DON MEREDITH SAID IT BEST; "TURN OUT THE LIIIGGGHHHTS! THE PAR-TY'S OOOVER!!!

This blog is being posted less than 2 hours or so before game 4 of the 2007 World Series.

This nice little team from Colorado came roaring into the World Series after having won 21 of their previous 22 games. All against National League opponents, a league (talent wise) that is very much like the old American Football League, long before they became good enough to be allowed to play with the "big boys", those players who were then playing for the National Football League!

I mean, the talent level in both the National and American baseball leagues is...Well, simply put, the National League is where the players who are better than minor leaguers play. The American League is where (most of) the best players play.

And do you need any more proof than what's been happening in most of the recent World Series' and the All Star games?

Like this World Series? In game one, the Red Sox embarrassed the Rockies. In game two, a guy for the Rockies who will probably be the National League's Most Valuable Player this year, allowed himself to get picked off first base in the 8th inning of a game that the Rockies lost by one run!!! In last night's game three, too many Colorado mistakes led to a 6-0 lead for Boston, but the Rockies rallied and cut the lead to 6-5 in the 7th inning thanks to a 3-run homer hammered by the aforementioned probable MVP, Matt Holliday. In the top of the 8th inning, more Colorado mistakes led to more Boston runs, the Red Sox ended up winning 10-5, and this long time sports observer found himself remembering words sung by "Dandy Don" Meredith on Monday Night Football back when that telecast had the most talented and entertaining announcers. You know...like the players in baseball's American League, now!!!

Anyway, when it was obvious that a team was in "over their heads" on a particular night, "Dandy Don" used to entertain with a little "singing". And while sitting in a bar or at home with friends, we would sing along with him. "Turn out the liiiggghhhts! The par-ty's ooover!"

We can only hope that one day we'll have entertaining announcers like the original Monday Night Football guys were and that baseball's National League will again will be filled with baseball's best players, but for now it's time to consider what is known as "The Mercy Rule" and turn out the lights.


AND THEN THERE'S RUSH LIMBAUGH, BECAUSE...


The "lights" have finally been turned "ON" Rush Limbaugh and what we're seeing is...Uh, does the word, "squirming" come to mind?

No doubt about it. Long after he's dead, Rush Limbaugh will be remembered. Right up there with Elmer Gantry. Limbaugh found a void and he has filled it well. An entertaining "preacher" type who preys upon the fears many of us have. About "them"! Who's them? The people who aren't "us"!

And Rush does this so well! And with such sincerity! He comes across as our favorite Uncle who wants the best for us and he's done a terrific job showing you "the light" along with help provided by good friends of his, like Vice President Dick Cheney.

And wow! What an enlightened and well meaning pair our Uncle Rush and Vice President Dick are! Both of them are convinced that war is a great answer to many of our problems and the two of them have...what? Close to ten military deferments (between them) to prove it?!?

In other words, sacrifice (of some kind) is called for as long as you and or members of your family do it! And how will we pay for said sacrifices? Well, we'll make sure that our rich friends have their taxes cut so that you, the fine working class people who support Rush's radio show can pay for this and what you can't pay for, we'll let your children pay for.

Do I want higher taxes? Of course not, but let's get real, folks. This economic and social folly favored by fanatical fools like Uncle Rush, Vice President Dick and other zealots who continue to try to control us with fear directed at "them" who aren't "us", is coming back to bite us in our butts big time. How? Examples: This housing mess that's trickling down to a severe shortage of decent paying jobs mess resulting in more and more people filing for bankruptcy...The 50 to 80 million Americans who can't afford health insurance or if they do have insurance, finding themselves having their insurance cancelled when they're sick...I could tell you more, but if you're like me, you feel better by not thinking about this stuff, hope (believe) that it will get better and then we turn on the radio and hear our Uncle Rush soothingly tell us that the problems are because of "them"!

This is as straight as I can give it to you, folks. I listen to Rush and from time to time he makes me laugh. From time to time he entertains me. When it comes to the illegal immigration problem, I agree with most of what Rush says. In fact, in some cases, he (unless I missed shows in which he made this point) doesn't go far enough. I'm against the law that gives automatic citizenship to children of illegal immigrants who are born here. I believe that many illegals give birth here so they can (later) play the child sympathy card. And I wish that we would change that law.

But when it comes to much of everything else Rush had laid out and continues to lay out there?

Bothersome. To me, very bothersome. This us against them business reminds me of people who used to wear hoods and made visits (mostly) at night. Yes, away from the light!

Did you happen to read the two "Doonesbury" comic strips that were printed in the October 22nd and 23rd issues of the newspapers in which it is carried? The strips were about shining the "light" on Rush and made reference to him having become a leading voice in a political party that is being seen as the "Party of Mean" and for (effectively) using tactics that when cut to the core are, "Fear and Smear". Like attacking Michael J. Fox for faking his symptoms, accusing a 12-year old as insufficiently poor and yes, Iraq vets as "phony". Rush has given watered down on-air apologies, clarifications and "I was taken out of context" explanations for his "Fear and Smear" comments, but his friends in high places smiled because the initial statements were "effective".

Rush talks about how a lot of people like to suggest that the people he caters to (his radio audience) is mostly stupid, easily swayed, trailor park trash, hicks, etc., etc. And then he'll defend his audience vociferously while giving a variation of his "us" against "them" sermon.

Here's what I suggest and believe. Rush Limbaugh is not stupid. No, Rush is a very bright guy who reminds me of an old alley fighter. If you've done him wrong, you better not turn your back on him, but when he thinks he's in trouble, he'll revert back to what got him to where he is.

Rush Limbaugh is like a vampire bat. When you shine the light on him, he becomes very annoyed. And scared.

It started with the 41 U.S. Senators who wrote a critical letter to Rush's radio boss. Now it's "Doonesbury", Hillary Clinton seems to be climbing in the polls partly because of Rush's constant carping about her and like the vampire bat, he needs to get away from the light. In this case, the light of scrutiny.

The way that people like Rush operate is the way a lot of effective high political figures operate. When you find yourself being heavily scrutinized and your answers aren't being swallowed the way your Kool Aid is usually being swallowed, use (or support) diversionary tactics.

And Rush came up with a dandy. He made light of the letter signed by 41 U.S. Senators, put that letter up for auction with the money going to help a charity involving U.S. Marines and then matched the winning bid with his own money.

But sometimes even bright guys do stupid things. About the time the bidding was in the several hundreds of thousand of dollars range, Rush started whining. Not about the amount of money that was being bid, but about the amount of publicity Rush wasn't getting. He was making comparisons about other people involved with charitable events that made no where near the money he was generating but they were getting all this publicity while he was wasn't getting any, "Wah, wah, sniffle, wah!"

Ooooops! When the bidding ended with a total of more than 2 million dollars which was then matched by Rush, Rush did get his publicity. But while getting it, he had also been exposed. Again! The drug thing, the perfect us, the different them, etc., etc.

What do all those things have in common? Hypocrisy!

Yo, Rush! Here's a new word for you! "WE!!!" And I'm not referring to your American "We" which is the "Us" Americans as opposed to your "Them" Americans. I'm referring to "We Americans"! As in all of us!!! Try it, Rush. You might even learn to like it.

Because like the vampire bat, I know you don't like this new light of scrutiny you're undergoing.

Rush, listen to a tape of some of what you've been saying on the air lately. Even a dumb guy like me can hear it. And what I'm hearing makes me say this; "That like his vampire bat cousins, poor Uncle Rush needs to find that darkest part of the cave again 'cause this light is KILLING him!"

TELEVISION STUFF:

The season finale of Showtime's "Californication" will air tomorrow night. The critics savaged that show when it first came on, but they were so wrong about the overall premise of "Californication". David Duchovny and group have been responsible for a terrific show.

And I have fallen back in love with "Weeds", which is on just before "Californication".

Showtime's "Dexter" is getting better and better again. It's first airing is Sunday nights, followed by multiple airings the rest of the week.

In fact, a lot of good television stuff is on Sunday nights. HBO's "Tell Me You Love Me", ABC's, "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy", and CBS's "Shark".


THE NEXT BLOG WILL BE WRITTEN...?

I don't know. This Sunday thing might work until I finally get these possible syndication opportunities out of the way. One way or the other.

In the blog I wrote last Sunday, you saw the story ideas I was kicking around and am still kicking around. And as always, you know I'll write about anything that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"

THIS WILL BE A WORLD SERIES OF "HOT" AGAINST "HOT"!!!

The World Series will begin in Boston this coming Wednesday. A few days ago, the Cleveland Indians had a 3-1 series lead over the Red Sox. All they needed was one more win and they'd be hosting this World Series. In a game that was a lot closer than the final score indicates, the Red Sox won the clinching game, 11-2. It completed an improbable 3 straight wins in which they outscored the Indians 30-5.

In other words, the Red Sox come into this World Series HOT!!! But their opponents, the Colorado Rockies, have won ten in a row after having won eleven of the previous twelve!

So what we have here is a World Series featuring a team that's HOT, the Red Sox against a team that's HOT, the Rockies!!!

HOT against HOT?!?

Let the games begin!!!

TELEVISION STUFF:

High quality television is being provided week after week by "Grey's Anatomy" on ABC. I mean, high quality television!

A new show on ABC, "Big Shots" continues to get better and better.

Only two more episodes of Showtime's "Californication", an absolutely terrific show that stars David Duchovny and a great supporting cast.

Showtime's second season of "Dexter" got off to a slow start, but it's improving. At the end of October 14th's show, the shot of the look on the face of Dexter's girlfriend when she sees how sexy and pretty Dexter's "addiction sponsor" looks is priceless!!!

HBO's "Tell Me You Love Me" continues to be great for those of us who can relate to relationship problems. In fact, there's a lot of good television being shown these days. Enjoy!!!

AND THEN THERE'S RUSH LIMBAUGH!!!

There are a lot of radio people who are trying to be as big a baloney merchant as Rush Limbaugh, but no one dispenses it like Rush dispenses it.

Recently, this phony patriot had the audacity to refer to soldiers who have served in combat zones as "phony soldiers" because they said things about the way things are in Iraq that don't "square" with what people like Limbaugh's good friend Dick Cheney says.

Well, ol' Rush put his baloney expertise in high heat motion by claiming his "phony soldiers" rant really had to do with only one guy who served 44 days (or some such nonsense), but people who aren't knee at the altar "dittoheads" saw through his baloney and smiled except for 41 U.S. Senators who signed a letter "calling" Rush on his baloney.

Rush, having learned the art of "distraction" from his benefactors in the White House these last (almost) 8 years, put the Karl Rove "distraction" tactic into motion when he decided to sell this letter for charity and offering to match the final amount of whatever the highest bid was.

It ended up being a little more than 2 million which Rush says he'll match which makes the total a little more than 4 million. Again...this money is to be used for charity work. So Rush was behind a nice charitable idea that generated big bucks.

So why was Rush whining when he hadn't gotten any publicity for his charitable efforts? I'm not making this up. He was whining about newspapers, magazines and television shows not giving him credit for his charitable efforts.

Phony is as phony does and no one does it better than Rush.

Yo, Rush Limbaugh!!! Doing something for charity is done because it's something you believe in. No publicity seeking is involved because your focus is on what you believe in. The charity.

When you do something for "charity" and you whine because you're not being acknowledged for your "good work", we then learn (as if we didn't already know) what it is you really "believe in".

You!!! And only you!!!

IT'LL STILL BE A WHILE BEFORE NEW BLOGS WILL BE WRITTEN ON A REGULAR BASIS:

These possible syndication opportunities continue to require my undivided attention and the work necessary to properly prepare for these opportunities has been more than I imagined it would be.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I DO RETURN:

Among the story ideas I'm kicking around are:

"If Hillary and Bill Clinton died, what would Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity have to talk about?"

"The complaints about Bush hating."

"But what about Clinton hating?"

"If Hillary becomes our next President of the United States, will Rush and Sean get a lot of credit because of the publicity they gave her?"

"In a battle of ideologies, which God prevails? Ours or theirs" And why?"

Annnnnd...(as always) Anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"

IF IT'S THE ROCKIES AND INDIANS, IT'LL BE THE LOWEST RATED WORLD SERIES IN HISTORY!!!

After saying I'd be back on the 15th and then changing it to today, the 17th, I feel like I should write something, but then I'm going to have to be off (again) until (at least) a week from today, October 24th.

Several possible syndication opportunities continue to require my undivided attention and the work necessary to properly prepare for these opportunities has been more than I imagined it would be.

But if you're after something that's good, it doesn't figure to be easy, does it?

Speaking of something that's good!!!!....

Every baseball player dreams of playing in the World Series!!!

It's safe to say that the Fox Television Network is not "dreaming" of a match between Colorado and Cleveland!

Unless the Red Sox beat the Indians three times in a row, the Indians will play the Rockies in the World Series that will begin a week from today, October 24. A World Series that would figure to end up being the least watched World Series in history.

ENTERTAINMENT STUFF:

I still take the time to watch the television shows and here are some observations...

At the end of last season, I said I thought that "Brothers & Sisters" was the best show on television. After the first three episodes of this new season, I think "Brothers & Sisters" is still the best show on television.

Now I'm going to tell you about a show that's in danger of being known as a "One Season Wonder". That would be "Heroes", a show that to me, is this season's biggest disappointment.

The show "Dexter" has also been a little disappointing.

The CW show, "Gossip Girl" has struggled in the ratings, but it's not going to be cancelled. I'm glad. I LOVE "Gossip Girl", a show that'll be on tonight.

In fact, five shows that I like will be on tonight. "Back To You" on Fox, "Pushing Daisies", "Private Practice" and "Dirty Sexy Money" on ABC and (of course) "Gossip Girl" on The CW.

Here's a FILM tip for you. "We Own The Night". It's being shown in a lot of theaters and it stars Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Robert Duvall and Eva Mendes. A very interesting story with very talented actors who can tell a story like this.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW!!! ONCE I GET FINISHED WORKING ON THE THINGS I MENTIONED IN THE SECOND PARAGRAPH, I LOOK FORWARD TO WRITING ON SOME KIND OF REGULAR SCHEDULE AGAIN. I'M TARGETING OCTOBER 24th WHICH IS A WEEK FROM TODAY.

I'M KICKING AROUND THREE STORY IDEAS FOR WHEN I RETURN.

(1) "IF HILLARY AND BILL CLINTON SUDDENLY DIED, WHAT WOULD RUSH LIMBAUGH AND SEAN HANNITY HAVE TO TALK ABOUT?"

(2) "THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT BUSH HATING? AND CLINTON HATING IS, WHAT?"

(3) "IN A BATTLE OF IDEOLOGIES, WHICH GOD PREVAILS? OURS OR THEIRS? AND WHY?"

ANNNNND...(as always) ANYTHING ELSE THAT MAKES ME SAY, "WHAAAAT?!?"

NO NEW BLOG UNTIL WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17th!!!!

Because of possible syndication opportunities that require my undivided attention and a project I've been asked to participate in by one of the true legends of broadcasting, I need to be "Blog-Free" for a few days.

The next new blog will be written Wednesday, October 17th.

Meanwhile, please feel free to check out any of the 134 previous blogs that are so darn easy to access that even I can do it.

Yes, I'll still be on "The Joe McDonnell Experience" with Tim Cates, Tuesday night, 9:30 or so until close to 10.

This very good radio show is on KLAC, Monday through Friday, 7-11pm and you'll find it at 570 on your AM radio dial. It's a sports talk show, but in addition to sports, we're apt to talk about anything!!! And that's why I look forward to doing this every Tuesday.

Speaking of sports...I'm picking the Rockies and Red Sox to advance to the World Series. I'm also picking UCLA's football team to get a break this week. They're not playing! And yeah, the way this college season has gone, UCLA will probably upset Cal two Saturdays from now!

Thanks for your continuing support and I look forward to writing more about anything that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?" on Wednesday, the 17th of October.

Scott St. James

"PUSHING DAISIES" IS THIS SEASON'S MUST SEE TV!!!

I wrote about "Pushing Daisies" yesterday. I told you I hadn't seen an advanced copy of last night's first episode on ABC at 8. I told you that critics who had seen it, were raving about it.

Add me to that list!

Instead of watching the baseball playoff game between the Cubs and Diamondbacks, I watched "Pushing Daisies".

The show began by showing a young boy named Ned see his dog die after it was hit by a vehicle.
Whoa! Didn't the critics say this was/is a sweet show?!? But when Ned touched the dog, it was alive again.

Then we see Ned's mother die. When Ned touched her, she was alive again. But when Ned touched her again, she was dead again. But this time for good!

What the hell is going on here? Can we get to the sweet part of "Pushing Daisies"?

I don't have the time to fill in all the cracks or the rest of the "back story", but after a couple of other things, including Ned (still as a child) getting his first kiss from another child named Charlotte who he affectionately calls "Chuck", we then see Ned as an adult.

Ned is played Lee Pace and now he is an adult pie maker. And yeah, he still has this "touch" power. One touch, you're brought back to life. Another touch and you're dead for good. There are a couple of things I'm leaving out, but you get the (overall) idea. Ned meets a private detective named Emerson Cod who is played by Chi McBride, in a role that looks like an even better role than the one he had in "Boston Public" when he played the Principal of that school. Cod has found out about Ned's "interesting" power and Cod wants Ned to help him solve murders and they'll share the reward money.

As luck would have it, Charlotte/Chuck (also now an adult) is murdered on a cruise ship and Ned, with a touch, brings her back to life. But if he touches her again, she'll be dead for good. Chuck is played by Anna Friel.

Yes, the person who murdered her is brought to justice, there are some very funny things that happen along the way, you can easily see how a lot of murders will be solved, but what makes "Pushing Daisies" soooo good is that we are watching a very believable love story involving Ned and Chuck played tremendously well by Lee Pace and Anna Friel. I mean, you feel the love that they are feeling and the frustration they feel by not being able to touch each other.

When you create a show that breaks your heart but keeps you smiling, you have created something that's very special.

That's what "Pushing Daisies" is. Very Special!

AND THAT'S WHAT GARY FRANKLIN WAS:

Speaking of special...When Gary Franklin was doing movie reviews on channels 2, 7 and 13 here in Los Angeles (especially channel 7), he was must see (review) TV. "The Franklin Scale of 1 to 10, 10 being best". A catch phrase that everyone in this city was familiar with. Film executives and the stars of films always wanted to know what Gary was going to say about their films.

I bring this up because Gary Franklin died two days ago. He was 79. The cause of death is unknown, but four recent strokes leads us to believe that heart problems were the probable cause.

Gary was opinionated right to the end. He often wrote scathing opinions to laradio.com publisher Don Barrett (which Barrett printed) about the state of news radio and their emphasis on Britney/Lindsay/Paris stories while stories that meant something were glossed over.

I knew Gary and I was flattered when he wrote me an e-mail to tell me that he was a regular reader of what we do here.

R.I.P., Gary Franklin. A true L.A. original.

THREE MORE BASEBALL PLAYOFF GAMES TODAY:

Yesterday's winners were the Red Sox over the Angels, the Rockies over the Phils and the Diamondbacks over the Cubs. The Rockies have that "team of destiny" look.

Today at noon (Pacific Time), Colorado at Philadelphia. At 3:30, the Yankees play at Cleveland. At 7 tonight, the Cubs play at Arizona. All the games are on TBS. At Cleveland, all eyes will be on Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod) because of his most recent less that stellar postseason performances.

EDITOR'S NOTE: THE PERSON WHO PROVIDES PICTURES IS OUT OF TOWN! WE WON'T HAVE PICTURES UNTIL HE RETURNS! I KNOW YOU MISS THEM! SO DO I!

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TOMORROW: A story titled, "Standin' on the Corner, Watchin' all the Birds Fly By", we'll have a story about a special bicycle (that I planned to do today) and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"

WRITE SOMETHING FOR THIS BLOG? SHOOT, I'M GETTING READY TO WATCH SOME BASEBALL!!!

I admit it. I'm sick this morning. I have baseball fever.

A very exciting regular season of baseball has ended and today, baseball's playoff season begins with a tripleheader. At noon (Pacific Time), Colorado plays at Philadelphia. At 3:30, the Angels play the Red Sox at Boston. At 7, the Cubs will play at Arizona. Oddsmakers say the Phils are 140-100 series faves over the Rockies. The Red Sox are 170-100 series faves over the Angels. The Cubs are 125-100 series faves over the Diamondbacks. In a series that begins tomorrow, the Yankees are 200-100 faves over the Indians.

I'm picking the two hottest teams to end up in the World Series. The Yankees and Rockies. The World Series I would like to see? The Angels or Yankees against the Cubs.

A JURY SAYS THAT THE KNICKS AND ISIAH THOMAS ARE GUILTY:

In a trial that featured a whole lot of "street dialogue" testimony, a jury ruled that the The New York Knicks were guilty of condoning a hostile work environment and that coach Isiah Thomas was guilty of sexual harassment. Thomas won't have to pay any money, but his bosses will. 11.6 million dollars to Anucha Browne Sanders, the former team executive who did the suing.

Thomas is maintaining his innocence and he will appeal the verdict. As will his bosses.

What is the NBA saying about this verdict? Nothing!!!

Short Commentary: No doubt about it. Isiah Thomas was a very good basketball player. But off the court, he has been a basketball and business failure. This should be the time that the Knicks say (in essence), "We like your smile and we like your enthusiasm Isiah, but your performance is whacha call lacking. Here's a severance check and please give your keys to the chief of security."

Sudden thought: Hmmm...A guy who used the one successful thing he did to talk people into letting him do things he wasn't qualified to do? Yeah, that's been Isiah Thomas' deal, but does it remind you of anyone else who's in the news a lot? I'll let you try to guess who I'm thinking of , but here's a clue. His first name begins with the letter "G".

A REPUBLICAN WHO MIGHT JUST BE THE GUY REAL REPUBLICANS ARE LOOKING FOR:

While the different candidates to be the next President of the United States continue to "debate" each other in various settings, polls show Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama will probably be our next president. On the Republican side, Mayor Rudy, the so-called "9/11" candidate is the leader in all the Republican polls, but it's a "soft lead". In other words, most folks don't think he can win and if anyone came along who would sound more like a real Republican...Barry Goldwater, maybe. Ronald Reagan? That's why a lot of people were excited to see Fred Thompson finally become a candidate, but so far, he's been a disappointment. How disappointing? Enough for a lot of people to say, "You know what? Maybe his critics were/are right! He DOES appear to be lazy!"

As I've stated in the past, I'm a lifetime Republican. The more I hear what former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has to say, the more impressed I become. I'm not one of these people who wears my religion on my sleeve which causes me to be offended by those who do, which makes me wish that Huckabee would dial down the religion thing some, but everything else he has to say?!? I'm tellin ya, folks! If you would like some sensible changes to be made in the direction our country has been going for the last too many years, I encourage you to check out (I mean seriously check out) what Mike Huckabee stands for and advocates.

Do I agree with everything Huckabee says or stands for? Nope. But I do agree with more of what he has to say and stands for than anyone else who's a declared candidate to be our next President of the United States.

A NEW TELEVISION SHOW THAT'S GETTING SENSATIONAL REVIEWS:

Tonight at 8 on ABC, a new and critically acclaimed series will make it's debut. "Pushing Daisies". Like you, I haven't seen an advanced copy of this show, but apparently it involves (for lack of a better description) death with a heart. And it will supposedly give you a (for lack of a better description) "I feel good all over more than anyplace else" feeling which is (for lack of a better phrase) "as good as it gets". Of course, now that show has some "living up" to do.

I'm not familiar with the lead actor (Lee Pace), but he's surrounded by first rate supporting actors like Chi McBride, Kristin Chenoweth, Swoosie Kurtz and Ellen Greene.

If "Pushing Daisies" ends up being a hit, Wednesday night figures to be pretty much owned by ABC because the two shows that follow "Pushing Daisies" are "Private Practice" and "Dirty Sexy Money".

EDITOR'S NOTE: IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED, COME BACK! PICTURES WILL BE UP SOON!

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TOMORROW: Do you like bicycles? I'm gonna tell you about a new one that's bound to knock your socks off and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"

BRITNEY SPEARS HAS HER CHILDREN TAKEN FROM HER!!!

WOW!!!

So much for that argument about how celebrities always get favorable treatment from judges and juries in L.A., huh?

A judge has ordered that Britney Spears will no longer have custody of her two children. Instead, Kevin Federline will have sole custody of Sean Preston, 2 and Jayden James, 1, beginning at noon tomorrow.

Think about the meaning of this order. Kevin Federline, a guy whose only known "talent" is getting women to fall for him and getting women pregnant is now deemed qualified (by a judge, no less) to have sole custody of two toddlers. Does this mean that Federline will magically quit being the "party boy" he's always been? I mean, couldn't an argument be made for having the "State" take custody of these kids. Britney Spears' parenting skills have been deemed so pathetic by this judge, that he had previously ordered that she be given parenting lessons by a parenting coach!

Help me out here. Have you ever heard of such an occupation? Parenting coach? Do you find them in the Yellow Pages?

Anyway, a playboy with no known other "skills" is given custody of two toddlers while the mother, a once upon a time beauty queen who could sing, but other than that appears to dumber than a rock is getting ready to possibly go to jail. If what is happening here is "what's best for the children" justice, one can only be reminded of words spoken often by the great orator, Don King, who, after seeing something ridiculous, says, "Only in America!" And to that we say, "Amen, brother! Amen!"

AND AS LONG AS WE'RE TALKIN' 'BOUT SHOWBIZ FOLK:

We're now going to tell you about some people who can be absurd as anyone, but they are appreciated for their absurdity. Because more often than not, it's considered to be funny.

Since starting this blog on the 28th of March, I've been constantly amazed when people pop up out of (seemingly) thin air and let me know that they're reading some of this stuff I'm writing. Like Orli Sharaby who has an office in Brooklyn, New York and who does work for "Comedy Central". Orli commented on a commentary I wrote about President Bush's questionable "legacy" and about my belief that "amateurs" needed to be replaced. And Orli thought I might be interested in seeing some parody work being done by Comedy Central involving many of the current presidential candidates and how they compare to comic book superheroes/villains.

Orli, I looked at what you sent me and if you were looking for publicity, I have seven words for you; "You sent this to the right person!"

Yes, I can appreciate absurdist humor! I'll give you a couple of examples and then give you a link that you can activate to see some other fun (or not) stuff.

Again...current presidential candidates and how they compare to comic book superheroes/villains.

Example: "Hillary Clinton. Trained as a lawyer, can kick pretty much any guy's ass, marriage to Man-Wolf was probably a mistake." Comparison? She-Hulk.
And yes, you see pictures with all these comparisons. To see all of these Comedy Central comparisons along with other Comedy Central "INdecision 2008" stuff, click the link below.

http://www.indecision2008.com/blog.jhtml?c=v&m=82577

A BRUTAL LOSS FOR SAN DIEGO'S PADRES:

Heck of a baseball game last night, huh? The playoff to get into the playoffs was played between San Diego's Padres and Colorado's Rockies and it was a first rate nail biter.

The Rockies have been the hottest team in baseball, but the Padres were starting baseball's best pitcher, Jake Peavy, and even though the game was at Colorado, the Padres were favored. When Peavy left the game in the 7th inning, he had given up 6 runs and the Padres were losing, 6-5. But the Padres tied the game in the 8th and it stayed tied until the top of the 13th when the Padres took an 8-6 lead. In the bottom of the 13th, Trevor Hoffman, the best closer in the history of baseball went on the mound to protect that lead. When Hoffman got his only out in that inning, it was on a fly ball that scored the winning run for Colorado. A devastating "it wasn't meant to be" game for the Padres. The best pitcher currently in the game at the beginning of the game for the Padres and the best closer in the history of the game at the end of the game for the Padres and they ended up losing!!! It's gonna take quite a while for the Padres to forget about this game!

Baseball's playoffs begin with a tripleheader tomorrow. All times are Pacific Time. Colorado at Philadelphia, 12:07. Angels at Boston, 3:37. Cubs at Arizona, 7:07. The Yankees play their first game at Cleveland, Thursday, at 3:37.

ONE OTHER SPORTS RELATED ITEM:

I'll be making my Tuesday night radio appearance on "The Joe McDonnell Experience", between a little after 9:30 until close to 10 on KLAC, 570 on your AM dial. Being on with Joe and his sidekick Tim Cates is a weekly highlight for me. It's a sports show, but we've been known to talk about darn near anything. If you get a chance, check us out tonight. Joe's show is on KLAC Monday through Friday from 7-11pm.

NEW TELEVISION STUFF:

The first episode of "Boston Legal's" new season airs on ABC at 10 tonight. Two other shows will be airing their first ever episodes at 8 and 8:30. The 8:30 show, "Carpoolers" is getting lukewarm reviews. The 8:00 show, "Cavemen" wasn't sent to critics which has critics saying, "How bad must that show be?!?"

I got caught up on some other first (taped) episodes of shows yesterday. I liked "Shark", Sunday nights at 10 on CBS. I thought that "Grey's Anatomy" got off to a slow start (Thursday nights at 9 on ABC), but once it got going, I liked it. "Big Shots" (Thursday nights at 10 on ABC) pretty much got savaged by the critics, but once that show got going, I found myself "getting it". Heck of a cast. Dylan McDermott, Michael Vartan, Christopher Titus and Joshua Malina. All four play guys who are very flawed and very successful. McDermott is given an ex-wife (who he'd like to have back) and a daughter who are gorgeous and it'll be interesting how all that plays out. The other three guys have their issues as well and I get the sense that when all is said and done, "Big Shots" has a good chance to become a "Big Hit".

Another episode of "Damages" on FX at 10 tonight. That is such a good show!!!

EDITOR'S NOTE: IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED, COME BACK! PICTURES WILL BE UP SOON!

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TOMORROW: Some thoughts about presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"

A TELEVISION ICON GETS SOME LONG OVERDUE RECOGNITION!!!

There was a time when getting Robert Conrad to star in a television series or a movie for television, all any producer had to do was sit back and watch the money roll in. It wasn't a matter of if the money would be available, it was simply a matter of how quickly that money would be made available. Beginning in the late 50's when Conrad starred as Tom Lopaka in "Hawaiian Eye" through the 80's when Conrad starred in "High Mountain Rangers", Robert Conrad was television gold!

He had a little "baggage" he had to overcome along the way. He was considered to be "too good looking" to be taken seriously as a "serious actor", so roles he got, he had to fight for. I mean, really fight for! Which is something that Robert Conrad never had trouble embracing! Which, at times, was something that caused trouble for Conrad. The money guys didn't want their handsome leading man getting into brawls because of some "slight" or for any other reason, but Conrad was a guy who became quickly known as (arguably) the biggest "stand-up" guy in Hollywood, a reputation appreciated by his friends, but feared greatly by his enemies and people who considered hiring him. Like the great television producer, Stephen J. Cannell.

More on that in minute.

This past Friday, Robert Conrad was honored by the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, a long time highly respected organization that I'm a proud member of. The event was held in a packed banquet hall at the famous Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, California.

On the dais were (among others) actor Larry Manetti ("Magnum P.I."), proud son (and actor/producer) Shane Conrad, wife LaVelda Conrad, CBS executive and producer John Wilder ("Centennial"), producer, David Lansbury ("The Wild, Wild West"), Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters' President, Chuck Southcott, Stephen J. Cannell ("Baa Baa, Black Sheep" or "Black Sheep Squadron" and (of course) Robert Conrad.

Conrad's daughter/singer Chelsea Conrad was seated in the front rows as were other relatives, his long time agent David Shapira and long time friends. Many people who couldn't attend, sent apology messages that were read by Chuck Southcott.

Full disclosure: I met Robert Conrad when I was a nightly television sports anchor here in Los Angeles. For some strange reason, the two of us "I do it my way types" hit it off. He appeared with me on television (he wanted to fight Sylvestor Stallone for charity), he offered me a job in one of his films which I (sadly) had to turn down, he invited me to boxing events he was a part of and just before he had a bad automobile accident, I was going to be visiting with him in Bear Valley that weekend where he was scheduled to ski for a Gold Medal.

Yeah. I like Robert Conrad. I like his family and I like everything he stands for.

And I really liked the event at Sportsmen's Lodge where we heard some loving honesty expressed (with humor) by son Shane, some loving and cute observations from wife LaVelda and a terrific story from producer John Wilder about how Conrad was (reluctantly) hired to play Pasquinel in "Centennial" and how Conrad ended up being that show's shining star in what was an all star cast! Then there were the stories and the story told by Stephen J. Cannell who told how reluctant he was to hire Conrad to play Medal of Honor recipient Pappy Boyington in "Black Sheep Squadron" because he didn't think Conrad had the chops and because of one other problem. Cannell admitted he was afraid that if he did hire Conrad, he'd also have to get a new dentist because of Conrad's reputation as a brawler. Because of the constant calls and unannounced visits from David Shapira, Conrad's agent, Cannell finally agreed to meet with Conrad, hired him, became one of Conrad's best friends and the rest (as they say) "is history".

I could tell you a lot more about what was a wonderful day, but I'll end with this; Yeah, I'm proud to call him my friend, but what I'm going to write now is something I would have written without knowing him. Robert Conrad was a big bankable television star for a very long time!!! This honor he received from the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters was a lot of fun to attend, but it was also an honor Robert Conrad deserved!

Has Conrad retired? Nope. After succeeding in television and films, he's going to try something else. Radio! On CRN. I'll tell you more when I know more. CRN is something you can hear anywhere in the world.

THE REGULAR BASEBALL SEASON IS ALMOST OVER:

One little bit of business to take care of in the regular baseball season before we can begin to get ready for the playoffs. In a playoff game to get to the playoffs, San Diego's Padres will play at Colorado against the Rockies who are the hottest team in baseball. The game is scheduled to begin a little after 4:30, Pacific Time and it will be televised by TBS. The teams that will definitely be in the playoffs are the Angels, Red Sox, Yankees, Indians, Cubs, Diamondbacks, and Phillies.

POSSIBLE WEDDING BELLS FOR PAMELA ANDERSON:

If Pamela Anderson marries Rick Salomon, a lot of people will wonder when "the tape" will be available for purchase. Anderson's sex tape with former husband, Tommy Lee was a popular item on the internet and Salomon's tape with Paris Hilton, ("One Night in Paris") was a tape that made a lot of money.

Pamela Anderson works for a living. As does Tommy Lee. As does (in her own way) Paris Hilton.

Rick Salomon? Like Kevin Federline, he appears to be someone who has the ability to hook up with famous show business women. He was married to Shannon Doherty before she had it annulled and now (maybe) this marriage to Pamela Anderson.

Short Commentary: Pamela, you don't need my advice, but do the words, "Get a good prenuptial agrement", mean anything to you?

EDITOR'S NOTE: IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED, COME BACK! PICTURES WILL BE UP SOON!

A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net. I do write back.

TOMORROW: I'll tell you some comparisons made by Comedy Central to presidential candidates and comic book superheroes/villains. I hope you'll enjoy the comparisons as much as I do and my thanks (in advance) to some folks at Comedy Central for alerting me to this. I'll also tell you about a Republican candidate that I'm becoming more and more impressed with and anything else that makes me say, "Whaaaat?!?"