treks.
When they weren't traveling, the couple gave lectures and presented their short films to audiences around the U.S. He continued to work into his 90s, publishing the autobiography, "Adventuring," last year.
Much of his work was featured in Travel Adventure Documentary magazine, where he was an editor. His list of films include:
Kemp terminally ill fan
Kemp terminally ill fan, Baseball player Matt Kemp treated a terminally ill fan with a jersey, cleats, and a hat several weeks ago. He had another surprise up his sleeve.
Kemp flew the fan, Joshua Jones, a 19-year-old, and his family out to Los Angeles to see the Dodgers play on their home turk.
Jones got to meet with Dodgers president Stan Kasten, and another Dodgers player, Clayton Kershaw, reported Yahoo!
The game was on May 27.
“Just being here is cool,” Jones told the Los Angeles Daily News. “It’s really nice of him to do that. He’s a good player.”
“We didn’t expect any of this,” said Steve, Jones’ dad. “We asked Tim Wallach to come over (in San Francisco) and I expected Matt would maybe give an autograph or come say hi. We both had our mouths open. ‘Wow. What’s he doing?’ And then to fly us down here.”
Kemp flew the fan, Joshua Jones, a 19-year-old, and his family out to Los Angeles to see the Dodgers play on their home turk.
Jones got to meet with Dodgers president Stan Kasten, and another Dodgers player, Clayton Kershaw, reported Yahoo!
The game was on May 27.
“Just being here is cool,” Jones told the Los Angeles Daily News. “It’s really nice of him to do that. He’s a good player.”
“We didn’t expect any of this,” said Steve, Jones’ dad. “We asked Tim Wallach to come over (in San Francisco) and I expected Matt would maybe give an autograph or come say hi. We both had our mouths open. ‘Wow. What’s he doing?’ And then to fly us down here.”
Passenger tries to open exit door
Passenger tries to open exit door, A passenger on a commercial flight from Alaska to Oregon was arrested Monday after witnesses say he tried to open an emergency exit during the plane's descent and other passengers had to help restrain him using shoelaces and seat-belt extensions.
Passengers and crew aboard the Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage to Portland told investigators that 23-year-old Alexander Michael Herrera made "unusual statements" before trying to open the plane's door Monday morning, FBI spokeswoman Beth Anne Steele said.
Flight 132 was preparing to land at Portland International Airport when the Arizona man set off an alarm by pulling the door handle in the emergency-exit row, Steele said.
Witness Henry Pignataro told KGW-TV that a woman seated next to Herrera asked for help.
"I put him in a choke hold and brought him down to the ground," Pignataro said.
Pignataro said he and another man held down the passenger and asked flight attendants for restraints. He said they brought three sets of shoelaces, which Pignataro and the other man used to bind Herrera's legs.
The flight attendants then brought extra seatbelt extensions, and the witnesses applied those to Herrera, as well.
Pignataro said Herrera -- listed as 220 pounds in his booking information -- was then placed into a seat, where he calmly sat "surrounded by big guys" until the plane landed only nine minutes behind schedule.
Herrera was being booked into a Portland jail on a charge of interfering with a flight crew, and was expected to make his first court appearance Tuesday before a federal magistrate. It wasn't immediately known if he had an attorney.
Steele said Herrera was from Arizona, but she didn't know his home city.
Passengers and crew aboard the Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage to Portland told investigators that 23-year-old Alexander Michael Herrera made "unusual statements" before trying to open the plane's door Monday morning, FBI spokeswoman Beth Anne Steele said.
Flight 132 was preparing to land at Portland International Airport when the Arizona man set off an alarm by pulling the door handle in the emergency-exit row, Steele said.
Witness Henry Pignataro told KGW-TV that a woman seated next to Herrera asked for help.
"I put him in a choke hold and brought him down to the ground," Pignataro said.
Pignataro said he and another man held down the passenger and asked flight attendants for restraints. He said they brought three sets of shoelaces, which Pignataro and the other man used to bind Herrera's legs.
The flight attendants then brought extra seatbelt extensions, and the witnesses applied those to Herrera, as well.
Pignataro said Herrera -- listed as 220 pounds in his booking information -- was then placed into a seat, where he calmly sat "surrounded by big guys" until the plane landed only nine minutes behind schedule.
Herrera was being booked into a Portland jail on a charge of interfering with a flight crew, and was expected to make his first court appearance Tuesday before a federal magistrate. It wasn't immediately known if he had an attorney.
Steele said Herrera was from Arizona, but she didn't know his home city.
Quintuplets salt lake city
Quintuplets salt lake city, A U.S. couple originally from Mexico is in for five times the joy — and a daunting number of diaper changes — after welcoming quintuplets.
Officials at University of Utah Hospital say Guillermina Garcia gave birth to three girls and two boys Sunday. Doctors predict they will grow up completely healthy.
Fewer than 10 quintuplet sets are born each year in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counted 37 babies who were born as part of a set of five or more in 2010.
Hospital spokeswoman Kathy Wilets says Esmeralda, Fatima, Fernando, Marissa and Jordan weigh less than 3 pounds (1.3 kilograms) each. Their mother was able to carry them to 32 weeks, about seven weeks shorter than a normal, single-birth pregnancy.
Officials at University of Utah Hospital say Guillermina Garcia gave birth to three girls and two boys Sunday. Doctors predict they will grow up completely healthy.
Fewer than 10 quintuplet sets are born each year in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counted 37 babies who were born as part of a set of five or more in 2010.
Hospital spokeswoman Kathy Wilets says Esmeralda, Fatima, Fernando, Marissa and Jordan weigh less than 3 pounds (1.3 kilograms) each. Their mother was able to carry them to 32 weeks, about seven weeks shorter than a normal, single-birth pregnancy.
Obama lipstick on collar
Obama lipstick on collar, President Obama's moved on from kissing babies to kissing cougars.Hours after schmoozing with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on the Jersey Shore, Obama showed up to a White House event Tuesday evening with a lipstick smear on his shirt collar.
The President made it clear it wasn't First Lady Michelle Obama who left the smudge, but an audience well-wisher."I want to thank everybody who is here for the incredible warmth of the reception. A sign of the warmth is the lipstick on my collar," Obama said to laughs from the assembled in the East Room of the White House at a reception for Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. "I have to say, I think I know the culprit. Where's Jessica Sanchez? "
Sanchez, a runner-up to last year's "American Idol" competition, is of Filipino and Mexican descent and attended the event where Obama pushed immigration reform.
"Jessica - it wasn't Jessica, it was her aunt, where is she?" Obama said. "Auntie, right there. Look at this," he said pointing to the red lipstick on the right side collar of his blue shirt. "Look at this. I just want everybody to witness. I do not want to be in trouble with Michelle, that's why I'm calling you out right in front of everybody."
The President made it clear it wasn't First Lady Michelle Obama who left the smudge, but an audience well-wisher."I want to thank everybody who is here for the incredible warmth of the reception. A sign of the warmth is the lipstick on my collar," Obama said to laughs from the assembled in the East Room of the White House at a reception for Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. "I have to say, I think I know the culprit. Where's Jessica Sanchez? "
Sanchez, a runner-up to last year's "American Idol" competition, is of Filipino and Mexican descent and attended the event where Obama pushed immigration reform.
"Jessica - it wasn't Jessica, it was her aunt, where is she?" Obama said. "Auntie, right there. Look at this," he said pointing to the red lipstick on the right side collar of his blue shirt. "Look at this. I just want everybody to witness. I do not want to be in trouble with Michelle, that's why I'm calling you out right in front of everybody."
Girlfriend dumps Lochte
Girlfriend dumps Lochte, A girlfriend dumps Lochte story is trending across celebrity news headlines this evening, as Swimmers Daily reported this Tuesday, May 28, that Jamiee Hollier dumped Ryan Lochte this week — over a phone call.
Although the couple has been dating for a few years now — though their relationship was allegedly on-and-off for months — it was revealed on this weekend’s episode of “”What would Ryan Lochte Do?” that the girlfriend dumps Lochte story was a real one.
British girlfriend Jamiee Hollier dumped the 28-year-old swimmer over the phone, and Ryan didn’t want the tough phone call to be a public one. The Olympic athlete in fact took off his microphone and left the cameras in order to hear the difficult news of the alleged breakup.
According to Yardbarker, After finally returning and looking a bit worse for wear, Ryan Lochte confirmed that Jaimee Hollier had put an end to their four-year relationship (a long-distance one as well).
What do fellow fans of the Ryan Lochte’s new show think? While fans of the Olympic swimmer may indeed be sad for the 28-year-old in this girlfriend dumps Lochte headline, are you in fact happy to see the star single again?
Although the couple has been dating for a few years now — though their relationship was allegedly on-and-off for months — it was revealed on this weekend’s episode of “”What would Ryan Lochte Do?” that the girlfriend dumps Lochte story was a real one.
British girlfriend Jamiee Hollier dumped the 28-year-old swimmer over the phone, and Ryan didn’t want the tough phone call to be a public one. The Olympic athlete in fact took off his microphone and left the cameras in order to hear the difficult news of the alleged breakup.
According to Yardbarker, After finally returning and looking a bit worse for wear, Ryan Lochte confirmed that Jaimee Hollier had put an end to their four-year relationship (a long-distance one as well).
What do fellow fans of the Ryan Lochte’s new show think? While fans of the Olympic swimmer may indeed be sad for the 28-year-old in this girlfriend dumps Lochte headline, are you in fact happy to see the star single again?
Chief Keef 110 mph
Chief Keef 110 mph, Fresh off his arrest last week for marijuana, Chief Keef found himself behind bars again for a speeding violation.
According to CBS 2 Chicago, Keef was arrested for driving 110 mph in a 55 mph zone on I-94 in his native Windy City this past Monday. The rapper was also charged with driving with an unlawful amount of passengers at the time.
He was later released on $2,000 bond and faces a court date on July 8.
As previously mentioned, the “Macaroni Time” rapper was booked in an Atlanta jail on May 20 after he was caught smoking weed in his hotel.
According to CBS 2 Chicago, Keef was arrested for driving 110 mph in a 55 mph zone on I-94 in his native Windy City this past Monday. The rapper was also charged with driving with an unlawful amount of passengers at the time.
He was later released on $2,000 bond and faces a court date on July 8.
As previously mentioned, the “Macaroni Time” rapper was booked in an Atlanta jail on May 20 after he was caught smoking weed in his hotel.
Family of 4 killed
Family of 4 killed, A family of four died over the weekend in a traffic crash in Washington state.
The Spokesman-Review reports their SUV crashed into a flowing irrigation canal and submerged Sunday morning near George, Wash.
Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison on Monday released the victims' names. They were 33-year-old Dioselina Buenrostro, 35-year-old Gabriel Ochoa, and two girls, 4-year-old Yesenia "Jessie" Ochoa, and 9-year-old Sandra Ochoa. The family was from Stanwood, Wash.
The Grant County Sheriff's Office says their SUV collided with a compact car at an intersection near the Gorge Amphitheater, then struck a guardrail and plunged into the canal. The SUV submerged and was pulled with the current about 100 yards downstream.
The adults died at the scene, and the girls died at Quincy Valley Medical Center.
The Spokesman-Review reports their SUV crashed into a flowing irrigation canal and submerged Sunday morning near George, Wash.
Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison on Monday released the victims' names. They were 33-year-old Dioselina Buenrostro, 35-year-old Gabriel Ochoa, and two girls, 4-year-old Yesenia "Jessie" Ochoa, and 9-year-old Sandra Ochoa. The family was from Stanwood, Wash.
The Grant County Sheriff's Office says their SUV collided with a compact car at an intersection near the Gorge Amphitheater, then struck a guardrail and plunged into the canal. The SUV submerged and was pulled with the current about 100 yards downstream.
The adults died at the scene, and the girls died at Quincy Valley Medical Center.
Levine dating SI model
Levine dating SI model, It looks like the mentor who is quick to grab contestants on "The Voice" is also quick to grab his next girlfriend after a recent break up.
Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine is reportedly dating Sports Illustrated model Nina Agdal right after his recent break up with Victoria's Secret model Behati Prinsloo. The 21-year-old Agdal was spotted on the set of "The Voice" on a number of recent occasions but the two have yet to come out publicly as a couple.
Levine and Prinsloo's break up was never made public, but apparently he and Agdal have been together since early spring. A source does say that Prinsloo was "in and out" of the relationship, causing much confusion and heartache for the couple. But it looks like Levine has moved onto yet another model.
You might remember Nina Agdal as the model eating a hamburger in a bikini in a Carl's Jr. and Hardee's produced Super Bowl commercial.
Agdal was in the headlines just last week for taking teen Jake Davidson to his high school prom after model Kate Upton turned down his original offer.
"I was told that Nina Agdal wanted to go to prom with me, and I didn't have a date anyways, so I thought why not!" Davidson said of his experience with a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. "She came over to my house to meet my family and then we headed over to pre-prom, which is where everyone from school takes pictures. Then we headed to prom for a little bit, the usual schedule, but with a very unique date."
Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine is reportedly dating Sports Illustrated model Nina Agdal right after his recent break up with Victoria's Secret model Behati Prinsloo. The 21-year-old Agdal was spotted on the set of "The Voice" on a number of recent occasions but the two have yet to come out publicly as a couple.
Levine and Prinsloo's break up was never made public, but apparently he and Agdal have been together since early spring. A source does say that Prinsloo was "in and out" of the relationship, causing much confusion and heartache for the couple. But it looks like Levine has moved onto yet another model.
You might remember Nina Agdal as the model eating a hamburger in a bikini in a Carl's Jr. and Hardee's produced Super Bowl commercial.
Agdal was in the headlines just last week for taking teen Jake Davidson to his high school prom after model Kate Upton turned down his original offer.
"I was told that Nina Agdal wanted to go to prom with me, and I didn't have a date anyways, so I thought why not!" Davidson said of his experience with a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. "She came over to my house to meet my family and then we headed over to pre-prom, which is where everyone from school takes pictures. Then we headed to prom for a little bit, the usual schedule, but with a very unique date."
Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry: Celebs crash wedding rehearsal
Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry: Celebs crash wedding rehearsal, Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry made a surprise appearance at, of all things, a wedding rehearsal over the weekend. According to People.com on May 27, Pattinson and Katy Perry stopped by and sat on a bench to watch the wedding rehearsal of a couple.
The celebrities did not know the couple rehearsing for their nuptials, but sat quietly and watched the rehearsal. A guest of the rehearsal spotted them and said they were just watching together, although she did confirm there was no PDA and they seemed to just be friends at the event.
Katy Perry was wearing a hoodie and large glasses.
Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry have been friends for years, and are both single now, but there have been no rumors that they are dating. Pattinson recently finally moved out from his home with Kristen Stewart, and seems to be integrating himself in the single's life once again. It looks like Pattinson and Perry were just out together, saw the rehearsal, and stopped to enjoy the happy couple's moment.
Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry just watched the event and left, without speaking to anyone. The guest told People that no one at the event knew the pair, so it was just one of those amazing moments that will live on in the couple's memories of their big event.
The celebrities did not know the couple rehearsing for their nuptials, but sat quietly and watched the rehearsal. A guest of the rehearsal spotted them and said they were just watching together, although she did confirm there was no PDA and they seemed to just be friends at the event.
Katy Perry was wearing a hoodie and large glasses.
Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry have been friends for years, and are both single now, but there have been no rumors that they are dating. Pattinson recently finally moved out from his home with Kristen Stewart, and seems to be integrating himself in the single's life once again. It looks like Pattinson and Perry were just out together, saw the rehearsal, and stopped to enjoy the happy couple's moment.
Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry just watched the event and left, without speaking to anyone. The guest told People that no one at the event knew the pair, so it was just one of those amazing moments that will live on in the couple's memories of their big event.
Pattinson and Katy Perry: Are Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry wedding crashers?
Pattinson and Katy Perry: Are Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry wedding crashers?, Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry were spotted together at a wedding function over the weekend. On May 27, PEOPLE Magazine reported that the "Twilight" heartthrob and the "Teenage Dream" singer were at a wedding rehearsal of two strangers -- just sitting and watching everything go down.
"Katy and Rob were just sitting next to each other watching the wedding rehearsal in the main courtyard area. They were dressed very casually. She was wearing a hoodie and big sunglasses. There was no PDA between them and no body language that showed they were dating. They just sat together and watched," said a friend of the bride.
Pattinson and Katy Perry are not dating as far as the public knows but there have been rumors that Perry was the driving force behind Rob's split from Kristen Stewart. Now that they were seen together, people are starting to wonder if there is more going on between them.
While Rob and Kristen have been friends with Katy for years, this new report is suggesting that Rob and Katy might be taking their friendship to another level -- either that or Rob is just leaning on Katy following his break-up.
"They were not affiliated with the wedding party and were not seen mingling with guests," continued the source, adding that she had "no idea" why Katy and Rob were there.
Are Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry dating? Do you think there is more to this story than what is being reported?
"Katy and Rob were just sitting next to each other watching the wedding rehearsal in the main courtyard area. They were dressed very casually. She was wearing a hoodie and big sunglasses. There was no PDA between them and no body language that showed they were dating. They just sat together and watched," said a friend of the bride.
Pattinson and Katy Perry are not dating as far as the public knows but there have been rumors that Perry was the driving force behind Rob's split from Kristen Stewart. Now that they were seen together, people are starting to wonder if there is more going on between them.
While Rob and Kristen have been friends with Katy for years, this new report is suggesting that Rob and Katy might be taking their friendship to another level -- either that or Rob is just leaning on Katy following his break-up.
"They were not affiliated with the wedding party and were not seen mingling with guests," continued the source, adding that she had "no idea" why Katy and Rob were there.
Are Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry dating? Do you think there is more to this story than what is being reported?
Galifianakis goatee: 'Hangover III' actor Zach Galifianakis debuts goatee
Galifianakis goatee: 'Hangover III' actor Zach Galifianakis debuts goatee, Zach Galifianakis has a goatee. "The Hangover III" actor debuted his new look at the Paris premiere of the last "Hangover" film. Zach traded in his scruffy beard for the sophisticated look and so far, fans really seem to dig it. On May 28, Us Weekly posted a photo of the actor looking cleaned up and pretty sharp.
Zach didn't say too much about his facial hair change but he did say that he was not sad that the "Hangover" movies were ending. He said that he was more excited to "celebrate this with fans across the country" (via Us Weekly).
Galifianakis' goatee probably won't stay for too long. He seems to try new things with his look but then he ends up back where he seems the most comfortable with himself. He does seem flexible though -- and it is only hair; it will grow back. Remember Zach shaved his head for "The Hangover II."
As Us Weekly points out, Zach has ditched his beard and crazy hair in the past. "Galifianakis has parted ways with his scruffy beard before -- during a 2010 stint on Saturday Night Live, he willingly shaved his beard into a mustache. In 2011, he also shaved his hair into a Mohawk for a sketch," the mag reports.
Zach didn't say too much about his facial hair change but he did say that he was not sad that the "Hangover" movies were ending. He said that he was more excited to "celebrate this with fans across the country" (via Us Weekly).
Galifianakis' goatee probably won't stay for too long. He seems to try new things with his look but then he ends up back where he seems the most comfortable with himself. He does seem flexible though -- and it is only hair; it will grow back. Remember Zach shaved his head for "The Hangover II."
As Us Weekly points out, Zach has ditched his beard and crazy hair in the past. "Galifianakis has parted ways with his scruffy beard before -- during a 2010 stint on Saturday Night Live, he willingly shaved his beard into a mustache. In 2011, he also shaved his hair into a Mohawk for a sketch," the mag reports.
Teen's $54K bar tab
Teen's $54K bar tab, A man whose teenage son ran up a $54,000 credit card bill in a champagne-fuelled tour of Japanese girlie bars does not have to pay most of it back, a court has ruled.
The 16-year-old and his friend took his father’s platinum American Express card around luxury nightspots in the ancient capital of Kyoto, quaffing whisky and sparkling wine at up to 380,000 yen ($3,700) per bottle, Japanese media said.
The youngster, who was not identified because of his age, was ushered into swanky clubs where patrons are expected to pay for time spent with attractive women, whose job it is to laugh demurely at their host’s wit.
There is no suggestion he paid for sex. Kyoto District Court ruled last week that bar owners and the credit card company bore the lion’s share of responsibility for the misuse of the card in 2010, media reported.
The 16-year-old and his friend took his father’s platinum American Express card around luxury nightspots in the ancient capital of Kyoto, quaffing whisky and sparkling wine at up to 380,000 yen ($3,700) per bottle, Japanese media said.
The youngster, who was not identified because of his age, was ushered into swanky clubs where patrons are expected to pay for time spent with attractive women, whose job it is to laugh demurely at their host’s wit.
There is no suggestion he paid for sex. Kyoto District Court ruled last week that bar owners and the credit card company bore the lion’s share of responsibility for the misuse of the card in 2010, media reported.
Pattinson and Katy Perry
Pattinson and Katy Perry, Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry enjoyed a weekend away – and were spotted at a wedding rehearsal.
The newly single stars – who have recently split from Kristen Stewart and John Mayer respectively – watched two strangers practice their vows at San Ysidro Ranch, not far from where Katy grew up.
Guest Stephanie Sands told People: “Katy and Rob were just sitting next to each other watching the wedding rehearsal in the main courtyard area.
“They were dressed very casually. She was wearing a hoodie and big sunglasses. There was no public display of affection between them and no body language that showed they were dating.
They just sat together and watched. They were not affiliated with the wedding party and were not seen mingling with guests.”
The newly single stars – who have recently split from Kristen Stewart and John Mayer respectively – watched two strangers practice their vows at San Ysidro Ranch, not far from where Katy grew up.
Guest Stephanie Sands told People: “Katy and Rob were just sitting next to each other watching the wedding rehearsal in the main courtyard area.
“They were dressed very casually. She was wearing a hoodie and big sunglasses. There was no public display of affection between them and no body language that showed they were dating.
They just sat together and watched. They were not affiliated with the wedding party and were not seen mingling with guests.”
Galifianakis goatee
Galifianakis goatee, Zach Galifianakis sure doesn't look like he's suffering from a hangover anymore! The 43-year-old actor, who plays Alan in the hit film franchise, debuted a new, sharp look at the Hangover III premiere in Paris on Monday, May 27.
Famously known for his trademark scruffy beard, the actor trimmed his hair and sported a mustache with a tame tuft of hair on his chin. He completed his clean-cut style with a three-piece gray suit, a pink shirt and maroon tie. Looking noticeable thinner on the red carpet, the comic star told Conan O'Brien on May 15 that he recently "stopped drinking" altogether since he was "getting into much trouble" with it.
Galifianakis has parted ways with his scruffy beard before -- during a 2010 stint on Saturday Night Live, he willingly shaved his beard into a mustache. In 2011, he also shaved his hair into a Mohawk for a sketch.
His facial hair change comes a few days after Galifianakis talked to Us Weekly about life following the Hangover movies.
"I’m not sad," he told Us exclusively at the movie's Los Angeles premiere on May 20. "I’m really excited about being able to celebrate this with the fans across the country."
Famously known for his trademark scruffy beard, the actor trimmed his hair and sported a mustache with a tame tuft of hair on his chin. He completed his clean-cut style with a three-piece gray suit, a pink shirt and maroon tie. Looking noticeable thinner on the red carpet, the comic star told Conan O'Brien on May 15 that he recently "stopped drinking" altogether since he was "getting into much trouble" with it.
Galifianakis has parted ways with his scruffy beard before -- during a 2010 stint on Saturday Night Live, he willingly shaved his beard into a mustache. In 2011, he also shaved his hair into a Mohawk for a sketch.
His facial hair change comes a few days after Galifianakis talked to Us Weekly about life following the Hangover movies.
"I’m not sad," he told Us exclusively at the movie's Los Angeles premiere on May 20. "I’m really excited about being able to celebrate this with the fans across the country."
Farrah Abraham tells Christians off; Thinks it's cool to be like Amanda Bynes
Farrah Abraham tells Christians off; Thinks it's cool to be like Amanda Bynes, Farrah Abraham, former Teen Mom star and current porn star, must really think she's something amazing. The reality TV star seemed to think it was OK to tell off Christians with a rather sarcastic tweet on Sunday.
Ever since Farrah released her sex tape, she's been sitting on a high horse and acting like she is better than everyone just because she's now a full fledged porn star.
On Sunday, Farrah tweeted : "It's Sunday , find your faith hypocritical "Christians", God gave you the bible to be better then that."
Apparently, Farrah wants those Christians to get off her back. No doubt they've been going at her over her porno. Who can blame them really? A former teen mom turned pornstar isn't exactly a good role model.
While Farrah thinks that everyone is in love with her because she's fabulous, the reality is that people are laughing at her and think she's the biggest joke since Paris Hilton.
A twitter user said that he wanted to party with Amanda Bynes and Farrah Abraham -- a tweet that wasn't necessarily meant as a compliment. Nonetheless, Farrah took it as one because she's so egotistical. She even retweeted it.
Does this delusional 21-year-old actually think it's cool to be in the same category as Amanda Bynes, who also went off the deep end sometime in the last few months?
If nothing else, Farrah Abraham is proving more and more that she has no concept of reality. Get a grip girl, at the very least for the sake of your daughter!
Ever since Farrah released her sex tape, she's been sitting on a high horse and acting like she is better than everyone just because she's now a full fledged porn star.
On Sunday, Farrah tweeted : "It's Sunday , find your faith hypocritical "Christians", God gave you the bible to be better then that."
Apparently, Farrah wants those Christians to get off her back. No doubt they've been going at her over her porno. Who can blame them really? A former teen mom turned pornstar isn't exactly a good role model.
While Farrah thinks that everyone is in love with her because she's fabulous, the reality is that people are laughing at her and think she's the biggest joke since Paris Hilton.
A twitter user said that he wanted to party with Amanda Bynes and Farrah Abraham -- a tweet that wasn't necessarily meant as a compliment. Nonetheless, Farrah took it as one because she's so egotistical. She even retweeted it.
Does this delusional 21-year-old actually think it's cool to be in the same category as Amanda Bynes, who also went off the deep end sometime in the last few months?
If nothing else, Farrah Abraham is proving more and more that she has no concept of reality. Get a grip girl, at the very least for the sake of your daughter!
'The Voice' season 4 top 8: Judith Hill takes a 'power'ful risk
'The Voice' season 4 top 8: Judith Hill takes a 'power'ful risk, "The Voice" season four resumed May 27 on NBC with a set of performances by the top eight finalists. Soul singer Judith Hill of Team Adam Levine kicked off the two-hour episode with a risky remix of a will.i.am pop hit that drew nothing but praise from the four coaches.
During her mentoring session with Levine, Hill said she wanted to "really show the world who Judith is." The Maroon 5 frontman admitted to being "shocked" by her pick for the week, "#thatPOWER," calling the will.i.am/Justin Bieber collaboration "very radically different than anything" she'd done. He changed his tune after hearing her sing her own artistic take on the song, predicting that it could wind up being more popular than the original. Hill thought it could prove to be a decisive moment in her career on "The Voice."
She looked like a star when she hit the stage to perform live, and her remix most definitely did not disappoint. While the lyrics of the original were recognizable, she made the feel of the it entirely her own like a true artist would do.
The coaches loved Hill's effort. Blake Shelton called her singing "spot on" and and expressed special appreciation for her "rock star" sky-high hairdo and cape. He especially loved seeing her personality shine through. Usher called it "an incredible way to open the show" and liked how she gave "the song a new face." Shakira appreciated her fashion sense and thought it was great to see her do something more "current." Levine reiterated that he was "confused" by the pick from the outset, but that he was "so happy" that he let her do it. He called her not just a contestant, but "an artist performing a song."
As of the morning of May 28, Hill's performance ranked just number 88 on the iTunes chart, suggesting that she will not benefit from the coveted ten-times vote multiplier for downloads during the top eight results show.
Did America vote to secure her a spot in the top six? Watch "The Voice" season four top eight results show May 28 on NBC to find out.
During her mentoring session with Levine, Hill said she wanted to "really show the world who Judith is." The Maroon 5 frontman admitted to being "shocked" by her pick for the week, "#thatPOWER," calling the will.i.am/Justin Bieber collaboration "very radically different than anything" she'd done. He changed his tune after hearing her sing her own artistic take on the song, predicting that it could wind up being more popular than the original. Hill thought it could prove to be a decisive moment in her career on "The Voice."
She looked like a star when she hit the stage to perform live, and her remix most definitely did not disappoint. While the lyrics of the original were recognizable, she made the feel of the it entirely her own like a true artist would do.
The coaches loved Hill's effort. Blake Shelton called her singing "spot on" and and expressed special appreciation for her "rock star" sky-high hairdo and cape. He especially loved seeing her personality shine through. Usher called it "an incredible way to open the show" and liked how she gave "the song a new face." Shakira appreciated her fashion sense and thought it was great to see her do something more "current." Levine reiterated that he was "confused" by the pick from the outset, but that he was "so happy" that he let her do it. He called her not just a contestant, but "an artist performing a song."
As of the morning of May 28, Hill's performance ranked just number 88 on the iTunes chart, suggesting that she will not benefit from the coveted ten-times vote multiplier for downloads during the top eight results show.
Did America vote to secure her a spot in the top six? Watch "The Voice" season four top eight results show May 28 on NBC to find out.
Amanda Bynes, Rihanna feud: Bynes attacks Rihanna on Twitter
Amanda Bynes, Rihanna feud: Bynes attacks Rihanna on Twitter, Followers of both Amanda Bynes and Rihanna were shocked on Monday after Bynes attacked Rihanna on Twitter for no apparent reason, according to UPI on May 27. Reportedly, Bynes insulted Rihanna in a few tweets over the weekend, which prompted Rihanna to post an appropriate comeback to the troubled retired actress.
For reasons that are unclear, 27-year-old Bynes harshly criticized Rihanna on Sunday in a series of unnecessary tweets that the former "What I Like About You" star quickly deleted. Bynes started the feud with this tweet directed at Rihanna that said Bynes almost named her dog after Rihanna because according to Bynes, Rihanna called everyone and their mother because no one wants to be her lover.
Bynes then went on to say that Chris Brown beat Rihanna because she's not pretty enough, referring to Brown's physical assault on Rihanna in 2009.
On Monday, Bynes quickly withdrew her vicious comments about the singer, saying that she saw those "mocked up" tweets against Rihanna in her mentions. Bynes claimed that she is followed by so many people on Twitter that someone is always mocking up fake tweets and posting them as her.
Bynes also announced on Monday that she wants to re-launch her singing career, saying that her and Rihanna met and she is sure that they will be in a music video together one day. Although Bynes believes there will be no bad blood between her and Rihanna as a result of her insulting tweets against the 25-year-old recording artist and actress, Rihanna shot back at Bynes with "Ya see what happens when they cancel Intervention?"
Bynes has been plagued with bizarre behavior since moving from Los Angeles to New York this past September, including being kicked out of gyms, stealing hairspray and posting multiple controversial tweets and selfie photos on her Twitter account.
Most recently, Bynes was arrested for smoking pot in the lobby of her apartment building and was taken for a psychiatric evaluation before being processed at the police station. Her former "The Amanda Show" co-star Drake Bell reached out to Bynes on Twitter following her feud with Rihanna with, "What's going on girl?!" Bynes replied back with, "ily bro!"
For reasons that are unclear, 27-year-old Bynes harshly criticized Rihanna on Sunday in a series of unnecessary tweets that the former "What I Like About You" star quickly deleted. Bynes started the feud with this tweet directed at Rihanna that said Bynes almost named her dog after Rihanna because according to Bynes, Rihanna called everyone and their mother because no one wants to be her lover.
Bynes then went on to say that Chris Brown beat Rihanna because she's not pretty enough, referring to Brown's physical assault on Rihanna in 2009.
On Monday, Bynes quickly withdrew her vicious comments about the singer, saying that she saw those "mocked up" tweets against Rihanna in her mentions. Bynes claimed that she is followed by so many people on Twitter that someone is always mocking up fake tweets and posting them as her.
Bynes also announced on Monday that she wants to re-launch her singing career, saying that her and Rihanna met and she is sure that they will be in a music video together one day. Although Bynes believes there will be no bad blood between her and Rihanna as a result of her insulting tweets against the 25-year-old recording artist and actress, Rihanna shot back at Bynes with "Ya see what happens when they cancel Intervention?"
Bynes has been plagued with bizarre behavior since moving from Los Angeles to New York this past September, including being kicked out of gyms, stealing hairspray and posting multiple controversial tweets and selfie photos on her Twitter account.
Most recently, Bynes was arrested for smoking pot in the lobby of her apartment building and was taken for a psychiatric evaluation before being processed at the police station. Her former "The Amanda Show" co-star Drake Bell reached out to Bynes on Twitter following her feud with Rihanna with, "What's going on girl?!" Bynes replied back with, "ily bro!"
Fan slaps Beyonce's butt: Diva turns street wise, barks warning to fan
Fan slaps Beyonce's butt: Diva turns street wise, barks warning to fan, Beyonce got her butt slapped by a fan during a performance of her song, “Irreplaceable.” She might be a diva, but Beyonce went into high gear with street mentality when her butt was slapped. According to Boston.com on May 28, she turned and threatened the male fan and she meant business.
Beyonce did not take kindly at all to a tap on the butt and told the fan that she could have him escorted out right now, in a street wise demeanor. She ended her threatening words with a strong, “alright.”
The pop star was singing and walking along the edge of the stage in Copenhagen reaching out to touch the fans' hands that were close to the stage. When she turned the perpetrator tapped her on the rear end. Beyonce didn't miss a beat when she warned the fan “I will have you escorted out right now, alright?”
It looks like Beyonce's talents go far beyond her singing abilities. She's on gal who knows how to take care of herself too!
Beyonce did not take kindly at all to a tap on the butt and told the fan that she could have him escorted out right now, in a street wise demeanor. She ended her threatening words with a strong, “alright.”
The pop star was singing and walking along the edge of the stage in Copenhagen reaching out to touch the fans' hands that were close to the stage. When she turned the perpetrator tapped her on the rear end. Beyonce didn't miss a beat when she warned the fan “I will have you escorted out right now, alright?”
It looks like Beyonce's talents go far beyond her singing abilities. She's on gal who knows how to take care of herself too!
Israel warns Russia
Israel warns Russia, Russia has said it will supply one of its most advanced anti-aircraft missile systems to the Syrian government hours after the EU ended its arms embargo on the rebels, raising the prospect of a rapidly escalating proxy war in the region if peace talks in Geneva fail next month.
Israel quickly issued a thinly veiled warning that it would bomb the Russian S-300 missiles if they were sent to Syria, as such a move would bring the advanced guided missiles within range of civilian and military planes over Israel. Israel has conducted three sets of air strikes on Syria this year, aimed at preventing missiles being brought close to its border by the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah.
"The shipments haven't set out yet and I hope they won't," Moshe Ya'alon, the Israeli defence minister, said. "If they do arrive in Syria, God forbid, we'll know what to do."
Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergey Ryabkov, argued that the delivery of the S-300 system had been previously agreed with Damascus and would be a stabilising factor that could dissuade "some hotheads" from entering the conflict. That appeared to be a reference to the UK and France, who pushed through the lifting of the EU embargo on Monday night and are the only European countries considering arming the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA).
However, London and Paris said they had not yet taken the decision to send arms, and would not do so until after the Geneva peace talks, tentatively scheduled for mid-June.
"We have said we have made our own commitments, that at this stage as we work for the Geneva conference we are not taking any decision to send any arms to anyone," William Hague, the UK foreign secretary said.
British officials said the lifting of the embargo had a political purpose, increasing the pressure on President Bashar al-Assad and his supporters, Russia and Iran, to make concessions at Geneva, most importantly to agree not to play a role in a transitional Syrian government. If that fails, the officials said western arms supplies would strengthen moderate elements in the armed opposition currently outgunned and outfinanced by jihadist groups.
"Whoever controls logistics will command loyalty," a senior British official said. "It's about dragging some of these fighters back from the extremists." The senior official stressed that any future British arms supplies would not include portable anti-aircraft missiles. "There is not going to be an airliner brought down by some weapon we provide," he said.
In Ankara, a senior Turkish official portrayed the talks as a make-or-break moment, which would have to lead to practical steps towards the creation of transitional government without Assad and his closest entourage, unlike the first round of Geneva talks last year.
"If Geneva II fails, the opposition, the Free Syrian Army will get all they need, including sophisticated arms," the official said. "This will be the last diplomatic channel. There won't be another chance for the regime to negotiate its role in a transitional government."
He said the key factor would be the US position on backing the rebels if Geneva failed to bring progress. At the moment, Washington is providing only non-lethal assistance to the FSA, but the Turkish official said that in Barack Obama's meeting this month with the Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the US president showed readiness to change policy after more than 80,000 people had been killed. "The US is stepping up its efforts, and its close contact it keeps with [FSA commander] Saleem Idriss, tells you something about American intentions," he said.
However, while the White House on Tuesday appeared to welcome European moves to arm rebel groups in Syria, a spokesman said the US remained sceptical about the merits of further intervention. A spokesman, Jay Carney, said it would not "bring us closer to the political transition that Syria deserves," according to reporters travelling with the president on Air Force One.
The administration was also playing down the significance of a surprise visit to Syria by the hawkish Republican senator John McCain on Monday.
The Syrian opposition is hopeful the visit by McCain to rebel-held areas in the north over the weekend will increase the political pressure on the Obama administration to send arms.
Carney said the White House was aware McCain was planning the trip to see rebel leaders and looked forward to "speaking to him upon his return".
The opposition Syrian National Coalition is holding fractious internal debates in Istanbul over its leadership and whether to go to Geneva, but Turkish officials say they are confident there will be opposition representation at the talks.
It is unclear, however, whether Iran will attend amid determined Saudi opposition to their participation. Riyadh has threatened to boycott the talks if Iran attends, officials in Ankara have said. Russia and some Syrian opposition groups argue Tehran must be included, in view of its heavy involvement on the conflict. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards are training pro-government militias to fight alongside the Syrian army.
"If Iran doesn't come to Geneva, then that will be confirmation that it is a purely cosmetic exercise," a senior Syrian opposition official said.
Expectations of significant progress in Geneva are slight. Western officials say that with unyielding backing from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, there is little incentive for Assad to make any concessions. For its part, the opposition has agreed to drop its demand for Assad to step down as a precondition for talks to begin but is highly unlikely to accept a transitional government in which the Syrian leader or his family is involved.
Israel quickly issued a thinly veiled warning that it would bomb the Russian S-300 missiles if they were sent to Syria, as such a move would bring the advanced guided missiles within range of civilian and military planes over Israel. Israel has conducted three sets of air strikes on Syria this year, aimed at preventing missiles being brought close to its border by the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah.
"The shipments haven't set out yet and I hope they won't," Moshe Ya'alon, the Israeli defence minister, said. "If they do arrive in Syria, God forbid, we'll know what to do."
Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergey Ryabkov, argued that the delivery of the S-300 system had been previously agreed with Damascus and would be a stabilising factor that could dissuade "some hotheads" from entering the conflict. That appeared to be a reference to the UK and France, who pushed through the lifting of the EU embargo on Monday night and are the only European countries considering arming the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA).
However, London and Paris said they had not yet taken the decision to send arms, and would not do so until after the Geneva peace talks, tentatively scheduled for mid-June.
"We have said we have made our own commitments, that at this stage as we work for the Geneva conference we are not taking any decision to send any arms to anyone," William Hague, the UK foreign secretary said.
British officials said the lifting of the embargo had a political purpose, increasing the pressure on President Bashar al-Assad and his supporters, Russia and Iran, to make concessions at Geneva, most importantly to agree not to play a role in a transitional Syrian government. If that fails, the officials said western arms supplies would strengthen moderate elements in the armed opposition currently outgunned and outfinanced by jihadist groups.
"Whoever controls logistics will command loyalty," a senior British official said. "It's about dragging some of these fighters back from the extremists." The senior official stressed that any future British arms supplies would not include portable anti-aircraft missiles. "There is not going to be an airliner brought down by some weapon we provide," he said.
In Ankara, a senior Turkish official portrayed the talks as a make-or-break moment, which would have to lead to practical steps towards the creation of transitional government without Assad and his closest entourage, unlike the first round of Geneva talks last year.
"If Geneva II fails, the opposition, the Free Syrian Army will get all they need, including sophisticated arms," the official said. "This will be the last diplomatic channel. There won't be another chance for the regime to negotiate its role in a transitional government."
He said the key factor would be the US position on backing the rebels if Geneva failed to bring progress. At the moment, Washington is providing only non-lethal assistance to the FSA, but the Turkish official said that in Barack Obama's meeting this month with the Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the US president showed readiness to change policy after more than 80,000 people had been killed. "The US is stepping up its efforts, and its close contact it keeps with [FSA commander] Saleem Idriss, tells you something about American intentions," he said.
However, while the White House on Tuesday appeared to welcome European moves to arm rebel groups in Syria, a spokesman said the US remained sceptical about the merits of further intervention. A spokesman, Jay Carney, said it would not "bring us closer to the political transition that Syria deserves," according to reporters travelling with the president on Air Force One.
The administration was also playing down the significance of a surprise visit to Syria by the hawkish Republican senator John McCain on Monday.
The Syrian opposition is hopeful the visit by McCain to rebel-held areas in the north over the weekend will increase the political pressure on the Obama administration to send arms.
Carney said the White House was aware McCain was planning the trip to see rebel leaders and looked forward to "speaking to him upon his return".
The opposition Syrian National Coalition is holding fractious internal debates in Istanbul over its leadership and whether to go to Geneva, but Turkish officials say they are confident there will be opposition representation at the talks.
It is unclear, however, whether Iran will attend amid determined Saudi opposition to their participation. Riyadh has threatened to boycott the talks if Iran attends, officials in Ankara have said. Russia and some Syrian opposition groups argue Tehran must be included, in view of its heavy involvement on the conflict. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards are training pro-government militias to fight alongside the Syrian army.
"If Iran doesn't come to Geneva, then that will be confirmation that it is a purely cosmetic exercise," a senior Syrian opposition official said.
Expectations of significant progress in Geneva are slight. Western officials say that with unyielding backing from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, there is little incentive for Assad to make any concessions. For its part, the opposition has agreed to drop its demand for Assad to step down as a precondition for talks to begin but is highly unlikely to accept a transitional government in which the Syrian leader or his family is involved.
Starbucks tip jar
Starbucks tip jar, The Starbucks tip jar is coming under scrutiny this week as New York's top court is set to weigh in on the fierce debate and offer a ruling on the controversial practice of shift supervisors and assistant managers taking a cut from the tips.
The Court of Appeal will look to interpret New York's labor law, and in particular its definition of an employer's "agent." Under legislation an "agent" is prohibited from sharing in tips collected.
The debate surrounds the different levels of employees at Starbucks franchises. Lower paid baristas serve customers and share tips on a weekly basis according to the number of hours they have each worked.
However, assistant managers are currently not entitled to share in the tips, but many want to, and are hoping that the ruling will exclude them from being "agents." There are also shift supervisors, who are delegated various management responsibilities, but they also serve customers, and at the moment also share in tips. They also may or may not be adjudged to be "agents," with the definition set to determine whether or not they can continue receiving a portion of the weekly gathered tips.
The debate over who should be allowed to take part of the tips has divided employees at the huge chain of franchises, and hundreds in the New York area are now awaiting the court ruling this week.
However, Starbucks is not the only company that will be looking at the ruling nervously. It is believed that more than 40,000 New York businesses will be affected across the state. Those thousands of hospitality industry companies are said to be employing about a quarter of a million workers, who could be affected by the decision.
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Starbucks has almost 18,000 outlets in 60 countries, and has 413 stores in New York state.
According to CBS News, Starbucks spokesman Zack Hutson has said the company's policy ensures baristas and shift leaders, who spend more than 90 percent of their time serving customers, share equally in the service tips.
Hutson has confirmed that this policy has been applied consistently across the United State, although not internationally, as the laws on tips vary from country to country.
Starbucks has explained that its assistant managers are not allowed to take tips because they are "rewarded with performance-based bonuses and other benefits not available to their subordinates."
The Court of Appeal will look to interpret New York's labor law, and in particular its definition of an employer's "agent." Under legislation an "agent" is prohibited from sharing in tips collected.
The debate surrounds the different levels of employees at Starbucks franchises. Lower paid baristas serve customers and share tips on a weekly basis according to the number of hours they have each worked.
However, assistant managers are currently not entitled to share in the tips, but many want to, and are hoping that the ruling will exclude them from being "agents." There are also shift supervisors, who are delegated various management responsibilities, but they also serve customers, and at the moment also share in tips. They also may or may not be adjudged to be "agents," with the definition set to determine whether or not they can continue receiving a portion of the weekly gathered tips.
The debate over who should be allowed to take part of the tips has divided employees at the huge chain of franchises, and hundreds in the New York area are now awaiting the court ruling this week.
However, Starbucks is not the only company that will be looking at the ruling nervously. It is believed that more than 40,000 New York businesses will be affected across the state. Those thousands of hospitality industry companies are said to be employing about a quarter of a million workers, who could be affected by the decision.
Follow us
Starbucks has almost 18,000 outlets in 60 countries, and has 413 stores in New York state.
According to CBS News, Starbucks spokesman Zack Hutson has said the company's policy ensures baristas and shift leaders, who spend more than 90 percent of their time serving customers, share equally in the service tips.
Hutson has confirmed that this policy has been applied consistently across the United State, although not internationally, as the laws on tips vary from country to country.
Starbucks has explained that its assistant managers are not allowed to take tips because they are "rewarded with performance-based bonuses and other benefits not available to their subordinates."
O.C. crash kills 5 teens
O.C. crash kills 5 teens, Authorities say five people killed in a fiery Southern California crash that split a car in half were teenagers from the Irvine area.
CBS Los Angeles reports that the victims are three young women and two young men. The names of the victims were expected to be released Tuesday, sheriff's officials tell the Orange County Register.
Newport Beach police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe says the Infiniti sedan they were in veered off a road Monday evening and hit a tree. The vehicle split in half and caught fire.
Lowe says four people were ejected from the car and died immediately. A fifth was partially ejected and was later declared dead at a hospital.
The cause of the crash wasn't immediately clear. Authorities are trying to determine if speed and alcohol were factors, CBS Los Angeles reported.
No other vehicles were involved.
"It was one of the worst I've seen in my nearly 30 years," Newport Beach Fire Department Cpt. Glenn White said.
CBS Los Angeles reports that the victims are three young women and two young men. The names of the victims were expected to be released Tuesday, sheriff's officials tell the Orange County Register.
Newport Beach police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe says the Infiniti sedan they were in veered off a road Monday evening and hit a tree. The vehicle split in half and caught fire.
Lowe says four people were ejected from the car and died immediately. A fifth was partially ejected and was later declared dead at a hospital.
The cause of the crash wasn't immediately clear. Authorities are trying to determine if speed and alcohol were factors, CBS Los Angeles reported.
No other vehicles were involved.
"It was one of the worst I've seen in my nearly 30 years," Newport Beach Fire Department Cpt. Glenn White said.
Hulk Hogan burns hand
Hulk Hogan burns hand, Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan is no stranger to pain, but this is something else!
The 59-year-old took a trip to the emergency room Sunday in Tampa, Fla., after he severely burned his hand in a radiator accident. And, in a case of serious TMI, the wrestler went on to chronicle his injury and subsequent medical treatment in all its grisly glory—complete with gnarly twitpics.
"Just had a radiator explode on my hand, OUCH," he tweeted around noon, attaching a twitpic of his scalded and blistered digits.
And, like watching a trainwreck in slow motion, he proceeded to snap photos as his injury continued to worsen. (A warning: Click no further if you're the queasy type—the photos get pretty gruesome
"Double OUCH," he wrote, followed by—you guessed it—"Triple OUCH" as his blisters appeared to get bigger by the second.
Thankfully, Hogan—who is in the midst of a massive legal war with Gawker over a sex-tape leak—quickly got himself some medical help.
"I [am] at the ER now at Tampa General Hospital," he wrote before gleefully snapping away as a doctor attended to his injury.
"Getting cut on brother," he wrote, noting at one point that he was being "skinned" like a cat.
But the star later seemed to realize that his grisly blow-by-blow probably wasn't what some of his Twitter followers wanted, as he tweeted: "I apologize for posting my burned hand photos, with all the feedback I now realize I really should take a moment before I make a decision."
Hogan is the latest star to suffer a gruesome hand injury: Last week, Jesse James chopped off his pinky finger during an accident at his motorcycle shop in Austin, Texas. And, like Hogan, he went on to post graphic photos of his severed digit.
With all these ghastly twitpics, don't be surprised if fans do some finger wagging at the TMI stars.
The 59-year-old took a trip to the emergency room Sunday in Tampa, Fla., after he severely burned his hand in a radiator accident. And, in a case of serious TMI, the wrestler went on to chronicle his injury and subsequent medical treatment in all its grisly glory—complete with gnarly twitpics.
"Just had a radiator explode on my hand, OUCH," he tweeted around noon, attaching a twitpic of his scalded and blistered digits.
And, like watching a trainwreck in slow motion, he proceeded to snap photos as his injury continued to worsen. (A warning: Click no further if you're the queasy type—the photos get pretty gruesome
"Double OUCH," he wrote, followed by—you guessed it—"Triple OUCH" as his blisters appeared to get bigger by the second.
Thankfully, Hogan—who is in the midst of a massive legal war with Gawker over a sex-tape leak—quickly got himself some medical help.
"I [am] at the ER now at Tampa General Hospital," he wrote before gleefully snapping away as a doctor attended to his injury.
"Getting cut on brother," he wrote, noting at one point that he was being "skinned" like a cat.
But the star later seemed to realize that his grisly blow-by-blow probably wasn't what some of his Twitter followers wanted, as he tweeted: "I apologize for posting my burned hand photos, with all the feedback I now realize I really should take a moment before I make a decision."
Hogan is the latest star to suffer a gruesome hand injury: Last week, Jesse James chopped off his pinky finger during an accident at his motorcycle shop in Austin, Texas. And, like Hogan, he went on to post graphic photos of his severed digit.
With all these ghastly twitpics, don't be surprised if fans do some finger wagging at the TMI stars.
Fan slaps Beyonce
Fan slaps Beyonce, The incident took place during the section of Beyonce's latest stage show where she performs on a second, smaller stage and interacts with fans. Singing 'Irreplaceable', Beyonce walks up to her audience and hands them the microphone to sing the "to the left" line of the song. However, as she walked away from one fan he slapped her on the bottom.
Taking the playful move in jest, Beyonce joked "I'll have you escorted out for that." The man is not believed to have been asked to leave the show.
The Copenhagen gig, which took place at The Forum, was part of Beyonce's current tour ahead of the release of her latest studio album. Few details are known about the album, however a new track titled 'Grown Woman' has finally appeared online after a snippet of the track debuted in an advert for Pepsi unveiled during the half-time show of this year's Super Bowl in April.
Beyoncé has unveiled a raft of new song snippets in 2013, including 'Standing In The Sun', which features in a television commercial for high street retailers H&M, and 'Rise Up', which featured in the trailer for the Disney film Epic.
Meanwhile, Mr Carter – Beyonce's husband Jay-Z – has denied claims that his wife is pregnant despite growing rumours, fuelled in part by the singer's dancers pushing two prams out onstage during her live show in Zurich, Switzerland.
Taking the playful move in jest, Beyonce joked "I'll have you escorted out for that." The man is not believed to have been asked to leave the show.
The Copenhagen gig, which took place at The Forum, was part of Beyonce's current tour ahead of the release of her latest studio album. Few details are known about the album, however a new track titled 'Grown Woman' has finally appeared online after a snippet of the track debuted in an advert for Pepsi unveiled during the half-time show of this year's Super Bowl in April.
Beyoncé has unveiled a raft of new song snippets in 2013, including 'Standing In The Sun', which features in a television commercial for high street retailers H&M, and 'Rise Up', which featured in the trailer for the Disney film Epic.
Meanwhile, Mr Carter – Beyonce's husband Jay-Z – has denied claims that his wife is pregnant despite growing rumours, fuelled in part by the singer's dancers pushing two prams out onstage during her live show in Zurich, Switzerland.
Tiger, Vonn jet skiing: Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn jet ski with his kids
Tiger, Vonn jet skiing: Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn jet ski with his kids, Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn were spotted jet skiing with Tiger’s kids over Memorial Day weekend. The athletic couple looked like they were having a family fun-filled holiday on the water, Us Weekly reported on May 28.
Tiger and Lindsey each drove a jet ski with one of Woods’ children, Sam, 5, and Charlie, 4, secured safely in front of them with life jackets on out on the water near Tiger’s Florida home.
It seems Tiger and Vonn are all about jet skiing and fun. The couple seem to be getting super serious. Lindsey has been seen walking Woods’ children to and from school with their lunches in hand, and has seemed to accept the role of surrogate mother when the children are in her care.
Will Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn eventually take the next step in their relationship and get engaged? The pair seem happier than ever, and Tiger’s kids look happy in the couple’s presence.
What are your thoughts on Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn jet skiing with the kids this holiday weekend? Do you think they make a good couple?
Tiger and Lindsey each drove a jet ski with one of Woods’ children, Sam, 5, and Charlie, 4, secured safely in front of them with life jackets on out on the water near Tiger’s Florida home.
It seems Tiger and Vonn are all about jet skiing and fun. The couple seem to be getting super serious. Lindsey has been seen walking Woods’ children to and from school with their lunches in hand, and has seemed to accept the role of surrogate mother when the children are in her care.
Will Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn eventually take the next step in their relationship and get engaged? The pair seem happier than ever, and Tiger’s kids look happy in the couple’s presence.
What are your thoughts on Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn jet skiing with the kids this holiday weekend? Do you think they make a good couple?
Rob Kardashian weight loss: Rob shows off weight loss in Vegas
Rob Kardashian weight loss: Rob shows off weight loss in Vegas, Rob Kardashian is showing off his weight loss. The “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” star has dropped a few pounds, and took to his new look to Vegas his new sock line, People Magazine reported on May 27.
Rob, who has been struggling with his weight for the past two years, has been seen on television battling his food addiction. As the new season of “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” approaches, fans are wondering if Rob’s weight loss struggles will be seen again on the show.
Rob Kardashian debuted his weight loss at the launch of his sock line in Las Vegas, and showed off his slimmer figure in a gray suit as he greeted a plethora of fans who were eagerly waiting to meet the reality star.
Kardashian has been working on losing weight since February, and although he says he still has a long way to go before he’s met his goal, he is working hard to achieve the body he wants.
What are your thoughts on Rob Kardashian’s weight loss?
Rob, who has been struggling with his weight for the past two years, has been seen on television battling his food addiction. As the new season of “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” approaches, fans are wondering if Rob’s weight loss struggles will be seen again on the show.
Rob Kardashian debuted his weight loss at the launch of his sock line in Las Vegas, and showed off his slimmer figure in a gray suit as he greeted a plethora of fans who were eagerly waiting to meet the reality star.
Kardashian has been working on losing weight since February, and although he says he still has a long way to go before he’s met his goal, he is working hard to achieve the body he wants.
What are your thoughts on Rob Kardashian’s weight loss?
'The Bold and the Beautiful': Hope chats about a new little Spencer
'The Bold and the Beautiful': Hope chats about a new little Spencer, Things went from bad to worse on "The Bold and the Beautiful" last week. It was bad enough when Steffy lost her child in an unfortunate motorcycle crash, and now, the writers have chosen to turn Hope into some sort of desperate, twisted stalker determined to pull Liam back into her life. Viewers of this show have grown weary of the love triangle between Hope, Steffy and Liam, but for some strange reason, the powers at B&B won't give up on this ludicrous plot.
Hope has become a despicable character for many, and Liam isn't far behind her. Knowing Liam and Steffy were grieving for their lost child, Hope began texting Liam to stop by and see her. If Liam was any kind of man, he would have ignored Hope's request and remained by his wife's side. Instead, he chose to leave Steffy and run off to see Hope.
Hope has remained convinced that Steffy got pregnant on purpose to keep Liam in her life. When Taylor went to visit Hope to request she stay away from Steffy and Liam, she mentioned Liam and Steffy intentions to try to get pregnant again. Hope pounced on the information and told Liam the reason he married Steffy was gone. That was nothing less than a cruel way of referring to the child Liam and Steffy had just lost.
Hope just about begged him not to allow Steffy to get pregnant again, insisting he could still choose the life he has always wanted. She believes that life is with her, but has Liam ever known what he wanted? The spineless Liam indulged Hope and allowed her to wrap her arms around him once again. This guy's constant flip flopping is taking its toll on the audience.
On today's episode of this show, Hope hints to her mother that there could be a new little Spencer one day. Could Hope be planning on luring Liam into her bed (or Steffy's) to get pregnant herself? Viewers beware because it could play out that way. Liam is already having a difficult time getting over the fact that Steffy got on her motorcycle even though he asked her not to ride while she was pregnant. He blames her for the loss of the baby, and when one partner has those kinds of feelings in a marriage, it always causes a rift. That rift will open the door for stalker Hope to move in, and she is clearly seizing the moment.
This entire storyline is getting old. The worst thing however, would be if Hope managed to get pregnant by Liam. The last straw for viewers of this show would be enduring a mother/daughter pregnancy at the same time. Two little Spencers spawned by two Logan women would be too much to handle.
Don't miss today's episode of "The Bold and the Beautiful" and do share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Hope has become a despicable character for many, and Liam isn't far behind her. Knowing Liam and Steffy were grieving for their lost child, Hope began texting Liam to stop by and see her. If Liam was any kind of man, he would have ignored Hope's request and remained by his wife's side. Instead, he chose to leave Steffy and run off to see Hope.
Hope has remained convinced that Steffy got pregnant on purpose to keep Liam in her life. When Taylor went to visit Hope to request she stay away from Steffy and Liam, she mentioned Liam and Steffy intentions to try to get pregnant again. Hope pounced on the information and told Liam the reason he married Steffy was gone. That was nothing less than a cruel way of referring to the child Liam and Steffy had just lost.
Hope just about begged him not to allow Steffy to get pregnant again, insisting he could still choose the life he has always wanted. She believes that life is with her, but has Liam ever known what he wanted? The spineless Liam indulged Hope and allowed her to wrap her arms around him once again. This guy's constant flip flopping is taking its toll on the audience.
On today's episode of this show, Hope hints to her mother that there could be a new little Spencer one day. Could Hope be planning on luring Liam into her bed (or Steffy's) to get pregnant herself? Viewers beware because it could play out that way. Liam is already having a difficult time getting over the fact that Steffy got on her motorcycle even though he asked her not to ride while she was pregnant. He blames her for the loss of the baby, and when one partner has those kinds of feelings in a marriage, it always causes a rift. That rift will open the door for stalker Hope to move in, and she is clearly seizing the moment.
This entire storyline is getting old. The worst thing however, would be if Hope managed to get pregnant by Liam. The last straw for viewers of this show would be enduring a mother/daughter pregnancy at the same time. Two little Spencers spawned by two Logan women would be too much to handle.
Don't miss today's episode of "The Bold and the Beautiful" and do share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Mayim Bialik divorce: ‘Big Bang’ star and husband end marriage
Mayim Bialik divorce: ‘Big Bang’ star and husband end marriage, Mayim Bialik’s divorce is final. The “Big Bang Theory” star and her husband, Michael Stone, have ended their marriage, and Mayim seems to be the clear winner in the divorce settlement, TMZ reported on May 27.
Bialik, who shot to fame in the 1990’s sitcom “Blossom,” received the couple’s 1,400 square-foot apartment in Studio City, while her ex-husband got the pair’s 1,300 square-foot home in Sherman Oaks.
Mayim Bialik’s divorce left her with the most desirable location of the two properties, and has a view of mountains and wildlife.
Bialik and Stone married in 2003, and filed for divorce in Nov. of 2012. The pair have two sons together, and Mayim has been a big advocate of attachment parenting, which consists of principals like letting your children share their parents bed. It has yet to be reported about the couple’s arrangement on custody of their children.
Fans can catch Mayim on “The Big Bang Theory” each Thursday at 8 p.m. on CBS. What are your thoughts on Mayim Bialik’s divorce?
Bialik, who shot to fame in the 1990’s sitcom “Blossom,” received the couple’s 1,400 square-foot apartment in Studio City, while her ex-husband got the pair’s 1,300 square-foot home in Sherman Oaks.
Mayim Bialik’s divorce left her with the most desirable location of the two properties, and has a view of mountains and wildlife.
Bialik and Stone married in 2003, and filed for divorce in Nov. of 2012. The pair have two sons together, and Mayim has been a big advocate of attachment parenting, which consists of principals like letting your children share their parents bed. It has yet to be reported about the couple’s arrangement on custody of their children.
Fans can catch Mayim on “The Big Bang Theory” each Thursday at 8 p.m. on CBS. What are your thoughts on Mayim Bialik’s divorce?
The Black Clouds: Presenting the Better Days of Rock
The Black Clouds: Presenting the Better Days of Rock, Upon listening to The Black Clouds, I had to check the media player twice to ensure that I wasn't listening to Nirvana. That is how, good the band is. To be clear - they are not Nirvana, nor a new Nirvana, but an awesome band all on their own.
The grunge sound has been reborn with The Black Clouds, which is a welcome change in the arena of rock today. The Black Clouds' Better Days emphasizes this point across 13 songs. "No Reason," begins the set following an opening prelude. The song seems to be the album's pillar, holding it together as tightly as possible. There is quivering of underground rock that ensnares the listener from start to finish. "Breathing," is loud and had me nodding my head for its strong guitar glistens and modern sound.
"Again," hearkens to the rock n roll sound of old and the Black Clouds could not have been a better band to perform this feat. It is as if the rock heavens hand picked them to deliver and they do especially on "Again." Vocalists Dan Matthews and Rob Blake along with Gary Moses and Cory King make certain that you know who they are with this track. A return to impassioned rock that has been absent for some time.
"I'll Be Gone," is a play it loud and hard kind of track that could easily find itself on both classic rock and modern rock stations; while "Blue Blocker," causes the listener to envision themselves at a Black Clouds concert watching them boisterously and vociferously produce a scorching metallic offering. The finale on Better Days is the lively "All Or Nothing," which is a fitting closer to an album for fans of all types of rock, but especially grunge.
A band modeled after the D.I.Y. (destroy and rebuild rock 'n'roll), The Black Clouds have mastered the art of producing solid recordings in their own studio. The New Jersey band are on their way to becoming legendary with this collection of heavy handed rhythms portrayed on Better Days.
The grunge sound has been reborn with The Black Clouds, which is a welcome change in the arena of rock today. The Black Clouds' Better Days emphasizes this point across 13 songs. "No Reason," begins the set following an opening prelude. The song seems to be the album's pillar, holding it together as tightly as possible. There is quivering of underground rock that ensnares the listener from start to finish. "Breathing," is loud and had me nodding my head for its strong guitar glistens and modern sound.
"Again," hearkens to the rock n roll sound of old and the Black Clouds could not have been a better band to perform this feat. It is as if the rock heavens hand picked them to deliver and they do especially on "Again." Vocalists Dan Matthews and Rob Blake along with Gary Moses and Cory King make certain that you know who they are with this track. A return to impassioned rock that has been absent for some time.
"I'll Be Gone," is a play it loud and hard kind of track that could easily find itself on both classic rock and modern rock stations; while "Blue Blocker," causes the listener to envision themselves at a Black Clouds concert watching them boisterously and vociferously produce a scorching metallic offering. The finale on Better Days is the lively "All Or Nothing," which is a fitting closer to an album for fans of all types of rock, but especially grunge.
A band modeled after the D.I.Y. (destroy and rebuild rock 'n'roll), The Black Clouds have mastered the art of producing solid recordings in their own studio. The New Jersey band are on their way to becoming legendary with this collection of heavy handed rhythms portrayed on Better Days.
'The Voice' Top 8 recap: Some singers soar while others snarl
'The Voice' Top 8 recap: Some singers soar while others snarl, The Top 8 singers on “The Voice” took the stage last night (Monday, May 27, 2013) to sing for America and hopefully a spot in the Top 6. This season has a strong collection of singers so one off night could be enough to send anyone home so tension was high as the contestants sang for their survival. Here is a recap of how the artists did.
Judith Hill started the show off with a bang. She rocked a crazy mohawk and cool, edgy outfit and tackled will i am’s “#That Power.” She did a great job by flipping the song and making it her own. She turned this dance song into a power pop song and showed off her big voice.
Next up was Holly Tucker who tackled The Band Perry’s “Done.” She had her moments and showed more sass and range than in the past, but she just doesn’t seem to be badass enough to really pull it off so parts of it came off as forced.
The Swon Brothers took on a big song with The Eagles’ “Seven Bridges Road.” They have the harmonies to make it work and at first it seemed to be going well as they harmonized great with each other and a few backup singers. When the music kicked in they got a little lost. It wasn’t bad, but not their best.
Team Shakira’s last remaining artist, Sasha Allen was next up. She sang David Guetta’s “Without You” which was originally sung by Usher. She was good. I would use the word solid, but she didn’t blow me away. Tonight she lacked that something special to make her stand out from the crowd.
Team Adam’s Sarah Simmons also took on a rough song. She did Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” and while she had her moments, it seemed like she took Adam’s advice of getting angry a little too far as she snarled through some of it which seemed to throw her off.
Next to take the stage was Michelle Chamuel, team Usher’s final artist. She decided to sing “Grenade” by Bruno Mars. Many a singing show contestant has met their doom with a Bruno Mars song, but she gave it just the right amount of emotion and intensity. She really knows how to connect with and interpret a song. This was one of her best moments so far on the show.
16-year-old phenom Danielle Bradbery was next to sing. She selected “Grandpa (tell me ‘Bout the Good Ol’ Days)” by The Judds. She had some issues with it during rehearsal. I think it was pretty obvious she didn’t know the song. By the time she hit the stage in her sparkly red cowboy boots she had it together and gave another polished performance. The song itself mixed with her age and look gave the whole thing a sweet, innocent feel.
Amber Carrington closed out the this episode of “The Voice.” Adam saddled her with a big burden when he chose “Skyfall” by Adele for Amber to sing. So many singers have crashed and burned trying to do Adele, but Adam had a feeling that since this was a movie theme song and not one of her very personal songs, Amber could pull it off. He was right to a point. She pulled it off and hit all the big notes. To me the problem was that it wasn’t very original and her country twang was all but gone. Sadly, I have a feeling that lack of country vibe could be her downfall. People don’t like being taken for a ride so if they think she is putting on the twang as part of an act they might not see her as being genuine. Or, perhaps, I am reading too much into it. Either way, she did the song justice and ended the show on a high note.
Tomorrow night, during the results show, two more singers will be voted out. I have a feeling Amber Carrington, The Swon Brothers, Sasha Allen and Sarah Simmons are likely the four that are in the most trouble, but we will have to tune in to find out who goes home and who goes on to be in “The Voice” Top 6.
Judith Hill started the show off with a bang. She rocked a crazy mohawk and cool, edgy outfit and tackled will i am’s “#That Power.” She did a great job by flipping the song and making it her own. She turned this dance song into a power pop song and showed off her big voice.
Next up was Holly Tucker who tackled The Band Perry’s “Done.” She had her moments and showed more sass and range than in the past, but she just doesn’t seem to be badass enough to really pull it off so parts of it came off as forced.
The Swon Brothers took on a big song with The Eagles’ “Seven Bridges Road.” They have the harmonies to make it work and at first it seemed to be going well as they harmonized great with each other and a few backup singers. When the music kicked in they got a little lost. It wasn’t bad, but not their best.
Team Shakira’s last remaining artist, Sasha Allen was next up. She sang David Guetta’s “Without You” which was originally sung by Usher. She was good. I would use the word solid, but she didn’t blow me away. Tonight she lacked that something special to make her stand out from the crowd.
Team Adam’s Sarah Simmons also took on a rough song. She did Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” and while she had her moments, it seemed like she took Adam’s advice of getting angry a little too far as she snarled through some of it which seemed to throw her off.
Next to take the stage was Michelle Chamuel, team Usher’s final artist. She decided to sing “Grenade” by Bruno Mars. Many a singing show contestant has met their doom with a Bruno Mars song, but she gave it just the right amount of emotion and intensity. She really knows how to connect with and interpret a song. This was one of her best moments so far on the show.
16-year-old phenom Danielle Bradbery was next to sing. She selected “Grandpa (tell me ‘Bout the Good Ol’ Days)” by The Judds. She had some issues with it during rehearsal. I think it was pretty obvious she didn’t know the song. By the time she hit the stage in her sparkly red cowboy boots she had it together and gave another polished performance. The song itself mixed with her age and look gave the whole thing a sweet, innocent feel.
Amber Carrington closed out the this episode of “The Voice.” Adam saddled her with a big burden when he chose “Skyfall” by Adele for Amber to sing. So many singers have crashed and burned trying to do Adele, but Adam had a feeling that since this was a movie theme song and not one of her very personal songs, Amber could pull it off. He was right to a point. She pulled it off and hit all the big notes. To me the problem was that it wasn’t very original and her country twang was all but gone. Sadly, I have a feeling that lack of country vibe could be her downfall. People don’t like being taken for a ride so if they think she is putting on the twang as part of an act they might not see her as being genuine. Or, perhaps, I am reading too much into it. Either way, she did the song justice and ended the show on a high note.
Tomorrow night, during the results show, two more singers will be voted out. I have a feeling Amber Carrington, The Swon Brothers, Sasha Allen and Sarah Simmons are likely the four that are in the most trouble, but we will have to tune in to find out who goes home and who goes on to be in “The Voice” Top 6.
Marvel Comics news: Fox and Marvel Studios lay claim to Quicksilver
Marvel Comics news: Fox and Marvel Studios lay claim to Quicksilver, Highlighting the best Marvel related news items from May 26th - 28th, 2013!
Two studios struggling for the film appearance of...Quicksilver!?
Last week, it was confirmed that the Maximoff twins - Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch - were in the current draft of "Avengers 2" via Joss Whedon and Marvel Studios. While Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige stressed that scripts can change during production - and the film won't begin filming for at least another year - it does seem as if Whedon is set on the two appearing. This week, Bryan Singer, director of "X-Men: Days of Future Past" for Fox Studios announced on Twitter that not only would Quicksilver appear in that film, but that he's cast Evan Peters in the roll!
Evan Peters is best known for performances in "Kick-Ass" and "American Horror Story". Filming for Fox's latest X-Men film (and the third directed by Singer) has begun this month. As Newsarama notes, Singer's original Tweet mentioned the "Avengers" specifically, but it has since been edited to no longer mention that name. While Fox and Marvel have worked together in the past - Fox pays for the license for Marvel characters they use in film, and has presumably since 1999 when "X-Men" was in production - HitFix notes that this could be the start of a struggle between the two companies.
Disney purchased Marvel whole hog in 2009 and ever since, licenses which were sold to other studios have either returned to the mother company (such as Punisher and Blade) or remained outsourced after some strict negotiations. Sony apparently had to relinquish TV rights to Spider-Man in order to retain film rights, which cleared the way for Disney to produce their own cartoon about the web-slinger for their own network, Disney XD. Fox has already lost the license to Daredevil and had to struggle to retain the license for the Fantastic Four.
The details of this scuffle indicate that Marvel Studios cannot mention the word "mutant" or reference Magneto in "Avengers 2"; Fox, meanwhile, cannot mention the "Avengers" in any of their X-Men films.
Singer's film will debut a year sooner than "Avengers 2" and the Evan Peters incarnation will be the first that audiences see. Considering that filming began before this role was mentioned, it stands to reason that this could be Singer's attempt to glom onto the publicity that "Avengers 2" is already getting a full year before production. Joss Whedon appeared on Jimmy Fallon's TV show and proclaimed his fondness for the Maximoff twins - calling them "great mainstays in the Avengers" and preferring their "visually interesting" powers. The dilemma is that while "X-Men: Days of Future Past" can roll along just fine without mentioning the Avengers, having the characters appear in a meatier role without mentioning their powers or parentage is a larger riddle for "The Avengers 2" and its writers. This doesn't mention the potential dilemma of confusing audiences with the same character played by two actors in two universes a year from each other.
When the twins debuted in "Uncanny X-Men #4", circa 1964, their status as mutants was stated outright. However, their true parentage was debated for decades. Years worth of comic book stories suggested them as not the children of the gypsy Maximoff family, but of Robert Frank and Madeline Joyce-Frank, a.k.a. the 1940's era heroes Whizzer and Miss America, respectively. The revelation that the two were the children of Magneto didn't come until the early 1980's. Considering that Marvel Studios expressed interest in the "Inhumans" franchise and that Pietro Maximoff is the (often estranged) husband of the Inhuman Crystal, "Avengers 2" could attempt to have that franchise replace the term of "mutant".
It is Fox Studios that it in a position of weakness. While their "X-Men" film franchise on the whole has been successful, their films haven't earned anywhere near what Marvel Studios' recent efforts have, and haven't been as critically received. While one could argue that the success of "X-Men" in 2000 kicked off the current flow of films, that was 13 years ago and nostalgia is rarely entered into studio battles as a boon. If they follow through on this, they should expect even less cooperation from Marvel and Disney over future license disputes or renewals.
"Age of Ultron" finale to have extension!
Much as with "Fear Itself" last year, Marvel Comics will attach additional epilogue material to the finale of "Age of Ultron" this month. "Age of Ultron #10A.I." will ship at the end of June and feature a story by Mark Waid (writer of "Daredevil" and "Indestructible Hulk") and artist Andre Araujo, with a cover by Paolo Rivera. It is a story about the tormented Hank Pym, whose legacy as the creator of Ultron became a key plot point in "Age of Ultron". The character himself is at a crossroads; he wishes to escape the notion of being known simply for terrible actions such as that or hitting his wife, yet Marvel Comics in general goes out of its way to remind readers of these actions in major events every few years. This will also be a prelude for "Avengers A.I." which will be a new ongoing series debuting later this summer which Pym will also appear in.
Meanwhile, a variant cover for "Age of Ultron" features art by Joe Quesada and Angela, borrowed from the "Spawn" franchise.
Two studios struggling for the film appearance of...Quicksilver!?
Last week, it was confirmed that the Maximoff twins - Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch - were in the current draft of "Avengers 2" via Joss Whedon and Marvel Studios. While Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige stressed that scripts can change during production - and the film won't begin filming for at least another year - it does seem as if Whedon is set on the two appearing. This week, Bryan Singer, director of "X-Men: Days of Future Past" for Fox Studios announced on Twitter that not only would Quicksilver appear in that film, but that he's cast Evan Peters in the roll!
Evan Peters is best known for performances in "Kick-Ass" and "American Horror Story". Filming for Fox's latest X-Men film (and the third directed by Singer) has begun this month. As Newsarama notes, Singer's original Tweet mentioned the "Avengers" specifically, but it has since been edited to no longer mention that name. While Fox and Marvel have worked together in the past - Fox pays for the license for Marvel characters they use in film, and has presumably since 1999 when "X-Men" was in production - HitFix notes that this could be the start of a struggle between the two companies.
Disney purchased Marvel whole hog in 2009 and ever since, licenses which were sold to other studios have either returned to the mother company (such as Punisher and Blade) or remained outsourced after some strict negotiations. Sony apparently had to relinquish TV rights to Spider-Man in order to retain film rights, which cleared the way for Disney to produce their own cartoon about the web-slinger for their own network, Disney XD. Fox has already lost the license to Daredevil and had to struggle to retain the license for the Fantastic Four.
The details of this scuffle indicate that Marvel Studios cannot mention the word "mutant" or reference Magneto in "Avengers 2"; Fox, meanwhile, cannot mention the "Avengers" in any of their X-Men films.
Singer's film will debut a year sooner than "Avengers 2" and the Evan Peters incarnation will be the first that audiences see. Considering that filming began before this role was mentioned, it stands to reason that this could be Singer's attempt to glom onto the publicity that "Avengers 2" is already getting a full year before production. Joss Whedon appeared on Jimmy Fallon's TV show and proclaimed his fondness for the Maximoff twins - calling them "great mainstays in the Avengers" and preferring their "visually interesting" powers. The dilemma is that while "X-Men: Days of Future Past" can roll along just fine without mentioning the Avengers, having the characters appear in a meatier role without mentioning their powers or parentage is a larger riddle for "The Avengers 2" and its writers. This doesn't mention the potential dilemma of confusing audiences with the same character played by two actors in two universes a year from each other.
When the twins debuted in "Uncanny X-Men #4", circa 1964, their status as mutants was stated outright. However, their true parentage was debated for decades. Years worth of comic book stories suggested them as not the children of the gypsy Maximoff family, but of Robert Frank and Madeline Joyce-Frank, a.k.a. the 1940's era heroes Whizzer and Miss America, respectively. The revelation that the two were the children of Magneto didn't come until the early 1980's. Considering that Marvel Studios expressed interest in the "Inhumans" franchise and that Pietro Maximoff is the (often estranged) husband of the Inhuman Crystal, "Avengers 2" could attempt to have that franchise replace the term of "mutant".
It is Fox Studios that it in a position of weakness. While their "X-Men" film franchise on the whole has been successful, their films haven't earned anywhere near what Marvel Studios' recent efforts have, and haven't been as critically received. While one could argue that the success of "X-Men" in 2000 kicked off the current flow of films, that was 13 years ago and nostalgia is rarely entered into studio battles as a boon. If they follow through on this, they should expect even less cooperation from Marvel and Disney over future license disputes or renewals.
"Age of Ultron" finale to have extension!
Much as with "Fear Itself" last year, Marvel Comics will attach additional epilogue material to the finale of "Age of Ultron" this month. "Age of Ultron #10A.I." will ship at the end of June and feature a story by Mark Waid (writer of "Daredevil" and "Indestructible Hulk") and artist Andre Araujo, with a cover by Paolo Rivera. It is a story about the tormented Hank Pym, whose legacy as the creator of Ultron became a key plot point in "Age of Ultron". The character himself is at a crossroads; he wishes to escape the notion of being known simply for terrible actions such as that or hitting his wife, yet Marvel Comics in general goes out of its way to remind readers of these actions in major events every few years. This will also be a prelude for "Avengers A.I." which will be a new ongoing series debuting later this summer which Pym will also appear in.
Meanwhile, a variant cover for "Age of Ultron" features art by Joe Quesada and Angela, borrowed from the "Spawn" franchise.
KFMA Day in pictures: Here comes the sun
KFMA Day in pictures: Here comes the sun, While the calendar may have said it was a little bit early to bust out the watermelon and sunscreen, after a full day of sizzling action on and off stage the concertgoers at this year’s nuclear KFMA Day were demanding a recount.
Southern Arizona’s annual rite of summer passage at Kino Memorial Stadium lived up to its fiery reputation with a full slate of explosive bands. There was something for everyone, whether you were just there to Fidlar about or seriously trying to get out of a Middle Class Rut.
Andy Biersack and the rest of the Black Veil Brides scorched the crowd with the perfect marriage of glam and bombastic rock. Minus the Bear’s inspired set of indie rock was, ahem, much more than simply bearable. And Dead Sara’s lively turn on stage proved to the crowd that they weren’t ready to be buried just yet.
Bad Religion’s set of their brilliant brand of punk provided the fans with a truly spiritual experience. And then there was that one band that really took the Cake. And one more thing – that last band really killed it…
Here in just a few photos is a taste of this year’s outstanding KFMA Day.
Southern Arizona’s annual rite of summer passage at Kino Memorial Stadium lived up to its fiery reputation with a full slate of explosive bands. There was something for everyone, whether you were just there to Fidlar about or seriously trying to get out of a Middle Class Rut.
Andy Biersack and the rest of the Black Veil Brides scorched the crowd with the perfect marriage of glam and bombastic rock. Minus the Bear’s inspired set of indie rock was, ahem, much more than simply bearable. And Dead Sara’s lively turn on stage proved to the crowd that they weren’t ready to be buried just yet.
Bad Religion’s set of their brilliant brand of punk provided the fans with a truly spiritual experience. And then there was that one band that really took the Cake. And one more thing – that last band really killed it…
Here in just a few photos is a taste of this year’s outstanding KFMA Day.
'Bachelorette' 2013 premiere: Desiree Hartsock meets her 25 men
'Bachelorette' 2013 premiere: Desiree Hartsock meets her 25 men, The two-hour premiere of The Bachelorette 2013 aired on May 27, and if you missed a moment of Desiree Hartsock and her 25 suitors spending their first (and in several cases, only) night together, we're got a full recap for you right here!
Find out who made an impression, either for the right or wrong reasons, who received the first roses of the season and who went home immediately here now.
After Des was let into the mansion and handed the keys to a Tiffany-blue Bentley that she could call hers for the duration of filming, viewers were treated to the obligatory "meet your Bachelorette" montage (which featured such classics as roller-skating at the beach, trying on silly hats and shades and lots of shiny hair-tossing).
Soon, the night Desiree has been waiting for arrives: it's time to meet her bachelors - all 25 of them! Des looked gorgeous, draped in a glittering silver gown that sparkled so much it was actually almost distracting; really, it was like she was wearing a disco ball dipped in liquid mercury. But she looked radiant, waiting for her suitors to introduce themselves.
The men were quite the wide-ranging cross-section of the American male population: a doctor, a few lawyers, a drilling fluid engineer (whatever that is), a tailor/magician (again, whatever that is) and a knight in a full suit of gleaming armor. Yes, you read that correctly; short-lived suitor Diogo showed up in an actual suit of armor, and offered no explanation of his attire whatsoever when he first met Des. Shockingly, Diogo did not receive a rose on The Bachelorette 2013 premiere.
Neither did Larry, who failed in his attempts to sweep Des off her feet with a sultry dance lesson. Des got caught in her dress, almost falling, and the whole thing was a disaster; when Larry had a chance to make up for their awkward intro with some conversation, the ER doctor fell flat again.
Bachelorette 2013 Premiere Recap: Jonathan Gets Creepy, Des Gets Rid of Him!
But nothing, not even Zak showing up topless right out of the limo (and ending up in his underwear at one point in the evening), could top Jonathan's creep-factor. Right out of the limo, Jonathan presented Des a mock fantasy suite card which informed her that should she choose to "forgo the other men", she could proceed directly to the fantasy suite with him. He even enclosed a room key. What could have been a semi-clever joke (especially if he had indicated he was kidding, or worded things differently) turned awkward when Desiree reminded him that she's not that kind of girl.
Later, things turned downright uncomfortable as Jonathan repeatedly tried to lure our Bachelorette into a dark room alone with him so he could, and we quote, "Kiss her on the mouth." On his third, super-creepy (maybe just super-drunk) attempt at premature fantasy suite action, Desiree asked him to leave. "You're making me feel very uncomfortable. Actually, I don't even want to wait for the rose ceremony. I'm going to go ahead and ask you to leave."
Before he goes, Jonathan leaves us with these puzzling (and again, creepy) parting words to remember him by: "My love tank has not been depleted for years...We're looking at, like, a very large love tank." Huh?
Out of the several guys (at least two or three) who didn't make complete fools of themselves upon meeting Bachelorette Season 9 darling Desiree Hartsock, Ben seemed the sweetest. He probably gained an unfair advantage, though, when he sent his ridiculously adorable son Brody out of the limo first, wearing an even more ridiculously adorable suit and bearing a flower in one hand for Des. Rumor has it Ben turns dirt-bag later this season, which seems so unfortunate considering how precious his son is.
Though the latest Bachelorette spoilers indicate Des develops quite a thing for Brooks, there wasn't tons of chemistry between them on the Bachelorette 2013 premiere on Monday night (May 27), though he did get a rose. Guys who left the mansion without a rose at the end of the Season 9 premiere include previously-mentioned Jonathan, Larry and Diogo, as well as dental technician Mike R., tailor/magician Nick R., and Micah, the guy who made that awful suit all by himself.
Find out more about Bachelorette Season 9 sweetheart Desiree Hartsock in the video above, and stay tuned to ABC for more drama all summer long.
Find out who made an impression, either for the right or wrong reasons, who received the first roses of the season and who went home immediately here now.
After Des was let into the mansion and handed the keys to a Tiffany-blue Bentley that she could call hers for the duration of filming, viewers were treated to the obligatory "meet your Bachelorette" montage (which featured such classics as roller-skating at the beach, trying on silly hats and shades and lots of shiny hair-tossing).
Soon, the night Desiree has been waiting for arrives: it's time to meet her bachelors - all 25 of them! Des looked gorgeous, draped in a glittering silver gown that sparkled so much it was actually almost distracting; really, it was like she was wearing a disco ball dipped in liquid mercury. But she looked radiant, waiting for her suitors to introduce themselves.
The men were quite the wide-ranging cross-section of the American male population: a doctor, a few lawyers, a drilling fluid engineer (whatever that is), a tailor/magician (again, whatever that is) and a knight in a full suit of gleaming armor. Yes, you read that correctly; short-lived suitor Diogo showed up in an actual suit of armor, and offered no explanation of his attire whatsoever when he first met Des. Shockingly, Diogo did not receive a rose on The Bachelorette 2013 premiere.
Neither did Larry, who failed in his attempts to sweep Des off her feet with a sultry dance lesson. Des got caught in her dress, almost falling, and the whole thing was a disaster; when Larry had a chance to make up for their awkward intro with some conversation, the ER doctor fell flat again.
Bachelorette 2013 Premiere Recap: Jonathan Gets Creepy, Des Gets Rid of Him!
But nothing, not even Zak showing up topless right out of the limo (and ending up in his underwear at one point in the evening), could top Jonathan's creep-factor. Right out of the limo, Jonathan presented Des a mock fantasy suite card which informed her that should she choose to "forgo the other men", she could proceed directly to the fantasy suite with him. He even enclosed a room key. What could have been a semi-clever joke (especially if he had indicated he was kidding, or worded things differently) turned awkward when Desiree reminded him that she's not that kind of girl.
Later, things turned downright uncomfortable as Jonathan repeatedly tried to lure our Bachelorette into a dark room alone with him so he could, and we quote, "Kiss her on the mouth." On his third, super-creepy (maybe just super-drunk) attempt at premature fantasy suite action, Desiree asked him to leave. "You're making me feel very uncomfortable. Actually, I don't even want to wait for the rose ceremony. I'm going to go ahead and ask you to leave."
Before he goes, Jonathan leaves us with these puzzling (and again, creepy) parting words to remember him by: "My love tank has not been depleted for years...We're looking at, like, a very large love tank." Huh?
Out of the several guys (at least two or three) who didn't make complete fools of themselves upon meeting Bachelorette Season 9 darling Desiree Hartsock, Ben seemed the sweetest. He probably gained an unfair advantage, though, when he sent his ridiculously adorable son Brody out of the limo first, wearing an even more ridiculously adorable suit and bearing a flower in one hand for Des. Rumor has it Ben turns dirt-bag later this season, which seems so unfortunate considering how precious his son is.
Though the latest Bachelorette spoilers indicate Des develops quite a thing for Brooks, there wasn't tons of chemistry between them on the Bachelorette 2013 premiere on Monday night (May 27), though he did get a rose. Guys who left the mansion without a rose at the end of the Season 9 premiere include previously-mentioned Jonathan, Larry and Diogo, as well as dental technician Mike R., tailor/magician Nick R., and Micah, the guy who made that awful suit all by himself.
Find out more about Bachelorette Season 9 sweetheart Desiree Hartsock in the video above, and stay tuned to ABC for more drama all summer long.
Papa John's racist voicemail
Papa John's racist voicemail, Two delivery drivers for a Papa John’s in Sanford are out of a job after a racist voicemail rant surfaced online.
Now, the CEO of the pizza chain is apologizing to the nation.It started when one of the drivers pocket-dialed an African-American customer in Sanford, leaving a voicemail filled with racist language.
That customer posted the voicemail on YouTube last week and it has since gone viral."They give me five bucks there. Fine outstanding African gentleman of the community," the driver is heard saying at one point.
The community the former employee is referring to is Sanford's African-American community.The rest of the voicemail, which runs several minutes, is filled with obscenities and repeated racial slurs.
In his YouTube post, the customer said he gave the delivery driver more than a 20 percent tip.He also showed the delivery box, which said, "Your pizza experience managed by Brian," though it's not clear if Brian is the name of either of the employees who were fired.
After hearing about the incident, Papa John's Chairman and CEO, John Schnatter, posted an apology on Facebook and Twitter:
Friends, I am extremely concerned to learn about the reprehensible language used by two former employees in one of our restaurants. Their thinking and actions defy both my personal and the company’s values, and everything for which this company stands. The employees responsible for this absolutely unacceptable behavior were immediately terminated.
My heartfelt apology goes out to the customer involved, his family, and our community at large. I am very sorry that anyone would be exposed to these hurtful and painful words by any person involved in any way with our company.
Thank you for your important comments. I have personally reached out to our customer to share my own thoughts and offer my deepest apology.
The apology post on Facebook had more than 800 comments in just the seven hours it was online.
Now, the CEO of the pizza chain is apologizing to the nation.It started when one of the drivers pocket-dialed an African-American customer in Sanford, leaving a voicemail filled with racist language.
That customer posted the voicemail on YouTube last week and it has since gone viral."They give me five bucks there. Fine outstanding African gentleman of the community," the driver is heard saying at one point.
The community the former employee is referring to is Sanford's African-American community.The rest of the voicemail, which runs several minutes, is filled with obscenities and repeated racial slurs.
In his YouTube post, the customer said he gave the delivery driver more than a 20 percent tip.He also showed the delivery box, which said, "Your pizza experience managed by Brian," though it's not clear if Brian is the name of either of the employees who were fired.
After hearing about the incident, Papa John's Chairman and CEO, John Schnatter, posted an apology on Facebook and Twitter:
Friends, I am extremely concerned to learn about the reprehensible language used by two former employees in one of our restaurants. Their thinking and actions defy both my personal and the company’s values, and everything for which this company stands. The employees responsible for this absolutely unacceptable behavior were immediately terminated.
My heartfelt apology goes out to the customer involved, his family, and our community at large. I am very sorry that anyone would be exposed to these hurtful and painful words by any person involved in any way with our company.
Thank you for your important comments. I have personally reached out to our customer to share my own thoughts and offer my deepest apology.
The apology post on Facebook had more than 800 comments in just the seven hours it was online.
'The Young and the Restless': Jeanne Cooper airs today
'The Young and the Restless': Jeanne Cooper airs today, "The Young and the Restless" will preempt their regular daily episode air their special tribute for the late great Jeanne Cooper today, Tuesday, May 28 on CBS. Cast members, friends and family of the beloved actress gathered to shoot a celebration of the life of the Emmy Award-winning actress who played Katherine Chancellor for more than 39 years.
Cast members will share their favorite memories of working with Cooper, along with personal recollections of their friendships with her. Also, interviews with Cooper from the show’s recent 40th anniversary and classic clips of her years on the daytime drama will be shown.
“Jeane Cooper was a legend and we want to give her the tribute she deserves,” said Angelica McDaniel, Senior Vice President, Daytime CBS. “The cast will honor their longtime friend, family member and co-worker in the greatest way possible, as we celebrate her life and vibrant spirit and share it with the audience who loved her as much as we did.”
Cast members will share their favorite memories of working with Cooper, along with personal recollections of their friendships with her. Also, interviews with Cooper from the show’s recent 40th anniversary and classic clips of her years on the daytime drama will be shown.
“Jeane Cooper was a legend and we want to give her the tribute she deserves,” said Angelica McDaniel, Senior Vice President, Daytime CBS. “The cast will honor their longtime friend, family member and co-worker in the greatest way possible, as we celebrate her life and vibrant spirit and share it with the audience who loved her as much as we did.”
Tiger Vonn jet skiing
Tiger Vonn jet skiing, Over the river and through the woods, to Tiger's house they go! Tiger Woods and girlfriend Lindsey Vonn got into full-on summer mode over the long weekend, taking Woods' two kids -- Sam, 5, and Charlie, 4 -- out for a ride on a pair of jet skis on Sunday, May 26.
The foursome looked like they were having a great time as they rode the motorized water vehicles through the water by Woods' Florida home, with Sam sitting in the seat in front of Vonn and Woods keeping a protective arm on son Charlie.
But Vonn's new role in Woods' tiny family unit isn't all fun and games. The Olympic gold medalist skier, 28, has also been taking on school duties, walking the kids to and from school with their lunches in hand.
On Tuesday, May 21, the couple were spotted taking the excited, uniform-clad kids to school in North Palm Beach, Fla., and one day earlier, Vonn even took them to school solo.
Woods, 37, and Vonn first announced their relationship status via Facebook in March, sharing professionally shot portraits along with a note about how their friendship had blossomed into something more.
"Lindsey and I have been friends for some time, but over the last few months we have become very close and are now dating," Woods wrote in the post.
Earlier in May, the pair also made their big debt at the annual Met Gala, where Woods got a bit tipsy and embarrassed his athletic girlfriend.
The foursome looked like they were having a great time as they rode the motorized water vehicles through the water by Woods' Florida home, with Sam sitting in the seat in front of Vonn and Woods keeping a protective arm on son Charlie.
But Vonn's new role in Woods' tiny family unit isn't all fun and games. The Olympic gold medalist skier, 28, has also been taking on school duties, walking the kids to and from school with their lunches in hand.
On Tuesday, May 21, the couple were spotted taking the excited, uniform-clad kids to school in North Palm Beach, Fla., and one day earlier, Vonn even took them to school solo.
Woods, 37, and Vonn first announced their relationship status via Facebook in March, sharing professionally shot portraits along with a note about how their friendship had blossomed into something more.
"Lindsey and I have been friends for some time, but over the last few months we have become very close and are now dating," Woods wrote in the post.
Earlier in May, the pair also made their big debt at the annual Met Gala, where Woods got a bit tipsy and embarrassed his athletic girlfriend.
Ron hextall 584 career penalty minutes
Ron hextall 584 career penalty minutes, Tim Thomas channeled his inner Shawn Thornton on Wednesday night when he broke from his crease and challenged Canadiens netminder Carey Price to a goalie fight.
While things didn't exactly escalate into a Thornton-like heavyweight throwdown, The Tank still received his first career fighting major. This wasn't the first time a B's goalie got into it with the opposing keeper, and this being Boston, it certainly won't be the last.
Former Flyers goalie Ron Hextall has the most career penalty minutes among NHL goalies with 584 minutes spent in the sin bin, but which Bruins goalie has the franchise's all-time record for penalty minutes? Find the answer here.
For every NESN televised Bruins home game this season, NESN and The Four's will be teaming up to offer B's fans the chance at winning a $50 gift card to The Four's Restaurant and Sports Bar by simply answering a trivia question found at NESN.com/thefours. Questions will be posted at noon every afternoon on the day of a Bruins home game, unless otherwise noted.
While things didn't exactly escalate into a Thornton-like heavyweight throwdown, The Tank still received his first career fighting major. This wasn't the first time a B's goalie got into it with the opposing keeper, and this being Boston, it certainly won't be the last.
Former Flyers goalie Ron Hextall has the most career penalty minutes among NHL goalies with 584 minutes spent in the sin bin, but which Bruins goalie has the franchise's all-time record for penalty minutes? Find the answer here.
For every NESN televised Bruins home game this season, NESN and The Four's will be teaming up to offer B's fans the chance at winning a $50 gift card to The Four's Restaurant and Sports Bar by simply answering a trivia question found at NESN.com/thefours. Questions will be posted at noon every afternoon on the day of a Bruins home game, unless otherwise noted.
The Prairie View A&M Panthers 80 consecutive losses
The Prairie View A&M Panthers 80 consecutive losses, The Panthers ended their NCAA-record 80-game losing streak Saturday night, stopping a two-point conversion in the final minute for a 14-12 victory over Langston at Oklahoma City.
The victory was the Panthers' first since Oct. 28, 1989, when they defeated Mississippi Valley, 21-12. The streak started the following week with a 19-18 loss at Langston.
"It was well overdue," said Prairie View Coach Greg Johnson, who left Langston two years ago to rebuild the Panther program. "There wasn't any doubt in my mind what we could do.
"We just had to believe and come through in the stretch."
Langston cut Prairie View's lead to 14-12 on Archie Craft's 51-yard touchdown pass to Ted Roberts with 34 seconds left. Langston then went for the tying two-pointer, but Craft was stopped just short of the goal line on a quarterback sneak.
It took the referees about 15 seconds to untangle the pile of players near the goal line and signal that the conversion failed. When the signal finally came, Prairie View players began celebrating with hugs and shouts of joy.
Langston tried an onside kick after its last score, but Prairie View recovered and ran out the clock.
Prairie View, an NCAA Division I-AA school that offers only 15 football scholarships, suffered 19 shutouts--including a 92-0 loss against Alabama State in 1991--and went through four coaches during its streak.
But the victory over Langston erased those memories.
"Tonight the score on the scoreboard validated something we always knew--this was a team of winners," said Larry Raab, Prairie View's vice president. "Even at the very end we had a chance to fold. This group of young men chose not to do that."
HURRICANE OF ACTIVITY
UCLA and Miami called off their game at Miami because of fears about Hurricane Georges.
With temperatures in the mid-80s in the Miami area of the Sunshine State on Saturday, and various sports events going off without a hitch, players and coaches at the two schools couldn't be blamed for wondering aloud, "What kind of deal is this?"
That's what horse racing fans were doing at Miami's Calder race track, where longshot Whatkindadealisthis led at the eighth pole of the $75,000 Foolish Pleasure Stakes race before losing to One Last Trick.
The Philadelphia Phillies might have been thinking the same thing after scoring only three runs in 23 innings while getting swept in a doubleheader by the Florida Marlins.
BONUS BABY
Arizona State Coach Bruce Snyder isn't filling up the win column with regularity so far this season, but he is, apparently, helping to fill Sun Devil Stadium.
So, despite the underachieving Sun Devils' 1-2 record entering Saturday night's game against Oregon State, Snyder--the highest-paid state employee in Arizona--is getting a raise.
The Board of Regents, which oversees Arizona's three state universities, approved a bonus that will give Snyder an additional $45,000 a year, pushing his salary to $595,000. With incentives he could earn $675,000, not counting money he can earn in side contracts with shoe and apparel companies.
Snyder's bonus comes in the form of $5 for each season ticket sold after the first 40,000. Arizona State sold 49,000 this season.
NEEDS A SLIPCOVER
Tim Couch became Kentucky's career leader in passing yardage and had his fifth consecutive 300-yard passing day. He played what his coach described as his best game.
Couch, however, left Florida still lacking one important thing: a victory over the Florida Gators.
Since making his first start two years ago against Florida, Couch has faced the Gators three times: a 65-0 blowout in 1996 at the Swamp in Gainesville; a 55-28 beating last year at Lexington; and Saturday's 51-35 loss.
HE'S NO DUMBBELL
Denver Johnson, coach of Division I-AA Murray State, had no illusions about what was going to happen Saturday against Brigham Young.
"They get a win, we get a weight room," Johnson said before the game.
Johnson was alluding to the paycheck--reportedly in the neighborhood of $500,000--that Murray State was set to receive for making an appearance in Provo.
"This is a revenue game for us, and they need a victory at this point in their schedule," Johnson said. "We understand that, and we're unapologetic about what it is."
Murray State played its role to perfection, losing 43-9.
HEISMAN HANDICAP
1. Tim Couch, Kentucky: Completed 40 of 61 passes for 406 yards and three touchdowns, but had two passes picked off in fourth quarter in loss at Florida.
2. Ricky Williams, Texas: Gained a career-high 318 yards and scored six touchdowns in victory over Rice.
3. Daunte Culpepper, Central Florida: Passed for 320 yards and four touchdowns, rushed for another in win over Bowling Green.
4. Cade McNown, UCLA: Game against Miami canceled because of real Hurricane scare.
5. Donovan McNabb, Syracuse: Orangemen had an open date.
6. Ron Dayne, Wisconsin: Gained 168 yards in 22 carries and scored on a 46-yard run in win over Northwestern.
7. Michael Bishop, Kansas State: Passed for 441 yards and four touchdowns in rout of Northeast Louisiana.
8. Brock Huard, Washington: Had two passes intercepted, fumbled twice and left in third quarter of rout by Nebraska.
9. Chris Weinke, Florida State: Passed for 228 yards and two touchdowns in victory over USC.
10. Prairie View A&M defense: Stopped two-point conversion by Langston as Panthers ended 80-game losing streak.
Nolan ryan 2,795 career walks
Nolan ryan 2,795 career walks, He might just be the most over-rated pitcher of all time. He only had a .526 winning percentage, third all time in losses, averaged 13-12 records for his career, and he surrendered 2795 walks and 277 wild pitches during his career, far more than any other pitcher in baseball history. He had little success in leading teams to the postseason.
Over-rated -agree?
Sure he has positive numbers with strikeouts and no-hitters - but he also has a lot of bad numbers too. When I see those, I think he is over-rated.
Nolan Ryan may be both the most overrated AND the most underrated pitcher of all time!
When Ryan was young, he played for extremely bad teams, and walked many, many batters (over 200 walks twice), so he had poor W-L records (although he did win 20 twice) and a lot of runners on base, causing many to underrate his abilities.
As he aged, he walked fewer people, and got into incredible shape, allowing him to last 27 seasons and amass amazing career strikeout totals. This caused some to inflate his overall value and overrate him.
He was, at the end of the day, a very, very good pitcher and a no-questions-asked Hall of Famer. But he's not the best ever, not in the top ten, not in the top twenty. He was larger than life, and people tend to exaggerate both his good and bad points.
And how many strike-outs did he have? And how many no-hitters did he have? Your question is one-sided, if you're going to post stats, post them all.
Definately not over rated.
Ks, No-nos, and playing on horrible teams for years. Also, the best Nolan Ryan moment, when he pounded Robin Ventura in the face when he charged the mound. Defnietly not over-rated.
People like Ryan because of his personality and the fact that he could throw a ball really frickin fast. Stats aren't the only thing and as far as win to loses record look where he played.
Sure he threw fast, and had a long career - but he was not a control expert, and his numbers are AVERAGE at best.
O V E R R A T E D !!!!
Nolan was wild early in his career and was much better as he got older. Keep in Mind, He spent most of his career pitching on non contending teams and his situation reminds me a lot of Steve Charlton and all the years he pitched on the last place Phillies. With that being said, you can not deny the achievements of Nolan Ryan, seven no hitters and all those strikeouts. I wouldn't say he is overrated but he definitely ran the gamete from above average to great during his long career.
You make a strong case. However, Nolan was a reliever early in his career. And much wilder. That didn't help him much in his stats. But the fact that the man had 7 no-hitters is amazing. He has 5714 career strikeouts, which is also amazing. He was durable enough to pitch 27 seasons, though at the end, he was not quite as effective, and allowed more runs and won less games. Also, keep in mind that Nolan played for the Mets to begin his career, and are known for their "lovable losers." He never received much run support there. Many people can't name nay other player on the team other than Tom Seaver, and he didn't halp score runs. He then went to the California Angels, again a losing team with little run support and no one else truly of mention. He then joined the Astros to come close to home in Texas. Again, same situation. He then went to the Rangers, where he finally got some run support. However, he was already toward the end of his career, and it was too little too late. His ERA during the time that he played is better than most players, and don't forget, Cy Young has more career losses, and he has an award given to the best pitcher each year named after him. When you can throw 100 mph, some are bound to go astray. Sandy Koufax was with a perennial World Series contender, so that goes to his credit as well. He surely had the run support. And while your at it, does that mean Reggie Jackson's 3 HR's in a World Series game, 563 HR's, and a .357 World Series batting average should have been denied from the Hall do to his bad attitude as a player to go with a major league record 2,597 strikeouts and meager .262 career average? Sometimes, you just take the good with the bad, and with all things considered, and even though the negatives are not as publicized, the positives that have been shown far outweigh the bad. And that is why Nolan Ryan is not overrated.
Before you go bashing one of the greatest pitchers to play the game for his winning percentage and his average wins-per-season, take a look at the teams he played for: the Angels, the Astros, and the Rangers (he wasn't with the Mets long enough to really make much of a contribution). This isn't exactly a group of stellar teams or prennial contenders. I don't care how good you pitch, if you're not getting any run support, you're not going to win a lot of games - take a look at what happened to Roger Clemens the last two years in Houston (or take a look at the lack of run support for the entire Astros' staff this year). The Rocket was probably the most dominant pitcher in the NL the last couple of years and the lack of run support cost him a bunch of ball games. And one pitcher alone will not lead a team to the post season! Especially when nobody's hitting! One starting pitcher might see 40 starts- at the most. Even if he wins all 40 games, which has never happened, it still leaves 122 games for someone else to win! Nolan Ryan can't help he played on sh***y teams with no hitting, no bullpens, and nobody else decent in the starting rotation.
Over-rated players don't have 26-year careers.
Truth of the matter is...you are overrated. Thats a dumb question. Lets look at his posititves. 5,700+ strikeouts, 100 MPH fastball, 7 no-hitters, (only 1 other pitcher has more than 2) 9 one-hitters, 300+ wins, pitched well until his retirement at age 47. Even today, he pitches batting practice for the Minor league teams he owns.
Unfortunately, he played on bad teams almost every year. The only really good team he was on was the 69 Mets which was his first year and he pitched from the bullpen that year. Had he played on better teams he would have easily won over 400 games and lost less than 200. He kept his team in most games he pitched and usually pitched at least until the 8th inning. A good deal of his losses came from 3-2, 2-1, 2-0 type scores.
He never claimed to be a control pitcher, but as he got older his control improved.
wrong, fool! who else at age 45 throws a no hitter? has over 5,700 strikouts? you fail to take into account, that when he was young, he only! threw fastballs and that is why he walked a lot of batters! he developed better pitches as he got older! the fact is, he is in top 5 of all time pitchers, idiot.
I actually consider Ryan to be one of the most underrated pitcher's of all time. Most people know he had all those Ks, but then also know that he didn't have a good winning pct. I think people basically tell themselves he's overrated when you take those two stats into consideration. But is that really fair? I can't believe someone actually said his numbers are AVERAGE AT BEST! Please! Learn to read fool.
3.19 career ERA. Only his first year (which was only 3 IP) and his last (66.1 IP) were higher than the 3's (drop those two seasons and he drops to 3.17 ERA career). He had an ERA below a 2.00 (1.69) in 81 with the Astros. He had 7 other seasons below a 3.00 in addition to that (including his 3rd to last year in 91 with the Rangers when he had a 2.91). 10 more seasons less than a 3.50. He reach 20 wins only twice, but had 19 wins two other seasons. He ranks 7th all time, with 61 shutouts. Yeah, he issued 2795 BB, but that's still good for a 2.04 K/BB ratio, and a K/9 of 9.55 career. His WHIP was only a 1.25 career. Opposing hitters batted .204 against him. He gave up 990 less hits than Walter Johnson over 107 more starts.
It's sorta like the people who say Cy Young was overrated, because he had so many losses. Yeah, he had losses. He also had a ton of wins. As a matter of fact, he had 94 wins more than the next closest pitcher, but only 6 more losses than the next closes. He actually only had 37 more losses than Walter Johnson, who is considered possibly the greatest pitcher of all time, despite starting 149 more games than the Big Train. By the way, that's a .752 winning pct over those extra 149 starts.
I think it's just sorta become popular to say Nolan Ryan is overrated. It's sorta like his feats are so much greater than everyone else, that we have to try and discredit what he did.
I would like the guy who said Ryan isn't one of the top 20 pitchers of all time to name the 20 guys who are absolutely, without a doubt, better than Nolan Ryan. I would be surprised if you can find more than 5 who you can't find something to knock them for, that Ryan is better at.
***Response to chipmaker
You are right. Of the pitching stats we keep track of, there isn't an edge like that. Carlton only had 66% the number of Ks Ryan has. Carlton is also one of 3 others with over 4000 Ks, so you know he's basically the same kind of pitcher. They both have a 1.25 WHIP, so despite having almost TWICE as many BBs as Carlton, Ryan still has the same WHIP (actually, Carlton's is better by approximate .0005023). Now, I don't know about you, but I'd rather a pitcher let a guy on with a BB and let him have one base, than let a guy on with a hit, where he could get more bases. Actually, Ryan is first in fewest hits per 9 innings pittched, with a 6.56 H/9 (Carlton had 8.06 H/9). Carlton gave up 414 HR to Ryan's 321. I can't seem to find anything that shows the TBA, especially if it included BBs. I'd like to see a stat (I can't find the info to calculate it) that shows [BB+1B+(2B*2)+(3B*3)+(HR*4)]/IP, which is to say the total bases allowed including walks, per inning pitched. If I could find the number of doubles and triples they gave up, I could figure it out. As it is, the best I can say is that if every hit given up by Ryan or Carlton that wasn't a HR was instead a single (never a double or triple), then Ryan would give up a REAL total bases per IP of 1.43 and Carlton would have a 1.48. If anyone knows where I can find the stats I need to figure out the doubles and triples they both gave up, that would be great. Ryan also has a better ERA, 3.19-3.22
'73 and '74 he had 20 win seasons with the angels. both seasons he lost 16. lifetime era of 3.19. his strike outs were amazing though. no one will ever touch that. but over all yeah he is a little overrated. probably the most exciting pitcher to watch though.
Worthy of his Hall plaque.
Exceptional durability, excellent mechanics, and utterly brilliant at some key aspects of pitching, particularly strikeouts and not allowing hits.
Utterly wretched at control in the first half of his career, leading his league in bases on balls allowed eight times in 11 seasons, and finishing second twice and third once in that same span, which greatly contributed to his major league record walks total (he also led his league in wild pitches four times during those 11 seasons). He did improve on this (a lot) but those walks are baserunners, and for the pitcher, baserunners are bad. And consider that walks have nothing to do with the quality of his team -- those are his alone, can't even blame his catchers. Ryan walked bunches of hitters, which is not to his credit, and when we're trying to evaluate players across history to find the best -- THE BEST -- ever, any shortcoming in his game has to be considered a serious detriment.
Ryan's wildness easily prevents him from serious consideration as the best pitcher ever.
He was still great, and great fun to watch, but that monster walks total doesn't go away just because it isn't nice.
Career walks leaders
1. Ryan 2795
2. Carlton 1833
Try finding that huge an edge by the leader in any other counting stat.
And the no-hitters, while impressive, represent only seven games of his career; he pitched in 800 others. Evaluating Ryan on the basis of these seven games alone is like evaluating Joe Carter on the basis of his 3-homer games. Anyone looks good when that tight a filter is used.
Well he certainly wasn't the greatest of all time, but he DID play for sub par teams. For instance in the 70's with the Angels
1972- Angels Last in AL Runs/Game
1973 - Next to Last
1974 - Last
1975 - Next to Last
1976 - Last
1977 - 9th (the two expansion teams finished worse)
1978 - 6th (Ryan did have a bad year this year)
1979 - 1st (and Ryan helped the Angels finish in 1st place)
In 1980 Ryan was traded and the Angels plummeted to 6th in the AL west.
I think you could argue that Ryan's teams would be even worse than if he hadn't been on them. His wild pitch total is higher, but part of that is length of his career. In any particular year he was only 5 or so wild pitches ahead of any other top notch pitcher. The walks were excessive, but he also allowed the fewest hits/9 Innings in history, so these balanced out somewhat.
I would rate Ryan somewhere around 40th -50th best all time. Which sounds bad but is quite high actually.
Baseball = rounders = girls sport
Over-rated -agree?
Sure he has positive numbers with strikeouts and no-hitters - but he also has a lot of bad numbers too. When I see those, I think he is over-rated.
Nolan Ryan may be both the most overrated AND the most underrated pitcher of all time!
When Ryan was young, he played for extremely bad teams, and walked many, many batters (over 200 walks twice), so he had poor W-L records (although he did win 20 twice) and a lot of runners on base, causing many to underrate his abilities.
As he aged, he walked fewer people, and got into incredible shape, allowing him to last 27 seasons and amass amazing career strikeout totals. This caused some to inflate his overall value and overrate him.
He was, at the end of the day, a very, very good pitcher and a no-questions-asked Hall of Famer. But he's not the best ever, not in the top ten, not in the top twenty. He was larger than life, and people tend to exaggerate both his good and bad points.
And how many strike-outs did he have? And how many no-hitters did he have? Your question is one-sided, if you're going to post stats, post them all.
Definately not over rated.
Ks, No-nos, and playing on horrible teams for years. Also, the best Nolan Ryan moment, when he pounded Robin Ventura in the face when he charged the mound. Defnietly not over-rated.
People like Ryan because of his personality and the fact that he could throw a ball really frickin fast. Stats aren't the only thing and as far as win to loses record look where he played.
Sure he threw fast, and had a long career - but he was not a control expert, and his numbers are AVERAGE at best.
O V E R R A T E D !!!!
Nolan was wild early in his career and was much better as he got older. Keep in Mind, He spent most of his career pitching on non contending teams and his situation reminds me a lot of Steve Charlton and all the years he pitched on the last place Phillies. With that being said, you can not deny the achievements of Nolan Ryan, seven no hitters and all those strikeouts. I wouldn't say he is overrated but he definitely ran the gamete from above average to great during his long career.
You make a strong case. However, Nolan was a reliever early in his career. And much wilder. That didn't help him much in his stats. But the fact that the man had 7 no-hitters is amazing. He has 5714 career strikeouts, which is also amazing. He was durable enough to pitch 27 seasons, though at the end, he was not quite as effective, and allowed more runs and won less games. Also, keep in mind that Nolan played for the Mets to begin his career, and are known for their "lovable losers." He never received much run support there. Many people can't name nay other player on the team other than Tom Seaver, and he didn't halp score runs. He then went to the California Angels, again a losing team with little run support and no one else truly of mention. He then joined the Astros to come close to home in Texas. Again, same situation. He then went to the Rangers, where he finally got some run support. However, he was already toward the end of his career, and it was too little too late. His ERA during the time that he played is better than most players, and don't forget, Cy Young has more career losses, and he has an award given to the best pitcher each year named after him. When you can throw 100 mph, some are bound to go astray. Sandy Koufax was with a perennial World Series contender, so that goes to his credit as well. He surely had the run support. And while your at it, does that mean Reggie Jackson's 3 HR's in a World Series game, 563 HR's, and a .357 World Series batting average should have been denied from the Hall do to his bad attitude as a player to go with a major league record 2,597 strikeouts and meager .262 career average? Sometimes, you just take the good with the bad, and with all things considered, and even though the negatives are not as publicized, the positives that have been shown far outweigh the bad. And that is why Nolan Ryan is not overrated.
Before you go bashing one of the greatest pitchers to play the game for his winning percentage and his average wins-per-season, take a look at the teams he played for: the Angels, the Astros, and the Rangers (he wasn't with the Mets long enough to really make much of a contribution). This isn't exactly a group of stellar teams or prennial contenders. I don't care how good you pitch, if you're not getting any run support, you're not going to win a lot of games - take a look at what happened to Roger Clemens the last two years in Houston (or take a look at the lack of run support for the entire Astros' staff this year). The Rocket was probably the most dominant pitcher in the NL the last couple of years and the lack of run support cost him a bunch of ball games. And one pitcher alone will not lead a team to the post season! Especially when nobody's hitting! One starting pitcher might see 40 starts- at the most. Even if he wins all 40 games, which has never happened, it still leaves 122 games for someone else to win! Nolan Ryan can't help he played on sh***y teams with no hitting, no bullpens, and nobody else decent in the starting rotation.
Over-rated players don't have 26-year careers.
Truth of the matter is...you are overrated. Thats a dumb question. Lets look at his posititves. 5,700+ strikeouts, 100 MPH fastball, 7 no-hitters, (only 1 other pitcher has more than 2) 9 one-hitters, 300+ wins, pitched well until his retirement at age 47. Even today, he pitches batting practice for the Minor league teams he owns.
Unfortunately, he played on bad teams almost every year. The only really good team he was on was the 69 Mets which was his first year and he pitched from the bullpen that year. Had he played on better teams he would have easily won over 400 games and lost less than 200. He kept his team in most games he pitched and usually pitched at least until the 8th inning. A good deal of his losses came from 3-2, 2-1, 2-0 type scores.
He never claimed to be a control pitcher, but as he got older his control improved.
wrong, fool! who else at age 45 throws a no hitter? has over 5,700 strikouts? you fail to take into account, that when he was young, he only! threw fastballs and that is why he walked a lot of batters! he developed better pitches as he got older! the fact is, he is in top 5 of all time pitchers, idiot.
I actually consider Ryan to be one of the most underrated pitcher's of all time. Most people know he had all those Ks, but then also know that he didn't have a good winning pct. I think people basically tell themselves he's overrated when you take those two stats into consideration. But is that really fair? I can't believe someone actually said his numbers are AVERAGE AT BEST! Please! Learn to read fool.
3.19 career ERA. Only his first year (which was only 3 IP) and his last (66.1 IP) were higher than the 3's (drop those two seasons and he drops to 3.17 ERA career). He had an ERA below a 2.00 (1.69) in 81 with the Astros. He had 7 other seasons below a 3.00 in addition to that (including his 3rd to last year in 91 with the Rangers when he had a 2.91). 10 more seasons less than a 3.50. He reach 20 wins only twice, but had 19 wins two other seasons. He ranks 7th all time, with 61 shutouts. Yeah, he issued 2795 BB, but that's still good for a 2.04 K/BB ratio, and a K/9 of 9.55 career. His WHIP was only a 1.25 career. Opposing hitters batted .204 against him. He gave up 990 less hits than Walter Johnson over 107 more starts.
It's sorta like the people who say Cy Young was overrated, because he had so many losses. Yeah, he had losses. He also had a ton of wins. As a matter of fact, he had 94 wins more than the next closest pitcher, but only 6 more losses than the next closes. He actually only had 37 more losses than Walter Johnson, who is considered possibly the greatest pitcher of all time, despite starting 149 more games than the Big Train. By the way, that's a .752 winning pct over those extra 149 starts.
I think it's just sorta become popular to say Nolan Ryan is overrated. It's sorta like his feats are so much greater than everyone else, that we have to try and discredit what he did.
I would like the guy who said Ryan isn't one of the top 20 pitchers of all time to name the 20 guys who are absolutely, without a doubt, better than Nolan Ryan. I would be surprised if you can find more than 5 who you can't find something to knock them for, that Ryan is better at.
***Response to chipmaker
You are right. Of the pitching stats we keep track of, there isn't an edge like that. Carlton only had 66% the number of Ks Ryan has. Carlton is also one of 3 others with over 4000 Ks, so you know he's basically the same kind of pitcher. They both have a 1.25 WHIP, so despite having almost TWICE as many BBs as Carlton, Ryan still has the same WHIP (actually, Carlton's is better by approximate .0005023). Now, I don't know about you, but I'd rather a pitcher let a guy on with a BB and let him have one base, than let a guy on with a hit, where he could get more bases. Actually, Ryan is first in fewest hits per 9 innings pittched, with a 6.56 H/9 (Carlton had 8.06 H/9). Carlton gave up 414 HR to Ryan's 321. I can't seem to find anything that shows the TBA, especially if it included BBs. I'd like to see a stat (I can't find the info to calculate it) that shows [BB+1B+(2B*2)+(3B*3)+(HR*4)]/IP, which is to say the total bases allowed including walks, per inning pitched. If I could find the number of doubles and triples they gave up, I could figure it out. As it is, the best I can say is that if every hit given up by Ryan or Carlton that wasn't a HR was instead a single (never a double or triple), then Ryan would give up a REAL total bases per IP of 1.43 and Carlton would have a 1.48. If anyone knows where I can find the stats I need to figure out the doubles and triples they both gave up, that would be great. Ryan also has a better ERA, 3.19-3.22
'73 and '74 he had 20 win seasons with the angels. both seasons he lost 16. lifetime era of 3.19. his strike outs were amazing though. no one will ever touch that. but over all yeah he is a little overrated. probably the most exciting pitcher to watch though.
Worthy of his Hall plaque.
Exceptional durability, excellent mechanics, and utterly brilliant at some key aspects of pitching, particularly strikeouts and not allowing hits.
Utterly wretched at control in the first half of his career, leading his league in bases on balls allowed eight times in 11 seasons, and finishing second twice and third once in that same span, which greatly contributed to his major league record walks total (he also led his league in wild pitches four times during those 11 seasons). He did improve on this (a lot) but those walks are baserunners, and for the pitcher, baserunners are bad. And consider that walks have nothing to do with the quality of his team -- those are his alone, can't even blame his catchers. Ryan walked bunches of hitters, which is not to his credit, and when we're trying to evaluate players across history to find the best -- THE BEST -- ever, any shortcoming in his game has to be considered a serious detriment.
Ryan's wildness easily prevents him from serious consideration as the best pitcher ever.
He was still great, and great fun to watch, but that monster walks total doesn't go away just because it isn't nice.
Career walks leaders
1. Ryan 2795
2. Carlton 1833
Try finding that huge an edge by the leader in any other counting stat.
And the no-hitters, while impressive, represent only seven games of his career; he pitched in 800 others. Evaluating Ryan on the basis of these seven games alone is like evaluating Joe Carter on the basis of his 3-homer games. Anyone looks good when that tight a filter is used.
Well he certainly wasn't the greatest of all time, but he DID play for sub par teams. For instance in the 70's with the Angels
1972- Angels Last in AL Runs/Game
1973 - Next to Last
1974 - Last
1975 - Next to Last
1976 - Last
1977 - 9th (the two expansion teams finished worse)
1978 - 6th (Ryan did have a bad year this year)
1979 - 1st (and Ryan helped the Angels finish in 1st place)
In 1980 Ryan was traded and the Angels plummeted to 6th in the AL west.
I think you could argue that Ryan's teams would be even worse than if he hadn't been on them. His wild pitch total is higher, but part of that is length of his career. In any particular year he was only 5 or so wild pitches ahead of any other top notch pitcher. The walks were excessive, but he also allowed the fewest hits/9 Innings in history, so these balanced out somewhat.
I would rate Ryan somewhere around 40th -50th best all time. Which sounds bad but is quite high actually.
Baseball = rounders = girls sport
Tim Hardaway 17 consecutive missed field goals
Tim Hardaway 17 consecutive missed field goals, On 12/27/91, Golden State Warriors point guard Tim Hardaway set the NBA record for most field goal attempts in a game without making one, by going 0-17. In spite of his efforts, the Warriors beat the newly formed Minnesota Timberwolves 106-102 in overtime.
Hardaway became known as more of a three point shooter during the latter parts of his career, especially during his time with the Heat. But of the 17 shouts he missed, only two were three point attempts.
But in '91, this was young Hardaway, one of the quickest players in the league, the proprietor of the "Killer Crossover" that was unguardable in the time prior to the NBA allowing zone defense. He was shooting roughly 47% during his third year in the league when this game occurred.
From this era, you could easily envision a guy like "Mad Max" Vernon Maxwell or another three point gunner having an 0-17 game. But Hardaway was never one for frivolous shots. Even though he only scored two points (on free throws) in the game, he dished out 13 assists, several of which went to a hot-shooting Chris Mullin who went 15 of 24 while pouring in a game high 36 points. But in 44 minutes I'm just amazed he couldn't get an easy layup while taking Scott Brooks or Pooh Richardson to the cup.
But "Tim Bug" doesn't want you to remember him for one game he played 21 years ago right now. He wants you to remember that he reached 5,000 points and 2,500 assists faster than every player in NBA history, other than Oscar Robertson.
He'd also prefer that you think of the season he had in 1991-92 (the same year as the abysmal 0 for 17 shooting game), where he became the seventh player in NBA history to average 20+ ppg and 10+ apg in the same season.
Even great players can have a bad game. Who in today's NBA can you see challenging Hardaway's record this year?
Hardaway became known as more of a three point shooter during the latter parts of his career, especially during his time with the Heat. But of the 17 shouts he missed, only two were three point attempts.
But in '91, this was young Hardaway, one of the quickest players in the league, the proprietor of the "Killer Crossover" that was unguardable in the time prior to the NBA allowing zone defense. He was shooting roughly 47% during his third year in the league when this game occurred.
From this era, you could easily envision a guy like "Mad Max" Vernon Maxwell or another three point gunner having an 0-17 game. But Hardaway was never one for frivolous shots. Even though he only scored two points (on free throws) in the game, he dished out 13 assists, several of which went to a hot-shooting Chris Mullin who went 15 of 24 while pouring in a game high 36 points. But in 44 minutes I'm just amazed he couldn't get an easy layup while taking Scott Brooks or Pooh Richardson to the cup.
But "Tim Bug" doesn't want you to remember him for one game he played 21 years ago right now. He wants you to remember that he reached 5,000 points and 2,500 assists faster than every player in NBA history, other than Oscar Robertson.
He'd also prefer that you think of the season he had in 1991-92 (the same year as the abysmal 0 for 17 shooting game), where he became the seventh player in NBA history to average 20+ ppg and 10+ apg in the same season.
Even great players can have a bad game. Who in today's NBA can you see challenging Hardaway's record this year?
Billy coutu NHL banned for life
Billy coutu NHL banned for life, The 30-game suspension handed last week to New York Islanders winger Chris Simon is being described as the most severe punishment ever meted out by the National Hockey League against one of its players.
That's subject to debate.
On April 13, 1927, Boston Bruins defenceman Billy Coutu attacked referee Jerry Laflamme in an Ottawa rink corridor following Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final, the Senators having just won the league championship, and was suspended for life by NHL president Frank Calder.
While the rugged native of North Bay, Ont., was reinstated five years later at the request of the Montreal Canadiens, for whom Coutu had played eight of his 10 NHL seasons, he never again saw action in the league.
It is impossible, then, to quantify the precise length of Coutu's suspension. But as an NHL-quality defenceman, he did play another 158 pro games over the next four seasons, so the argument can be made that Simon's 30 games pale in comparison.
Wilfrid (Billy) Arthur Coutu - Beaver, by nickname - was new to the Boston Bruins in 1926-27, having been a Canadien from his first days as a pro. He debuted with the National Hockey Association club in 1915-16, then joined the newborn NHL team a year later when it retained his rights upon the NHA's folding.
Coutu would nearly die a Canadien, one of five players gravely stricken and hospitalized in Seattle by the Spanish flu pandemic that took the life of Montreal defenceman Joe Hall, millions worldwide, and cancelled the 1919 Stanley Cup final.
But Coutu, a strapping 190 pounds on his five-foot-11 frame, recovered and played another season for the Canadiens before he was loaned to the NHL's Hamilton Tigers in 1920-21, leading the league that season with 95 penalty minutes in 24 games.
He returned to Montreal in 1921-22 and was a Canadien for another five years, scoring 24 goals in 180 total games while helping the team win the 1924 Stanley Cup, the second in club history and its first in the NHL.
Wearing No. 9, Coutu was named Canadiens captain in 1925-26, replacing Sprague Cleghorn. But before the next season he was deemed expendable and dealt to the Bruins for defenceman Amby Moran, ultimately a 12-game Canadien.
In Boston, Coutu famously clashed heads in a practice with hardrock teammate Eddie Shore, the collision shearing an ear from Shore's skull.
One of the toughest and nastiest men of his day, Shore sniffed at the suggestion of anesthetic, using a mirror to watch a doctor sew the ear back on, but he did charge that Coutu had used his stick as a scythe to cause the damage. The Bruins fined Coutu $50, money later refunded when Shore changed his story.
Boston and Ottawa met in the 1927 Stanley Cup final, playing to a goalless tie to begin. The Senators beat the Bruins 3-1 in Game 2, then tied Boston 1-1 back in Ottawa before winning the Cup on home ice with a 3-1 victory.
The final game deteriorated as it wore on, Ottawa's Hooley Smith butt-ending Boston's Harry Oliver in the face. Shore pummelled Smith, a notorious hothead, for his stickwork, while Bruins' Lionel Hitchman and Ottawa's George Boucher drew match penalties for fighting.
Coutu pursued referee Laflamme and his assistant, Bell, into the corridor at the final bell, flattening the former and challenging the latter. History suggests he was acting on the orders of Bruins boss Art Ross.
NHL president Frank Calder took notes on the scene and threw Coutu out of the league for life, fining him $100 as well. Other fines totalling $250 were donated to charities in both cities, and Ottawa's Smith, soon traded to the Montreal Maroons, was suspended for a month.
The press hailed Calder for his iron-fisted action, as did the league governors who met a month later. The Bruins didn't utter a syllable of protest against Coutu's lifetime ban, not that they or fellow team owners had any say, having yielded to Calder's demand that the NHL's first president have absolute power.
Coutu would languish in the minor pros, bitter and without remorse. A year after his NHL ban was handed down, by now with the New Haven Eagles of the Can-Am league, he bludgeoned Boston Tigers' George Redding with a stick in the head.
But in March 1932, a year after Coutu had hung up his skates, his NHL ban was lifted after Canadiens boss Leo Dandurand made a plea to fellow governors on his behalf. Coutu coached the Can-Am circuit's Providence Reds from 1932-34 and left the game. He died in 1977 at age 85, the only player in NHL history to be thrown out of the league.
As usual, the omnipotent Calder had made his point. But in reflection, Coutu's lifetime expulsion was wildly excessive.
On Feb. 20, 1931, the Bruins' Eddie Shore slugged referee Cooper Smeaton after being assessed a penalty for tripping.
Calder reviewed the incident and suspended Shore - for a single game.
That's subject to debate.
On April 13, 1927, Boston Bruins defenceman Billy Coutu attacked referee Jerry Laflamme in an Ottawa rink corridor following Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final, the Senators having just won the league championship, and was suspended for life by NHL president Frank Calder.
While the rugged native of North Bay, Ont., was reinstated five years later at the request of the Montreal Canadiens, for whom Coutu had played eight of his 10 NHL seasons, he never again saw action in the league.
It is impossible, then, to quantify the precise length of Coutu's suspension. But as an NHL-quality defenceman, he did play another 158 pro games over the next four seasons, so the argument can be made that Simon's 30 games pale in comparison.
Wilfrid (Billy) Arthur Coutu - Beaver, by nickname - was new to the Boston Bruins in 1926-27, having been a Canadien from his first days as a pro. He debuted with the National Hockey Association club in 1915-16, then joined the newborn NHL team a year later when it retained his rights upon the NHA's folding.
Coutu would nearly die a Canadien, one of five players gravely stricken and hospitalized in Seattle by the Spanish flu pandemic that took the life of Montreal defenceman Joe Hall, millions worldwide, and cancelled the 1919 Stanley Cup final.
But Coutu, a strapping 190 pounds on his five-foot-11 frame, recovered and played another season for the Canadiens before he was loaned to the NHL's Hamilton Tigers in 1920-21, leading the league that season with 95 penalty minutes in 24 games.
He returned to Montreal in 1921-22 and was a Canadien for another five years, scoring 24 goals in 180 total games while helping the team win the 1924 Stanley Cup, the second in club history and its first in the NHL.
Wearing No. 9, Coutu was named Canadiens captain in 1925-26, replacing Sprague Cleghorn. But before the next season he was deemed expendable and dealt to the Bruins for defenceman Amby Moran, ultimately a 12-game Canadien.
In Boston, Coutu famously clashed heads in a practice with hardrock teammate Eddie Shore, the collision shearing an ear from Shore's skull.
One of the toughest and nastiest men of his day, Shore sniffed at the suggestion of anesthetic, using a mirror to watch a doctor sew the ear back on, but he did charge that Coutu had used his stick as a scythe to cause the damage. The Bruins fined Coutu $50, money later refunded when Shore changed his story.
Boston and Ottawa met in the 1927 Stanley Cup final, playing to a goalless tie to begin. The Senators beat the Bruins 3-1 in Game 2, then tied Boston 1-1 back in Ottawa before winning the Cup on home ice with a 3-1 victory.
The final game deteriorated as it wore on, Ottawa's Hooley Smith butt-ending Boston's Harry Oliver in the face. Shore pummelled Smith, a notorious hothead, for his stickwork, while Bruins' Lionel Hitchman and Ottawa's George Boucher drew match penalties for fighting.
Coutu pursued referee Laflamme and his assistant, Bell, into the corridor at the final bell, flattening the former and challenging the latter. History suggests he was acting on the orders of Bruins boss Art Ross.
NHL president Frank Calder took notes on the scene and threw Coutu out of the league for life, fining him $100 as well. Other fines totalling $250 were donated to charities in both cities, and Ottawa's Smith, soon traded to the Montreal Maroons, was suspended for a month.
The press hailed Calder for his iron-fisted action, as did the league governors who met a month later. The Bruins didn't utter a syllable of protest against Coutu's lifetime ban, not that they or fellow team owners had any say, having yielded to Calder's demand that the NHL's first president have absolute power.
Coutu would languish in the minor pros, bitter and without remorse. A year after his NHL ban was handed down, by now with the New Haven Eagles of the Can-Am league, he bludgeoned Boston Tigers' George Redding with a stick in the head.
But in March 1932, a year after Coutu had hung up his skates, his NHL ban was lifted after Canadiens boss Leo Dandurand made a plea to fellow governors on his behalf. Coutu coached the Can-Am circuit's Providence Reds from 1932-34 and left the game. He died in 1977 at age 85, the only player in NHL history to be thrown out of the league.
As usual, the omnipotent Calder had made his point. But in reflection, Coutu's lifetime expulsion was wildly excessive.
On Feb. 20, 1931, the Bruins' Eddie Shore slugged referee Cooper Smeaton after being assessed a penalty for tripping.
Calder reviewed the incident and suspended Shore - for a single game.
2008 historic winless season in nfl
2008 historic winless season in nfl, There is a new coach and new excitement in Arizona. But will any of the Cardinal players respond and have a breakout season in 2013?
After six years in the desert, the Arizona Cardinals decided it was time to move on from head coach Ken Whisenhunt. With Whisenhunt at the helm, the organization had seen its fair share of ups and downs.
He led them to the playoffs in back-to-back years and even managed to reach the Super Bowl in 2008. However, Whisenhunt was never able to field a team that was considered to be a playoff contender after Kurt Warner retired.
Warner’s retirement and Whisenhunt’s inability to find a proper replacement ultimately led to his demise. That, in turn, made room for the hiring of former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.
Arians became the 38th head coach in franchise history. Moreover, his arrival signals the start of a new era with heightened expectations. Arizona fans want the Cardinals to find their way to the playoffs for just the ninth time in franchise history.
For that to happen, they will need a handful of players, new and old, to step up their game this season. Here are five players the Cardinals are counting on to break out in 2013.
After six years in the desert, the Arizona Cardinals decided it was time to move on from head coach Ken Whisenhunt. With Whisenhunt at the helm, the organization had seen its fair share of ups and downs.
He led them to the playoffs in back-to-back years and even managed to reach the Super Bowl in 2008. However, Whisenhunt was never able to field a team that was considered to be a playoff contender after Kurt Warner retired.
Warner’s retirement and Whisenhunt’s inability to find a proper replacement ultimately led to his demise. That, in turn, made room for the hiring of former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.
Arians became the 38th head coach in franchise history. Moreover, his arrival signals the start of a new era with heightened expectations. Arizona fans want the Cardinals to find their way to the playoffs for just the ninth time in franchise history.
For that to happen, they will need a handful of players, new and old, to step up their game this season. Here are five players the Cardinals are counting on to break out in 2013.
Cleveland Cavaliers 26 game losing streak
Cleveland Cavaliers 26 game losing streak, The Cavaliers have won the right to pick first in the lottery, perhaps for Kentucky freshman center Nerlens Noel, who is rehabbing a torn ACL, has no offensive game and will not play for a head coach here who can teach it to him.
Oh, yeah. He's also too skinny to play his position in the NBA.
Noel might not debut on the floor until nearly Christmas, serving until then as a very tall sugar plum dancing in fans' heads.
Defiant Dan Gilbert, the Cavs owner, went to Twitter to explain what he expected to gain in the draft lottery:Twitter, a social medium, can be used for many things, including as a mouthpiece for team officials to put their "spin" on developments without all those intrusive questions by the media.
Given Gilbert's record as Nostradamus, it's best not to take that "last lottery" thing as an absolute. The nearly annual celebration of pure, dumb luck in the lottery has been as good as it gets for his team lately.
As a seer, Gilbert guaranteed that his team would win an NBA championship before the defector LeBron James won one. That crowd-pleasing chirp of defiance occurred three seasons ago, after "The Decision." Since James left, the Cavs' records have been 19-63, 21-45 and 24-58. James and the Heat are seeking a second straight championship, after losing in the NBA Finals in the other season.
Apparently, however, the record 26 straight losses in the first year after James left is like Adam Rosales' home run for Oakland off Chris Perez. It never happened. Umpire Angel Hernandez said so on the homer and Defiant Dan said so on rebuilding by using creative counting.Twitter, a social medium, can be used for many things, including as a mouthpiece for team officials to put their "spin" on developments without all those intrusive questions by the media.
Given Gilbert's record as Nostradamus, it's best not to take that "last lottery" thing as an absolute. The nearly annual celebration of pure, dumb luck in the lottery has been as good as it gets for his team lately.
As a seer, Gilbert guaranteed that his team would win an NBA championship before the defector LeBron James won one. That crowd-pleasing chirp of defiance occurred three seasons ago, after "The Decision." Since James left, the Cavs' records have been 19-63, 21-45 and 24-58. James and the Heat are seeking a second straight championship, after losing in the NBA Finals in the other season.
Apparently, however, the record 26 straight losses in the first year after James left is like Adam Rosales' home run for Oakland off Chris Perez. It never happened. Umpire Angel Hernandez said so on the homer and Defiant Dan said so on rebuilding by using creative counting.
Don't the Cavs already have a "project" big man in Tyler Zeller, anyway?
The Cavs need a shooting guard/small forward who doesn't shoot 42.1 percent for his career. In other words, someone other than Alonzo Gee.
Don't expect "schematic advantages" -- the strength former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis claimed to possess before he became "former" -- to enhance Noel's game. The new boss is the same as the old boss with the Cavs. Mike Brown's offense bogged down into predictable sets when the Cavs had the best scorer and facilitator in the game in James.
Every option is being considered by Chris Grant, the general manager, who actually has done well with lottery picks Tristan Thompson, Dion Waiters and Irving. The options include using the No. 1 pick; trading down for a player they like at a lower pick; or packaging the pick with some of their other picks or players for a veteran who can help now.
This is a draft in which all of the first six or eight players are almost interchangeable. For what it's worth, I like Indiana's Victor Oladipo. It's not just the Big Ten thing. He will play tough defense and has enough explosiveness around the rim to ignite the crowd and his team.
For the Cavs to make the playoffs, Irving has to stay healthy for the season, which he has not come close to doing in his first two seasons.
By Gilbert's math or mine, the rebuild slogs on. Radical transformation is unlikely for any franchise in this draft.
Oh, yeah. He's also too skinny to play his position in the NBA.
Noel might not debut on the floor until nearly Christmas, serving until then as a very tall sugar plum dancing in fans' heads.
Defiant Dan Gilbert, the Cavs owner, went to Twitter to explain what he expected to gain in the draft lottery:Twitter, a social medium, can be used for many things, including as a mouthpiece for team officials to put their "spin" on developments without all those intrusive questions by the media.
Given Gilbert's record as Nostradamus, it's best not to take that "last lottery" thing as an absolute. The nearly annual celebration of pure, dumb luck in the lottery has been as good as it gets for his team lately.
As a seer, Gilbert guaranteed that his team would win an NBA championship before the defector LeBron James won one. That crowd-pleasing chirp of defiance occurred three seasons ago, after "The Decision." Since James left, the Cavs' records have been 19-63, 21-45 and 24-58. James and the Heat are seeking a second straight championship, after losing in the NBA Finals in the other season.
Apparently, however, the record 26 straight losses in the first year after James left is like Adam Rosales' home run for Oakland off Chris Perez. It never happened. Umpire Angel Hernandez said so on the homer and Defiant Dan said so on rebuilding by using creative counting.Twitter, a social medium, can be used for many things, including as a mouthpiece for team officials to put their "spin" on developments without all those intrusive questions by the media.
Given Gilbert's record as Nostradamus, it's best not to take that "last lottery" thing as an absolute. The nearly annual celebration of pure, dumb luck in the lottery has been as good as it gets for his team lately.
As a seer, Gilbert guaranteed that his team would win an NBA championship before the defector LeBron James won one. That crowd-pleasing chirp of defiance occurred three seasons ago, after "The Decision." Since James left, the Cavs' records have been 19-63, 21-45 and 24-58. James and the Heat are seeking a second straight championship, after losing in the NBA Finals in the other season.
Apparently, however, the record 26 straight losses in the first year after James left is like Adam Rosales' home run for Oakland off Chris Perez. It never happened. Umpire Angel Hernandez said so on the homer and Defiant Dan said so on rebuilding by using creative counting.
Don't the Cavs already have a "project" big man in Tyler Zeller, anyway?
The Cavs need a shooting guard/small forward who doesn't shoot 42.1 percent for his career. In other words, someone other than Alonzo Gee.
Don't expect "schematic advantages" -- the strength former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis claimed to possess before he became "former" -- to enhance Noel's game. The new boss is the same as the old boss with the Cavs. Mike Brown's offense bogged down into predictable sets when the Cavs had the best scorer and facilitator in the game in James.
Every option is being considered by Chris Grant, the general manager, who actually has done well with lottery picks Tristan Thompson, Dion Waiters and Irving. The options include using the No. 1 pick; trading down for a player they like at a lower pick; or packaging the pick with some of their other picks or players for a veteran who can help now.
This is a draft in which all of the first six or eight players are almost interchangeable. For what it's worth, I like Indiana's Victor Oladipo. It's not just the Big Ten thing. He will play tough defense and has enough explosiveness around the rim to ignite the crowd and his team.
For the Cavs to make the playoffs, Irving has to stay healthy for the season, which he has not come close to doing in his first two seasons.
By Gilbert's math or mine, the rebuild slogs on. Radical transformation is unlikely for any franchise in this draft.