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Archive for the ‘Pop Culture’ Category

« Previous Entries

The Idiot Box

Posted by Jeff on November 18, 2011

Beavis and Butt-Head are not role models. They’re not even human. They’re cartoons. Some of the things they do would cause a person to get hurt, expelled, arrested, possibly deported. To put it another way: Don’t try this at home.

"Hey Beavis. Check out my abs... Uh huh huh huh."

Uhhh Huh Huh Huh… Mmmm  Heh Heh Heh…

I truly cannot think of a better title for this edition of The Idiot Box.  Ladies and gentlemen, Beavis and Butthead have returned to MTV.  Technically, the new show is called Mike Judge’s Beavis and Butthead but it has not changed much.  And I think that is great.

Beavis and Butthead was must-see TV on MTV from 1993 to 1997.  Spawned from an animated short called Frog Baseball on another MTV show called Liquid Television (remember Æon Flux?), Beavis and Butthead chronicled the adventures of two dangerously stupid teenagers that love heavy metal, girls, and watching TV.   Similar to Seth McFarlane of Family Guy, creator Mike Judge voices most of the characters in the old show and the rebooting.  On NPR last week,  McFarlane said that he just knows what he wants the characters to sound like so he just does them.  South Park’s Trey Parker has made similar comments.   I’d bet that the producers of The Simpsons  had just one or two actors to deal with.

A lot of guys in my demographic fell in love with Beavis and Butthead and then in love with Mike Judge when he directed the cult classic comedy, Office Space.(DIE Fax Machine DIE !!)  Swingline is still sending checks to Judge for making office supplies sexy again.  But try as he may, Judge hasn’t been able to get another live-action project to be as funny.  Judge set Beavis and Butthead aside for a while to focus on his new series for Fox, King of the Hill.  That show started out great.  everyone loved following the weird antics of Hank Hill’s son Bobby (their only child due to Hank’s narrow urethra) and trying hard to understand what the ever-mumbling, permanent bachelor Boomhauer was saying.

King of the Hill went off the air in 2010 and Judge decided to bring Beavis and Butthead back. In an interview with David Letterman on The Late Show, Judge told Dave that he had been thinking about it and about how much fun it always was.  Apparently MTV thought so too.

I have enjoyed the reboot.  Judge was quick to bring back Cornholio, Beavis’ caffeine-fueled alter-ego.  I also forgot how much Mr. Anderson and Hank Hill sound alike.  In fact a lot of the reboot is very similar to the original.  One big change that has me in stitches is the fact that the boys have expanded their TV watching to include more MTV staples like Jersey Shore and 16 and Pregnant. (Yes, that’s a real show.)   I’m no stranger to taking shots at Snooki.  But I’m not the professional.  It’s good stuff and it makes me feel uhhhh… uhhhhh… like warm and stuff.  Mmmm huh huh huh.

Maybe I’m trying to relive my 20′s.  Maybe I just think that some current videos and reality shows need some skewering.  Either way, I am glad to see Mike Judge back on MTV.  He may not be able to grab a wand and recreate the magic of Office Space, but he has recreated the magic of Beavis and Butthead.

“Uhhh huh huh huh… He said ‘wand.’   Oh yeah.  That’s pretty funny, Butthead.  Wand.”

Posted in Entertainment, Pop Culture | Tagged: , , , | 4 Comments »

Crystal Bridges and Its Importance to Arkansas

Posted by Jeff on November 10, 2011

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas

I remember the first time that I experienced a large, well-known museum.  I was 21 years old and I had just landed in Madrid, Spain for the beginning of what would be one of the best years of my life.  I studied at the University of Seville for a year and soaked in not just the language but also the culture of a European country.  Part of that included an afternoon trip to the Museo Nacional del Prado (The Prado) in Madrid.  It was there that I first tasted the experience of seeing world famous works of art firsthand.  Through years and years of Spanish classes in both high school and college, I had seen Pablo Picasso, Francisco de Goya, and Salvador Dalí but I had never been within touching distance.  For the first time, I could see them without the limitations of first being photographed and then printed into a textbook. I could see the brushstrokes exactly as they were made by the artists themselves.

Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez - Located in the Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, Spain

Even more impactful to me though was my first experience with the great Spanish painter, Diego Velazquez.  His masterpiece, Las Meninas is in the Prado and frankly, it is amazing.  It is almost unbelievable how realistic this painting is.  It was painted in 1656 and it looks like a photograph.  In fact most of Velazquez’ work is like that.  He was an astounding painter and I discovered him at one of the greatest museums in the world.  Later in my trip I went to museums in Barcelona and London.  I also spent a day in the Louvre (after a two hour strike).  The reality of visiting a major, metropolitan museum is still exciting to me because of this experience.

 

   

   

    

  

Crystal Bridges

Tomorrow, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opens its doors to the public.  The much-discussed legacy project by Wal-Mart heiress Alice Walton is set to become something that tourists from around the world will come to see.  First announced in 2006, the project has seen a small number of hiccups and controversies.  There have been some legal issues regarding the museum’s tax exemption (Act 1865 of 2005 cleared that road) and Ms. Walton’s recent arrest for DWI.  But most of the controversy is in the notion that nationally-regarded, high-profile treasures of American art have been purchased by someone who international art enthusiasts have labeled (in a manner of speaking) a rogue billionaire collector.  The one that perked up many ears in the media was the attempt to purchase a painting called The Gross Clinic by Thomas Eakins.  Thomas Jefferson University accepted the offer but the city of Philadelphia started a fundraising campaign in order to keep the painting in town.  They matched the offer and saved it from being sent to Arkansas.  Ms. Walton has been a fan of American art for a long time.  She has a personal collection but a lot of that will be on display at Crystal Bridges.  All told the Walton Family Foundation donated $1.3 billion towards the construction and stocking of Crystal Bridges.  Wal-Mart Stores Inc. later added $20 million over five years stipulating that no one pays to enter the museum.  This incredible new museum will be free to the public.

Kindred Spirits by Asher B. Durand, located at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, USA

 

Museum Itself a Work of Art

The building is 201,000 square feet and was designed by Boston-based architect Moshe Safdie.  Safdie spent time in NWA studying the works that the late E. Fay Jones had done for Ms. Walton.  He combined that inspiration with the natural beauty of the space in Bentonville that had been designated as its future home.  Ms. Walton fell in love with Mr. Safdie’s work after seeing his Skirball Cultural Center  in California.  With the luxury of her deep pocketbook and the role of project overlord, Ms. Walton did not need to take bids.  Mr. Safdie was the man she wanted and she got him.  Mr. Safdie spent time on the details as well.  Even the space between galleries is specifically designed to allow visitors time to consider what they have just seen and soak it in.

   

   

 

 

George Washington (The Constable-Hamilton Portrait) by Gilbert Stuart located at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, USA

Impact on Bentonville and NWA

Despite the location of Wal-Mart, Bentonville has actually been the slowest of the Big Four cities to grow culturally.  In the 80’s Fayetteville was the big winner when the Walton Arts Center was placed on Dickson Street.  Rogers built a beautiful shopping center in the Promenade.  But other than numerous multi-use strip malls that have housed a multitude of vendors, Bentonville had not scored a big-ticket draw to the area.  That changes with both the new Walton Arts Center venue and this museum.  Several new businesses are now open or planning to open in the shadow of Crystal Bridges.  Perhaps the most notable is a boutique hotel called the 21c Museum Hotel.  This chain of designer hotels likely would not have chosen to move to downtown Bentonville had it not been for the Crystal Bridges.  Museum officials are predicting that it could draw 150,000 to 300,000 visitors per year.  That is the kind of traffic that the new restaurants and other businesses will love.  Bentonville is finally joining the big boys as not just a business Mecca but also as a first thought for cultural family outings.

   

  

Notable Works

Not that anyone expected less but Ms. Walton and her team have assembled a pretty impressive collection–about five hundred works of American artwork spanning five centuries in the USA.  The first major piece purchased specifically to be displayed at Crystal Bridges  is Asher B. Durand’s Kindred Spirits.  It was purchased for $35 million from the New York Public Library in 2005.  A 1797 portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart will be on display.  Possibly the most recognizable piece in the collection is Norman Rockwell’s iconic Rosie the Riveter.  Mr. Rockwell became a household name in the United States for his work with the Saturday Evening Post.  His work is beloved by many Americans due to its accessibility and whimsical themes.

It may be a while before I get a chance to go to Crystal Bridges.  The tickets are free but you have to have one.  I am truly looking forward to this.  I can’t wait to see these pieces and all the rest.  What I hope is that while I am there I will see something new that I fall in love with like that day in Madrid 20 years ago.  And isn’t that what it’s all about?  These works of art (some of which were actually being stored and not displayed) are being brought to Middle America where people will see them and be inspired.  Bravo Alice Walton and everyone else involved in making this happen.  What a treat.

(Thanks to the complete reporting of the opening of Crystal Bridges in the 11/6/11 edition of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette for many of the details above.)

 

Rosie the Riveter by Norman Rockwell, located at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, USA

 

Posted in Entertainment, News, Pop Culture | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments »

Halloween Suggestion

Posted by Brett Kincaid on October 28, 2011

Thanks to BlogHawgs.com regular Mike Terrell.

Posted in Pop Culture | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »

Watch Your Step

Posted by Brett Kincaid on October 28, 2011

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This Has To End… (NSFW)

Posted by Jeff on October 19, 2011

I guess we are as guilty as anyone about making fun of Shakeweights.   But apparently there is a new tool called a Free Flexor which is basically a limp Shakeweight.

Jimmy Kimmel has had enough  too.  Put the kids to bed, make sure the boss isn’t in the office and then watch to the end.  Ladies and Gentlemen:  The Tug Toner.

 (Thanks to my silent BlogHawg lurker buddy for alerting me to this one.)

Posted in Entertainment, Pop Culture | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off

The Idiot Box

Posted by Jeff on October 5, 2011

The Chuck Lorre Effect

No, guys it says you DON'T get to sleep with the hot scientist.

 It has only been the last two years that I have developed an interest in sitcoms written and produced by Chuck Lorre.  I guess it actually started with the Big Bang Theory which I promoted in my Fall Preview.  BBT (which is the second highest rated comedy in America) is a dependably funny show.  Despite BK’s inability to suspend disbelief, the show’s premise is what makes it great.  The idea that four genius scientists try to simulate real lives is only funnier when they are actually able to do so.

Lorre might be the king of the term “Hit or Miss” to me.  He broke into writing for TV on the show, Roseanne.  I liked Roseanne a lot until it got too self-indulgent.  Basically about the time that Darlene got serious with David and went off to art school.  Then they won the lottery and well… it jumped the shark. 

Lorre then created the show Grace Under Fire starring the marginally talented comedienne, Brett Butler.   I did not like this show at all.  It just seemed like a Roseanne knock-off that lacked the comedic punch-in-the-nose that Roseanne gave her show.  He also created Cybill which was on CBS for four years… none of which I watched.  Next was Dharma and Greg.  I tried this show for a while.  The quirkiness of Dharma set against the stoicism of Greg worked for a while but unfortunately, the show lacked longevity.

 

But... they seemed so happy...

In 2003 Lorre brought us Two and a Half Men starring Charlie Sheen and Jon “Duckie” Cryer.  Cryer has the hapless loser character down to a science.  He was always the perfect foil to Sheen’s successful-loser character.  The melt-down of Sheen’s relationship with 2 ½ and Lorre has been well-documented on every tabloid TV show for 6 or 7 months now but as a sign of Lorre’s muscle, the season premiere of the re-boot with Ashton Kutcher was a huge ratings success for CBS.  Kutcher plays a clueless internet billionaire.  Suspend that disbelief, BK.

Lorre’s most recent project is to serve as executive producer of another new hit for CBS, Mike and Molly.  This show features two distinctively obese main characters. Mike (Billy Gardell) is a Chicago cop and Molly (Emmy winner, Melissa McCarthy, who also kicked butt on SNL last week) is a school teacher.  The shows usually centers on their budding relationship and the troubles that plague it.

Lorre’s success seems to rely on his ability to portray eccentric, weird, fundamentally flawed, or just plain different people as… normal.  On BBT, Howard and Raj are tragically nerdy but both desperately want to be normal ladies men.  Sheldon writes the book on geekdom but his goals are simply to mock normalcy and on occasion try to re-create it.

Lorre with the stars of Mike and Molly

On Mike and Molly, while their size is the source of occasional gags, the real comedy comes from the absurdity of them being the normal ones with normal problems.  The weird ones are their friends and relatives.  On 2½ Men, Charlie was the outrageous playboy but his character had normal flaws and problems… except for their enormity due to his flamboyance.

As I said, Lorre’s work is certainly hit or miss.  Many TV critics loathe 2½ Men.  I get that.  As I watch reruns of it now, I am surprised that it is the number one show on television.  Sometimes it’s just plain boring.  And there are moments when I watch BBT and M&M and I think, “this better get better.”  The key is that they usually do.

I’m not going to go on a diatribe that Lorre is the next Sherwood Schwartz. Although… God rest his soul, Schwartz only created two big name, enduring sitcoms.  (Sorry, Adam, Harper Valley PTA doesn’t count.)  He’s not and none of these shows will reach the Gilligan’s Island or Brady Bunch stratosphere.  But for the early 21st century, Chuck Lorre seems to be able to figure out what people like and deliver it.

 

This is MY Vanity Card. How you like that, Chuck?

 

P.S.  The Playboy Club is already cancelled.  I called it.

Posted in Entertainment, Pop Culture | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »

One for the Road

Posted by Brett Kincaid on September 30, 2011

Thanks for sticking with us during (what we hope is) the most painful week of the year.  The Alabama loss has been tough to shake, and it showed this week.  Thankfully the Hogs get on the field quickly on Saturday.  Kickoff is slated for just after 11:00am CDT from Jerry World (aka Cowboys Stadium) in Arlington, Texas.  Adam will be in attendance this weekend, so be sure to get back here on Monday for a full breakdown from the stands (Adam) and the couch (Brett).

Let’s wrap up the week with a look at some of our more popular stories from the week.  As always, we’re very grateful you choose to spend time with us.  Please tell your friends and visit our sponsors.  We love doing this and are very pleased that at least a few folks seems to enjoy what we do.

BlogHawgs Razorback Rewind – Week 4

The Last Non-Conference Southwest Classic

Insight from an Aggie

Ol’ Sarge Asks Questions

NFL – Evaluating Week 3

The Idiot Box

Erin Andrews on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”

Free Money – Week Five

NWC Report for 9/30/11

BlogHawgs Week 5 College Football Preview – Twitter Style

What Happened to Jon and Deek?

–

This week’s One for the Road takes us back to Alabama, but not to again suffer the indignity of the Tide’s ass-whuppin from last Saturday.  We turn to Clay Travis with outkickthecoverage.com who takes a look at an Alabama traffic stop that leads to several unanswered questions.  I’ll let Travis explain.

On August 28th, 2011 Alabama running back Trent Richardson was pulled over for speeding in Chilton County, Alabama. The Crimson Tide star was going 85 in a 70 and the officer noted that he blamed the “large rims” on his vehicle for the speeding violation. What was the vehicle? A 2011 GMC Yukon which retails for in the neighborhood of $40,000 even without the added expense of new rims. Raise your hand if it makes sense that an ”unemployed” athlete at Alabama with two children, no job, and a non-wealthy family could afford a brand new SUV. Put your hands down Alabama fans. Trent Richardson could be flying in his own private jet and you’d talk about how it’s perfectly reasonable for him to avoid traffic this way.

For the rest of us Richardson driving a brand new SUV raises an awful lot of questions.

Travis asks some legitimate questions and makes us all reconsider our positions on paying “student athletes” for their work on the field.  He also ends with a hilarious list of responses to his work from Bama Fan.  Like most rational people, Travis does love to poke a stick at the most ridiculous fans on the planet.

Have a great weekend

Posted in Pop Culture, Sports | Tagged: , , , , , , | Comments Off

Erin Andrews on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”

Posted by Brett Kincaid on September 28, 2011

Because we want you all to have a good day…

Posted in Pop Culture, Sports | Tagged: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

The Idiot Box

Posted by Jeff on September 28, 2011

Fall Preview

Well, it’s a week late but here is my “preview” of the new fall season.  I came to a conclusion last week that I just don’t have time for dramas anymore.  It’s not for a lack of interest.  It’s just that comedies are easier and for the most part better.  All of the good dramas seem to get axed before I have a chance to get sucked it.  It took two years or so for me to decide that ER was appointment television for me (and that was before the greatest invention ever… the DVR.  Seriously, move over printing press and cellular telephone.  The DVR is the single greatest invention of the modern era.  But I digress.)

 

The Good Wife deserves my attention this year.

Last year I said that I was going to start watching The Good Wife.  Didn’t happen.  This year it will.  There are a few sitcoms that have outworn their welcome with me.  I have time. I have space in my DVR.  It will happen.

Anyway, here’s my take on the new season.  I apologize in advance to those of you who live on Little Rock’s Streets of Gold and can afford HBO.  I get to keep the Sports & Information tier.  That’s it.  I’ll watch Boardwalk Empire on Netflix. 

 

 

 

Returning Shows

(Show, Channel, Day & Time (CDT))

Modern Family  ABC, Wednesday, 8:00

As I said in my Emmy Preview, the fact that all six of the adult actors in this show were nominated for Emmys should tip you off that this is a great show.  Ty Burrell (called it) and Julie Bowen (missed it) ended up winning the statues.  Burrell is truly becoming irreplaceable to me on the television.  I never know what he is going to do but I know it will be hilarious.  If you are the one person that doesn’t watch this show, knock it off.  Watch it.

Mike and Molly, CBS, Monday, 8:30

That's "Emmy Winner Melissa McCarthy" to you.

 

Even though I did say that she “Should win” in my Emmy preview, I really did not think that Melissa McCarthy would get the nod for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy. By the way, the Beauty Pageant bit was hilarious.  Apparently it was Amy Poehler’s idea.  It was great.  And so is McCarthy.  She plays the role of harried girlfriend very well.  Harried by her cop boyfriend, her stoner sister and her drunken mother (whose hilarious without-a-shred-of-couth boyfriend (Louis Mustillo) usually steals every scene he is in.)

 

The Big Bang Theory, CBS, Thursday, 7:00

Jim Parsons gets another Emmy and continues to carry this gem.  BBT is another Chuck Lorre production that follows four nerdy scientists trying to have lives.  The addition of Mayim Bialik as Sheldon’s girlfriend, Amy Farrah Fowler has been darn funny.  You might recognize Bialik from her days as Blossom.  In a case of art imitating life, it turns out that Bialik used her time between shows to earn a PhD in Neuroscience.

Community, NBC, Thursday, 7:00

The students at Community have paintball issues.

This show just gets weirder.  And that’s actually not a bad thing.  Last year I lamented that Chevy Chase was being misused and I still think he is but Joel McHale’s character is growing on me and the rest of the cast is strong.  Jim Rash has really developed a joy of a character in his Dean Pelton, the community college’s prince of weird.  New this year will be John Goodman as a Vice Dean that bullies Dean Pelton and will likely torment the other cast members.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Others Receiving Votes…

Glee (last season was sketchy, they need to rally), Harry’s Law (love Kathy Bates), The Office (James Spader takes a lead role… for a while),

 

New Shows (or not new shows that I want to start watching)

The Good Wife

Really, this year I am going to watch it…

2 Broke Girls, CBS, Monday 8:30

I watched the premiere of this one and it was pretty good.  The premise is that a debutante girl goes broke when her dad is busted for banking stuff (or something… who cares?).  Anyway she gets a job at a diner with another broke girl who’s street smart and can bake a mean cupcake.  SNL original Garrett Morris has a role as the diner’s cashier.

 

And she has a gun...

Prime Suspect, NBC, Thursday, 9:00

Maybe it was luck.  Maybe it’s the charmed slot (ER was Thursday at 9 for more than a decade).  But The Wife and I watched this by accident last week and it was very engaging.  Based on a British show of the same name and starring Helen Mirren, Prime Suspect wrapped us up and deposited us one hour later wanting more.  It’s a cop show featuring a strong woman in a man’s world.  It also stars Maria Bello.

Up All Night, NBC, Wednesday, 9:00

I hate Will Arnett.  Dunno why.  Just can’t stand him.  Luckily I love Christina Applegate more than I hate Arnett.  So I’ll give this one a chance, despite Gooch’s bashing.  I know I am not the only BlogHawg that has shared a moment with this couple in one preview: “I’ll give you $25,000 if you go check on the baby.”  I’m pretty sure I owe my wife around $1.6 million.

 

Don’t Get Hooked (these won’t be here in May)

The Playboy Club, Sunday, 9:00

One of two Mad Men rip-offs.  Apparently only 5 million people watched the premiere.  That and lots of anti-smut parents group protests will doom this expensive drama quickly.  I only give it 2 more weeks.

Pan Am, ABC, Sunday, 9:00

The other Mad Men rip-off.  I’m still not able to separate Christina Ricci from Wednesday Addams.  Sorry Christina!

Charlie’s Angels, ABC, Thursday, 7:00

Not going to work.  Drew Barrymore produces but I don’t think she has the stroke to keep it afloat.

 

Enjoy your LG!

I missed two hours of TV writing this post...

 

 

Posted in Entertainment, Pop Culture | Tagged: , , , | 8 Comments »

BlogHawgs Social Networking

Posted by Brett Kincaid on September 27, 2011

If you haven’t already, be sure to “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Please…. We’re begging.  Seriously… I’m typing this from my knees, begging for your affection.  We need you to validate us.  Now.  Hurry.  Before we do something drastic like post video of Nancy Grace’s nipple.

Woops…too late.  Who knows what we’ll do next!

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Go See This Movie

Posted by Brett Kincaid on September 21, 2011

Special to BlogHawgs.com from Jim Gooch

I pride myself on being able to size a movie up pretty accurately just by watching the trailer and reading a bit about it on IMDB.  I form an opinion, and then measure that opinion against the score the movie gets at Metacritic.com – which is far better and far more accurate than RottenTomatoes.com.  Like Rotten Tomatoes, it provides a consensus opinion from amongst the nation’s most prominent film critics, using a 1 to 100 score.  Metacritic simply provides better reviews and ratings.  To give you an idea, Academy Award winners typically score in the 80s, and very occasionally the 90s, while Tyler Perry movies score in the teens and 20s.

Here is the IMDB.com plot summary for Drive: A Hollywood stunt performer who moonlights as a wheelman discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong.

Sounds pretty routine doesn’t it?  I’m thinking, “Not again, Nic Cage.”  Next I’m thinking, “I know how this happened.  Some hack producer walked into some drivel-pimping studio head’s office and said something like, ‘It’s Too Fast Too Furious meets Gone in Sixty Seconds meets The Notebook.’”

As it turns out, I was way off the reservation on this one.  Drive, the new action film from Danish director Nicolas Windin Refn, is about as routine as a five-star recruit signing with the Hogs.

A more accurate pitch would have been (and could have been) A History of Violence meets Heat meets Halloween.  Ryan Gosling, channeling his best Steve McQueen and even a bit of Clint Eastwood ala man with no name trilogy, is the driver (the character’s name is never revealed), a taciturn loner who does stunt driving for the pictures by day and getaway driving for criminals by night.  As the driver, Gosling takes the anti-hero label to sociopathic levels rarely breached in mainstream cinema by anyone other than villains.

And speaking of villains, look for the unlikely Albert Brooks to get some recognition this awards season for his razorblade wielding, B-movie producer/Jewish gangster Bernie Rose, which he plays without even a hint of the lovable, self-deprecating goof that he has made a career of playing over the years.

Drive isn’t your usual action movie.  It’s as much style as it is substance.  It’s as beautiful as it is brutal, and believe me – it is brutal.  See this movie.

Click here for a link to the red band trailer.

 

Posted in Commentary, Pop Culture | Tagged: , , , | 9 Comments »

Ben & Jerry’s “Schweddy Balls” About to Drop

Posted by Adam Butler on September 8, 2011

into a store near you.

The flavor is made up of “vanilla ice cream with a hint of rum and is loaded with fudge covered rum balls and milk chocolate malt balls.”

I’ve got to say, Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream is known for it’s unique, irreverant flavors, but they’ve out done themselves this time.

]

Posted in News, Pop Culture | 1 Comment »

More Fodder for NWA

Posted by Brett Kincaid on August 5, 2011

Folks in the Ozarks don’t just look down on Little Rock because of the higher elevation.  Here at BlogHawgs we like to stoke the NWA v. LR fire, usually by pointing out the imperfections of the northwest part of our state.  (Child poverty, anyone?)

Today, though, I’m feeling fair.  Little Rock cracked a list of 20 Cities You Don’t Want to Live in…Yet.  I add this largely because there is a silver lining.  The “…Yet” in the list means we’re on the move!  Truth be told, it’s not a good list.  Other cities on the list include St. Louis, Detroit, Cleveland, and Baltimore to name a few.  Other Southern cities like Memphis, Jackson, and Birmingham also join the list.

For my money, though, I’d still rather live here than NWA.  If only we could get all the Razorback games moved to War Memorial….  (Okay…not really)

 

Posted in Pop Culture | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Ryan Mallett Sets The Record Straight On The Dan Patrick Show; Charlie Sheen Zings Mallett.

Posted by Adam Butler on March 9, 2011

All in all, I thought Mallett, the former UA quarterback did a pretty good job on the interview, today. And, unlike the rest of the national media, DP asked the appropriate questions, but also gave Mallett an opportunity to clear the air regarding his NFL Combine interview, and supposed character-related issues. That’s why Patrick is the best in the business, and it isn’t even close.

Unfortunately (for Mallett) Charlie Sheen called in unexpectedly, minutes later, and got off a Mallett/Bong  joke quicker than he could say, “WINNING”.

Posted in Pop Culture, Sports | 5 Comments »

I’m Not BiPolar. I’m Bi-Winning.

Posted by Adam Butler on March 1, 2011

The majesty that is Chuck Sheen:



Posted in Commentary, Pop Culture | 8 Comments »

A Brief BlogHawgs NFL Combine, Oscars Redux

Posted by Adam Butler on February 28, 2011

–If you, unlike me, have a life, then you missed the breathless breakdowns of former Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett’s media (non) meltdown at the NFL Combine (much ado about nothing, IMO) as well the breathless breakdowns of the aerial display (I like that comparison a lot better than the Ryan Leaf one) he put on a day later.

I am shaking my head on all this. It is a perfect example of everything that is wrong with our Blogocracy. I understand why Ryan Mallett raises red flags, but what I don’t understand is why he is getting skewered, but others, with just as many perceived issues are seemingly getting a pass.

Oh, and as for the rumors that no one is willing to stand behind, but every has been or never was is willing to trot out, I’ll just say I highly doubt Ryan Mallett has abused drugs the last few years while breaking every Arkansas passing record and leading the school to its first BCS bowl bid. If he has, he’s one heckuva multi-tasker.

On the other hand, if he, for the sake of argument, smoked a little gangha in college, then he is clearly the scourge of the Earth, because no one ever does that in college.

–I am still reeling from the Kirk Douglas/Melissa Leo Daily Double of Painful Awkwardness and Elephantitis of the Ear Lobe.

–If Anne Hathaway is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

–Watching James Franco co-host The Oscars made me want to saw my own arm off.

–Anne Hathaway changed dresses 3 times while I was typing this post.

–I think we all expected Christain Bale to give us one of the most poignant, humble speeches of the night. I know I did. Except not really.

–Does the fact that I laugh at the dry wit of every British celebrity (like Colin Firth) mean that I am getting old?

UPDATED: Mallett seems to have performed well in the interviews that mattered.

Three teams that met with Mallett at the combine said they had no problems with his responses to the drug allegations or with his demeanor.

“The guy looked us right in the eyes and didn’t dodge anything at all,” said a high-ranking executive from an NFC team that is considering its quarterback options in the 2011 draft. “If we don’t take him, it certainly won’t be a reflection of his time with us (in the interview).”

Mallett was arguably the most impressive prospect throwing the ball during the Sunday on-field session for quarterbacks. He exhibited the strong arm most scouts expected of him and was very accurate as well. More accurate, notably, than former Auburn star and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, clearly the most celebrated player among the 330 prospects invited to Indianapolis last week.

The physical difference wasn’t the lone disparity between the players, said an assistant coach from an AFC club that might be interested in choosing a quarterback in the draft in two months.

“(Mallett) wasn’t as self-absorbed as the other guy,” the official said. “We really had no problem with him. He was pretty (straightforward), and he was very good, too, at (diagramming plays) on the chalkboard.”

Posted in Commentary, Pop Culture, Sports | 3 Comments »

Finally, Someone Who Understands Me

Posted by Jeff on February 10, 2011

"You can observe a lot just by watching."

In the last paper that I received (Tuesday – Yesterday and today’s are (I assume) buried in snow), John Sykes, Jr. steps up to William Safire territory.  In this well-written article, he analyzes how humans twist cliches and other expressions.  Unsurprisingly athletes and coaches take the largest share of the blame.

The snow in NWA is ridiculous.  Pictures coming.  I’d shovel but that’s a “tall task” to face.

Posted in Commentary, Pop Culture, Sports | 7 Comments »

It Could Be Worse…

Posted by Jeff on January 26, 2011

From the “It Could Be Worse” Department…

 The Razorbacks’ pee isn’t turning brown…

 Jeff Long didn’t receive a letter like this from the lead football donor…

 We didn’t fall off the stage looking for a lost shaker of salt.

Posted in Commentary, Pop Culture, Sports | 3 Comments »

The Idiot Box

Posted by Jeff on January 18, 2011

The Return of American Idol

 

 

 

It’s back but he is not.  Tomorrow, American Idol returns for its 10th season.  But unless you’re just now emerging from that rock, you know that Simon Cowell is not returning.  Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi are not returning either.  They will be replaced by two music industry heavyweights, Aerosmith frontman, Steven Tyler and pop legend, Jennifer Lopez.  More on them later but first… Simon.

Simon Cowell defined the show.  It was his acerbic, brutally honest comments on the contestants’ performances that drove the show and more importantly the water cooler comments the next day at work.  Cowell is a record producer.  He had the credibility to give honest assessments but more importantly he lacked the fear of being labeled a “meanie” or being reviled by viewers and contestants alike.  As much as it might bother host Ryan “Dim the Lights” Seacrest, Cowell was the face of Idol.  No matter how good Tyler and Lopez are, they will always be compared to Cowell or at the least will cause long time viewers to pine for the days when Simon would skewer an off-putting performance.

The credibility that Cowell had was what put Ellen DeGeneres behind the eight ball from the start.  DeGeneres is a comedian, actress and talk show host.  From the get-go she was questioned as to why she was even there. Kara DioGuardi was most known for her work as a songwriter and record producer but she struggled trying to find her role. She eventually replaced Paula Abdul after Abdul left due to a contract dispute but DioGuardi could not decide if she wanted to be the sweet, “nice try” judge or if she wanted to take the line that her record producer colleague Simon Cowell had drawn.  Either way, she never really found her way.  The only returning judge is Randy “Dawg” Jackson.  He and Seacrest will try to maintain the continuity of the show but it’s the chemistry between Jackson and the new judges that will be immediately critiqued.

New Idol judges, Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, some random zombie

Steven Tyler has probably taken the most heat for this career move. His own band mates are not thrilled with it.  Joe Perry even went so far as to state that he did not want the name “Aerosmith” associated with the show.  He has a problem with the fact that it is reality TV designed to sell ads.  In an ironic twist though, Perry said that he was still OK with contestants singing Aerosmith songs… from which he earns royalties.  Actress, dancer and recording artist Jennifer Lopez seems to be a less surprising but also less interesting.  She certainly has the cred they were looking for.  Jenny From the Block has been on the stage since her time as a “Fly Girl” on In Living Color.  Since then she has recorded seven albums and acted in numerous movies and TV shows. She has won AMA’s, Latin Grammys and numerous other awards.  She is certainly qualified but will people watch?

There are several other changes for this year’s edition of Idol.  The head of the Interscope Geffen and A&M label, Jimmy Iovine will serve as an in-house mentor to the contestants.  There will not be celebrity mentors as in years past.  They also plan to extend Hollywood Week which will cut the field of semi-finalists down to 20.  Executive Producer Simon Lythgoe also said that theme weeks will be broader to allow contestants a wider variety of song choices.

While American Idol’s ratings were down last year, it is still the juggernaut that all other show producers respect and fear.  Time will tell if the new faces and changes will change that or if Idol will continue its phenomenal dominance.

Randy says I am "pitchy."

Posted in Entertainment, Pop Culture | 2 Comments »

American Music

Posted by Brett Kincaid on December 15, 2010

Like any form of art, the relative “goodness” of music will always and forever be colored by the personal taste of the connoisseur.  Occasionally, though, we find artists that seem to transcend all boundaries.  Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash spring to mind.  B.B. King could be found on iPod playlists from Alabama to Wyoming.  And I have yet to find anyone in my life that cannot find at least one or two songs from James Taylor that they enjoy.

My taste in music is pretty elementary.  I am not the guy that finds the new underground alt-country bluegrass jam band in an attempt only to feel morally superior to those that have never heard of Mama’s Whiskey Bottle.  You can generally catch me listening to Willie, Johnny, B.B., James or even Dave Matthews if I’m feeling nostalgic for the college years.  You can add a new group to that list.

I cannot stop listening to the latest effort from The Zac Brown Band.  “You Get What You Give” hit stores on September 21, 2010 and my iPod about 2 months later.  This is the band’s follow up effort to “The Foundation” which began tearing up country radio in 2008.  This second album is a definite progression from “The Foundation” which focused more on traditional country themes while introducing non-country musical elements like island music and jam band influences.

What separates The Zac Brown Band from other modern country radio icons is their insistence on playing beyond labels.  The ZBB has plenty of country twang (and stellar fiddle playing), but these Georgia boys blow fakers like Rascal Flatts out of the water musically.  In “You Get What You Give” listeners are treated to a wide variety of music – not necessarily country music.  Sure, you get some tracks produced for country radio (like the album’s debut release “As She’s Walking Away” – featuring a cameo from Alan Jackson).  You also get Caribbean infused delights like “Knee Deep” – with Mr. Jimmy Buffett.  You get a classic American piano ballad with “Colder Weather”.  And you get something altogether different with “Who Knows” which mixes everything from island music to southern rock to traditional country.

I am far from a seasoned music critic.  I like what I like, and it is what it is (That’s for you, Jeff).  But I like to think I know genuinely good music when I hear it.  The Zac Brown Band provides that in spades.  Even those who say, “I don’t like country music” can find plenty to enjoy in “You Get What You Give”.  These guys have a lot of work to do if they’re ever going to be considered in the class of Willie Nelson or B.B. King.  They are well on their way, though, to carving out their own place in history as one of the most enjoyable bands across all genres of music.

 

Posted in Commentary, Pop Culture | Tagged: , , | 8 Comments »

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