JJ's Place

What your PJ's say about you

2011-10-26T07:20:00.000-05:00

Today is national sleep in day so on the show we asked what your kind of pajama says about you. Here are some stats from a survey by IKEA...

For Men:

Pajamas -- You're a no-nonsense kind of guy, direct and straightforward. Once you've committed yourself, your relationships tend to last. You are steady, hardworking and you enjoy rugged outdoor activities.
Boxer Shorts/Briefs -- You're good at details and like order in your life. You are warm, friendly and caring. You remember birthdays, anniversaries and other important dates.
Long Johns -- You're practical, secure about yourself, and you don't follow trends. You work on a task until it is completed. You don't like variety once you find a style you like, you stick with it.
T-Shirts -- You're a down-home kind of man, not easily impressed by superficial people or material possessions. You're mellow, slow to anger and enthusiastic at work.
Nude -- You are creative, high-spirited, quick-tempered, and you have great confidence in your ability to achieve your goals. At work you're known as an "idea man" who can quickly grasp the complexities of a problem and readily find a solution.

For Women:

Baby Dolls or Nightgowns -- Sensual, sensitive and romantic, you're always looking for excitement. You are also neat, orderly and meticulous about your appearance.
Flannel or Other Heavy Pajamas -- You're a warm, caring person with a smile for everyone and a hug for those who need it. You enjoy outdoor activities like camping and hiking and you're very practical.
Teddy, Chemise or Camisole -- You are very feminine, and you like to be coddled, petted and pampered. You love candlelight dinners.
Childlike Pajamas -- You like the warmth and coziness of a strong, safe relationship. You're reliable and steady at work and play.
T-Shirt or Team Jersey -b Generous and warm, you make friends easily. You are playful in your relationship. People confide in you, knowing you're trustworthy.
Nude -- You're sensual, spontaneous, independent, and you respond to challenges at the drop of a hat. You are very trusting and like openness.

Thanks Steve

2011-10-05T20:00:00.000-05:00

The news of Steve Jobs death was a strange event. As one might expect, people were tweeting, Facebooking, and texting the news of his passing with the very devices he created. But on another level, it was clear that people were clearly feeling like they lost a friend or companion of some sort. I know I felt that and judging by the comments across Twitter, others did too. It got me to thinking about my own personal relationship with Apple (and Jobs) throughout my life. I don't really remember a world without Apple products.

One thing I will always credit Jobs with is his decision to target schools for his early Apple computers. While many schools can no longer afford to use the Apple computer (mostly for reasons Apple cannot control), my generation grew up in the '90s using his machines upwards of five times a week. Many of us experienced the internet for the first time on a Macintosh computer. While Apple was largely mocked by the business and personal computer users, Jobs was building that level of trust up with the younger generation.

Apple's big turnaround of course came with iTunes. It was a product that the younger generation was craving badly and it didn't take long for Jobs to use the iTunes as the source for a new generation of "i' products. Ironically, it was not long after iTunes and the iPod that I started to sour towards Apple. Apple not so surprisingly, became one of the symbols of modern day hipsters, a group I personally can't stand. I also disliked some of the secretive nature surrounding Apple, their decision not to incorporate Flash on the iPhone (something I now experience personally), and their overly strict rules surrounding the App store.

That said, this past fall, I went against my personal distrust, swallowed a huge pill, and bought an iPhone. I've been pretty happy with the purchase. The Verizon employee who pointed me in the iPhone's direction was certainly right about it being easy to run for a smart phone, and it doesn't freeze up like my Blackberry used to. I still have some of the other issues with Apple yet, but it's hard not to respect a product that simply works better.

And so I've come full circle. While I'm not about to buy a MacBook or even an iPad for that matter anytime soon (my PC works just fine and has been an excellent buy so far), I am saddened today for the family of Steve Jobs and for the fact that we are not going to see some of the other incredible inventions he had floating around in his head.

Simply put, thanks Steve for everything.

Fall Lineup Dissection: NBC

2011-05-22T00:30:00.002-05:00

Click here for videos and photos and descriptions of NBC's new fall shows

Synopsis:
For a fall lineup filled with so many interesting new shows, not to mention some awesome looking midseason prospects ("Are You There Vodka? It's Me Chelsea", "Awake", and "Smash" in particular), NBC's fall schedule couldn't be any uglier looking. For starters, with this many promising looking new shows, it's disappointing that NBC is only launching 3 new dramas and 3 new comedies. I would've liked to have seen at least one more new drama since they decided to put scripted (albeit doomed) programming on Fridays with "Chuck" and new fairy-tales themed crime series "Grimm". By March the network will have 3 reality shows expanded out to 2 hours each. That's just too much, especially with shows like "The Biggest Loser" starting to lose viewers. That said, if the programming is really as good as at least some of it looks, I think viewers will find it (like they did "Harry's Law" this past winter). Hopefully this spread out approach allows the network to focus in on each program a bit and give them all decent, if not good launches. A night by night look at NBC's fall schedule:

Mondays:
8/7c- "The Sing Off" *2 hour episodes*
10/9c- "The Playboy Club"- series travels back to the 1960s to look at the beginning of the Playboy Club in Chicago.

I like the decision to use the "Sing Off" as a regular series. I hate that they're just expanding it to 2 hours from the get go and going head to head against "Dancing with the Stars" isn't exactly brilliant programming (they claim it will skew much younger and it might). This move just feels like the cheap NBC of old (hello Jay Leno!). A better decision? Air an hour of this and add another new drama to this night (Smash?). While they're at it, I would've liked to see NBC leave "Harry's Law" on this night and shift "Parenthood" and newcomer "Prime Suspect" here and try these shows on Tuesdays. At midseason, NBC is planning on using "The Voice" on this night with 2 hour editions as well.

Tuesdays:
8/7c- "The Biggest Loser" *2 hours*
10/9c- "Parenthood"

I get this was their most successful night this past year, but it was also a night with a tiring reality franchise and a family-themed show that's begging to be shown earlier in the evening. I'm guessing NBC's reasoning here was that they have to fix other nights, leave Tuesdays alone for now, but if this is the case, then why weren't Fridays left cheap and unscripted too?

Wednesdays:
8/7c- "Up All Night"- New comedy from the SNL team starring Christina Applegate and Will Arnett as new parents
8:30/7:30c- "Free Agents"- A workplace/romantic comedy about two co-workers (Hank Azaria and Kathryn Hahn) who recently became single and sleep together and then decided to be friends, even though they really want to be more.
9/8c- "Harry's Law"- new night and time
10/9c- "Law and Order: SVU"

This night is a bit of a head scratcher. "Harry's Law" certainly has proven it can handle difficult time slots and grow out of no lead in (as has "SVU") but together they don't really fit in my book. "Up All Night" will have its moments if I had to guess but feels like a Thursday night comedy. "Free Agents" looks like all these other romantic/friends/buddy comedies we've seen launched recently, but I wasn't turned off by the clips I saw. This hour will struggle in my opinion against ABC's more established comedy block, "X Factor", and "Survivor".

Thursdays:
8/7c- "Community"
8:30/7:30c- "Parks and Recreation"
9/8c- "The Office"
9:30/8:30c- "Whitney"- new comedy about an unmarried couple who tries to keep things fresh
10/9c- "Prime Suspect"- new drama based on a British series that features a female cop in a tough male-dominated NY precinct.

One thing I hoped NBC's new bosses would do is not lead off Thursdays with "Community". Naturally they didn't do that. Not only is "Community" not an 8pm show, but it stands very little chance of growing with competition being "The Big Bang Theory", "X Factor", and ABC's new "Charlie's Angels" reboot. New comedy Whitney is a traditional multi-camera comedy, while these shows are all single camera, making it an odd choice. Why they didn't pair this with the Chelsea Handler's "Are You There Vodka? It's Me Chelsea" is confusing. "Up All Night" would've fit this block better. "The Office", now in decline, should be leading off the night. One of their more high profile new dramas would've been a good way to cap off this block ("The Playboy Club", "Smash", even "Grimm"). Instead we got "Prime Suspect", a show that doesn't look bad, but would've been a much better fit for one of their returning dramas like "Parenthood", "Harry's Law", and "SVU". All of those shows do well amongst female viewers.

Fridays:
8/7c- "Chuck" *final 13 episodes*
9/8c- "Grimm"- new drama where a homicide detective finds out he is one of the last "Grimms"- a group of elite "hunters" who have to stop villains from the fairy tale/supernatural world.
10/9c- "Dateline NBC"

I get the decision to go genre on Fridays but Fox has "Fringe" and CW has "Supernatural". That gives "Grimm" about a zero chance with what will be a weak lead in from "Chuck". Again I feel if you really want "Grimm" to succeed, you put it on another night. For someone who doesn't really care for genre, I think "Grimm" looks pretty good and think it could work after their single camera comedies on Thursday or even paired with "Harry's Law" or "SVU".

Saturdays:

Sundays:
Football- their savior.

My dangerous new addiction

2011-03-07T22:54:00.001-06:00

So it's been a while (cough 3 months cough) since I last blogged. I must say I miss it but since all I was doing before was rehashing afternoon show segments, I'm not sure I was really doing anything blog-worthy. That said, tonight, I will break my blog silence and write about a dangerous...okay not dangerous at all...addiction: Country Music, especially classic country music of the 90s.

Now I'm not saying that country's bad or anything. In fact, I have the utmost respect for country artists. They for the most part actually sing in their songs, something certain pop stars could maybe try once in a while. The problem with my country addiction is that I do an afternoon shift on a CHR/Hot AC hybrid station. Country is like the plague to most of our listeners. A few would probably outright shun me. ;-)

That said, I hope that those who do read this will at least embrace a country addiction part time like I have. Yes certain artists are a bit too over the top at times, but since when has Lady Gaga been normal? I won't be embracing country full time anytime soon, but a little hear and there is a good way to waste away some time on a night where TV sucks and that's about 6 out of 7 nights a week. So today, I'll tip my hat to some of my personal country favorites: what are some of yours? Leave a comment or tweet/fb me your favorites.

These are in no particular order but just some that I really enjoy:
Kenny Chesney- Don't Blink

Tracy Lawrence- You Find Out Who Your Friends Are

George Strait- Check Yes or No

Toby Keith- Should've Been a Cowboy

12/17/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-12-17T14:48:00.003-06:00

Fast Facts for Friday:

The Black Eyed Peas are being sued by the Funkadelic George Clinton, who says they didn't just sample his music, they stole it when their made their song "Shut up!"
The University of Oregon and Nike have unveiled new uniforms that the Ducks will wear when they play Auburn January 10th in the BCS national championship game. They've got that video game look and are part of Nike's "Pro Combat" series.
Must be breakup season: Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson have called it quits after just two years of marriage. This, just days after Scarlett was named GQ's "Babe of the Year."
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has been named Time Magazine's "Person of the Year," the second youngest ever to win. Only Charles Lindbergh was younger when he won the honor.

Afternoon Oddball:

This woman learned the hard way - you can't collect worker's comp for a sex-related injury. A public servant in Australia suffered a nose injury and damaged teeth while she getting down and dirty on a work trip back in 2007, so she thought she'd be able to collect a payout. But according to the courts, the only way she'd be able to receive compensation was if she had let her employer know beforehand that she had planned to get frisky. And, let's face it, that would've made things awkward… Of course if she had planned to sleep with her boss…who knows.

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1991 Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev agree to dissolve the Soviet Union by new year.

In 1992 President George Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari sign the North American Free Trade Agreement in separate ceremonies.

In 1993 Fox Television outbids CBS for the NFC TV package.

In 1993 Jack Kevorkian, the so-called "suicide doctor" is released from jail in Oakland County, MI, after promising not to help anyone end their lives for the time being.

In 1996 Angry voters hand Russian President Boris Yeltsin a stinging rebuff as Communists and right-wing nationalists scored big wins in elections on a platform of rolling back democratic reforms.

12/16/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-12-16T14:33:00.000-06:00

Fast Facts for Thursday:

Mark Burnett, the guy who gave us "Survivor," is going to help NBC launch a rival show to "American Idol." The show’s called "Voice of America," based on a show in the Netherlands, NBC will try to launch it this spring before Simon Cowell can bring his X-Factor to the states this fall.
Scientists taking a real close look at the Mona Lisa say that Leonardo da Vinci actually put tiny little numbers and letters in her eyes.
"Dexter" co-stars Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter are getting a divorce.
Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens are officially over. Done. Kaput.
Meanwhile, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez say there's nothing going on... just friends...
For whatever reason, Chelsea Handler felt it was necessary to Tweet a picture of her and 50-Cent in bed together.
Gwyneth Paltrow says she's going to be coming back to "Glee."

Afternoon Oddball:

We can't really blame this dad for being furious that his 17-year-old daughter was dating a 57-year-old man. Though perhaps the measures he took to stop the affair were a little extreme. After learning of the relationship, Helmut Seifert of Germany went to the police, but when he was told they could do nothing about it, Seifert took matters into his own hands. He went to the man's house and castrated him with a bread knife! Then he ran off with the man's severed testicles. Seifert was arrested and is expected to be tried for attempted murder next year. But he doesn't feel he did anything wrong. "I saw it as my duty as a father," he said. He certainly had balls, we'll give him that.

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1983 A judge in Riverside, CA, denies a request from cerebral palsy victim Elizabeth Bouvia to starve herself to death in a county hospital.

In 1985 The Mafia boss of bosses, "Big Paul" Castellano, is shot to death outside a New York City restaurant.

In 1995 A budget impasse leads to the second shutdown of federal government.

In 1997 UN weapons inspector Richard Butler leaves Iraq after failing to persuade President Saddam Hussein to open his palaces to inspections.

In 1997 A Pentagon-appointed panel concludes that the Army, Navy and Air Force should segregate male and female recruits in their earliest phases of basic training.

12/15/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-12-15T09:12:00.002-06:00

Fast Facts for Wednesday:

How cold out is it? Well, for the first time ever, the Salvation Army canceled bell ringing in North Dakota and Minnesota.
After four years of living together and producing two kids, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden have gotten married.
Jennifer Grey has had the surgery she needed to repair that ruptured disc in her back.
After 110 years of existence, the Honolulu Symphony is dissolving due to financial reasons.
The hand-written note that President Kennedy's secretary Evelyn wrote up after his assassination is going up on the auction block. It was her own list of suspects as to who could have been behind the killing. The list included Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Hoffa, the KKK, the CIA and Communists.

Afternoon Oddball:

Now that's dedication to the job. A policeman in Poland gave himself a ticket in order to meet his daily quota! Sgt. Andrzej Tymanski wrote himself an $8 fine for walking on railroad tracks because he was trying to respect the one-fine-per-day rule of the local police chief. "I was not prepared to fine someone who had not broken the law just to meet the quota - so I walked on the railway line - and fined myself," he said.

12/14/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-12-14T12:38:00.002-06:00

Fast Facts for Tuesday:

Josh Duhamel is apologizing to everyone hurt or bothered by his refusal on a flight last week to stop texting.
Christina Aguilera's divorce has hit a slight snag -- her husband is refusing to move out of their house, preferring to hold out hope for their marriage.
After only two episodes, David Hasselhoff's reality TV show on A and E has been canceled.
LeBron James is settling in. He just bought a $9 million home in Miami.
A new federal study claims that 30 million Americans are still driving drunk... and another 10 million are driving under the influence of illegal drugs.
American Idol is looking at allowing contestants to be able to Tweet on Twitter during the competition for the first time.
The guy who played Eddie Winslow on "Family Matters" has been temporarily ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from his ex-wife after allegedly beating her with a belt.

Afternoon Oddball:

What the fudge was she thinking?! A Canadian woman pleaded guilty Thursday to biting a cop during a fight over a hot fudge sundae. Elaine Emter, 33, threw a fit at a McDonald's drive-through back in March because she claimed there wasn't enough hot fudge on her ice cream. She tried to exchange the sundae, but workers wouldn't take it without a receipt. When officers arrived to calm things down, Emter was still fuming. She refused to get out of the car at first and officers had to place her in a chokehold so she could be handcuffed. She then bit one of the officers and cops had to stun gun her twice to subdue her…All over a hot fudge Sunday. Sounds like she got her just desserts.

12/13/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-12-13T13:34:00.002-06:00

Fast Facts for Monday:

Not even a week after Elizabeth Edwards died from cancer, Rielle Hunter is said to be already planning her marriage to her widower, former senator John Edwards.
Kathy Griffin is still getting grief over fat jokes she told about Bristol Palin at an event last week.
Katy Perry says she's giving serious thought to changing her last name to Brand.
She's been trying to keep her battle private, but now the Detroit Free Press is reporting that Aretha Franklin is fighting pancreatic cancer and has less than a year to live.
According to a new study, only one in every three American parents say that their families eat a healthy diet.
Wesley Snipes began serving his 3-year prison term for tax evasion last week.
Apple has extended previews on it's songs on iTunes from 30-seconds to 90-seconds!

Afternoon Oddball:

Marriage is all about compromise...but apparently these Florida newlyweds failed to realize that. Deloris Holley, 61, stabbed her new husband seven times on Monday after a fight over the TV remote! See, Holley was intent on watching her favorite show The Closer, which, ironically, is a crime thriller. But hubby David Marion wanted to watch Monday Night Football. Holley became so angry that he wouldn't give up the remote that she grabbed a steak knife and began stabbing him. Marion was treated at the hospital and Holley was arrested on attempted murder charges. Guess they never heard of DVR.

12/08/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-12-08T14:21:00.002-06:00

Fast Facts for Wednesday:

Elisabeth Hasselbeck says she's feeling like she's been used by Sarah Palin. After helping her out with her campaign causes, she hasn't heard from her since.
Jennifer Garner and Usher are both stopping by Sesame Street this month.
Bristol Palin is insisting that her mom didn't make her go on "Dancing with the Stars."
The voice of Dora the Explorer has dropped her suit against Nickelodeon and will return to the show. Sounds like they found a dollar figure that everybody can live with.
Martha Stewart is set to become a grandmother, as her daughter is expecting a baby via surrogate, according to a U.S. report.
A glove worn by Michael Jackson during his "Bad" tour sold at an auction Saturday night for $330,000.

Afternoon Oddball:

A warning to all you waiters and waitresses: you're being replaced! A restaurant in China has a waitstaff consisting solely of robots! The six robots can cater up to 100 diners, and the restaurant's 21 tables are set in a circular route that the robots follow. After serving, the robots return to the kitchen to refill their cart for the next round. Humans, however, do prepare the food. The Shandong Dalu Science and Technology Company, which developed the restaurant, wants to further the concept by creating robots to help with kitchen chores like washing the dishes. The plus side to having a robotic waitstaff? You don't have to tip!

11/30/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-11-30T16:55:00.002-06:00

Fast Facts for Tuesday:

John Travolta and Kelly Preston welcomed a son -- Benjamin -- into the world last week.
Billy Joel is recovering from double hip replacement surgery.
President Bush's book, "Decision Points," has already cracked through the one million mark in sales.
After just one week on iTunes, the Beatles have sold 450,000 albums and over 2 million songs.
They're already talking about a remake of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." When did we officially run out of new ideas?
Cookie Monster apparently wants to host "Saturday Night Live" and even has an audition tape floating around YouTube.
The cost of this year's Thanksgiving meal was up 1%.

Afternoon Oddball:

They say love is blind, but for one unlucky dude, sex is blind too! The man sought medical attention after temporarily losing his sight every time he had sex, according to a report in a Danish medical journal. Poor guy couldn't even enjoy the view. Oddly, blindness would never occur when he performed any other strenuous exercise. Docs discovered that the man was suffering from vasoconstriction, where the muscle walls contract around a blood vessel, restricting the flow of blood. It's the same condition that causes erectile dysfunction. They treated him with medication to widen his blood vessels, and now he's waiting to become the new star of a Cialis commercial.

Traffic Jam Video Xtra: Sir-Mix-A lot’s Baby Got Back- This song was number 1 for 5 weeks back in 1992. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY84MRnxVzo

11/29/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-11-29T17:14:00.000-06:00

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1981 Actress Natalie Wood drowns in a boating accident off Santa Catalina, CA, at age 43.

In 1982 The U.N. General Assembly renews its demand that the Soviet Union withdraw its troops from

Afghanistan

In 1989

Czechoslovakia

ends 41 years of one-party Communist rule.

In 1990 The U.N. Security Council, led by the

U.S.

, votes, 12-2, to authorize military action if

Iraq

did not withdraw its troops from

Kuwait

and release all foreign hostages by January 15, 1991.

In 1998 Swiss voters overwhelmingly reject the legalization of heroin and other narcotics.

In 1999 Protestant and Catholic adversaries form an extraordinary

Northern Ireland

government designed to bring together every branch of opinion within the bitterly divided society.

Afternoon Oddball:

A couple of pizza robbers in Staten Island are feeling pretty stupid right now after making off with the wrong dough! Salvatore LaRosa, 25, and an unidentified accomplice mugged the owners of a pizzeria last June. They demanded one of the shopkeepers hand over a bag, thinking it contained the day's earnings. But when they opened the bag, it didn't contain the dough they were expecting. Instead of cash, it was filled with pizza dough! The crusty criminals made a hasty retreat, but LaRosa finally surrendered to the cops last Friday. D'oh!

11/26/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-11-26T16:10:00.004-06:00

Fast Facts for Friday:

Miley Cyrus was going to perform her cover of Bret Michaels' Poison hit "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" on Sunday night's "American Music Awards," but with the rumors of Bret & her mom allegedly having an affair, she didn't think it was right and so she switched songs at the last minute.
Now Charlie Sheen is suing that porn star that was locked up in his New York hotel room bathroom for extortion.
Kourtney Kardashian's infant son, Mason, is "doing fine" after he had an allergic reaction to peanut butter. Had to be hospitalized, but is fine now.
Terri Hatcher says the rumors that she's leaving "Desperate Housewives" are just that -- rumors.
Rachael Ray is donating 100 percent of proceeds from her Nutrish and Just 6 pet food and treat lines to animal shelters nationwide, giving away a total of $775,000 before December 31.
A New York jeweler says he loaned Courtney Love $114,000 worth of jewelry which she never gave back.
T.I. says that his drug problems all began when he took prescription pills.
Wesley Snipes' attorneys are doing everything they can to keep their client out of prison for three years for tax evasion.

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1983 Gunmen rob a warehouse at London's Heathrow Airport, making off with 6,800 gold bars worth $38.7 million.

In 1983 Denver is blanketed with a 21-inch Thanksgiving snowstorm.

In 1984 The U.S. and Iraq restore diplomatic relations after 17 years.

In 1992 The British government announces that Queen Elizabeth II had volunteered to start paying taxes on her personal income, and would take her children off the public payroll.

In 1996 O.J. Simpson finishes 3 days of testimony at a civil trial in Santa Monica, CA.

In 1998 Wrestler Hulk Hogan says he's retiring from pro wrestling and will run for president in 2000.

11/24/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-11-24T19:02:00.002-06:00

Fast Facts for Wednesday:

Eva Longoria filed for divorce last week. Now Tony Parker has filed his own papers in Texas. This could get messy.
A British Bishop is predicting that Prince Williams upcoming marriage to Kate Middleton will only last 7 years. By the way, April is the latest guess for a wedding date.
Fox is changing your fall routine. Beginning in January, "American Idol" will do it's first night on Wednesdays, with results on Thursdays. That's so they can continue to ride the success of "Glee on Tuesdays."
Katy Perry says she's still adjusting to married life and occasionally, still refers to Russell Brand as "her boyfriend."
Researchers say they think that drinking coffee & tea may actually help you fight off brain cancer. Of course, they need to do more research. That's what makes them researchers.
The woman they found locked in the bathroom in that Charlie Sheen incident last month says she's suing him for battery and false imprisonment.
Got Netflix? Stand by for a price increase, if you haven't gotten it already.

Afternoon Oddball:

There are some instances where it's best to just swallow your pride! A man in northern California got trapped on an island for five days, but refused to use his cell phone to call for help! Instead Brian "Goat Man" Hopper spent his days on Roe Island trying to repair his raft and nibbling on vitamins and native plants to survive. He even fashioned a crude SOS sign, rather than dialing a simple call to 911. Why? 'Cause he was embarrassed. "I didn't want to spend the taxpayers' money to have the Coast Guard come rescue some stupid guy," Hopper, 54, said. So instead he made himself look even more stupid. Eventually Hopper called a friend, who in turn notified the Coast Guard. Hopper said his trip down the Sacramento River was meant to be a campaign to bring attention to social diseases. He was traveling with camping supplies, two burritos, a bag of vitamins, a Bible and a mannequin of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Ya know, the essentials.

Traffic Jam Video Xtra: Bobby Brown- My Perogative- Song was number 1 for 1 week back in 1989. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cDLZqe735k

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1983 The PLO releases six Israeli prisoners in exchange for the release of 4,500 Palestinians and Lebanese held by the Israelis.

In 1987 The U.S. and the USSR agree to scrap shorter and medium-range missiles in the first superpower treaty to eliminate an entire class of nuclear weapons.

In 1995 Irish voters approve a constitutional amendment legalizing divorce.

In 1998 America Online announces plans to buy Netscape for $4.21 billion.

11/23/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-11-23T17:59:00.000-06:00

Fast Facts for Tuesday:

Lindsay Lohan's mom is planning to sue the producers of "Glee" for making fun of her daughter during last Tuesday night's episode. In one scene, Gwyneth Paltrow playing a substitute teacher, asks her students in Spanish, "Lindsay Lohan is totally crazy, right?"
After only four months of dating, Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl wideout Chad Ochocinco reportedly proposed to "Basketball Wives" star Evelyn Lozada.
Kevin Eubanks returns to "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno as a guest tonight, to plug his new album and get caught up.
Cher tells ABC that she's not very fond of reality shows and she just doesn't get Snooki.
A new government study claims that more than 45 million Americans, or 20 percent of U.S. adults, had some form of mental illness last year.
A new survey shows that 31% of Americans will be out hitting the stores this week on "Black Friday."

Afternoon Oddball:

An argument between a boyfriend and girlfriend in Florida quickly turned bananas. The two were fighting in their home late one night when the boyfriend, 59-year-old Keane E. Langel, started spitting bananas on girlfriend Brenda M. Riley and throwing doughnuts at her. In response, the 49-year-old Riley armed herself with a banana, tore it into two pieces and then shoved the pieces into Langel's ears! Riley then called police, but both of them got arrested and charged with domestic battery.

Traffic Jam Video Xtra: Def Leppard- Pour Some Sugar On Me- The song was number 2 for a week back in 1988. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W_nXURlYjc&feature=related

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1980 A 7.2 earthquake claims nearly 4800 lives in southern Italy.

In 1993 President Clinton signs legislation lifting remaining U.S. sanctions against South Africa.

In 1997 Iowa septuplet mom Bobbi McCaughey leaves the hospital and returned home while her seven babies stayed behind in intensive care.

In 1998 The tobacco industry signs the biggest

U.S.

civil settlement, a $206 billion deal to resolve remaining state claims for treating sick smokers.

Fox moves Idol- so what happens to the other guys?

2010-11-20T09:49:00.000-06:00

A lot of focus last night on the Fox midseason schedule was over the effective cancellation of Fringe in moving it to Fridays and whether or not Idol had enough juice left handle the move. I personally am more interested in what this will do to the other networks, especially a few key other shows.

ABC:
I think it could be argued that ABC is in the worst shape to handle this Idol relocation. Their Thursday 8pm hour is a nightmare right now and Wipeout was slated there as a temporary player. Wipeout is not strong enough to handle even a reduced Idol if you ask me. The new management team at ABC have been even more slow-footed than the previous regime meaning they've wasted the fall when they could've launched a reality show here this month. Meanwhile, ABC's Tuesdays were basically set to fold until DWTS returns. Now that Tuesdays are wide open again at midseason, ABC has No Ordinary Family at 8/7c to die against Glee, while giving a show they've basically already cancelled in V, the cushy 9pm hour. I think ABC's Wednesday comedies will seen some dips against Idol but have done a nice job of solidifying the night as theirs so far so I'm not seeing much concern there.

NBC:
NBC is also going to feel the effects of Idol but stands to gain viewers for the Biggest Loser on Tuesdays. Community is going to get hammered on Thursdays even more so now but I'm hopeful that both Community and the Big Bang Theory have their own audiences that are basically-Idol proof. The new Thursday 8:30 comedy however, will be lucky to pull Community-level numbers now. I don't see NBC's planned new Wednesday lineup of Minute to Win It, Chase, and SVU being affected. SVU doesn't need a lead in and it wouldn't have gotten one against Chase regardless. Minute to Win It handled Idol okay last year.

CBS:
This network will see the least problems. Survivor has handled Idol before. Criminal Minds won't be affected. Their Tuesday lineup will remain very solid from 8/7c to 10/9c. The Big Bang Theory could be affected but if I know BBT fans, they'll simply wait until 8:30 to flip to Idol results (this is something Fox didn't obviously think a lot about when they decided to keep the Idol results at an hour). CSI could be negatively impacted by Bones, especially Bones with a monster lead in.

CW:
This network is such a question mark to begin with these days but ultimately I don't think it's a major deal for them. I think the Vampire Diaries can handle Idol and we already know Top Model can. Nikita may see positives from no longer facing Fringe. Hellcats will probably be negatively impacted by Idol on Wednesdays at 9. That said, they have a hole on Tuesdays at 9/8c now that Life Unexpected is gone so I could see Hellcats or Vampire Diaries moving should they have problems.

11/18/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-11-17T17:18:00.002-06:00

Fast Facts for Thursday:

Prince William and longtime girlfriend Kate Middleton are now officially engaged. The royal wedding will be next year, "spring or summer" is as specific as they would get.
Whoever had three years in the Tony Parker/Eva Longoria pool... you win!
Scarlett Johansson, the "Iron Man 2" actress, was chosen as Babe of the Year by GQ magazine for her versatility and willingness to try new things.
The word of year is "refudiate." It's a word Sarah Palin made up and used on Twitter last summer, and now The New Oxford American Dictionary has named it the word of the year for 2010.
Christina Aguilera has gotten her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Barbara Walters is doing a one-hour special with the President and First Lady that will air the day after Thanksgiving.

Afternoon Oddball:

We feel this guy's pain. Steven Cowan, 66, was so angry about Bristol Palin being on Dancing with the Stars that he fired a shotgun round into his television! His outburst prompted a 15-hour standoff with Wisconsin cops. According to the police report, Cowan's wife called cops Monday night, saying her intoxicated husband had shot the TV and was threatening to kill himself. The report noted that Cowan was "upset that a political figure’s daughter was dancing on this particular show when Steven did not think that she was a good dancer." Good thing he was in jail Tuesday night. He missed seeing Bristol land a spot in the Dancing with the Stars finals. It's probably best he doesn't know.

11/17/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-11-17T16:54:00.002-06:00

Fast Facts for Tuesday:

After downsizing and cutting billions from their budget, the U.S. Postal Service just wrapped up fiscal 2010... with a loss of $8.5-billion. Last year, it was only $3.5-billion
According to Johns Hopkins University researchers, a vitamin D deficiency doubles the risk of stroke in Caucasian people, but not in blacks.
In LA, a woman tried to run over his girlfriend after he proposed and she said "No."
8 years after their divorce, Britney Spears' parents are said to be working on an reconciliation.
No official announcement, but it's said that Jessica Simpson is engaged to NFL star Eric Johnson.
Not sure who offered who, but Playgirl has decided against paying Kanye West $100,000 for pictures of his private parts.
Speaking of Kanye, he's canceled a scheduled concert appearance on "The Today Show" after his interview with Matt Lauer didn't go as expected.
So, you started using reusable grocery bags. Now they're finding traces of lead in some of them. Naturally...
In a study of more than 200 college students, University of Kansas psychologists found that 25% of men and 50% of women pretended to have an orgasm so sex would end.

Afternoon Oddball:

There's no way this robbery won't make you laugh. A clown robbed a woman while she was sitting on her toilet! The masked criminal busted into Jacqueline Cutright's bathroom and demanded money. Even she had to find the humor in that! "I said, 'Boy did you break into the wrong house - a poor person lives here,'" the 70-year-old Ohio woman said. The clown allegedly made off with $28 in cash and about $1,000 in costume jewelry, and drove off in Cutright's 1991 Ford Escort. Cops found 22-year-old Corey Buckley just a block away from the woman's home and he confessed to everything. Time are tough for Bozo too!

Traffic Jam Video Xtra: New Kids on the Block- Cover Girl. The song was #21 back in 1989. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5d0T015ZA4

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1983 Greyhound Bus Lines, struck two weeks earlier by more than 12,000 employees, resumes limited service with non-union drivers.

In 1987 A federal jury in Denver, CO, convicts two neo-Nazis and acquitted two others of civil rights violations in the 1984 slaying of radio talk show host Alan Berg.

In 1988 President-elect Bush announces that New Hampshire Governor John Sununu would be his White House chief of staff.

In 1993 The House of Representatives vote, 234-200, to approve legislation implementing the North American Free Trade Agreement.

In 1994 Francisco Martin Duran, the Colorado man accused of an assault-rifle attack on the White House, is charged with trying to assassinate President Clinton.

In 1998 The House Judiciary Committee releases 22 hours of telephone tape recordings secretly made of Monica Lewinsky by Linda Tripp.

11/16/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-11-16T17:23:00.002-06:00

Fast Facts for Tuesday:

Lady Gaga will soon have her own fragrance with help from the folks at Coty. They're the same ones who gave a scent to Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion and Kylie Minogue.
Washington state is the latest to ban those alcoholic energy drinks.
The rumor is that Pink is pregnant.
Sad news: Little Eddie Munster from the old 60's TV sitcom, "The Munsters” who is now 57 and has checked into rehab in New Jersey because of "a lifetime of substance abuse."
84-year-old Dick Van Dyke says that a couple of years ago, he fell asleep on a surfboard, drifted out to sea and was rescued by a pod of porpoises. Yeah, me, too.

Afternoon Oddball:

I have no sympathy for this woman! Angela Boyd, 38, of Indiana staged a fake funeral for her own child. The woman arranged church services for her 15-year-old daughter, who she claimed was raped and killed by her father in Iowa. She bought an urn and a donation box, and told her daughter's dramatic story as the congregation wept. Unable to go along with her lies, Boyd's brother stood up and revealed to the congregation that the teenage girl was actually alive and well and staying with family in Iowa. Boyd ran out of the church without collecting the urn or the box and has not been seen since. Police say the woman will most likely face charges of attempted theft. I’m sorry but that’s just sick and wrong.

Traffic Jam Video Xtra: A-Ha: Take on Me- The song was number 1 for a week back in 1985. Yep this music video is cheesy lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EXxMlIExpo

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1982 NFL players end an 8-week walkout.

In 1988 Voters in Pakistan cast ballots in their first open election in more than a decade.

In 1989 The heart of an Israeli soldier ambushed and killed by Arabs in the occupied territories is transplanted into the chest of a dying Palestinian man.

In 1989 Six Jesuit priests and two other people are slain by uniformed gunmen at the Jose Simeon Canas University in El Salvador in an attack later blamed on army troops.

In 1991 Boris Yeltsin announces the transfer of control of his republic's economy from Soviet central government to the Russian Federation.

In 1998 The U.S. Supreme Court rules that union members can file discrimination lawsuits against employers even when labor contracts require arbitration.

In 1999 13-year-old Nathaniel Abraham, among the youngest murder defendants in U.S. history, is convicted in Pontiac, MI, of second-degree murder for shooting a stranger outside a convenience store with a rifle when he was 11.

NBC Midseason Schedule Announced- Putting a bandaid over a gaping hole

2010-11-16T00:13:00.000-06:00

NBC's fall has been nothing short of a downright disaster. Last week, in the highly coveted 18-49 sales demographic at 10pm (9 central and mountain), NBC's top show (non-football) scored a 2.1. That show was Parenthood on Tuesday, which pulled in just over 5 million viewers down about a million from last spring's ratings. ABC by contrast, managed to get a 2.9 out of Private Practice on Thursday. CBS got a 2.9 out of Hawaii Five O on Monday. ABC has two other 10pm shows do better than the 2.1 in the hour during the week. Castle and Brothers and Sisters each outdid Parenthood not only in the demo, but did much better in total viewers. The Mentalist on CBS routinely pulls over 15 million viewers at 10pm with the series routinely pulling more than a 2.8 in the demographic. The Good Wife pulls twice the viewers as Parenthood on Tuesday and managed to do .1 better in the demo this week. Bottom line: The nets are struggling as a whole at 10pm, but NBC is really struggling. As in struggling more than when Jay Leno aired there. NBC is currently very lucky to have football on Sundays. Without football, NBC wouldn't average a 2.0 for the week.

Today, NBC announced it's midseason schedule. It's a schedule that I believe at least initially will do better on Monday-Friday and will hold down the Sunday night slots until football returns. The question will be if any of the moves really pay off or just half way cover up a hole. I'm afraid the latter is in store. Here's the new lineup with a few thoughts on each night.

Mondays:
This night currently features decent shows but at the same time features shows that don't stand a chance because the audience they're going for is already watching something else. The male skewing dramas there now lose out to football and the 10pm drama Chase is struggling against Castle and 5-O. The plan is apparently now to throw a hodge podge of shows together that don't really fit.
Mondays as of January 17th:
Chuck
The Cape (new super hero/action/family drama)
Harry's Law (legal drama from David E Kelley who created the Practice, Ally McBeal, and Boston Legal)

Mondays as of Feb. 28th:
Chuck
The Event (return after a likely death-inducing hiatus)
Parenthood (moving from Tuesdays)

Thoughts- The 10pm shows still don't fit the 8 or 9pm shows. I'm not sure why this lineup was considered a good idea. Parenthood is an 8pm show. Harry's Law is not a bad choice for 10pm but I don't think it fits the Cape and Chuck at all.

Tuesdays:
The Biggest Loser (still 2 hours, possibly shorter to give a new comedy a chance later next spring)
Law and Order: Los Angeles (as of February, Parenthood airs here until then)

Thoughts- I actually like this move. Splits up the Law and Orders and gives LOLA a decent lead in.

Wednesdays:
Minute to Win It (return)
Chase (January-new night and time)/ America's Next Great Restaurant (March-new reality show)
Law and Order: SVU (new time)

Thoughts: Minute to Win It at 8/7c is great. SVU at 10 is great. I don't think Chase will do all that well at 9pm but I do think it's a decent fit for the night and it deserves a chance away from 10pm Monday. The Restaurant show will be the latest in a long line of cooking show failures.

Thursdays: all comedy all night all 30 minutes each
Community
Perfect Couples (new relationship comedy)
The Office
Parks and Rec (return)
30 Rock (new time)
Outsourced (new time)

Thoughts: This all comedy block is a bold move but will people really watch 3 hours of comedy? I do think it will improve their Thursday numbers as a whole. 30 Rock should do well enough. Community shouldn't lose any audience. Ditto for the Office. Parks and Rec may have a chance at 9:30. Outsourced is being put out to die at 10:30. I don't think Perfect Couples fits the night as a whole.

Fridays:
Who Do You Think You Are (return)
Dateline (2 hours)

Thoughts: Good cheap Friday programming that will put them on the map on this night.

Sundays: As of March- specials will fill the night in Jan/Feb.
Dateline
The Marriage Ref (return of the Jerry Seinfeld reality show)
Celebrity Apprentice (2 hours)

Thoughts: Not a bad cheap way to fill the night but The Marriage Ref had run it's course last year and won't do much better in an hour with 2 other reality shows (Extreme Makeover Home Edition and Amazing Race). Celebrity Apprentice will easily outdo the Thursday regular edition from this fall but I think a lot depends on the stars involved. I would've liked to see a drama at 8pm here, maybe the Cape or possibly even Harry's Law. I also thought Parenthood would've done well at 8pm here.

11/15/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-11-15T15:32:00.002-06:00

Fast Facts for Monday:

In Alabama, the adult store "Pleasures" says it's the first store of it's type to offer a drive-through window to its customers -- three of them at one store. Are they really ever that busy?
After two decades together ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball broadcast team of Jon Miller and Joe Morgan will be split up. Contracts are up and it's about money.
Tough couple of months for the Jonas Brothers. Demi Lovato dropped out of their tour to enter a treatment facility, "Camp Rock 2" sold less than half as many copies as its first soundtrack, and now their Disney Channel show "Jonas L.A." has been cancelled.
Speaking of Demi Lovato…After she broke up with middle Jonas brother, Joe, she moved on. When she's not in rehab, she's been seen with "That '70s Show" star Wilmer Valderrama.
Everything possible about Jackie Chan will be featured at a new museum in Shanghai, China, called "Jackie Chan World."
Terri Hatcher has gone to court to ask a judge which holiday their daughter will get to spend with her and which one her ex-husband gets.

Afternoon Oddball:

Pain from pleasure! An Illinois woman is facing aggravated assault charges for pelting a police officer with a sex toy! The cop went to 56-year-old Carolee Bildsten's home Tuesday night to investigate a report that she had skipped out on a restaurant bill. At some point while he was there, Bildsten picked up a “rigid feminine pleasure device” and hit the officer with it. The cop, who was probably vibrating with anger, cuffed Bildsten and took her to jail. What a whack job!

Traffic Jam Video Xtra: Michael Jackson- Billie Jean- the song was number 1 for 7 weeks in 1982! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi_XLOBDo_Y

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1984 Baby Fae, the month-old infant who had received a baboon's heart to replace her own congenitally deformed one, dies at a California medical center almost three weeks after the transplant.

In 1985 Britain and Ireland sign an accord giving Dublin an official consultative role in governing the troubled British-ruled province on Northern Ireland.

In 1988 At the close of a 4-day conference in Algiers, the PLO proclaims the establishment on an independent Palestinian state.

In 1988 The Soviet Union launches its first space shuttle, Buran, on an unmanned, three-and-a-half hour flight.

In 1994 U.S. experts visit North Korea's main nuclear complex for the first time in line with the accord aimed at opening such sites to outside inspections.

In 1999 U.S. and Chinese negotiators reach a breakthrough agreement to remove trade barriers, clearing the biggest hurdle to China's entry into the World Trade Organization.

11/12/10 Traffic Jam Segments

2010-11-12T17:19:00.002-06:00

Friday’s Traffic Jam Segments:

Today’s Traffic Jam Video Xtra: House of Pain- Jump Around. The song peaked at number 3 back in 1992.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwQbPgouUYo

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1980

U.S.

space probe Voyager I approaches 77,000 miles of Saturn.

In 1980 Shuttle Columbia is the first spacecraft to be launched twice.

In 1983 Pope John Paul II urges world scientists to stop weapons research.

In 1984 Space shuttle Discovery astronauts Dale Gardner and Joe Allen catch

a wandering satellite, producing history's first space salvage.

In 1987 The American Medical Association issues a policy statement saying it

is unethical for a doctor to refuse to treat someone solely because

that person has AIDS.

In 1996 Jonathan Schmitz, a guest on "The Jenny Jones Show," is convicted of

second-degree murder for shooting Scott Amedure, a gay man who'd

revealed a crush on Schmitz during a taping of the program.

In 1999 An earthquake strikes western

Turkey

, killing at least 834 people.

11/11/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-11-10T12:02:00.000-06:00

Fast Facts for Thursday:

Access Hollywood's Mary O'Dell is going to take over for Mary Hart on "Entertainment Tonight" when she steps down after this season.
17-year-old Miley Cyrus has been spotted drinking beer in a bar in Spain.
Lil Wayne may have gotten out of prison last week, but the Wynn Las Vegas has officially banned him from ever setting foot on their property.
The circus continues: three of Tiger Woods' former mistresses have already booked tickets to attend his golf tournament coming up next month in California... and two of them have had boob jobs since the last time they saw each other.
A new report from the American Psychological Association says that parents are not doing a very good job of hiding stress from their kids... and the kids are picking up on it.
A nutrition professor at Kansas State University says that he lost 27-pounds by eating nothing but Twinkies over 10 weeks.
General Motors is dropping the "Mr. Goodwrench" brand.

Afternoon Oddball:

Check out the hottest new DJ in town! She also just happens to be the oldest. Sixty-nine-year-old DJ Mamy Rock - real name Ruth Flowers - played her first U.S. gig to a packed crowd of over 3,000 fans recently. She spun her set at Anaheim's Electro Festival in California, and was embraced by the young people. "They want to touch me and kiss me and they throw me gifts," she said. Flowers became interested in becoming a disc jockey in 2005, after attending a London nightclub for her grandson's birthday. She slowly got bookings all around Europe, and now she's conquering the States. She's really turning the tables on people's notions of what a DJ should look like!

Traffic Jam Video Xtra:

Today’s song was number one for 8 weeks in 1992- it’s Kris Kross with Jump! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=010KyIQjkTk

They’re so angry…

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1981 Stuntman Dan Goodwin scales the outside of the 100-story John Hancock Center in Chicago in nearly six hours.

In 1987 Following the rejection of two Supreme Court nominations, President Reagan announces his choice of Judge M. Anthony Kennedy, who goes on to receive confirmation.

In 1991 The U.S. stations its first diplomat in Cambodia in 16 years to help the war-shocked nation arrange democratic elections.

In 1992 In a letter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin tells

U.S.

Senators that Americans had been held in prison camps after World War II.

In 1993 A bronze statue honoring the more than 11,000 American women who had served in the Vietnam War is dedicated in Washington, DC.

In 1997 Eastman Kodak announces it was cutting 10,000 jobs because of fierce competition from Japan's Fuji Photo Film Company.

11/10/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-11-10T11:44:00.003-06:00

Fast Facts for Wednesday:

One of the most staggering statistics in the current economy: California is borrowing $40 million a day from the federal government, just to pay unemployment benefits.
Just days after losing an unborn child, Lily Allen has been hospitalized with blood poisoning.
The town of Swiebodzin in Poland has just unveiled the world's tallest statue of Jesus Christ, which is 36 meters high and weighs over 440 tons!
This year's World Series MVP Edgar Renteria says no retirement for him. He'll be back for at least one more season.
John Travolta says that he and wife Kelly Preston plan to name their baby due in the next few weeks, "Benjamin."
Today weatherman Al Roker, Jared the Subway guy and Chilean miner Edison Pena all ran in Sunday's New York City Marathon.
Michigan is the latest state to ban alcoholic energy drinks.
LeAnn Rimes says the rumors are not true: she's not engaged to boyfriend Eddie Cibrian.

Afternoon Oddball:

One supermarket customer in England was overcharged because of big breasts! A woman buying fruits and vegetables was charged $8 extra because the cashier's, er, melons were resting on the scales. "It was an unfortunate incident," said Jim Hopley, chief executive of the company that owns the grocery store. "The poor lady involved was totally mortified, but the customer rightly was concerned about it." In the end, the supermarket determined that the cashier's seat had been too low. The customer's money was returned and the seat was made higher… Consider it a different kind of breast lift.\

Traffic Jam Video Xtra:

Rockafeller Skank by Fat Boy Slim- song peaked at number 6 on the UK charts back in June 1998.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmsTwQb1csc

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1980 Voyager I flies past Saturn.

In 1982 The Vietnam Veterans Memorial opens for the first time.

In 1988 The Department of Energy announces that Texas would be the home of a $4.4 billion atom-smashing super collider. (Congress voted to kill the project in October, 1993.)

In 1989 Workers begin punching a hole in the Berlin wall, a day after

East Germany

abolished its border restrictions.

In 1993 A jury in Manassas, VA, acquits John Wayne Bobbitt of marital sexual assault against his wife, Lorena, who sexually mutilated him (Mrs. Bobbitt was later acquitted of malicious wounding).

In 1994 Iraq officially recognizes Kuwait's borders.

In 1997 WorldCom Inc. and MCI Communications Corp. agree to a $37 billion merger, the biggest in U.S. history.

11/09/10 Afternoon Show Segments

2010-11-09T16:44:00.003-06:00

Fast Facts for Tuesday:

The songs have been selected, the contracts all signed and Sony has announced that Michael Jackson's next album, called "Michael," will hit stores December 14.
Vanessa Minnillo and Nick Lachey are stepping it up -- from boyfriend and girlfriend, to engaged couple.
On the other end, Christina Aguilera says she ended her nearly five-year marriage with Jordan Bratman because she was bored.
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have checked out of their Baton Rouge hotel, where they've been staying during the filming of the fourth "Twilight" movie. Now they've moved into a house and are renting it together. Filming is scheduled to continue through next May.
I called it! Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag now admit that all that talk about divorce was just something to keep them in the tabloids.
When you're talking 18-49 year olds, big news for Jon Stewart. During October, his show had slightly higher ratings than both Jay Leno and David Letterman. Now, he’s facing Conan.
Finally, it looks like Sally Field will do the role of Aunt May in the next "Spider-Man" movie.

Afternoon Oddball:

Two robbers in Ohio certainly got creative with their "weapon" of choice: a woman's bacterial infection! Caroline Slusher, 32, and Austin Tenerove, 27, entered a Cleveland convenience store last month and began stealing candy from the shelves. When they were confronted by a store employee, Slusher pulled up her sleeve and threatened the employee with her Staph-infected arm! The employee backed away and the duo escaped, hopping into a waiting getaway van. Slusher, Tenerove and their driver were all caught and charged. Criminals like these really get under our skin!

Traffic Jam Video Extra: Mark Morrison- Return of the Mack- song topped at number 3 in 1996

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB1D9wWxd2w

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1981 First lady Nancy Reagan embarks on her anti-drug campaign.

In 1989 Communist East Germany opens its borders, allowing citizens to freely travel to the West.

In 1990 Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev signs a historic non-agression treaty with Germany.

In 1994 A day after Republicans won majorities in both the House and Senate, President Clinton and the GOP pledged cooperation.

In 1996 Evander Holyfield upsets Mike Tyson to win the WBA heavyweight title in an 11-round fight in Las Vegas.

11/08/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On This Day in the 80s/90s

2010-11-08T10:14:00.000-06:00

Fast Facts for Monday:

Sorry mom, but Bristol Palin has been so busy, she never got around to turning in her absentee ballot. Sarah would not be pleased.
Already planning out next year, Kenny Chesney has announced a "Goin' Coastal" tour that will kick off March 19 in Tampa with the Zac Brown Band.
Former "Partridge Family" star David Cassidy has been charged with driving under the influence in Florida. Cassidy told a trooper that he had a glass of wine at lunch and a hydrocodone pill.
Lil Wayne is out of jail. He started serving his one-year jail sentence in March. Apparently, good behavior shaved off some time.
Ellen's wife, Portia de Rossi, has a new book out, "Unbearable Lightness" about her eating disorder.
Add another amusement park in Orlando, Florida: Holy Land Experience, a 15-acre park with attractions that recreate Bible stories.
The next Harry Potter movie doesn't open until November 19 and already 500 showings are already sold out.

Afternoon Oddball:

A bouncer at a club in Florida got beaned in the head with a can of refried beans! Kind of a strange thing for someone to carry with them to a night of dancing. Witnesses say a Neo Lounge bouncer asked Dezmen Silas to leave after he started smoking marijuana. Silas refused to go, so security basically had to throw him out the back door. What happened next was truly bizarre. Silas pulled out the can of beans from his pocket and chucked it at bouncer Carlos Harris' face! Harris ended up in the hospital with a gash over his left eye. But at least everyone was able to see the humor in the situation. "After it happened we all started laughing like 'who throws a can of beans and where do you get a can of beans at a nightclub'?" said Matthew Spinelli, another bouncer. So far, Silas hasn't spilled the beans as to why he had the beans in the first place.

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1982 A smokey fire, set by a prisoner in a Biloxi prision kills 28.

In 1984 The space shuttle Discovery blasts off into orbit in pursuit of two wayward satellites that the astronauts would retrieve in a daring salvage mission.

In 1988 Vice President George Bush is elected the 41st U.S. President, defeating Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis.

In 1990 President Bush orders a new round of troop deployments in the Persian Gulf, adding up to 150,000 soldiers to the multinational force facing off against Iraq.

In 1992 Volunteers begin reading aloud the 58,183 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, as part of the tribute marking the 10th anniversary of the monument.

In 1997 Chinese engineers divert the Yangtze River to make way for the Three Gorges Dam, the most ambitious construction project in modern China's history.

In 1997 Evander Holyfield wins the IBF heavyweight title in a fight against Michael Moorer in Las Vegas.

11/05/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On This Day in the 80s/90s

2010-11-05T11:06:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Friday:

Cher is interviewed in the December issue of Vanity Fair. Here’s the deal. Don't agree to take a shot for every f-bomb she says. She also says this about Sarah Palin: "A dumb woman is a dumb woman."
New York City, in a cost-cutting measure, is going to not send out Christmas cards this year.
San Francisco has officially banned "happy meals" -- unless they have reduced sodium, fat and sugar content and include fruit and vegetables.
She sang for the Pope when he visited the UK in September, now, this coming Monday, Susan Boyle will perform in front of Prince Charles ad Camilla.
A couple in British Columbia, Canada, has sure seen some ups and downs lately. They recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary... but then, lost their home for financial reasons. Then they won $30 million in the British Columbia lottery.
Celebutard Alert: Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt say that they're bankrupt and homeless.
Ricky Martin says if he knew coming out was this easy, he would have done it ten years ago.

Afternoon Oddball:

He was only horsing around, but a harmless prank ended up getting this teenager suspended! Last Thursday, 17-year-old Dan Depaolis arrived at his Massachusetts high school campus dressed as a knight and riding on a horse. He did it to celebrate "medieval day" during the school's Spirit Week, but school officials were not amused. They deemed the stunt dangerous and the Vice Principal even compared it to bringing a loaded firearm to school! Dan's parents knew about the stunt and didn't see the harm - Dan's an experienced rider and the horse "wouldn't hurt a fly."..You know, to me this seems like a fairly innocent stunt, but that doesn’t make it normal. Perhaps school officials need to get down off their high horse!

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1981 Buckingham Palace announces that Princess Diana is expecting her first child. (Prince William is born the following June.)

In 1983 In a gesture of Christian unity, Pope John Paul II releases a letter praising Martin Luther, the father of the Protestant Reformation.

In 1986 The White House reaffirms a U.S. ban on weapons sales to Iran as it sought to curb speculation that an arms deal with Tehran might have been connected to the release of American hostage David Jacobsen.

In 1987 U.S. Supreme Court nominee Douglas H. Ginsburg admits he used marijuana several times in the '60s and '70s, calling it a mistake.

In 1991 Nearly 7,000 are killed in floods in the

Philippines

In 1994 Former president Ronald Reagan discloses he has Alzheimer's disease.

In 1994 At age 45, George Foreman becomes boxing's oldest heavyweight champion after knocking out Michael Moorer in 10th round.

In 1998 Scientists publish a genetic study with strong evidence that Thomas Jefferson fathered at least one child of his slave, Sally Hemings.

11/04/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On This Day in the 80s/90s

2010-11-04T13:14:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Thursday:

A new study says that exercises reduces the number of colds you'll catch and their severity.
Demi Lovato has quit her international tour with the Jonas Brothers to enter a treatment center to help her with "emotional and physical issues." The rumor mill on this story includes “eating disorders" and experiments with "cutting."
A Chilean miner that spent his time trapped under the ground running has been invited to be a special guest at the New York City Marathon this weekend. Not to just watch, but to actually run in the event.
Friends are saying that Eddie Cibrian proposed to LeAnn Rimes on Halloween.
After a day of football and turkey, how about a little Beyonce? ABC is going to show a Beyonce special at 9:30pm on Thanksgiving evening. That would be the second year in a row they've done that.
Emma Watson says it was just a couple of years ago that her parents let her know she had amassed a $32 million from playing Hermione in the Harry Potter movies. She had been perfectly content with her $75 a week allowance.

Afternoon Oddball:
Bad Romance? More like Bad Education! The University of South Carolina is offering a class on Lady Gaga. Sociology professor Mathieu Deflem is organizing the course, entitled Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame. The class description reads: "The central objective is to unravel some of the sociologically relevant dimensions of the fame of Lady Gaga." Deflem, 48, has apparently met the pop star on numerous occasions...so I guess that qualifies him to teach a course on her? He says, "We're going to look at Lady Gaga as a social event." …Rumor has it, the course's final exam may or may not include constructing a dress entirely out of meat.

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1980 Republican Ronald Reagan is elected President in a landslide over President Jimmy Carter.

In 1981 The launch of Space Shuttle Discovery is scrubbed with 31 seconds left in the countdown, because of problems with auxiliary power.

In 1982 The FDA requires tamper-proof packaging on certain drugs.

In 1984 Nicaragua holds its first free elections in 56 years.

In 1987 6-year-old Lisa Steinberg is pronounced legally dead at a New York City hospital in a child-abuse case, sparking national outrage.

In 1992 Iran announces the arrest of American businessman Milton Meier, who had lived in Iran for 17 years, on charges of illegal business dealings and espionage.

In 1995 Israeli Prime Minister Rabin is assassinated at a peace rally in Tel Aviv. Law student Yigal Amir is arrested and confesses.

11/03/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On this Day in the 80s/90s

2010-11-03T13:52:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Wednesday:

Charlie O'Donnell, the announcer whose voice opened "Wheel of Fortune" for decades, has died. He was 78.
Charlie Sheen has filed for divorce from wife #3.
American Media, Inc.--the publisher of the National Enquirer and Star Magazine--is going to file for bankruptcy in a couple of weeks.
Brazil has elected that country's first female president.
Courtney Cox says that she and David Arquette are NOT heading to a divorce. This is just a separation.
Randy Travis and his wife have divorced after 19 years of marriage.
The Children's hospital at Nashville's Vanderbilt University is naming its pediatric surgery center for Rascal Flatts.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning and his wife are expecting a new addition to their family next spring.
Mariah Carey will launch her "lifestyle brand" on HSN/HSN.com on November 29th, including jewelry, footwear and fragrance.

Afternoon Oddball:

Seems like granny wanted a little more than social security could provide! An 87-year-old woman in Florida was arrested for being quite possibly the oldest crack cocaine dealer in the country. Ola Mae Agee was apparently dealing drugs right out of her living room and was busted after selling a $24 piece of crack to an undercover police officer. Agee was caught on camera leading the cop to her couch, where she proceeded to retrieve the drugs hidden in the cushions! And this granny was no amateur. She was previously arrested on drug charges in 1996 and 1999….My guess is that she’ll be retiring soon.

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1983 Reverend Jesse Jackson lauches his first campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, urging supporters in Washington to "come together and form the rainbow coalition."

In 1989 East German leader Egon Krenz delivers a nationally broadcast speech in which he promised sweeping economic and political reforms, and called on East Germans to stay.

In 1991 Israeli and Palestinian representatives hold their first-ever face-to-face talks in Madrid, Spain.

In 1991 Syria opens its first one-on-one meeting with Israel in 43 years.

In 1992 Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton is elected the 42nd U.S. President defeating President George Bush.

In 1992 In Illinois, Democrat Carol Moseley-Braun becomes the first black woman elected to the U.S. Senate.

In 1994 The jury is seated in the O.J Simpson murder trial.

In 1998 Minnesota elects former pro wrestler Jesse "The Body" Ventura as governor.

In 1998 Hurricane Mitch's death toll swells to 9,000 dead in Honduras.

11/02/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On this Day in the 80s/90s

2010-11-02T11:56:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Tuesday:

Pretty soon you'll be able to follow the Kardashians... into debt! On November 10th, Khloe, Kourtney and Kim will introduce their very own Kardashian debit Mastercard.
A jury has absolved Anna Nicole Smith's doctor of prescribing excessive drugs for her but convicted her boyfriend and a psychiatrist of using fake names on prescriptions.
Barry Bonds hasn't played baseball since 2007, but said he is interested in returning to the major leagues as a hitting coach.
The annual "Trends in College Pricing" shows that the average cost of most colleges in the U.S. has gone up just 8% the past year.
Garth Brooks is going to return to Nashville on December 17th for his first concert there in 10 years, as a fund-raiser for flood victims.
The Twitter account that gets the most re-Tweets? That would belong to Justin Bieber.
A Self.com poll asked, "If your life story were a movie, what genre would it be?" 46% said a drama. 37% said a comedy and 17% said a romance.

Afternoon Oddball:

Sleepwalking can be dangerous, but sleep-shooting takes things to a whole new level of peril. A 63-year-old man in Boulder, Colorado shot himself in the knee while he was still asleep! According to police, Sandford Rothman keeps a 9 mm handgun near his bed and takes prescription medication for pain - but had not been taking illegal drugs or drinking alcohol before the incident. Apparently he's just quite the heavy sleeper…bet he woke up after that though…

On This Day in the 80s/90:

In 1983 President Reagan signs a bill establishing a federal holiday on the third Monday in January in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1985 South Africa adopts strict bans on the news media.

In 1988 A computer worm (virus) is unleashed by a Cornell University graduate student begins replicating, clogging thousands of computers around the country, but causing no real damage.

In 1992 Basketball star Magic Johnson retires again, this time for good, because of fear caused by his HIV infection.

In 1993 Wildfires in Southern California push through areas of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, burning 35,000 acres and 200 homes.

In 1995 A man claiming to hold a bomb hijacks a school bus with 11 disabled children aboard and leads police around Miami-area highways before being fatally shot by police.

In 1997 Iraq bars two American weapons experts from entering the country, the second such refusal in a week.

In 1998 Microsoft chairman Bill Gates testifies at his company's antitrust trial, appearing on videotape inside a federal courtroom in Washington.

11/01/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On this Day in the 80s/90s

2010-11-01T14:22:00.000-05:00

Fast Facts for Monday:

Audrina Patridge was booted off "Dancing with the Stars" this past week, but she's heading right for a new reality show on VH1, produced by "Survivor" creator Mark Burnett. Of course, a new DWTS tonight.
James MacArthur, the last surviving member of the original "Hawaii 5-0" cast, who played Danno, has died at age 72.
Charlie Sheen has asked the New York Plaza for the bill. Whatever he damaged, he'll pay for.
That was porn star Capri Anderson with Charlie Sheen the other night during his big breakdown.
Mariah Carey has finally confirmed it: she's pregnant! Due in the spring.
Beer-stealing JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater is working on a book called "Cabin Pressure."

Afternoon Oddball:

This guy's turning into a total spud. Chris Voigt of Washington state just reached the halfway point in his 60-day all-potato diet. Voigt took on the bizarre stunt as a way of showing people potatoes' nutritional value. He picked a full two months because he thought any less was just small potatoes, but now he says he's regretting that decision. There's really only so many ways you can prepare a potato, and he's already had them boiled, baked, steamed, grilled, fried, marinated and mashed. "Tuesday was a rough day for me," he told reporters. "I really, really wanted a pickle." His wife had to soak a potato in pickle juice to satisfy his craving. Doesn’t that sound good?

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1981 First Class Mail rises from 18 to 20 cents.

In 1989 East Germany opens it's border with

Czechoslovakia

, prompting tens of thousands of refugees to flee to the West.

In 1991 Clarence Thomas is sworn in as the newest justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1992 The space shuttle Columbia ends a 10-day mission with a landing at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

In 1993 In an address to pediatricians, first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton accuses insurance companies of waging a deceitful campaign against the administration's health plan.

In 1995 The U.S. House of Representatives votes to ban "partial birth" abortions, the first prohibition on an abortion method since the 1973 Supreme Court legalization decision.

In 1997 While 2000 people demonstrate outside, the Chinese President defends his government during an appearance at Harvard University, conceding that China had made mistakes.

In 1999 Former Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton dies of bile duct cancer at age 45.

Tube Talkin: The Season Thus Far

2010-10-30T11:50:00.000-05:00

Is it just me or does everyone else feel like this new TV season has just drug by? I honestly can't say there's a single new show that I die to see each week. While on the subject of TV, is there really any show that one dies to see each week anymore? Lost is clearly over and judging by ratings, so is must see TV. Here's a few thoughts on each network so far:

NBC-
I openly admit I don't spend any time watching NBC shows save for Community and Sunday Night Football and therefore I will offer little analysis on NBC. That said, judging by ratings, NBC has very few programs that people are caring about these days, and the decrease in viewership at 10pm (that's being blamed largely due to DVR playback in that hour) has led to a fall that actually looks worse than the Leno situation last year. Their Monday lineup is in shambles with Chuck likely ending up the highest rated show of the night. The Event continues its viewership freefall and Chase is in an hour filled with other similar appealing dramas. The Biggest Loser has lost it's edge on Tuesdays and that's brought down the promising Parenthood at 10pm. SVU continues to hold steady on Wednesday but it's one drama that would benefit from a move to 10pm. Law and Order: Los Angeles is not what viewers are clamoring for and would collapse without it's lead in. The Big Bang Theory is holding back the promising Community on Thursdays with the other three comedies doing okay. The Apprentice, Undercovers, and School Pride are complete ratings disasters. Overall, it's been a very bad fall for NBC.

CBS-
The eye has had an overall good fall. Nothings has flopped save for the soon to depart Medium and every new show was renewed for a full season. Mike and Molly is clearly their biggest new success story. The show is endearing and has been downright hilarious the past few weeks. Hawaii 5-O hasn't been the monster they were hoping for, but it's their best player in the rough 10pm hour and I think if it were a 9pm drama, it would bounce up some in the ratings. Newcomer Bleep My Dad Says has had it's moments but I've found this show to be very bland at times and downright stupid. It's like a trip back in time to an 80s sitcom. You laugh but the jokes just seem outdated. Ratings are fine but it's my guess for the show for CBS to dump come May. The Defenders has been a nice change of pace to the typical CBS drama but it's difference and the fact that its a legal drama (all skew old) means its numbers aren't great. It's still a solid player though and should be given a test out on Fridays at 8. Speaking of Fridays, CSI:NY has proven it's not the big time player CBS imagined it was but numbers are adequate for a Friday with little lead in. Newcomer Blue Bloods has been a solid success story on Friday. An A to CBS on this one.

ABC-
ABC has had a rough fall. None of their new dramas show any promise and new comedy Better Together is more of a time period player than anything. No Ordinary Family as expected has struggled in the nightmarishly difficult Tuesday 8/7c slot. ABC will test it at 9pm this December with holiday specials for a lead in. If it does well there, they should leave it in that slot and sacrifice the already dead V in the 8/7c slot against Idol and NCIS. Detroit 1-8-7 has had an okay start. Total viewer numbers are certainly respectable but the demo is pretty mediocre. ABC may benefit from giving this show some time and thus the extra episodes ordered wasn't a bad thing. I still think maybe a test on Wednesdays at 10 would be an okay decision. It seems like something that could complement their comedy audience. After all, NYPD Blue fit well with ABC's Tuesday comedies for years. That said, airing against what will likely be a Criminal Minds spinoff by March and LOLA will not be any easier. Speaking of comedies, they are the true bright spot in ABC's lineup. Not a bomb in the group although ratings for Cougar Town could be better. Still, ABC is not about to cancel a comedy with 7 million viewers and a 3 demo. The Thursday drama duo remain solid in the demo (although the 10pm hour and poor storytelling has dogged Private Practice down).Wipeout will be a decent 8pm addition this January to Thursdays. Sundays are down a bit as expected with Extreme Makeover Home Edition going down the most. I personally feel that show is a candidate for Fridays. Speaking of Fridays, ABC may actually be in that horse race, once they start programming all original programming there. Finally, Mondays remain ABC's standout night with DWTS bigger and better than ever and Castle holding a decent amount of the lead in, not to mention, splitting the winning rights at 10pm with Hawaii 5-O.

Fox-
This network has had the worst luck with new shows this fall. Only Raising Hope, a funny and thoughtful new comedy (my favorite new show if I had to pick one out) is showing any promise at all and that's with just 50% of it's Glee lead in sticking around. I will say though that most of that audience is probably Raising Hope audience and a test out around Idol may be beneficial towards reviving Fox's comedy department, which relies too much on the animated shows on Sunday. Mondays are a mixed bag. House is way down but still solid. The 9pm hour is a mess with Lie to Me doing poorly but better than failed Lonestar. Glee continues to pack a punch and Raising Hope is okay on Tuesdays but Running Wilde is a goner. Wednesdays are fueled by Hell's Kitchen. I don't expect great results for Human Target (which they're promoting the crap out of right now during baseball). Thursdays are about the same as last year with Bones doing well and Fringe underperforming. Fridays remain a dead zone.

CW-
The CW has had a mixed bag this fall. The good news: the two new shows are doing alright so far and Wednesday-Friday as a whole is decent. The bad news: their rich girl Monday dramas are sinking and the Tuesday lineup is a disaster. Gossip Girl and 90210 continue to pull fine women 18-34 numbers but one has to wonder how low the CW will allow ratings to go with both routinely averaging right around 2 million viewers. The Tuesday shows are dead shows walking. They renewed One Tree Hill for a full season but this will be it's last. Life Unexpected is suffering from no lead in and little appeal from the viewers of the other CW Tuesday shows. A wiser CW would've tried this show out on Mondays where 7th Heaven ruled for years in the 8pm slot. Top Model remains decent on Wednesdays with Hellcats retaining more of the Top Model audience than anything else has in a long time (since One Tree Hill aired there). Thursdays remain a good night for them with Vampire Diaries doing well at 8pm and Nikita doing okay at 9pm (although skewing much older than the typical CW show). Fridays are up big thanks to a solid one two punch from Smallville and Supernatural the network's 2nd and 3rd highest rated dramas. It's incredible that these two shows are on Fridays.

10/29/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On This Day in the 80s/90s

2010-10-29T20:22:00.000-05:00

Fast Facts for Friday:

Madonna is going to open a chain of health clubs, called "Hard Candy," beginning with the first next month in Mexico City.
Billy Ray Cyrus and his wife..yep, Miley's folks...are heading towards a divorce after 17 years.
The Charlie Sheen self-destruction tour continues. He was hospitalized Tuesday for a psychiatric evaluation after a woman called police to say he was throwing furniture and yelling in his room at The Plaza. His agent is calling it "an allergic reaction" incident.
According to Women's Health magazine 63% of women have no reservations about dating a guy who has been divorced.
It took two days of crisis talks, but it's now all systems go for those two $500 million "Hobbit" movies to be made in New Zealand as originally planned.
American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi will be the head judge of a new show called "Going Platinum," which will be hosted by Jewel on Bravo.
The next big breakthrough in toilet paper: on November 1st, Kimberly-Clark will unveil Scott tubeless toilet paper -- tp, without the cardboard tube in the middle.

Afternoon Oddball:

These Canadian siblings had major beef with each other. A 17-year-old guy went berserk on his 22-year-old brother...because the older bro got the larger piece of steak for dinner. The enraged teen began smashing things around the apartment with a hockey stick and he also punched out some drywall and a computer monitor. The younger bro had also taken a toaster into the bathroom and threatened to kill himself by throwing it into a bathtub filled with water. Police arrived and eventually the teen calmed down. Man, that must've been some amazing steak.

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1982 John DeLorean, indicted for drug trafficking, is acquitted.

In 1987 Following the confirmation defeat of Robert H. Bork to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, President Reagan chooses Douglas H. Ginsburg, a nomination that would fall apart over revelations of Ginsburg's past marijuana use.

In 1988 The maiden voyage of the Soviet Union's space shuttle is delayed because of problems with ground equipment.

In 1989 At least 20,000 East Berliners observe a minute of silence for those killed fleeing over the Berlin Wall.

In 1993 A group of U.S. luge athletes is attacked by right-wing skinheads in

Germany

In 1994 Francisco Martin Duran, of Colorado Springs, CO, fires more than two dozen shots from a semiautomatic rifle at the White House while standing on Pennsylvania Avenue. (Duran was later convicted of trying to assassinate President Clinton.)

In 1998 John Glenn, 77, returns to orbit after 36 years.

10/28/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On this Day in the 80s/90s

2010-10-28T17:33:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Thursday:

A new study says that taking fish oil may reduce your chances of getting gum disease.
There’s a hot new couple for the paparazzi to chase around: Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal.
A report says the day after the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs, Alex Rodriguez was in Miami, partying with LeBron James.
Meanwhile, the week after the Yankees were bounced from the playoffs, who do they fire? Their pitching coach, Dave Eiland.
This Saturday is Jon Stewart's "Rally to Restore Sanity" in Washington, D.C.
Here's an interesting potential couple: Glee star Matthew Morrison and Cameron Diaz. They've been spotted together at least once.
Former President Bush's first interview since leaving the White House will be with Matt Lauer.
New stats show that the average newspaper circulation in the U.S. went down another 5% the past 6 months.
Later this year, Kindle will unveil a 14 day book rental... where you can download it and then have 14-days to read it before it expires.

Afternoon Oddball:

This teenage criminal got a dressing down for his robbery attempts! Cops say 16-year-old Larry Franklin struck two different Florida stores on Friday...armed only with a bottle of salad dressing. Surveillance video in one convenience store shows the teen walking behind the counter and pointing the bottle of salad dressing at the store clerk. The clerk was surprisingly not threatened by the "weapon" and pulled a gun on the teen. Franklin fled, but was picked up by police in front of the store. Earlier in the day, he had actually made off with some money at the first store he tried to rob. He told police he planned to use the money to buy jewelry and drugs. He may not have had a salad, but he was tossed in jail!

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1980 The Guinness record for peeling onions is set at 50 pounds in five minutes.

In 1981 The Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series, defeating the New York Yankess in game six, 9-2.

In 1985 Former Navy man John A. Walker and his son, Michael Walker, pleaded guilty in Baltimore to charges of spying for the Soviet Union.

In 1986 The true centennial of the Statue of Liberty is celebrated in New York with modest ceremonies compared with that of "Liberty Weekend" the previous July.

In 1989 The Oakland A's win the earthquake-interrupted World Series.

In 1993 Speaking at the UN, ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide calls for a trade blockade to Haiti to force out its military leaders.

In 1997 The stock market posts its biggest single day point gain ever with more than 1.1 billion shares traded.

10/27/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On this Day in the 80s/90s

2010-10-26T13:26:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Wednesday:

David Archuletta -- American Idol Runner-up -- is already releasing his 3rd album. In stores now.
Taylor Swift has taped some TV commercials for Target, plugging the exclusive deluxe version of her album, as a brunette!
Mel Gibson is out, Liam Neeson is in for a special guest appearance in the "Hangover 2."
Pamela Anderson will be on the cover of the upcoming January edition of Playboy, which will make her 13th time on the cover.
After his fourth daughter was born last week, Matt Damon said, "Officially: this is it!"
Chelsea Handler and 50-Cent are still an item.
Blake Shelton became the latest country singer to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville over the weekend.
Playboy is after Mel Gibson's ex-girlfriend, Oksana, to pose for the magazine.
Existing home sales went up 10% in September, the biggest one-month gain in 28 years!

Afternoon Oddball for Wednesday:

"Do you take yourself, in sickness and in health?" A woman in Taiwan is set to marry herself in a special ceremony next month! Due to mounting pressure to find a husband, Chen Wei-yih just decided to tie her own knot. With the help of a wedding planner, she has rented a banquet hall and invited 30 friends for the unconventional festivities. "It's not that I'm anti-marriage," the 30-year-old office worker said. "I just hope that I can express a different idea within the bounds of a tradition." And while her mother was initially reluctant to accept a wedding without a groom, she now supports her daughter's plan. After the wedding, Chen will take a honeymoon by herself in Australia. Hey, at least it won't end in divorce…

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1980 Dave Gryllis sets the world bicycle speed record at 94.37 kph.

In 1982 China announces it's population totals over 1 billion people, as counted by over 5 million census takers.

In 1988 The Soviet government unveils an $804 billion budget containing a deficit of $58 billion that officials blamed on past mistakes.

In 1991 The Minnesota Twins win the World Series, beating the Atlanta Braves, 1-0, in seventh and deciding game.

In 1992 Friends of Queen Elizabeth II stage an elaborate celebration for the 40th anniversary of her ascension to the British throne.

In 1995 Thousands rally in Montreal for national unity three days before a referendum on whether Quebec should secede.

10/26/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On this Day in the 80s/90s

2010-10-26T13:10:00.003-05:00

Fast Facts for Tuesday:

Disney's dilemma: scenes for the next "Pirates of the Caribbean" have already been filmed with Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. Keith just wrote a tell-all book, talking about drug use and the rock and roll scene. Now they're wondering: is he too un-Disney to leave in the film?
Mel Gibson was supposed to make a cameo appearance in "The Hangover 2," but enough of the cast objected to it, that the appearance was canceled.
Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles is going to host a "CMA Country Christmas" special this holiday season.
Jesse James is closing down his West Coast Choppers Bike Shop in Long Beach, California.
The cast of the next "Twilight" movie are gathering in New Orleans for the initial scenes to be shot.
Conan's new show kicks off November 8 in Los Angeles. The first week's guests: Seth Rogen and musician Jack White on Monday. Tuesday, it'll be Tom Hanks, "30 Rock" regular Jack McBrayer and Soundgarden. "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm stops by on Wednesday, and Thursday, Conan will greet Michael Cera and Julie Bowen. That's it. It'll be just a Monday through Thursday show.
Lady Antebellum performed at their worst venue ever last Thursday -- as part of a stunt -- at a gas station, just outside of Milwaukee.
Lisa Marie Presley says that Michael Jackson was destined to die early, but she still wishes she had done more to save him.

Afternoon Oddball:

Well folks, some robbers aren't all bad! An armed robber in Pennsylvania took pity on his victim after finding out the guy was homeless! Larry Sanderson, 22, was outside of a shelter Thursday night when a man approached him, flashed a gun and told him to empty his pockets. Sanderson handed over his wallet, cell phone, MP3 player and cigarettes. When the robber asked if that was all he had, Sanderson explained that he was homeless and lived in the shelter. The thief replied, "I can respect that," returned the stolen property and walked away... So next time you’re being robbed, just tell the robber, I’m homeless.

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1984 "Baby Fae," a newborn with a severe heart defect, is given the heart of a baboon in an experimental transplant in Loma Linda, CA. (Baby Fae lives 21 days with the animal heart.)

In 1988 Two whales trapped for nearly three weeks in the Artic ice pack were finally freed by Soviet and American icebreakers.

In 1990 William S. Paley, the founder of CBS Inc., dies at age 89.

In 1990 Wayne Gretzky becomes the first National Hockey League player to reach 2000 points.

In 1993 Deborah Gore Dean, a central figure in the Reagan-era HUD scandal, is convicted of 12 felony counts of defrauding the government, taking a payoff and lying to Congress.

In 1994 Israeli Prime Minister Rabin and Prime Minister Abdel Salam Majali of Jordon sign a peace treaty ending 46 years of war.

In 1997 The Florida Marlins become the youngest franchise to win the World Series, defeating the Cleveland Indians, 3-2, in the seventh game.

In 1999 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases a study which said the number of Americans considered obese soared from about one in eight in 1991 to nearly one in five in 1998.

10/25/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On This Day in the 80s/90s

2010-10-25T14:26:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Monday:

Eva Longoria Parker was driving along West Hollywood Blvd Wednesday night when someone made a left turn right into her car. Everyone's OK, the cars need work.
More problems for Toyota, now recalling 1.53-million cars for brake fluid and fuel pump issues.
Magic Johnson has sold his interest in the LA Lakers and some Starbucks franchises with the hope of using that money to get an NFL team to Los Angeles.
ABC is working on creating a comedy that would feature both Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos.
After T.I. was found guilty of violating his probation, which probably means another 11 months in jail, Axe has given him the axe as their spokesperson.
Embarrassing moment for American Idol Kris Allen over the summer. Apparently while staying at a Pennsylvania hotel, he went sleepwalking and ended up locked outside his hotel room IN THE NUDE. Eventually, he borrowed someone's phone and got security to come up and let him in.
Bruce Willis is getting ready to step back in front of the camera again for "Die Hard 5."

Afternoon Oddball:

Talk about courtroom drama! In a surprising turn of events, a woman serving on a jury in a Cincinnati court Tuesday went from juror to witness! While hearing the opening testimony about an anonymous 911 call in a domestic violence case, Najah Johnson-Riddle realized that she was that anonymous caller! Last May she had called to report the vicious beating of a neighbor, but when she was picked for jury duty she had no idea it was the same case. The court had to declare a mistrial and the judge said he’d never seen anything like this in his 33 years on the bench. When the new trial begins, Johnson-Riddle will be called by prosecutors to testify against the suspect, James Capell…Hey, at least she doesn’t have to be a juror.

On This Day in the 80s/90s:

In 1983 The U.S. invades

Grenada

, assisted by soldiers from six Caribbean nations, at the order of President Reagan, who said the action was necessary to protect

U.S.

citizens.

In 1986 The Boston Red Sox come within one strike of winning the World Series, but ended up losing to the New York Mets, 6-5, on a wild pitch and an error in the tenth inning, forcing a seventh game.

In 1988 In a UN speech, First lady Nancy Reagan says the

U.S.

is responsible for its own drug problem, and charged that every American drug user was "an accomplice to every criminal act" committed by drug barons.

In 1992 Independent presidential candidate Ross Perot says he dropped his announced bid the previous July because he was told Republican operatives were planning to smear his daughter.

In 1996 Federal judge Richard Matsch grants Oklahoma City bombing defendants Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols separate trials.

In 1998 Vice President Al Gore participates in a groundbreaking ceremony for a memorial dedicated to victims of the Oklahoma City bombing.

In 1999 Golfer Payne Stewart and five others are killed when their Learjet flew uncontrolled for four hours before crashing in South Dakota.

10/22/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On This Day in the 80s/90s

2010-10-22T14:48:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Friday:

Kanye West had his lower teeth removed and had them replaced with diamonds and gold. Not making this up.
The cast of "Glee" has a Christmas album on the way next month.
President Obama doing whatever it takes to get his message out before election day and that will include a visit to the "John Stewart Show" on October 27.
Russell Brand and Katy Perry set to be married this week, in India.
Donny & Marie Osmond are performing together on Broadway again, with a dozen dates for their holiday show.
The fan who ran onto the field at Yankee Stadium Monday wanted to confront A-Rod out of jealousy over his romance with Cameron Diaz.
Turns out that Octo-mom, Nadya Suleman, has another 29 frozen embryos…pray they’re not fertile. She’s got enough kids.
A cat in Reno has set the record for being the world's longest domestic cat, clocking in at over 4-feet!

Afternoon Oddball:

This guy is lucky people don't really pay close attention to appearances in jail. Convicted Oklahoma felon Rowdy Offield, 39, dressed himself up to look like his cellmate in order to escape his 30-year prison sentence. Amazingly, the scheme worked! Offield's cellmate was set to be released Monday, so Offield shaved his head and his facial hair, and drew a fake tattoo on his face in order to resemble the cellmate. Then he threatened the cellmate to keep quiet and successfully fooled guards into believing he was the one about to be released. He's still on the loose, and judging by his name, Rowdy won't be going back to jail quietly.

On This Day In the 80s/90s:

In 1981 The

U.S.

national debt tops $1 trillion.

In 1990 President Bush vetos a major civil rights bill, arguing that the measure would force employers to adopt hiring quotas.

In 1991 The European Community and the European Free Trade Association conclude a landmark accord to create a free trade zone of 19 nations by 1993.

In 1992 The space shuttle Columbia is launched on a 10-day mission that included deployment of an Italian satellite.

In 1995 The largest gathering of world leaders in history marks the 50^th anniversary of the United Nations by demanding the organization change so it can fulfill its founder's dreams.

In 1996 General Motors settles a 3-week strike with its workers in

Canada

, resolving a walkout that had idled more than 46,000 workers across North America.

In 1997 For the first time,

U.S.

inspectors discover E. coli bacteria in imported Canadian beef, halting shipments of 34,000 pounds.

In 1998

China

ends its first-ever human rights conference, defying Western definitions of civil liberties.

10/21/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On This Day in the 80s/90s

2010-10-21T15:13:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Thursday:

France's Ecology Alliance Party has asked former sex symbol turned animal rights activist Brigette Bardot to run for president. She's 76.
RadarOnline is reporting that Christina Aguilera's 5-year-old marriage broke up because they had an open marriage, and her husband got tired of all the women Christina would bring home. Yes, women.
NBC has given the go-ahead on full seasons for four of their new shows: "The Event," Chase, "Law and Order: Los Angeles" and the comedy, "Outsourced." Undercovers from JJ Abrams got additional scripts ordered while Chuck was renewed for an extra 11 episodes this season.
The #1 place for kids to Trick or Treat according to Zillow? Seattle. Using walkability, safety and crime areas.
Jessica Simpson and a guy named Eric Johnson have been dating since May, and Jessica says, "I'm in love..."…Sorry Mark Alan… and Tony Romo
Filming on "Breaking Dawn," the final Twilight movies, will begin in three weeks. Part 1 doesn't come out until November of next year.
A syndication deal for "Modern Family" has been struck. You'll start seeing reruns appearing everywhere, starting in 2013 including the USA network.
Kim Kardashian says that to celebrate her 30th birthday, she went out and bought herself a Rolls Royce. Yeah, everyone does it, but she really wanted one.
$55 million in debt, California's Crystal Cathedral super-church has filed for bankruptcy protection.
Hillary Swank walked the European red carpet the other night with unshaven armpits…just going to leave you with that.

Afternoon Oddball:

A Swedish professor had his laptop stolen while doing laundry in his apartment building recently. He hadn't been feeling well, so he dropped his backpack behind the door in the stairwell by the laundry room, rather than taking it up to his apartment first. Upon his return, the backpack containing his computer, calendar, keys and other items was gone. He left to call police and when he returned to the stairwell the backpack had magically returned! Everything was there, except the laptop. Then around a week after the theft, the professor received an envelope with a USB drive inside containing all of the laptop's data! The thief apparently took the time to back up all of the professor's files. A considerate criminal – you know that’s rare in today’s world. What a nice guy…well except for the stealing part.

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1986 The U.S. retaliates for the Soviet Union's expulsion of 5 American diplomats by ordering 55 Soviet diplomats to leave.

In 1988 A federal grand jury in New York indictes former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife, Imelda, on charges of fraud and racketeering. (Marcos died before he could face trial, and Mrs. Marco was acquitted in 1991.)

In 1992 A report prepared for the Los Angeles police commission finds that the city was unprepared to handle the rioting that broke out the previous spring, and had responded inadequately.

In 1993 The U.S. Senate rejects curbs on President Clinton's right as commander in chief to send troops to

Haiti

In 1994 The U.S. and

North Korea

sign an agreement requiring the communist nation to halt its nuclear program and agree to inspections within five years.

In 1995 Rioting inmates surrender control of a prison dormitory in Greenville, IL, ending a one-day uprising that began after the government ordered federal prisons locked down nationwide.

In 1996 President Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military survives its first Supreme Court test.

10/20/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On this Day in the 80s/90s

2010-10-20T13:09:00.000-05:00

Fast Facts for Wednesday:

The pope announced six new saints on Sunday, including Australia's first-ever saint.
Congrats to Alicia Keys, who gave birth to Egypt Daoud Dean last week. Everybody's feeling fine.
Speaking of new parents, Neil Patrick Harris and his partner welcomed twins into the world last week through a surrogate mom: Gideon Scott and Harper Grace. Yep, one of each.
Celine Dion has been admitted to a Florida hospital to prevent the early delivery of her twins.
Who could have predicted this? A judge issued arrest warrants Monday for Randy Quaid and his wife after they failed to show up at a court hearing stemming from their arrests last month on suspicion of illegally squatting at a home.
Justin Bieber was kicked out of a laser-tag facility last Friday night in Vancouver, BC, after an incident with a 12-year-old boy. The kid was apparently harassing Justin, calling him "gay" and at some point, there was an altercation.

Afternoon Oddball:

Guess Bigfoot's no party animal! A small town in California held its annual Bigfoot Discovery Day over the weekend but the elusive creature once again failed to attend. What a surprise. About 50 people attended the outdoor lunch and meeting just outside of Santa Cruz to hear stories of supposed Bigfoot sightings and see so-called evidence. "I have some vocalizations we've recorded, we have some video that we shot locally, and we have a number of eyewitnesses who have reported sightings," said Michael Rugg, curator of the town's Bigfoot Discovery Museum. Unfortunately, there was also no sign of the Yeti or el Chupacabra.

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1987 10 are killed when an Air Force jet crashes into a Ramada Inn hotel near Indianapolis International Airport.

In 1989 The U.S. Senate convicted U.S. District Judge Alcee L. Hastings of perjury and conspiracy, and removed him from office.

In 1992 The Toronto Blue Jays defeat the Atlanta Braves, 3-2, in game three of the World Series, the first World Series game to be played outside the U.S.

In 1993 Attorney General Janet Reno warns the TV industry to limit violence in programs.

In 1994 Actor Burt Lancaster dies in Los Angeles at age 80.

In 1995 The space shuttle Columbia is launched on a research flight that had been delayed six times.

In 1997 Because spacesuits were needed for the task, Mir cosmonauts perform history's first "internal spacewalk" to restore power to the damaged Spektr module of the space station.

10/19/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On this Day in the 80s and 90s

2010-10-19T10:43:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Tuesday:

One of Canada's banks is doing it: being open 7 days a week. Will that follow down here?
Former teen heartthrob Leif Garrett, 48, pleaded no contest Friday to heroin possession in Los Angeles and will enter a drug rehab program.
For what it's worth, Alanis Morissette was seen picking out baby clothes in Los Angeles.
Some scientists are saying that since they were unable to find any trace of cancer in ancient Egyptian mummies, that over the centuries, we introduced things that cause cancer. So it's all our fault.
James Cameron is in talks to direct Angelina Jolie in a movie about Cleopatra.
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards describes frontman Mick Jagger as "unbearable" in his soon-to-be published autobiography. Richards says he and Jagger used to be friends but have been estranged for decades.
ABC is working on bringing back a new TV series based on "The Incredible Hulk."
A federal judge revoked rapper T.I.'s probation Friday and ordered him back to prison for 11 months, according to a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office.
Following in the footsteps of "The Deadliest Catch" and "Iceroad Truckers," Spike TV is working on a new reality show set in a coal mine!

Afternoon Oddball for Tuesday:

No doubt about it, this woman needed to be in an anger management class. Too bad it didn't seem to help her anger issues. Faribah Maradiaga, 19, stabbed a classmate last Saturday while a video on anger-management was being shown. Police said Maradiaga walked into the classroom and began complaining about the video and disrupting the class. The victim reportedly told her "the video was good and to give it a chance." That set off Maradiaga's very short temper. She started talking trash to the victim and then pulled out a knife, stabbing the classmate's arm and shoulder… Talk about a real life lesson.

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1982 Automaker John DeLorean is arrested in Los Angeles on possession of cocaine. He is later cleared of all charges.

In 1983 The U.S. Senate approves a bill establishing a national holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1987 The stock market crashes as the Dow-Jones industrial average plunges 508.32 points, more than 4 1/2 the times previous record.

In 1989 The U.S. Senate rejects a proposed constitutional amendment barring desecration of the American flag.

In 1993 The U.S. intercepts its first ship bound for

Haiti

since an oil and weapons embargo was reimposed by United Nations.

In 1998 A class-action suit filed by smokers against five cigarette manufacturers goes to trial in Miami, seeking $200 billion.

In 1998 A fire in

Nigeria

sweeps through villages killing 500.

In 1998 Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson gets his boxing license back after he lost it for biting Evander Holyfield's ear.

In 1998 The U.S. Government opens its antitrust case against Microsoft Corp.

10/18/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On this Day In the 80s and 90s

2010-10-18T13:19:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Monday:

Gavin Rossdale may be married to Gwen Stefani now, but in his experimental youth, he once hooked up with a cross-dressing singer named "Marilyn."
A new survey showed that one out of three people say they took a day off work when they were feeling totally fine at least once last year.
Glenn Beck spent most of this week at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah trying to figure why he's been having problem with feeling in his hands and feet. Still don't know for sure.
Paula Abdul's new show for CBS is going to be called "Live to Dance." Contestants will be judged by a three-person panel including Paula.
If you like keeping track of him, Justin Bieber is in Japan these days.
According to researchers at Ohio State University, sleeping with the light on may cause obesity.
There was a jumper on a 22-story building in Atlanta this week and rapper T.I., who was just walking by, ended up helping police talk the guy down.

Afternoon Oddball for Monday:

An expectant mom's gotta pay those hospital bills somehow! Cops say an Ohio pregnant woman robbed a Wal-Mart with an accomplice last week...while she was in labor! Katurah Petty stole $271 worth of computer software with the help of Staniel Petty. Both women were arrested and charged with theft and forgery, but Katurah was transported straight to the hospital. That baby's life is already off to a great start, don’t-cha think?

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1983 General Motors agrees to hire more women and minorities for the next five years as part of a settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

In 1984 Air Force II carrying VP George Bush has a near miss over Seattle.

In 1989 Americans set the one-day calling record of 140 million long distance calls after the San Francisco earthquake.

In 1989 The space shuttle Atlantis is launched on a five-day mission that included deployment of the Galileo space probe on a course for Jupiter.

In 1992 In the opening ceremony of game 2 of the World Series, featuring the Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves, a U.S. Marine Corps color guard presents the Canadian flag upside-down, prompting baseball officials, the Marines and even President Bush to apologize.

In 1993 Two defendants are acquitted of most of the felony charges in the beating of trucker Reginald Denny and other motorists at the start of the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

In 1999 Career prosecutor Robert Ray is sworn in to replace Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr and wrap up the wide-ranging investigation of President Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.

10/15/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On This Day in the 80s and 90s

2010-10-15T10:58:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Friday:

After being found guilty of criminally annoying people on the Jersey shore, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi will hang out for a day and sign autographs as part of her penance.
Seems like it's breakup season in Hollywood. Now getting word that Christina Aguilera and her husband of five years are living separately.
David Arquette says that Courtney Cox told him she was tired of being his mother, that they haven't had sex in four months and that he has had sex with the waitress he's now living with.
Meanwhile, without wasting anytime, CougarLife.com -- a website for older women who like younger men -- is offering Courtney $1 million to be their spokesperson.
CBS has announced the host and judges for Paula Abdul's new talent competition series, "Live to Dance." Choreographer Travis Payne, who worked on Michael Jackson's "This Is It," and former Pussycat Dolls singer-dancer Kimberly Wyatt will join Abdul. The host will be Andrew Gunsberg.
That's Avril Lavigne on the cover of the new "Maxim" magazine.
It's rumored that Carrrie Prejean, the former "Miss California" is in for the next season of "Survivor."
Looks like the EPA is going to approve the idea of putting in even more ethanol into our gasoline.
Minka Kelly has been named the 2010 Sexiest Woman Alive by Esquire Magazine.
The reviews on the new Chevy Volt, that all-electric car, are great... except for the price: $41,000.

Afternoon Oddball:

Something tells me that office sexual harassment training never prepared him for this! An Oklahoma worker returned from his lunch break last Thursday to find a naked man sitting at his desk and looking at porn on his computer! The worker called police and told them he had no idea who this nude guy was. The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Curtis John Halberstadt, didn't even work at the business! When the worker asked Halberstadt what he was doing at his desk, the suspect said he was "cleaning and trying to make some money."

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1988 The baby carriage pushing record is set at 350.23 miles in 24 hours.

In 1989 Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings surpasses Gordie Howe's scoring record of 1,850 points, during a game against the Edmonton Oilers.

In 1990

South Africa

's Separate Amenities Act, which barred blacks from public facilities for decades, is formally scrapped.

In 1991 Despite sexual harassment allegations by Anita Hill, the Senate narrowly confirms the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court, by a vote of 52-48.

In 1993 President Clinton sends 6 warships to the waters off

Haiti

to enforce trade sanctions.

In 1994 Democracy is restored to

Haiti

as Aristide returns after three years in exile.

In 1997 Richard Noble drives a British jet-powered car twice the speed of sound, officially shattering the world land speed record.

In 1999 The humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders is named winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

10/14/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On this Day in the 80s/90s

2010-10-14T18:19:00.000-05:00

Fast Facts for Thursday:

Carrie Fisher confessed Monday that she used cocaine on the set of "The Empire Strikes Back."
Although Kim Kardashian says she regrets posing nude for Playboy in 2007, the reality star has stripped for the November issue of W magazine. This time she'll be wearing only silver body paint for the cover shot for magazine's annual art issue.
It looks like David Arquette is spending his "trial separation" from wife Courteney Cox wisely with cocktail waitress Jasmine Waltz, the same server who punched Lindsay Lohan in July.
Meanwhile, it turns out another one of the "Friends," David Schwimmer, secretly married his girlfriend Zoe Buckman back in June!
Fox is turning Napoleon Dynamite into a cartoon.
Looks like Matt Damon is going to join "30 Rock" for their live episode tonight.
Adam Lambert is promising to be a good boy this week when he performs in Malaysian, as government rules forbid kissing anyone onstage and wearing revealing clothes.
Katy Perry and Akon will perform on this year's Victoria's Secret TV special, November 30th on CBS. I’ll be watching.
The good news: there will be a 4th Bourne Identity movie, "Bourne Legacy." The bad news: no Matt Damon.

Afternoon Oddball for Thursday:

From divorces to McWeddings! If it's always been your dream to get hitched in between Big Macs and fries, you'll now have the chance! Hong Kong is set to become the first place in the world to offer wedding packages at McDonald's. The package includes a baked apple pie wedding cake, a dress made out of party balloons, kiddie party favors for guests, and catering by...McDonald’s (duh). No alcohol will be served though, lest guests act inappropriately at the family-friendly venue. The happy couple will toast their nuptials with soft drinks, instead. The only thing that's missing is Ronald McDonald officiating.

On This Day In the 80s and 90s:

In 1980 Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan promises that, if elected, he would name a woman to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1983 Japanese astronomers release photographic proof of two rings around the sun.

In 1986 Following the stalemate at the Reykjavik summit, Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev charges that the U.S. wanted to "bleed the Soviet Union white economically" with an expensive arms race in space…Guess we know who got the best of that battle.

In 1987 18-month-old Jessica McClure falls 22 feet down an abandoned well in Midland, Texas. (Hundreds of rescuers worked 58 hours to free her.)

In 1996 The Dow Jones industrial average closes above the 6,000 mark for the first time, less than a year after it cleared the 5,000 barrier.

In 1998 Federal authorities charge Eric Robert Rudolph, one of FBI's 10 most-wanted fugitives, with the bombing at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

10/13/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On This Day in the 80s/90s

2010-10-12T17:44:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Wednesday:

Another celebrity breakup: Courtney Cox and David Arquette are now living in separate zip codes.
The new Jimmy Smits drama "Outlaw" is headed for Saturday night and then cancellation.
Yes, there's a TV show called "China's Got Talent." The winner of their latest season: an armless piano player that played with his toes.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck is joining "Good Morning America" as a correspondent.
Put away the glasses. Warner Brothers says the next Harry Potter movie will just be 2-D.
Whoops. Bristol Palin may not have been the first choice for a Palin on the cast of "Dancing With the Stars." Former VP candidtate Sarah Palin let it slip that her husband, Todd, was asked to be on the show and turned it down.
George Michael was released from prison on Monday, after serving a month for driving under the influence.

Afternoon Oddball for Wednesday:

Marriage stinks! Especially when your husband refuses to bathe. A woman in

Egypt

went to court seeking a divorce just weeks after her wedding because of her hubby's nasty hygiene. The husband claimed he was allergic to water and when the wife tried to get him to clean himself, he told her, "this is my habit." The wife sought the advice of a doctor, who confirmed the man's allergy, but said that shouldn't stop him from maintaining some form of cleanliness. At first, her husband refused to grant her the divorce. The court eventually sided with the wife and granted to end the marriage.

On This Day In the 80s/90s:

In 1982 The International Olympic Committee announces it would restore the two gold medals taken away from Jim Thorpe after he admitted to having been paid to play baseball.

In 1984 The space shuttle Challenger and its seven astronauts make a perfect landing at Cape Canaveral, Florida, ending a journey that featured a space walk by an American woman, Kathy Sullivan.

In 1987 The U.S. Navy makes the first military use of trained dolphins in the Persian Gulf.

In 1991 The Senate Judiciary Committee hears conflicting testimony from friends and associates of Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill, the University of Oklahoma law professor who accused Thomas of sexually harassing her.

In 1992 An Air France supersonic jetliner sets a commercial flight record for circling the globe in 33 hours, one minute.

In 1998 For the first time in its 51-year history, the NBA cancels its regular season games because of work stoppage.

10/12/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On This Day in the 80s/90s

2010-10-12T17:35:00.000-05:00

Fast Facts for Tuesday:

A new study shows that skinny women and heavy men tend to bring home the higher paychecks.
Johnny Depp made a surprise visit to a primary school in London dressed up as Captain Jack Sparrow after a 9-year-old girl asked him to help stage a mutiny against their teachers.
You know the "half" from "Two and a Half Men", Angus T. Jones? He celebrated his 17th birthday on Friday and had lots of reasons to celebrate. He signed a 26-episode deal last May that will make him $7.8 million richer over the next two seasons.
Bad news for Kelsey Grammer: his girlfriend has had a miscarriage. You may recall that Kelsey recently left his kids and wife in LA for the new girlfriend.
Caitlin Sanchez, the 14-year-old who has provided the voice for Dora the Explorer since 2007, along with her parents are suing Nickelodeon, claiming they were pressured into signing a complicated contract and then cheated out of millions of dollars.
Kirstie Alley has dropped 50 pounds and is going for another 40 more, saying that her new Organic Liason diet is doing it for her. What diet has she not repped?

Afternoon Oddball for Tuesday:

There was a whole lot of faking going on! A woman in Florida pretended to be an undercover cop in a prostitution sting - all so she could rob a guy! Deputies say Misty McNeal lured a man for sex, but then turned around and tried to arrest him. She pulled out a fake badge and ordered him to get his hands up against the wall as she frisked him. McNeal tried to pocket $400 worth of cash from the guy's wallet, but by that point cops had arrived on the scene, most likely called in by a concerned passer-by. Pretending to be a cop pretending to be a hooker? Lady, just make things less complicated and just call yourself what you are: a stupid criminal.

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1984 British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher escapes a terrorist's bomb when five people are killed at her hotel in Brighton.

In 1987 Then Vice President George Bush formerly launches his quest for the Republican presidential nomination.

In 1989 The U.S. House of Representatives approves a statutory federal ban on desecration of the American flag. (However, the Senate defeated the measure a week later.)

In 1993 The Toronto Blue Jays win their second straight American League pennant, defeating the Chicago White Sox in six games.

In 1994 The Magellan space probe ends its four-year mapping mission of Venus and plunges into the planet's atmosphere.

In 1996 Thousands of Hispanic Americans march in Washington to push for simplified citizenship procedures and a 7 dollar minimum wage.

In 1998 Matthew Shepard, lured from a University of Wyoming hangout for gays, dies; two men are charged with murder in hate crime.

In 1999 NBA Hall of Famer Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain dies at age 63.

10/11/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, and On This Day in the 80s and 90s

2010-10-11T15:43:00.000-05:00

Fast Facts for Monday:

Piers Morgan says when he takes over Larry King's show in January, he'll help CNN beat Fox news.
Say it ain't so. The Muscular Dystrophy Labor Day Telethon is getting shorter is eliminating more than 15 hours from its annual fundraising telecast. The 2011 MDA Labor Day Telethon will now be a six-hour, prime-time program, organizers said Wednesday.
Hulk Hogan underwent another back surgery this week, in a continuing effort to get rid of his pain.
Now there's a push by fans to have a Bruce Springsteen episode of "Glee."
The clock is ticking on NBC's new series, "Outlaw." The network officially shut down production of any more episodes on Wednesday. Usually not a good sign.
Glee has passed the Beatles in the Billboard Hot 100 record books. At one time, the Beatles had 71 singles in the Top 100. This week, the cast of "Glee" has 75 songs in the Top 100.
Sarah Palin says that "Dancing with the Stars" originally wanted her husband, Todd... but settled for Bristol.
21% of pet owners vent to their furry friends, according to an AP/Petside.com poll.
Fox has ordered a whole season of "Raising Hope," the first new series this year to receive that honor.
Police have confirmed that "Diff'rent Strokes" actor Gary Coleman's death was an accident. An autopsy found Coleman died of natural causes after an accidental fall.

Afternoon Oddball:

Guess this guy was hedging his bets that no one would complain about his hedges. But when you shape your hedge like male genetilia, it's bound to get some attention. Ian Ashmeade, 53, of the

was threatened with a police fine over the phallic shrubbery last Friday. He had created the obscene shape in 2002 after he noticed the bush was growing that way on its own. But police told him he needed to modify it or face the fine. So Ashmeade, who just happens to be the World Pea Shooting Champion, pruned the shrub into the shape of a pea shooter… Now, I think that’s even more strange than what it was, but who am I to judge?

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1980 Cosmonauts Popov and Ryumin set the space endurance record at 184 days.

In 1983 The last hand-cranked telephones in the

U.S.

go out of service as 440 telephone customers in Bryant Pond, Maine, switch to direct-dial service.

In 1984 Kathy Sullivan, aboard the space shuttle Challenger, becomes the first American woman to walk in space.

In 1986 President Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev open two days of talks concerning arms control and human rights in Reykjavik,

Iceland

In 1987 200,000 gays march for civil rights in Washington, DC.

In 1990 Octavio Paz is named the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for literature, the first Mexican writer to be honored.

In 1990 About 60,000 people rally in Prague,

Czechoslovakia

, in support of a government proposal to seize all Communist Party property without compensation.

In 1995 Americans Mario Molina and Sherwood Rowland and Dutch scientist Paul Crutzen win the Nobel Prize in chemistry for their controversial work warning that certain gases were detroying Earth's ozone layer.

In 1998 The Pope canonizes the first Jewish-born saint of modern era: Edith Stein, a Catholic nun killed at Auschwitz.

10/08/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, and On this Day in the 80s and 90s

2010-10-08T14:06:00.000-05:00

Fast Facts for Friday:

Insider Bob Woodward says he's heard serious talk about an Obama/Hillary Clinton ticket in 2012. Yep, Joe Biden. He's been the problem.
A new study claims that leasing a new car is cheaper in the long run than buying one.
Bret Michaels has a new claim to fame: He has posed naked on the cover of Billboard's "Maximum Exposure 2010" issue.
Oksana Grigorieva was going to be on Oprah to talk about her fiery relationship with Mel Gibson, but her attorney canceled the appearance.
A male model was fired at an Abercrombie and Fitch shoot in New York for eating a croissant.
MTV is looking at reviving the show "Punk'd," but instead of Ashton Kutcher hosting, it would be Justin Bieber.
Chelsea Handler and 50 Cent are said to be dating.
Al Roker is planning to run the New York City Marathon on November 7th.
Inspired by Lady Gaga, Bruce Willis wore a meat hairpiece when he appeared on the David Letterman show this week.

Afternoon Oddball for Friday:

Instead of doing his job, he decided to take a dip! A cop responding to a noise complaint at a home in California shocked the homeowner when he stripped off his clothes and jumped into the pool with her and her two friends! The woman's husband let the officer into the house Wednesday morning, but didn't expect him to make such a splash. The hubby, unsurprisingly not too keen on having a naked cop in his pool, called 911. The cop was getting flirty with one of the woman's friends before he heard on his police radio that more cops were on their way to the house. He hopped out of the pool and took off, but was later put on paid leave while an investigation into his behavior continues.

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1981 President Reagan greets Jimmy Carter, Gerald R. Ford and Richard Nixon before sending them to

Egypt

for Anwar Sadat's funeral.

In 1989 Tens of thousands pro-democracy demonstrators showed up for Mikhail Gorbachev's visit to

East Germany

In 1993 The U.S. government issues a report absolving the FBI of wrongdoing in its final assault in Texas on the Branch Davidian compound, which went up in flames, killing 85 people.

In 1994 President Clinton responds to the massing of Iraqi troops near the Kuwaiti border by ordering additional

U.S.

forces to the region.

In 1995 On the final day of his fourth

U.S.

pilgrimage, Pope John Paul II celebrates Mass at Oriole Park in Baltimore.

In 1997 The Martian probe Pathfinder yields evidence that the planet may have supported life.

In 1997 South and

North Korea

agree to open their skies to each other's commercial flights for the first time in 50 years.

10/07/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On This Day in the 80s and 90s

2010-10-07T15:38:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Thursday:

Well they just keep getting more and more insane: one of the "Real Housewives of New York," Ramona, allegedly attacked one of the producers of the show.
A new Vanity Fair poll of its readers puts Jennifer Aniston as the Most Eligible Single Woman in the World. Betty White came in 4th!
Tennis star Serena Williams and rapper Common are said to be back on, as an item.
Frankie Muniz and Shia LaBeouf have been having a bit of a war of words lately. It all started when Shia was asked about his success and replied, "While that's flattering as hell, you could have put Frankie Muniz into any of the movies I've been in and those movies still would've still been number one."
Tommy Mottola is expected to tell all about his Mariah Carey days in an upcoming biography. Should be interesting...
Bret Michaels says he's getting a little nervous about his upcoming heart repair surgery in January.
Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber are both coming up on a major milestone: one billion all-time YouTube views.
Rapper Lil Wayne is expected to be released from serving his latest sentence November 4.
Frito-Lay is dropping their environmentally responsible Sun Chips bags because they got too many complaints about how noisy they are. There's even an active Facebook group with more than 44,000 friends that goes by the name of "Sorry But I Can't Hear You Over This SunChips Bag."
October 11th is the day the Windows 7 phone will be released.
Toshiba is showing off their new TV that gives you the 3-D look... without the glasses!

Afternoon Oddball:

Wal-Mart is notorious for attracting shoppers of all sorts, and now, it seems, shoplifters of all sorts. A woman, and a man dressed like a woman, were busted at a Florida Wal-Mart Saturday for attempting to steal merchandise. They hid clothes and CDs worth $71 in a zebra print handbag inside the women’s bathroom. The man - who, naturally, was carrying the handbag - tried to leave the store without paying but was spotted by a loss prevention officer. Both woman and wannabe-woman were arrested. You know, cross-dressing is probably not the best way to stay inconspicuous while trying to commit a crime. Just a thought.

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1982 The British musical "Cats" opens on Broadway.

In 1992 Trade representatives of the

U.S.

Canada

and

Mexico

initial the North American Free Trade Agreement in San Antonio, Texas.

In 1993 President Clinton orders more troops to

Somalia

, but also said he would pull out all Americans by the end of March 1994.

In 1994

Iraq

begins massing troops along border with

Kuwait

In 1995 A 7.0 earthquake strikes

Indonesia

, killing at least 100 people and injuring 700.

In 1995 New York's Central Park is transformed into a giant open-air cathedral as Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass before 130,000.

In 1996 Effects of a Canadian Auto Workers strike against General Motors spread as 1,850 workers are laid off at two

U.S.

parts plants.

In 1998 The U.S. government files an antitrust suit, alleging Visa and MasterCard inhibited competition by preventing banks from offering other cards.

10/06/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, and On This Day in the 80s and 90s

2010-10-06T15:09:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Wednesday:

After losing over 60 pounds in the last three years, gossip mogul Perez Hilton is launching a fitness site, called FitPerez.com.
The hot Halloween costumes this year? Snooki (really heavy fake orange tan and a poofy wig) and a naughty Muppet outfit (thanks to that Katy Perry Sesame Street incident)
According to a new report, Eddie Cibrian's romance with LeAnn Rimes is said to be the real reason why he has been fired from his "CSI: Miami" job.
A new study claims that eating walnuts will help reduce your blood pressure.
After all the hype, the ABC show "My Generation" has been dumped by ABC after only two shows.
The idea was simple. Make a breakfast cereal, put Cincinnati Bengals star Chad Ochocinco all over the box and use the proceeds to raise money for "Feed the Children." A perfect plan... with one mistake. That phone number printed on the box was actually a sex-talk line. So, all the boxes are being recalled.
Not getting enough of the Kardashians? Kim and Kourtney are in New York, filming another spinoff show.
Americans spend $19 billion dollars a year on gym memberships, and most of us say we exercise regularly, yet two-thirds of the population is still overweight or obese by government standards.

Afternoon Oddball for Wednesday:

There are some people who get mildly irritated when they see teens sporting the saggy pants trend...then, there's this guy. A man in Memphis, Tennessee shot a teen in the buttocks when he refused to pull up his pants! Kenneth Bonds, 45, argued with two teenagers, ages 16 and 17, while they were walking to a store last Monday. Bonds pulled a black semiautomatic pistol from his waistband and fired shots at the youths while they ran away, striking the 17-year-old in his bum. Bonds was charged Saturday with two counts of aggravated assault. Next time buddy, just sing the song. Perhaps Brett Favre will sing with ya.

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1981 Egyptian President Anwar Sadat is shot to death by Muslim fundamentalists while reviewing a military parade.

In 1984 Astronaut Sally K. Ride, aboard the space shuttle Challenger, secures a balky antenna with the craft's robot arm.

In 1987 The Dow Jones average drops 91 points, at the time the biggest loss ever.

In 1991 Reports surfaced that a former personal assistant to Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, University of Oklahoma law professor Anita Hill, had accused Thomas of sexually harassing her.

In 1992 Ross Perot appears in a paid, 30-minute broadcast on CBS-TV in which he appealed for Americans to join his independent bit for president.

In 1993 Israeli Prime Minister Rabin and PLO chief Yasser Arafat hold their first official meeting in Cairo, Egypt, to begin work on terms of the Israeli-PLO accord.

In 1993 Basketball superstar Michael Jordan announces his retirement from the Bulls. (He returned to the Bulls in 1995.)

10/05/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On this Day in the 80s and 90s

2010-10-05T17:04:00.000-05:00

Fast Facts for Tuesday:

They have to iron out the differences between the two versions of the law, but both the house and the Senate have approved a measure that would make it illegal for a TV commercial to be louder than the program it's on.
A new study suggests dog ownership may prevent some children from developing the skin condition eczema.
Last Thursday, a judge ruled that Mel Gibson's monthly child support for his kid with Oksana Grigorieva should go up from $5,000 to $20,000 a month!
Britney Spears met with a judge overseeing her conservatorship, but no changes were made as the singer's father Jamie retains control of his daughter's personal and financial affairs.
Glee's Lea Michelle has posed for a photo shoot for Marie Claire magazine. Check it out- Some downright sexy photos.
Bruce Springsteen writes all of his songs in long-hand... yes, as with a pen!
It's everywhere: Paramount Pictures in Hollywood has announced that they're laying off 54 people.
Heidi Klum said Friday that she is ending her work as part of the Victoria's Secret stable of models, dubbed angels, at the age of 37.
The U.S. has issued a formal apology for intentionally infecting hundreds of people in Guatemala, including institutionalized mental patients, with gonorrhea and syphilis without their knowledge or permission more than 60 years ago. All part of an experiment.

Afternoon Oddball:

When cops find a bag of marijuana and a bag of crack in your, well, crack, it's best to just admit everything. Police pulled over Raymond Stanley Roberts, 25, for speeding in Florida on Wednesday and got a whiff of weed. Roberts claimed he smoked pot the night before and there was nothing in the car, but cops decided to search his person. They felt a "soft object" in his buttocks, and when they questioned Roberts he said "let me get it" and pulled out the bag of marijuana. A further search revealed another soft object, and police pulled out the bag of crack cocaine. Roberts owned up to the marijuana possession - but claimed the crack wasn't his! He was just holding it...for a friend...in his butt. Makes total sense.

On this Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1984 Kathryn Sullivan becomes first female astronaut to walk in space.

In 1985 The Thirteenth Space Shuttle Mission - Challenger 6 is launched.

In 1989 A jury in Charlotte, NC, convicts former PTL evangelist Jim Bakker of using his television show to defraud followers of $3.7 million.

In 1989 The Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal leader of

Tibet

, is named winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 1992 For the first time in his presidency, George Bush had one of his vetoes overridden as the House and Senate vote to enact legislation re-regulating the cable TV industry.

In 1993

China

sets off an underground nuclear blast, ignoring a plea from President Clinton not to do so.

In 1995

Israel

's parliament ratifies an accord that grants the PLO control over West Bank cities.

In 1998 The House Judiciary Committee votes to investigate whether President Clinton should be removed from office.

10/04/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On this Day in the 80s and 90s

2010-10-04T17:06:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Monday:

Whoopi Goldberg says she stays busy to help her deal with the grief of her mother's death last month.
One of Tiger Woods' former girlfriends says she has a sex tape featuring herself and the golfer and says $360,000 would be a fair price.
JP Morgan Chase has been tracking the prices at Wal-Mart and says they're the highest they've been in almost two years.
The hot rumor is that CNN's Anderson Cooper is seriously considering an offer to host a daytime TV talk show.
The Oxygen channel is giving serious thought to a Paris Hilton docu-series that would follow her life, then demonstrate how twisted it gets when it reaches the tabloids.
Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have called off their divorce and plan to work on their marriage.
Sure, they just wrapped up their season a few weeks ago, but "America's Got Talent" will start working on next year, next week... with auditions in Atlanta.
Denzel Washington will be the host at the 17th annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert on December 11th in Oslo, Norway,

Afternoon Oddball:

He really stuck his neck out for this bet! A 25-year-old Norwegian spent 440 days collecting 1 million giraffe pictures, all because he bet his friend he could do it. Ola Helland, a web designer, was able to put the word out, and he ended up receiving hundreds of giraffe pictures from around the world. 102 countries, to be exact! He compiled them all onto one website, and even made a book out of them. Helland says he chose the animal because it's his favorite, and because "every giraffe drawing is different and people seem to smile when they draw them."…What’s this guy on, cuz ah I think I might like some myself.

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1983 The Thrust-2 jet car sets a land speed record of 633 mph.

In 1990 For the first time in nearly six decades, German lawmakers meet in the Reichstag for the first meeting of reunified

Germany

's parliament.

In 1993 Dozens of cheering, dancing Somalis drag the body of an American soldier through the streets of Mogadishu, while a videotape showed Michael Durant, an American soldier taken prisoner by Somali militants.

In 1994 President Clinton welcomes South African President Nelson Mandela to the White House.

In 1995 Pope John Paul II proclaims himself "a pilgrim of peace" as he arrives in the

U.S.

for a 5-day visit.

10/01/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, and On This Day in the 80s and 90s

2010-10-01T16:37:00.003-05:00

Fast Facts for Friday:

No surprise that the hottest selling Halloween costumes are either Lady Gaga or "Jersey Shore" themed.
Seth Rogan proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Lauren Miller, over the weekend. She said "Yes."
Congratulations to Fox's "Lone Star," the first casualty of the new TV season. Dropped after only two episodes aired.
Kaley Cuoco admits that she and "Big Bang Theory" co-star Johnny Galecki had a secret, two-year relationship... but that's old news. It's over.
Looks like "Lost" star Josh Holloway is going to be in the cast of "Mission: Impossible 4."
Khloe and Lamar Odom renewed the wedding vows on their one-year anniversary. A surprise from Lamar.
Maggie Grace will join the "Twilight" gang for the final movies as Irina. The final book is being broken up into two movies -- the first, November 2011, the second, November of 2012.
"American Idol" Fantasia Barrino is getting back on her feet and kicks off a 30-city tour in Richmond, Virginia, November 4th.
Problems on the set of the "Deadliest Catch." Captain Sig, along with Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand, have all quit the show, citing differences with "Discovery."
Paris Hilton has settled a lawsuit with Hallmark for making a greeting card with her catchphrase, "That's Hot." She's also keeping an eye on them so that they don't use any of her other phrases, like "Oh, daddy will just buy that" or "Do you have any penicillin?"
On Monday night's finale of "Australia's Next Top Model," host Sarah Murdoch announced the wrong name of the winner! She made the announcement, the winner made a speech and then Sarah came clean that "it was fed to me wrong."

Afternoon Oddball:

This judge is nutty! A Pennsylvania judge is facing a disorderly conduct charge for handing out acorns stuffed with condoms to unsuspecting females near the state Capitol. The 58-year-old Isaac Stoltzfus - who's from the town of Intercourse, no less - was confronted by officers last Tuesday and claimed the whole thing was a joke. The women, however, were offended - not amused. They really didn't appreciate handling his nuts.

On This Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1981 In a news conference, President Reagan says that the

U.S.

would defend the oilfields of

Saudi Arabia

against anyone who threaten the flow of oil to the West.

In 1982 EPCOT Center opens in Orlando, Florida.

In 1987 Eight people are killed when an earthquake measuring a magnitude of 5.9 and an aftershock measuring 5.3 struck the Los Angeles area.

In 1989 More than 6000 East Germans crowd aboard "Freedom Trains" to

West Germany

In 1992 Texas billionaire Ross Perot jumps back into the presidential race.

In 1994 The National Hockey League team owners begin a 103-day lockout of their players.

In 1996 The minimum wage increases 50 cents to $4.75 an hour.

In 1996 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat meet at the White House.

In 1997 WorldCom Inc. moves to block the merger of MCI and British Telecom, offering its own $29.4 billion bid in the biggest proposed merger in

U.S.

history.

09/30/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, and On This Day in the 80s and 90s

2010-09-30T17:09:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Thursday:

A Columbia University study indicates that kids who have regular family dinners are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.
Gloria Stewart, the older version of Rose in the movie "Titanic," has died at age 100.
When Conan O'Brien's new show debuts on TBS in November, it will be minus Max Weinberg and his band. Guitarist Jimmy Vivino will take over as bandleader.
Gloria Estephan performed at half-time of Sunday's New York/Miami game, but it wasn't easy. She was actually locked in her suite, couldn't get out and had to climb out the window in order to perform... much to the cheers of the crowd. But she made it!
A second chef has committed suicide after appearing on one of Gordon Ramsay's cooking shows.
Kelsey Grammer had to be forced to don underwear on the set of his hit sitcom "Fraiser" after his co-stars reportedly complained to his wife about his lack of briefs.
The words "All Natural" are being dropped from Ben and Jerry's ice creams after pressure from an advocacy group... because some of the flavors contained alkalized cocoa, corn syrup, hydrogenated oil or other ingredients that were not natural.
Wyclef Jean has been hospitalized, suffering from stress. Where does the line form?
After 17 years of marriage, one daughter and a shared kidney, George Lopez and his wife are ending a divorce.
A new study claims that men look for good bodies in short-term mates but pretty faces in long-term partners. As for women, they care more about faces than bodies for both short- and long-term relationships.

Afternoon Oddball:

This guy spends way too much time monkeying around. Jeremy Lukens, 24, of Ohio dressed up in a gorilla suit to scare some girls, then tried to elude police on an ATV. The prank was videotaped by Lukens' friend, but Lukens really drew attention to himself when he mounted a quad bike in the costume and drove it noisily through the streets of the quiet town of Wadsworth. Residents complained to police, who tried to pull him over. Lukens took them on the most brief and bizarre chase before finally surrendering. He now faces a six-month jail term and a $1,000 fine.

On this Day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1981 The Postal Service announces it will raise the cost of a first class stamp from 18 to 20 cents.

In 1987 Two top campaign aides to Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis resign after one of them, campaign manager John Sasso, admitted leaking an attack videotape that helped bring down the presidential candidacy of Delaware Senator Joseph Biden.

In 1992 George Brett of the Kansas City Royals reaches 3,000 career hits during a game against the California Angels.

In 1993 An estimated 10,000 people are killed when an 6.4 earthquake struck southern

India

In 1998 The U.S. government posts a budget surplus of some $70 billion, the first since 1969.

09/29/10 Fast Facts, Afternoon Oddball, On this Day

2010-09-28T18:31:00.000-05:00

Fast Facts for Wednesday:

Some photos from 2007 have emerged, allegedly showing Lindsay Lohan shooting up heroin. That won’t help.
Michael Jackson's brother, Jermaine, claims that he can't afford to pay child support because his business is failing and his career is in the tank.
John Stamos began his recurring appearances on "Glee" last night, as a dentist. Security was tight on the day he was there, he never actually saw Britney Spears, the other big guest star in the episode.
Over 150 turned out for the Octomom's yard sale over the weekend. Nadya Suleman was trying that approach to raise enough money to keep her house.
American Idol runner-up Crystal Bowersox is engaged again... this time to musician Brian Walker, and the two plan to get married next month. Yes, it was just in May that her fiancee at the time broke up with her the day of her final performance on American Idol.
Scientists say they've found fossils that show sunflowers were around in South America 47.5 million years ago.

Afternoon Oddball:

Stupidest radio fan ever? The story of David Jonathan Winkelman resurfaced last Thursday after he was arrested on a misdemeanor charge and his mugshot appeared online. Clearly visible on that mugshot was the tattoo stamped on his forehead, bearing the logo of a now defunct Iowa hard rock radio station. Back in 2000, KORB, 93 Rock told listeners they would win a six-figure prize if they tattooed the station's logo on their forehead. Turns out it was all a prank, and Winkelman and his stepson, Richard Goddard, were the only fools who fell for it. They tried to sue the station, but both men ended up dismissing their cases. Permanently branded an idiot…

On this day in the 80s and 90s:

In 1988 Florence Griffith Joyner and Jackie Joyner-Kersee of the

U.S.

win their second gold medals of the Seoul Olympics, in the 200-meter and the long jump, respectively.

In 1989 Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor is convicted of battery for slapping Beverly Hills police officer Paul Kramer after he'd pulled over her Rolls-Royce for expired license plates.

In 1992 Magic Johnson, infected with the AIDS virus, announces he would return to basketball. (He scrapped his comeback the following November.)

In 1995 The O.J. Simpson trial is sent to the jury.

In 1998 A 10-mile-long, 2-mile-wide oil spill threatens the California coast….sound familiar? we’re such fast learners aren’t we?

09/27/10 Fast Facts and Afternoon Oddball

2010-09-28T15:34:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Monday:

Joaquin Phoenix appeared on David Letterman's show Wednesday and apologized for his long-haired, spaced-out appearance last year. He had done that as part of the movie he was working on Casey Ben Affleck and apologized, claiming that Letterman had not known anything about it.
Superman, revisited: Teri Hatcher is going to guest star on "Smallville" as Lois Lane's mother. She played Lois in the 90's series, "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman."
Playgirl Magazine has offered Vinnie from "Jersey Shore" $30,000 to pose nude for them.
Hayden Panettiere is going to play convicted murderer Amanda Knox in a new film for the Lifetime Channel, which will air next year.
NBC has picked up another J.J. Abrams show and this one will star Lost alums Michael Emerson and Terry O'Quinn. They had hoped to continue working together.
The #1 seller on Amazon's music charts these days? The pre-orders for Susan Boyle's holiday album.
What happened to Lady Gaga's meat dress? The designer says it's going to be dried like jerky and stored.
Blockbuster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Afternoon Oddball:

This guy really made feathers fly! A Michigan man was arrested Tuesday night for getting into a fight with his pet parrot. The 49-year-old usually carries the bird in his backpack, but on this particular night witnesses saw him attacking it. He was shaking the parrot as it squawked loudly and feathers were flying everywhere. The bird made attempts to fight back, though, biting the man and leaving one of his thumbs "scratched and bloodied." When approached by the cops, the man told them he was "disciplining and training" the parrot.

Good, Decent, and Ugly: The New Fall TV Season So Far

2010-09-26T16:18:00.000-05:00

Not all of the new fall TV shows have premiered, but there are some solid efforts and downright disasters so far. Shows are being judged on viewer response (ratings) and my thoughts from what I've seen.

GOOD:
Hawaii 5-O: Haven't seen it, have no desire to, but viewers clearly liked it.
Mike and Molly: Solid new comedy quality-wise and easily the highest rated new comedy so far. I really enjoyed it.
The Event: Also haven't seen this yet but ratings were healthy as was buzz and response.
The Defenders: Easily my favorite new show so far. Jim Belushi made for this role of lawyers in Las Vegas. Healthy albeit not spectacular ratings, especially among the younger viewers. Criminal Minds is not a compatible lead in.
Blue Bloods: Older skewing series was also the highest rated on it's debut Friday. It's the Tom Sellack factor.
Nikita: Addicting new series from the CW. Based on old USA show Le Femme Nikita and about a spy who turns against government division she worked for. Highest rated new CW series but skewing very old (like 50+ old and this is the CW).

Decent:
Better with You: This comedy from Friends definitely had its moments but the older daughter character was not funny. Ratings were decent.
Detroit 187: Okay ratings but I felt like there was a solid story here and the characters were real.
Chase: This drama got mediocre reviews (not interested so far in viewing- neither were that many viewers).
Undercovers: This show from JJ Abrams (Lost) was supposed to be a new sexy series about married spies. Instead it appealed to old people.
Raising Hope: Traces of Malcolm in the Middle in this comedy about a 20-something male raising a child with his dysfunctional family. Lost tons of incompatible lead in Glee. Not a lot of hope but creatively there was potential.
Bleep My Dad Says: Pretty generic series. Not a lot of laughs but not terrible. Shatner naturally carries the show otherwise full of fluff.
Outsourced: Okay launch ratings-wise but this show has been criticized for being outright racist and it just looks like a stupid Office-wannabe.
Hellcats: Decent ratings so far in what has been a death slot for the CW. Mixed reviews from critics. Not my cup of tea but could do well in CW's target demo of women 18-34.

Stick a fork in em:
My Generation: Horrible show about a documentary team following a high school class 10 years post-graduation. Just terrible. I lasted 8 minutes and viewers did not even make an attempt.
Running Wilde: Another Arrested Development wannabe starring former Arrested Development people and from their creator too. About a millionaire trying to woo his hippie green-loving childhood sweatheart. Narrated by her young child daughter. Just terrible. Ratings were bad too.
Lonestar: The biggest flop of the fall ratings wise. Creatively it's gotten good press but this is just not a broadcast network style series. About a guy with two wives and two families. I don't think it would do all that well on cable either and who calls a show Lonestar?
The Good Guys: This show flopped already last summer but Fox brought it back for even lower Friday ratings.
The Whole Truth: Legal drama from CSI creator. As dry as the CSI shows. Rob Morrow was awful. Maura Tierney slightly less awful. Ratings were terrible in a difficult hour. I give it a month and maybe a test out on Fridays.
Outlaw: Series starring Jimmy Smits as a former Supreme Court Justice. Critics said it was too over the top to make it. Viewers tested it out behind America's Got Talent's season finale then completely bailed after NBC waited 10 days to premiere it in it's Friday 10/9c slot.

09/24/10 Fast Facts and Afternoon Oddball

2010-09-24T12:27:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Friday:

"The View" is getting ready to celebrate it's 300th show.
Jodie Foster says no what her former co-star Mel Gibson does in his life, she will always love him.
In Saudi Arabia, they have "Family Only" malls. In order to shop there, single Saudi men are renting "Mall Wives" -- women who pose as their wives, so they can shop there.
Paris Hilton canceled her Asian tour after she was denied admission into Japan because of her recent drug arrest.
Mark Burnett, the guy who gave us "Survivor," has worked out a deal to produce a talk show for Oprah's new network.
After 200 shows, Cher is going to give her final Las Vegas show on February 5th of next year.
Budweiser is going to giving away free beer to promote its brand. Enough that they've declared September 29 "National Happy Hour" and will give away free Buds in selected bars, based on local regulations.

Afternoon Oddball:

Their Double Down sandwich may not have any buns, but that doesn't mean KFC is in short supply. The fast food chain has recruited college girls to advertise the sandwich on their backsides! Women on college campuses - including Louisville, Kentucky's Spalding University - are being paid $500 each to hand out coupons while wearing fitted sweatpants with "Double Down" in large letters across the tush. KFC marketing chief John Cywinski says it's a great way to attract young men - KFC's key customers. Guess only time will tell if this ad campaign will boost sales...or sexual harassment claims.

09/23/10 Fast Facts and Afternoon Oddball

2010-09-23T11:30:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts for Thursday:

We've all heard those angry phone exchanges between Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva. Two months after those exchanges, they were sending e-mails professing their love to each other. Yes, this is seriously messed up.
The city of Gainesville, Florida, is going to send the Rev. Terry Jones a bill estimated at more than $180,000 for security costs associated with his plans to burn Korans.
Gwyneth Paltrow is in talks to appear on "Glee" this fall.
He was a basketball coach and phys-ed teacher at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville in the late 1960s. One day, he sent a group of students to the principal's office because their hair was too long. Those students later formed a band, using a variation of the teacher's name for their group. The teacher's name: Leonard Skinner. He died this week in Florida at age 77.
After failing a drug test less than a month after her jail release, a judge has issued a warrant for Lindsay Lohan's arrest.

Afternoon Oddball:

No wonder their students were doing poorly on exams. These teachers don't seem too bright themselves! One teacher in the

tried to boost her students' test results by giving them the answers. Turns out, she gave them the wrong answers! School officials became suspicious when 18 of 19 kids gave the same incorrect answer and investigators found proof of the cheating. Though we suppose it's a reverse kind of cheating. In a separate case, the head of another school changed papers herself - only to turn a right answer into a wrong one. Before they try to scam the system, they should at least double check their answers!

09/22/10 Fast Facts and Afternoon Oddball

2010-09-22T14:06:00.000-05:00

Fast Facts for Wednesday:

Remember Paris Hilton's drug-possession arrest? A deal has been struck, with no felony on her record and a year's probation. That'll show her.
Actor Randy Quaid and his wife are facing burglary charges in California after the owner of the couple's old house reported they had been living there without permission.
Kim Kardashian has reportedly split from her Dallas Cowboys boyfriend Miles Austin.
Katy Perry's fiancee, Russell Brand, was arrested by a paparazzi performing a citizen's arrest last Friday at LA International Airport.
In a new book, French first lady Carla Bruni reveals that Michelle Obama told her that she can't stand being the first lady. The Obama camp denies she ever made that statement.
A new study found that exercise can help relieve insomnia.
Ricki Lake, along with her two sons and their dog, safely made it out of their Malibu rental home after fire broke out there last weekend.
Octomom Nadya Suleman can't make ends meet and she's going to go on welfare.
For the first time, a member of the anti-immigrant party has won a seat in Sweden's parliament.

Afternoon Oddball:

Yesterday we brought you the elderly man who fought off an intruder with a Swiffer WetJet. Now meet the elderly man who fought off an intruder with a can of air freshener! Arthur Whitehouse, 70, of

Britain

said last year a man in a ski mask knocked on his door and threatened him with a knife. The burglar promised not to the hurt the man if he just unlocked the chain lock and let him in. Instead, Whitehouse grabbed his citrus air freshener and sprayed it in the suspect's eyes. The attempted robber fled, but police picked up his scent shortly after. "I'm thinking of putting up a sign in front of the house saying 'Beware of Air Freshener,'" Whitehouse said. Removes odors and criminals!

09/21/10 Fast Facts and Afternoon Oddball

2010-09-21T16:35:00.001-05:00

Fast Facts for Tuesday:

Sacha Baron Cohen is going to portray Freddy Mercury in an upcoming movie about the group, Queen.
An Atlanta jury awarded $40,000 Friday to a man who says Kid Rock and his entourage beat him and smashed his cell phones during a 2007 fight at a Waffle House restaurant.
Former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert is accused of simple battery on a photographer on Miami Beach. A police report says 38-year-old Victor Eras was taking pictures of the singer Thursday when Lambert started running toward him "in an aggressive manner."
After 7 months of training, Britain's Prince William received his wings from the Royal Air Force on Friday. He's now a certified helicopter pilot.
Former Price is Right game show host Bob Barker fainted while shooting at a Los Angeles gun range yesterday. He's 86.
Kim Kardashian says she may sue a company that is marketing the "Kinky Kim Filthy Love Doll." She says the inflatable doll looks too much like her.
Candice Bergen will be joining the cast of "House" -- as Cuddy's mother -- in episodes starting in January.
It's working for Jennifer Hudson. She says she's lost five dress sizes since going on Weight Watchers last year.
Brian Littrel of the Backstreet Boys and his wife celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary by getting married again.
Susan Boyle performed in front of 60,000 people and Pope Benedict last week at a stadium in Glasgow.

Afternoon Oddball:

Want a surefire way to get a home intruder to make a swift exit? Use a Swiffer! An elderly man in South Carolina was able to fend off an attempted burglar with a Swiffer WetJet. Phillip Graham, 71, was cleaning his kitchen floor last Wednesday night after he and his wife had taken turns giving each other a haircut. He had a Swiffer WetJet in one hand and a Dustbuster in the other when an armed man suddenly came through his back door and ordered him to get on the ground. But Graham wasn't about to be pushed around. He grabbed the Swiffer and started prodding the intruder, and then hitting him with it. Despite being hit with the WetJet, the suspect failed to make a clean getaway. Consider him dustbusted!

09/20/10 Fast Facts and Afternoon Oddball

2010-09-20T16:06:00.000-05:00

Afternoon Oddball for Monday:

A man in Florida escaped police on foot Tuesday. Literally on foot. The guy had one leg. Yup, we're wondering how that's possible too. It all began when police pulled over the suspect named George Bush (no, not that George Bush) during a routine traffic stop. Bush sped off, driving recklessly through a residential area and almost mowing down a group of kids waiting for the bus before crashing into a power pole. He then allegedly climbed out of the vehicle and hopped into a wooded area, where he managed to elude police. Not only is it unclear how he fled, but it's also unclear why. Cops really should have had a leg up on this guy.

Fast Facts:

Michael Jackson's mom is suing AEG Live over his death, saying their contract called for them to watch out for the well-being of the singer and they were the ones who hired Dr. Conrad Murray without a proper background check.
There's a new show coming to E called "Bridalplasty," where brides-to-be compete in wedding-themed challenges to win extensive surgical procedures.
IHOP, the pancake restaurant, is suing a prayer group, the International House of Prayers, for using their famous acronym.
Billie Mae Richards died in Toronto last week, at the age of 88. In 1964, she provided the voice of Rudolph in the classic 1964 holiday TV program Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Yep, Rudolph was a girl.
Kate Gosselin is on the cover of People, wearing a bikini. If only she didn't talk...
If you want to audition for "American Idol," but aren't near one of the cities, you can do it right now on their MySpace page.