Jaimoe

I'm not a fan of the Page & Plant collaborations from the 90's - too much mystical bullshit. However, reuniting with John Paul Jones should bring back some old magic. Thank god there's no Phil Collins. Page hated him and so did my ears.

I like Wilner. I listen to his post game shows and there's a good reason for the way he talks to some of his callers. They are almost as informed and idiotic as Leaf fans. Jamie Campbell is the worst play-by-play announcer in baseball. He is getting slightly better, but listen to other telecasts in other cities for proof of his shoddy work. Do it. C'mon.

This is good news for a change broadcast-wise. If only they could replace Jamie Campbell as well... From today's Globe & Mail: Ashby returns to Jays' booth WILLIAM HOUSTON It's an old name, but a new voice. And Alan Ashby, when he sets up in the Toronto Blue Jays' radio booth for the 2007 season, will represent a significant upgrade. Ashby, an original Jay, will work as an analyst and sometime play-by-play voice with Jerry Howarth, replacing Warren Sawkiw, whose contract was not renewed. He signed a three-year deal believed to be worth about $300,000 a year. Ashby, who played most of his career with the Houston Astros, worked as an analyst on KTRH (740 AM) in Houston for eight years. However, he lost his job at the end of the 2005 season in a decision that was never explained. When veteran Astros announcer Milo Hamilton opted out of doing games on the road, Ashby applied for the away play-by-play job. Two minor-league broadcasters were hired instead, and Ashby was subsequently let go. At the time, David Barron of the Houston Chronicle, wrote, "While its shock value doesn't rival the dismissal of original play-by-play voice Gene Elston after the 1986 season, Ashby's departure does represent a wrenching blow for fans." Several expressed their dismay in letters to the Chronicle. For his part, Ashby sensed the Astros objected to his criticism of the team. "Some pointed to the fact that I was, in their opinion, very honest with what went on in the field," he said yesterday. "They felt they could believe what I was saying. And I depicted things that I felt were the result of a failure to hustle. That's the biggest one that comes up, because everyone makes an error. "I'm honest. I try to paint the game as honestly, as fair and accurately as possible." The Jays' flagship station, The Fan 590 in Toronto, pursued Ashby at the end of the 2006 season, said Nelson Millman, the station's general manager. "It was an opportunity to go with a little bit more of a traditional broadcast booth," he said. "Alan is obviously an original Blue Jay, which wasn't one of the criteria, but obviously something you look at. "He has history in the marketplace, years of major-league experience and also broadcasting experience." Ashby, a catcher, played major-league baseball for 17 years, 11 of them with Houston and 1½ with the Jays. The 55-year-old is enthusiastic about his new job. "It's a golden opportunity," he said. "I don't know that I ever imagined that I'd leave the Astros. So, to have this come along is just a real special opportunity." Millman was gracious in explaining his decision not to retain Sawkiw. "I think Warren is a great guy who did an exemplary job in tough circumstances," he said. "But this was an opportunity to make the fit a little bit better in terms of the experience level." Sawkiw, a fringe minor-leaguer, was hired in April of 2005 while veteran Jays voice Tom Cheek was battling cancer. Over two years, Sawkiw's work did not appear to improve. He didn't do play-by-play and contributed a small amount of analysis. Sawkiw could not be reached for comment. Last season, Ashby worked on a baseball radio show in Houston and did some television. What does he think of the Jays? "I think they're talented," he said. "And when you add Frank Thomas to a team that surged late last year, I think they have a chance. "Obviously, a lot depends on the pitching and health of the pitchers. Bottom line, they play in a division with the Yankees and Red Sox." Millman said reporter Mike Wilner will return to the Jays' radio broadcasts.

If you grew up in the 70's, then you will know the former child actor nominated for Little Children. He was a part of our youth and basically disappeared from acting until last year. Here's the nominees for best supporting actor and I posted his picture from his most famous role below. Performance by an actor in a supporting role Alan Arkin - LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE Jackie Earle Haley - LITTLE CHILDREN Djimon Hounsou - BLOOD DIAMOND Eddie Murphy - DREAMGIRLS Mark Wahlberg - THE DEPARTED Kelly Leak from The Bad News Bears: Here he is today:

I work for CHUM and the El Mo was shot by former and current co-workers of mine. The people that worked on the gig didn't really know Stevie and had no idea about his reputation. The show was basically shot by fluke.

Beautiful!

Fuck the first paragraph (not directed at you Brad). Jimi wasn't close to the blues, he WAS the blues. Jimi was the bridge between rock and the blues. And I hate you after reading your second paragraph... hate with green envy.

I don't think so. It's just dima being a jackass.

Booche and I thought we had in RR this generation's Jimi Hendrix/Sly & The Family Stone. I hope he pulls out of this funk and gets back into the funk.

I just got off the phone with Booche. He was so outraged at what he saw tonight that he called me at work long-distance to tell me that Robert Randolph was terrible performing at the beginning of tonight's NHL All-Star Game. No wonder the game wasn't a sell-out. Booche also mentioned that there's been some negative buzz surrounding RR recently regarding his behaviour and erratic playing. Is there any truth to this? If so, what's going on?

I see they're touring with Mastodon. That would be one hell of a 'old school' metal double-bill.

He sure did live hard and die young, but he put his hard living days well behind him during the time of his death. Unlike Jimi, Stevie never really played outside of the blues, in particular Texas blues. Even his solos on Bowie's Let's Dance album are blues to the core... and awesome. I cried when he died.

It'll get even better when BradM finally retreats back to the less important forums and to re-reading his Harlan Ellison anthologies.

I like the E Street influence and given Bruce's legacy, I've never heard many bands that have an E Street/New Jersey 70's sound.

It's pretty exciting watching a band do a one-off on Letterman and OWN the stage. Power-pop at its finest. As Conan O'Brien said after seeing MMJ perform for the first time (One Big Holiday): "I'm buying that album"!

It's true, I am a nose bleeder, but it's been a pretty useful unconventional strategy over the years.

I'm a few months older than Booche and I could kick every one of your asses with ease.

Even though he's from one of the professions that often produces short lifespans (along with rap/rock musicians, porn stars and football players) Bam Bam's death still comes as a bit of a shock: Pro-Wrestler Bam Bam Bigelow Dies At Age 45 January 23, 2007 11:58 a.m. EST Pete Flies - All Headline News Sports Reporter Hudson, FL (AHN) - Former pro-wrestler and actor Scott 'Bam Bam' Bigelow died over the weekend. The 45-year-old was found dead in his home, according to an announcement made by his brother Todd Bigelow. The wrestler retired from the sport in 2004 and appeared in four movies from 1992 to 2000. An autopsy did not find any signs of foul play. Todd Bigelow mentioned that his brother was battling diabetes and an infection. Bigelow took his nickname from the cartoon, 'The Flintstones,' and a character named Bamm Bamm Rubble. His weight was billed at 360 pounds, and he was sometimes listed at 400 pounds. Early in his career, he went by the names Crusher Yurkov, Crusher Bigelow and Bruce Bigelow before using Bam Bam. He often played the part of the "heel," or villain in the wrestling ring for the entertainment of the audience. His heavily tattooed body and scalp added to his villainous appearance, and wrestled the likes of crowd favorites Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. Bigelow won the World Championship Wrestling Hardcore Championship once and was a two-time Tag Team champion. He was named the 1986 rookie of the year by Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

... PHOENIX (AP) -- Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs. Tyson spoke only to give his name and his birth date during the brief hearing before Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner Lisa Vandenberg, who entered the plea on Tyson's behalf. Tyson stood with his arms crossed while Vandenberg spoke to his lawyers. He didn't speak to reporters after the hearing. One of Tyson's four lawyers, David Chesnoff, said Tyson is seeking professional help "for whatever problems he has" and would fight to stay out of prison. "Drug addiction is a victimless crime," Chesnoff said. "We believe this is the kind of crime where you shouldn't go to prison." Tyson was indicted earlier this month on felony drug possession and paraphernalia possession counts and two misdemeanour counts of driving under the influence of drugs. If convicted of all four charges, he could be sentenced to up to 7{ years in prison. Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas has said he would pursue prison time for Tyson, who was convicted of rape in Indiana in 1992 and pleaded no contest to misdemeanour assault charges in Maryland in 1999. The latest charges stem from Tyson's Dec. 29 arrest in Scottsdale. Tyson was pulled over after leaving a nightclub, and an officer found bags of cocaine in his back pocket and another in a package of cigarettes in his car, according to court records. Tyson is due back in court Feb. 26. Tyson, who recently got back in the ring for a series of four-round exhibitions, became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at 20 in 1986, when he knocked out Canadian fighter Trevor Berbick. Four years later, he was knocked out by James "Buster" Douglas. By 1997, Tyson's career hit a low point when he bit Evander Holyfield's ear during a fight. Chesnoff, who previously represented celebrity homemaker Martha Stewart on charges of lying about a stock sale, said Tyson's celebrity has brought unfair attention to his arrest by the public and prosecutors. "Mike provided a lot of thrills and excitement," Chesnoff said. "He made a lot of people rich. He's concerned about this. He's a sensitive guy. This is not a game to him."

With all this talk, I'm heading to the gym to hit the heavy-bag right now.

How about two left hooks to the body combined with a right uppercut. Trust me, I trained for years and still find that tough as hell to do. It's amazing to see true great boxers in person, and I know a few, throw combos, bob-and-weave, counter-punch or even throw jabs with power. It doesn't matter, I just want you to see the Mayweather-de la Hoya fight in May. It's the biggest purse in boxing's history and just about the most intriguing fight to come around this century.

That's part of why I find UFC boring. Grapple, pin, rabbit-punch, wrestle, submission. I don't like comparing these two sports because they are more dissimilar than similar. One thing comparable is when the UFC combatants stick to throwing punches a la boxing. When that happens, they show their limitations.

I don't agree. It's apples and oranges - the UFC guys are specialists in the own martial art group, be it karate, ju-jitsu, judo, taekwando, Thai boxing etc... I just think pro boxing attracts the better all-round athletes given the money involved - I'm talking professional sports only.

Well, there's no rabbit and kidney punches, elbows and knees to the groin in boxing. Not all boxing has standing 8 counts. However, there may be no sport as traditionally corrupt as boxing. Whether you feel UFC athletes are more talented is debatable. Every interview/article I've read involving UFC partipants and boxers reveals mutual admiration for both sports. Boxing is a martial art, albeit arguably a brutal one, with unbelievable athletes with skills to boot. Watch Floyd Mayweather's upcoming bout with Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya for added proof. In over 30 years of watching boxing, I've never seen a guy that can put punching power with speed and agility like Mayweather, including Sugar Ray Leonard. Ali is the only exception, but he was already finished when I watched him lose to Leon Spinx live - when they used to show fights live on regular TV.

Going into the Bears-Saints game I was cheering for 'feel-good story' New Orleans - I have no vested interest in either team, I just wanted a good game. However, I wanted the Bears to win immediately after Bush did that flip and gay dance after he scored the touchdown. The Saints have never won anything, never been to a conference final and the touchdown did not put them in the lead. The kid's a good player, but c'mon. The Raiders would have strung him up... or at least their fans would have.