In two of Tom Cruise’s best known movies, his character has someone close to him, who is less aware, named “Ray.”
Dustin Hoffman, a true acting great is “Ray Babbitt” in “Rain Man,” the movie’s star and Cruise’s “Charlie Babbit’s” savant brother.
Eight years later in “Jerry Macguire,” (1996) Cruise as the title character/lead is “involved” with recently named, ’19 Academy Award “Best Actress” for her portrayal of the great Judy Garland, in “Judy,” Renee Zellweger.
Ms. Zellweger’s “Dorothy Boyd” has a very young son named “Ray,” played by Jonathan Lipnicki.
Click above to view a great routine featuring Bill Saluga. Comedic great Redd Foxx standing to Mr. Saluga’s right, starts it off.
Last year, with free agent Bryce Harper in his first season, was supposed to be the Philadelphia Phillies’ year, to at least win the N.L. East. Of course it was not and Harper’s former team, the Washington Nationals, a wild card team from the N.L. East won it all.
This season under new manager Joe Girardi, I predict the Phils to win a wide open N.L. East.
Four teams have projected wins totals of roughly (86-90) with the defending N.L. East champion, Atlanta Braves heading the list.
My second choice, the New York Mets are third on the list, the Nationals my fourth choice are second, the Phils, my top choice are fourth. The perception is a close race.
The Florida Marlins are an almost unanimous choice to finish fifth. I do see improvement for the team.
In the almost completely meaningless college basketball regular season, at times games that really do not matter, get inordinate attention.
Such was the case this week when North Carolina State, playing at home, routed perennial power and 5 time champion under current coach, Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University.
N.C. State deserves credit, however, this could work in Duke’s favor. The race for the title is wide open and it would be foolish to not consider Duke as a major contender.
The ones who know best, certainly they do not know nor claim to know all, the people who set odds, have Duke as only a slight underdog, to make yet another national semi/final four appearance.
Norman Sloan, pictured above, guided North Carolina State to the ’74 title.
On this episode of “What’s My Line?” from 1954, the great Doris Day, makes her television debut.
The panelists introduced from right to left, different than other episodes I had posted here, are Bennett Cerf, Arlene Francis, Steve Allen and Dorothy Kilgallen.
John Charles Daly is the program’s host.
Doris Day is truly impressive with her answers. She passed away in 2019, however, she leaves a great treasure of personable, outstanding work that we can still see, hear and greatly appreciate.
You know what they say about opinions! They are like a certain part of the body, everyone has one.
Recently, I heard the very knowledgeable baseball reporter, Suzyn Waldman opine that Mookie Betts, recently dealt from the Boston Red Sox to the team they 5’d in the ’18 World Series, the L.A. Dodgers, is as good as any player in today’s game, adding she had not seen Mike Trout, the consensus top choice, play all that much. I can “live” with that statement.
However, Ms. Waldman called Mookie Betts “a 27 year old Willie Mays” and that is in my (strong) opinion going way too far.
Even to this point, Betts, a truly outstanding player, has not approached the level of Willie’s greatness.
I seriously doubt he will do so over a 20 plus or say 10 to 12 peak season span, in the future.
Again, you know what they say regarding opinions.
“Daniel Cainer: Jewish Chronicles,” at SoHo Playhouse (15 Van Dam Street, through February 23rd), is a humorous, highly creative and entertaining show.
Mr. Cainer weaves his real life family stories into some of the most creative and humorous music, I have enjoyed in a long time.
Without revealing too much, let’s just say Daniel Cainer’s family history provides some great material and as if the material was “pitched in,” Cainer hits it “out of the park,” doing so without “stealing signs.”
I highly recommend seeing this highly creative, excellent show.
The very talented and personable, Daniel Cainer, pictured above.
Click below for more information and discount tickets.
Last week The Best Picture Academy Award/Oscar went to “Parasite,” the lone upset among the major awards. It is an excellent film.
I have a “link” to another Best Picture winner, a true classic, an all time great Casablanca, that category’s choice 76 years earlier (1943-the film premiered briefly in ’42, won for ’43, getting the award in ’44).
Among the great scenes in Casablanca is one involving star Humphrey Bogart, who won the Academy Award for his performance in “Casablanca,” and the superb actor, Peter Lorre.
There are references to and usage of the word “parasite,” most notably Bogart’s “Rick” objecting to a “cut rate one.”
It would appear that college basketball is wide open this year, as many teams are considered to have a legitimate shot at winning the crown.
Last year’s tournament results were questionable, as Virginia won so many close games, especially when one of their players (Kyle Guy) was sent to the line for three shots. That occurred after what should have been a violation vs Virginia and almost certain victory for Auburn in that national semi-final game.
Auburn man and usually outspoken, Charles Barkley did not protest all that much, as one time I tuned in, hoping he would, he did not.
Anyway hail Virginia from last year, and we shall see regarding this year.
To his everlasting credit, Kyle Guy, pictured above made all three free throws. Kyle is now with the Sacramento Kings.
Today, a really special episode of the fabulous television show, “What’s My Line?” that first aired in 1954.
It was Fred Allen’s first appearance as a panelist on the show. Other panelists already were regulars and would be for a long time. They were Dorothy Kilgallen, Arlene Francis and Bennett Cerf.
John Charles Daly was the show’s host.
On this episode Buffalo Bob Smith brought out Howdy Doody, as the mystery guest.
Also interesting the first “challenger” as to his occupation was Daniel James Jr. a renowned member of this country’s military service.
Andy B Sports 