February 1, 2007

“Friday Night Lights” is one of those shows that I love. I know that I love it, but I forget how good it is until I watch an episode. It’s amazing how much chemistry Kyle Chandler (Coach Eric Taylor) and Connie Britton (Mrs. Tami Taylor) have. This show has only been on for 13 episodes and there are way more sparks/laughs/etc… between them than any other TV couple! Zach Gilford (Matt Sarecen) is amazing. You think “How can anyone be that naïve?”, but somehow Matt is. The way Gilford plays him is amazing. Matt is the starting quarterback, but for everything Jason Street (the original starting quarterback who was paralyzed in the pilot) was, the confidence he possessed on and off the field, the cheerleader girlfriend, Lyla Garrity and charisma that emanated from him, that’s the polar opposite of Matt. Matt stutters, he has to take care of his grandmother, he is dating Julie Taylor, and he always seems uncomfortable. As last night’s episode showed, no matter how different Matt is from Jason, he’s still the starting quarterback and he will be treated as such. The look on Matt’s face in the back of the car when he is being kidnapped by the football team is priceless. And Coach Taylor’s facial expressions when Matt asks him if Smash is going to play in the big game on Friday were great. There is a reason why Entertainment Weekly listed it as one of the five best shows you’re not watching this season! So next week, instead of watching "American Idol" (you know they’ll have horrible singers who are shocked when Simon tells them they are bad.) tune into “Friday Night Lights” at 8 PM/est on NBC. Trust me. And don’t worry I’ll remind you to watch next week.

NASCAR Update:
#6 Roush Racing hauler was involved in a mulitcar accident on interstate 10 in West Texas on its way to North Carolina from a test session in Las Vegas. Joe Millikan, the driver of the hauler was sent to Thomason Hospital in critical condition. Three other people involved in the accident were sent area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. (jayski.com)

Giants Update:
The Miami Dolphins will host the New York Giants in London for a regular season game next season. (AP)

Around Sports:
Baseball
In a waste of time news…Sen. John Kerry wants the Federal Communications Commission to investigate a new deal between DirecTV and MLB that would make DirecTV the exclusive home to “Extra Innings” a service that allows customers to view out of market games. Currently, other TV providers offer such a package. I can’t believe this is what you worry about. I know you’re not running for president so you have some time on your hands, but I swear there are other things to worry about. Trillion dollar spending deficits, education, or that war, where is it again…oh yeah in Iraq! (AP)

Congratulations to Boston Red Sox GM, Theo Epstein who married his longtime girlfriend at the original Nathan’s Hot Dog Stand on Coney Island sometime this off-season. What he got married in New York? At Nathans? There are so many things wrong with that!

College Basketball
Indiana ended #2 Wisconsin’s 17 game winning streak on Wednesday with a 71-66 win.

Football
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu legally changed his name to Troy Polamalu? Actually, Troy’s birth name was Troy Benjamin Aumua but has gone by Polamalu for the past 15 years. Troy’s parents were divorced when he was baby and Polamalu is his mother’s maiden name. Troy’s legal name has been changed to Troy Aumua Polamalu.

IRL
Buddy Rice and Sarah Fisher are joining Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for the 2007 season beginning at Homestead. (AP)

Around the World:
A Commerce Department report showed that personal savings for 2006 was at -1%, meaning people were spending more money than they were making. I, of course do not fall into that category, but I also still live at home…there are trade offs, I guess. Savings are at a 74 year low. (AP)

Popo in my crib News:
Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Ried’s two sons were involved in separate incidents on Tuesday. Britt Ried, 21 allegedly was arguing with another driver about right of way before Britt pulled a gun on the driver. (That will never beat the minister who killed another driver with a crossbow. But maybe I’ll give you honorable mention, Britt.) Ried’s other son, Garrett, 24 was involved in a car accident on Tuesday. Upon search of his car, police found drug paraphernalia. Neither son has been charged. Watch out Britt and Garrett, because the popo are on your tail! (si.com)

Lane Garrison is in big trouble. The “Prison Break” star had cocaine in his system as well as a blood alcohol level two times the legal limit on December 2nd. Garrison was driving his Land Rover SUV when he hit a tree killing a 17 year old passenger in his car. Beverly Hills Police have recommended that Garrison be charged with felony vehicular manslaughter. Watch out Lane, because the popo are on your tail! (people.com)

Peter Berdovsky, 27 and Sean Stevens, 28 were expected to be released on bond after pleading not guilty to disorderly conduct. The two men placed 38 blinking electronic signs around Boston to promote a TV show on Cartoon Network. The prank brought parts of Boston to a standstill on Wednesday. Did no one learn from the MI:3 marketing debacle last year? Watch out Peter and Sean, because the popo are on your tail! (AP)

Celebrity Tid Bits:
TV ALERT: It’s Phyllis’ bachelorette party on “The Office” tonight at 8:30 PM/est on NBC

Congratulations to Ed Helms who has been promoted to series regular on “The Office.” Oh, no here comes terreble! (hollywoodreporter.com)

TV ALERT: We’re down to the final month of all new “OC” episodes. So why aren’t you watching? (9 PM/est on FOX)

The final Harry Potter book, Harry Porter: And His Death (ok so that’s my title) will be released on July 21, 2007.

Rascal Flatts will appear in a 30 second ad during the Super Bowl. The ad for the NFL Network will feature Ocho Cinco aka Cincinnati Bengal Chad Johnson. (cmt.com)

Hank Williams, Jr. and Lynyrd Skynyrd will go be going on a 20 city tour this spring beginning April 11th in Huntsville, Al. The tour, “What my Dreams are About” (of course that’s my working title) will be on Fridays and Saturdays and will feature .38 special on the first 10 dates! (cmt.com)

Keith Urban will appear on “Saturday Night Live” on February 10th. Finally a reason to watch! (gactv.com)

Happy Birthday shout outs to Big Boi from Outkast (32), Michael C. Hall (36), Lisa Marie Presley (39), Pauly Shore (39), Sherilyn Fenn from “Gilmore Girls” (42), Princess Stephanie of Monaco (42) and Sherman Helmsley (69).

Random Quote: ''Things are heating up between John Mayer and Jessica Simpson, with Simpson accompanying Mayer for part of his tour in Florida. Mayer is working on a new song called 'Your Body Is a Wonderland, and Your Brain Is a Wind Tunnel.'" - JOEL McHALE, ON THE SOUP (ew.com)

It’s been fun blogging with you,
Kate