back on track, 2006 in sight

Amigos,
estamos aqui. the end of the year 2005. Wow. From my perspective it's been probably a little bit of everything. As you know, sometimes I'll just rant or go off on a tangent, so it might happen, what thinking for this entry is to let you know the sports, entertainment and media happenings that impacted me the most.

I'll begin with sports and say actually, that my level of interest in sports fluctuates. Maybe this is true for everyone.
I was into the Mets this Summer. They were interesting and were involved in the race - sometimes baseball pisses me off, just like this country, but sometimes it's ok. I hit some day games, which i really like. I was into the game. Hit a day in Philly to check out that new park, for a day trip. that was nice.

Hit a couple of NFL this year in Denver, checked out the new Mile High, giants hit a couple of times - great stadium there. But, as I've mentioned before, maybe it's just me, the NFL experience is not as sharp as I've experience before.

I don't do fantasy, so does that mean I should have no interest in watching the game?

Rant/off tangent:
I caught most of the documentary on Frontline yesterday called The Persuaders, about Market research, adv, and pr. perfectly appropriate for what i do.

I'm a marketer, sure. I think i'm a pretty savvy consumer personally, but that's because of my background and current situation.
I do look around at American consumers, and think wow. My brothers lives in the dizzle, and he's building a convenience store empire, like Abe Froman - sausage king of Chicago. He always used to say - ma and pa are easy to sell to. As we look across America and see figures like each American averages $8000 in personal debt on credit cards - you can see what he means.
Americans have been trained to spend without regard. Our government was the first example of not keeping a balanced budget. We corrected ourselves after 15 years probably, and now heading towards even more severe national debt and personal debt.

I don't have any money, so there's nothing for me to spend. I've just curbed my desires. which is hard, but it seems like that's a foreign concept for americans. and you know what we're losing lives because of this. Americans need to WAKE UP. I believe soldiers are losing their lives so we can be better consumers. I'm not an economist, but I think i need help understanding this. I'd like the administration to tell me what's happening - something they still haven't done - STILL.
I met a Naval ensign at the bar last week. seemed like a good guy, and i was very honest with him in saying i completely support him personally, and his buddies, they're not the ones pushing any buttons - unfortunately they're just tools.
but do they realize their mission to stabilize the region means we need low energy prices. We need a better energy policy than losing lives for cheaper prices. This is the biggest issue facing our democracy - Americans need to realize their desire for low gas prices and low taxes is based on soldiers lives. think about that and then realize - maybe that's what americans are fighting for if you go back to the revolution in the first place.

Wow, completely sidetracked. I hope i don't get in trouble. I want Americans to realize that consumerism has a price. We've got men dying while we're shopping. WW2 was not like this. If we're in a war, we need to behave as such and have a national consciousness. I don't see that. I think Oprah needs to tell her audience what's up - but then will that affect her ratings? her products? her magazine, her advertisers? What's up with Oprah - does she care? really? she has tremendous leverage. and she has a bunch of money. i now she does good causes, but we as a nation - I'm kind of worried. we're getting our ass kicked. in trade, in education.

Let's take a minute to reflect on what's important.
Thanks,
Have a great 2006.

much anticipated

Hey Gang,
I'm back, sorry it's been so long. Been a crazy little 2-3 weeks. Busy with the deeds of the season, on the business end, you know. all that jazz.

I've been reviewing some mainstream + content recently. I rented Cronicas with John Leguizamo, Carlos Mencia DVD and a cheeky Brit gangsta flick called Layer Cake, very much in the tradition of all the other cheeky Brit gangsta flicks. Not bad, kept me involved till the end.
I wanted to broaden my hispanic media intake, and I've been doing that with the standard networks, Univision, Telemundo, etc. I was actually looking for an Almadovar movie, but couldn't find one, so i picked up the leguizamo flick - turned out to be tremendous. I loved it.
Mencia is Mexican american comedian. following paul rodriguez and george lopez. he's very hard hitting in this DVD.

My take away now regarding minority comedians and entertainers is this. Up to now, and of course, even now, but very much up to now, White America has portrayed minorities as they seem them. Now, though minority entertainers are saying - we can handle playing our roles our selves, thank you. Those who see Chris Rock's act and say he's making fun of White people - to me is just short sighted - the big picture is that he's making fun of his own culture and how whites fit into that world.

I believe these conversations about race in our country are good. It means we're growing, evolving. We have issues and we all live under the same flag. We need to learn to understand each other.

I think this because White America is definitely going to be in for some type of demographic change to this country. I think I know white america pretty well, but surprisingly or maybe not I think most whites are quite ignorant towards the other cultures in this country - black, latino, jewish, etc.
the ignorance stems from a separation or lack of contact/intermingling with other cultures. I'd like to know why - in this country of all countries. I do believe we are the most tolerant and free-loving people, but I think we still have our shortcomings, especially when family organizations call for boycotts of religion neutral stores. sometimes the social conservatism of this country is overwhelming and embarassing.

What does this have to do with Cronicas or Carlos Mencia? well, to me the writing is on the wall. white america is here today, but we've been gradually darkening white america for the past 30 years, and now the hispanic culture is quite big, the largest minority and is growing at a huge rate compared to the rate of what is called the general market. Explanation: we're not in kansas anymore. well we are, but we're failing miserably.

one of my biggest peeves is that americans don't make an effort to communicate with other cultures and i'm speaking of the cultures within our borders. there's nothing wrong with learning another language. it makes you smarter not dumber.

I'm ranting now, but i don't care,
I'm out.
btw, I watched Decisiones tonight on Telemundo and loved it. I thought it was great - and I'm so proud of myself that I could understand the plot. I rock y'all.
hola

Us Weekly

Friends, Amigos, Countrymen, and ladies,
How are you. sorry it's been a little while since saying hello. Oddly enough, I've had some work. Don't laugh I'm serious. (picture Donald Sutherland in Animal House as the professor in class as they're walking out, right) Right. Anyway, couldn't find any good pics of donald in the animal house movies, no worries.

Again, it's so easy to run on tangentially on this. and i want to. I want to talk about watching some of a Soldier's Story on a Spanish channel last night. I think it was Azteca America. And they also already have a real world type show - but it's in Spanish. I think some of it works, but only kind of - what you see is cool young Latinos a little bit struggling in their language. NY is kind of freakky funny in terms of Spanish. and English. the whole city has its own dialect.
Anyway i saw robert townsend - and i love to see him, i'm just such a big fan of his. Which now I'll go into US Weekly.
This week's issue has a spread dedicated to woman's bra size or bust size - I don't know but its a who's who of mostly beautiful young ladies, starting with smallest Nicole Ritchie to largest Pam Anderson. That was probably my favorite feature. It included probably my favorite girl of the minute - Jennifer Love Hewitt - there's something about her that I've alwasy just been into. and Sara Michelle Gellar. I loke those girlies. They're clean - not hags like Tara Reid or Paris Hilton. The publicity seekers are tired. who cares. and they have no talent. I do like Brittany murphy - i think she's pretty hot

Right on time

Friend,
Please spend 2 minutes with this, might not be exactly your cup of tea, and it takes a minute to warm up, but some of it is excellent, not going to give it away, but I have my favorites:

http://www.arnoldsneighborhood.com/

Here's the trick - can you tell who my favorite is? ok my favorite 2-3? I want to hear who yours are.
cuenta me

Sexual Chocolate

The national football league.

Well, i'm watching the eagles cowboys monday nighter. I like it. but i don't usually watch until luego. btw, i'm starting to really get into spanish. like thinking and speaking, and busting out spanish words in sentences. I'm a gringo, but really getting into this market.
I guess i was talking about the nfl. My friend eric for many years now has said how boring it is to go to an nfl game. i've gone to a couple this year, and for the first time ever - i'm starting to see his point.

I'm not sure if' i'm saying i'm hating on the league. I don't think that's what i'm saying, though I do have some social commentary coming up.

I've gone to a broncos game in denver, 1st time at that new building after many visits to the old mile high. and a giants game. interestingly both games against the skins.
anytime i see a team in person i feel like i know them better. i think this is true.

but I didn't really enjoy the nfl experience on either occassion. I loved who i was with for both, but the game itself is missing. so many spaces in between the game. it's so professional and corporate. both of them.

when i was younger and a kid - going to the game was the ultimate. but now there are so many more ways i'd like to spend my time.

giants stadium -which is a great venue is a scary for people who can read.
I know you - my fellow readers - understand. giants games and jet games are just excuses for the public to be disgusting in the name of ??? what is it ?? exactly nothing. american style hooliganism. just idiocy.
but that's another topic altogether.

i just the game on the field isn't exciting anymore. I do enjoy mnf. with al and john madden. their production value is the best. everything is the best with them, so it's all good, and it's nice because of the time and you can control it. you can be doing stuff till 10, get home and still have a nice half of nfl game of the week. sweet.

if i'm lyin, why the proliferation of fantasy? which the nfl has finally adopted as well? fantasy is gambling, and the nfl shuns gambling. you think anybody is doing this for fun - well yes - this is what keeps the game interesting.

so i think that is sad. the game has become commoditized as if it were a stock market. I haven't even gotten to spreads - the original gambling vice, which the nfl doesn't acknowledge, but lives by with injury reports and such. hilarious.

it's entertainment and i suppose the league is adjusting to the fantasy explosion by accepting. but what about the product on the field?

I think it's just become vanilla.
just some ranting.

I might go to the iggles-giants game this week if i get invited. i'd go probably. because I don't really have that much to do right now.
but you feel me. I'd rather go to a college game for sure, but there's nothing interesting for college within a 5-hour drive. penn state, but I'm all orange, rather blue, right.

Dr. Evil

dinero, ese

Friends,
this is what i need. not just this one, but a lot of them.
alot. i'm not saying i'm looking for donations. it's more that. let me know if you have any ideas to help me pimp this out.

actors and characters

This dude is awesome. For some reason, he just hits me - the characters he plays - or is it him? What do we know about actors? are they playing a character? in certain parts yes. Como Don cheadle. Like Don Cheadle is another actor I love. Do i fall in love with the character? or the actor?
Tell me what you think?
There are others I'm sure.

I'm listening to Shatner's interview re: album has been. http://www.shatnerhasbeen.com/

I mean, i've really like his album stuff too.

I'll have to write about tenacious dee also.

gotta run, it's late.
sorry i haven't written more lately, just been tied up.

Friends, I desperately tried to find a photo of Robert Townsend's The Bold the Black the Beautiful skit, but could only find the dvd cover of partners in crime. But I could not resist from showing a couple of images from Hollywood Shuffle. (courtesy roberttownsend.com)

My friends Sneaking into the movies. Do i need to say anything. "no I believe that shit could really happen1" or "we give this movie the finger"

Ho cake. hoes got to eat too.

like eddie murphy in coming to america during the sexual chocolate scene, i'm just dropping the mic "Sexual Chocolate!"

I didn't watch very much of this series. I don't know if I've been preoccupied or what, but yeah, I saw some out here and there. Just wasn't captivated, though i think there were some good story lines.
Why was boston's episode last year better? drama? Yankees, because white sox drought was pretty long and rastros had never been.

Tuesday nights are really my tv nights - I like the shows Commander in Chief and Boston Legal - that block has had me locked up so far this fall. I've really enjoyed both shows, as much as i could watch.

Boston legal, with shatner, spader, bergen, betty white, my god. and all the nonsense that goes on. they used heather locklear for the first two episodes to lock me - daing those tv execs are pretty smart sometimes, and then i was having tj hooker flashbacks. God forbid, they showed bachelor party on a like spike and I would have wet myself seeing adrian zmed. though that was an awesome movie

Monday's are usually MNF, if it's a decent game, i'll usually watch the whole thing, because the production quality is excellent.

going back for one second. I've recently been hit by the soap network bug - not like all my children, but in the afternoons, they run a 3 hour block of dynasty, dallas and knot's landing.
bros. just like that old milwaukee line - "it just don't git any better than this."

those of you who haven't stopped to check it out. i feel sorry for your mamas.
that's right you going to shoot me in the head?

to this day, who's better than jr?
man, the way they used to do tv shows. It's just live performing history. it's incredible. this is what elizabeth hurly should have shown austin powers when she was trying to get him up to date.

blake carrington, damn, which naturally transfers me to robert townsend's the bold the black, the beautiful, when he spoofed the show, and he played lake arrington.

I think this blog is getting pretty long, we'll be back. need to go find some jpgs of all these, and learn how to better design, but stay with me folks, and please comment
i want to know what you think
late
john elway

the nike ads of back in the day

These are ads I really liked. I mentioned the Bo Diddley spot - with Bo knows everything and ends with Wayne just skating up to the camera and saying "No!" That was killer. It was - you loved it, you know you did.

I'm trying to think what's out there now, and nothing really hits me in this genre.

Probably my favorite ads right now are the geico gecko. I mean, just about all of it - i just love to death. I will say this - ESPN spots are very good - i think one agency that's done some awesome work is the concept farm for the college gameday guys - i happen to love those guys and the sport, but they've just captured the essence of those guys and what they mean to sport.

And alot of the ESPN sportscenter stuff is good - and has been good. RE: espn - sometimes i think the whole thing has morphed into a sportsentertainmentlife. like everyone is involved with everyone. like it's too much media. of course, blogging is a part of that.
alright kids, we'll see you later.

Let me know what you think about these ads, or whatever,

These are awesome ads done for Nike. The whole Bo Knows thing i loved more than anything. the :30 and :60. I bought 3 pairs of Bo jackson shoes - you member those. 2 in auburn colors, one in beige/blue 

sports advertising

Alo, alo,
you can just hear the British people's saying. I love to hear British sometimes. I mean it's just funny.
So I saw the two spots on adage http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=46493

I liked them both, but you know I'm an NBA fan and a Bud man. like Harry caray used to say.

anyways, i'm all britished out today, feel like watching that canadian austin powers. speaking of the commonwealth and what not.

In the business there are a fair amount of british - sometimes, i get such a kick out of it, and I've had British employers.
what is it about their accents that drive us americans to our last gay nerve, as my old friend Decarlos from South Beach would say. "seriously, chile," he would say, "you done pulled my last gay nerve." he was a real nice young man.

anyways, (in an ali g accent in my head), i'm been thinking about the sports adv.
there are a few different categories we can think of:
We have the sports media - such as ESPN, or FOX sports spots - some of the spots for the local ones are decent, and the ones by cliff freeman used to be insane - with the guys jumping out of the rock into the dirt, or the central asians? (as alot of these were depicted - something like that) just slapping each other. those spots were pure nonsense in the most fabulous definition of the word possible. but to an average sports viewing the build the brand. to ad folks they deliver the message - that fox is network/collective of local and regional sports cable channels.
Tangent: really each local channel was fairly autonomous with it's own set of programming - the consistencies came from all going under the same brand, and standardizing their formats, often including live sports, followed by regional sports news show - a full on local sportscenter - effective, because sportcenter can't cover region to this depth, and it's consistent local product. may not be game of the week - but it's your team.

Today, the local sports programming picture has changed in a few ways - the entire industry has changed since emerging from the 1980's. I'm thinking now i should write a book on the subject.

I wanted to talk tonight about good sports advertising and we hit on the sports media a touch. There's also the Nike, adidas, reebok, etc. I'll address those next.
Peace or Cheers as my islander friends would say.

major..

http://161.58.5.90/space/suround.wav

Denver nuggets baby!!
Of course I'm going to monitor the Cuse for the rest of the college season, but the nice thing is that basketball season is coming. i'm talking about the nba. most people like the nfl and then college hoops, i don't know why.
I'm backwards. cfb, and the nba for me.

I also like the nhl, to be honest. i've checked out a game this year, and it was good. very fast pace. very quick. i think the rule changes have opened the game up. One thing i'm curious about is wether the officials will call the penalties late in the season and playoffs, as they do in the early season.

anyway, back to the nuggets. that's my team. i think they're going to be pretty good this year. I think they have talent, and they're exciting, plus a pretty good coach. this team was hot last season in the second half, and if not for the spurs in the first round, they could have played anybody else pretty tough.
i think they definitely have a shot at their division, and get a top 3 seed. if that works out, then they have a chance to win a playoff series.

let's do it, baby,
Talk to me nbaers: 

one good pict out of many

so here we are, 1-4? since i began following this program, there simply has not been a worse season. i go back to 1991, though i know the program goes much further back, with high points and low points.
It's just hard to see the program at this point, since i've never been here.

I love SU football. Most cuse fans will tell you it's a basketball school. that's just baloney. it is at this point, because the hoops program is excellent, sho nuff, and the football team has fallen so low. but those of you who do follow the program know that the rich tradition, the program has.

Let's break this down, real quick, before Mike Vick, and including Bruce Smith, name me 2 or 3 other Va tech players in the NFL.

I respect Frank Beamer and beamer ball. He's done a great job, and I like his program. I love it actually. He's built it from nothing.

Funny thing is. JoePa went through some very tough season this past decade, but his program has picked up.

I'm not saying we shouldn't have gotten rid of P. I think it was just frustrating to be stagnant for so long, so i understand the program going in another direction. it's just hard to see them hard so far so fast.

another program which went through a coaching was the colorado buffaloes, who won a tital in 1990 and built a very successful program under bill Mccartney. in the old big 8. when nebraska and oklahoma were all that. i mean serious teams. mccartney was having a very difficult time, and alumni were calling for his head. ad decided to give him another shot. program went 6-5 from a 1-10 season, to its first bowl in many years and the rebuilding was on.

so, here's my take. i think the defense is much better under robinson, who is a defensive guy for sure. Great.
but offensively, this team is just really unbearable to watch. it's just painful. Defense plays 50 of the 60 minutes. against rutgers. they only gave up 17 points.

I also like the pro option we used to run. look at how successful it was for so many seasons. College teams had a very tough time preparing for it.

i still just don't understand how the talent level dropped so far.

look at FSU - they're beatable, maybe not down there, but in the down, same with virginia,
how do you not win your home games. you have to be better than that.

do you have to start from scratch 

why is she smiling? 

the power of the sword.

conan, baby 

arnold - governor, and actor

here he is,
what do you think? 

no pictures 

start of the blog - sports and media, baby!!

You all know I love nene and the nuggets.
Was just in Denver this past weekend.
was a lot of everything.
I should probably go backwards a little bit, being new to this blog thing.
I want this blog to be about sports and media. any sports talk is great and any media talk is great. media from wsj to inside hollywood. all of it. i love it and want to hear what you have to say.

sports: my favorite is syracuse football. my friends will attest to that. i'm maniacal. second is the denver nuggets. with which you see the picture of nene - it's his wallpaper the nuggets have one for boykins, carmelo, kmart, andre miller and marcus camby. I think the nugs are going to break out this year. a lot of the pieces are there. it's going to be exciting. I'm going to consider getting the league pass for the entire season this year.

alright you're on.
give it to me

I also love the jews in sports and media. i think they add an interesting dimension, particulary in terms of ownership groups in the major us sports franchises. Al Davis, Art Modell, Jerry Jones, just kidding. It's fun talking about them, and their battles with the world.

hehatemet

check it out

orangehehateme

welcome,
let's see what's going on with this