Blackhawks win!

It must have been a great game. It was an overtime win! I'll have to read the accounts of the game, though, because my cable company doesn't carry the Versus network. In fact, until game 1 (which I also couldn't see), I had never even heard of it.

Jon & Kate

Uh oh. There are new revelations about an alleged affair by Jon.

I do feel some pity for him. He has eight little kids and a wife that's a complete control freak (my humble opinion--we watch the show occasionally). I don't blame him at all for being freaked out by that situation.

But this isn't the way to do it, buddy.

There are places to get help. I'm not sure what they call them in your neck of the woods, but in my neighborhood we call them liquor stores.

Dissing Heino

The Tribune has been doing a feature about the worst album covers of all-time, but they've gone too far this time.

They dissed Heino. My mother loves the Albino Heino. And this particular album cover is translated: "Dear mother: A bouquet of flowers that never wilts." Just four days before Mother's Day. Shame on you, Tribune.



(I'm not kidding about my mom loving Heino. She actually has this album. Heino, by the way, has a deep baritone voice. I used to play some of his covers of English songs on Ebony & Ivory. Imagine Robert Goulet doing "Spanish Eyes" in German, and that's what Heino sounds like.)

Cubs sale still not final

Has anyone noticed that this deal isn't done yet between the Tribune and the Ricketts family?

The Tribune reports on the progress today. Reading between the lines, I'm starting to wonder what's going on.

Big Media: RIP

Love the sound of this article in Newsweek: Big Media RIP

Here's an excerpt...

"After an agonizing and prolonged decline, the long-suffering Vertically Integrated Media Conglomerate (1989-2009) passed away.

It's an idea that was born when Time Inc. merged with Warner Communications Corp. in 1989, to form Time Warner. It endured as the industry's prevailing business model for nearly a generation, spawning such clones and mongrel breeds as Viacom, News Corp and GE's NBC Universal. The vertically integrated media conglomerate was—or was supposed to be—many amazing things, giving a handful of companies unprecedented power over the media—and the chance to earn outsized profits in the process. But its defining characteristic was its sheer size, earning it a fitting nickname: Big Media.

But the theory behind the strategy relied on more than size. Housed under one roof, a single Big Media entity would control the means of producing and distributing media content, from magazine and books to television shows and movies, from cartoons and theme parks to sports franchises and the cable networks that carry the games to recorded music labels and music publishers. In Time Warner’s prototype of the model, it would control everything from the first letter of a Time magazine story or Warner Books novel to the last alphabet of the credits at the end of a Warner Brothers flick or HBO series based on the magazine story or the book division's fiction. For a time, Time Warner boasted a wide array of media assets: the World Championship Wrestling league and the Atlanta Braves; CNN and Six Flags theme parks; the sitcom "Friends" and hourlong drama "ER"; the BET cable channel and InStyle magazine.

No more. On April 29, in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes officially announced the death of Big Media."

Before leaving, the conglomerate destroyed several businesses, including my former industry--radio. Good riddance, conglomerate. Don't expect anyone to show up for your funeral.

Cardinal George

I think Cardinal George is a fine man. He's a very impressive guy. An intellectual. A devoted theologian. A staunch supporter of the little man. I would never impugn his character in any way.

On the other hand, the man has a hotline to You Know Who, and he's not using it wisely.

I implore you, your excellency, don't let the title "Cardinal" cloud your judgment. You're still a Cubs fan. You've said so many times. Is it really too much to ask to put in a good word for us during your next conference call? When He says, "Anybody have anything else?", that's the perfect time to say..."Well, actually, you know that baseball team in Chicago that has gone more than a hundred years without a World Series championship? Could you throw them a bone?"

It's just a humble request from a member of your flock.

(This is my round about way of telling you that Cardinal George is this week's Celebrity Cub Fan at Just One Bad Century.)

Bill Lee

They called him The General, and he made his Cubs debut on this day in 1934.

He pitched a shutout.

David Ogden Stiers

The former M*A*S*H star came out of the closet in an interview this week.

He explains his reason for coming out in the interview, and although he called the reason "selfish," I actually thought it was the opposite of that.

Mother's Day

I just got off the phone with the mother in your life, and you know what she told me?

She said she really, really wants a Just One Bad Century shirt for Mother's Day. It's true. If you order today, it will be there in time for Mother's Day. I can't force you to make the mother in your life smile, but remember, you can get them right here, and it's easy as pie. (Although not as delicious as the pie she makes...just one of the many things she has done for you over the years. The woman just wants a shirt--it's the least you can do.)

British celeb bites flight attendant

This story in today's Tribune caught my eye...

"United Airlines diverted a recent flight bound for London after an incoherent and disruptive passenger, apparently woozy from a combination of pills, alcohol and lavatory hand soap, allegedly tried to bite a flight attendant in the leg...'What wasn't disclosed through the affidavit is that Ms. Rusanova is a very intelligent, charming woman,' said her attorney, Matthew Erickson. 'This comes as a shock to her. Her mistake was to mix prescription drugs with alcohol. After that, all bets were off.'"

I was an amateur pharmacist in college, and I'm trying to figure out what combination of pills, alcohol, and hand soap will make you bite someone. Unless the alcohol was Red Dog beer, I'm at a loss.

Dave Bing...

...is elected Mayor of Detroit.

I now have a former US Representative (Steve Largent), a former Senator (Bill Bradley), and now a Mayor in my sports card collection.

Does that make up for my OJ Simpson cards yet?

Cannonball Run Outtakes

Get the feeling Dom was a fun guy on the set?

RIP: Dom Deluise

OUT OF ORDER - watch more funny videos

Reaction to Father Knows Nothing

Last weekend I posted a Father Knows Nothing column called "Potty Mouth" that has been getting a lot of reaction on the blog, on Facebook, and in my e-mail box. Here are a few of the responses...



WS writes: "wish I was as good...my daughter grew up around the hockey rink (and its language), and I was never good at keeping it clean..one Christmas (I think she was 2?) the whole extended family was gathered...she was trying to fit a toy horse in a toy truck...wouldn't fit..very matter-of-factly, she let loose a "f***ing horsie!!!!"...and went to playing with something else...either no one heard, or was too polite to show it :)"

KL writes: "We were at Thanksgiving at my sister's house in 2007 and we were trying to assemble one of those light-up Christmas lawn animals. The kids were all playing upstairs. Suddenly my nephew came running downstairs and around the corner. He came to a screeching halt in front of us and said "what the h*** is that? We all laughed so hard once he had left the room."

ML writes: "One of my sister's friends used to keep a bar of soap in the mini-van so if one of her three boys said something out of line, she'd pull over and do the deed right there!"

DB writes: "My wife and I have tried to be careful with our language around our kids, but ultimately, we don't have to wonder "where did they hear that?" I will say, when I do let slip, I apologize to my kids, and try to use it as an opportunity to explain the difference between "bad" words and acceptable words. Usually, though, when my daughter tattles on her brother for using the "S" word, she is referring to "shut up"."

AS writes: "Hi. My name is Anita, and I’m a potty mouth. I plead Italian. Ummm….we’re swearers. Especially New York Italians, which is the stock I come from. Evidently, as I was sitting in the playpen back in ‘65 or so, I ripped the head off a doll and said the “S” word and my grandfather thought it was the most hilarious thing he’d ever heard (well, guess who I got it from?). So, of course, I continued, because there was no person in this world that I adored more than Papa, and if I could make him laugh…SCORE! Flash forward about 22 years and my mother calling me at work. “DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR SON JUST SAID?” Oh no. Can’t imagine. Evidently, the apple didn’t fall far, because he broke a toy and uttered the OTHER “s” word, “sonofa….” Now, I really don’t say that one. Too many syllables. I like it quick and singular. So, I thought about it, as my mother was lecturing me about how I need to watch my mouth around my son, because he’s “at that age…” and I interrupted, “Mom….where is he right now?” “On the deck with your father.” “Mom….what is Dad’s favorite phrase?” Dead silence. “Exactly. Now, go lecture your husband.” Click. I’m sorry. I’ll try to do better. Can’t speak for Dad, however…"

JP writes: "I’ve never known anyone who’s actually had their mouth washed out with soap. I wish I could be that hard-core but I too, could never do it. Sounds like you handled this perfectly, though. Especially placing the soap right next to him. Brilliant."

Annie writes: "my mom’s thing was lying. she used to make us bite down on a bar of soap…not to get a lot, just to make a point. it sure straightened us out!"

Johnny Evers Breaks Down

Something happened to Johnny Evers during the 1910 season, which led to his breakdown in the 1911 season, and hastened the end of the first and only Cubs dynasty.

You can read that story here, it's today's Tale from a Bad Century.

In honor of Sigmund Freud

The father of psychoanalysis would be celebrating a birthday today if he were still alive.

Of course Freud had absolutely nothing to do with the Cubs, but this believer in Freud's theories did. If you haven't heard the story before, you're never going to believe it.

There's one in every crowd

I love this picture. Thanks to "GB" for contributing it...

Michael Savage banned from UK

This is pretty wild. I think he's nuts too, but dangerous?

"Britain for the first time has published a list of people barred from entering the country for what the government says is fostering extremism or hatred. The list includes popular American talk-radio host Michael Savage, who has called the Muslim holy book, the Quran, a "book of hate." Savage also has enraged parents of children with autism by saying in most cases it's "a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out."

He's not dangerous. He's ignorant. Believe me, that autism crack enraged me about as much as anything I've ever heard, but banning him from a country? That seems more extreme than the things he says. Besides, if he can't leave the country, how are we ever going to get rid of him?

Local TV to pool crews

I was wondering when it would get to this point. From this morning's Chicago Tribune...

It's going to be less crowded at some Chicago-area news conferences beginning Monday, with only one camera crew where four often were set up to shoot video. NBC-owned WMAQ-Ch. 5, Fox-owned WFLD-Ch. 32, CBS-owned WBBM-Ch. 2 and WGN-Ch. 9, which is owned by Chicago Tribune parent Tribune Co., announced Monday that they have joined forces to establish an independently run local news service that will share newsgathering resources to provide pool coverage of non-exclusive events. It will be up to each rival station how or if the shared video is incorporated into its respective newscasts and Web site.

Next up: one news writer to determine what the story is. Then, one news reader to read what that one news writer wrote. Just a quick question to those of you abandoning newspapers: when they're gone, where will be get our information? Seriously.

Leno to do live commercials

From this morning's Advertising Age...

"While buyers don't expect the program to garner the same ratings a scripted drama would, NBC is countering by making Mr. Leno more available for specialized marketing programs. Mr. Leno is "advertiser friendly," said Mr. Pilot. "He's not afraid to experiment with live commercials and with sponsorships."

This will be like the early days of television. It could look a little bit like this...



Or this...



Or maybe this...

Wadrobe Malfunction drama continues

The Supreme Court is making it clear that the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction is still an unforgivable sin. A lower court ruled it wasn't, but after their 'fleeting expletives' ruling the other day, they did this...(From the AP)

"The Supreme Court on Monday ordered a federal appeals court to re-examine its ruling in favor of CBS Corp. in a legal fight over entertainer Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction. The high court on Monday directed the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia to consider reinstating the $550,000 fine that the Federal Communications Commission imposed on CBS over Jackson's breast-baring performance at the 2004 Super Bowl. The order follows the high court ruling last week that narrowly upheld the FCC's policy threatening fines against even one-time uses of curse words on live television."

This whole thing seems so skewed to me. I just don't understand it at all. I was watching that Super Bowl with my kids and they didn't even notice that one fraction of a second. (And believe me, I'm no apologist for CBS--read $everance.)

Advertising Decency

Tom Taylor at Radio-Info.com has this little tidbit this morning about a bill that would ban Cialis and Viagra commercials from daytime radio/TV. I've already had to explain 4-hour erections to my kids, so it's too late for me...

"The “Families for E.D. Advertising Decency Act” may have a small chance of passage, but HR 2175 is a reminder of a paradox that one Supreme Court Justice noted last week – the Court and the FCC want to be able to fine a broadcaster a wallet-full of money for airing a “fleeting expletive” during a live awards show. But they’re okay with the daily parade of erectile dysfunction ads that include lines like “if you have an erection lasting more than four hours.” House member James Moran (D-VA) would define such advertisements as indecent, and not able to be played outside the “safe harbor” period after 10pm at night."

I have no problem with commerce (I actually wrote the words to "Viva Viagra"), but I must admit, this is a subject matter that parents discuss all the time. If you're going to be a puritan (Yeah, you, Supreme Court), then be a pure-itan. Just because they're paying money to talk about their boners doesn't mean they should be treated differently.

Oom Paul

One of the most colorful players to ever wear a Cubs uniform also had one of the most unusual nicknames. They called him Oom Paul. Find out why here, and why he was such a memorable character. He's this week's Great Nickname at Just One Bad Century.

Lennie Merullo...

...was born on this day in 1917.

If you don't remember Lennie, here is his story.

Slash on American Idol

Slash, the former guitarist for Guns & Roses, is mentoring this week's "Rock Week" on American Idol. In this NY Post article, he is quoted about his reluctance to work on the show. The article also mentions that Slash has been blogging about his American Idol experience.

I've met Slash. Spent an entire afternoon with him one time (along with Sam Kinison).

Slash can write? In English? Real words?

Meet Facebook's Porn Cops

This is a pretty interesting article about the people Facebook employs to make sure everything stays in the PG-13 range. If you have kids on Facebook this should reassure you a bit.

Say it ain't so Hasselhoff!

According to some published reports, David Hasselhof was taken to the emergency room this weekend after a drinking binge.

One of the reports says he registered a .39

That's some serious drinking, right there.

Two Types of Yoga

Contributed by "DM"

Yoga from India
















And Yoga from Wisconsin

The Haymarket Riot

Today is 113th anniversary of the Haymarket Riot in Chicago. It was an important moment in the history of the labor movement, and it's this week's "Cubs through History" feature at Just One Bad Century.

This week in...

1929

The Cubs are in the midst of a pennant winning season.

*On the same day the Cubs trounce the Phillies in a double-header behind the pitching of Pat Malone & Charlie Root, Prussia outlaws anti-fascists.



********************
1969

The Cubs are in the midst of one of their most memorable seasons.

*While Adolopho Phillips is being walked to force in the winning run (Ron Santo) against the Mets at Wrigley Field, Majestic Prince wins the Kentucky Derby.




********************
1984

The Cubs are hoping to make the playoffs for the first time since World War 2.

*The same afternoon that Ron Cey knocks in Ryne Sandberg to beat the Padres in the bottom of the tenth inning at Wrigley Field (and Garvey goes 0-4), Swain wins the Kentucky Derby. Laffit Pincay Jr. is the jockey.


********************
1989

The Boys of Zimmer are taking Chicago by storm.

*Scott Sanderson beats the Dodgers 4-2 in Los Angeles thanks to home runs by Andre Dawson and Ryne Sandberg, just hours before Mike Tyson gets a speeding ticket for drag racing in Albany, New York.

Weekend Update to Expand

From this morning's NY Times...

"“Weekend Update,” the satirical television news segment, worked during the presidential election year, and now NBC will again try to capitalize on interest in the news by producing it as half-hour specials during its next prime-time season, as well as the usual segments in “Saturday Night Live.”

SNL, which is known for skits that run too long, is expanding a five minute bit into a 22 minute bit. Should be great.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my weekly "Father Knows Nothing" column at NWI Parent. This week's column is entitled "Potty Mouth."

Yikes

I know she's a local girl (Downers Grove), and I know she's pretty, but whoo boy, singing is not on her list of accomplishments...

Chicago Radio Spotlight: Bernie Tafoya

This week at Chicago Radio Spotlight I interview the ace reporter for News Radio WBBM (780-AM), Bernie Tafoya. We talk about the news biz, the radio biz, and some of the stories he has covered in his three decades on the job.

The entire interview is here.

This week in 1908

This week at Just One Bad Century we go back in time to the last year the Cubs won the World Series, and we uncover an unsolved murder mystery. It's quite an intriguing story. You can read all about it here.

Joke for a Friday morning

"AS" sent this to me with the note: "Did one of your neighbors write this joke?"


I was having trouble with my computer. So I called Tommy , the 11 year old next door, who’s bedroom looks like Mission Control, and asked him to come over.

Tom my clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem. As he was walking away, I called after him, “So, what was wrong?"

He replied, “It was an ID ten T error.”

I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, “An, ID ten T error? What's that? In case I need to fix it again.”

Tommy grinned. “Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?''

“No,” I replied.

“Write it down,” he said, “and I think you'll figure it out.”

So I wrote down: I D 1 0 T

I used to like the little s***.

He's everywhere, he's everywhere

This is a weird story. Stencil drawings of Blago are showing up all over Chicago.

I don't know who the culprit is, but I do know someone with a lot of time on his hands.

Supreme Court justice retiring

According to NPR, Supreme Court Justice David Souter is going to retire from the Supreme Court. He is 69 years old.

That means President Obama will get a chance to nominate his first Supreme Court Justice.

I wonder if this judge is still available...

Sights & Sounds

Friday is Sights & Sounds day at Just One Bad Century, and this week we feature the SIGHT of Fergie explaining what went wrong in 1969, and the SOUND of Ernie Banks hitting his 500th home run, which he did this week, 29 years ago.

The Cubs...

...are already waiting until next year. I know it's early, but I'm officially putting a fork in this season.

Am I wrong? You know in your heart I'm not.

Disney joins Hulu

If you hadn't heard yet, here it is from the Wall Street Journal this morning...

"Walt Disney Co. took a major step to reshape the Web-TV landscape by jumping aboard video site Hulu, a move that brings together three of the biggest broadcast and cable network owners under the same banner. In joining Hulu, Disney is ceding some control over the online distribution of its ABC television and other programming in exchange for an equity stake, marking a shift in the digital strategy of the entertainment giant. Thursday's announcement caps nearly four months of debate within Disney."

If you haven't seen Hulu yet, you should check it out. You won't believe all of the gems you can find there.

For instance, my favorite show of all-time is probably the Dick Van Dyke show. Every single episode is there.

American Mustache Institute

I've been in contact with the guy who runs this site: The American Mustache Institute.

He reminds me of me. Today he runs a feature on the two players the Cubs will honor this month: Greg Maddux and Fergie Jenkins.

As it turns out, at one time in their careers they both had mustaches.

I also featured both of their mustaches at Just One Bad Century last year...

Greg Maddux


Fergie Jenkins

Mel is still making a fortune

You know the guy who ran XM/Sirius into the ground, Mel Karmazin? This will really shock you (not), but read about his compensation package below. This was in this morning's Tom Taylor column at Radio-Info.com...

"Sirius XM boss Mel Karmazin had to scrape by on just $28.2 million last year. That’s $4 million less than in 2007 and $3 million less than 2006. But he should continue to enjoy his nice Trump Tower apartment, with few worries. The Sirius XM chief’s compensation is revealed in the just-filed proxy ahead of the May 27 annual meeting, and it shows Mel’s base salary remaining at a meager $1.25 million. But the stock awards and option awards push the total package for 2008 to $28,207,212."

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I hereby officially offer to destroy any company or corporation in America for a measly $5 million.