Written by: Mike Not content with just doing his job playing football, Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has announced plans to launch the OCNN – Ochocinco News Network. I honestly can’t make this stuff up guys – he’s serious!
“I’m sort of still feeling this out,” he said. “It’s based on what I already do. I’ll bring in news the way I always do, and I’ll actually be adding to it.”
If I’m a player on the Bengals, I am not comfortable with this at all. There is a certain bond that is built between teammates and friends, when, after knocking the shit out of each other on the gridiron for 3 hours, your now just hanging out in the locker room talking about life. If Chad Ochocinco is around though your going to need to make sure what your saying won’t make national headlines.
The NFL and the Bengals in particular can’t want this to happen. If they did, ESPN would hire reporters to live with teams during the whole year with uninterrupted access to where ever they want whenever they want. I really believe that if the NFL allowed him, Ed Werder would start showering with the Cowboys to file even more authentic reports than he does today.
Bottom line is this: Media is media, and players are players. The line cannot be crossed without consequence. What those consequences are in this case remain to be seen, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Ocho’s performance starts to taper off as he does more reporting, as well as the trust in the locker room starts to erode.
Below video is Skip Bayless debating Ocho on ESPN’s First Take in September. A rematch has been scheduled in Bristol, CT in the coming weeks.
Written by: Patrick Galvin 
As has been well documented and roundly discussed: Steve Phillips had sex with a 22-year old production assistant. Yawn. You can Google the shit out of this if you want to, it’s spread through the intarwebs by now. Personally, most people in almost every company can recall instances of senior-position men making friendly with the young doe-eyed assistants and interns. Nothing about this story seems that special. The mission of this post is not to delve into Phillip’s sexual escapades. The point of this post is to call out Deadspin for their assualt on ESPN, for what I honestly believe is an example of petulance and near-sightedness from an otherwise entertaining and revolutionary sports-blog.
Lately Deadspin had decided that ESPN is their sworn enemy, in large part because they declined to give Deadspin anything to chew on regarding the Steve Phillips story.
From Deadspin: “ESPN: The Worldwide Leader in Sexual Depravity”
“On September 9, we received a tip. Subject: S. Phillips.” The contents? “Rumor winding it’s way around the hallowed halls of the WWL is that Steve Phillips is getting canned tomorrow for an offense on par with Harold Reynold’s misdeed.”
After a call to ESPN public relations department asking about the “rumor” I was told that “I would be wrong” to print that story because it was inaccurate. Fine. I would have been. But natural follow-up question to these types of rumors, as per give-and-take protocol, is well, what’s the real story then? Was there an incident with Phillips that Baseball Tonight people are concerned about? However I was summarily nothing-to-see-here-please-dispersed.
…
And since the tenuous connection between rumor and fact for accuracy’s sake has been a little eroded here, well, it’s probably about time to just unload the inbox of all the sordid rumors we’ve received over the years about various ESPN employees. Chances are, at this point, there’s some truth to them. We’ll just throw ‘em out there and see how many “no comments” or, you know, actual comments or “you would be completely wrongs” there are about these situations. Consider this one giant all-day version of “Deleted Scenes” or something.
Deadspin spent the rest of the day posting rumors of ESPN-related trysts: from Erik Kuselias to SVP of Marketing Katie Lacey to finally posting one disgruntled ex-employee’s anonymous “I’m Just Mad ESPN Never Got Me Laid” diatribe.
Before getting right to the “you were wrong, Deadspin” speech, keep in mind blogs like Deadspin aren’t exactly held to the highest standard of corporate professionalism. WithLeather and KissingSuzyKolber are other prominent examples, and all three are graffiti-ed with rumors, celebrity gossip, and pictures of co-ed cheerleaders. That’s part of what makes the site so fun to visit, it’s lack of rules. Where ESPN or CBS or NBC’s websites have to toe the line between entertaining and politically correct, these blogs are shackled by no such chains. This frees the air for masturbation references, sexual innuendo and dead-hooker jokes, which all offer their respective ephemeral thrills from time to time. But it also means that when the authors reveal a sincere position on something, it’s as real as it gets. The language is visceral, the opinions are direct. No bullshit, no media-style colloquialisms, just authentic, articulate, emotionally raw opinion from unique perspectives. It’s not like you’ll see the likes of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson called a “selfish, insecure, backstabbing prick,” anytime soon on ESPN.com. Sometimes just two or three paragraphs of this offers more for the sports-fan’s soul than most major-syndicate authors and bloggers can offer in pages, other than Bill Simmons (who because of his unique opinions and frankness, had some of his own beefs with ESPN, chronicled in decent detail by Deadspin). Just look to some of these links for examples of differentiated posts from these sites.
Ex#1: http://deadspin.com/5387755/magic-and-isiahs-friendship-is-not-so-friendly-anymore
Ex#2: http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/2009/06/stop-comparing-dontes-sentence-to-michael-vicks.html
Ex#3: http://withleather.uproxx.com/2009/10/nfl-brass-rush-limbaugh-is-divisive
With that said, it’s all the more disappointing to see Deadspin doing this. I have no problem with blogs posting rumors on their sites, so long as they are clearly labeled as only rumors and discussed as such (which Deadspin technically did). But I’ve never seen a blog post rumors so perniciously pointed at an adversary before, and it’s off-putting. Since when does Deadspin have the right to act butt-hurt when ESPN doesn’t want to give them the salacious details regarding a sex story? Think this through: Deadspin is an extremely popular blog that hasn’t always made nice with ESPN, and Deadspin calls them wanting the scoop on a potential story. ESPN doesn’t owe them anything, and acted accordingly by offering no details. Deadspin then decides that if they can’t get the skinny on what rumors are true, they will just post all sex-related rumors they’ve amassed over the last couple years and see what sticks. It’s like when the angry ex-boyfriend posts naked pictures of his former girlfriend online because she left him. If you can’t join ‘em, beat ‘em. And if you can’t beat ‘em, post the dirtiest details you can about their sex lives and let the good times roll.
What company would ever “out” one of their employees for sexual misconduct before making an official press release? Jesus Christ, if the Catholic Church won’t do it for priests molesting kids, what makes you think ESPN will do it for consensual sex with a grown-up adult? If you called Governor Sanford’s office a few days before the big press-conference, you’d have heard “He’s on the Appalachian Trail hiking!“ Right. No company would ever do what Deadspin wanted ESPN to do, ever. Acting indignant and self-righteous over their refusal to give up information is childish at best, cognitively dissonant at worst. Deciding you will then post a rumor-laden vendetta against them for the next 24 hours just further cheapens your argument.
When blogs like Deadspin normally post rumors, they’re posted almost cheekily: like you, the lucky reader are in with them on a secret. It’s a little more light-hearted, it’s informative or at least intriguing in most cases, and most of all it’s fun. For example, when Matt Leinart’s party pictures were posted on their site, it wasn’t malicious, it was humanizing in a way. It was like, “Here’s Matt Leinart being young and male, doing what you would do if you were a backup-QB too. Enjoy.” When a blog decides however that one company or one person has become the target of their ire and spouts off whatever they can, it wreaks of pettiness.
Please Deadspin, you are one of the great sports-blogs out there right now. Your candid discussion of the ambient rumors and suspicions of the sports world are fun for us, the sports fans, to read. But with today’s actions, you’ve stepped dangerously close to the TMZ-like vindictiveness that makes many readers nautious. Get back to what you do best, entertaining and intriguing people. Leave the pettiness for the hacks.
Written by: Patrick Galvin Recently a Halloween costume of an “illegal alien,” with extra-terrestial head garment decked in orange jumpsuit and holding a green card, has upset many.
Story from AP (Courtesy of Yahoo! News):
A Halloween costume that depicts a space creature in orange prison garb emblazoned with the words “illegal alien” is reigniting debate over a long-used term based on the U.S. government’s designation of all foreigners as aliens.
A few miles away in the Little Havana neighborhood, workers at a popular costume store said it was not something they would carry because it was discriminatory. They do stock a human taco costume, replete with a Mariachi hat.
Oh. Well there’s no harm in that. Who doesn’t love a taco wearing a festive hat?
Cashier Carmen Torres, who recalled facing discrimination after arriving from Cuba as a young girl in the 1960s, said the costume was tasteless. “They haven’t done anything bad. You can punish those who are criminals, but not people who are trying to, trying to work,” Torres said.
Why the hell are they including stuttering in the lady’s quote? Is “trying to, trying to work” the AP’s way of saying “Look, this lady is obviously Hispanic, so her English is still a bit behind. Don’t beleive us? Just look at the stutter. You’re welcome.” We get it, AP. Just put “trying to work” and save us the extra 5 seconds of our lives. The weird thing is, whenever someone doesn’t make sense usually, you quote it by putting {sic} or some other edition to make it more coherent. Why not do it now? This is incredibly minor but bugging the shit out me. I think I’ve had too much coffee.
William Gheen, head of the North Carolina-based political action committee Americans for Legal Immigration, said efforts to get stores not to sell the costume amounted to an attack on freedom of speech. He urged Americans to buy the costumes in protest.
“I looked at the costume and thought it was kind of funny. The only thing that wasn’t funny was how many illegal immigrants are in this country,” said Gheen, who has given speeches suggesting Latin Americans are bringing an epidemic of tuberculosis to the U.S., despite government figures showing the illness is at an all-time low.
He’s actually right. One of the first signs of tuberculosis is rolling your “r”s. Then comes the ability to play soccer and inexplicably digest large quantities of corn.
Jorge-Mario Cabrera, a spokesman for the immigrant coalition, said the costume “perpetuates this idea we have about undocumented immigrants as alien foreigners, strangers, scary.”
Cabrera said he knew the costume could be taken as a play on words but the jumpsuit was too close to what many immigrants must wear in detention centers, “where they can spend months at a time, and where there is a lot of suffering.”
“That the creature was holding a green card was a stab at a (broader) community,” he said, because it suggests even with a legal document, immigrants are still scary criminals.
Jorge is right. Just because you’re indeed free to say or make something doesn’t mean that its not racist, or business should be forced to sell it despite public backlash. There are people who preach “heritage, not hate” when flying the Confederate flag. They’re free to do it, but it’s still really racist. That’s like me walking into a Polish synagogue wearing a swastika on my t-shirt. I’m free to explain that it’s “heritage, not hate.” The rest of the world is also free however, to explain quite strenuously that I’ve now become the world’s next news-worthy pariah.
To the costume designers, we understand the premise. You think illegal aliens are being coddled for breaking the law and entering the country, and that’s a perfectly viable opinion if it’s how you want to stake your claim. But making a costume that portrays legal immigrants as felons is the height of stupidity, assuming you actually want your ideology to gain in popularity.
Also, how is this funny? It’s just an alien in a jumpsuit. The alien isn’t even doing anything cheeky like spreading his fingers or probing people. The only way it’s funny is if it resonates with your political views and you say, “YES! This is going to offend people! That’s awesome because illegal immigrants bother me! Racial tension!” There’s a fine line between politically punctual humor and being an overbearing douche. The main difference is politically punctual humor makes people laugh, even when they don’t always agree with you. This costume has no such appeal.
Written by: Mike 
First off, I love The Office. Ever since Steve Carell’s role in Anchorman, I’ve loved his style of comedy. The supporting cast surrounding him at The Office is great, and is the main reason of the long success the show has had. But aside from Michael Scott, the focal point of the show has always been about Jim and Pam. NBC promoted their ongoing love saga much more than the ignorant stupidity/bliss of Michael Scott.
To be honest – I like Jim & Pam. They just seem perfect on screen together. Nothing is forced, and as a result its very real and believable. But this wedding needs to be the end of their central story arch. NBC will undoubtedly take the route of the baby (office baby shower, Pam going on maternity leave, Jim being questioned/harassed by Andy about the whole marriage thing, you get the idea.)
This has probably happened with less clothes, up against a vending machine in the break room...
But should the office want to continue for many more successful seasons, it’s time the writers started developing new story lines. Creed is a character that every scene he is in, manages to steal it. Imagine a short 3-4 episode story arch of Creed going on a business trip for quality control. Or how about revealing a mid-life crisis for Stanley, with Toby trying to help him through it.
The point is, the show has become very predictable in terms of what the characters tendencies will be in almost all situations. Why not throw a little rum into the punch after the wedding episode and see what happens. Worst case; it doesn’t’ work out and it was just filler time before Pam’s baby makes an appearance at the office.
Written by: Mike With the fall season of major network TV dramas, comedies, and housewives who are desperate in full swing, its easy to lose track of some great television not on the big 4.
Ladies and Gents, Three Sheets is one of those shows you should be watching. Comedian Zane Lamprey traverses the globe with the sole mission of imbibing local booze. Wine, Liquor, Beer, Champagne, things you’ve never heard of, he drinks them all. With a good mixture of local foods, as well as the always interesting local hangover cure, Zane does it all.
The good/bad news about this show is there are 38 episodes already filmed, from locations all over the world. Better yet, they are available on hulu.com (see widget below). The bad thing? The show airs on the Fine Living Network – a channel I have honestly never even heard of.
Regardless of where you watch the show – it’s appeal is three-fold.
Enjoy friends!
Written by: Mike Disappointment. Shock. More questions than answers.
These feelings describe the people from Chicago, ardent supporters around the country, and the guy writing this piece. I wanted the 2016 Olympics to be held in Chicago for completely selfish reasons both personal and professional. But, in the blink of an eye, Chicago was out; and the difficult process of finding out why begins. The graphic below really encompases everything im about to write about, and i imagine Alessandra Ambrosio will cause many of you to stop reading.
I love football, but there is one thing i love more....
Ah, you’ve stuck with it. Great! The best thing Rio had going for it was its location. When you think summer you think beaches and hot bodies. You don’t think Lake Michigan and street vendors. Your country stands a better shot when the face of your advertising and promotional campaign can be Adriana Lima instead of Oprah.
And that’s it. There are no other reasons why Rio won, or conversely Chicago lost. Chicago has the infrastructure already in place to support hosting – not so sure Rio does. Security will be a big topic of discussion as the crime rate in Rio is not all that great.
But it all comes back to the atmosphere. Deep down, the voting members of the IOC just felt good about having a summer Olympics be in a tropical climate. Beach Volleyball isn’t played on the shores of Rhode Island for a reason, Bobsled teams come from Russia and Canada not the Bahamas (except for that one time in a really awesome movie!). Point is, if you’re going to stage and international competition of athletics in dog days of summer, it should be at a place that reminds you of summer.
Written by: Patrick Galvin A prototype vaccine tested in Thailand reportedly curtailed AIDS for 1 in every 3 test patients, the best prevention success rate seen thus far in the fight against the disease.
Story from AP (Courtesy of Yahoo! News):
“This is truly a great moment for world medicine,” said Lt. Gen. Eric Schoomaker, the U.S. Army Surgeon General. The Army helped sponsor the study, the world’s largest of an AIDS vaccine.
It was the first time scientists tried preventing HIV the same way they treat it — with a combination approach. The study used two vaccines that work in different ways, and that may be one reason the strategy worked, even though neither vaccine did when tested individually in earlier trials, scientists say.
The combo cut the risk of becoming infected with HIV by more than 31 percent in the study of more than 16,000 volunteers in Thailand, researchers announced Thursday in Bangkok.
“Since the 1980s, we’ve been hearing we’re going to have an AIDS vaccine in 10 years. For the first time in my lifetime, it feels as though we’re actually getting on the right track,” said Josh Ruxin, a Columbia University public health specialist who runs the Access Project, which helps health centers provide AIDS care in Rwanda.
Honestly I have nothing funny to say about AIDS. This may be the biggest buzz in the medical world since the cure for the common col… oh. The cure for the bli…. oh. Whatever. At least we’ve found Viagra.
On a side tangent, I went looking for images to include in the post and found this. Apparently it’s an ad promoting awareness for AIDS prevention:
Go to town, lady. There's a 1 in 3 chance you'll be just fine.
Where AIDS and arachno-compulsive porn merge is besides me. But she seems to be enjoying herself. Maybe AIDS isn’t such a bad thing after all. Now that I think of it, I should totally hook up with a spider.
