Month: March 2009

Welcome the second class of Hall of Famers

Posted by seighinger – March 30, 2009

It’s time for the induction of our second class of Pop Culture Hall of Famers.

It’s a personal tribute to those who made contributions in music, the movies, athletics, television, politics and culture in general. To be eligible for our Hall of Fame, these individuals have to do more than simply excel in their fields. They must have transcended generations and made a distinct impact on society while doing so.

The envelopes, please:

mick_jaggerMusic: Mick Jagger
Comment: For parts of five decades, Mick has been shaking, singing and strutting. In some circles, the Rolling Stones always be considered second string to the Beatles. But here’s the bottom line, it’s 2009 and Mick and the Stones are still with us, and the Beatles broke up in 1970.  Jagger and the Stones’ influence has now been felt by three separate generations. That is some kind of cultural Satisfaction.
Past Inductee: Bruce Springsteen.

tap18Movies: Clint Eastwood
Comment: Clint is, in many ways, the Mick Jagger of movies. He’s been Dirty Harry, the Outlaw Josey Wales and most recently, Walt Kowalski in the classic “Gran Torino.” Eastwood’s appeal has been to all ages and both sexes. He’s 78 years old and as relevant today as an actor and director as he was in 10, 20, 30, 40 or more years ago. Whoever thought the guy who first came to the public’s eye as Rowdy Yates in “Rawhide” would have made this kind of impact?
Past Inductee: Paul Newman.

michael-jordan-346x500-40kb-media-483-media-0079Athletics: Michael Jordan
Comment: They say Magic Johnson and Larry Bird saved the NBA, raising it from a near-bankrupt entity scorned by the public in general and mostly ignored by the nation’s sports fans. After that process was complete it was Michael who helped lift the league to worldwide phenomenon status. His private life proved he was far from perfect, but on a basketball court he was incomparable. He defined greatness and defied gravity.
Past Inductee: Jackie Robinson

barack_obamaPolitics: Barack Obama
Comment: In roughly two years, Obama has gone from virtual unknown to the most celebrated politician in the world. The impact of Obama will never be able to be truly measured, because his true legacy will arguably be the inspiration he provided – to generations past, present and future. And he may have already established some sort of record for appearing on the most covers of major magazines.
Past Inductee: John F. Kennedy.

jerry_seinfeld065Television: Jerry Seinfeld
Comment: He was the mastermind of the most successful and popular sitcom in history. Without Jerry, there would never have been a George, Elaine or Kramer. And what made “Seinfeld” even more of a national treasure was the decision to pull the plug at the height of its popularity. “Seinfeld” has been off the air for more than a decade, and remains (almost) as popular in syndication and DVD sales as it was in its heyday.
Past Inductee: Carroll O’Connor.

tiger-woodsCulture: Tiger Woods
Comment: Tiger Woods surpasses being a mere golf superstar. He has succeeded Michael Jordan as the world’s most marketable and recognized athlete, but what impresses me most goes back to his principal platform — the game of golf itself. He respects the game and its heritage. A classic case in point came Sunday after his stirring comeback to win the event at Bay Hill. When he talked with host Arnold Palmer only minutes after sinking the winning put, the microphone picked up their brief, yet oh-so-revealing conversation. Palmer paid homage to Tiger’s comeback, to which Woods added some of his own golfing words. Then he looked directly at Arnold and said, “Thank you, sir.” Did you catch that? “Sir.” That, friends, is a class act.
Past Inductee: J.K. Rowling

Lunchtime with Vitale, Seinfeld, Lauer, the Idols and others

Posted by seighinger – March 24, 2009

It’s time to round up a new bunch for lunch. Here are my latest invitees:

jerry-seinfeld

Hey, Jerry: Time for a 'Seinfeld' reunion?

1. JERRY SEINFELD: C’mon, Jerry. It’s been more than 10 years. Get the gang back together and give us Seinfeld II. Lunch at: Tony’s Old Place, in the back room because Jerry likes his privacy.

2. LeBRON JAMES: At some point in his career, even the most dedicated Michael Jordan supporters are going to have to admit King James is the best player in NBA history. Lunch at: Mr. Bill’s. Those walleye dinners are fit for a king.

3. SARAH PALIN: She may need help getting that volcano thing under control. Lunch at: Mike’s Place in Liberty. She’ll enjoy the drive there, with me serving as her chauffeur.

4. ILLINOIS GOV. PAT QUINN: I just want to tell him thanks for helping take the state off Jay Leno’s joke-of-the-day list. Lunch at: The Butcher Block. Pat seems like a down-to-earth type of guy.

What's up with that chin, Reese?

What's up with that chin, Reese?

5. REESE WITHERSPOON: I have to ask her if her chin is getting bigger or if it’s just my imagination. Lunch at: Hy-Vee. I’m sure she’s a salad bar type of girl.

6. CHRIS MARTIN: He’s the lead singer of Coldplay, whose song “Viva La Vida” I have not got out of my head for more than a month. Lunch at: Village Inn. We can get one of the big tables so he can bring the rest of the band, too.

7. BARACK OBAMA: Barack and I need to talk about the economy. I’m not so sure he needed some $750 billion stimulus bill. What if he just set aside $1 million for every American adult? I think that would solve most of the credit crisis, and we’d all live happily ever after. Lunch at Gem City. Barack spent a lot of time in Chicago. He has to like pizza.

mug-dick_vitale

Hey, baby, lunch at the Perk!

8. DICK VITALE: It will be a sad day for basketball fans when Dicky V. is not part of March Madness. Lunch at: Washington Perk. Dick will attract a crowd, and the Perk has plenty of room for him to hold court.

9. AMERICAN IDOL FINALISTS: What a great time we’d all have singing karaoke, and I get to sit beside Meghan Corkrey. Lunch at: The Ambiance — hey, we need some room. There will be dancing, too!

10. MATT LAUER: I’m dying to ask the NBC “Today” show co-host how in the world he ran into a deer on his bicycle. Lunch at: the cafe on the corner in downtown Pleasant Hill. I hear the place serves venison.

11. YOGI BERRA: I want to convince him he has to make another Aflac commercial. I like Carl Edwards as a NASCAR driver, but as a comedic pitchman, he’s no Yogi. Lunch at: La Gondola. I’ll take Yogi on all-the-spaghetti-you-can-eat day.

If I’m not watching a game, I’m still watching something

Posted by seighinger – March 12, 2009

My wife says I watch too much TV, specifically too much sports. Oh well, you can’t please everyone.

What she doesn’t know, though, is how much TV I watch that is not sports related. She’d be surprised to know how much of well-rounded of a person I really am. She simply thinks I’m well-rounded.

mv5bmtk4nze5ota5nl5bml5banbnxkftztcwmjg1oduymq_v1_sx282_sy400_Here’s my 10 favorite non-sports venues that my trusty remote often takes me to:

1. Fox: That’s where I get my “American Idol” fix, and where the best non-Idol show on television, “Lie to Me,” is found. I’m telling you right now, Tim Roth, who stars as Dr. Cal Lightman, had better win an Emmy for his role on “Lie to Me.”

2. Comedy Central: My favorite moments here are any that involve those Blue Collar guys, especially Ron White and Bill Engvall. I think I’ve seen Ron White’s “Tater Salad” routine at least a dozen times.

3.TNT: They know drama, and that’s where I find all of the “Cold Case” reruns with the beautiful Kathyrn Morris.

4. A&E: These guys have a strange lineup of shows, but my favorites are the “CSI: Miami” reruns with the equally beautiful Emily Procter.

5. AMC: American Movie Classics is one of the few places you can find many of the old westerns.

6. Biography Channel: Anytime I stop on Bio I am hooked. There could be a profile running of Woodrow Wilson’s vice president and I would watch because they are so well done. My favorites are those of old organized crime figures.

7. History Channel/History International: It’s the strange offerings such as “Death Devices” of the 15th century that are so bizarre they are spellbinding.

8. Discovery Channel: I love that “Dirty Jobs” show.

9. MSNBC: This ranked much higher during the presidential election campaigns. I spent many a night calling Keith Olbermann an idiot in the privacy of my living room.

10. Weather Channel: It’s the best place to check to see if rain will be a factor Sunday afternoon during the NASCAR race. Plus, when there is a hurricane somewhere, those crazy Weather Channel guys in the blue parkas are a hoot to watch, trying to hang on to a lamp pole or something as 150 mph winds are smashing them in the face.

Best baseball movie: Bull Durham or Field of Dreams?

Posted by seighinger – March 3, 2009

“I prefer metaphysics to theology. You see, there’s no guilt in baseball … and it’s never boring.”

– Annie Savoy
a.k.a. Susan Sarandon, “Bull Durham”

We’re getting oh-so close to the start of baseball season, which means it’s time for that annual rite spring, the discussion about the best-ever baseball movie.

For me, it’s always a toss-up between “Bull Durham” and “Field of Dreams.” What’s better, Susan Sarandon’s opening soliloquy about the church of baseball in “Bull,” or James Earl Jones’ tribute to the national pastime in “Dreams”? (Sorry, I couldn’t find a You Tube video on Sarandon’s soliloquy.)

While you’re thinking about that, here’s my top 10 favorite baseball films:

1. Field of Dreams (1989): The surreal feel of the film has always lifted it above the rest. Not only is it the best baseball movie ever made, it is one of the finest overall films ever. The beauty of “Fields” is you don’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy it. To truly appreciate it, however, you need to love and respect the game for what it is and what it means. Football and basketball are games. Baseball is a passion.

billd02. Bull Durham (1988): The baseball characters portrayed by Kevin Costner and Tim Robbins are fabulous, but it is Susan Sarandon’s Annie Savoy who makes this move the classic it is. I’ve often wondered what might happen if some enterprising director could combine the intracies of both “Bull” and “Fields” into one film what the end product might be.

3. Major League (1989): Only a born and bred Cleveland Indians could truly appreciate this movie when it came out. Six years after its release when the Indians won their first pennant in 41 years, you have no idea how many times this movie was viewed over and over in the homes of Tribe fans. Take my word for it.

4. Fever Pitch (2005): Surprised you, eh? I fell in love with this Jimmy Fallon-Drew Barrymore film four years ago. My wife, who doesn’t know an infield fly from a Tse Tse fly, even enjoyed it.

5. A League of Their Own (1992): Geena Davis, Lori Petty and Madonna received all the pre-release hype, but it was Tom Hanks and Jon Lovitz that put this film over the top.

6. Pride of the Yankees (1942): I’ve seen this movie a dozen times, and I still have to wipe away a tear at the end.

7. The Natural (1984): I’ve alwys thought Paul Newman should have been in this movie with Robert Redford, a kind of sports version of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”

8. Eight Men out (1988): John Cusack led a big-league cast in this expose of the Black Sox Scandal of 1919.

9. Bad News Bears (1976): Has it really been 33 years since we first watched this? None of the sequels were worth a hoot, but the original was simply marvelous.

10. The Winning Team (1952): Ronald Reagan as Grover Cleveland Alexander. Predictable. Full of cliches. And extremely enjoyable.

THE STEVIES

And now for the indvidual Stevie Awards for the best all-time baseball movies:

The Stevie for the Best Actor: 1. Kevin Costner, Field of Dreams; 2. Walter Matthau, Bad News Bears; 3. Gary Cooper, Pride of the Yankees.

The Stevie for Best Actress: 1. Susan Sarandon, Bull Durham; 2. Drew Barrymore, Fever Pitch; 3. Teresa Wright, Pride of the Yankees.

The Stevie for Best Supporting Actor: 1. James Earl Jones, Field of Dreams; 2. Tom Hanks, A League of Their Own; 3. Tim Robbins, Bull Durham.

The Stevie for Best Supporting Actress: 1. Amy Madigan, Field of Dreams; 2. Doris Day, The Winning Team; 3. Lori Petty, A League of Their Own.

Book ‘em: These 10 topics would be worthy of a long read

Posted by seighinger – March 2, 2009

Ten subjects I would like to write a book about:

blagohandFormer Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich: If I could get him to tell the truth, can you imagine the shockwaves this could cause, not only across the state, but the entire nation and Democratic Party?
Suggested title: “Hair Raising.”

Former GOP Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin: This lady has a story to tell, you just know it. And who better but me to tell it? I’d drive to Alaska to interview her — I don’t fly, remember? — and she could spill her guts over a moose casserole.
Suggested title: “Northern Exposure.”

Actor/director Clint Eastwood: I know he’s dying to tell someone what he thinks of his Academy Awards snub for “Gran Torino.”
Suggested title: “You Can’t Fix Stupid.”

Former major leaguers Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Pete Rose: I think every American baseball fan would like to know the true story about how and why the greatest home run hitter in history, arguably the greatest pitcher in at least the last 50 years and the sport’s all-time hits leader may never be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Suggested title: “Lie to Me.”

American Idol: How did a TV show that does not deal in foul language and/or sexual innuendoes in this day and age come to command the attention of a nation for five months every year with little more than a singing contest as the central point of its success?
Suggested title: “Simon Says.”

The U.S. Automotive Industry: We should have seen this meltdown in Detroit coming years and years ago. The current economic climate only heightened the problem. Remember when Detroit kept giving us gems like the Pinto and the K-Car? Compare models like that to the Camry and Accord the Japanese started shipping our way. The good news about this current predicament is that it has leveled the worldwide playing field. Detroit will likely get another chance — its last.
Suggested title: “The U.S. Car-tel: One Last Chance for a Right Turn.”

NASCAR: I need to know what America’s most popular spectator sport will be trying to do to make it through the Great Recession. Let’s be brutally honest here. It may be early 2011 before we work ourselves through this economic chaos, and the chinks in the mighty NASCAR armor are already showing. The Daytona 500 was not sold out until the day before, and plenty of seats were empty at California and Las Vegas. And less than half of the teams have sponsorship for the full ’09 season.
Suggested title: “Running on Empty.”

opec-meeting11OPEC: I have utter and complete contempt for this group of international outlaws, who seem to delight in attempting to hold the western world hostage for their precious barrels of crude oil. I wouldn’t get too far in my research for this particular book, because I’d probably punch the first sheikh I would meet directly in the mouth rather than listen to the lies he would try and feed me. I still hold a grudge against this bunch from the 1970s when the first oil crisis materialized.
Suggested title: “Wanted: Dead or Alive.”

Wall Street: Why did anyone not see this gigantic collapse coming until it was too late?
Suggested title: “Last Man Out the Door, Turn Off the Lights.”

The U.S. banking industry: See “Wall Street” above.
Suggested title: “Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime?”