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Thursday, December 4, 2008
There Is A Blue Chevrolet Parked In The Taxi Lane
Would the owner of a blue Chevrolet please report to the front of the hotel and move your car. New York City wants to get back to the noise and chaos of a normal day in Manhattan.
After all the happenings of the regular season, it is time once again for the post-season Sprint Cup Series banquet. Friday night on the ESPN Classic TV Network NASCAR will be front-and-center from 9PM until Midnight.
Dr. Jerry Punch will be hosting the festivities and Matchbox Twenty is the musical guest. Comedian John Pinette will be along for the laughs and Kevin Costner will be providing a historical feature. For those fans who want to see the edited version of the three hour live program, that will air on December 8th from 2 to 4PM ET on ESPN2.
This is a very difficult time for the sport amid the struggles of the worldwide economy. The NASCAR revenue model for both the teams and the sanctioning body relies on sponsorship from major corporations who then get a high-profile return on their investments. That model is currently at a dead standstill.
Friday is going to be the last very public opportunity for NASCAR Chairman Brian France to infuse confidence in the teams, fans and sponsors. His appearance earlier this week at the Sports Media Summit found him speaking frankly about the economic decline even as he lamented the lack of excitement from Jimmie Johnson.
"He's a California guy, a very nice guy, a cool customer and obviously very talented," France said. "But he's not going to do a lot of things that are going to wow you or stun you or surprise you in the ways that sometimes other athletes make their mark. We need to do more with our athletes to bring out their emotions."
That last sentence is completely the opposite of the very public signal that NASCAR has been sending out on the TV airwaves for the last two years. Politically correct drivers like Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon are the role models for the sport.
The last seventeen races of the Sprint Cup season feature six or seven ESPN announcers dressed in suits-and-ties talking about cookie-cutter drivers who get out and say the same thing after every race. The results have been a TV ratings disaster.
The anticipated surge in viewership once the sport put the final piece of the TV puzzle in place and transitioned over to ESPN and ABC did not happen. This bitter pill has been tough to swallow for France even as he presides over a billion-dollar TV rights contract that has years left to run.
This season ended with the tension between the NASCAR teams and ESPN at an all-time high. This relationship seems to be so very different than the one enjoyed by either Fox Sports or TNT during those portions of the Sprint Cup TV season. It is certainly very different than SPEED, the one network that distinguished itself this season.
While France publicly pointed to Jimmie Johnson and the economy, he may perhaps have missed one big issue. It is up to the NASCAR on ESPN team to close-out the year with a bang. That is the very reason the TV schedule is arranged in this manner.
Fox starts the season, builds the drama of the Daytona 500 and then stays on top of the stories as the season unfolds. TNT comes along and the focus is on the summer Daytona race and the "wide open" coverage. Both these pieces of the puzzle are just the prelude to the "big boys" coming to town.
While Kyra Sedgwick might be "The Closer" where TNT is concerned, it is the ESPN/ABC portion of the Sprint Cup TV package that is supposed to be "the closer" for the NASCAR season.
Rather than reflect on the fact that Jimmie Johnson is not Tony Stewart, France may be well-served with a strategic meeting to determine why the last two Sprint Cup seasons ended in disjointed TV coverage, flat ratings and angry drivers.
There may never be a more difficult NASCAR off-season in the modern era than this one. Despite the presence of additional family in the sport and professionals like Mike Helton at his side, ultimately the focus is on France to hold things together through this turmoil.
A clean and neat appearance with clearly-spoken enthusiastic words at the Sprint Cup Series banquet on Friday night is going to go a long way toward erasing the memory of the disheveled executive defending everything from sexual harassment lawsuits to the COT in 2008. This night, the spotlight is on Brian France.
Thanks to a TDP reader for the picture above from this week in NYC.
The Daly Planet will have a live forum for your comments during the Sprint Cup Series banquet. There will be a full column up shortly after the program is over to review how NASCAR and its TV company chose to present this awards program.
To add your comment to this post, just click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the easy instructions. The rules for posting are located on the right side of the main page. Thanks for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
29 comments:
- Dot said...
I can't wait until the comment session during the banquet. I wasn't going to watch it, but I will now. Thank you, JD.
I think JP will do well as the MC since he will have a "script" to follow. The entertainment also seems to fit for once. Matchbox Twenty appeals to both young and old, rockers and non rockers. John Pinette is funny.
I'm not thrilled to have to see the Emperor. He's such a horse's behind. I think some of our best comedy material will come out while he's on. Be ready TDP Comedy Players.
- December 4, 2008 at 7:34 PM
- SallyB said...
Expecting Brian france to instill confidence in Nascar is going to be a tall order. So far in his sparse appearances, we've seen a man who looks as if he needs to find a good dry cleaner or make the acquaintance of a good ironing board. His inability to put together two coherent sentences is another problem. Platitudes and doublespeak are his stock in trade. The fact that his 'revolutionary and brilliant' ideas (he'll tell you so, anyway) have preceeded the lack of interest by the fans to either attend races or bother watch on television (unless you need a good nap, or course) doesn't exactly make me think he's up to the job.
- December 4, 2008 at 8:30 PM
- Anonymous said...
I was so glad to see Jimmie in Jim Rome's show. When asked about his personality, he said this is the way he is now and has always been. Why should he be a phony bad boy? His personality is much like Peyton Manning, Tiger Woods, Eli Manning, Tim Duncan, etc. For all the cries of letting drivers be themselves, let Jimmie be himself.
Mr France should stop blaming the drivers for NASCAR problems (like putting the success of the season on Jr.)He should also notice how Forbes valued Jeff Gordon's car. It was valued more than the entire Petty Enterprise. He should also notice JJ has no trouble financing his car.
Mr France out to ask the NY Football Giants who they rather, Plaxico or Eli. And by the way, the 3rd best selling shirt in the NFL is Eli Manning's. This is out of 1600 NFL players in 32 teams.
I think it is so outragious to have the head of NASCAR diss the 2008 Cup Champion. When Roger Goodell gave the MVP trophy, he complimented Eli Manning on athletics but also for being a good role model. He didn't say how boring he was and hurting ratings.
- December 4, 2008 at 8:41 PM
- Sophia said...
I don't even know how to comment on Brian France.
He is such an out of touch embarrassment. I can NOT believe the way he put down Jimmie and puts the burden of bad NASCAR ratings on Jr...hopefully Jr will not fall for that line ..the boy has enough media fixation pressure without France trying to make Jr out a failure.
Just when you think Brian France can not say anything more clueless, he again opens his mouth, and inserts foot or feet as the case may be. Expect to see shoelaces out of his mouth at the Awards show.
- December 4, 2008 at 11:30 PM
- Anonymous said...
You end by saying "This night, the spotlight is on Brian France."
I could not disagree more.
While France will no doubt make some comments, and a bored media looking for a story will run with it, the spotlight is firmly on one man: Jimmie Johnson.
This banquet is a celebration. Of the end of a long season. Of accomplishments for teams on the track. Of the sports champion. Of history being made.
The spotlight is and shall be on Johnson all night. And it won't be because he is clean cut and a good speaker, but because he is the best driver with the best team. And Carl Edwards won't be on the podium in 2nd place because he is runner up but because he is a wheel man, won the most races, and is the second best driver of the year.
NASCAR has problems. France has to do his part to try and fix or at least mitigate them. But this night, the focus is not on NASCAR's problems or on Brian France. The focus is on the 48. All hail the champion and let everyone raise a toast to his historic accomplishment. Leave the business to work day.
- December 5, 2008 at 3:36 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Anon 3:36AM,
Um, do you read the paper or watch TV at all?
No one is going to remember anything JJ said or did this week. That is already clear after his less-than-memorable TV appearances.
What France is facing is exactly what the Big 3 auto-makers are facing...the end of his business.
Just who is going to be racing in the Nationwide Series other than Carl and Clint? Where are the Truck teams going to come from now that the KHI sponsor was stolen by NASCAR just to keep the series alive?
Other than the big four owners and their satellite teams, who is going to round-out the Cup field next season?
This year featured COT tire disasters, horrible TV coverage and angry drivers. Only one person can either right the ship or let it sink.
I think the harsh reality of what is happening in the world still has not penetrated deeply enough into the France brain.
If NASCAR has to dip into its own resources to prop the sport up for 2009, he better make that clear this Friday.
The buzz behind the scenes is not what France is portraying to the media. His enthusiastic and clear-minded performance as Chairman at the banquet is what the fans and the media are going to be watching.
IMHO, this season the drivers are a sideshow.
- December 5, 2008 at 5:15 AM
- Anonymous said...
I also agree that the spotlight on the banquet will be Jimmie Johnson. As I read the numbers on Jayski, he has preformed tremendously since he came to Cup.
Mr France cannot "save" NASCAR in the few minutes he'll be on stage. The auto makers have not gotten their government money and their bailout and that's a huge part for teams. Several owners have admitted that they have overspent in their teams.
I also think that calling Jimmie Johnson "politically correct" is an insult. Do you know him? Not just in Jim Rome's show, but all over the garage, that's just the way he is. Jimmie says that's the way he was raised. I came from a long line of polite people, and Jimmie Johnson seems very normal to me. Thank goodness.
- December 5, 2008 at 7:32 AM
- Rockin Rich said...
Anon @3:36AM & JD @5:15 AM 12/5:
I think both both of you make valid points. Although JD, I think you seemed a little harsh with your opening statement back to Anon@3:36.
I do believe that NA$CAR is facing a serious crisis with an inept leader in charge of guiding it. I don't know whether he is truly incompetent/incapable, or just doesn't care to make the effort to do his job. I think it is more the latter.
I do believe that as Anon @3:36 says, the spotlight will not be on B. France. Whether it should be is another question. If for no other reason, I think the PR types running what I believe will be a sorry show, will not allow the focus to be on France due to his ineptness in delivering a message, (sloppy appearance not withstanding).
I think the whole "show" will be a focus on Johnson. He, and Chad along with the entire team have earned their time in the spotlight. I also agree that no one will remember what he said 15 minutes after he's done.
What will not be seen is a decisive moment like we saw back in 2000 when Bill France, Jr. took the microphone away from Baby Brian to make sense of the explanation Baby Brian was ineptly making about NASCAR's plans for 2001 and beyond. I think I remember seeing that at the Banquet, although it may have been at a news conference before the 2001 Daytona 500.
Personally, I think the "show" should be on the drivers,and the just concluded season. I believe that a separate, day-time-on-a-channel-more-people-can-see occasion should be used to deliver a message about how NASCAR is going to address the 2009 season issues. And, I believe that occasion needs to happen very soon.
- December 5, 2008 at 7:36 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
I totally understand your point.
Let's first eliminate any JJ connnection so the discussion does not get off-track. This media issue has nothing to do with him at all.
We exchange a lot of email behind he scenes, and what France is saying right now in public is not matching up with what teams are saying in Mooresville. That is a problem.
For those of us who remember Brian's father, this is a time for strong and high-profile leadership to grab the media and use it to get the message out to fans.
Nothing was better than when Bill Jr. would take the microphone and start telling the reporters how things were going to be in his sport.
How NASCAR chooses to present itself is going to be critical to keeping fans for next season.
Come on, this organization does not even have an email address, a blog or a website. NASCAR.com is run by a group of Turner employees in Atlanta, GA.
The memories of how this season ended in the stands, in the TV ratings and for the advertisers are still fresh in the minds of many as they officially say goodbye to NASCAR for over two months.
It should be interesting.
- December 5, 2008 at 7:53 AM
- Anonymous said...
I do not agree that this is the time for Mr France to "grab" the media. We are having a lot of problems in this country and what people will remember of this summer is $4 a gallon price of gas and the recession.
Every business is having trouble, even the NFL. Every decision that is made will have a "victim." The new testing policy will save teams money, but now I read of the tracks and towns that will suffer unemployment because NACAR won't be there.
Unlike other sports, NASCAR is made up of independant teams. They can run their teams however they want. That makes it hard. Just because you were a great driver, does not make you a great business man. Some have not managed their teams well. Some did not have a vision and just lived in the past.
I think that if
they had franchised the teams, there would be value in teams and they could have been sold and still kept their name, heratige and value. You can look at the Dallas Cowboys or the NY Giants as examples. Even though owners have changed, they still honor their proud heritage. As it is, you have Petty Ent. who is hanging by a thread and whose value keeps diminishing.
Unless someone does something, funny, outrageous, or stupid, no one will remember it. I don't remember most of the previous ones. I do remember when Tony came out with the Hans devise, Jeff and his glass of milk, etc. So I hope Jimmie does something funny. It's his night.
- December 5, 2008 at 9:02 AM
- Deborah said...
Um, do you read the paper or watch TV at all?
No one is going to remember anything JJ said or did this week. That is already clear after his less-than-memorable TV appearances.
I read the paper, watch TV and visit a variety of websites and I've seen quite a bit of coverage of Jimmie this week as there should be. Even the New York Times is covering Jimmie this week. The focus will and should be on Jimmie at the banquet. The banquet isn't the time for Brian France to address the problems facing the sport or how he plans on fixing them. Not to mention he already addressed those issues earlier this week. If I watch the banquet it won't be to see Brian, it'll be to see Jimmie and his team be saluted for winning their third straight championship, and to see the rest of the drivers.
Those who think that Jimmie is lacking in personality and is less-than-memorable should have heard him last night on The Stewie Awards on Sirius - no shortage of personality from Jimmie or any of the other drivers on the show. Sounds like there's going to be quite some party in the Presidential Suite at the Waldorf tonight.
- December 5, 2008 at 9:08 AM
- majorshouse said...
I do not know if it is the fact that Bryan is living in Bill's shadow, or is just a pretty rich boy who has no credibility or competence. I think he needs to get it together and show the world what is going tohappen or we may not have a NASCAR. To be nice his leadership has been wishy-washy and void of any real leadership l;ike his father and grandfather always showed the world and it looks to this fan like naming him as his father's successor was a joke and a fialure and it will be really interesting to see how he handles the financial and mkotring crisis that we have created in this country and the show tonight should be rather interesting and personally I like Jimmy and how he conducts himself, but I am also looking for a little passion out of the other drivers like NASCAR promised us they would allow earlier this year and obviously that has not come to fruition too.
- December 5, 2008 at 9:16 AM
- Rockin Rich said...
Re: JD @5:53AM —
Yeah, I think we are on the same page here. There needs to be a strong, honest message delivered soon on a media source, and at a time that most people will see. Probably won't happen.
I think there is even a bigger underlying set of issues here. How did NA$CAR get to this sorry situation? As you point out, there is NO way to get a communication directly to the decision makers in Daytona Beach. It seems to me they live and function in a bubble.
How did it get to this? There must be some smart-with-common-sense people in management there. The organization couldn't have reached the level of success it has without those kind of people.
I guess there is no point in rehashing the litany of recent bad decisions. The thing that just blows me away is that they seem to continue blindly along this path to self destruction. The real crime here is that their actions, (or lack of), could drastically alter the well being of the vast majority of the people that make their living in, or associated with, NASCAR.
Just one example, in my opinion, of functioning in this bubble is that they are apparently going to again thumb their noses at our laws concerning monopolistic business practices by awarding a second Cup date to the Kansas track. Maybe it's hubris rather than blindness, I don't know.
I think it is lucky for the Beach Bozos that Bruton Smith has apparently reached a point in his life that he is no longer the force he once was. I think if Bruton was 20, or even 10 years younger he would be actively pursuing starting a rival racing series.
I certainly don't mean to be demeaning, or age discriminating toward Bruton. He is a very successful business man. I just think the recent events surrounding him indicate that things are not the same at SMI.
What's all this got to do with NASCAR on TV? I think that the semi-paralysis in Daytona Beach has resulted in in the continuing disservice that ESPN foists on the racing fans across the country. But, again, that is just a symptom of much more serious problems.
Well, this turned into a longer comment than I started out to make. But, maybe it provides more fodder for comments from your readers.
I hope that you, and all your readers can begin getting in the spirit of the Season. There are many things to be happy for all of us to be happy for.
- December 5, 2008 at 9:22 AM
- Tracy said...
"Come on, this organization does not even have an email address, a blog or a website. NASCAR.com is run by a group of Turner employees in Atlanta, GA."
That's the way they want it, and that's the problem. Stay away from the fans as far as possible so you don't have to handle their thoughts, concerns, and desires. Nascar fans are articulate, caring, and loyal to the Nth degree. Why would you want to keep them at arm's length?
Because you can. What a waste. Shameful.Shortsighted.Stupid.
Re BF's appearances before the cameras: You can be rumpled, dirty, and look as if you've just cleaned out the garage if what you're saying has authority and sense behind it. The sport needs a commander in chief who looks and talks like a. . . man. Sorry. I hate to say this, but BF has such a baby face, unhoned, unlined, as well as a petulant expression that seems to come from his DNA, I'm not sure he can look like a leader, much less sound like one. When he slams JJ in the press for being too nice, he sounds as if he has no idea what's going on in his sport. That's the real problem.
So we're back to Square One. A leader who doesn't look, much less speak, with authority or knowledge. And one who doesn't seem to care to attain either. Of course, I'm speaking from the outside, with no insider knowledge, and it's highly likely I'm totally off-base. But the issue is, this is how it looks from the stands. I'm one of millions, and I'll bet a majority see it the same way.
- December 5, 2008 at 9:45 AM
- Anonymous said...
Are you kiddin me? Brian wants drivers to "show" emotion and personality???? This from the guy who crushed every facet of driver/team reaction? The guy who forced the heroes of the sport to the retirement home so he could make the sport more Hollywood-esque and hip???
Where the heck have you been, Bryan?? Drinking the Kool Aid with Davis Hill at FOX???
- December 5, 2008 at 10:56 AM
- red said...
ok, first off: once again, not everyone has opted to pay to have espn classic as part of their cable package so for some, watching the full banquet live isn't possible.
second, exactly who is going to be home on a tuesday afternoon from 2-4 to watch the condensed version? really? is this the best time slot nascar could get from a broadcast partner to show what's supposed to be a premier event in the sport? shameful and yet not unexpected this year.
third, brian france is one of the most ungrateful and rude individuals i can imagine. he has once again blamed a driver in the sport for nascar's failures, this time the historic "three-peat" champion! brian: get a clue! you're supposed to be talking about how GREAT the drivers and teams are, not looking to shift the blame for the decline in popularity off your shoulders and on to theirs!
fourth, if brian france isn't going to hold broadcasters like espn accountable for the poor quality of their work, then what in heaven's name is he there for anyway? he doesn't present well physically, he doesn't speak intelligently, he doesn't hold his employees accountable for their actions, he doesn't attend the races, he doesn't support the non-cup series, he takes sponsor money away from the teams -- so why is he still around? oh, right: his family. pathetic and sad.
fifth, scene daily ran a quote from him that says he doesn't envision a 30 year term as head of nascar. dear God in heaven, what made him think we WANTED him to serve a 30 year term?
sixth: yes, the automakers are in deep, deep water and that will inevitably impact nascar. but if there was actually someone in charge of our sport who cared about the sport and not just all the $$ that has come to him from it, things would be different.
brian france stubbornly refuses to listen to any criticisms of the sport and so has shut himself off from a valuable resource for information on how to keep the sport alive and maybe, just maybe, undo some of the damage he's inflicted upon it.
championship week and the banquet should be for the championship teams to enjoy and receive recognition of their excellence. they shoud not be handicapped by such an inept and bumbling presence as brian france -- nor should our sport. he is an embarassment and if he's not going to learn how to even present himself in public and speak intelligently about the sport he theoretically leads, then he needs to be replaced by someone who will.
i nominate mike helton: he loves our sport, he speaks clearly and intelligently, he is at every race, he is visible to the fans and he is respected by the drivers. like him or hate him, agree or disagree with him, he is everything brian france is not and could be the saving change for our sport!
(and i won't be watching the banquet so i hope dr punch will shine in this latest role!)
- December 5, 2008 at 11:51 AM
- Anonymous said...
We just can't get away from Dr. Punch,can we? Last year's awards banquet made me cringe when I heard Syrupy Suzy Kohlber's voice. Why couldn't Bestwick be emcee??
- December 5, 2008 at 11:54 AM
- Rockin Rich said...
Follow up on my "epistles":
I just read that Kansas Speedway, and their business partner, Cordish Co., have withdrawn their application for "...Lottery Gaming Facility Manager for the Northeast Kansas gaming zone, with the intent to re-apply upon the re-opening of bidding for the zone."
Further the announcement states: "...Kansas Speedway will delay plans for the addition of a road course and potential second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race." It also says they will reapply upon reopening of the bidding for Northeast Kansas Gaming Zone.
The announcement is on Racing One. I expect it will hit Jayski and the others shortly.
Think things aren't serious? This was a big deal, (read big $$$), for NA$CAR & I$C.
Maybe the classic saying "when one door closes, another opens" applies here. They may have saved themselves from a nasty anti-monopoly investigation, or another law suit.
Now for the TV related part of my comment:
I don't have access to ESPN Classic, so I won't see the Banquet. I haven't been willing to spend the extra $$ for digital when the only channel I want that I don't get now is Classic. I may wish I had done it anyway. For a change, this year's may be worth watching.
- December 5, 2008 at 12:47 PM
- Broomfield, Colorado said...
It's Brian France's bed, he needs to lie in it. He created this disaster, he needs to deal with it. As far as putting Jimmie down, I didn't take it that way. What Brian seen is what millions of NASCAR fans have seen the last 6 years: Boredom. Vanilla. And don't get me started on "He's the best driver, he's no phony,etc" He IS phony. Alot of drivers and crew in the garage will tell you that. I know first hand.
Brian wanted to get away from the Redneck image, and Southern drawl, and he got what he deserved. That's not to say that Northerners are not good people. I happen to be from Colorado, but the minute he started to be ashamed of his heritage and past, that's the minute the sport took a down turn.He sees the ratings disater (finally), and INMHO is putting some of the blame where it rightfully goes. On Jimmie's shoulders. Jimmie has said recently, that he can't stand the crowds, the fans on pit road, and all of the media attention. Well, then, why are you here?
I agree that Brian is a mess, but the 48 teams' successes have contributed equally to flat ratings, bad attendance, and apathy toward the sport.
On a side note, with the possible extinction of Petty Enterprises, this sport is headed straight to hell, and probably won't recover from it. No matter how much success the 48 team continues to enjoy.
- December 5, 2008 at 1:04 PM
- Anonymous said...
It is great how many folks out there are really treating Jimmie like a champion. I read about how he kept ringing the bell at the stock exchange and what a thrill it was. And he was cheered.
Jimmie said in an interview that the day after getting the championship he was at ESPN in CT.
The first person he saw was Coach Mike Ditka (whom we love in Chicago), in the hallway. JJ said he went up and introduced himself to the coach and the coach said "I know who you are champ, and by the way, you are a dynasty." then Cris Carter, HOF nominee for NFL, also came and gave him kudos.
Jimmie says he was thrilled. (No one treated him like he was bland or politically correct.) I see him in interviews and video clips and he is having a ball, including at Tony's Stwie Awards.
I know that Jimmie will have fun tonight and so will his family, Rick, crew, and all of us that think he deserves to be cheered at this banquet.
- December 5, 2008 at 2:15 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
If you think this media story has anything to do with Jimmie Johnson you are missing the point.
When the NFL needs help with a situation, the NFL Commish gets in the media and sets things right.
NASCAR is on the verge of a meltdown that will end the sport as we know it.
For better or worse, the buck stops with Brian France.
- December 5, 2008 at 2:25 PM
- GinaV24 said...
Well, I'll have to catch it on DVR on the repeat day since I don't get classic. (I know tell my cable company, not you). Of course by then, I'll have read all about it and may not want or need to -- I expect it will be the usual boring crap -- funny, isn't that a lot like the racing and the coverage?
These were the things that struck me most in your blog, JD. You said that it is a "bitter pill for France" but NASCAR still gets a lot of the money, so I'm not sure how this can be a bitter pill for BF -- for the fans, yes, for him, money sweetens all of it.
"This season ended with the tension between the NASCAR teams and ESPN at an all-time high. This relationship seems to be so very different than the one enjoyed by either Fox Sports or TNT during those portions of the Sprint Cup TV season. It is certainly very different than SPEED, the one network that distinguished itself this season."
Obviously, ESPN's style doesn't lend itself to making the drivers comfortable or trusting. Which in turns leads to the fans not liking ESPN -- plus the constant disparagment of NASCAR on all the other ESPN shows doesn't do much for it either.
"A clean and neat appearance with clearly-spoken enthusiastic words at the Sprint Cup Series banquet on Friday night is going to go a long way toward erasing the memory of the disheveled executive defending everything from sexual harassment lawsuits to the COT in 2008. This night, the spotlight is on Brian France."
Oh, that's very funny -- I won't count on it! Brian France needs an image consultant AND a personality transplant.
- December 5, 2008 at 2:52 PM
- Anonymous said...
You write that it is wrong to think this story has anything to do with Jimmie Johnson. Well, I guess many are confused.
First you put a picture of his car and in your first paragraph you make reference to it. Then you mention Brian's comment about JJ and you call JJ a "politically correct" driver. Then you talk about cooke-cutter drivers who say the same thing. Then you say that JJ is not Tony Stewart.
I agree that Mr. France is not a very good executive and NASCAR needs different leadership. But I think the headlines after the banquet should be about JJ. A championship banquet honoring the winningest driver of this century is not the place to make/announce policy.
And since you mentioned Roger Goodell, I am sure he would not announce policy at a Super Bowl celebration. He would not want to take the limelight away from the champs.
I agree with you that NASCAR, and especially some teams are in a lot of trouble, but there has also been a lot of joy this season.
- December 5, 2008 at 2:59 PM
- GinaV24 said...
One more thing ... -- Yes, I remember Bill France Jr -- actually once upon a time when I was a small child, I met Big Bill! Both of those men were forceful, with a clear vision of what they wanted their sport to become and they achieved it, only to have it come down to what it is now with this 3rd generation waste of space. You're right, JD, NASCAR's fate does clearly rest on Brian France's decisions -- heaven help us. Big Bill and Bill Jr would NEVER have let ESPN treat their sport this way, contract or not.
- December 5, 2008 at 3:04 PM
- cncspd said...
Daly Planet Editor said...
No one is going to remember anything JJ said or did this week.
I'll remember and nice shot of the 48 car! LOL
- December 5, 2008 at 4:04 PM
- bevo said...
For those who don't think Mr. France has a big problem check out the other news in motorsports today. Honda is selling their F1 operation and Audi is leaving the American Le Mans Series despite admitting it has increased their sales.
Tonight might just end up being The Last Waltz for the fat days of NASCAR.
- December 5, 2008 at 5:49 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
There is a new post up for the live blog of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series banquet on ESPN Classic at 9PM.
- December 5, 2008 at 7:17 PM
- Geeze said...
John Pinette is very funny. Good choice. Much better to avoid a David Spade disaster.
- December 5, 2008 at 7:57 PM
- Adam T. Martin said...
Brian France has lost all credibility but when has he had any?
Blaming ratings on Dale Jr? Give him a break!
No wonder why NASCAR is being kicked by big media. Brian France lets it happen.
- December 5, 2008 at 11:08 PM


text:
By Ed Patino
HILLSDALE � The Hillsdale High School girls basketball team never got on track.
With their offense shut down for most of the night, the Hornets were unable to dig out of a first-half hole in a 52-31 loss to the Blissfield Royals in a Lenawee County Athletic Association game Tuesday.
Hillsdale (10-7, 5-6 LCAA) trailed by 17 at halftime, but fought back to within 11 late in the third quarter. Blissfield (13-3, 8-3 LCAA) recovered after that with a 15-4 run to put the game away.
The Royals swept the two-game regular season series from the Hornets.
"We never got into any sustained rhythm, and we didn't shoot well," Hillsdale coach Nick Langston said. "(Blissfield) is a big physical team, and we have to play teams like this to prepare for the tournament. Winning our district again is a top priority for us."
Hillsdale started well, jumping to a 5-0 lead on Hayley Maystead's layup and Jamee Thompson's 3-pointer. It would not see the lead after that.
Claire Denecker scored eight straight points for the Royals before Maddie Eves tied the game with a traditional 3-point play. Denecker sparked another Blissfield run with four straight points before free-throws and a driving basket by Emma Essen and a missile by Sara Goetz put the Royals up 19-8 at the end of the first quarter.
Eves opened the second quarter with a putback for Hillsdale, but the Royals answered with a 7-0 run, capped by consecutive baskets by Essen and Kelsie Abbott. The Hornets were also hurt by foul trouble, getting their 10th foul just two minutes into the second frame.
Maystead scored two inside baskets late in the quarter, but Denecker's putback and Goetz's 3-pointer at the horn gave the Royals a 31-14 halftime lead.
"(Denecker) is tough to stop inside, but we can't let the ball get there," Langston said.
Blissfield upped its lead to 21 before the Hornets' offense came to life. Maystead and Eves scored in the paint, while Thompson and Kim Sanderson hit a pair of missile, bringing Hillsdale to within 35-24.
Denecker stopped the run with a traditional 3-point play, then Abbott's inside basket gave Hillsdale a 40-25 lead entering the fourth quarter.
"Offensively we were crisp and we moved the ball well," Blissfield coach Ryan Gilbert said. "Claire is dominant and our offense runs through her. Tonight we did a good job getting the ball to her."
The Royals outscored Hillsdale 10-3 to open the final quarter. A jumper by Sanderson and free throw by Alyssa Anderson made it 50-31 before Kelsey Tomasek closed the game with an inside basket.
Maystead was held to nine points for the Hornets. Eves scored eight points, while Thompson had six points. Sanderson finished with five points.
"Emma (Essen) did a great job on Maystead, and she's the best on-ball defender we've had here in a long time," Gilbert said.
Denecker scored 23 points to lead Blissfield. Goetz added 13 points, while Essen finished with eight points.
The Hornets will travel to Onsted for another LCAA game Friday. The game will be a part of Onsted's winter homecoming.
"I love this time of year, and Onsted is a game that will help us prepare for the tournament," Langston said.
Blissfield locks down Hornets

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Some 12,000 Americans die every year in traffic crashes caused by speeding, according to government statistics. Officials have tried many strategies to get drivers to slow down. And now they might have found something that works, after researchers placed a GPS device inside cars that gives drivers an incentive not to speed.
Traffic safety experts have tried using big flashing signs to tell you how fast you're going. (The psychological subtext: Drivers are rational, and they will slow down if they know how fast they're going.)
When that didn't work, they tried putting cops on your tail. (Subtext: If you make the penalty for speeding large enough, drivers will slow down.)
When that failed, they installed hidden speeding cameras on major roads. (If you don't know when you're being watched, you're more likely to drive cautiously all the time.)
The next iteration of the battle between speedsters and authorities may involve putting the cop right inside your car — and a psychologist in the back seat.
Researchers have found that a small GPS-based device that constantly measures the speed of a car against the posted speed limit can slow drivers down, if it's paired with the right financial incentive.
In a "proof-of-concept" experiment partly funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, researchers found that drivers slow down dramatically when they are promised a $25 prize at the end of each week of safe driving.
The catch: Every time the test subjects went five to eight mph above the speed limit, they lost 3 cents from their prize. And every time they went nine or more mph above the speed limit, they lost 6 cents.
"We found that the incentive system was incredibly effective in getting drivers to reduce their speeding," says Ian Reagan, a traffic safety researcher at NHTSA. "Egregious speed limit violations were almost eliminated — that's driving nine or more [miles per hour] over the speed limit."
Reagan thinks the drivers slowed down because of both carrot and stick: the prize at the end of the week for good driving, and the small penalties for speeding.
For decades now, psychological studies have suggested that people are vigilant about small, accumulating losses — the so-called "ticking meter" phenomenon. But there could be another factor involved. For some drivers, Reagan said, the challenge of "beating the game" could offer an incentive to slow down.
"At least one driver said they made a game out of it," he says. "They wanted to see if they could keep that incentive amount of $25."
Reagan thinks insurance companies might one day offer the tracking devices to drivers who wish to lower their premiums. Many companies currently offer rebates for good driving behavior.
Unlike the way insurance rebates are currently configured, the devices Reagan and his colleagues used gave drivers real-time feedback — every time drivers turned off the ignition, they were informed about the "cost" of that trip.
Stay tuned for that call from your friendly agent.
It's MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.
And I'm Renee Montagne. Good morning.
Let's hear now about a possibly way to persuade some drivers to slow down to the speed limit. About 12,000 Americans die every year in traffic crashes caused by speeding. And now federal researchers think they have found something that could really be a deterrent. NPR's Shankar Vedantam regularly joins us to share interesting social science research. And he's here this morning.
SHANKAR VEDANTAM, BYLINE: Hi, Renee.
MONTAGNE: Well, what's the magic formula?
VEDANTAM: Well, apparently the magic formula is not the big, dramatic warnings or having cops on your tail, or even speeding cameras. What these researchers did was they attached these little devices to cars that essentially used GPS technology to keep track of how fast the car was going. And these little devices also were able to monitor what the speed limit was supposed to be on the specific road that the drivers were driving on.
And the researchers found that when they attached these devices and they gave the drivers a special financial incentive, this really prompted people to slow down.
MONTAGNE: So, obviously, these are subjects in a study. But you're saying that you just pay people to slow down.
VEDANTAM: Well, they designed the financial incentive in a really interesting fashion. What they did was they gave people $25 to begin with. And they said that if you reach the end of the week with a perfect driving record, you get to keep the $25. But every time the drivers went a little bit above the speed limit, the researchers took away some of their money. So they took away three to six cents every time the drivers went above the speed limit.
Now, I spoke with Ian Reagan. He's a safety researcher at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. He was the lead researcher on the study. And he told me the program really worked.
IAN REAGAN: We found that the incentive system was incredibly effective in getting drivers to reduce their speeding. Egregious speed limit violations were almost eliminated. That's driving nine or more over the speed limit.
MONTAGNE: Even though it sounds like such a tiny amount of money.
VEDANTAM: Well, I think this is one of the really fascinating things about this study, which is when you think about the disincentive that a speeding ticket can give you - you know, you can get a ticket for $150 - and people still disregard that kind of incentive.
What I find really interesting here is that the penalty is so small. And, in fact, there is psychological research that shows that people are very vigilant to small losses of wealth or money. And so when you take away the small amounts of money - three cents at a time, six cents at a time - but you're giving people feedback that they are losing this small amount of money, it seems to have a very strong effect on their behavior.
And what I find really interesting about the experiment that Reagan did is that the behavior of the drivers changed not just because they wanted to follow the speed limit or get a financial incentive, but because at some level, they were enjoying the challenge of the exercise that Reagan was placing before them. Here he is.
REAGAN: At least one driver said they made a game out of it. They basically wanted to see if they could keep that incentive amount at $25.
VEDANTAM: Reagan is essentially using different psychological biases. So the pleasure that we have at playing a game or our reluctance to see the meter ticking and, you know, small amounts or small penalties being added to us to counter the other kinds of biases that make people drive unsafely - you know, the carelessness that they feel or boredom on the road or road rage.
And Reagan thinks that eventually, this kind of system could potentially be put into use in the real world, perhaps by linking these devices with the kind of premiums that drivers pay to their insurance companies.
MONTAGNE: Although, if you link them to insurance companies, you don't get that sort of immediate feedback that you were just talking about. They would not hear, theoretically, from the insurance company for every time they got in their car and got out of their car, what they'd been doing.
VEDANTAM: I think that's exactly right. So, I mean, insurance companies currently give drivers all kinds of rebates for safe driving. But the rebates are tied to your, you know, monthly premium or your annual premium. And I think what Reagan's study is showing is the power of communicating to people on a real-time basis, you know, the reaction to their behavior.
So I think if an insurance company were to figure out a system whereby people got feedback more or less in real time, telling them here's how much your last trip cost you in terms of your insurance premium, and it goes up or down depending on how fast they're driving, it could have a real effect on their behavior.
MONTAGNE: Shankar, thank you very much.
VEDANTAM: Thanks, Renee.
MONTAGNE: That's Shankar Vedantam, who regularly joins us to talk about interesting research from psychology and other fields. You can follow him on Twitter @hiddenbrain. And while you're at it, you can follow this program @MORNINGEDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


text:
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Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Phil Cuzzi is still a douchebag
It was Cuzzi, you may remember, who gave Roy Halladay the heave-ho for hitting Rocco Baldelli with a pitch in his second-to-last start of the season in 2003, at a time when there were significant implications for Doc's Cy Young aspirations and a number of Blue Jays team records on the line.
He also put himself front and center in the 2005 NLCS when he tossed Jim Edmonds for asking where a called strike was.
Cuzzi likes to present himself as a story of faith, family and determination, as evidenced by the fact that he was shit-canned by the league in 1993, but managed to sneak in the back door to the Majors again in 1999 when a slew of the umpires resigned as part of Richie Phillips' ill-advised labour negotiation tactics.
We can't wait to see Cuzzi umpire a Jays game this season.
29 comments:
All douchebaggery aside, I saw that pitch and it definitely was a strike.
- April 8, 2008 at 12:46 PM
- Tao of Stieb said...
We'd never say anything is a strike until Jon Hale tells us it is.
- April 8, 2008 at 1:02 PM
- Colin said...
It wasn't just any pitch, Halladay hit him with a curveball. Who plunks someone with a curveball?
- April 8, 2008 at 3:21 PM
- Lloyd "the barber" Moseby said...
When Rocco is involved, the rules don't apply.
- April 8, 2008 at 3:54 PM
- Tao of Stieb said...
Is Rocco an Italian-American from New Jersey as well?
Did anyone see Paulie and Sil sitting behind home plate when this call was made?
- April 8, 2008 at 3:59 PM
- Lloyd "the barber" Moseby said...
Rocco is a Providence guinea, the kind that Billy Costigan hates the most.
- April 8, 2008 at 6:41 PM
I know this things old but still! He missed ANOTHER blatant call tonight against the Yanks! He Stinks!!!
- October 9, 2009 at 10:35 PM
- Andrew said...
Freaking Knobass blows another critcal in favor of the evil empire tonight.... Mauer shoulda had a double and the Twins should have taken game 2......
- October 9, 2009 at 10:47 PM
- brian said...
fuck phil cuzzie, what a goombah piece of shit
- October 9, 2009 at 10:56 PM
- Tao of Stieb said...
I love that this rant from a year and a half ago is suddenly popular, late on a Friday night.
Phil Cuzzi brings that out in people.
- October 9, 2009 at 11:37 PM
what is this guys deal...does he feel all warm and fuzzy inside when he controls the outcome of these games. He is a disgrace to the game of baseball...and someone should do the right thing and never allow him to ump again...not so much as T-ball. The Yankees just can't even be feeling good about the game tonight over the twins.
- October 9, 2009 at 11:41 PM
I pray for the day we hear of his firing from MLB and then the day he commits suicide to stop the pain from his terminal anal cancer.
- October 9, 2009 at 11:45 PM
- Army of Dad said...
I wonder how much money this worthless piece of shit had riding on this game.
- October 9, 2009 at 11:47 PM
- nobull said...
douche is right for him...blind douche...or douche on the take
- October 9, 2009 at 11:55 PM
- Tao of Stieb said...
I was shocked when I heard that he was getting a postseason slot...but I figured he'd make a name for himself by tossing someone unnecessarily just to show what a tough guy he is.
I don't wish him any harm. I just want to see him relegated to the South Atlantic League for the rest of his career.
- October 9, 2009 at 11:55 PM
- Tao of Stieb said...
Finally saw the replay...and that is completely embarassing. Brutal.
- October 9, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Did his pay check have Steinbrenner's name signed on the bottom?
- October 10, 2009 at 12:06 AM
All emotion aside, He had a perfect view and it was clearly a fair ball, We have to question the integrity of this umpire. Checking his finacial records may be in order.
- October 10, 2009 at 12:59 AM
he was 20 feet from were the ball dropped and missed it. were is the pettion sheet i would like to sighn
- October 10, 2009 at 1:28 AM
There is no way you would make that call with such emotion, and fervor unless you were making it on purpose. He was in perfect position, and so close to the ball...close enought to hear it hit the fielders glove as well. It also made strike 2 I believe. It happened in the NBA, why not baseball?
- October 10, 2009 at 6:08 AM
I smell a rat here. I was watching the game and it is IMPOSSIBLE that a man with even halfway decent vision could have watched from that distance and saw it as a foul ball. Then the emphatic gesture on top of it. Who was he trying to fool? I try to be "P.C." and right-thinking, but after reading that this guy is of Italian descent and lives in "Jersey" it has a Sopranos feel to it. All I know is he better take cold hard cash so as not to leave a money trail. Douchebag about sums it up all right. It takes away from both teams.
- October 10, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Do some research. He's related to the Steinbrenner's! Of course he'e on the payroll! The Yankee's are starving for a world series win. Gaurenteed he's a umpire in every series the Yankees play in. Watch! This isn't the last we've heard of Phil Cuzzi!
- October 10, 2009 at 9:10 AM
- reilly said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- October 12, 2009 at 12:03 AM
- reilly said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- October 12, 2009 at 12:03 AM
his only job was to watch the fucking line! how obvious can you get!
- October 12, 2009 at 12:03 AM
his only job was to watch the fucking line! how obvious can you get!
- October 12, 2009 at 12:03 AM
his only job was to watch the fucking line! how obvious can you get!
- October 12, 2009 at 12:03 AM
He's at it again!
He has just injected himself into the Mets - Giants game today, Sunday, July 18th. Video will show:
a) his strike zone went to mush by the 6th inning, called the high and low strike;
b) the same pitch was a strike one minute, and a ball the next;
c) after a ball called, K Rod asked "outside?" and Cuzzi pulled his mask and went ballistic!;
d) 9th inning, play at the plate, Cuzzi called the Giants runner (Ishikawa) out, but he was clearly safe (see video) - Cuzzi's eye was lifted by a high throw, and he didn't see the runner's foot over the plate before the tag hit the hip. This call cost the Giants the baseball game. Period. Like the team or not, we can't have that in baseball.
MLB - time to send Phil packing.
There are too many cool, calm, collected and competent guys waiting in the wings.
Do something with this clown!
- July 18, 2010 at 7:16 PM
I am a Mets fan and even I agree that Phil Cuzzi is horrible. I used to think that C.B. Bucknor was the worst umpire in baseball but Phil has definitely made me think twice.
His strike zone is all over the map, and always wrong. Not only in this game but I remember in the Dodger-Yankee series a few weeks ago he blew several strike calls against the Dodgers in the 9th that had Joe Torre and Don Mattingly ready to choke him.
The play at the plate (in the Giant game)was so obviously a safe call that it boggles the mind how this imbecile could have missed it. Then again, this idiot missed the fair ball by Mauer and he was standing 10 feet away staring right at it.
Also in the Giant game was the obviously fair ball nubber hit by Huff that was called foul for no apparent reason. Something has to be done about these umpires who are constantly making idiotic calls on the field.
- July 19, 2010 at 1:53 PM


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Sunday, November 2, 2008
Just How Big Is The Cup Drivers vs. ESPN Feud?
Anyone remember Tony Stewart? The former Sprint Cup Series champion, new team owner and 2008 Chaser has been a personality noticeably absent from the NASCAR on ABC coverage for some time now.
Stewart does not suffer fools easily and this season the ABC pit reporters have often eagerly stepped-up to that role. Comprised of a mix of veterans and relative newcomers, the four pit reporters covering The Chase for the Championship are in some of the most high-profile sports TV positions in the nation.
Their job is a tough one. It mixes dealing with the the wide variety of personalities in the NASCAR garage with the reality of often being told what to ask by the race Producer or Pit Producer. The combination of serving two masters has resulted in some less than memorable ESPN/ABC TV moments this season.
What makes this job even more thankless is the choices made by the TV production teams of NASCAR Now and the Nationwide Series races. Often this season, by the time Sunday rolled around, one team or driver was already upset at ESPN over a specific issue and the Cup Series pit reporter was going to get an earful.
That was the case earlier this year when ESPN finally discovered team radios. All of a sudden, conversations in the heat of the moment were being replayed hundreds of times all over the ESPN Networks. It was as if ESPN was a child with a new toy. Then, just as quickly as this fad arrived, it was gone.
Left in the lurch were victims like Michael Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart. Team radio comments by them or about them were public media fodder for weeks because the NASCAR Now production team chose to promote them out-of-context and make them into stories.
Waltrip made his feelings known on This Week in NASCAR on SPEED while Junior and Stewart responded publicly with Stewart speaking directly to the credibility of the ESPN personalities in the NASCAR garage. This echoed the sentiment Stewart expressed in 2007 when he openly clashed with ESPN reporters David Amber, Bob Holtzman and Wendy Nix.
In terms of the three Sprint Cup TV partners, ESPN has been having the biggest struggle with driver relations. Both Fox and TNT once again navigated through their portions of the schedule without this kind of incident. By the time ESPN came to the Cup Series in late July, both NASCAR Now and the Nationwide Series TV coverage had been underway for six months.
Many of the Sprint Cup drivers had already been dealing with personalities like Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis since February. These professional reporters operate in sharp contrast to the ESPN pit reporters. Smith and Chengelis have the advantage of working in a journalistic context and editing stories before airing.
Unfortunately, the pit reporters are often stuck standing face-to-face with someone and being pushed to satisfy the agenda of the team in the ESPN/ABC production truck. This was the case in Saturday's Nationwide Series race.
After Kyle Busch dominated the on-track action from the start, ESPN pit reporter Mike Massaro spoke to Joe Gibbs live with only fourteen laps to go and the race under green. Massaro exchanged compliments about Busch, but then hammered Gibbs by reminding him of the harsh penalties his Nationwide Series teams had received earlier in the season.
Massaro's interview was poorly-timed, it was tasteless and it interrupted the action on the track at a critical time in the race. In other words, it was another example of the way ESPN has chosen to treat this sport since 2007.
No one knows why targets like Gibbs, Earnhardt and Stewart are chosen. No one really understands why an off-hand insult about Michael Waltrip should be national news for days. These choices are mystifying.
As the season winds down, it will be very interesting to see if Stewart or Earnhardt Jr. appear on the NASCAR Countdown pre-race show on ABC. Both of these drivers are regulars on SPEED and seem to be having fun with the other members of the media.
Veteran fans know that messages are sometimes delivered in the two races before the finale in Homestead when everyone has to be on their best behavior. Earnhardt Jr. spoke out Friday about some internal NASCAR problems and Stewart recently said on SPEED's Trackside show that he is not going to change his media style now that he is an owner.
What pit reporter gets assigned to Stewart on Sunday and who gets Earnhardt may go a long way toward determining if fans get to see or hear from either one before or after the Texas event. Chances of a Stewart sighting are not very good.
The bottom line is, there is a tinderbox of emotion that has been building up for fourteen races where the ESPN broadcast team is concerned and it may just be the high-speed chaos and intensity of Texas Motor Speedway that lights that fire.
The Daly Planet welcomes comments from readers. Simply click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the easy instructions. The rules for posting are located on the right side of the main page. Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
38 comments:
- Karen said...
Thank goodness, you changed Tony's picture from the mugshot you had the last couple of times.
- November 1, 2008 at 11:48 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
He loves that pic! The rugged look is in. :)
- November 1, 2008 at 11:54 PM
- Karen said...
This one is even better.
- November 2, 2008 at 12:06 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
I live to serve...
- November 2, 2008 at 12:08 AM
- Dot said...
I think Jr is too polite to tell the ESPN reporters to go pound sand. Tony on the other hand...
As I mentioned earlier during the NW race comments, Tony was very nice during his interview w/SPEED (don't remember who the reporter was). He was even smiling.
If ESPN wants a story from Tony, they're going to have to have Allen, Marty or even DJ do it. At least they would show him some respect.
@ JD 12:08, yes you do, and we are glad.
- November 2, 2008 at 12:12 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
If they try to pin Junior down on his comments or question his crew chief or something like that...it could get interesting.
If you remember before the last race, he barely answered their questions.
I think it might be fascinating if Stewart wins the race.
- November 2, 2008 at 12:17 AM
- Richard in N.C. said...
JD, I'd be willing to bet that Shannon gets the assignment of chasing Dale, Jr. down for a comment, if he's not in the top 3 that go to the media center.
- November 2, 2008 at 12:25 AM
- Ken-Michigan said...
I've paid closer attention this season to the overall production of NASCAR TV than ever before.
And now that I am watching so closely, I am totally amazed at the ESPN / ABC effort put forth. Awful is about as polite as I can put it. I cannot believe that the executives in Bristol, CT allow this for as long as they have.
The pictures are the only positive about their broadcasts.
The Joe Gibbs interview with Massaro was a head shaker. If they waited til 14 laps to go to interview him ( under green flag by the way).... couldn't the producer just wait for that interview to happen IN victory lane ??
Bestwick is still far and away the only element holding this ESPN ship afloat. He's all CLASS ! And deep down I bet he is furious with the way the ESPN season has gone.
During todays Nationwide race, ESPN ended a commercial break with a :30 produced promo for the Sunday Texas race..... following that promo they came back LIVE to the race with Punch READING a promo liner for the Sunday Texas race.... that shouldnt be happening. Plain and simple the ESPN truck doesnt pay attention the way "I presumed" they should.
At the network level, I expect better and as I've said before, the ESPN NASCAR productions are LAZY !!
Nothing they can do in the final 3 races can turn around this awful 2008 ESPN effort.
- November 2, 2008 at 12:48 AM
- Anonymous said...
@dot--that was Wendy who spoke to Smoke earlier :).
- November 2, 2008 at 12:52 AM
- Dot said...
Thanks Gymmie. I should've remembered that. Too bad ESPN doesn't have a pit/garage reporter like Wendy. Maybe she can give the dwins a seminar in the off season.
@ JD, that's what I mean about Jr. He just won't lay into them the way Tony does. Maybe because the season is almost over, he will. He was pretty outspoken about NASCAR.
- November 2, 2008 at 1:38 AM
- Anonymous said...
Aside from interviewing him in Victory Lane, Tony Stewart has been completely absent from the ESPN/ABC coverage - at least in terms of interviews. And I'm not just talking about pre and post race, where you could argue some of his finishes don't warrant coverage.
No, even early-to-midweek NASCAR Now, when they routinely go through the field running interviews in the garage/trailer area that didn't make it onto ABC or were conducted later -- no Tony. None.
Now, Tony may not like ESPN. He may not be the most accessible, especially after some of his heartbreaking or bad luck finishes. But, I'm sorry... it is my opinion that if ESPN came up to Tony with a reasonable question, he would answer it. But now they don't even seem to be trying. I see no effort on the part of ESPN to even attempt to interview Stewart. And that is simply negligent if your goal is coverage of the sport.
If I am wrong and it is Tony that is refusing any ESPN interviews, than please correct me... but it seems to me more like ESPN has chosen to give up on even trying. They can't get him after a race, fine. But they can't get him by Wednesday, even for one question? Bull.
I also wonder how Tony will be covered next year. While a lot reporters seems to get him and respect him, I think there are a few who hope that the Haas team stays firmly below 30th place so they don't have to mention him. My fear as a Stewart fan is that the adjustment period to his new team will put him at the back of the pack and suddenely he'll be getting the kind of coverage Bill Elliott gets (that is to say: NONE). And not just on ESPN but all networks.
- November 2, 2008 at 1:59 AM
- Anonymous said...
I like the new picture too...but I also like the rugged look :). That picture reminds me of his QVC appearances! He has so much fun! I still don't think Dan ever hooked him up with that pizza maker *giggle*
YW dot :)
@anon 1:59--it definitely seems that way. Last year with that controversial "bad word" during Kansas practice seemed to seal the love/hate relationship. It's still so odd that they were there all that time filming Smoke & Robby and even the booth was wondering what they were chatting about still there was *no* audio. Then as soon as Smoke walks by there's audio? He's snapped at Yumyum and a few others when he's been in his moods but they've learned how to approach him. It seemed when they knew he'd be pissed, NBC/TNT would send Yumyum over and a few have been tape delayed so they could bleep out the words ahead of time. But Fox seems to send which ever reporter was covering him. ESPN only seems to if they "have" to. I also wonder how they'll cover him next year...it'll be very very interesting indeed.
- November 2, 2008 at 1:42 AM
- Anonymous said...
They ask to many questions, and need to know when to shut up. If this is producers in their ear, they need new ones. They just want let the drivers walk away. When they have a wreck, if its his fault he feels bad enough, they just won't let it go. If they have to work this way to get a paycheck, I think I would be looking for another job.
- November 2, 2008 at 1:48 AM
- SallyB said...
I'll be interested to see if either of the networks in their pre race coverage mention the comments Junior made about Nascar, saying that money is now the driving force behind everything. It was a polite slam on a lot of levels...let's see if anyone mentions it.
- November 2, 2008 at 7:09 AM
- ri88girl said...
Did anyone else notice last night that when Burns went to talk to Clint Boyer he fist said Clint wanted to waite a minute to cool down. I thought that was interesting on two levels. First, it indicates that the non smurf contingent of the pit reporters have developed some rapour with the drivers. Second, it seems to me it was the truck that went to Burns too soon and forced him to cover for Boyer wich seems like the truck was trying to start something.
The pit reporters and booth crew are the most visible and so get the heat for the sh*t coverage, but I really think this all eminates form the truck. Which is why I for one am going to start aming my ire at them and not the Smurfs who have improved and I think will continue to do so. Wendy and Krista have so many things working in their favor that it skews our perception of them. Objectively, Jamie has improved by miles. Shannon is weaker, but if she had GOOD help she would be fine.
I wonder if the problems with how ESPN has chosen to cover the driver has effected the booth crews ablility to mine the garage for information; which in turn effects the quality of the broadcast. At one point yesterday, Andy was reduced to saying 'there goes the nine car of kasey kahne' I was afraid he'd started drinking Doc's water!
- November 2, 2008 at 7:43 AM
- stratcat said...
ESPN needs to stick to their little ball games and get out of real sports!
- November 2, 2008 at 8:29 AM
- Rockin Rich said...
Responding to a combination of previous comments, (Ken-Mich. & Ri88Girl):
The LAZY label certainly seems to apply to the "smurf contingent" of pit reporters. It has been commented on many times that they don't know, or understand the basics of the cars and racing. They have been at this all year long now, (ten months anyway). I think this, (IMO), shows a pronounced lack of respect for the sport in general. I think it is a root reason that they are treated the way they are on pit road.
I can get past the image of these pretty, perky little women asking all these "he-men" drivers about their racing experiences, or situations. Wendy and Krista are also "pretty and perky", but they are treated with respect by the drivers. Why? Because they have earned it! They have put in the hours needed to learn and understand the sport. It shows with every encounter they have with the drivers.
I expect that a similar analysis could be made about the "voices in the ears" that are prompting the pit reporters. They don't seem to know, or understand the sport they are televising. Nor do they seem to care. Maybe it's just a paycheck?
- November 2, 2008 at 8:37 AM
- Anonymous said...
I didn't have an issue with the *content* of Massaro's interview; just the timing. Their team cheated and he had the right to bring that up in talking about the season since losing people could have had a major impact on the team and they overcame it. But the choice (presumably by the producer) to do this late in the race was pointless. Why not wait til after?
I have the feeling the pit reporters are being asked to do things they may *know* are poorly timed or whatever, but they have to do it anyways. And pit reporting is a very specialized thing--as JD pointed out, print journalists have time to put together stories and edit. These folks MUST be good at ad-libbing, and clearly, Shannon is not. I have *some* hope for Jamie (if she gets rid of the 'feeling' questions) but Shannon is hopeless. I think with better direction the rest would improve and surely, they could find some better people.
It should be noted that Wendy is married to Tony's engine tuner--not saying that's *why* he's usually nice to her, because she is tons more professional than the rest and has proven herself, but I think maybe it helps keep Tony calm. But I have to agree that the drivers and owners must watch TV, and must see and hear the completely ridiculous moments that go on. For their sponsors sake, they must continue to endure it (except, notably, in Tony's case since he's leaving.) But they (and we) certainly deserve better.
- November 2, 2008 at 8:49 AM
- Anonymous said...
Like others here Thanks for changing Tony's picture. And for all your hard work here.
I will now admit I read comments before posting -I usually don't.
I agree with most of the other comments. Last year at this time I was hoping some posters were wrong it was espn year 1 & this year would be better. Its not, if any thing its worse.
Tim Brewer still has not done a Mea Culpa for his rekindle of the feud by throwing Tony & newcomer Joey under the bus with his lying assumption about cheating. And why would he? espn is always right, just ask espn. Tony & espn had a run in last season & Tony was pilloried on several espn shows, and now comes the news freeze.
Why espn continues to antagonize the drivers, & bite the hand that feeds it is beyond me.
I, like Ken & others, continue to be amazed at the lack of respect & prep that the suits in Bristol allow from the production truck. Yup the video is good,when its not a 1 car shot, when its not covered in graphics, or commercials or promos. The whole thing as a produced event is a mess.
As far as Jr, well he's growing up in front of our eyes again. From racer to businessman. And he isn't happy with the way the business is treated. And he said something, and I hope he and other racers say a lot more.
I wonder how long espn would let a sideline reporter or a producer stay on the job if it was football, and they showed this kind of contempt for the sport & refused to learn?
- November 2, 2008 at 9:05 AM
- Kyle said...
Well. They are heading into their third year of 8 in 2009. After their contract is over, they may get 'kicked out' again.
- November 2, 2008 at 9:12 AM
- Matt said...
To determine if this is the pit reporter's doing or the producer's fault, I think all you have to do is look at the Montreal NW race from last year. Marty Smith was on pit road interviewing Robby after he was penalized, and you could just see how he was being forced to ask pressing questions.. even when you thought enough was enough, here comes another question; not something you'd expect from Marty.
Sure the pit reporters can do their job by being respectful of the drivers, but ultimately I think it's all up to the producer.
Clearly a change is needed. It's too bad we can't get more of TNT's producer.
- November 2, 2008 at 9:36 AM
- Newracefan said...
The off the mark questions have made me crazy for some time now, every time I think ESPN has gotten past it here comes another one. I was somewhat aware that Tony was no where to be seen on ESPN (I too like this picture better)I knew it wasn't him because Speed didn't seem to have any problem talking to him. He has always had great interviews with Wendy and I'm sure that's because he knows her on a personal level and she has never abused that privilege, respect goes a long way. ESPN can't afford to PO drivers, there are other outlets for them to be seen and heard so ESPN needs them more than they need ESPN (this may not apply to the back markers but it sure applies to the front runners and their friends)
- November 2, 2008 at 10:10 AM
- Rockin Rich said...
Well, let's start another thought:
Have you-all, (yeah, I live in a "you-all" state), noticed that "what does it mean", and "what's it like" have, for the most part, replaced "how does it feel"?
I normally don't get distracted to the point of noticing this stuff like some of the more observant posters here. But, the constant repetition of these phrases is really starting to intrude into my consciousness.
Another example of a lack of preparation? Or a laziness in relying on worn out, easy to remember questions?
Man, where is the pit road talent, and presence that Dr. Punch used to display?
- November 2, 2008 at 10:32 AM
- Ken-Michigan said...
Interviews from the pit / garage area could be greatly improved by just making the interviews shorter.
It all started in Daytona that I noticed this. ESPN shows seemed to do attempt to make an "in depth" interview out of something that should have been a one or two question interview.
Now that we have made it this far into the season, ESPN pit reporters are still doing the lenghthy interviews and its way too much.
Many many times when I think the interview is over, they continue with another and another question. This should have been adjusted long ago by the production team.
Get in & get out..... and move on !! Get back to the cars on the track.
- November 2, 2008 at 10:51 AM
- ri88girl said...
The lack of...everything(!) on pit road was one of the reasons I felt so stongly at the beginning of the season that Punch would really serve both the network and the fans much better by going down there and schooling them on how its done. I get the impression that to do so would be a 'step down' (if you say so) and would never appeal to him in the same way KP would not go to Trucks. I guess I don't get this philosophy cuz I'm a girl. It seems stupid to me to not do something you'd be so good at just because it's marginally less prestigious.
- November 2, 2008 at 10:52 AM
- Anonymous said...
I still disagree with saying the ESPN pit reporters are too harsh. Im sick of seeing the people at SPEED being all buddy buddy with the drivers. A good example of this would be Matt Yocum. I can never take him seriously when he interviews Tony Stewart. Everyone knows how good of friends they are. I think sometimes some of the reporters at SPEED cross the line because they are best friends with drivers. I believe that if your a reporter you should take job seriously and not become best buds with the drivers. I think it seriously interfers with work. there can never be a serious interview.
- November 2, 2008 at 11:58 AM
- David said...
Lets be realistic here. When drivers and TV broadcast partners are at odds, you have a serious issue. I can remember back to the Vegas Nationwide race when Tony made Jamie Little look like a college med student halfway through their training. He rattled her and she didn't even have any idea.
A fact of life is Tony Stewart, Dale Jr and some of these other "personalities" make this sport go 'round. That being said, don't shove them down our throat every chance you get (hint hint ESPN).
Its a respect thing as well, drivers have picked up on ESPN's "script" style and do not care for it. On the other hand SPEED and FOX are alot of people that are very friendly with the drivers and it comes across. Stewart and Yocum are a prime example of that.
Hopefully this turns around though.
- November 2, 2008 at 12:10 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Anon 11:58AM,
You are not bothered by Rusty Wallace (owner), Brad Daugherty (owner) and Ray Evernham (owner) telling ESPN viewers about NASCAR?
- November 2, 2008 at 12:16 PM
- 3bud said...
Well the most exposure the Truck Series got from ESPN was a made up bunch of BS on Ron Hornaday. The way they treat drivers, teams, team owners as with Joe Gibbs yesterday,and the sport all around is ridiculous considering what they have invested. The producers I would think are the real culprit in the pit reporters insanely ridiculous questioning and badgering of drivers and crews. But if a "reporter" can go out and make up a story for the sake of making up a story and report that as news there is no credibility. No one wants to speak to someone who is willing to take what you say and make it into something else. Marty, Dale, Andy,and yes Dr. Jerry Punch have been around and I believe have the respect of and for the sport as does Allen,Rusty and a few others.But the refection of ESPN as a whole on the sport is basically that of disrespect.From their news shows to the sports programs,NASCAR NOW the exception they show how they really feel about NASCAR.Hype Hype and more Hype.As for the other programs I avoid them now because of their attitude to the sport so maybe things have changed somewhat. Bottom line ESPN is there are more and more options to follow NASCAR,I would think it be in their best interest to maybe listen to what the fans really want and not try to force what you think we want.
- November 2, 2008 at 1:03 PM
- Sophia said...
yea that whole Hornaday story did it for me..I barely catch a glimpse of the Mon NN anymore...I'd rather catch TWIN.
Jr admitted on WT to Robin Miller NASCAR will never shorten the season or the races due to all the tv contracts, etc. How sad that has dictated NASCAR to the point of alienating it's base...but I hear the same thing from friends that watch other sports.
I have been wearing my tony stewart jacket a lot lately...I only got it a year ago as a birthday present from a friend...how sad this COOL HOME DEPOT jacket will signify 'toast' next year..but it still says tonystewart on the back....I wish him well but he's in for a struggle with the new team. Will still be a fan...just wished he could've waited a couple of years since I never owned a NASCAR jacket before.
I have never been so "NOT SAD" to see a racing season end...in fact, I will be glad when it's over.
Never said that a few years ago.
Thanks ESPee U.
- November 3, 2008 at 1:24 AM
- Anonymous said...
I was also shocked by the timing of Massaro's interview with Joe Gibbs. Absolutely mindless. Then,after the race,Busch gets out and was just ready to deliver his "bow" and they put the points standing on the screen! Like him or not,can you imagine doing that just as Carl Edwards is ready to do a backflip? The pit reporters are awful,but the clowns in the truck should all be fired.
- November 3, 2008 at 6:43 AM
- Ziggy said...
Should we be shocked that ESPN had JR & Tony Jr as their "in race" reporters ???
Is this a "deal they could not refuse" ?
- November 3, 2008 at 9:53 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Cha-ching! Recognize that sound?
- November 3, 2008 at 10:28 AM
- Anonymous said...
I like Jr, but he like many athletes, speak without thinking thru every thing they say. We are all around peple all the time who yearn for the "good ole days", but never want to give up what the new days have given them.
Part of the money that Jr and all drivers/owners make, comes from tv contracts and track revenue. Jr will make some $40-50 million this year. Why then did JR Motorsports have to lay off employees this week? I mean, this is horrible, just the month before Chirstmas.
If you read about Jr and his sister, they do everything they can to maximize his brand and its worth. He has a team of 40 employees who search and identify commercial endorsements for him. That's all they do. They are very good, it is said that he will pass Jeff Gordon as the highest earning driver next year.
Has Jr even thought how many people would be out of work if NASCAR reduces the season by 11 races? Sure, he's willing to take a 2 or 3 million dollar cut, but what about the poor guy who only makes $30,000 per year?
DJ on ESPN said that it's not the racing 36 times that burns you out, it's all the other stuff you have to do: personal apprearances, sponsor duties,etc., and of course with Jr, he has several personal services contracts outside of NASCAR.
Jr could decide on his own to drive only 26 times. Of course he would lose his ride with HMS, his contracts with AMP, etc. But if he wanted to, he could lead the charge. I just don't know how many drivers would follow him.
NASCAR if a good thing. If he would read up on the growth, he would see how many more people earn a living in NASCAR in just the last 10 years. It has brought jobs and prosperity to a lot.
Jr, take a deep breath and call your sister.
- November 3, 2008 at 10:34 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Anon 10:34AM,
I am going to leave your post up, but I am not sure what it has to do with the ESPN problems with some of the Cup drivers.
As you know, all of the multi-car teams have product marketing departments and usually share opportunities to market types of products with driver endorsements.
The difference between NASCAR and leagues like the NFL and NBA is that to play in those leagues you must give up the rights to your own name just to get on the field.
No individual sponsorships are allowed and no signage of any type can be displayed even during post-game press conferences.
I don't know if you are upset with Jr. for his marketing or just mad at the NASCAR system. Our post was about the tough times that ESPN has been having with the Cup guys this season.
Anyway, thanks for the comment.
- November 3, 2008 at 11:47 AM
- Anonymous said...
from anon 10:34
JD, sorry I did not refer my comments to a previous comment. A couple of people had mentioned Jr comment on a news conference. Then you made the comment at 12:17 about a reporter pinning Jr on one of his comments.
I should have said that it is true, no one asked Jr to explain further how his opinion that the NFL does things better would benefit the NASCAR community.
Thanks JD, for your comment.
- November 3, 2008 at 3:31 PM
- Anonymous said...
re: JD 11:47
NFL athletes may have their own endorsements without signage. Probaly the most famous is Payton Manning and his many endorsements from credit cards to Oreos, to cable tv, etc. Another is Brett Favre who is usally playing football with a big 4 on his t-shirt to adversite for Levi's
- November 3, 2008 at 3:39 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
The NFL and NBA players off the field can gain income from personal endorsements. Some are done in concert with the league and have an NFL or NBA logo.
The ones you mentioned are strictly product endorsement and do not have any type of payment made to the athlete when a product is sold.
This is the biggest complaint of the athletes in these leagues and has often resulted in legal battles over nicknames (Ocho Cinco) and others like "King James."
It is a murky world that is all about cash.
- November 3, 2008 at 3:51 PM


text:
CLAY: I dream about monsters. They talk to me when I'm asleep.
ME: Are they nice monsters like Elmo?
CLAY: Moooom! Elmo isn't a monster.
ME: Yes, he is. He's a friendly monster.
CLAY: Mooom. You mean cookie monster?! He says this as if I'm completely stupid.
CLAY: Elmo isn't a monster.
ME: Ok. What is he?
CLAY: He's Elmo (DUH!)
How do you argue with that reasoning?
Kids know everything. Much like Bill Cosby, I realize there is no reasoning with a child. You'll feel your own IQ slip a few points if you try.
While cleaning her teeth this afternoon, the dentist informed my six year old that her bottom teeth were starting to get wiggly.
ME: Are you excited? Soon you'll lose your first tooth! You'll be able to put your tooth under your pillow for the Tooth Fairy!
DENTIST: What does the Tooth Fairy bring you when you lose a tooth?
LEXI: Well, if you put three teeth in your pillow, the Tooth Fairy brings you like three quarters. Or if you put one tooth in your pillow, she brings you a dollar.
Remind me to work with Lex on her math skills.
Stop by Mamaslike to see the latest, greatest gift ideas, find out what's on sale, and enter for a chance to win!


text:
Group for fans of the new and old Tv Show as well the comics/books, games... that happens in the conflict SPOILER WARNING TO CLONE WARS SHOW! "The end of the war is near..." This group now officially takes the entirety of the prequels.
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text:
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Frankie goes to Holywood (Or how I spent my Economic Stimulus Check) Week 1
45 comments:
Welcome back, Frank! What did you bring us?ReplyDelete
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete
- Anonymous5:52 PM, May 03, 2008
Agree with you about El Al. Is it just that America is so big that we can't ensure that kind of security on our airlines?ReplyDelete
I really envy you the trip to Israel. It's been on my to-do list for decades but time is running out.
Just got back from the Holy Land - and heading back for trip #5 in another month...ReplyDelete
Your pictures are great (i have some israel pics on my blog as well)
Almost got shot in the holy land last time I was there. The convent we were staying at (don't ask) had an eleven o'clock curfew and we were running back through Jerusalem to make it. Needless to say, the guards didn't take too kindly to it. I was lucky as hell they decided to let me go, my friend behind me pointed out how they reacted.ReplyDelete
Cool pictures.
Hey Frank and Mrs.Frank! Enjoy Israel! Glad to see that ya'll are having fun.ReplyDelete
I'm sorry. I don't believe it. "My wife forced me to go to the lesbian bar." Not if you have a Y chromosome. I think it was the next best thing to the strip club you could come up with that she would agree to. She probably shot down the midget strip club next door.ReplyDelete
Hey Pinky, check out the Onion radio newscast: "Longtime Sexual Fantasy Awkwardly Fulfilled". I have several lesbian rock climbing buddies, and this fact is always of extreme interest to guys.ReplyDelete
- Anonymous11:27 AM, May 04, 2008
It was a compromise Jimmy Carter would have been proud of..She likes Jazz, I like Lesbians.ReplyDelete
it is unfortunate that the lesbians i LIKE tend to be the butch ones. they're just like hanging out with the boyz.ReplyDelete
the ones that make my jaw hit the floor tend to hate me. that's why i could never close the deal even with many cocktails.
i think i came on the scene a bit too early for it to be common for those young beautiful cheerleaders i see in all those 'art' films to go for a romp with me. *sigh*
I have yet to meet a conservative lesbian--that's your problem, Doc.ReplyDelete
That and being a man, of course (-:ReplyDelete
ARt filM? Is that code word for Gay porn? Speaking of GAy porn I want to post some up on the propaganda posters my nurse manager puts up saying we met 91 percent of our goal for this quarter.ReplyDelete
It's actually straight porn: Supposedly gay women, performing for straight men. Should have a disclaimer, "No actual homosexuals were involved in the making of this film."ReplyDelete
- Anonymous8:17 PM, May 04, 2008
Memorable dates in my life..ReplyDelete
2-20-62, John Glenn first American to orbit Earth
4-4-68, Martin Luther King assasinated
6-2-80, Graduated Highschool
10-28-95, Braves win first World Series in Atlanta
4-26-01 Winona Ryder and Jennifer Anniston kiss on episode of "Friends"
Its been downhill since then
That's so funny-I was just thinking of that scene. It was Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox, Frank (I wasn't distracted by my hormones)--they kissed for 60 seconds to get something out of the guys, and the guys then both hurriedly said, "I'll be in my room".ReplyDelete
There is something very sexy about a soccer mom with an uzi. Good to have you back from the holy land. You weren't over there with Carter on his "peace" mission, were you?ReplyDelete
- Anonymous10:03 PM, May 04, 2008
Devorrah, don't challenge me on my Winona Ryder lesbian kiss trivia. I'm certain because thats the only Friends episode I went out of my way to see. And Shrodinger, I almost gave up peanuts when that mongoloid Carter was elected president so I wasn't aware he was over there.ReplyDelete
Hey, I used to LIVE with a lesbian, so I know my lesbian trivia. We must have seen different episodes with different lesbian kisses. Wow, I just typed the word lesbian four times in one comment.ReplyDelete
So if it is two women having sex it is not gay porn? Now you sound like a guy Devorrah. I have heard that from Men before. "Oh two women together? That is Art not pornography. Geez, what are your thoughts on Robert Maplethorp?ReplyDelete
the 'straight porn' comment reminds me of a great mystery.
women's sexuality seems to have plasticity (no pun intended), also, same sex encounters among women can easily be discounted as 'experimentation' or a 'phase'. also, 'lesbians' in a 'commited relationship' sometimes uncommit and go straight, often getting married and having kids etc...
why is it therefore, that for guys, all you gotta do is suck one dick and you are forever a 'cocksucker'?
i love that one!
but seriously, i believe what you say that most of the women in those movies are straight and 'just acting', but i would not believe it from any male 'actor' in gay porn. see above.
i believe now is about the time that etotheipi will chime in with one of his first hand observations. all puns intended.
mappelthorp was not edgy enough for me.ReplyDelete
honestly, his photos were only famous because they managed, in an age where very little is offensive, to offend. he also had the impenetrable armor draped on him for representing an 'oppressed' group.
his stuff was shit. absolute shit.
I know that to be true because I know so many lesbians, and they would never consider watching that stuff (one sister and many friends). The actresses may have some lesbians in their ranks, but those films are produced for MEN. There is lesbian porn, but it is produced for women, by women, and it doesn't look anything like that.ReplyDelete
911, I think you're right. Some lesbians are bisexual, and you have to careful to not "out" them when they're around the militant anti-male lesbians. I was on a climbing trip when I accidentally caused World War III in the car by asking one friend about a man I knew she was seeing. That kills your gay cred if you're bi.
Which isn't to say that in general lesbians are anti-male--they're not. They probably have less to be pissed about than straight women, since they don't sleep or live with y'all. I just happened to know a few at the time, and we've since parted company.ReplyDelete
This is weird.ReplyDelete
Lesbians huh? That reminds me of how whenever I reveal my "list of 5" (you know what I'm talking about, right? my 5 famous people freebies if I ever were to run into them?) everyone is always shocked that there is one woman on there in addition to the 4 men.ReplyDelete
- Anonymous1:15 PM, May 05, 2008
Radioactive girl, I've been to one World Fair, a picnic, and a Rodeo, but I have no idea what your list of 5 is, please enlighten me.ReplyDelete
Everybody has a List of 5, Drackman.ReplyDelete
RadGirl, mine changes every couple of years, but there's always at least one chick on it. I mean, if you're really making a List of 5, be honest about it! ;-)
monkeygirl-thank goodness you knew what I was talking about, and I love that you also have a girl on yours too. Yes, mine changes sometimes, but has remained mostly the same for a while now.ReplyDelete
- Anonymous3:28 PM, May 05, 2008
Hey, you can't throw that out without disclosing at least part of your list..ReplyDelete
Kate Hudson and Neve Campbell are the two women that take turns being on my list. The man on my list that usually gets people looking at me funny is Jim Belushi. The other 3 men are nothing shocking, although not the regular crushes most women have (I am not attracted to Brad Pitt, George Clooney etc.) I think I wrote a post about my 5 once, but I have no idea where in my archives it would be. If someone went looking for it and took the time to find it, I'd probably be afraid of the time they spent searching!ReplyDelete
Brad PittReplyDelete
Will Smith
Matt Damon
Keira Knightley
Gina Gershon
Now that I think about it, it's been the same for at least five years.
I have never heard of the "list of five" (people you want to have sex with), so I Googled it, and this was in an episode of "Friends" too! You have women on your list? Wow, I totally lack the bisexuality gene. Can you include guys you know in real life, or does it have to be famous people? I don't to have sex with any famous people.ReplyDelete
Ok, for the record, I don't have a list of 5 and had never heard of it until just now.ReplyDelete
Freakin' MDOD has taught me more this year than the U has (don't even say anything about that erdoc85) Haha.
- Anonymous5:31 PM, May 05, 2008
Hmm Jessica Beal,Jessica Alba, Jessica Simpson, Jessica Lange, and Sarah Jessica Parker.ReplyDelete
Since monkeygirl listed her entire list, here's mine:ReplyDelete
1. Judd Nelson
2. Will Friedle
3 Barry Watson
4. Jim Belushi
5. Neve Campbell/Kate Hudson
And once again I ask where the heck erdoc85 has been lately. Do you have him tied up somewhere?
Devorrah-I don't know about including people you know in real life...that might get dicey depending on whether you are married or not. My husband named one of my friends not too long ago, and let's just say he's lucky I am pretty secure with myself because otherwise he could have been in some serious trouble. He's also lucky that he chose the friend of mine that is the most like me, and named that as the reason he picked her. Her ginormous boobs may not have hurt her chances of him picking her either, but I'm going to pretend it was her stunning personality that he wanted.
911: Wow, I see what you mean about women having a flexible sexuality. I had no idea. I can't imagine any of you guys having a man on your list, unless it was a transsexual named Jesse/Jessica (Frank).ReplyDelete
Okay, lemme think:ReplyDelete
1) George Clooney--why do we need 4 more?
2) Johnny Depp
3) James Spader (love his attorney character in Boston Legal)
4) Rufus Sewell
5) Sean Connery circa 1970
a wise man once said, "there are two kinds of women... women that like having sex with women, and women that don't know that they like having sex with women."ReplyDelete
Quote of the week: "mappelthorp was not edgy enough for me."ReplyDelete
-- 911doc
I have no women on my list. I never have, and I don't think I ever will.
At the moment, I have no men on my list, either. If I was forced at gunpoint to make a list, I might put Joshua Bell on it, but if he came to the door, I'd still decline.
I am an L&D nurse. I KNOW I don't want to have sex with that!ReplyDelete
- Anonymous7:51 AM, May 06, 2008
Great quote 911.ReplyDelete
- Anonymous8:47 AM, May 06, 2008
Blast!! The Israeli porn won't play on my DVD player. Seems Israel DVDs are "Region 2" and the US is "Region 1". I guess theres a big black market of guys sneaking stuff back from the middle east. 2 choices, get expensive multi-region DVD player, or move to Middle East full time.ReplyDelete
Hey Frank, I reckon Jessica Rabbit is hotter than Sarah Jessica Parker.ReplyDelete