I could care less about the Chicago connections,because I wasn’t born when they played here. But I ampicking the Arizona Cardinals to win Super Bowl XLIII(43). For the record, I have guessed wrong with theCardinals for three straight weeks in the playoffs.But that is not the reason I am picking them to win.Most experts in the football world are picking theSteelers, and when that happens, go the other way. Howmany times have we seen in sports that it is not thebetter team that wins, but the team that gets hot atthe right moment? Right now, the Cardinals andquarterback Kurt Warner are the hottest team infootball.
Pittsburgh’s defense was the best during the regularseason and has done a good job in the playoffs. But the Cardinals did not have a running game during theregular season and now have a rejuvenated EdgerrinJames, who brings a dangerous running attack.To argue who the better quarterback is, Warner or BenRoethlisberger, is hard to do. But right now I wouldgive the edge to Warner, who is leading a team that noone cared about to the biggest game in the sport.
The Eagles blitzed Warner every way they could. Forawhile in the second half it was working for theEagles. But when Warner needed to come up with a bigdrive, right after the Eagles took the lead, he camethrough. Warner could be the first QB to win two SuperBowls with two teams.
The betting line, as of Monday, favors the Steelers bya touchdown. I think this will be a tough game. TheCardinals need to force turnovers on defense and comeup with some big plays on offense. The Steelers needto keep their offense on the field, eat up the clockand lean on their dominant defense.
I want to see a close game, with good defense and goodspecial teams.Bruce Springsteen as the halftime entertainment I am50/50 over. If he goes out there, rocks the place andplays his hits, great! But if he goes out there andplays a bunch of crappy songs off the new album, Iwill be disappointed.I say take the Cardinals plus the seven points, but Ilook for the Cardinals to win straight. Final Score:Cardinals 24, Steelers 21, which means the “under” (47points total) will also win. Please gambleresponsibly!
* * *
So the Academy Awards nominations are out, and I havenot seen any of the nominated films for best picture.And I’ve seen only one of the best actor and actressesnominations (happen to be the same movie). I did enjoythe performances of Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei in“The Wrestler.” I’m not sure if they are Oscar worthy,but they give good performances in a good movie. I wasa little upset that the best movie I saw in 2008 wasnot nominated for best picture or best director. ChrisNolan’s work on “The Dark Knight” should have at leastearned him a nomination.
* * *
So did anyone watch “The View” with Gov. RodBlagojevich?If this was the move of his public relations team, itmight be a good idea to win over the nationalaudience. Going on these shows and acting like he ishaving a good time makes sense if you want peoplearound America to feel sorry for you. I’m sure thereare people across the country who feel he might not begetting a fair Senate trial. He is trying to paint thelegislature as the bad guys.But for those of us in Illinois, who are sick of hiscockiness, stubbornness and the “stupid” poems hereads, it is just another example of “cuckoo”Blagojevich. Also, it is strange to me that the onecalling Blago “cuckoo” is also kind of “cuckoo.”
(Chuck Salvatore is a reporter for the SouthwestNews-Herald. He may be reached at (773) 476-4800 ext241, at chucksalvatore@hotmail.com or atchucksalvatore.blogspot.com. Also don’t forget tocatch him every Thursday on the Linda Padgurskis showfrom noon to 1 p.m. and “The Out-N-About Talk Show”with Ron and Joe, on Fridays from 2 to 3p.m., both onWJJG 1530 AM, with the sports report. Chuck may alsobe heard every Thursday on Radio Chicagoland with RayHanania giving the Entertainment Report.)
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Torture is evil, Unless it's done by Jack Bauer
Jack Bauer is back with a bang.
So far four episodes into this season, I love it. I wasn’t sure how this season was going to be by the previews. “Twenty-Four” started out pretty good, as usual a little far fetched but good. (spoiler warning)
Jack Bauer is being questioned by Congress as this season starts out, for torturing people to get information. DUH!!!!! You can’t take that away from Jack, it is what he does best. Jack then is wanted by the FBI to help them with a former friend Tony Almeida, who they believe is a terrorist. Tony is alive!!!! What the hell is this Days of Our Lives, people die then come back, give me a break!!!!!
Anyways Tony isn’t a terrorist he is working with Chloe (glad to have her back) and Bill Buchanan (love this character-so monotonic facial expressions never change-so awesome) who are taking down terrorists and working under the radar because the new President’s people might be involved.
WHAT?!!!! These three people are their own army going against the country’s most powerful people and the world most dangerous terrorists. So they can do all of these illegal things and no one has found out about this yet.
I do love this show, and I can’t wait to find out what happens through out the season. First already the FBI has learned that Jack is never wrong, ever. If you work for the government, Jack will never be wrong and he will always choke one of your colleagues or you out cold. Also the new FBI girl (actress Annie Wersching) is a total babe, but I am not sure about her character yet. Right away after Jack starts working for the Feds they make fun of him and his methods and as soon as it was presented, Jack tortures someone.
It will be fun to see what old characters make their way into the plot of this season. I will enjoy the ride of the best show on television.
Also I am glad Nip/Tuck is back on the air. I love that show too. It’s one of those guilty pleasures. It is so silly, so out there, with such flawed and non-likable characters that I can’t turn away. This season has started out strange but I am again looking forward to seeing where it goes.
p.s. I love the bikini girl on American Idol…no I didn’t watch that show, I could easily go to any bar and watch dumb people doing karaoke drunk and get more entertainment than watching American Idol.
p.p.s. Can’t wait for the new 22 episode season of "Rescue Me" 4 to begin.
p.p.p.s. I hate award show, to me there is nothing more boring that to watch a bunch of pretentious actors pretend to like one another and pretend they are honored to win some stupid award. With that said, I hope Ledger wins for The Dark Knight.
p.p.p.p.s. I saw “The Wrestler” very real depiction of out of date indy wrestlers. I liked the movie, not as much as everyone else but it was decent, I did think Rourke was very good in the role.
So far four episodes into this season, I love it. I wasn’t sure how this season was going to be by the previews. “Twenty-Four” started out pretty good, as usual a little far fetched but good. (spoiler warning)
Jack Bauer is being questioned by Congress as this season starts out, for torturing people to get information. DUH!!!!! You can’t take that away from Jack, it is what he does best. Jack then is wanted by the FBI to help them with a former friend Tony Almeida, who they believe is a terrorist. Tony is alive!!!! What the hell is this Days of Our Lives, people die then come back, give me a break!!!!!
Anyways Tony isn’t a terrorist he is working with Chloe (glad to have her back) and Bill Buchanan (love this character-so monotonic facial expressions never change-so awesome) who are taking down terrorists and working under the radar because the new President’s people might be involved.
WHAT?!!!! These three people are their own army going against the country’s most powerful people and the world most dangerous terrorists. So they can do all of these illegal things and no one has found out about this yet.
I do love this show, and I can’t wait to find out what happens through out the season. First already the FBI has learned that Jack is never wrong, ever. If you work for the government, Jack will never be wrong and he will always choke one of your colleagues or you out cold. Also the new FBI girl (actress Annie Wersching) is a total babe, but I am not sure about her character yet. Right away after Jack starts working for the Feds they make fun of him and his methods and as soon as it was presented, Jack tortures someone.
It will be fun to see what old characters make their way into the plot of this season. I will enjoy the ride of the best show on television.
Also I am glad Nip/Tuck is back on the air. I love that show too. It’s one of those guilty pleasures. It is so silly, so out there, with such flawed and non-likable characters that I can’t turn away. This season has started out strange but I am again looking forward to seeing where it goes.
p.s. I love the bikini girl on American Idol…no I didn’t watch that show, I could easily go to any bar and watch dumb people doing karaoke drunk and get more entertainment than watching American Idol.
p.p.s. Can’t wait for the new 22 episode season of "Rescue Me" 4 to begin.
p.p.p.s. I hate award show, to me there is nothing more boring that to watch a bunch of pretentious actors pretend to like one another and pretend they are honored to win some stupid award. With that said, I hope Ledger wins for The Dark Knight.
p.p.p.p.s. I saw “The Wrestler” very real depiction of out of date indy wrestlers. I liked the movie, not as much as everyone else but it was decent, I did think Rourke was very good in the role.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Winter Classic
Even though it was a loss, the once-in-a-lifetimeevent known as the NHL Winter Classic, was an eventI will not forget.
The Red Wings came into the frozen friendly confineson Jan. 1, and beat the up and coming Blackhawks, 6-4,in a game that wasn’t as close as the score. This wasthe second annual Winter Classic, something the NHLhopes will become a long standing tradition. The event itself lived up to the hype. Walking toWrigley on a cold Thursday morning, after being outall of the night before celebrating the new year, wasexciting at the possibilities.
Before the game thosethat attended were given binoculars to look at whichplayer was not wearing the Reebok logo on the back. There were people “hosting” the event for those inattendance. Honestly I don’t remember anything thatone of them said because I wasn’t really listening tothem. Wrigley Field was transformed into all thingsHawks and Wings. Soon the players came on the ice towarm up then soon left the ice for more pregameceremonies. Once they hit the ice for warm-ups, everyone stood the entire time.
One of the ceremonies consisted of having former Cubs andBlackhawks players introduced on two stages right infront of home plate. Then the players came back out,walking on a ramp with fireworks and other explosives.
The Canadian National Anthem and the Star SpangledBanner were song, the Star Spangled Banner was song byJim Cornelison, who sings at most Hawks games at theUnited Center. I saw the replay of this on television,and it didn’t give it justice as to how loud it was at Wrigley while Jim Cornelison was singing. I wassitting close enough that you could tell Cornelisonreally enjoyed singing the song there and wasappreciative from the loud ovation he got before andafter singing the Anthem. The same Cubs and Hawks players who were announcedearlier to the crowd were again announced this timefor the television audience and the crowd on the ice.
The problem was I think each person got a louderovation the first time when it was not shown ontelevision. The first period started and it was mostly all Hawks,who played very tough, came out very aggressive andwere playing smart hockey. They went into the firstintermission with a 3-1 lead, and Chicago fans werepleased with the lead but wanted to see the level ofplay stay as intense through the next two periods.But as the second period went on you could see theswitch in the game. The Red Wings who had beat theHawks three times already at that point were playingmore physical, smarter, stronger and better than theHawks. By the time the third period came around theHawks found themselves in a deep whole. They got onegarbage goal at the end of the game, but it was toolittle to late. They had a nice lead but blew it tothe best team in the league. The experience was well worth it, it was fun to besitting in the stands watching an outdoor hockey game.
From what I saw it came across great on television.People from all over the country and Canada came toWrigley to watch the game.This is something the NHL needs to continue to do,make the Winter Classic a New Years Day tradition.Outdoor hockey in huge arenas that can hold about40,000 plus people. The only thing the NHL did wrong was the first threeWinter Classics like this year should have been withOriginal Six teams. From there go expand to otherteams, but start with the original six to bring moreexcitement to the game. At the game, the Hawks announced they would play aregular season game in Europe next year.
This was a great showcase for the city of Chicago toshow how much this franchise, which just two years agowas voted one of the worst in sports has been revivedto a popular team among the city that is being builtto be an elite team for years to come. The Hawks are back, and although they lost, they showed the world that Chicago is once again a goodsuccessful team.
The Red Wings came into the frozen friendly confineson Jan. 1, and beat the up and coming Blackhawks, 6-4,in a game that wasn’t as close as the score. This wasthe second annual Winter Classic, something the NHLhopes will become a long standing tradition. The event itself lived up to the hype. Walking toWrigley on a cold Thursday morning, after being outall of the night before celebrating the new year, wasexciting at the possibilities.
Before the game thosethat attended were given binoculars to look at whichplayer was not wearing the Reebok logo on the back. There were people “hosting” the event for those inattendance. Honestly I don’t remember anything thatone of them said because I wasn’t really listening tothem. Wrigley Field was transformed into all thingsHawks and Wings. Soon the players came on the ice towarm up then soon left the ice for more pregameceremonies. Once they hit the ice for warm-ups, everyone stood the entire time.
One of the ceremonies consisted of having former Cubs andBlackhawks players introduced on two stages right infront of home plate. Then the players came back out,walking on a ramp with fireworks and other explosives.
The Canadian National Anthem and the Star SpangledBanner were song, the Star Spangled Banner was song byJim Cornelison, who sings at most Hawks games at theUnited Center. I saw the replay of this on television,and it didn’t give it justice as to how loud it was at Wrigley while Jim Cornelison was singing. I wassitting close enough that you could tell Cornelisonreally enjoyed singing the song there and wasappreciative from the loud ovation he got before andafter singing the Anthem. The same Cubs and Hawks players who were announcedearlier to the crowd were again announced this timefor the television audience and the crowd on the ice.
The problem was I think each person got a louderovation the first time when it was not shown ontelevision. The first period started and it was mostly all Hawks,who played very tough, came out very aggressive andwere playing smart hockey. They went into the firstintermission with a 3-1 lead, and Chicago fans werepleased with the lead but wanted to see the level ofplay stay as intense through the next two periods.But as the second period went on you could see theswitch in the game. The Red Wings who had beat theHawks three times already at that point were playingmore physical, smarter, stronger and better than theHawks. By the time the third period came around theHawks found themselves in a deep whole. They got onegarbage goal at the end of the game, but it was toolittle to late. They had a nice lead but blew it tothe best team in the league. The experience was well worth it, it was fun to besitting in the stands watching an outdoor hockey game.
From what I saw it came across great on television.People from all over the country and Canada came toWrigley to watch the game.This is something the NHL needs to continue to do,make the Winter Classic a New Years Day tradition.Outdoor hockey in huge arenas that can hold about40,000 plus people. The only thing the NHL did wrong was the first threeWinter Classics like this year should have been withOriginal Six teams. From there go expand to otherteams, but start with the original six to bring moreexcitement to the game. At the game, the Hawks announced they would play aregular season game in Europe next year.
This was a great showcase for the city of Chicago toshow how much this franchise, which just two years agowas voted one of the worst in sports has been revivedto a popular team among the city that is being builtto be an elite team for years to come. The Hawks are back, and although they lost, they showed the world that Chicago is once again a goodsuccessful team.
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