For my many readers who haven't heard yet, I have a new niece. Grace Ann Bender was born last friday, she's the first girl in a few generations, so I think my brother has got some splainin' to do. So congratulations to my brother Paul and his wife, Kara. Kara especially has desperately wanted a daughter for a while, so I guess it shows if you want it bad enough it can happen, even in the very masculine Bender clan.
So back to my normal stuff, The show Heroes continues to kick ass and take names. The introduction of this girl who can do the Jedi mind trick over the past few episodes, or more accurately the first displays of said mind trick has been the latest reason the show is so cool, for those who didn;t see last night's episode they showed exactly who Sylar is and what are his powers. The whole thing is just phenomenal.
Other big goings on with TV these days, NBC is putting two hours of comedy back on Thursdays. I'm pleased as punch about this, I'm glad at this point that even have four comedies to put back-to-back. hopefully it'll be a success, I've never understood the whole CSI thing, I've tried watching a couple times and it looks like a bunch of smoke and mirrors put out there to cover up over-acting and bad storytelling. I'm a huge fan of Las Vegas, the city not the TV show, but that's not enough to save this show either, maybe someday a fan of the show can explain to me what I'm missing but I doubt it. Just another reminder how out of touch with America i really am.
So the top three things that remind how little I have in common with the rest of America.
1) The 2004 Presidential Election
2) The 2000 Presidential Election
3) CSI
honorable mention to the band Linkin Park, and actress Angelina Jolie.
Other events this weekend, glad to see the Patriots win a big game that everyone was picking them to win. They're now 1-2 in such games. It's almost to the point where I don;t know how to react, they always used to be so underrated, now they may have swung the other way to being a bit overrated. I'll always give them a chance at winning the Super bowl but without Junior Seau and Rodney Harrison, they aren't quite the same team they were a month ago, and I'm not even sure if that one would've won it all.
Glad to see the Red Sox are ready to throw around money, but aside from Daisuke Matsuzaka, I can't say I'm feeling them. They've sat by while many relievers have been signed and they're planning on throwing big money at JD Drew who will be really good but vastly overpaid for the 140 games he plays. They're so desperate to get rid of Manny but for only 5 million dollars less Drew will hit 15 less homers and drive in 35 less runs. But Manny is a huge problem, whereas JD Drew must be universally loved by all teammates. The other guy they seem to be enamored with, for many years in fact, is Julio Lugo. Not only is Lugo not that good of a player, but he has definite character issues. the Astros put Lugo on waivers a few years back after he was arrested for beating his wife. That's how he ended up in Tampa where he put up meaningless numbers while fielding a mediocre shortstop. If he does come here the fans will welcome him with open arms, these are the very same fans who couldn't stop patting themselves on the back for roundly booing Brett Myers last summer after Myers was arrested for hitting his wife on the streets of Boston. I guess all I'm trying to say is that there should be more of an outcry against Lugo coming here.
That's all I got for now
Bender Out
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
And I'm Back...
I know my many readers are thrilled to see my triumphant return from a brief hiatus. Many concerned fanshave wondered where I've been, the answer of course...Video Games. You'll be happy to know I've led the Houston Texans to a successful turnaround, we made the playoffs in my first season winning the division, but I digress. Tons has happened, so I'll get to it.
Michael Richards, it's over pal. I've had my questions about whether or not he was a good guy ever since I found out he was involved it that famous Andy Kaufman incident, but this was a complete shock. At this point I wonder if history will be re-written and they'll say this ruined his career after Seinfeld, as if it wasn't really already over. I never liked the way that Richards and Jason Alexander thought of themselves as comedic geniuses as a result of that show. They carried themselves as if they had shown what a true thespian could do with comedic material. Anyway hopefully we won't have to see this guy again and we can just concentrate on Seinfeld re-runs.
Another person who I think is looking like a jerk, on a much lesser level of course, is Kelly Ripa. Kelly have a friggin sense of humor. Clay Aiken is a weirdo, I'll acknowledge that, but I think Kelly looked like a total bitch. Was it homophobic like Rosie O'Donnell said? Maybe but I don;t think you can say for sure, so maybe Rosie shouldn't be confirming Clay's sexuality when he's not publicly out of the closet. The real issue to me is that Kelly Ripa exposed herself as someone with no sense of humor, I won't be surprised if there are a lot of stories of her making ridiculous demands behind the scenes. Kelly, I will never again hope to find a wife just like you, and you'll have to live with that.
I wanted to comment on the Andre Waters tragedy, I don;t know much on the background of why he took his own life, but I do know that I was a huge fan of those old Buddy Ryan defenses, and it's just so sad to see anyone's life end this way, especially when it's a guy who I used to cheer for. Andre was a real badass on the field, and representative of that whole defense. It's also sad to think that they were at the height of athletics less than twenty years ago and he's already the third member of that defense to pass away.
Ok, onto lighter things. this whole Playstation 3 thing is completely out of control, I don;t care how great the technology is you can't pay 600 bucks for a video game system. I don;t even know if I'd pay that much for the old holo-deck from Star Trek, and that was a badass entertainment system. I probably would, for reasons I'd rather not discuss at this time, but the holo-deck was way cooler than the PS3. I also think it's worth mentioning that the Nintendo Wii or whatever it's called looks ridiculous. People don't really wanna have to swing their arms or whatever while playing a game, it's that simple.
I know I sound like a comlete Jeter hater on this blog, so it'll be no surprise to you that I'm pleased as punch that he didn't win the MVP. I just don't see it, in my mind if you take Derek Jeter off that Yankees team they still win the division by 10 games. They have potential all-stars in eight of their nine starting slots. I don;t understand why everyone has decided that Jeter is the real difference maker on that team. The popular sentiment has always been that Jeter led them to all those championships in the late 90s but I would say the real reason those teams won was their great pitching, and even back then I didn't think Jeter was their best offensive player. As far as this year's MVP voting goes, I think the Twins had the top three candidates in the league, and there were a ton of reasonable candidates and no one single spectacular candidate.
A quick note, The Celtics are doing it to me again, settling into to nice state of mediocrity, too good to get Greg Oden, not good enough to make the games worth watching. This the absolute worst position in the NBA, teams can spend years there and not realize they're going nowhere, every season they get excited about their one all-star or their first round draft pick, hopefully they'll go one way or the other and not remain a slightly below .500 team. This past week was the msot painful because just when I thought they were setting themselves up to be awful the go and win three games. I hate you Boston Celtics!
Thats all I got for now, to my many loyal readers have a good thanksgiving, everyone else, go screw.
-The Bender
Michael Richards, it's over pal. I've had my questions about whether or not he was a good guy ever since I found out he was involved it that famous Andy Kaufman incident, but this was a complete shock. At this point I wonder if history will be re-written and they'll say this ruined his career after Seinfeld, as if it wasn't really already over. I never liked the way that Richards and Jason Alexander thought of themselves as comedic geniuses as a result of that show. They carried themselves as if they had shown what a true thespian could do with comedic material. Anyway hopefully we won't have to see this guy again and we can just concentrate on Seinfeld re-runs.
Another person who I think is looking like a jerk, on a much lesser level of course, is Kelly Ripa. Kelly have a friggin sense of humor. Clay Aiken is a weirdo, I'll acknowledge that, but I think Kelly looked like a total bitch. Was it homophobic like Rosie O'Donnell said? Maybe but I don;t think you can say for sure, so maybe Rosie shouldn't be confirming Clay's sexuality when he's not publicly out of the closet. The real issue to me is that Kelly Ripa exposed herself as someone with no sense of humor, I won't be surprised if there are a lot of stories of her making ridiculous demands behind the scenes. Kelly, I will never again hope to find a wife just like you, and you'll have to live with that.
I wanted to comment on the Andre Waters tragedy, I don;t know much on the background of why he took his own life, but I do know that I was a huge fan of those old Buddy Ryan defenses, and it's just so sad to see anyone's life end this way, especially when it's a guy who I used to cheer for. Andre was a real badass on the field, and representative of that whole defense. It's also sad to think that they were at the height of athletics less than twenty years ago and he's already the third member of that defense to pass away.
Ok, onto lighter things. this whole Playstation 3 thing is completely out of control, I don;t care how great the technology is you can't pay 600 bucks for a video game system. I don;t even know if I'd pay that much for the old holo-deck from Star Trek, and that was a badass entertainment system. I probably would, for reasons I'd rather not discuss at this time, but the holo-deck was way cooler than the PS3. I also think it's worth mentioning that the Nintendo Wii or whatever it's called looks ridiculous. People don't really wanna have to swing their arms or whatever while playing a game, it's that simple.
I know I sound like a comlete Jeter hater on this blog, so it'll be no surprise to you that I'm pleased as punch that he didn't win the MVP. I just don't see it, in my mind if you take Derek Jeter off that Yankees team they still win the division by 10 games. They have potential all-stars in eight of their nine starting slots. I don;t understand why everyone has decided that Jeter is the real difference maker on that team. The popular sentiment has always been that Jeter led them to all those championships in the late 90s but I would say the real reason those teams won was their great pitching, and even back then I didn't think Jeter was their best offensive player. As far as this year's MVP voting goes, I think the Twins had the top three candidates in the league, and there were a ton of reasonable candidates and no one single spectacular candidate.
A quick note, The Celtics are doing it to me again, settling into to nice state of mediocrity, too good to get Greg Oden, not good enough to make the games worth watching. This the absolute worst position in the NBA, teams can spend years there and not realize they're going nowhere, every season they get excited about their one all-star or their first round draft pick, hopefully they'll go one way or the other and not remain a slightly below .500 team. This past week was the msot painful because just when I thought they were setting themselves up to be awful the go and win three games. I hate you Boston Celtics!
Thats all I got for now, to my many loyal readers have a good thanksgiving, everyone else, go screw.
-The Bender
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
I Feel Good
I feel like there's great news all around me these days. I'm very happy with the election results, not just around the country but locally too. My guy Deval Patrick won around here and takig back the house and probably the senate as well is more than I could have imagined actually happening. But the real thing that's making me giddy is the re-birth of Britney. With her ditching that tool and possibly having a sex tape, well to borrow a phrase, she's having the best week ever. Oh my beautiful Britney, finally taking her rightful place atop the hot women world. It almost takes me back to college, when she was first doing it again. The whole world lusted for her, and they will again, mark my words, all she needs is a couple advisors or handlers and a competent nanny.
Other good news in the world, I read online that Studio 60 has gotten a ratings bump and there's a very good chance that they'll be picked up for the whole season very soon. Now all we need is for the other SNL homage 30 rock to get the support it needs. This show is quickly becoming my favorite comedy on TV, one of about only 5 watchable live action sitcoms out there right now.
Speaking of the sad state of TV comedy, why on earth would Fox run that new show with Brad Garrett and Finch against My Name is Earl? There are very few sitcoms on right now, why would you put your top sitcom against a proven NBC show in Earl? I need to take over a network! Anyone out there wanna back me with a few billion to get my own network started?
Anyway, enough about my dreams of being on or controlling TV. Saw the Borat movie, and I waited until the second showing last friday which is a lot more will power than I thought I'd have. The movie is in fact hilarious, it reminded of Napoleon dynamite in that every part seems to stand on its own and it's a lot of fun to remember the individual parts and quote them. The only problem is that there isn't too much in the way of plot in either movie, but I do strongly recommend it. The larger point about this movie and all movies is that it has become almost impossible to be completely satisfied by a movie due to all the hype beforehand. The last movie that i can remember where my expectations were really exceeded, was Spice World! Just kidding, it was South Park the movie and that was because it was snuck in during the middle of the summer between a bunch of other over-hyped movies. There have been plenty of movies that reached expectations or slightly exceeded them such as Kill Bill or The Departed, but South Park will always stand out. I just wonder how good a movie like Spider-Man 3 would have to be for me to not leave the movie theater feeling a little bit letdown.
And to other things that left me feeling a bit letdown, Pats loss vs. the colts sunday night, just a heart breaker. Can't help but feel they really blew this one. If the Pats had run it down their throat for the entire game I think they would have won, especially because the defense actually stopped the Colts a couple times in the second half. That doesn;t sound like much but sometimes when you watch Peyton Manning playing, you wonder how any team ever held them to as much as a field goal, let alone a punt. But the game was not totally deflating, I still feel like the Pats could beat the Colts if they meet in the playoffs, but games like sundays remind just how much the Pats miss Charlie Weis. In my mind the Patriots used to have both the greatest offensive and defensive minds in football, and I doubt any team will ever have a combo like that again.
I was also kinda bummed to hear that Francisco Liriano will be out all of next season. There really aren;t enough exciting pitchers out there right now, and MLB can't afford to lose one. The good news is that he's on one of my rivals fantasy baseball team and this just clears the way for Ryan Howard to lead me to another title.
Well, that was my Opus.
-Bender Out
Other good news in the world, I read online that Studio 60 has gotten a ratings bump and there's a very good chance that they'll be picked up for the whole season very soon. Now all we need is for the other SNL homage 30 rock to get the support it needs. This show is quickly becoming my favorite comedy on TV, one of about only 5 watchable live action sitcoms out there right now.
Speaking of the sad state of TV comedy, why on earth would Fox run that new show with Brad Garrett and Finch against My Name is Earl? There are very few sitcoms on right now, why would you put your top sitcom against a proven NBC show in Earl? I need to take over a network! Anyone out there wanna back me with a few billion to get my own network started?
Anyway, enough about my dreams of being on or controlling TV. Saw the Borat movie, and I waited until the second showing last friday which is a lot more will power than I thought I'd have. The movie is in fact hilarious, it reminded of Napoleon dynamite in that every part seems to stand on its own and it's a lot of fun to remember the individual parts and quote them. The only problem is that there isn't too much in the way of plot in either movie, but I do strongly recommend it. The larger point about this movie and all movies is that it has become almost impossible to be completely satisfied by a movie due to all the hype beforehand. The last movie that i can remember where my expectations were really exceeded, was Spice World! Just kidding, it was South Park the movie and that was because it was snuck in during the middle of the summer between a bunch of other over-hyped movies. There have been plenty of movies that reached expectations or slightly exceeded them such as Kill Bill or The Departed, but South Park will always stand out. I just wonder how good a movie like Spider-Man 3 would have to be for me to not leave the movie theater feeling a little bit letdown.
And to other things that left me feeling a bit letdown, Pats loss vs. the colts sunday night, just a heart breaker. Can't help but feel they really blew this one. If the Pats had run it down their throat for the entire game I think they would have won, especially because the defense actually stopped the Colts a couple times in the second half. That doesn;t sound like much but sometimes when you watch Peyton Manning playing, you wonder how any team ever held them to as much as a field goal, let alone a punt. But the game was not totally deflating, I still feel like the Pats could beat the Colts if they meet in the playoffs, but games like sundays remind just how much the Pats miss Charlie Weis. In my mind the Patriots used to have both the greatest offensive and defensive minds in football, and I doubt any team will ever have a combo like that again.
I was also kinda bummed to hear that Francisco Liriano will be out all of next season. There really aren;t enough exciting pitchers out there right now, and MLB can't afford to lose one. The good news is that he's on one of my rivals fantasy baseball team and this just clears the way for Ryan Howard to lead me to another title.
Well, that was my Opus.
-Bender Out
Friday, November 03, 2006
A few things before I go
Just wanted to post a few thoughts given that I haven't posted in a while.
-Very disappointed to see Derek Jeter win the gold glove at shortstop, not just because he's only an average fielder but to me it's a symbol of how meaningless the Gold Glove has become, maybe they should have the writers vote on it so the award can have some credibility back.
-Another tough pill for me to swallow was Eko being killed off this week on Lost. He was one of the most intriguing characters on the show and he had a few more great back-stories in him. I don;t know if he was written off for on-set issues or if he had just never planned on being on the series long-term but it is a loss for fans of the show.
-Speaking of people who should still be on a show, why in the world was Chris Parnell not brought back this season on Saturday Night Live? He was one of the few consistently funny cast members and for a show thats at an all-time low you'd think they would want him around.
-I read online today that 30 rock, Studio 60, and Friday Night Lights are all in trouble in terms of being cancelled due to disappointing ratings. Hopefully NBC will keep them all around, but this just goes back to my point about there being something seriously wrong with the way Networks are running things these days. Maybe it's just another reminder that I'm woefully out of touch with the rest of America.
-I watched last nights Louisville vs. West Virginia match-up, and while the offense were somewhat impressive I can't imagine either of these teams being able to hang with Ohio State or Michigan. neither team had any defensive presence whatsoever. I doubt that Louisville, if they remain undefeated, will have any chance in whatever bowl game they play.
-Can't wait to see Borat, let's hope it delivers, the trailers make it look like the funniest movie of the last couple years, I'm sure I'll have some thoughts up on this one soon.
-Just wanted to go on record as saying that the Celtics are not worth watching this season, don;t believe all the hype that's been going around on Rajon Rondo, he's a great athlete but he's not ready to be a starting point guard let alone an elite player at this point. Her's hoping they trade a few of their young players while the value is high, ryan gomes looks like a perfect candidate for a pump and dump this season. He has a low ceiling and may already be as good as he'll ever be.
That's all I got for now, and Rahida Jones, if you're out there, I'm free this weekend, call me.
-Bender Out
-Very disappointed to see Derek Jeter win the gold glove at shortstop, not just because he's only an average fielder but to me it's a symbol of how meaningless the Gold Glove has become, maybe they should have the writers vote on it so the award can have some credibility back.
-Another tough pill for me to swallow was Eko being killed off this week on Lost. He was one of the most intriguing characters on the show and he had a few more great back-stories in him. I don;t know if he was written off for on-set issues or if he had just never planned on being on the series long-term but it is a loss for fans of the show.
-Speaking of people who should still be on a show, why in the world was Chris Parnell not brought back this season on Saturday Night Live? He was one of the few consistently funny cast members and for a show thats at an all-time low you'd think they would want him around.
-I read online today that 30 rock, Studio 60, and Friday Night Lights are all in trouble in terms of being cancelled due to disappointing ratings. Hopefully NBC will keep them all around, but this just goes back to my point about there being something seriously wrong with the way Networks are running things these days. Maybe it's just another reminder that I'm woefully out of touch with the rest of America.
-I watched last nights Louisville vs. West Virginia match-up, and while the offense were somewhat impressive I can't imagine either of these teams being able to hang with Ohio State or Michigan. neither team had any defensive presence whatsoever. I doubt that Louisville, if they remain undefeated, will have any chance in whatever bowl game they play.
-Can't wait to see Borat, let's hope it delivers, the trailers make it look like the funniest movie of the last couple years, I'm sure I'll have some thoughts up on this one soon.
-Just wanted to go on record as saying that the Celtics are not worth watching this season, don;t believe all the hype that's been going around on Rajon Rondo, he's a great athlete but he's not ready to be a starting point guard let alone an elite player at this point. Her's hoping they trade a few of their young players while the value is high, ryan gomes looks like a perfect candidate for a pump and dump this season. He has a low ceiling and may already be as good as he'll ever be.
That's all I got for now, and Rahida Jones, if you're out there, I'm free this weekend, call me.
-Bender Out
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