Archive for May, 2010
DeWyze Wins the Idol Penant
Friday, May 28th, 2010 | American Idol, Concerts | No Comments
So there you have it, Lee DeWyze is in, and Simon Cowell is out. The Season Finale of American Idol this past Tuesday and Wednesday was more of a Simon Cowell Graduation Party, perhaps because everyone knows the show is toast without Simon. Simon calls it as he sees it, and for that he will be missed. Lee DeWyze is a good guy and that is why many including me are glad he won. I do not think his post-Idol career will be as absolutely tepid as Michael Cook and Kris Allen before him. We will know as soon as he releases a record whether he is the genuine article or a manufactured star like Cook and Allen, who have proven that a good voice is not enough outside the cover-band circuit.
The Producers of American Idol seemed to be purposfully trying to make the show less cool last week. The musical guests included Hall and Oats, Michael McDonald from the Doobie Brothers, and versions of Joe Cocker and Poison’s Brett Michaels that made one consciously aware of his or her own mortality. It reminded me of watching 247 year old Dick Clark bring in the New Year in Time’s Square. It is somewhat depressing to see in full relief where we are all headed, as the aging game cannot be won. Michael McDonald has not been relevant since he was parodied in the comedy film 40 Year Old Virgin.
By making DeWyze sing U2′s “Beatiful Day” his departing anthem it seemed as though Idol producers had sealed DeWyze’s fate as the loser. The song is too new to be redone, and DeWyze was powerless to make it better, as he did, for example, with Simon and Garfunkle’s “The Boxer.” Singing “Beautiful Day” he reminded me of a high school kid in a talent show. It was too bad for him because to that point in the season the Idol machine had failed to make DeWyze as cheesy as the institution itself.
The show American Idol is one-part talent show and one-part making fun of nerds with poor self awareness. From time to time the Show brings back its worst examples of the later, and on Finale night the nerds got their revenge when one of them stole the microphone during a singing number and started making fun of Simon. It was a delicious live TV moment and it prompted FOX to abruptly cut to commercial. They should know that nerds are volatile, and that this type of outburts was inevitable given the mileage this show has taken at the expense of the nerd psyche.
I will follow Lee DeWyze carefully to see for myself if he can remain cool despite all the adulation he has received in the past 6 months. Most important than whether he is the next American Idol is whether he will be the next Taylor Hicks?
New Meadowlands Stadium to Host 2014 “Cold Weather” Super Bowl
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 | New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, Sports, Super Bowl | No Comments
NFL owners have approved the New Meadowlands Stadium (home stadium to the New York Giants & Jets) to host the 2014 Super Bowl. It will be the first ever “cold weather” stadium (without a dome) to host a Super Bowl game. Up until now, stadiums could not even make a bid to host the Super Bowl. The NFL decided to make an exception for the New York area alone seeing that it just constructed the New Meadowlands Stadium which will host NFL homes game during the upcoming 2010 NFL schedule.
Giants Co-owner Jonathan Tisch had this to say about the selection — “We believe the owners have the faith in us that 3 1/2 years from now we’ll put on a remarkable event. The greatest game in the world will be played on the greatest stage in the world.”
The slogan for New York’s Super Bowl was “Make Some History”. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he and his city are honored to host the big game — “People talk about the weather, but, you know, this is football, not beach volleyball… America came to the rescue of New York, and that’s something I think that New Yorkers have never forgotten. This is a little bit of our chance to say thank you.”
While in theory this is a memorable decision, it could be a total disaster. What if the New York tri-state area is in the middle of a 2-3 foot snow storm like it endured several times this past winter. What if flights are canceled and people can’t even make it in for the big game. Better book your trip for a few days early just in case we see some of the same volatile weather that we saw this past year.
Plus, if there is bad weather, with winds whipping through the already windy stadium, what does that mean for the level of play for the game. You could have the best teams with the best players from both conferences battling the wind and snow and ice instead of each other. That would be a major disaster as well.
Guess we’ll see how it all plays out, but I doubt we’ll have another cold weather Super Bowl site selected until this one plays itself out in February 2014.
Cup Time — Blackhawks Advance to Stanley Cup Finals with 4-2 Win Over Sharks
Monday, May 24th, 2010 | Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, Sports | No Comments
The Chicago Blackhawks have advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the 1st time since 1992 after they swept the #1 Seed San Jose Sharks in 4 straight games in the Western Conference Finals.
After the Sharks raced out to a 2-0 lead midway through the 2nd period, it looked like the Hawks might have to close out the series back in San Jose later this week. But the Blackhawks quickly answered with goals by Brent Seabrook and Dave Bolland to tie the game at 2 before the end of the period.
Then it looked like we might be headed to another overtime contest, but Dustin Byfuglien’s 8th post-season goal with just under 6 minutes left to go in the game put the Hawsk ahead for good. Byfuglien has scored all 8 of his goals in the last 2 series against the Vancouver Canucks and Sharks and has proved to be a valuable forward on attack with the Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane after playing the 1st round of the playoffs as a defenseman. He is a big reason that Toews continues to increase his post-season franchise record of scoring at least 1 point in a game with either a goal or assist. Toews has now made it 13 straight games this post-season with his assist on Byfuglien’s game winner.
Kris Versteeg closed out the scoring in the 4-2 win with an empty netter with under a minute left to play.
Antti Niemi proved as good as gold again in net. Although he only faced 18 shots in the game – the lowest number of shots taken by the Sharks this series – he stopped 16 of them. And more importantly, instead of getting down on himself after allowing the 1st 2 goals of the game, he rallied to keep the Sharks out of the net the rest of the way.
Now the Hawks await the winner of the Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens Eastern Conference Finals to find out who they will play in the Stanley Cup series. Can’t wait – this city has waited long enough to hoist a Stanley Cup Trophy on the United Center ice here in Chicago…
Celtics Up 3-0 in East Finals After 94-71 Drubbing of Magic
Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 | Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, NBA, Orlando Magic, Sports | No Comments
The Boston Celtics are on cruise control. What an unbelievable post-season run. The Celtics are now just 1 win away from the NBA Finals after a convincing 94-71 win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday night in Boston.
I for one and am amazed at the resurgent Celtics. I thought that the Miami Heat might actually give the Celtics a run for their money like the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls have done in each of the last 2 post-seasons. But the Celtics made easy work of the Heat in just 5 games, and they have been pretty much unstoppable ever since. The Celtics took out the #1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers led by King Lebron James in 6 games – winning twice on Cleveland’s home court. And now they are making the defending East Champion Orlando Magic look like a CYO team from Westchester, New York. It is pretty embarrassing for this Magic team, especially since they were riding a 14-game winning streak (8 straight playoff wins) heading into the Eatsern Conference Finals with the Celtics.
On Saturday, it was much of the same for the Celtics as they raced out to an early 1st quarter lead – 27-12. How does a playoff team score only 12 points in a quarter in a series like this?! Pathetic. By halftime, the lead was 17 points, and the Celtics used a 24-13 3rd quarter edge to increase that lead to 75-47. Game Over! When you have quarters with point totals of 12 and 13, you’re not going to win a lot of games.
The Celtics used a balanced attack and tenacious defense to put the Magic away with ease. Ray Allen had 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Rajon Rondo added 11 points, 3 rebounds and 12 assists. Paul Pierce had 15 points and 9 rebounds, while Kevin Garnett chipped in 10 points and 6 boards. Bench player Glen Davis had his best showing this post-season with 17 points and 6 boards.
The Celtics can advance to the NBA Finals for the 2nd time in 3 years with a win over the Magic on Monday night in Boston.
Blackhawks Top Sharks 3-2 in Thrilling Overtime Win, 1 Game Away From Stanley Cup
Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 | Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, Sports | No Comments
The Blackhawks defeated the Sharks 3-2 in overtime on Friday night at the United Center in Chicago. The Blackhawks need just 1 more win to advance to their first Stanley Cup appearance since 1992.
After a scoreless 1st period, each team scored on a power play goal in the 2nd period. Patrick Marleau scored 4 minutes into the period and Patrick Sharp answered for the Blackhawks just 3 minutes later.
It was still tied at 1 to start the 3rd period, but the Sharks came out firing on all cylinders in the final frame. Although the Sharks would end up out-shotting the Hakws in the period by an 18-6 margin, it was the Blackhawks who answered the call with less than 7 minutes to play on Dave Bolland’s goal. It looked like the Hawks would get the in regulation, but Marleau knocked in his 2nd goal of the game with less than 5 minutes to play.
So to overtime we go. This period, the Hawks were the aggressor, sensing a chance to put the series away for good with a win. The Hawks quickly outshot the Sharks 11-5, and at the 12:24 mark of the 1st overtime period, Bolland fed a wide open Dustin Byfuglien in front of the net for the game winner. It was the 4th straight game in which Byfuglien has scored a goal and it was his 7th goal of the post-season. Byfuglien is quickly turning into one of the most productive forwards for the Hawks in the playoffs as other teams focus on the more well-known goal scoring prowess of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.
But let’s not forget about the fabulous goal-tending of Antti Niemi. The Sahrks literally threw everything but the kitchen sink at Niemi and he still managed to hold down the fort. It was the 2nd game of the series in which Niemi saved 44 shots. Unbelievable! Outstanding! Superb! The rookie has proved everyone wrong, as it is clear that Niemi has what it takes to lead a team to 16 wins during any given post-season to capture the Stanley Cup crown. IN the 3-game series thus far, Niemi has made 113 total saves, while allowing just 5 goals. This to one of the most productive offenses in all of hockey. It is truly a special thing to be able to watch Niemi night in and night out.
Captain Jonathan Toews (just 22 years of gae) also set a Hawks’ franchise playoff record by recording at least 1 point in 12 straight post-season games (he had 2 assists in the win). Toews was honored to set the record and is even more jacked to get a chance to play in his first ever Stanley Cup — “I mean, you’re not going to get too high on yourself or too full of yourself like that. You got to do the right things and play the right way if you’re going to have success… We’ve done that. There’s nothing about us that says we’re unbeatable. As soon as we get away from playing our game, you know, we’re a mediocre average team. We got to go out there, work hard, stick to our guns, stick to how we learned to play this year. The way we’re going to be tough to beat.” Sounds like a man who knows where his team is headed – straight to hoisting that magnificent Stanley Cup after 5 more wins this post-season.
Game 4 is Sunday afternoon at the United Center.
Casey James — Putting the Cool Back in Texas
Friday, May 21st, 2010 | American Idol, Concerts, General | No Comments
The Man from Cool Texas
The run is over for contestant Casey James, the pride and joy of dusty Cool, Texas — but who could feel sorry for the svelte blond Texas bluesman given the fawning he has received from female viewers, including the ageless Shania Twain herself. And there is no way an understated guy like James could ever win a true-to-form reality show like this in which sensationalism is required to trump substance. In his second to last performance on the show James gave a solid and bluesy rendition of “OK, It’s Allright With Me” by Eric Hutchinson. He received tepid reviews from the Judges, but who cares. This is the group who every week seems to crave Ethel Merman-styled high notes, spandex unitards and sexually ambiguous performances that shock, as if more is always more, and as if subtlely is evil. Idol isn’t about perpetuating guys like Casey James, nor would a young Eric Clapton have had a chance before the self-important analysis of Kara DioGuardi.
It is a fact that Idol contestants get less cool each week they compete on the show. You realize this when you review the video montages of the departing contestants — Idol’s overbearing presence dulls the edges of artistry as it works to m
anufacture cookie cutter Justin Bieber-esque clones. The Ford commercials, the corny tap and jazz ensembles before each Results show, the hair and wardrobe make-overs . . . in the end it is hard to know what is manufactured by FOX and what is the genuine article. Yet I keep watching like a meth-addict.
Who knew James would make it this far — second runner-up — when Victoria Beckham a/k/a Posh Spice asked him to remove his shirt during his first audition, revealing a slender if somewhat furry physique that caused Kara DioGuardi to blush and caused me confusion because it appeared that Mr. James did not have nipples.
So there you have it, Mount Prospect, Illinois native Lee DeWyze and Western Ohio’s Crystal Bowersox are headed to the Final. As I stated in my last Post, DeWyze is too good for this show, and he “should” be the hands-down winner, and thereafter he should be capable of producing real music, unlike the limp post-Idol debut of previous winner Kris Allen, whose “Live Like Your Dying” makes lactose-intolerant people immediately crap in their pants without warning.
Justin Bieber doesn’t know how to use doors
Friday, May 21st, 2010 | Concerts, Justin Bieber | No Comments
The coolest teen on the planet hit a door the other day, oh man Justin you are so smooth.
Celtics Grab 2-0 Series Lead with 95-92 Win Over Magic in Orlando
Thursday, May 20th, 2010 | Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Orlando Magic, Sports | No Comments
The Boston Celtics are just brimming with confidence right now. What a difference it makes to have a healthy Kevin Garnett on the defensive end for an entire post-season run. Although his stat lines have not been overwhelming, Garnett is the main reason that the Celtics have been able to limit the explosive offenses of the Heat, the Cavaliers and the Magic so far this post-season. Two more wins against the Magic, and we’ll be able to see if he can do the same against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers in the NBA Finals (as they did 2 years ago en route to the title).
The Celtics are now in a great position – having won 2 road games to start the series. If they can keep the Magic from winning 4 of the next 5 games in the series, they will advance to their 2nd NBA Finals series in 3 seasons. Paul Pierce led the way again in Game 2, scoring 28 points with 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Rajon Rondo exploded for 15 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds. Garnett scored just 10 points, but grabbed 9 boards with 2 blocked shots.
To put this into perspective, we can’t forget that the Magic had won 8 straight games this post-season over the Charlotte Bobcats and the Atlanta Hawks and 14 games overall before running into the rejuvenated Celtics. In their 1st 8 post-season games, the Magic had scored at least 90 points all of them. In three of their 4 wins over the Hawks, they scored over 105 points in each game. 88 points in Game 1 and 92 points in Game 2 is not going to cut it. It won’t get any easier for the Magic, as they now have to go up against the Celtics on their home turf in the TD North Garden. It certainly isn’t over by any means – we saw the Celtics lay an egg against the Cavs at home in the previous series. But they are going to need a full team effort if they have any hopes of reaching the NBA Finals for the 2nd consecutive season.
Game 3 is set for 8:30PM EST on Saturday night in Boston.
Blackhawks Seize 2-0 Advantage over Sharks in Western Conference Finals
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 | Chicago Blackhawks, NHL, San Jose Sharks, Sports | No Comments
They are a team of destiny. Riding an unbelievable road winning streak, the Blackhawks beat the Sharks 4-2 at the Shark Tank on Tuesday night and took a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals. It was the 7th straight road playoff win for the Hawks – tying an NHL record. Only the 1999 Colorado Avalanche, the 1995 New Jersey Devils and the 1980 and 1982 New York Islanders have had similar 7-game road winning streaks in a single post-season.
The Blackhawks raced out to 1 3-0 lead midway through the 2nd period. Andrew Ladd got the Hawks on the scoreboard first with a 1st period goal. Then, Dustin Byfuglien and Jonathan Toews each scored on deflections in front of the net just 1:30 apart in the 2nd period to give the Hawks the 3-0 advantage. And although the Sharks answered with a goal of their own in the 2nd period to cut the lead to 3-1, Antti Niemi and the Hawks defense stayed focused the rest of the way as the Hawks still held a 2-goal lead entering the final frame. When Troy Brouwer scored off some nifty passes by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Marian Hossa to give the Hawks a 4-1 lead with only 13+ minutes left in the game, you had a feeling this one was over.
After the teams combined for 95 shots in Game 1, as we predicted, it was a much more controlled game for both squads in Game 2. The Sharks still outshot the Hawks at home (27-22), but they managed just 7 shots on goal in the final frame. Niemi put forth another incredible effort making 25 saves against the #1 seeded Sharks in their home arena.
The Hawks are playing with a ton of confidence. You can see it in their effort on the ice and in their post-game comments.
Defenseman Duncan Kieth was amazed that the Hawks won both games in San Jose — “It’s a good start. To come into this building, a tough building to come into, and to get two wins is good. At the same time as a team we realize that there’s still a lot of hockey left to be played.”
Star forward Patrick Kane loves the team’s comraderie on the road — “The way we’ve been playing on the road, it just seems like everything has gone right for us. Sometimes you get on the road, it’s just a simpler attitude. We’ve had a lot of fun with bonding in the hotel and different things. Sometimes you do that, it’s almost like you’re clicking before you’re even on the ice.”
And Head Coach Joel Quenneville credits his staff and team for being to stick to the game plan on the road – “I like our approach. I think our focus is in the right areas. The guys are sticking together off the ice, come prepared for games, playing a simpler game than we’ve probably seen at home.”
The series continues on Friday night at the United Center in Chicago. The Hawks have played much better on the road than at home – they are just 3-3 at home – so the Sharks still have a chance to make this a series. If the Hawks won on Friday night, the would be able to complete the sweep on Sunday afternoon in front of their home town crowd at the UC.
NBA Update — Celtics Top Magic, Lakers Top Suns in Game 1 of Conference Finals
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010 | Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Sports | No Comments
Here’s a quick update on the NBA Conference Finals –
The Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic 92-88 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday. The Celtics had another balanced attack on both ends of the court. Ray Allen led the way with 25 points and 7 rebounds. Paul Pierce chipped in 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Rajon Rondo had 8 points and 8 assists, while Kevin Garnett scored 8 points with 11 boards. The Celtics held on for the win despite being outscored 30-18 in the 4th quarter.
Game 2 is tonight in Orlando at 8:30PM EST on ESPN.
The Los Angeles Lakers crushed the Phoenix Suns 128-107 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday in Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant went nuts in the 3rd quarter and finished with 40 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The big surprise was Lamar Odom – 19 points and 19 rebounds. Pau Gasol scored 21 points and Ron Artest chipped in 14 points.
Game 2 is Wednesday night in Los Angeles at 9:00 PM EST on TNT.
