Meatballs

Next Sunday, January 23, 2011, the Green Bay Packers will travel to Chicago to take on the Bears in the NFC championship game. The last time these two teams met in the postseason was December 14, 1941 in a Divisional playoff game. That was over 69 years ago. That was exactly one week after the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. You get my point; it was a long time ago.

Despite the historic value of this game will, it hasn’t stopped the “meatballs” from doing their best to taint the event. Postings on facebook and comments being made on various sports talk shows have made me vomit in my mouth.

A longtime friend and Bear fan posted this on facebook: “Biggest Chicago Bears 1st half playoff game lead since 1941 playoff game vs. Packers, won by The Beloved 33-14.”

To which I responded: “Thanks for not saying "We", Randy.”

When he asked, “Paul, that is your big pet peeve, isn't it?” I answered, “Randy, when I see someone say, "We're kicking their ass", you don't know how bad I want to ask them what position they play. I have been very good and have restrained myself thus far.”

The “We” stuff is most prevalent on the radio. Here is a sample of the moronic comments being made.

“We played the Packers and lost 10-7, but We didn’t even have our base packages in there.”

“We gonna beat those guys, We looked pretty awesome today. Green Bay gotta look out for us.”

“We stopped Rodgers when he had to win. We held him to 10 points.”

Don’t think the “We” comments were limited to the radio callers. Here are a few facebook postings:

“That’s why We won the division!”

“We are kicking their ass.”

“We are gonna kick the crap out of the Packers.”

“We want bird or bear don't matter.”

The last post shows you that I wasn’t picking on the Bear fans. There are “meatballs’ from either side of the Cheddar Curtain throwing the “We” word around in a very cavalier fashion.

I will quit bitching about these “meatballs” as soon as one of them tells me what position they play or how long they have been coaching their team.

I will say with a great amount of certainty that not one of them has ever caught a pass, made a tackle or called a play for either the Packers or the Bears. So, please give me a break and quit using “We”, unless you have done so.

Although the Packers are the only publically owned team, there is nothing wrong referring to your favorite team as “mine” or “my team” even though you don’t actually own the team. Just quit using the “We” word. Please.

I leave you with a few unedited facebook gems from the "meatballs":

“yeeeeaaaah baaaaaaaabe!!! another victorious win for the bears!!! sorry seattle u gotta go and 4 all u packer fans ill tell u the same thing next week. Super bowl bound chicago bears.”

“Can't we all just agree that Green Bay is the suckiest sucks whoever sucked? I would go on but my damn wiener kid is listening.”

“Packers did not win, they were given the game, on interception....a little like kissing your sister...if the packers were any good they should have said…hey let me win by playing real football not coward football! Take that you Packer Mamby Pandys!”

Until next time…from the booth.

BREAKING NEWS!!!

This just in, the two former players have been announced for Survivor: Redemption Island. Added to the cast are the Hall-of-Famer Russell Hantz and Boston Rob Mariano. It will be an unprecedented turn for Mariano. Hantz will be making his third appearance on the award winning reality show. Evidently the producers of Survivor realize what an attraction Hantz is. Love him or hate him, HE’S BAAACK!!!

Last year I jokingly said that if there were ever a Survivor Hall of Fame, Russell Hantz would be a first ballot inductee. Well guess what? There is and he was! Check out the article on Fancast.com to see how Survivor host Jeff Probst voted. Hantz was among the people he voted for.

A pretty impressive source, considering Jeff Probst is a winner of the inaugural Emmy Award for “Outstanding Reality Host” in 2008, a second Emmy for the same category in 2009, and the same honor again in 2010.

Here are some random observations about the 16 players competing with Hantz and Mariano.

• Ten of the competitors are from California. The other six are from South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin, Maine, Washington, D.C. and Tennessee.

• Andrea Boehlke will be representing the state of Wisconsin. The farm girl from Random Lake attends UW Stevens Point.

• Natalie Tenerelli at age 19 is the youngest female ever to compete on Survivor. Six others are between 20 and 30, four between 31 and 40, three between 40 and 50 and two are older than 50.

• When asked which past “Survivor Contestant You Are Most Like”, six and no answer or said they are their own person. Boehlke said she was a combo of J.T. and Parvati. Stephanie Valencia said “If Parvati and Russell had a love child, it would be me.” I like her style already.

• Each tribe features a former NFL player, Steve Wright on the Zapatera Tribe and Grant Mattos on the Ometepe Tribe.

What a day! Not only is it revealed that Russell Hantz and Rob Mariano have been added to the cast of Survivor: Redemption Island, but I also discover the Survivor Hall of Fame. I plan on putting up my own Survivor Hall of Fame poll. It will be located in the right hand column.

That’s it for now. Check back later to cast your vote for the Survivor Hall of Fame. Man, I can’t wait until February 16th! Until next time…from the booth.

Look What I Found!

Hey Fellow Survivor Geeks, look what I found on my facebook newsfeed this morning – “Meet the 16 NEW castaways of Redemption Island! Two former players have yet to be revealed!” Plus, two NFL players are in the cast. Is that great or what? February 16 can’t come too soon!

Here's a cast picture with some bios:


Zapatera Tribe

Name: David Murphy (31), West Hollywood, CA, Defense Attorney.

Hobbies: Sports, hanging out with friends and watching TV/movies.

3 Words to Describe You: Intelligent, thoughtful and sarcastic.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: I'd like to think I'd be myself and be original.

Name: Julie Wolfe (50), Oceanside, CA, Firefighter.

Hobbies: Outrigger canoe paddling, stand-up paddling and motherhood.

3 Words to Describe You: Hardheaded, outspoken and spoiled.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Ashley from Survivor China. She was a strong outspoken woman whose mouth got her voted off the first episode.

Name: Krista Klumpp (25), Columbia, SC, Pharmaceutical Rep.

Hobbies: Water sports, traveling and running.

3 Words to Describe You: Driven, competitive and approachable.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: I thought I was most like Natalie White because we had such similar backgrounds, but I expect to play the game with a little more edge.

Name: Mike Chiesl (31), Del Mar, CA, Former Marine.

Hobbies: Scuba diving, football and golf.

3 Words to Describe You: Determined, disciplined and outgoing/outspoken.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Rudy. Nobody was intimidated by him, so he wasn’t voted out early and he had the ability to tough it out.

Name: Ralph Kiser (45), Lebanon, VA, Farmer.

Hobbies: Hunting, hiking and traveling.

3 Words to Describe You: Determined, strong-willed and stubborn
.
SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: I'm probably a combo of Big Tom and J.T.

Name: Sarita White (36), Santa Monica, CA, Visual Effects Producer.

Hobbies: Travel, art and lounging around in various stages of repose.

3 Words to Describe You: Sagacious, wily and influential.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Some strange combination between Courtney with her awkwardness in challenges and James with his kindness and blind loyalty.

Name: Stephanie Valencia (26), Long Beach, CA, Waitress.

Hobbies: Watching movies/plays, traveling and reading.

3 Words to Describe You: Feisty, unconstrained and ambitious.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: If Parvati and Russell had a love child, it would be me.


Name: Steve Wright (51), Huntington Beach, CA, Former NFL Player.

Hobbies: Photography, scuba diving and biking.

3 Words to Describe You: Honest, sincere and relentless.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Tom Westman - just a pretty normal likeable guy.

Former Castaway – TBA

Ometepe Tribe

Name: Andrea Boehlke (21), Random Lake, WI, Student (UW Stevens Point)
Hobbies: Sports, theater, horseback riding, hunting and outdoor activities.

3 Words to Describe You: Hard-working, competitive and outgoing.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Perhaps a mixture of J.T. because he is hard working and has a farm background and Parvati because she's competitive and knows how to have fun, but I'm also very unique.

Name: Ashley Underwood (25), Benton, ME, Nurse.

Hobbies: Basketball/sports, four-wheeling and helping out on the family farm.

3 Words to Describe You: Feisty, competitive and athletic.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: I'm not like anyone but myself.

Name: Francesca Hogi (36), Washington, DC, Attorney.

Hobbies: Writing, yoga and watching movies.
3 Words to Describe You: Determined, opinionated and stubborn.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: I would most likely be a Cirie/Boston Rob combo.

Name: Grant Mattos (29), West Hollywood, CA, Yoga Instructor.

Hobbies: Largemouth bass fishing, surfing and writing.

3 Words to Describe You: Outgoing, positive and friendly.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: ???

Name: Kristina Kell (46), Malibu, CA, Law Student (La Verne College).

Hobbies: Computers. 

3 Words to Describe You: Stubborn, logical and fair.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: None.


Name: Matt Elrod (22), Nashville, TN, Pre-Med Student.

Hobbies: Athletics, reading and exploring.

3 Words to Describe You: Mysterious, impulsive and deep.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Any contestant who has played the game with honesty and integrity.


Name: Natalie Tenerelli (19), Acton, CA, Professional Dancer.

Hobbies: Dancing, spending time with friends and family, and trying to cook…sometimes this ends badly.

3 Words to Describe You: Determined, spontaneous and positive.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Natalie White from Samoa.

Name: Phillip Sheppard (52), Santa Monica, CA, Technology Executive.

Hobbies: Chess, basketball, skating and sport training with weights.

3 Words to Describe You: Outgoing, articulate and determined.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: I am my own man!

Former Castaway – TBA

What do you think? Who do you like? Leave your thoughts in the comment section, on facebook or email me at: vag57@wi.rr.com. I will give my take later this week. Until next time…from the booth.


Local Shows

Today, as promised in yesterday’s blog, “K-Town TV Changes”, I will be elaborating on the local programs being shown on channel 73. Currently, there are ten such shows in the lineup, with more to be added when the weekend schedule is revealed. For now, here is a bit more on the weekday local shows.

Light ‘em Lenny will feature the bombastic radio host from WLIP, Lenny Palmer. He will provide commentary on local political issues and take your live calls. Parental guidance is suggested for this program.

Curmudgeon Corner’s cantankerous host Michael Chagdes will provide his unique opinion on a myriad of topics. The grouchy local guarantees that your life will be better for having watched his show. Parental guidance is also suggested for this program.

Shakin’ Up Kenosha with Dennis Shook was previously seen on the Kenosha Community Media access channel. This program will focus on a variety of issues in the community. Having appeared on this show, I can attest to its fine quality.

Bundy’s Big Bang will be a music show hosted by Joey Vagnoni. Local bands will be featured with the host also performing. Lots of guitars!

Local sports savant, Pat Hegewald, will host Kenosha Sports Talk. Hegewald offers his analysis on fantasy sports, the local sports scene and a wide range of subjects outside the world of sports.

Yours truly will host K-Town Classics. This program will present clips from TV shows that I enjoyed from days gone by. And yes, due to the enormous amount of requests, The Ray Rayner and Garfield Goose will be featured on a regular basis.

Survivor: Simmons Island will be Kenosha’s version of the popular reality show. Host Mary Beth Lindqvist will guide two tribes of local hopefuls on Simmons Island as they attempt to outwit, outplay and outlast in an effort to become the Sole Survivor.

Watch out Dr. Oz! What Does Dr. J Say? will be Kenosha’s answer to the popular medical advice show. Host Dr. Jamie Burhani Cairo promises to show Dr. Mehmet Oz a thing or two.

Tasting Kenosha will be a blend of all of Gordon Ramsay’s popular shows. Elements of Hell’s Kitchen, The F Word, Kitchen Nightmares and MasterChef will be combined Kenosha style. It was a major coup for K-Town TV to acquire the services of the iconic chef.

The last local program of the day is appropriately called Local and Live! Jim Selovich will host the variety/talk show, with a co-host that has yet to be named. A weekly feature will be the “Kenosha Got Talent segment”. Already named to judge this competition is Sharon Ekern and Patty McGuire Moran Kilkenny. I am still looking for the third judge, preferably of the male persuasion.

That completes today’s K-Town update. If you would like to be considered for the third judge of KGT or you have a suggestion, please leave a comment. My email is vag57@wi.rr.com if you want to get in touch with me that way. Also, if you would like to be notified when a new blog is posted, use the same email address.

Until next time…from the booth.

K-Town TV Changes

When I announced the launching of my new network in my blog, K-Town TV, I hoped to receive some response. Well, the amount of response was impressive! Several comments were made on the blog site itself, but the number of comments on facebook was overwhelming! There were well over 50, most of them coming in the first six hours of my initial announcement. Fortunately, there was a lull during the Packer game, but things picked up afterward well into the evening.

As promised, I am listening to your ideas and suggestions. Joan will be happy to know that the Dick Van Dyke Show has been flip-flopped with the Andy Griffith Show. Now she will be able to wake up to Dick every morning.

After much consternation, another tweak in the overnight portion of the schedule was made. Because Seinfeld is so readably available elsewhere, I have decided to replace it with WKRP in Cincinnati. Thanks to Reggie for this suggestion.

The names of the news shows have been changed. The will now be known as K-Town at Daybreak, K-Town Evening News and K-Town Latest News. The cast of talent will remain the same.

While I’m on the topic of news show talent, I am proud to announce the lineup for UK News – “Taylored” for America. Anchoring the British news show will be co-hosts, Bev Cooper and her sister, Sue Symes. Doing the weather will be Cooper’s daughter, Louise. David Taylor will handle sports, while Jake Lammas will give us a look at youth sports in the U.K.

That’s it for today’s update. In the days to come I will go into greater detail on some of the local shows being produced for K-Town TV at Luap Studios in Kenosha. The possibility for additional local shows on the weekend is also being explored.

Under serious consideration are: "The REAL Desperate Housewives of K-Town", “Let’s Talk Relationships With Gus” and “Terry’s Vaudeville Days” with co-host, Patti. Keep the ideas coming!

Until next time…from the booth.

K-Town TV

As many of you know, Oprah Winfrey has recently launched her own network. It is called OWN – Oprah Winfrey Network. A tad pretentious? Perhaps, but when you are worth 2.4 billion dollars, you can call your network anything you want. Having your own network would be outstanding, wouldn’t it? So outstanding that I have decided to create my own network.

Since I am not worth quite as much Oprah, my network will be called K-Town TV and will be based in Kenosha. The local shows will be done at my Luap Studios located in lovely downtown Kenosha. If you are clever, you will figure out the studio name.

Here is the logo and the Monday thru Friday Schedule:


Midnight – 2 episodes of Seinfeld

1:00 am – 2 episodes of Cheers

2:00 am – 2 episodes of News Radio

3:00 am – 2 episodes of The Bob Newhart Show

4:00 am – 2 episodes of Wings

5:00 am – Barney Miller

5:30 am – The Dick Van Dyke Show

6:00 am – Leave It To Beaver

6:30 am – The Andy Griffith Show

7:00 am – TMJ4 Live at Daybreak – Kim, Vitrano, Gotter and Vitrano

8:00 am – The Newlywed Game

8:30 am – The Match Game

9:00 am – Light ‘em Lenny w/Lenny Palmer

10:00 am – Curmudgeon Corner w/Michael Chagdes

11:00 am – Shakin’ Up Kenosha w/Dennis Shook

Noon – Bundy’s Big Bang w/Joey Vagnoni

1:00 pm – Kenosha Sports Talk w/Pat Hegewald

2:00 pm – K-Town Classics w/Paul Vagnoni

3:00 pm – Survivor: Simmons Island w/Mary Beth Lindqvist

4:00 pm – What Does Dr. J Say? w/Jamie Cairo

5:00 pm – Tasting Kenosha w/Gordon Ramsay

6:00 pm – TMJ4 Live – Pathieu, McCrady, Fish and Needles

6:30 pm – UK News – “Taylored” for America

7:00 pm – Northern Exposure

8:00 pm – The Sopranos

9:00 pm – The Wire

10:00 pm – TMJ4 Live – Pathieu, McCrady, Fish and Needles

10:30 pm – Local and Live! w/Jim Selovich

I think it will be a great weekday lineup. Without going into great detail, the weekend schedule would consist of my favorite game shows, sitcoms and a mini-marathon from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Marathons would include: The Three Stooges, World’s Strongest Man, King Of The Hill, Whose Line Is It Anyway? (BBC), Survivor and Hell’s Kitchen to name a few.

There you have it. Pretty impressive, huh? I will give you a while to absorb the concept. Feel free to send me comments and suggestions, as this lineup can be tweaked. Over the next few days I will elaborate on some of the “local” shows. So be sure to check back often!

Until next time…from the booth.