Tonight on CBS at 8 P.M. Eastern Time, a special tribute show to Norman Lear will be presented.
Mr. Lear’s contribution to television is exponentially important and caused great change, venturing into hitherto topics.
The following from reports:
Just days after the death of legendary TV producer Norman Lear at age 101, the new entertainment special “Norman Lear: A Life on Television” will air on CBS this Friday at 8 p.m., in addition to streaming on Paramount+.
The hourlong special, presented by “Entertainment Tonight,” will feature new interviews with Jimmie Walker of “Good Times” and Mackenzie Phillips of “One Day at a Time,” along with other stars of the comedies Lear created. An interview with Lear and “Entertainment Tonight” host Kevin Frazier to celebrate Lear’s 100th birthday a few years ago will also be featured. In the interview, Lear discussed his lengthy career in depth.
Amidst it all, there is music and Denny Laine, who died days back, too young at age 79, was an integral part of two groups, “The Moody Blues” and “Wings,” whose songs resonate greatly with millions of people, most certainly me.
Denny Laine was an original member of the incredible “Moody Blues,” with the hit song “Go Now,” a memorable hit during Denny’s relatively brief time with the group.
Later, on to “Wings,” with the one and only Paul McCartney, yielding so many great songs/hits “Band On The Run” and “Junior’s Farm” two of the best.
Some baseball related: Yankees broadcaster called the ’74 team, that bid for and fell just short of the O’s in the A.L. East race, The “Band on the Run.”
Next via Yahoo, in tribute to Denny Laine, he also won 30 (actually 31) for the Tigers in ’68. Another “commentator” you add Paul McCartney to get Denny McLain.
I add Ray Lane was one of the Tigers’ broadcasters that season.
Go easy, Denny Laine and thank you, thank you!!
NEW YORK — The sexy Hoops Cabaret Girls invite you to watch UFC 296 featuring Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington on Saturday, December 16th, at Hoops Cabaret and Sports Bar, or come for the After-Party!
The Ultimate Fighting Championship will close out 2023 with one of the most anticipated events of the year, UFC 296. The T-Mobile Arena will host an electrifying night of fights, headlined by a welterweight title clash between champion Leon Edwards and the formidable challenger Colby Covington.
The co-main event promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats as Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval battle it out for the flyweight title.
The fan-favorite Hoops Cabaret (48 West 33 Street, NYC) is a great place to watch sporting events, with multiple giant screens, Hi-Def TVs, and its futuristic Mega-Tron Video Wall. Every seat has a clear view of the action.
Hoops Cabaret combines the fun of a sports bar with the excitement of a gentlemen’s club. “The UFC is very exciting,” said Hoops girl Brittany. “And so is a lap dance from a Hoops girl!”
Court-side, Mezzanine and VIP seating
Super VIP “Man Cave”
Next door to the world famous Rick’s Cabaret NYC
Here’s another “who but me,” and if there are any errors, please point them out, although I doubt there are, but I surely care.
Last week (so called week 13), there were 8 ‘offs reduxes and in 6, the team that lost the most recent one, defeated the team that had won the most recent ‘offs clash between the two teams.
The (9-3) Detroit Lions beat the (5-7) New Orleans Saints, (5-7) L.A. (Chargers) won (6-0) at (2-10) New England, the latter the first team since the 1938 Chicago Cardinals (since located in St. Louis and now in Arizona) to lose 3 straight tilts, in which they allowed 10 points or fewer, ode to supermarket express lines “10 items or FEWER.
On a Saturday night I saw the late, great Glen Campbell perform in one of his last shows, New Orleans won a 2011 season wild card game at home vs the Lions while in 2018, en route to their sixth and last Brady/Belichick crown, the Pats eased in a slot 3 div round home tilt vs the Chargers.
Two other early Sunday games were Super Bowl reduxes with reverse results of the most recent clash between the teams.
In one, a game twice delayed by inclement weather, the (3-10) Arizona Cardinals upset the (7-5) PIttsburgh Steelers. In the 2008 season Supe, “Pitts” won a close tilt vs the Cardinals, a 6th crown (tied with New England for the most, by the way each team’s half dozen crowns were won in Super Bowls as neither won an “old” NFL or now defunct league AFL title) for the former, denying the latter a first title in then 61 years, a title drought that will reach 76 this season.
While the Miami Dolphins, now (9-3) tied with the Baltimore Ravens for the top AFC mark, after ripping (4-8) Washington, completed a (17-0) season with a Supe win vs Wash after the same calendar ’72 season, ten years later and in the most recent ‘offs clash between the two teams, ’twas Wash the winner and champion for the first of two times in a strike marred NFL season.
In Sunday late afternoon games that were ‘offs reduxes, the “feature” with Burkhardt, was a (9-3) S.F. Niners rout win at the (10-2) Philly Eagles, a reverse result of the also Burkhardt presiding Philly NFC title tilt/NFL “semi” win vs the essentially Purdy/less Niners.
Last week Purdy threw 4 TD passes in the S.F. rout win.
Finally, the (6-6) L.A. Rams beat the (7-5) Browns of Cleveland. In ’50 and in the most recent ‘offs clash between the two teams, in the great Otto Graham’s last game, ’twas Cleveland that won at L.A.
In another title tilt between the two then great teams, a 73 yard Norm VanBrocklin to Tom Fears TD pass was decisive and the last points (save the extra point) in a Rams’ title clinching win.
48 years later, again a 73 yard TD pass, this time from Kurt Warner to Isaac Bruce, were the decisive last points (save the XPoint), in the St. LOuis Rams Supe win vs the Tennessee Titans nee Houston Oilers.
Last Thursday, (9-3) Dallas which had lost a 2006 season wild card game at Seattle when Tony Romo botched a field goal attempt, but had wild card rounded “Sea” in ’18, won at home vs the (6-6) Seahawks.
Sunday night, this time as an underdog, (6-6) Green Bay (Packers), a big “fave” in their (35-10) NFL/AFL Championship Game/Super Bowl 1, again beat the K.C. Chiefs.
As stated I was to be in transit (ode to the letters of transit in Casablanca, however, as often the case, I digress) when the 4 team college pig ‘off field was to be announced.
I said FSU and Mich vs FSU. I was wrong, but could see the shift from those aforementioned “know besters” and always knew it could be ‘Bama.
So first on 1/1/2024 Mich is a very slight “fave” vs Alabama to be followed at night, by Texas a mid-sized favorite(the state certainly is not mid size and will lead in population within the next 20 or so years or so it is forecast) vs Washington and its “Pittsburgh PA” supporter. (Rain here in New York, really bad weather there, causing delays, but they finished and (3-10) ‘Zona upset (7-5) Pitts in a rematch and reverse result of the ’08 season Supe).
Speaking of rain, it is left to right, the great Claude Rains and the “ditto” Humphrey Bogart, in the seminal, awesome film, “Casablanca.”
Sure there is uncertainty and even more so controversy ahead, as hours from now and with me in transit, the four college football ‘offs participants will be named.
Two certain ones are the four time Rose Bowl opponents (’77, ’80,’91 and ’92 seasons–they split the 4 games, the most noteworthy being Wash’s win in ’91-’92 to gain a share of the mythical college crown with Miami Florida, ode to Miami Ohio winning its conference yesterday), (13-0)Michigan and (13-0) Washington.
They almost certainly will rank 1-2, with Michigan now only a slight underdog to win a non shared title (they shared the ’97 season crown with Nebraska, a third win or share for Nebby in 4 seasons and no titles since) for the first time in 75 years.
There is a third (13-0) team and they are Florida State, which won the A.C.C. crown with a (16-6) win vs Louisville last night. They did so with third string, true freshman quarterback Brock Glenn at the so important “quarterback station.”
Based on projections, especially by those who know best (they are not Robert Young/”Jim Anderson” types, not by to use a related term, “a longshot,” but they are smart), FSU will make the ‘off and it appears be #4 ((12-1)Texas is also projected in, likely but far from certainly, as a #3 to clash with “Wash,” leaving out (12-1) Alabama, which fulfilled my prediction that Georgia would not win a third straight crown, however, hail each team, though neither appears to be ‘offs bound. ‘Bama, whose lone loss was to Texas, certainly still has a chance), which if it comes to fruition would manifest in “Mich” being a pretty big “semis” favorite vs the ‘Noles.
Again I will be in transit and will discuss this further in the next day or so.
I could so easily be wrong, but I see “Mich” a pretty big “fave” and likely winner vs Florida State and Texas a relatively small favorite vs Washington and its “Pittsburgh PA” supporter.
Click below to view the original opening of the seminal, heartfelt show, “Father Knows Best,” referenced above.
Sadly another Hodges of Mets renown, (nowhere near Gil and far older), Ron Hodges died too soon last week at age 72.
Gil Hodges died in 1972, three years after guiding the ’69 Mets to an exponentially, improbable crown.
pionsThoughts of Ron Hodges include many big hits as he truly helped the (82-79), 1973 Mets version win the N.L. Pennant before losing in 7 games to repeat Oakland A’s champions, as that franchise won 3 straight crowns (’72-’74).
Ron Hodges, in a video hopefully shown below with both narration and real play by play by the great broadcaster, Bob Murphy, both tagged Rich Zisk at home plate and delivered the game winning single.
The play involving Hodges tagging out Zisk occurred after David Augustine’s T12 drive hit the point of the left field founce, incredibly came to Cleon Jones, who as with Wayne Garrett after, threw perfect relays eventually to Hodges.
Last week, I believe the six Conference title games/”semis” or Super Bowl rematches, encompassing ten previous such games, resulted in 4 repeat winners and 2 reverses of the past “semis”
The first two tilts manifested in “reverse results,” as the Cowboys, who lost title tilts 10 years apart (’72 and ’82), to “Wash,” pulled away to a rout win, while the S.F. 49ers eased at Seattle (Seahawks), reversing the 2013 NFC Title Game result.
However, starting with the Miami Dolphins repeat of the ’82 AFC Title game win at the Jets, the remaining 4 tilts, encompassing 7 previous “semis” or Super Bowls, resulted in repeat winners.
The New York Giants won an early afternoon home game vs New England (Patriots), repeating Supe triumphs in 2007 and 2011.
Next, in late afternoon action, Denver (Broncos), who thrice “semi’d” the Browns, (’86,’87 and ’89) or at least the old, once glory team, Browns’ franchise, now the “Balti” Ravens, eased at home, vs them again.
Meanwhile, simultaneously, the K.C. Chiefs repeated a last AFL Title Game/”semi” win vs the then Oakland Raiders after the 1969 season, winning at the Las Vegas Raiders.
It did hurt as the (10-1) Philadelphia Eagles won (37-34) vs (6-6) Buffalo Bills in a late Sunday afternoon/early evening “Poo’er,” (Romo, who I warned against when the media gushed about him and now is finally getting the so justified harsh criticism he deserves, called for a fake before Mr. (Josh) Elliott nailed a very clutch, game tying 59 yard field goal.
In games in which Jalen Hurts has played in the last 2 seasons, let’s just say, Philly has a (24-2) “reg” record and (26-3) counting ‘offs, which unfortunately for them including a really tough, questionable Supe loss to the Reid coached Chiefs.
Speaking of Reid, with him, the “Iggles” started 2004 with a (13-1) record then rested their starters in 2 losses, before riding the “1” seed to an NFC Title Game win after losses in that “semis” round (’01-’03, the last two at home).
Philly also had a great start last season, also going (13-1) before an injury kept Hurts out for 2 tilts before his return, in a “ho-hum” no cover vs the Giants that clinched the NFC one seed.
Again and in a similar season to ’04, the Eagles “rode” the “1” to the Supe but were not NFL #1 as they lost a truly tough Supe vs K.C.
Philly “fast started” (alliteration?) in both ’80 and ’81, going (11-1) before losing three of their last 4 games, the final one by the needed less than 25 points at Dallas in a quirky tiebreaker and thus won the “div.”
They were denied the “1” which went to Atlanta (Falcons)–(those 2 teams met in the first NFC and NFL (Oilers over and at Dolphins was the later tilt) wild card round game) but still played both NFC ‘offs games at home as Dallas “Slot 4’d” Atlanta (the great Lindsey Nelson was the national radio broadcaster and I “called” some of the pulsating action for my Dad in another room).
The next week, when I ought to have attended funeral services for either Ann Locker or Edlee Waldman (spelling? on each first name?–Eleanor Waldman is still alive and 97 or 98), I forget which, but instead watched and on the Eagles’ second play with another great, Pat “Super” Summerall behind the TV mike it was “all the way” (cue “The Raspberries and Eric Carmen) as Wilbert burst 42 yards, yielding (7-0) Eagles and eventually another trip to a losing Supe. (see ’04 and 2022 and I will have a “treat” along with Wilbert’s surname soon).
In ’81, Philly began (9-2) before “being run into by the Ray Perkins coached first New York Giants ‘offs team in 18 years.
One might say they were “run into” by those Giants thrice, first with a jarring tackle on a punt return, in that “reg” game the Giants won and after Philly went (9-2) to (9-6) to (10-6), ’twas the Giants led by Rob Carpenter and again with “Super” “presiding” that won, ending the Eagles’ season.
Finally in 2017, a great Eagles start occurred in a title season, the first for the Eagles in 57 years and after 56 (that # at which much has ended-Mr. Lincoln’s life and Mr. DiMaggio’s hit skein, to name two) seasons sans one.
That season they started (10-1), the loss to the Andy Reid coached Chiefs (he has 2 crowns, the ads so I cite his first name), then (13-2) before again a “reg” finale, meaningless game before again, for a third time (now 4 and in all likelihood if they prevail vs (9-3) S.F. at home this week will get a chance to do so for a fourth time and also get a chance to play both NFC ‘offs games at home for a fifth time with ’80,’04, ’17 and ’22 the previous four).
In yesterday’s likely last truly meaningful “reg” tilt between the storied and for a second straight season (11-0) rivals, 3 plus bet vs to 3 point “fave” Michigan prevailed (30-24) OVER Ohio State, virtually assuring a third straight 4 team ‘offs appearance for them.
Elsewhere, three other teams completed (12-0) “regs,” all either struggling mightily, no covering or both.
Another ‘offs contender, Alabama a 5 time champion, thrice in the previous nine, 4 team ‘offs years, got a 4th and goal 30 yard touchdown pass from Jalen Milrew to Isaiah Bond (I will cite/praise the never liked, Nessler, but he is great compared to the screaching Gus Johnson, for his “Bond, Isiah Bond,” ode to say Ian Flemming, however they/CBS/Nessler and Danielson left, or at least when I did so, to avoid the gushy, not needed ubiquitous sideline reporter, it was transmitted that ‘Bama won (33-24), when the actual score was (27-24).
It was not long after, that Washington got a Gross field goal lifting them, a 2 TD favorite, (24-21) vs Washington State.
Top ranked and two time defending champion Georgia a 24 plus point(s) fave and now (12-0), but (4-8) ATS (against the spread), led (31-13) and took G.Tech (31-23).
Florida State is a “committee problem” as without its fine quarterback Travis, they are not deemed and likely are not a viable opponent for say a Michigan (I hope not, I can live with Mich but must get paid and that sum would be mucho less if their semis opponent is FSU) or a Georgia (I think the more likely possibility as if the faves prevail in next week’s title tilts, GA would be first and FSU fourth, but as was sung in “Cherchez la Femme” –“one never knows”), in a national semi/money making entertainment program scheduled for New Year’s Day, in what astonishingly will be 2024.
Anyway, credit the Noles, down (12-0) and clearly a struggle, for a (24-15) win at Florida, not exactly a “swamp at “The Swamp,” but a cover, as a near touchdown favorite.
On Friday, a pair of now (11-1) teams, Oregon (projected in the ‘off, by most including me if they win vs “Wash” as 9 point faves and Texas, which will need a win and at least one game of help (ode to Hamburger Helper”), crushed Oregon State and Texas Tech respectively.
Certainly it appears “Mich” a 22 point “fave” vs Iowa will be in the ‘off. Georgia is a current 5 point favorite vs Alabama while Oregon as stated is (-9) vs Washington. Florida State “opened 4 plus vs Louisville, which was upset by Kentucky yesterday.
Texas is about a 10 point favorite vs Oklahoma State and I think would get into the ‘off if one of the top 4 teams lose.
Again one never knows and next on this subject will be next week either after it is announced or perhaps in between the title tilts and that ridiculously overhyped announcement.
Yet: Georgia vs Texas and Michigan vs Oregon is my somewhat “chalky” semis matchups prediction.
